40 dinner party questions that can make small talk (actually) fun
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Get nervous at dinner parties or just want to get to know people better? These 40 dinner party questions are lighthearted, fun, and can spark real conversation.
Some would describe being skilled at small talk as a unique talent. Maybe you’ve got it, and maybe you don’t. If the idea of going to a dinner party makes your palms start to sweat, it might be because small talk can be anxiety-inducing — especially with people you don’t know.
Oftentimes it feels like you’re walking a tightrope between awkward silences and oversharing. Is the vibe talking about work stress, or are we unpacking trauma here? Do you bring up the latest season of your favorite guilty pleasure show, the weather, or current events? The pressure to be charming, entertaining, and emotionally appropriate can leave anyone scrambling for something (anything!) to say.
This is where a few thoughtfully chosen questions can save the day. The right questions can shift energy, encourage people to open up and bypass small talk, and even gently steer the conversation from a touchy subject to a more palatable one. So, what makes a dinner party question great? Grab your forks and let’s dive in.
What makes a great dinner party question?
The best dinner party questions have little to do with a perfect answer or with how clever, cultured, or interesting guests are. Instead, they create space for conversation and opening up. They offer a moment to share a story, a memory, or a little spark of personality that might not otherwise come out in a group setting.
A great question meets people where they are and gives people something specific to respond to without putting them on the spot. It’s less “What’s your biggest life regret?” and more “What’s a snack that brings you back to childhood?”
These kinds of questions tend to work well:
Open-ended, but focused: These invite more than a yes or no without being so broad they cause decision fatigue
Non-judgmental: Because no one should feel like they’re being quizzed or tested
Emotionally accessible: These don’t require deep vulnerability, but instead, leave room for meaning or humor if it arises
Inclusive: Not to assume shared experiences (like parenting, traveling, or cultural references), and can be answered by people from different backgrounds and life stages
10 thoughtful dinner party questions to spark conversation
These are the kinds of questions that help people feel seen and valued without veering into anything too intense. Gentle prompts that invite stories, reflections, and glimpses of personality are perfect for when you want to move beyond surface-level chatter but keep things grounded.
Try these the next time you want to spark a real conversation:
What’s something small that made you smile this week?
If you could excel at one hobby instantly, what would it be and why?
What’s a piece of advice you’ve never forgotten?
What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever received?
Is there a place that feels like home to you, even if it’s not where you live?
Who’s someone you’ve never met but really admire?
What’s a tradition—big or small—you love?
What’s a compliment you received that stuck with you?
When do you feel most like yourself?
What’s something you believed as a kid that you find funny or sweet now?
Read more: Small talk not your thing? These 15 topics can help
10 dinner party questions to lighten the mood
Sometimes, you just need to keep things light. And we don’t necessarily mean shallow — just easy. These kinds of questions don’t just pass the time, but they shift the energy and keep the mood light. They make space for joy, creativity, and a little bit of collective weirdness. And sometimes, that’s exactly what the table needs.
If the group is still warming up to each other or if the conversation is drifting into too-serious territory, try one of these more lighthearted options:
If you had to eat one food for every meal for a week, what would it be?
What was your most questionable fashion phase?
Which fictional character would make a great dinner party guest?
What’s the guilty pleasure song you blast in the car with the windows down?
What was your sandwich of choice during elementary school?
What’s your ultimate comfort movie or show that you always return to?
What’s your go-to “I have no idea what to cook” dinner?
If animals could talk, which species would be the most fun to chat with?
What’s the weirdest talent you have (or wish you had)?
Which holiday would you celebrate twice a year if you could?
10 dinner party questions for friends
When you’re gathered with people you already know and love, it’s easy to default to the usual conversation topics like work, partners, kids, and the latest show you’re binge watching. But these moments are also an opportunity to learn something new about each other, even if you’ve been friends for years.
The right questions can spark stories you’ve never heard, reveal surprising dreams, or remind everyone why they’re at the table in the first place. Next time you’re with your squad, try one of these questions:
What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet?
Who is someone from your past who shaped you in an unexpected way?
What’s your comfort movie, show, or series?
What’s a tradition (big or small) you’ve created for yourself?
If you could relive one day from the past year, which would it be and why?
What’s a compliment you received that stuck with you?
When do you feel most like yourself?
What’s a simple pleasure that makes your day better every time?
If you could instantly become fluent in another language, which would it be and why?
What’s a small risk you took that paid off?
💙 Try our Meaningful Practice for Meaningful Friendship guided meditations to practice being there for the people you love, no matter what.
10 dinner party questions for new acquaintances
Meeting new people at a dinner party can be exciting, but it can also be pretty nerve-wrecking, especially if you’re naturally shy. You want to be friendly and engaging without coming on too strong or even accidentally being awkward.
These questions don’t require much vulnerability, but they leave space for it. They invite connection without pressure, which is exactly what you want when you’re building rapport from scratch. Think of them as small kindnesses disguised as small talk.
What’s your go-to coffee or tea order?
Are you more of a morning person or a night owl?
What’s a recent book, movie, or show you’ve enjoyed?
Do you have a favorite local spot, like a park, café, trail, or store?
If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go?
What’s something you’ve learned lately that surprised you?
What’s your ideal weekend look like?
What’s a favorite snack you never get sick of?
Do you prefer mountains, cities, or oceans, and why?
Have you learned any random skills or hobbies in the last few years?
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Dinner party questions FAQs
What are non-controversial questions to ask at a dinner party?
Non-controversial questions tend to steer clear of politics, religion, money, and anything that puts someone on the spot about their life choices.
Instead, look for questions that are personal but light, like “What’s your favorite way to spend a Sunday?” or “What’s a meal that reminds you of home?” These kinds of questions are inclusive, open-ended, and invite a bit of storytelling without veering into debate territory.
How do I avoid awkward silences at a dinner party?
You don’t have to be “on” the entire time to avoid lulls in conversation. In fact, some pauses are completely natural and even necessary. But if things start to feel flat, a good go-to question can reset the energy.
Keep a few easy, non-invasive prompts in your back pocket, like asking about someone’s comfort rewatch, their go-to breakfast, or a favorite childhood snack. Small questions can lead to unexpectedly rich conversations, especially if you ask with genuine curiosity.
What are some good “would you rather” questions for a dinner party?
“Would you rather” questions work best when they’re whimsical and a little weird. Try, “Would you rather have to wear the same outfit every day or never repeat an outfit again?” or “Would you rather live by the ocean or in the mountains?”
These kinds of prompts invite playful debate without requiring too much vulnerability. Just keep them light and have fun with it!
What’s a fun way to introduce dinner party questions?
The key is to make it feel organic, not like a forced icebreaker. You could say something like, “I came across this question the other day and it got me thinking…” or “Okay, this might be random, but I’m curious…”
If you frame it as a curious or funny find, people are more likely to engage. And if the vibe is right, turning it into a group game with each person answering in a circle or tossing a question across the table can make the whole experience feel shared and intentional, rather than performative. Here are 20 question games to try at your next gathering.
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