Making real friends is hard.
Dinner helps.
Making real connections as an adult is hard because life gets in the way. It's nobody's fault — we're all just trying to keep up. But somewhere along the way, we lost the natural spaces where friendships used to happen.
Dinners With Friends exists to bring one of them back: the shared table. Small, hosted dinners at great local restaurants, where like-minded strangers become friends over good food and easy-going conversation. No apps, no agenda, no pressure.
how it started
how it's going
“This is what people are missing. Not another app. Not another networking event with name badges and forced small talk. Just a table, good food, and the space to be human with other humans.”
The numbers behind
the feeling
Loneliness in Britain isn't a niche problem — researchers have compared its health impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And the fix is older than any of us: Oxford research shows people who eat together are happier, more trusting, and more connected to their communities. That's why we do dinners — small, regular, around a table.
4 million
people in the UK experience chronic loneliness
Community Life Survey
1 in 2
British adults find it difficult to make new friends
Community Life Survey
200 hrs
of time together to turn an acquaintance into a close friend
University of Kansas
Four convictions,
held firmly
Everyone deserves a seat at the table
Not just extroverts, not just people with existing networks, not just people who find small talk easy. Our dinners are designed to be welcoming to the nervous, the new-in-town, and anyone who hasn't been out socially in months. The table does not judge.
Food is not incidental
Sharing a meal is one of the oldest human rituals there is — it spans every culture and every era. There's a reason we instinctively bring food when someone is grieving or celebrating. Food is how we say: you are welcome here. You belong.
Consistency beats spectacle
Friendship isn't built in a single evening — it's built through repeated contact over time. So we're not interested in one-off events. We're building a rhythm of regular dinners where familiar faces mix with new ones, and showing up becomes a habit.
Community is built from the bottom up
No app or algorithm can replicate what happens when people choose to sit down together and be present. Community isn't a product — it's a practice. One dinner, one conversation, one evening at a time.
2025
We launched our first event in January 2025 — but the very first Dinners With Friends was over 20 years ago!
129
We've hosted over 100 guests for dinner so far, and our goal is to make 10,000 friends by the end of 2026.
4.9
Based on post-dinner feedback from over 100 authentic connection experiences.
People aren't antisocial.
They're underserved.
The fresh start
A man in his early fifties, recently divorced, realised most of his social life had been his wife's social life. He came to his first dinner alone, visibly nervous — and left three hours later with plans to meet two other guests for a walk that weekend. He's been to every dinner since.
The new arrival
A woman who moved to Devon for work spent her first year knowing almost no one outside her office. After her second dinner, she told us it was the first time since moving that she felt like she might actually belong here.
The regular table
A retired teacher admitted there were weeks when her only extended conversation was with the person at the supermarket checkout. She's now part of a group of six who meet for dinner monthly — a group that didn't exist until she pulled up a chair at one of our tables.
What our
guests say
"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
"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
"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
More tables,
more towns
We started in Devon because it's home — and because the need was easy to see: rural isolation, shrinking social infrastructure, people quietly wishing they had somewhere to go and someone to go with.
But the need isn't unique to Devon. So we've opened the door for people across the UK to host with us — welcoming the table as a Community Host, or running their own events on our platform. The vision is simple: more people pulling up a chair.
sound like you?
The story,
continued
Say hello
“The table is set. There's a chair with your name on it, next to someone you haven't met yet.”
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