Review: Dinner with Strangers Namibia

My quest to experience as much of Namibia as possible—while hopefully making new friends—led me to Dinner with Strangers, Namibia. I first came across the event on TikTok sometime last year (2024), where it was described as a fine-dining experience in Windhoek that brings strangers together. Sure enough, my interest was piqued. I mentally bookmarked it but only signed up this year.

One of the things that appealed to me most about this event was that it catered to solo participants. As someone who usually signs up for activities solo dolo, this was a perfect fit! A definite must-do in my books. So, I signed up and here is my review of the whole affair.

Details

Location: Stellenbosch Wine Bar and Bistro

Cost: N$950

Time: 5 PM - 10 PM

Host: Anna-liisa Shaningwa

What to Expect

The name of the event is a dead give away about what you can expect. Basically, the event is centered around sharing a meal with a group of strangers at a restaurant of the hosts' choosing. In my case,it was the stunning Stellenbosch Wine Bar and Bistro located in Klein Windhoek.

However, to ease interaction, since, after all, you are a group of strangers, there are a few structured elements to grease the wheels of conversation.

A welcome drink to ease any social nerves (wink wink, nudge nudge)
Question cards placed at each seat to spark discussion
A no-occupation rule for introductions—an interesting twist that encouraged deeper, more personal conversations beyond work titles
A 3-course meal served throughout the evening, creating natural pauses for group chats and one-on-one conversations

Anna-liisa, the host, facilitates the first interaction, introducing herself first and allowing everyone at the table to introduce themselves and answer the question on their card to the group. As the conversation flows with remarks and comments on the answers, the starter is served. At this point, the conversation is smoother. After the main course, there’s a second round of questions, and by then, any initial awkwardness has melted away into laughter and engaging discussion. After dessert, guests are free to continue chatting until the event officially wraps up.

My Thoughts

The Venue

The Stellenbosch Wine Bar & Bistro was an excellent choice. The décor, the ambiance—everything was top-tier. Tens across the board!

The Event Execution

Anna-liisa is a self-confessed perfectionist, and it shows. From the setup to the timing, everything was thoughtfully planned. The conversation prompts ranged from deep and reflective to lighthearted and humorous, making for a well-balanced experience.

The Company

I was fortunate to be in a bubbly, chatty group with many optimists in the mix. The demographic was diverse in terms of age, nationality, and background—though, as is often the case with events like this, the group was predominantly female (with just one gentleman present). I even met two people with Botswana roots, which was a pleasant surprise!

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for:

A solo-friendly event
A fun, low-pressure way to meet new people
An opportunity to step outside your comfort zone

… then Dinner with Strangers, Namibia is definitely worth it!

Side Note: My Ongoing Crème Brûlée Saga

As my journey to truly understand crème brûlée continues, I’m now 2 for 0—because, once again, it did not turn out as I thought. Whether that’s a restaurant issue or a palette issue, Ga ke itse! 😅