This little Cambridge shop, which usually has a long but fast-moving line outside, specializes in heaping bowls of pork-filled, garlicky ramen — and invites diners to stand up and share their dreams with the rest of the restaurant after finishing a bowl. It takes a bit of stamina to power through the hearty portion size; a solo diner can fully concentrate on the (delicious) task at hand.

This popular Italian spot is one of the trickiest reservations in town; dates open up two weeks in advance, so plan ahead. While reservations are accepted for parties of one, it’s also worth rolling the dice for a walk-in seat at the bar. If dining alone, the best course of action is to skip the entrees in order to focus on a pasta and a dessert (any pasta and any dessert; they’re all incredible). Proof of vaccination required for indoor dining.

Tucked away off a somewhat hidden parking lot in Somerville’s Union Square, Field & Vine looks like a forest oasis. Make a reservation specifically for the bar at this intimate restaurant; it’ll give you a front-row view into the bustling open kitchen. The menu’s always changing, but you’re sure to find something very seasonal and local. (It’s mostly small plates, so plan on ordering a couple.) Vegetables take a starring role, but it’s not a vegetarian restaurant, so roasted koginut squash, for example, may be prepared with spicy marinated feta, fermented garlic honey, and a bit of house-smoked bacon. After dinner, grab a nightcap next door at one of the area’s best cocktail bars, Backbar. Proof of vaccination required for indoor dining.

Pammy’s, an Italian-ish/American-ish trattoria, boasts one of the friendliest staffs in town and truly lovely decor. Solo diner reservations are available, but be aware that reserved seats require purchase of a $69 prix fixe menu. Looking for something lighter? The cozy bar and lounge area (complete with fireplace) is available for walk-ins and offers an a la carte menu. The gochujang-spiked lumache Bolognese is a must; enjoy it with one of Pammy’s draft aperitivi. Proof of vaccination required for indoor dining.

A very short walk from TD Garden but set back a bit from the bustle of Boston’s West End, Alcove is a more upscale option than pretty much anything else in the neighborhood, but it still feels warm and hospitable; a solo diner could be comfortable both at the bar or in standard seating. Open for lunch and dinner, Alcove serves coastal New England cuisine — including a good number of full-sized entrees — and features a solid cocktail list. If you’re lucky, you might spot chef Chuck Draghi’s popular carbonara on the specials list.

Neptune Oyster is another example of a spot that’s easiest to get into as a solo diner (especially if your schedule is flexible). The North End restaurant, home of one of the city’s best lobster rolls, packs in diners elbow-to-elbow but still sees hours-long waits a lot of the time. Put your name in, and then pop around the corner for an interesting cocktail at Parla if a seat’s available at the tiny bar, or just stroll around the North End and maybe make a gelato stop or two.

In general, any dimly lit wine bar with good food feels like a solid solo dining option. Tiny Downtown Crossing nook Haley Henry is an especially great pick thanks to its creative selection of funky wines and hospitable vibes. Go all in on fancy tinned seafood (optionally add caviar), or try a mix-and-match cheese and charcuterie plate. A lighter-on-the-wallet option is the panini of the day, maybe paired with a slice of Basque cheesecake. Reservations open a month in advance, or try to walk in (ideally at an off-peak time).

For a traveler whose idea of the perfect solo meal is dropping a ton of cash on one incredible sushi feast, O Ya is the spot, and it’s conveniently located steps from South Station in an old fire station. The omakase currently goes for $250 (add $150 for beverage pairings) and includes a leisurely journey through 20 courses of modern sashimi, nigiri, and more. Reservations are a must and open up two months in advance; try calling between noon and 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday if nothing’s showing up online.

Why yes, you can drink cocktails and eat at the Boston Public Library’s beautiful main branch in Copley Square. The Map Room Tea Lounge is open for tea time reservations on Friday and Saturday afternoons or walk-in bar bites Wednesday through Saturday afternoon, featuring literature-inspired, tea-infused cocktails. The bar bite selection isn’t very extensive, but the ambiance is a must for book lovers and the perfect mid-day escape for a solo explorer.

For an out-of-towner coming in for a quick visit and hoping to eat seafood, Row 34 is a great example of a modern New England seafood restaurant. It’s energetic and casual — yet still feels nice enough for a special occasion — and showcases local seafood in a variety of raw and cooked forms. Plus, it has a killer beer list. It’s no surprise that reservations can be hard to come by at this popular spot, but a solo diner has a good shot at snagging a bar seat, especially at off-peak hours. Make sure to save room for the butterscotch pudding.

Spend the day strolling Newbury Street and wrap up with steak frites and a glass of wine at Grand Tour, a Parisian-inspired bistro. Reserve ahead of time, or try for a spontaneous visit; a few seats are saved for walk-ins. It’s open for lunch and dinner daily, with weekday lunch featuring a three-course prix fixe for $45.

Steps from the Broadway T station, Fox & the Knife is serving some of the best Italian around, with a focus on the Emilia-Romagna region. Solo diners won’t find reservations available online, but swing by for a chance at a bar seat; there’s always some space saved for walk-ins. Snack on fried chile chickpeas or prosciutto di Parma while sipping through an aperitivi flight, and then dig into a bowl of pasta. No seats available? Head down the street to Fox & the Knife’s new sibling, Bar Volpe, which is a much larger space and focuses on southern Italian cuisine. (Bar Volpe does accept bar seat reservations for solo diners.)

Sure, tapas are best enjoyed in a group, but this Spanish mainstay in the South End can be a good spot to dine alone, too, especially if you’re in the mood for paella. Be sure to explore the vermut and sherry selection. The restaurant doesn’t accept single-diner reservations online, so stop by and try for a bar seat.