Rebecca C.
Exeter
"Went alone and didn't feel awkward for a second. Everyone was lovely."
Make new friends
over dinner in Devon.
Pull up a chair at a table of equally lovely strangers — proper food at Devon's best restaurants, a host to break the ice, no apps, no pressure. Get out of the house and remember how good company feels.
See how your first dinner works350+guests hosted since 2024
25South Devon venues
£15tickets from
As seen on
Upcoming dinners
See all dinnersPull up a chair at your next table
Lympstone Manor, The Pool House
Saturday 6 February · 52 credits
The Globe, Torquay
Thursday 25 February · 18 credits
@thirty-four, Exeter College
Wednesday 10 March · 15 credits
Al Farid, Exeter
Friday 16 April · 18 credits
Kenton Park Estate
Saturday 19 June · 18 credits
Join waitlistThe Galley Restaurant
Wednesday 11 November · Sold out · join the waitlist
Don't just take it from us
New friendships, told by our guests
Jenny W.
Exeter
"I was nervous at first but everyone was so friendly. Left with three new friends!"
Richard H.
Devon
"As a newcomer to the area, this was exactly what I needed."
Nick A.
Devon
"Forget dating apps - this is how you meet genuine people!"
Victoria S.
Exeter
"The host made everyone feel at ease. Such a gift for bringing people together."
Mark S.
Devon
"After moving to Devon, this helped me feel part of the community again."
Tom H.
Exeter
"Stepped out of my comfort zone and loved every minute. Highly recommend!"
Susan T.
Exeter
"What a brilliant concept! Pamela is a great host and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming."
Emma L.
Exeter
"As someone new to Exeter, this was the perfect way to connect with the community. The conversations were genuine!"
Mike B.
Exeter
"It was a very enjoyable evening in spite of never having met before. Lots of laughter, sharing of life's experiences and huge fun"
Peter G.
Devon
"Best decision I made this year. Met people I never would have otherwise."
Howard C.
Devon
"The evening flew by. Before I knew it, we'd been chatting for four hours!"
Robert D.
Devon
"I've done three dinners now and each one has been uniquely wonderful."
Graham B.
Devon
"My wife and I both loved it. We're already planning to bring friends next time."
Frances E.
Exeter
"A wonderful antidote to loneliness. Everyone should try this."
Diane M.
Exeter
"I laughed more in one evening than I have in months. Absolutely brilliant."
Catherine R.
Exeter
"A truly special experience. The intimacy of a small group made all the difference."
Tracey L.
Exeter
"I've attended five dinners now and each one has been fantastic."
Read all 56 guest reviews
"It was a very enjoyable evening in spite of never having met before. Lots of laughter, sharing of life's experiences and huge fun"
Mike B. · Exeter"As someone new to Exeter, this was the perfect way to connect with the community. The conversations were genuine!"
Emma L. · Exeter"What a brilliant concept! Pamela is a great host and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming."
Susan T. · Exeter"The perfect antidote to social isolation. Made genuine connections over great food."
Sarah P. · Devon"Stepped out of my comfort zone and loved every minute. Highly recommend!"
Tom H. · Exeter"Great venue, great food, great company! I would definitely do it again."
Kim R. · Exeter"Finally found my tribe! The people I met were wonderful and the food was exceptional."
Rachel M. · Devon"Such a refreshing way to spend an evening. No phones, just real conversations."
David C. · Exeter"I was nervous at first but everyone was so friendly. Left with three new friends!"
Jenny W. · Exeter"The atmosphere was electric. So many interesting stories shared around the table."
Andrew P. · Devon"A wonderful concept executed brilliantly. Already booked my next dinner!"
Claire H. · Exeter"After moving to Devon, this helped me feel part of the community again."
Mark S. · Devon"Lovely evening with fascinating people. The venue was charming too."
Helen J. · Exeter"Best decision I made this year. Met people I never would have otherwise."
Peter G. · Devon"The food was incredible and the company even better. What more could you ask for?"
Lisa T. · Exeter"A delightful escape from the usual routine. Came home feeling energised."
James F. · Devon"So well organised and thoughtfully curated. Every detail was perfect."
Anna K. · Exeter"I've done three dinners now and each one has been uniquely wonderful."
Robert D. · Devon"The mix of people was just right. Conversations flowed naturally all evening."
Sophie N. · Exeter"My wife and I both loved it. We're already planning to bring friends next time."
Graham B. · Devon"A truly special experience. The intimacy of a small group made all the difference."
Catherine R. · Exeter"Forget dating apps - this is how you meet genuine people!"
Nick A. · Devon"Beautifully hosted evening. I felt welcome from the moment I arrived."
Patricia E. · Exeter"The vegetarian options were fantastic. So thoughtful about dietary needs."
Oliver L. · Devon"I laughed more in one evening than I have in months. Absolutely brilliant."
Diane M. · Exeter"Such a simple idea but so effective. Left feeling genuinely happy."
Chris W. · Devon"The wine selection was superb and the conversation even better."
Margaret H. · Exeter"Perfect for anyone who wants more meaningful social connections."
Steven J. · Devon"Went alone and didn't feel awkward for a second. Everyone was lovely."
Rebecca C. · Exeter"A breath of fresh air. Real people, real conversations, real food."
Alan T. · Devon"The host made everyone feel at ease. Such a gift for bringing people together."
Victoria S. · Exeter"Exceeded all my expectations. Already recommended to everyone I know."
Paul N. · Devon"A highlight of my month. The stories people shared were fascinating."
Janet B. · Exeter"Finally, something different to do on a Friday night. Loved it!"
Daniel R. · Devon"The intimate setting made for deeper conversations than any party I've been to."
Elizabeth F. · Exeter"My social calendar has never been better since discovering these dinners."
George K. · Devon"Warm, welcoming, and wonderfully memorable. Can't wait for the next one."
Julia P. · Exeter"As a newcomer to the area, this was exactly what I needed."
Richard H. · Devon"The quality of the food matched the quality of the conversation."
Barbara W. · Exeter"I've made friends for life through these dinners. Truly grateful."
Simon L. · Devon"An evening of genuine connection in our increasingly digital world."
Karen D. · Exeter"The venue was stunning and the company was even better."
Matthew G. · Devon"Left feeling inspired by the amazing people I met. Thank you!"
Wendy A. · Exeter"A perfect blend of great food, lovely people, and interesting conversation."
Anthony M. · Devon"The best thing I've done for my social life in years."
Michelle T. · Exeter"Every dinner feels like a little adventure. Never know who you'll meet!"
Kevin B. · Devon"Such a lovely way to spend an evening. The hosts think of everything."
Sharon R. · Exeter"I was skeptical at first but now I'm completely hooked. Brilliant concept."
Brian J. · Devon"The attention to detail was impressive. From the menu to the seating."
Caroline N. · Exeter"Finally found something that gets me out of the house and meeting new people."
Derek S. · Devon"A wonderful antidote to loneliness. Everyone should try this."
Frances E. · Exeter"The evening flew by. Before I knew it, we'd been chatting for four hours!"
Howard C. · Devon"So refreshing to have proper face-to-face conversations with new people."
Natalie H. · Exeter"The food was restaurant quality and the company was priceless."
Philip W. · Devon"I've attended five dinners now and each one has been fantastic."
Tracey L. · Exeter"A unique experience that I'll treasure. Already planning my next visit."
Roger F. · Devon
How it works
One simple evening, built for real connection
Reserve a seat, turn up hungry, and let the host do the awkward bit. That's the whole system.
How it worksRead the FAQ
Book
your seat
your seat
Reserve your spot from £15 a seat, with food and drink paid at the restaurant. There are no cancellations as standard, but if plans change you can move to another date or pass your seat to a friend.
Show up
and connect
and connect
Arrive at the restaurant and meet your dinner companions. Our hosts facilitate introductions and break the ice — you just enjoy the meal.
Stay connected
Exchange contacts with the people you click with. Many of our diners become regular friends, meeting up outside of our events.
How credits work
Top up once, then reserve any dinner with credits. Can't make the date? Get in touch and we can move you to another dinner, or pass your seat to a friend.
Is this for me?
Who you'll meet around the table
Most guests are in their forties, fifties and sixties. Singles, couples, empty nesters, new in town or been here forever. In your thirties? Very welcome — you might just be the youngest seat.
40–65+
Guests around every table — big enough for variety, small enough that everyone actually talks.
10–12
A host at every table who makes the introductions, so you never walk in cold.
1 host
From £15 a seat to reserve your place, with food and drink paid at the restaurant.
£15
Ways to meet new people
Apps or a noisy meetup? Neither.
Real conversation
Proper food
Your age group
Platonic by design
Hosted for you
Plans this week
Dinners With Friends
A hosted table of 10–12 lovely strangers at a proper restaurant. Turn up, eat well, make friends.
Dating apps
Endless swiping, one-on-one pressure, and everyone's there for something else entirely.
Big meetup groups
Fifty names, a noisy bar, and you still end up talking to the one person you came with.
Hobby clubs
Great if you love the hobby — but the conversation stays on the tennis, the choir, the paint.
Waiting for it to happen
The sofa is comfortable, but nobody new ever knocks on the door.
Do I have to come with someone?
Not at all — most of our guests come alone, and it's arguably the best way to experience it. Every table is hosted, introductions are made for you, and everyone else is there to meet new people too.
Is this a dating event?
No, this is not a dating event. Dinners With Friends is focused purely on platonic friendships and community connection. The goal is to make new friends and expand your social circle in a relaxed, pressure-free environment.
I'm introverted, is this still for me?
Many of our regular guests describe themselves as introverts. Our hosts are skilled at facilitating conversation and making sure everyone feels included. We also use conversation cards to help break the ice, so you never have to worry about awkward silences.
What happens when I arrive?
Just give your name — there are no tickets or QR codes to show. Your host will welcome you, show you to the table and make the introductions. From there, the evening takes care of itself.
What if the conversation dries up?
That's what the host is there for. They keep introductions flowing and have conversation cards on hand if the table fancies a nudge — awkward silences are their natural enemy.
What if I can't make a booking?
We don't offer cancellations as standard — once you reserve, the seat is held for you and the venue counts you in. If plans change you can move to another date or pass your seat to a friend. If life genuinely gets in the way, email [email protected] and we'll do our best to help.
What do credits cover?
Your credits reserve your seat at the dinner. Food and drinks are ordered and paid for separately at the venue, just like you would if dining with friends.