A recent exploration of dining preferences highlights a growing acceptance, and even preference, for side-by-side seating in restaurants. The practice, often considered unconventional, is gaining traction as diners prioritize intimacy and a unique dining experience.
Eater editor recently noted the “unspoken shame” surrounding side-by-side dining, recalling a server’s comment when she and her partner chose to sit next to each other at a cocktail bar: “Oh, so you’re side-by-side people.” This observation sparked a discussion about why this seating arrangement is sometimes viewed as “cringe” or “codependent.” The editor argues that embracing “corniness” and prioritizing personal enjoyment over others’ perceptions is key.
Cynthia, a seasonal tasting-menu restaurant in New York City’s West Village, intentionally designs its space to accommodate side-by-side seating. According to Cynthia’s founder and general manager, the design was a “merge of the constraints of the space, while also trying to build the perfect table that I would want to sit at [...] for those unique little cubbies [in the restaurant’s layout].” The founder noted that her and her partner also prefer to sit side-by-side.
An internal discussion among Eater colleagues revealed support for the seating arrangement, with many appreciating the increased intimacy and connection it fosters.
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