Best group dining memories

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Unforgettable Group Dining Moments From Our Travels

Some of our favourite travel memories didn’t come from museums or monuments – they happened around the dinner table. From maple feasts in Canada to candlelit dinners in Paris, here’s a taste of our favourite group dining stories (plus planning tips so you can recreate your own).

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Maple filled morning: breakfast at a maple farm

Where: Countryside near Quebec City, Canada

Why it’s special: Hearty local food, cozy vibes, and the taste of fall

This rustic breakfast was served in a traditional sugar shack, where the scent of maple farming lingered in the air and everyone sat together at long wooden tables. Fluffy pancakes, maple-baked beans, local sausage, and laughter around the table.

✨ Planning Tip: Research food traditions in the area before you go – you’ll often find authentic, off-the-beaten-path gems like this maple farm that become group favourites.


Market to Table: Alfresco Dining in Italy & France

Where: Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Southern France

Why it’s special: Shopping, cooking, and feasting together

There’s something magic about shopping local markets (especially in Italy & France) – filling baskets with cheeses, meats, olives, bread, fresh herbs, and wine – and then turning it all into a relaxed feast at “home.” Our villa kitchens saw everything from impromptu pasta nights to French apéro platters, all ending with meals outside, surrounded by laughter. Simple, but unforgettable.

✨ Planning Tip: Factor in a stay in a villa with a great kitchen, plan one or two “cook at home” nights. Assign teams to shop and prepare simple dishes – it’s fun, affordable, and often becomes a trip highlight.


A Touch of Hogwarts: Graduation Breakfast in the Great Hall at Oxford

Where: Oxford University College, UK

Why it’s special: A grand setting, a meaningful moment, and serious Hogwarts vibes

During a group stay at Oxford, we were lucky enough to attend a mock “graduation” breakfast in the college’s Great Hall. With high ceilings, long wooden tables, and candlelight, it felt like stepping straight into a Harry Potter film. The setting made a simple English breakfast unforgettable one!

✨ Planning Tip: Research unique dining experiences in the destinations you’re travelling to – you’ll be amazed a the different things that are available.


Together Again at Sea: Cruise Dinners After a Day Apart

Where: Aboard ocean or river cruise adventures

Why it’s special: A planned daily group connection

Cruise days can take your group in a million directions – shopping, exploring, napping, or lounging by the pool. But dinner? That’s when everyone returns to the table. Every evening became a ritual: stories swapped over wine, photos shared, memories cemented. No matter what the day held, dinner brought us back together.

✨ Planning Tip: On cruises, request a set group dining time and table when booking. That way, even if you’re scattered during the day, everyone knows where to meet come dinnertime.


A Bite of History: Dinner at Le Procope, Paris

Where: Le Procope – Paris’s oldest restaurant, established in 1686

Why it’s special: Classic French dining in an atmospheric, story-filled setting

Dining at Le Procope felt like stepping into Parisian history. Once a favourite of Voltaire and Rousseau, it’s now a timeless gem where chandeliers, velvet banquettes, and old-world charm set the scene. We ordered escargot, coq au vin, crème brûlée – and soaked up every elegant, candlelit moment.

✨ Planning Tip: For groups of six or more, always book ahead. Iconic spots like Le Procope fill quickly—and in small towns, seating for large groups may be impossible without a reservation.


Bonus Tips for Group Dining Success

  • ✅ Book key dinners before your trip – Especially in small towns or for larger groups (6+).
  • ✅ Research at least one “must-do” dining experience in each destination.
  • ✅ Let people take turns suggesting or organising meals – it adds variety.
  • ✅ Mix it up – combine fancy bookings with casual eats, DIY dinners, and spontaneous finds.

Final Bite: At the end of the day, it’s not just what’s on the plate – it’s who’s around the table. Some of our most joyful travel memories came from shared meals – whether toasting champagne in a château or passing maple syrup in a sugar shack.

🍽️ Got a favourite group meal from your travels? Share it in the comments—we’re always hungry for inspiration!

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