15 Best NYC Restaurants to Celebrate With a Sit-Down Meal
Grace Peisker
Contributor
Back in the good old Sketchers-wearing, scooter-riding days, celebrating was the best—because it meant food. You know, that good treat yo’ self food. After every ballet recital, little league game, and A+ report card, everyone would schlep to the nearest ice cream shop or burger joint for a congratulatory meal.
Some occasions are still best celebrated with a satisfying, indulgent sit-down meal. And really, that could be any occasion, from a small dinner party celebrating that big promotion to an all-out private rental for appetizers and cocktails to celebrate your best friend’s engagement.
Whether you want to host a large or small dinner party, these are the best New York restaurants for group gatherings. There are both semi-private and private venues that can accommodate a reservation for a table, a room or the whole place. Decide whether you want to go cool and casual or upscale: The venues below are listed from casual to high-end.
Find the perfect venue to celebrate your accomplishment with this list of the best restaurants for dinner parties in NYC.
Big Daddy’s (Upper West Side)
Confetti! Ice cream! Party hats! Big Daddy’s takes a fun celebration to a new level with its exciting atmosphere and casual American comfort food. This restaurant is definitely kid friendly. Treat guests to their monster milk shakes, delicious burgers and crispy tots. This classic diner will leave a smile on your face, and probably some ice cream too.
Neighborhood: UES
Price: From $290
Private or Semi-Private: Private
Duke’s (Upper East Side)
Duke’s wants you to bring your family, friends and fun to their original New York roadhouse. This sportsy American eatery is famed for their Southern hospitality, huge-portioned meals and great service for a reasonable price. Bring the kids, Grandma and an empty stomach.
Neighborhood: UES
Price: Starting at $45
Private or Semi-Private: Both
Massoni
For the creative celebration, book a table or a room at Massoni, the restaurant for self-proclaimed “inauthentic” Italian fare. Chef Dale Talde matches the hot spot’s artsy industrial decor with unconventional Italian-Asian fusion. Welcome any unexpected news with these unexpected dishes.
Neighborhood: Midtown
Price: From $110
Private or Semi-Private: Both
Ladybird
Host a small dinner party with Ladybird, whose plant-based menu is just as delightful as its interior. This restaurant is equally charming and chic, and resides in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The romantic, breezy atmosphere is perfect for any intimate event.
Neighborhood: LES
Price: From $25
Private or Semi-Private: Both
PS Kitchen
This upscale, two-story vegan spot offers an industrial touch to artisanal cooking. PS Kitchen can host parties of up to 200 guests in their lofty, Midtown space. Host a large dinner party here—the more the merrier, as all of PS Kitchen’s profits are donated to charitable work locally and overseas. Your good fortune can be someone else’s too!
Neighborhood: Hell’s Kitchen
Price: From $40
Private or Semi-Private: Both
Maman (Greenpoint)
Maman in Greenpoint is a luxe yet cozy location with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, made into fresh, gourmet cuisine. Maman offers it all, from menu design and curation to customized seating, even providing boutique vintage flatware. This is the perfect environment to commemorate new beginnings.
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
Price: From $1,500
Private or Semi-Private: Private
Lalito Cantina
Lalito Cantina is a Mexi-Californian cantina with bright and flavorful fusion dishes. Their special yet casual space is perfect for a large dinner party. Lalito seats up to 75 and is kid friendly, so feel free to invite the extended family.
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Price: From $1,400
Private or Semi-Private: Both
GITANO Jungle Room
GITANO Jungle Room NYC is a year-round tropical restaurant and bar that offers a modern take on Mexican and Mayan cuisine alongside unique tropical libations. Inspired by the original Jungle Room in Tulum, this venue is a hot take on a tropical celebration.
Neighborhood: SoHo
Private or Semi-Private: Both
Celestine Restaurant
You’ve reached success, and now it’s your time to sit back and enjoy the view, literally: Celestine restaurant offers picturesque waterfront views in Dumbo, Brooklyn. Dine on top-end Mediterranean cuisine in the main dining room, riverside patio or entire restaurant with private and semi-private dining options.
Neighborhood: DUMBO
Price: From $50
Private or Semi-Private: Both
33 Lafayette
33 Lafayette in Brooklyn provides a luxe blank canvas for your next gathering. The restaurant’s accommodating nature makes this spot perfect for any party. Restaurant staff is dedicated to perfecting every detail, from custom cocktails to food and decor, so all you have to do is celebrate. Hosting made simple!
Neighborhood: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Price: From $400
Private or Semi-Private: Private
Toriko
It takes time and patience to achieve success. No one knows this more than the chefs at Toriko, who have worked to create a perfectly balanced menu of traditional Yakitori Cuisine. Informally known as Japanese snack food, guests can try a variety of Yakitori dishes while celebrating your prosperity. This is a great dinner party venue for groups with more adventurous taste buds.
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village
Price: From $340
Private or Semi-Private: Private
The Hidden Pearl
This exclusive locale is for the most intimate of celebrations, seating around 25 people. Host a private dinner party and invite your closest friends and family to this cocktail bar and Japanese eatery. Modern interiors will create a dashing atmosphere for guests to enjoy your celebratory event.
Neighborhood: Greenpoint
Price: From $1,500
Private or Semi-Private: Private
Morton’s Steakhouse (Midtown)
Take the classic celebratory route with Morton’s high-end steakhouse. Their steady perfection of classic American fare has deemed them one of the most impressive surf and turf spots in NYC. This spot is perfect for an anniversary, graduation or other longtime milestone that deserves a proper meal in commemoration.
Neighborhood: Midtown
Price: From $100
Private or Semi-Private: Semi-Private
Sarabeth’s (Upper East Side)
Sarabeth’s began as a tiny bakery and kitchen in 1981 and quickly became a NYC landmark. Celebrate in Sarabeth’s upscale private mezzanine for brunch, where your success can be cheersed with mimosas and 30 of your friends and family.
Neighborhood: UES
Price: From $800
Private or Semi-Private: Semi-Private
Philippe Chow Downtown
Philippe Chow Downtown brings Chef Philippe Chow’s elegant, signature Beijing dishes to the Meatpacking District. The newly renovated subterranean dining space features rotating DJs on weekend nights and is open until two a.m. for the buzzing downtown crowd.
Neighborhood: Meatpacking District
Private or Semi-Private: Private
Restaurant DANIEL
Finally, Restaurant DANIEL is the last on our list and one of the finest dining scenes in all of New York. They’ve mastered exceptional French cuisine by using techniques passed down through generations. With different private dining options and carefully selected food and drink pairings, this restaurant is here for you to celebrate your crowning achievement.
Neighborhood: UES
Price: From $20,000
Private or Semi-Private: Private
