Ideas for dinners with friends at a villa

Going out for dinner is good, but sometimes all you want is to be relaxed, in a laid-back and unpretentious environment. In a villa, the concept multiplies, since its open spaces, panoramic terraces, lounge areas, pools, salons, and other spaces irresistibly invite you to enjoy the postcard. In this post, we show you some ideas for dinner with friends that, along with some recommendations and proposals, will help elevate your most special moments.

Depending on the occasion and the villa, this is how we can categorize dinners with friends in these unique paradises. However, there are common elements that never fail when preparing a fun and unpretentious dinner that will enhance what truly matters: conversations, laughter, and anecdotes.

Fondue Dinner

Preparing a fondue is simple and fun. This Swiss dish consists of dipping small pieces of food into hot liquids in a common pot placed in the center. You can start with a good cheese fondue, choosing different types (consider everyone’s tastes) and pairing it, for example, with French bread, croutons, cherry tomatoes, or Parisian potatoes: small boiled potatoes, cut into quarters and unpeeled. Remember to pair it with dry white wines for a better accompaniment. For dessert, you can opt for a chocolate fondue with sweets.

Themed Dinner

The themed night allows you to develop the dinner to whatever level you prefer and where you can choose from a wide variety of dishes from each country. From a simple Mexican theme, featuring quesadillas, guacamole, nachos, enchiladas, and margaritas, to exploring Asian cuisine, including sushi, spring rolls, gyoza dumplings, or chicken yakitori. Remember to accompany it with traditional sauces such as soy sauce, teriyaki, or yakisoba. Don’t forget to pair these dinners with a good imported beer!

Who said pizzas? They’re easy, with your preferred ingredients, and almost everyone loves them! Of course, this traditional Italian dish wasn’t going to be missing on a fun and easy themed night, so go ahead and get different types of pizzas, pair them with beer, wine, or your preferred drink, and focus on what matters: enjoying the view and having fun with friends.

No Fuss!

Here we recommend something simple and easy to prepare. Perhaps the best option for this type of dinner is to get some trays and prepare a mix where cheeses, charcuterie, ham, nuts, and fruit are the stars.

You can start by choosing a couple of Hummus categories and serving with toasts, breadsticks, or a selection of raw vegetables. The main part of the dinner is the pairing, so continue with some trays of variety of cheeses (goat cheese, gruyère, and fresh cheeses are essential), a selection of pâtés accompanied by grapes, and some jams.

In other trays, you can place Iberian ham along with breadsticks, as this combination is always a winner: ham goes well with any bread that doesn’t alter its flavor. Additionally, you can present a larger tray with some pieces of mixed fruit and nuts like Brazil nuts and almonds — the result is wonderful!

The pairing of these trays is ideal with white and red wines. For the latter, Crianza and Reserva wines from La Rioja are always a good choice. Regarding whites, keep in mind the intensity of the cheeses. Normally, the pairing should be in harmony with the characteristics of the cheeses; for example, if a cheese is mild, the wine should be mild, fresh, and with fruity notes. For aged cheeses, it’s better to pair with a crianza wine or fermented white wine, as the cheese has a strong flavor.

Have we inspired you with ideas for dinners with friends? Let us know any other recommendations and remember that any villa mediterránea is perfect for these ideas!