From personal experience, the most awkward stretch of dining solo is the time after ordering and before any reasonable part of the ordered meal is on the table.

From personal experience, the most awkward stretch of dining solo is the time after ordering and before any reasonable part of the ordered meal is on the table. A drink can be an easy "company", but if night is busy, it's easy to get all wasted before seeing your appetizer. Of course, these days smartphone is a well-accepted company at any table, solo or not. Siri should really split the bill, come on! Enjoyed the ambiance, Ok Google? Now pay up your share or next time you'll get muted .