If you're anything like us at Surf Office, you’ll know we love to celebrate big moments with food. A team member just became a parent for the first time? Office pizza for everyone. Wrapped up that big project? Tacos and beers, please. Lee from accounts finally landed a laugh with one of his dad jokes? Time for Korean BBQ!
But of course, some occasions call for something a little more formal and that’s where corporate dinners come in.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through 24 of the best corporate dinner ideas, each paired with reasons to host one and tips for making it memorable.
What exactly is a corporate dinner?
In our previous blog, we focused on team dinners and what they’re all about, so you could be forgiven for confusing a corporate dinner with a team dinner. But there is a slight distinction. For the sake of this blog, we’re going to associate corporate events dinners with a little more classy, formal events. The reasons don’t have to be huge, per se, but how we carry out these events is probably considered to be a bit more formal.
To make it easier, we’ve decided to place these events in neat little packages, under different headings and themes. They are:
- Milestone & recognition dinners: Perfect for when someone’s done something worth clapping for, whether they’re staying, leaving, or just smashing it.
- Connection-driven dinners: For those moments when you want people to bond without forcing them into trust falls or awkward icebreakers.
- Thoughtful conversations over dinner: Ideal when you’ve got big ideas to share but prefer wine and candlelight over PowerPoint slides.
- Cultural and community dinners: Great for showing a bit of heart, whether it’s your team’s roots or the stories that got you here.
- Strategic and leadership dinners: For talking shop without the whiteboards, where the big stuff gets sorted between bites.
Let's get into them!
(Oh, and just a quick note: you might come across some of our venue suggestions and think, Do I really need to book a place in Austria? Definitely not, they’re just there to spark ideas. But if you happen to fall in love with one of them, feel free to give Surf Office a shout. We might just be able to make it happen 😉)
Milestone & recognition dinners
1. Employee awards night
Recognition feels even better when it’s done over a beautifully set table. A dinner dedicated to awards can still be relaxed and enjoyable. Think hotel ballroom with soft lighting, a warm host to guide the evening, and moments of applause between courses. Trophies like these custom glass awards add a sense of occasion, while small touches like name cards and team tables keep things personal. It’s less about a big show, more about making people feel proud of what they’ve achieved.
2. Retirement send-off dinner
Retirement is a huge milestone, and the send-off should feel personal, thoughtful, and a little nostalgic. It works best in an intimate setting like a restaurant the retiree loves, or a private dining space that sets a warm tone for storytelling.
Invite past and present colleagues, share memories without a script, and consider passing around a memory book filled with handwritten notes and photos. This is a great moment to reflect on everything that came before and wish them well for what’s next.
3. Top performers dinner
There’s something powerful about bringing your best people together for one evening where the pressure is off. This dinner should feel like a reward, not a meeting in disguise. Think a private loft with a rooftop view, or a chef’s table where the food tells its own story. Skip the big speeches; a quiet toast from a senior leader is enough.
Invitations matter here, so a high-end printed card or elegant digital invite sets the tone. The dress code? Confident and comfortable.
4. Sales target celebration dinner
When the team smashes their sales goal, a proper dinner is the kind of pat on the back that actually sticks. This isn’t a pizza-in-the-conference-room situation; take them somewhere polished, like a steakhouse or rooftop venue with a view. The tone is upbeat, the dress code smart casual, and the focus is on team wins.
A short toast from the sales director, some storytelling from the floor, and maybe a cheeky branded dessert to round it off. It’s a reward they’ll remember, and motivation for the next target.
5. Black tie gala dinner
Dust off the dress code and give people an excuse to get properly glammed up. This kind of dinner suits big milestones, fundraising events, or just moments where you want to put on the ritz. Think candlelit tables, live jazz, a string of heartfelt speeches, and maybe a few awards if you fancy. Don’t forget a photo backdrop, everyone will be dressed for it. Venues like Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna are dripping in grandeur, but even a local hall with good lighting can bring the magic if you set the tone right.
Connection-driven dinners
6. New hire welcome dinner
Starting a new job can feel like stepping into a new world. A welcome dinner helps break the ice without forced team-building games or awkward intros. Keep it simple: a long table at a relaxed venue, soft background music, and mixed seating to encourage conversation. Senior leaders at each table can spark dialogue naturally.
There’s no need for big speeches here, just a warm welcome and good food. It’s often the first moment new hires truly feel part of the company.
7. Mentorship kick-off dinner
Mentoring relationships thrive when they start off on the right foot. Hosting a dinner to kick things off helps break any awkwardness before the meetings begin. Keep the format casual: pairings can be revealed at the table, or you might play matchmaker with pre-assigned seats. A quiet venue, low lighting, and a brief welcome from programme organisers help set the tone.
From there, it’s about giving pairs space to talk goals, share past experiences, and get comfortable with one another.
8. Executive and emerging talent dinner
Matching rising stars with senior leadership over dinner creates space for connection that doesn’t often happen at the office. It works best when the setting feels special but approachable, like an intimate wine bar or the private room of a boutique restaurant.
There’s no need for formal speeches, but a few conversation starters at each table can help. These dinners work well when the structure is loose and the atmosphere supportive. It’s a chance for up-and-comers to speak freely and be heard.
9. Client onboarding dinner
Starting a new client relationship on the right foot can set the tone for everything that follows. Host a welcome dinner during the early stages of a new contract to build trust, clarify expectations, and connect key players on both sides.
Choose a restaurant with private booths or book a semi-exclusive space where the setting feels elevated but relaxed. A small gift, like branded wine accessories, can add a final personal touch.
10. Client and prospect mixer dinner
This dinner walks a fine line: warm enough to build relationships, but structured enough to give prospects a reason to follow up. Pair long-standing clients with prospective ones, allowing the conversation to flow organically. A private dining space in a stylish but not too formal restaurant works well here.
Soft touches like custom-named wine bottles keep your company front of mind without being pushy. The goal isn’t to sell, it’s to connect.
11. Cross-department mixer dinner
When departments don’t often cross paths, a mixer dinner can build the bridges you didn’t know you needed. Try themed tables that match up teams who rarely interact, like design and legal or finance and customer support and watch as new perspectives emerge.
Choose a venue with open seating or shared platters (like Perry’s Steak House in Texas) to encourage movement and conversation. There’s no agenda, just a chance to get to know the people behind the email addresses and build better internal chemistry.
Thoughtful conversations over dinner
12. Fireside chat dinner
Dinner paired with a fireside chat can strike the perfect balance between professional and personal. Invite a guest speaker with a compelling story or unique industry insight, and have them speak informally between courses rather than all at once.
A space like Spring Place in New York offers the kind of modern-meets-comfort vibe that suits this format well. Guests get to listen, eat, and ask questions without the stiffness of a conference. It’s ideal for senior teams or client gatherings with substance.
13. Panel and plated dinner
This style suits an audience hungry for both ideas and dinner. Begin with a short panel discussion in an adjoining space or at the head of the dining room, then guide guests to their tables for a meal that gives them space to digest what they’ve heard.
Lighting matters, so opt to dim it during the meal for a smoother shift from speaker mode to social mode. Choose a venue that can do both in one flow, such as a modern gallery or event lofts (like this one in London).
14. Workshop follow-up dinner
After a full day of learning, a structured dinner gives everyone the chance to reflect and reset. This is especially useful after leadership training or strategy offsites where minds are full and conversations deserve more time. Dinner becomes the afterglow, with good food and ideas bouncing between people. Hold it at the same venue or nearby.
A calm, well-lit space like Laietana Culture, Barcelona, offers the right tone for winding down while keeping the energy thoughtful.
15. Book club dinner
Pick a book that challenges perspectives or encourages introspection, ideally something short and linked to leadership, culture, or innovation. Seat guests by discussion themes or opposing viewpoints, and keep it small enough that everyone can be heard. A set menu works well so there’s no distraction over choices.
You could also gift attendees a branded copy of the book beforehand, like this customisable hardcover edition. It turns a thoughtful evening into a keepsake memory.
16. DEI dinner dialogue
Diversity, equity and inclusion conversations deserve more than a team lunchtime slot or rushed Zoom call. A moderated dinner creates a space where people can share, reflect, and ask questions in a more open, human way. Use round tables to avoid any sense of hierarchy and invite a facilitator who knows how to guide with care.
Avoid overly formal venues, somewhere like The Wing's event space in San Francisco works well, where style and substance sit side by side. The food might not be what they remember, but the conversations will be.
Cultural and community dinners
17. Cuisine from around the world
A dinner like this is perfect when you want to celebrate your international roots without booking a dozen flights. Each course represents a different country your team works in or with, like, sushi from Tokyo, pasta from Milan, and something spicy from your Mexico office. You don’t have to overdo the theming, but a few little flags or playful menu names can help people get into it.
Try a venue with a global kitchen or go all out with private chefs via Table at Home to create a fully bespoke menu.
18. Cultural holiday dinner
These dinners show people they’re seen. Celebrate a holiday that means something to a segment of your workforce and let that culture lead the night. Menu, music, even the layout of the room can reflect the theme, but always with care and authenticity.
Invite someone from within the team to help shape the evening and promote inclusivity!
19. Industry appreciation dinner
Whether you’re celebrating a client’s award win or just patting everyone on the back for surviving another year in a tough sector, this dinner lets you shine a light on your industry circle. Invite partners, clients, suppliers (even the competition if you’re feeling bold) and toast to the work that keeps the wheels turning.
Choose somewhere with atmosphere and a little buzz, like a rooftop bar that shows a bit of character. This is where you go big on charm, light on slides.
20. Founder’s dinner
The dinner where legends get passed around like bread baskets. A founder’s dinner is your chance to remind the team why the company exists, and who had the nerve to start it all. Whether the founder is still around or you're keeping the spirit alive, make it personal. Bring out old pitch decks, first invoices, or day-one photos.
A small group setting, like Soho House’s private dining spaces, helps keep the stories flowing. You don’t need polish here, you need heart.
Strategic and leadership dinners
21. Annual stakeholder dinner
Bring your key stakeholders together for a dinner that updates them on progress, but doesn’t feel like an AGM in disguise. These evenings work best when hosted off-site in a private dining room with space for a short welcome speech, light networking, and meaningful discussion. Provide a printed impact report or a visual progress board they can glance at while sipping their wine.
You could even gift them something sleek, like branded executive pens, as a small thank you for their support.
22. Department vision-setting dinner
Vision doesn’t have to be revealed in a fluorescent-lit meeting room. Take your leadership team out for a calm evening where the big picture can breathe a little. The goal here is to set intentions for the department (new directions, refreshed values, or structural changes) in an environment where people feel heard.
Use a venue with round tables so everyone can see each other, and consider placing discussion prompts on the back of menus to guide conversation. It’s strategy over supper, and it works.
23. Policy change rollout dinner
Rolling out major policy changes? A dinner might seem indulgent but it’s actually the smart way to handle big shifts. Instead of dropping changes in people’s inboxes, bring team leads together to walk through the updates in person, over a calm meal where questions can be asked and tension can ease.
Keep it small and focused.
A printed summary at each place setting helps keep things clear, and the tone of the evening shows that leadership wants buy-in, not backlash.
24. Project Completion Dinner
After months of spreadsheets, deadlines, and late-night fixes, a project wrap-up dinner is a chance to breathe. The setting should feel like an exhale; somewhere out of the office, maybe a rustic tavern, a hidden wine bar, or a peaceful lakeside restaurant. There’s no need for long speeches or formalities
Let the evening unfold naturally, with clinks of glasses and stories that finally get told.
A small keepsake, like engraved coasters with the project name, adds a personal note that people can take home with a smile.
Think bigger for your next corporate dinner!
These ideas are great, but it’s all about location, location, location! If you’re thinking about turning your next dinner into something bigger, then why not make it part of a full corporate offsite? At Surf Office, we’ll help you plan the entire event, from choosing the right location to making sure the dinner hits the right note.
With over 850+ retreats organized for companies around the globe, we know what it takes to craft a meaningful experience for every member of your team. Here's what we bring to the table:
- Stress-free travel arrangements? Sorted. ✅
- Comfortable, curated accommodations? Always. ✅
- Thoughtfully designed team-building activities? You bet. ✅
- Exceptional dining options? Handled. ✅
- Expert retreat planning every step of the way? Of course. ✅
And with access to 160+ incredible locations across Europe, APAC, the US, Latin America, and Africa, your dream retreat is closer than you think.
Contact Surf Office today. You handle the toasts, we’ll handle the logistics.
