The #1 killer of a dinner party: Awkward small talk.
The #2 killer of a dinner party: the awkward silence that follows. Okay, picture this: the dinner table is set, the aroma of delicious food is wafting through the air, and everyone’s settling in. BUT one thing is off – the room is dead silent. Everyone is awkwardly scrolling their phones silently counting down the minutes until they can come up with a polite reason to excuse themselves and make a run for the nearest exit.
NOW picture this: a dinner table where the conversation is as tantalizing as the food spread. Everyone is laughing, and talking, and no one has checked their phone once. Before you know it, the dinner is over, but everyone wants to stay to keep the good vibes goin’. Which dinner party would you rather attend?
Now, let’s debunk the myth that intentional conversations are all business and no fun. Truthfully, the best ways to connect are by sharing fun stories and your most unserious moments. Nothing brings people together like laughing about that time you accidentally sent 4 firetrucks and an ambulance to a CVS (a true story for another time).
These 110 fun conversation starters are all open-ended questions – the unsung heroes of great conversations. No more one-word answers; we’re after stories, adventures, and thoughts that make you go, “I never thought about it that way!” They’re intended to create a space for meaningful conversations, deep belly-laughs, and connection on a deeper level. And remember, it’s not about putting anyone on the spot – it’s about making the dinner table a place where everyone’s a storyteller.
At the end of this post, you’ll find a FREE printable PDF of all of the following questions to print out and use over and over again. Have some good conversation starters of your own? Feel free to add your own questions to the pot with the blank squares included in your PDF – and while you’re at it, drop them in the comments so we can all enjoy!
110 Best Dinner Conversation Starters + Printable Questions
Childhood Memories Questions
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- What is your favorite childhood memory?
- Who did you look up to most as a child?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- What is a funny or embarrassing memory from your school days?
- What is something your childhood self would be surprised to learn about you as an adult?
- What is a piece of advice would you give the high school version of you?
- What is something you got away with as a kid that your parents never found out about?
- What is your favorite family tradition you would like you pass on to your own kid(s)?
- What’s a trend or fad from the past that you miss?
- What is a memory from your school days that still makes you cringe today?
Travel Questions
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- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
- Would you rather go on a beach vacation or a trip to the mountains?
- If you could pack your bags right now and travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- If you could have one travel-related superpower (like teleportation or speaking every language), what would it be?
- If you could travel to any historical era or witness a significant event, where and when would you go?
- Where is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled and why?
- Who is your favorite person to travel with and why?
- What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done while traveling?
- If money and time were no obstacles, where would your dream vacation be, and what activities would fill your itinerary?
- What is your favorite memory while traveling?
Entertainment & Fame Questions
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- Name 5 celebrities (dead or alive) you would invite to a dinner party.
- If you were a celebrity, what do you think you would be famous for?
- If a movie were made about your life, which actor or actress would you want to portray you?
- Share a song or artist that you secretly love but might be considered a guilty pleasure.
- What song do you currently have on repeat?
- What is your favorite movie of all-time and why?
- If you could trade lives with any celebrity for a day, who would it be?
- What is the last movie that made you cry or laugh out loud?
- What is your favorite book you have ever read?
- If you could spend a day with any celebrity, who would it be?
Favorite Things & Preferences Questions
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- If you could pick 1 household chore that you never have to do for the rest of your life, which would it be?
- What is your favorite gift you have ever received?
- What is your go-to song that never fails to lift your spirits?
- What is your current favorite piece of technology or gadget that you can’t live without?
- Describe your dream car.
- What’s your go-to activity when you have free time?
- What show could you watch every day on repeat?
- What is your guilty pleasure?
- What’s something you wish you had more time to do?
- What is your biggest fear?
Would You Rather Questions
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- Would you rather go backpacking through Europe or go to a 5-star luxury resort?
- Would you rather be rich but unknown or famous but poor?
- Would you rather never have access to social media again or have to share every part of your life on social media?
- Would you rather have a personal chef or a personal maid?
- Would you rather have the ability to see 10 minutes into the future or 10 years into the future?
- Would you rather explore the deep sea or outer space?
- Would you rather be always 10 minutes late or always 20 minutes early?
- Would you rather have the ability to communicate with animals or be fluent in every language?
- Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?
- Would you rather have unlimited money but no friends or close relationships, or have amazing friends but always struggle financially?
Relationship Questions
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- What’s your primary love language, and how do you express love to others?
- Share a memorable story from your friendship with someone at the table.
- What’s a quality you admire in someone at the table?
- What is your biggest relationship ick?
- Fictional or real, discuss a couple or relationship that you admire.
- What is your longest-standing friendship? How did you meet?
- Can you recall the moment you realized someone was going to be a lifelong friend? What happened?
- Describe a friendship where you and your friend are complete opposites.
- If money were no object, where would you take all of your closest friends on a trip to?
- Whether from books, movies, or real life, share a love story that has had a significant impact on your perception of love.
Food-Related Questions
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- What dish are you best at cooking?
- If you had to choose your last meal on Earth, what would you choose?
- What’s your go-to comfort food?
- Rank your top 3 favorite fast-food restaurants.
- What is your go-to drink to order at a bar?
- If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- What is the one food or dish from your childhood that instantly transports you back in time?
- If you had to choose between never eating dessert again or never having a savory appetizer, which one would you give up, and why?
- If you could travel to any country solely for its cuisine, where would you go?
- If you could only eat one sweet treat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Dreams & Goals Questions
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- If you could have magically have any new skill or talent overnight, what would it be?
- If you could be granted 3 wishes, what would you wish for?
- If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do?
- What’s a dream or goal you’ve had since childhood?
- What would you do if you had unlimited time and resources?
- If you could choose a different career path, what would you choose?
- What are 3 things that are on your current bucket list?
- Describe your dream home or living space. Where would it be?
- What’s one thing you’d change about the world if you had the power?
- What’s a hobby or interest you’ve always wanted to pursue?
Thought-Provoking Questions
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- If you had access to a time machine, where would you go and what would you want to see?
- What do you believe about aliens and life on other planets?
- What is the best thing that has happened to you so far this month?
- If you could have any super power, what would it be?
- If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three personal items with you, what would they be?
- What 3 people would you want to be stranded on a deserted island with?
- If you were an animal, what would you be?
- Your friends have to bail you out of jail. What did you get arrested for?
- You’re given $10,000 you HAVE to spend and can’t save – what are you buying?
- If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be?
Personal Growth Questions
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- What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
- What is your favorite thing about yourself?
- What’s something you’ve recently learned about yourself?
- What’s a personal goal you’re currently working toward?
- What’s a habit you’d like to break or develop?
- How have you changed in the past year?
- What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a past mistake?
- What is one book or podcast that has positively impacted your personal development?
- What are 3 things you’re grateful for today?
- If your life had a theme song right now, what would it be, and why?
Questions about Daily Life
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- What is your current screen time and what app are you spending the most time on?
- What things do you always keep on your nightstand?
- What’s something you have coming up that you’re looking forward to?
- What’s your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long day?
- What is a recent small victory that made your day memorable?
- What’s a recent hobby or interest you’ve picked up?
- What is the weirdest thing that has happened to you recently that you can’t explain?
- What’s the last song that made you break into an impromptu dance?
- What is your current go-to coffee order?
Dinner Conversation Starters Free Printable
Here is your free PDF of the 110 Best Dinner Conversation Starters for your next dinner party or gathering. All you have to do is print the PDF, put the slips of paper into a dish, and prepare to have a great time.
If you want to incorporate more meaningful conversation into your daily life, and not just on special occasions, I recommend doing a daily “peak” and “pit” with your loved ones. This was my favorite family activity at dinner time where we would go around the table and you would share the best part of your day (the peak) and the hardest part of your day (the pit). This is a simple activity the whole family can enjoy (at any age group!) and a great way to connect every single day.
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