sitting at the bar for dinner

I'm not sure about eating at the bar for dinner in those places, but I can share that several years ago when I was in Madrid, many restaurants didn't open for dinner until 8:00pm or so.

Just adjust your time two hours less. Wake up at 9 instead of 7. Eat at 8:30 instead of 6:30. Stay up until 11 instead of 9. Your body won’t know.

I have traveled yearly to France and occasionally to Germany. In France restaurants open at 7 for dinner or sometimes 630. There are also cafes that have "service continu" which means they serve all day. It's no problem to eat that early. I also have a 530 stomach so I can wait until 630 or 7 but 8 is just not something that works for my rhythm. I don't recall any problem in Germany with eating around that time.

I'm not one to eat at a bar. I've never had a problem getting a table early in a restaurant so I'd not worry about it.

We can't wait until 10pm to eat dinner.
What we did in Spain was have generous tapas about 6:30pm for dinner.

Spain has menu del dia (daily menu) at lunch. It is a big meal as is their custom, so just roll up for a drink and some tapas if hungry later.

I struggle to eat on their time schedule, but one night in Tokedo, I went to a small.local bar for dinner...the only one that opened before 8pm. It was small, but clearly local as a guy wandered in, sat at the bar, his beer was poured and served and shortly after, a plate put in front of him. I don't recall a word being spoken.

thanks for chiming in y’all! i think my question was answered lol. question about tapas bars: do you normally just stand up and eat? I just feel funny when I do not speak the language and then I have to point and ask what stuff is if I do not know 🙃

I've traveled solo for years and have never sat at the bar. Mostly it's because I'm short and I don't like sitting on bar stools, but also because it's easier to relax and enjoy the food at a table (imo). Spain eats later than most other countries, but you will get into the swing of it. I usually eat around 6-6:30 pm at home, but will eat later in Europe. As Pam said, you won't have any problem eating early in Germany.

One of the perks of eating later is that you will meet more people while eating. To me, it's a little depressing to be sitting in a restaurant by myself or with only one other party there. I like sitting around people so I can talk to them. :) If they want to, of course, but many do. When I was in Scotland, I started talking to a couple sitting next to me, and I wound up moving over to their table. We had a blast!

ETA: With regards to tapas bars, it depends. I remember sitting down but also standing, depending on the place. Here's an article that gives a good overview of tapas bars, and has some recommendations for different cities in Spain. https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-tapas-cities-in-spain-1644386

@Mardee, that is such a good point (and lord knows i love to gab!). I guess I will just have to train myself lol. first world problems 🙃

There are many places in Spain open at 6-6:30 for dinner. I am not sure why I should eat at 10:00pm just because local residents do unless of course they are picking up the check. Also, when I was in Spain last, many locals were sitting down at 6:30-7:00.

OP there is not a lot of bar seating for meals in Europe lke in the USA. It's mostly all tables.

When I travel solo I'm someone uncomfortable dining at dinner alone. People who aren't uncomfortable dining at dinner alone will tell you it's not a big deal to get over it, but I've done it plenty and don't particularly like it. Any chance I get to eat at the bar in Europe I take.

But it's just not that common.

Also, I feel you on tapas. A of all I dislike small plate meals. My wife goes with her ladies dinner group to monthly dinners where she gets her desire for small plates met. But not with me. I want my solid plate of food. Tapas are the ultimate small plate. Not only little bitty portions, but moving from place to place. Honestly I would almost rather not eat.

And my Spanish is passable for travel, but I still don't like the repeated transaction, communicating and paying and standing there in a busy tapas bar. It's at a time of day as well that I'm less fired up to interact with a foreign culture. I'm starting to get tired at night and have enjoyed interacting with foreign culture all day.

So anyway, not a ton of advice except to say that I empathize with your issues around this stuff. And of course we must adapt, get over it a little, make it fun whenever we can 🙂. But when I get home and I'm going to eat out alone? Yep, at the bar, and on that earlier side.

I travel alone and eat at the bar often. Sure, eating late is common, but the restaurants are open early because not everyone eats late. People are people the world over. Don't stress, just enjoy.

And, the Germans eat at about the same time as the US, the French after 7:30 which isn't too extreme; but the Spanish after 9:00. But, again, I suspect every place you will want to eat at will be open by 6 pm

I just can’t eat dinner that late

Adapt yourself to the world, because you are too small for the world to adapt to you.

How is this for adapting: Eat when you want and get to bed at a reasonable time so you can enjoy a full day of touring.

Easy.

Just got back from 7 weeks in Spain, but mainly in smaller towns. In the big cities, you can always find places that are open earlier or that are serving food all day long. Having a large lunch, the Menu del Dia is dining the way the Spaniards dine and a smaller dinner is normal. Thus, some tapas. Try having a siesta in the afternoon and go back out to enjoy the evenings when it is light outside until really late. I got used to having dinner at 19:00-19:30 and a few times at 20:00. It is part of the experience of being in a different country. Try it and see.

In Germany, people tend to go out to dinner a lot later than in the US. Having dinner between 18.00 and 20:00 is usual, but kitchens usually serve food until 22:00 or 23:00. I am always shocked in the US, that restaurants are closing at 20:00 or so.

Sitting at a table sounds more comfortable than sitting at a bar. Allows you to look around and enjoy your experience of dining in Spain, Germany and France.

How is this for adapting: Eat when you want and get to bed at a reasonable time so you can enjoy a full day of touring.

I agree with this. I travel solo. I have always eaten dinner early regardless of when I go to sleep. I've never had a problem finding a place to eat. I don't know about eating at the bar since I prefer a table, but as long as you're not terribly picky, I doubt you'll have a problem.

Your trip sounds like it will be wonderful. I haven't been to Spain, but it's on my wish list!