The best restaurants for large groups in NYC include a celebrity chef’s made-for-sharing Mediterranean spot and a Korean barbecue favorite.
LessThe top restaurants for large groups in NYC make it easy to gather comfortably, and you can do just that at the long, communal tables at Boqueria in Flatiron, Soho, UES, and West 40th Street. Groups of six or more can experience the tasting menu for the ultimate tapas exploration capped by a crowd-pleasing paella. Spring for hand-carved Iberico ham alongside pan con tomate to start like a true Barcelonian, and order pitchers of the signature shishito margarita to accompany the table.
Dons Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar is a MICHELIN Plate recipient from chef Woo Kim. The large tables and interactive cooking of Korean barbecue are conducive to group dining, with larger groups meaning more selections for the communal grill. Attentive service at Dons Bogam keeps premium meats sizzling while you share bottles from the international wine list or sip cocktails like the signature Purple Rain, made with gin and black raspberry wine.
From celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, Hav & Mar is a James Beard semifinalist and MICHELIN plate designee in Chelsea. Specializing in blending African and Caribbean flavors, the menu is decidedly seafood-centric, with standouts like berbere-cured salmon and shrimp fritter salad. The spacious layout and partially secluded spaces for bigger parties help make it one of the best restaurants for large groups in NYC. Vibrant decor and a high-energy playlist keep the mood upbeat and optimal.
Kyma, an upbeat Greek seafood restaurant with locations in Gramercy Park and Hudson Yards, is one of the city’s go-to spots for elegant Mediterranean dishes. With weekend DJs pumping Greek music and tableside presentations of dishes like flaming saganaki, it’s fun group dining in NYC at its best. Lavraki (grilled Mediterranean sea bass) is a signature selection, as are the Kyma chips of crispy zucchini and eggplant with tzatziki. The airy, white interior accommodates groups of many sizes.
Shun Lee is a celebrated name in upscale Chinese restaurants in NYC. Shun Lee Palace is the flagship known for refined Chinese classics like Beijing duck and crispy orange beef in an elegant setting of black lacquer and gold accents. Shun Lee West is more spacious, ideal for larger groups, and featuring a broader menu of both traditional favorites and creative chef specials. Next door, Shun Lee Café is more casual, serving dim sum and other small plates in a relaxed atmosphere.
The deep reds and blacks of Strip House set a distinctive scene for the ultimate group steakhouse dinner. The original Greenwich Village location charms with moody lighting and vintage photos, though Strip House Midtown has more space, which is better for the largest groups. Feel free to share the 20-ounce bone-in ribeye and a massive slice of 24-layer chocolate cake at either location, but don’t overlook coveted sides like truffle creamed spinach or goose fat potatoes at this top restaurant.
The opulent dining rooms of TAO make it one of NYC’s most popular restaurants for large groups looking for style. TAO Uptown wows with a dramatic Buddha and dim, lounge-like lighting for a lively night out. Known for bold flavors and upscale presentation, pan-Asian plates include miso-glazed Chilean sea bass and Peking duck. TAO Downtown presents a more eclectic fusion menu in a soaring temple-inspired space with private dining options ideal for larger groups seeking a celebratory meal.
Tony’s DiNapoli, with locations in Midtown and the Upper East Side, is beloved for its family-style Italian dining, making it a top restaurant for large groups in NYC. Both spots serve generous portions of classic dishes like chicken parmigiana and rigatoni Bolognese, which are portioned for sharing. The Midtown location is lively and often bustling with tourists and theatergoers, while the Upper East Side has a more relaxed neighborhood feel.
Zaytinya from renowned chef José Andrés is a go-to for groups looking to share an array of flavorful, Mediterranean-inspired small plates. The sleek, spacious NoMad setting of high ceilings with elegant touches lends the space well to larger parties. Homemade labneh with pistachios and olive oil joins aromatic lamb baharat among Zaytinya’s top dishes. The shareable mezze menu adds to Zaytinya’s rank among the best restaurants for large groups in NYC seeking a memorable experience.