This platform helps you find cool dining experiences like intimate dinners in people's homes in more than 130 countries - here's what it's like to use

You'll be able to filter further by date, number of guests, price per person, cuisine type, special diet, and more.

Prices can vary dramatically depending on what type of experience you choose. For example, a simple rooftop brunch in Barcelona costs $55 while a beautiful sunset hike and picnic in Dubrovnik costs $137. Generally, Eatwith's experiences aren't going to be cheaper than going out to eat at a restaurant, but they'll certainly be different.

Choose an experience to learn more about your host, details about the menu, class, or tour, and reviews from other Eatwith customers. Request a booking, pay the fee, and you're all set for your meal, class, or tour. You'll receive confirmation and additional details about your booking via email.

All Eatwith events are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy, and full refunds are given for any cancellations before each event's cancellation deadline.

The specific dinner I went to was holiday-themed and took place in the hosts' home, a cozy brownstone apartment in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn.

The table for eight was set with candles and Christmas decorations.

The ability to meet new people is one of the biggest draws of an Eatwith experience. Whereas in traditional restaurant settings you're usually limited to interacting with your own party, Eatwith dinners are more social and bring strangers together to enjoy a meal.

This setup works well for locals and tourists alike. My experience was proof of that: Our fellow diners included two other couples who live in New York, and a solo traveler visiting the city for the first time from England.

We exchanged tales of the horrors of subway travel and events like SantaCon, recommended activities and points of interest in New York, and learned more about each other's jobs and interests through the course of the night.

They made great use of their small space, but I shouldn't have been surprised by the professional nature of the kitchen. Our chef had formerly worked at Michelin-starred Del Posto as well as a popular speakeasy restaurant.

Not all Eatwith hosts are professional chefs, though a large number of them are. Your host may also be someone who's simply passionate about food, culture, and sharing their city with you. All hosts on Eatwith must go through a rigorous application and screening process in order to be listed on the site.

The night's menu was a delicious sampler of Latin American cuisine: empanaditas, tamales, octopus mofongo, hanger steak, and a "coquito" eggnog-like drink to finish off the meal.

The atmosphere was cozy, intimate, and comfortable, with none of the pretensions of a formal restaurant. After we finished eating, we didn't feel rushed to get out to make room for more diners.

Following any Eatwith experience, you can share the highlights with future users by leaving a review on the booking page.

Eatwith experiences are the perfect alternative to expensive dinners out and tiring dinner parties in. As a traveler to a new city, you can get firsthand exposure to its foods, traditions, and people, and as a local, you can see your city in a new light and meet people you wouldn't have otherwise.

The online platform is easy to navigate and use to book your experiences, and because there are plenty of cool options in cities all over the world, you can easily find your next friend outing, date night, or just-because food activity.