You are here: U.S. Travel Blog | Best Group-Friendly Dining in NYC: Top 15 Restaurants

Best Group-Friendly Dining in NYC: Top 15 Restaurants

08/16/2023

DINING in new york city

When you find yourself in New York City with company, nothing beats a celebratory night out. Traveling with family or friends? Dive into the delightful venues listed below to experience a delectable group dinner in New York. Every iconic borough of the city—whether it's Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, or Staten Island—offers ideal spots for a party, or simply to savor the joy of being on vacation.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For large groups of 8 and more, it's advisable to book in advance.

K’far

The Israeli restaurant K’far in Williamsburg serves up savory baklava, Palestinian lamb tartare, chicken schnitzel, among other delicacies. Operating all day within the Hoxton Hotel, guests can drop by for a morning bagel, a midday salad and toast kubaneh, and enjoy cocktails at the bar by night.

At K’far, you can dine on the patio year-round. Its sunlit atrium ensures you're bathed in natural light, even during the chilliest winter months. Without a doubt, it stands as one of the top restaurants in New York for dining any time, day or night.

Potluck Club

Up to six or eight people can savor a meal at the Potluck Club, which was ranked in 2022 as one of the best group dining restaurants in New York. Larger parties can arrange fixed-price meals via email.

The fixed menu at the aesthetically designed Potluck Club includes delicacies like braised ribs and spicy eggplants, complemented by Cantonese-American fusion dishes. You'll find this gem nestled in the vibrant intersection of Chinatown, between Lower East Side and Nolita.

Congee Village

Congee Village has been a top choice in the heart of the city for over two decades, catering to a wide range of palates. They serve a comprehensive array of Chinese dishes (primarily Cantonese), and an extensive selection of unique and fun cocktails—perfect for a group celebration.

Congee, a delightful creamy mix of rice and water, can be complemented with various ingredients like fish, shrimp, chicken, peanuts, sesame seeds, and eggs. In China, congee, also known as jook or juk, is particularly enjoyed as a breakfast dish.

Leland Eating and Drinking House

Owner Randi Lee named her first standalone restaurant after her great uncle Leland Chin, who settled in the U.S. during the 1930s. The inviting Leland Eating and Drinking House continues the family tradition of warm hospitality.

This dining hotspot is an excellent meeting place where guests can relax and have fun. Special reservations for parties are available, and regular bookings for up to seven people are always welcome. For groups of eight or more, a set menu is served.

Lively Sidney’s Five

Entering Lively Sidney’s Five feels like you're instantly at a party—minus any formalities—with superb food and drinks, making it undeniably one of NYC's best.

The restaurant, a winner of the "Time Out New York Best of the City" award, boasts a long bar up front and a bench in the back suited for larger gatherings. Kick off your evening with a classic Martini, paired with scrumptious corn dogs.

Elias Corner for Fish

“Elias Corner for Fish”, as indicated on the restaurant’s awning, has a unique "no menu" policy. Instead of ordering from a set list, you can peek at the seafood display or simply ask about the available fish options like cod, salmon, and more.

Perfect for a group dinner in NYC, Elias Corner serves deliberately simple dishes, highlighting the impeccable freshness of its seafood. The ambiance is inviting, and for those who prefer, there's a charming raised patio outdoors.

Casa Azul

Reserving for up to six people is just a few clicks away on their website. Casa Azul, one of NYC's top dining spots, is located in Park Slope. The restaurant is adorned in various shades of blue and has a tastefully decorated interior, complete with spacious outdoor seating areas. Their gratifying menu boasts perfectly made guacamole with hand-cut tortilla chips, tacos, and hearty dishes like enchiladas, carne asada, and adobada barbacoa.

Cafe China

Reserving for up to ten people at Cafe China's spacious three-story venue or a private room promises a memorable group dinner experience in NYC. Its convenient city center location opened just last year after the restaurant, boasting a Michelin star, operated at a nearby address for many years.
Their extensive menu offers a plethora of both new and traditional dishes, spanning Chinese and fusion cuisines, perfectly paired with cocktails, wine, and beer.

All & Sundry

Columbus Circle, one of NYC's bustling hubs for both business and tourism, had long lacked top-notch “easy-chic” eateries. Fortunately, the exceptional All & Sundry filled that gap two years ago.

It’s the neighborhood’s prime choice for easy bookings, ensuring a delightful evening with friends or family. Share group-centric dishes such as charcuterie boards with a mix of meats and cheeses, or vegetarian specialties, before moving on to the main course.

Tre

There's a special atmosphere in brunch-centric venues that make them suitable for larger parties, and Tre has had it for over fifteen years. In addition to brunches, Tre, considered one of the best restaurants in New York, also organizes fantastic dinners for large groups of friends at all hours of the day and evening.

On weekends, it's recommended to book in advance to enjoy wonderful pancakes, eggs cooked in various ways, pasta dishes and drinks, or (in the evening) to try Italian-American dishes such as spaghetti, Milanese chicken, and grilled steak, all accompanied by an excellent wine list.

Kokomo

This Caribbean restaurant won the Time Out New York Best of the City award for its fantastic outdoor seating and is definitely recommended for a fantastic group dinner in New York.

Guests can sample many sharable dishes and pair them as they prefer, such as oxtail focaccia, jackfruit tacos, jerk chicken, and classics like hamburgers and pasta. Groups of ten or more people can arrange a set price menu.

Valerie

Conveniently located near Times Square, Grand Central Station, and all nearby transportation and attractions, Valerie is very popular among people organizing business lunches and dinners, but also perfect for groups of friends and tourists.

The restaurant offers a wide menu (steak, chicken, fish, pasta, various salads) that will cater to everyone's tastes. Its long list of cocktails, as well as beer, wine, and other spirits, perfectly complements the dishes. Online bookings are available for a maximum of 12 people.

THE 15 BEST GROUP RESTAURANTS IN NYC: THE MAP

Alma

Few know that one of the best group-friendly restaurants in New York City is located in the Columbia Waterfront District. The place offers two floors from which to admire the view below, while the actual dining room is downstairs and is actually a ramp very close to street level.

Entire groups of family and friends can taste Alma's chilaquiles, its enchiladas, and various types of tacos, as well as other Tex-Mex dishes, accompanied by delicious iced beverages.

Lawrukama

The cuisine of Sri Lanka at Lakruwana has delighted diners for a quarter of a century. The restaurant's story began in a small space in Manhattan in 1995 before finally moving to Staten Island. A must-try with friends for tasty lamprais and kottu along with other delights typical of that region. Reservations are accepted only for five or more people.

The Queensboro

Gathering family and friends for a group dinner in New York at The Queensboro is certainly a great idea. The place's space is both rustic and chic, with spacious private rooms, sofas, and a long row of bar seats for those in need of a moment of privacy.

The Queensboro menu is updated frequently, but among its fixed dishes, you'll find specialties like oysters, burgers, steaks, pizza, and pasta. Groups of more than ten people can request customized menus from the staff.