The worst part of eating with a group is when the bill comes, as you divide items and try to appease the friend who only chose water to drink. Luckily, there are NYC restaurants focused on shareable dishes — plates that are actually designed for multiple people to enjoy.
We’ve put together a list of our favorite spots for group dining in NYC, that are perfect for all palates, budgets, and dietary restrictions! Check them out below.
1. Mercado Little Spain, Hudson Yards
This Spanish mini-market is Chef José Andrés’ “love letter to Spain,” and allows you to try the best food from all over the country, right here in New York. The Mercado (or “market”) is your best bet for sharing food — you can each take your own “tapas tour” around the space and meet up to share bites of all your treasures. Or, book a spot at the Spanish Diner, where you and your squad can feast on Iberian-inspired American cuisine, with dishes like gambas al ajillo, croquetas de pollo, and more. Learn more about Mercado Little Spain here.
Where: 10 Hudson Yards
2. Tony’s Di Napoli, Midtown & UES
Grab your friends or family and come hungry, because Tony’s Di Napoli specializes in serving up family-style Italian dishes that range from pasta to seafood! Their Southern Neapolitan cuisine is pretty well known in the culinary scene, thanks to dishes like the famous Chicken Parmesan and Calamari Fritti, which are perfect to share amongst a large group. Learn more about Tony’s Di Napoli here.
Where:
Midtown – 147 W 43rd St
Upper East Side – 1081 3rd Ave
3. K’Far, Williamsburg
K’Far is an Israeli restaurant located in The Hoxton hotel in Williamsburg, and the eatery is inspired by the warm kitchens and energy of Tel Aviv. The plant-filled establishment is perfect for group dinners, accepting parties of up to 7 on Resy, as well as larger bookings for corporate events, rehearsal dinners, and parties. As for the food, expect sharable Israeli classics like Kubbeh Niyyah, Arabic Salad, Chicken Schnitzel, and more. See K’Far’s full menu here.
Where: 97 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
4. Emmett’s on Grove, West Village
Situated right in the middle of all of the West Village’s chic restaurants is Emmett’s on Grove, who’s most known for serving Chicago-style deep dish pizzas and Italian favorites in a homey, rustic setting. It’s the perfect place to catch up with friends and go in together on a bottle of speciality wine. Don’t forget to taste test some “snacks” too like the Meatball Sliders and Crispy Mozzarella. See Emmett’s on Grove’s full menu here.
Where: 39 Grove St
5. Au Za’atar, East Village
If you’re even a bit of an NYC foodie on Instagram, you’ve seen photos of Au Za’atar’s mouth-watering tableside shawarma. They serve rotating meat on a skewer and carve it right at your table, over a pile of thin-cut French fries, vegetables and spices. In other words, definitely meant for sharing.
But this is only an addition to their super group-friendly menu, which mimics the type of food mothers and grandmothers in Lebanon make for family dinner. Rounds and rounds of food comes out, including plenty of Lebanese mezze like pickles, eggs, halloumi cheese, makanek (sausages), baba ghanoush and tabouli.
Where: 188 Avenue A
6. Bangkok Supper Club, Meatpacking
Bangkok Supper Club is one of our favorite new restaurants in NYC, and is a great pick for group dining too. It’s from the team behind popular NYC spot Fish Cheeks, and this place serves up delicious Thai food inspired by Bangkok’s late night food scene. You and your crew can opt for a bunch of small plates like Grilled Octopus and Hokkaido Scallop Ceviche…or individually order larger plates like Whole Branzino and Beef Cheeks Massaman. See Bangkok Supper Club’s full menu here.
Where: 641 Hudson St
7. The Smith, Multiple Locations
With a few locations around NYC, The Smith is a no frills American restaurant that will please any size crowd. Their diverse menu will satisfy all tastebuds, with everything from mac and cheese to an elite raw bar. You can reserve a table of up to 10 via OpenTable or inquire with them about even larger groups. See The Smith’s full dinner menus here.
Where: Find your location here
8. La Pecora Bianca, Multiple Locations
If you and your group are pasta fans, we highly recommend La Pecora Bianca. They have a few locations around the city and their house-made pasta is perfect for everyone. From Tagliatelle and Cacio e Pepe Bucatini to Vodka Rigatoni, you simply can’t go wrong here. They also have other Italian dishes too like Chicken Milanese, Zucchini “Fries,” Local Burrata, and a whole lot more. See La Pecora Bianca’s full menus here.
Where: Find your location here
9. Gemma, Bowery
Pull up a seat to Gemma, a rustic and feel-good spot located on the ground floor of the Bowery Hotel. Large group seatings are always available to try out Chef Andrea Taormina’s seasonal Italian cuisine and extensive wine menu! Tables of up to 12 are bookable via Resy, and they also are able to host parties of 12-16 indoors and 12-20 outside on the patio! See Gemma’s full menu here.
Where: 335 Bowery
10. Ainslie, Williamsburg
Looking for a great option for a group brunch? Look no further because Ainslie in Williamsburg is the best spot for it. Their picnic table-style beer garden makes for the perfect spot for large parties, and the unbeatable $32 bottomless brunch special that includes 1.5 Hours of unlimited brunch cocktails and any entree makes it easy to decide on what to get. They also have other pizzas, pastas, meats, and more too if you’re going for dinner. See Ainslie’s full menu here.
Where: 76 Ainslie St, Brooklyn
11. Quality Bistro, Midtown
This bustling European-style brasserie is just as fast paced as its surrounding Midtown neighborhood, and it’s perfect for any group dining setting. Quality Bistro provides an airy and welcoming space, as well as a French-inspired menu of sharable plates, French cocktails, table-side prepared dishes, and wines. We highly recommend their steaks and salads. See Quality Bistro’s full menu here.
Where: 120 W 55th St
12. Kokomo, Williamsburg
Kokomo’s Brooklyn outpost is a great Caribbean spot to hang with friends and nibble on dishes like Wah Gwan Flatbread and Curry Rock Shrimp Tempura. On certain occasions during the week and weekends, they offer pre-fix menus and deals like Sunday “Drunch” and the Koko Island Feast Dinner. See Kokomo’s dinner menus and special events here.
Where: 65 Kent Ave, Brooklyn
13. Benjamin Steakhouse, Midtown East
We couldn’t create a group dining guide without including an NYC steakhouse, and Benjamin’s will fit the vibe you’re looking for. The white table cloth spot is slightly fancy, and their world-class meats will make your visit memorable. They’re super accommodating with large groups, and even offer other spaces like the The Wine Room and The Mezzanine Wing (to name a few) which can seat 20+ guests. See Benjamin Steakhouse’s full menu here.
Where: 52 E 41st St
14. Boqueria, Multiple Locations
What could be better than a group date of tapas and cocktails? Boqueria brings a vibrant Spanish flair, thanks to their endless list of tapas (small plates) that make perfect for sharing. The menu is chalk full of chorizo, jamón, and much more so you really can’t go wrong. See Boqueria’s full menus here.
Where: Find your location here
15. Ernesto’s, Lower East Side
Ernesto’s is a great group spot to snack on shareables and grab a couple cocktails. It’s perfect for a casual get together or even an after work hang. It’s a Basque-inspired restaurant with a menu full of shared dishes like house-made potato chips layered with thin slices of jamón Ibérico, San Sebastián style crab tarts, and even larger proportions like Spanish salt cod. See Ernesto’s full menu here.
Where: 259 E Broadway