If you live alone and are looking for delicious meal ideas you can whip up in no time at all, then “girl dinner” might be the perfect hack for you.
Recently, I celebrated New Years alone in my apartment (Happy 2025 y’all!). Rather than cooking a fancy meal or ordering takeout, I decided to make a “girl dinner” with all the foods I’ve been craving: olives, cheese, smoked salmon and capers, cornichons, and of course, CHAMPAGNE 🥂. It was the perfect accompaniment to a wonderful night rewatching Korean dramas on Netflix and plotting for the new year.
Girl dinners aren’t just perfect for celebrating special occasions alone though – they can really be enjoyed by anyone, anytime. If you’re looking for ideas on ways to try out the girl dinner trend yourself at home, then this post is for you!
What is a “Girl Dinner”?
“Girl dinner” as a concept originated as a trend on Tiktok, where women (often single and living alone) show off unconventional dinners they make for themselves. With no one else to satiate besides themselves, they could omit many elements that a man or child would probably demand for dinner (such as meat, carbs, or even cooked food altogether 🫠).
@mandatoryfunday Girl dinner is a concept that we have only briefly had a word for. Understanding it is crucial and the concept can and should be applied to all people of any gender.
♬ original sound – MandatoryFunDay
As the trend evolved, “girl dinner” began to more or less describe “adult lunchables”: a snack plate of a variety of different ready made foods. This concept is not entirely new – people from different cultures have been eating like this since the ancient times (think Ancient Greeks and Mesopotamians). Back then, people didn’t have refrigerators, and also didn’t have a lot of time to be prepping every meal given long work days. Thus, they would often eat a variety of foods that could store well over time, like smoked meats, cheeses and olives.
Benefits of the Girl Dinner:
- There is virtually no prep work. You can use ready made and easy to store ingredients from your fridge and pantry.
- Minimal cleanup. Just put the containers back where you found them!
- Perfect for 1 person. You don’t have to worry about accumulating too many leftovers.
- Perfect for people who love variety in their food. If you’re like me and love airplane food and bento boxes for all the variety you can get in one meal, girl dinner is perfect for you.
- Perfect for people who like a drink with their meal. Girl dinners are the perfect accompaniment for a cute beverage, alcoholic or not.
The Art of the Girl Dinner:
Even though you can put virtually anything you like on your plate for a girl dinner, there is a formula I like to stick to for making an enjoyable and satisfying meal:
- Include some protein.
- Include a starch.
- Add plenty of briny, salty elements.
- Make everything finger food / utensil-optional.
- Add a drink! Snack plates pair perfectly with a beverage.
- Make sure everything is easily combine-able and mix and matchable, so you can make a variety of perfect bites.
12 Girl Dinner Ideas:
- Caviar and Martinis
- Wine and Cheese
- Italian girl dinner
- Greek Mezze
- Korean Banchan
- Japanese girl dinner
- Middle Eastern Spread
- Tinned Seafood Galore
- Seafood Feast
- Meat Lovers
- Veg and Dip
- Mexican Fiesta
1. Caviar and Martinis
Martinis and caviar are an iconic and chic pairing that everyone should try at least once (in my humble opinion). They’ve also been going through a resurgence on social media (is anyone else on Caviar Tok?).
@girlllllhouse use the silver, eat the nuggets and open the caviar—life’s too short 🥂 @Chick-fil-A @Doritos @Marky’s #caviar #barcartideas #caviarlovers #hosting #barcart #dorritos #chickennuggets #girldinner #silver #martinis #stayingin #appetizers ♬ Pretty Woman – filmcusp
Create a classic caviar plate with any or all of the following ingredients:
- Caviar
- Creme Fraiche
- Chives
- Salty chips
- Blinis
- Smoked Salmon
- A Dirty Martini, or bubbly white alcohol
2. Wine and Cheese
Wine and cheese is often served as a classic appetizer or dessert, but they can also serve as the perfect base for your girl dinner. Bulk it up with sides like grapes, smoked salmon, bread, cold cut meats, olives, and various pickles for a filling meal.
If you’re new to wine and looking for ideas on what to buy, I suggest cabernet sauvignon (red wine) or sauvignon blanc (white wine). They’re both dry wines (meaning they have low sugar content) and will pair well with any cheese selections.
As for cheeses, some great options to include are soft brie, goat cheese, aged cheddar, gruyere, or any other cheese you enjoy!
3. Italian girl dinner
Channel your inner Sophia Loren with an Italian-inspired girl dinner. This one is perfect for when you’re craving comfort food but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. I LOVE Trader Joe’s (or Trader Giotti should I say) for their ready-made Italian finger food choices.
Some delicious components you can include:
- Mozzarella sticks
- Marinara sauce
- Tomatoes, Burrata, Basil, Balsamic vinegar + olive oil for an easy Caprese salad
- Meatballs
- Breadsticks
- Prosciutto
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Crusty bread for dipping
- A glass of Chianti or sparkling water with a twist of lemon
4. Greek Mezze
Bring the light and fresh flavors of the Mediterranean to your table with a Greek-inspired girl dinner. Greek cuisine is known for its vibrant ingredients and simple preparations, making it an ideal choice for a no-fuss yet satisfying meal. The combination of tangy, salty, and creamy elements creates a perfect balance that feels indulgent without being heavy. Plus, the Greeks have been enjoying meals Mezze style (selection of small plates and appetizers) since the ancient times – they practically invented girl dinner!
Mix and match:
- Hummus
- Tzatziki
- Kalamata olives
- Feta cheese
- Pita bread
- Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves)
- A glass of ouzo or a crisp white wine
5. Korean Banchan
Korean banchan (side dishes) have always been my favorite part about going to a Korean restaurant. I’ve always thought they could make for a delicious meal in their own right, and girl dinner is the perfect format. Mix and match different pre-made side dishes you can pick up at the Korean grocery store, and combine it with rice and dried seaweed to make mini hand rolls.
Mix and match banchan options like:
- Kimchi (radish and cabbage)
- Dried Anchovies
- Korean cucumber salad
- Marinated Beansprouts
- Steamed spinach with sesame oil
- Japchae (sweet potato noodles)
- Korean fried chicken bites
- Rice & dried seaweed (Gim)
- A bottle of soju or a refreshing iced barley tea
6. Japanese girl dinner
Japanese cuisine is all about balance, simplicity, and fresh flavors, making it a perfect fit for a girl dinner. This style of meal is light yet satisfying, and it’s incredibly easy to put together with minimal effort. Once you’ve found a local Japanese grocery store, you can buy all of these elements and whip up a perfect Japanese inspired girl dinner with minimal prep time.
- Sashimi (dress it up into a crudo with some soy sauce, yuzu, jalapenos, or whatever suits your
- Maki rolls
- Edamame
- Miso soup
- Seaweed salad
- Rice crackers
- A cup of green tea or sake
7. Middle Eastern spread
There are so many incredible Middle Eastern dishes that work perfectly for a girl dinner. The Levantine region truly has some of the most delicious food in the world, and the best part is you can buy a lot of these components ready made from a store. Or, you could also make them at home in batches and store them for later use. Middle eastern girl dinners are one of my FAVORITE meals… they can be perfect for sharing with friends — or not! 😈
Try adding any of the following elements:
- Baba ganoush (eggplant dip)
- Tabbouleh (parsley salad)
- Muhammara (spicy red pepper dip)
- Hummus
- Falafel
- Pita bread
- Stuffed grape leaves
- Dates
- Olives
- A glass of mint tea or a light red wine
8. Tinned Seafood Galore
@purnaskitchen Tinned fish board for one !!!! @Fishwife @Whole Foods Market @Siete Foods @Momofuku @Drink Poppi @DRINK NOWADAYS @Scout Canning #tinfish #tinnedfish #tinnedfishboard #girldinner #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #easydinner #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #vi #viralvideo #viraltiktok #mussles #olives ♬ But Beautiful – Street Cats Jazz Band
Tinned fish is currently popping off on social media, and for good reason—it’s packed with delicious flavor, nutritious, and super easy to prepare. This girl dinner is perfect for seafood lovers who want to ball on a budget. Trader joe’s has a FABULOUS selection of tinned seafood currently, or you could order online from the trendy colorful brand I’ve been seeing everywhere online Fishwife.
Create a tinned fish board with:
- Sardines
- Anchovies
- Smoked oysters
- Tinned octopus
- Crackers or crusty bread
- Pickled vegetables
- A glass of crisp white wine or a spritz
9. Seafood Feast
If you’re a seafood lover and want to indulge in a little luxury, this one’s for you. It’s elegant, indulgent, and surprisingly easy to put together. Why spend a hundred dollars plus on a seafood tower at some fancy restaurant when you can make it at home for a fraction of the cost?
Create a bed of crushed ice on a plate and add elements like:
- Shrimp cocktail
- Crab legs
- Lobster if you want to be fancy shmancy
- Oysters
- Mussels
- Lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, tabasco, vinegar + chopped onion sauce for garnish
- A glass of champagne or a light beer
10. Meat Lovers
For the carnivores out there, a meat-heavy girl dinner could be the way togo. This one is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for when you’re craving a meat lover’s pizza but don’t want to order delivery.
Include:
- Charcuterie meats (salami, prosciutto, etc.)
- Cooked bacon strips
- Various cheeses (mozzarella, brie, cheddar, etc).
- Frozen chicken wings (you can make these easily in an air fryer)
- Mustard, hot sauce or honey for dipping
- Pepperoncini or Jalapenos if you like that heat!
- Crackers or bread
- A glass of red wine or a cold beer
11. Veg and Dip
Keep it light, fresh and healthy with a veggie-focused girl dinner. This one is perfect for when you want to cleanse and detox but still enjoy something delicious.
Try:
- Sliced cucumbers, carrots, celery, broccoli, bell peppers or any other vegetable you can think of
- Hummus, baba ghanoush, red pepper dip, ranch, or other tasty and hearty dips
- Halloumi cheese
- Pita chips or bread
- A glass of iced tea or a fruity spritzer
12. Mexican fiesta
Spice things up with a Mexican-inspired girl dinner. This one is vibrant, flavorful, and perfect for when you’re craving something with a little kick.
Include:
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Tortilla chips
- Empanadas
- Queso fresco
- Jalapeños
- A margarita or a cold cerveza
You don’t have to be a single girl living alone to enjoy girl dinners. They’re perfect for anyone who wants to embrace simplicity, variety, and the joy of eating exactly what you’re craving.
The best part? There are no rules. You can mix and match, experiment with new flavors, or stick to your tried-and-true favorites. It’s all about making mealtime easy and stress-free.
Hope these girl dinner ideas gave you enough inspiration to make your own fabulous girl dinner at home. If you come up with a delicious new concept, please share it in the comments!
