The Beatles famously once sang about getting by with a little help from their friends. Well, considering the rise of sharing-style menus in London over the last decade, it would seem that The Fab Four clearly had a crystal ball: although we are reluctant to admit it (we have no problem polishing off a meal on our own most of the time) it is true that sometimes the food burden is too great for one or two people to bear alone.
If you find yourself perusing a restaurant’s menu online and realise that it is time to call in some gastronomic reinforcements, a night of group dining is the perfect solution. Although heading out with friends doesn’t have to mean opting for a family-style meal, there are considerable perks to dining out in a group - namely that you can try quite a lot of the menu between you. In London, the best restaurants for groups range from venues that have large dining rooms complete with comfy booth seating or long banquettes, through to actual private dining spaces where you can enjoy a meal with friends or loved ones in total privacy
To help you find the best group dining restaurants for you, we have divided up our list into key London neighbourhoods, namely the City, Soho, Mayfair and Covent Garden. If you are flexible on location, scroll through our best London restaurants for groups list, or if you have a particular area in mind, use the quick links below to skip straight to your preferred section. We have also included a mixture of restaurants ideal for small group outings and those occasions for which a private room is required, so there’s really something for everyone.
Check out our pick of the best London restaurants for group dining below and book a table today.
Best restaurants for groups London
The Cinnamon Club, Westminster
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What: Big is often beautiful, and grand-scale Cinnamon Club certainly complies, with its striking main dining room, plus a variety of private spaces for more large-scale events. Fashionable, flavourful and stylish, and a top front of house team too.
Where: The Old Westminster Library, SW1P 3BU
Mere, Fitzrovia
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What: Top classical cooking with South Pacific flourishes and a fabulous understanding of how it matches with wine is the great appeal of Monica Galletti’s fashionable and elegant bonne bouche Mere in Charlotte Street, plus plenty of tables for small groups available.
Where: 74 Charlotte Street, W1T 4QH
Bluebird, Chelsea
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What: Bluebird looks fresher than ever. Its red steel frames are softened by trees and climbing herbs, while dim lighting casts an atmospheric glow. The kitchen brings small plates (the queen scallops are delightful) to the front of the agenda, accompanied by larger dishes of charred mackerel, calves’ livers and everything in between. We like the clever semi-private dining setup at the back for more informal gatherings.
Where: 350 King’s Road, SW3 5UU
Bao, Fitzrovia
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What: The team behind steamed-bun sensation Bao now has sites across London, but it’s still hard as ever to bag a table. Luckily, the modern, minimalist Fitzrovia branch has a basement space that can be booked for groups of up to 10. Expect established favourites (hello, confit pork buns) mixed in with sharing dishes such as raw langoustines, crispy prawn heads and duck hearts in chilli sauce.
Where: 31 Windmill Street, W1T 2JN
Berners Tavern, Fitzrovia
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What: Oozing glamour and grandeur, Jason Atherton’s Berners Tavern is the place to take your friends who enjoy the finer things in life. Cosy up with the gang in the restaurant’s comfortable booths, before tucking into a menu of Brit classics which includes pork pie sliced tableside, and fish and chips with mushy peas.
Where: 10 Berners Street, W1T 3NP
Walkers of Whitehall, Westminster
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What: With the political elite doing their bidding just down the road, Walkers of Whitehall fits perfectly into this part of town. A former bank, the restaurant makes the most of its original features, with a 26-seater cocktail bar occupying the old vaults. The food is simple and well-executed; the scallops – cooked in butter, lemon, parsley and samphire – are our favourite.
Where: 15 Craig's Court, SW1A 2DD
Bread Street Kitchen, St Paul’s
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What: In the shadow of St Paul’s, Gordon Ramsay Group’s mammoth urban brasserie is well set up for private events. The warehouse-style space at Bread Street Kitchen – complete with high ceilings and bare-metal fixtures – offers a hipster feel, while yellow banquettes and red curtains add splashes of colour.
Where: 10 Bread Street, EC4M 9AJ
Cottons, Vauxhall
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What: If a party in a Caribbean rum shack on the Thames is your bag, then Cottons Vauxhall is a great spot. The main restaurant can be partitioned to allow parties of up to 40 guests to dine semi-privately, while the big outdoor seating area at the front of the restaurant can be booked for exclusive dining for up to 100.
Where: St George's Wharf, SW8 2LE
Dishoom, King’s Cross
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What: You might be surprised to find Dishoom, which is notoriously no-bookings, on this list, but at the King’s Cross branch you can reserve a table for parties of six and more. The menu of reliably good Indian street food is great for you and your pals to devour messily, with hot picks including the chilli cheese toastie, and the spicy lamb chops.
Where: 5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB
Greyhound Cafe, Fitzrovia
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What: Fun and zany Greyhound Cafe is the first London site for an already well-established south-east Asian chain, complete with neon cocktails and an extensive menu made to look like a glossy magazine. Much of the dishes lend themselves to eating with your hands, so be prepared to get messy, while a basement private dining room is available should you really want to make an occasion of it.
Where: 37 Berners Street,W1T 3NB
Best restaurants for groups City of London and Shoreditch
City Social
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What: From 24 storeys up the knockout views of London, spread before you like a carpet, stoke the appetite for Jason Atherton’s multi-layered cooking within the handsome art-deco dining room. City Social’s various booths are perfect for groups of friends, or double dates, too.
Where: 24th Floor, Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HQ
Blacklock
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What: This much larger sequel to the Soho original boasts plenty of large tables for group gatherings. Blacklock’s menu is perfectly suited to sharing too, with the signature ‘all in’ option comprising a perfectly cooked stack of beef, lamb and pork chops served atop crisp, herb-flecked flatbreads which have soaked up the meat juices – a carnivore’s dreamland.
Where: 13 Philpot Lane, EC3M 8AA
Brigadiers
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What: This flashy restaurant from the JKS group, with its pool tables and beer vending machines, is tailor-made for the City suits working nearby, but that’s not to say that the food is an afterthought. Brigadiers’ long menu is well suited to group sharing, with top shouts including barbecue butter chicken wings, which are smeared with ghee and cashew cream.
Where: 1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR
Lahpet
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What: Burmese food isn’t exactly one of London’s major cuisine types, but that is part of Lahpet’s appeal. Just past Boxpark, this is a pretty space with hanging plants and copper finishes, and the booths and long tables mean it’s great for group feasting. Don’t miss the flaky yellow pea paratha, while the mushroom-stuffed roast aubergine is also worth your time.
Where: 58 Bethnal Green Road, E1 8JW
Fare Bar & Canteen
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What: If you need convincing to take a trip out east, Fare’s 250 strong wine list and menu of British-via-the-Mediterranean dishes should do the trick. Sharing menus are available for groups, while the basement space is all foliage and candlelight, making it ideal for playing matchmaker among your friend group.
Where: 11 Old Street, EC1V 9HL
Best restaurants for groups Covent Garden
Garden Room at The Assembly Hotel
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What: An Instagrammer’s paradise, the Garden Room is all hanging foliage and city views. You can bring your friends along to eat in the main space, or splash out on the private dining room, which is set apart from everyone else via a floor-to-ceiling gate-like divider. The room also boasts views across St Martin-in-the-Fields church, the London Eye and the South Bank.
Where: 10th Floor, Assembly Hotel, 27-31 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0LS
RedFarm
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What: Although RedFarm’s dining room isn’t the largest, it does feature one long communal table that runs the length of the space and is perfect for groups. There is also the option to hire out the first-floor event space if you want total privacy and we wouldn’t blame you - as you’ll want some serious alone time with the likes of Pacman dumplings and cheeseburger spring rolls.
Where: 9 Russell Street, WC2B 5HZ
Masala Zone
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What: This group of casual Indian joints is a riot of colour and fun. Kitted out with large circular tables and with a typically share-friendly Indian menu, Masala Zone is a great place to catch up with friends. Our particular favourites include a very tender lamb vindaloo and the warming chickpea curry. Prices are fair too.
Where: 48 Floral Street, WC2E 9DA
STK London
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What: Glamorous STK, known for attracting reality stars and footballers, won’t be for everyone, but if blinged-out crowds and mighty steaks are up your alley, it’s worth your time. The cosy booth tables are also ideal for groups, while the flashy atmosphere lends itself well to rowdy birthday celebrations.
Where: 336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA
J Sheekey
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What: A veteran of the theatreland scene, J Sheekey is a restaurant that is steeped in history, evident from the pictures of legendary actors lining the walls, as well as other trinkets. Dishes to feast on include the signature fish pie or lobster thermidor, while fabulous puddings include the tempting likes of crème brûlée and a banoffee cheesecake.
Where: 28-32 St Martin’s Court, WC2N 4AL
Bunga Bunga
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What: Frankly, it would be weird if you didn’t turn up to Bunga Bunga in a group. This kitsch restaurant-cum-karaoke-bar is named after Silvio Berlusconi’s infamous sex parties, and features gigantic pizzas and cocktails served in Vesper-shaped jugs. Ridiculously good fun and trashy as they come, it’s perfect for a gang night out where you’ll all make terrible choices.
Where: 167 Drury Lane, WC2B 5PG
Balthazar
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What: As the follow up to Keith McNally’s New York stalwart, you can expect lovely French-inspired dishes at Covent Garden’s Balthazar. The private room comes with its own bar and lounge too, and it’s even accessible by its own separate door for added privacy.
Where: 4-6 Russell Street, WC2B 5HZ
The Ivy West St
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What: We like that the big private room at The Ivy's original site carries the same distinctive style as the celebrated restaurant downstairs. As such, there’s harlequin stained-glass windows, oak panelling and even a baby grand piano in the corner. Seasonal menus can be created to fit your event too.
Where: 1-5 West Street, WC2H 9NQ
Best restaurants for groups Mayfair
Quaglinos
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What: Sir Terrence Conran’s vision of ostentatious theatre lives on in the main dining-room at Quags where small groups are welcome, but it is the private dining rooms which have forged a particular reputation for excellence in recent years.
Where: 16 Bury Street, SW1Y 6AJ
The Game Bird at The Stafford London
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What: From a 17th century wine cellar to the most civilised of Mayfair dining rooms, the private event facilities at The Stafford are second to none. Bright, intensely flavoured dishes are an added plus.
Where: The Stafford London, SW1A 1NJ
Aqua Nueva
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What: A stone’s throw from the chaos of Regent Street’s shopping-mad throng is elegant Aqua Nueva, offering a pair of elegant private dining rooms and a dreamy rooftop terrace.
Where: Fifth Floor, 240 Regent Street (entrance 30 Argyll Street), W1B 3BR
Corrigan’s
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What: The largest private dining space at Corrigan’s Mayfair is the Lindsay Room. It’s also one of our favourites – the 42in LCD screen allows diners to keep an eye on the action in the kitchen while tucking in to food that celebrates Britain’s natural larder.
Where: 28 Upper Grosvenor Street, W1K 7EH
Coya
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What: This glamorous take on Peruvian cuisine is often full of a jet-setting crowd, creating plenty of buzz. The biggest table at Coya seats 12 guests, meaning you and your ‘squad’ can share tasty treats, such as pork back ribs coated in a tamarind glaze and sprinkled with cashew nuts. You can expect the Pisco Sours to be flowing too, and a hefty bill at the end.
Where: 118 Piccadilly, W1J 7NW
Hush
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What: Tucked away in the heart of busy Mayfair, with a spacious outside terrace and a menu which isn’t eye wateringly-expensive, Hush is somewhat of a rare find. Here, 15 guests can share one table, dining on a number of small plates including spiced artichoke fritters, or opting for large dishes, such as grilled sea bass with pineapple salsa.
Where: 8 Lancashire Court, W1S 1EY
Jamavar
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What: This high-end Indian isn’t the place for a cheap night out, but for a special celebration with friends - it’s a confidently-pitched, elegantly decorated hotspot. Some of our favourite things on Jamavar’s menu include the peppery soft-shell crab, and the Old Dehli butter chicken. With room for 12 on one table, we’d suggest sharing a few of Jamavar’s delectable biryanis.
Where: 8 Mount Street, W1K 3NF
Mnky Hse
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What: With its Instagram-friendly interiors and logo-heavy artwork, Mnky Hse seems all Mayfair style and no substance: fortunately though, there is substance in the Latin American cuisine. One of the best dishes we ate here was an intensely meaty lamb shoulder taco, but cocktails are great too, while the stylish lounge is the perfect place to carry on the evening.
Where: 10 Dover Street, W1S 4LQ
Best restaurants for groups Soho
Bocca di Lupo
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What: Busy, buzzy, noisy and fun, Bocca di Lupo is a Soho classic offering some of the very best Italian regional food in London. Although the idea is to share, there are full-size versions of nearly all dishes for diners who don’t like another person’s fork near their plate. Expect perfect grilled fish and slow-cooked specialities, washed down with terrific Italian wines.
Where: 12 Archer Street, W1D 7BB
L’Escargot
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What: Those seeking a taste of idiosyncratic old Soho should make a beeline for this multi-levelled Georgian townhouse on Greek Street, which opened as L’Escargot in 1927. Naturally you’ll find the namesake snails on the menu, served steaming in a glossy garlic and parsley sauce, alongside other classic French dishes.
Where: 48 Greek Street, W1D 4EF
Señor Ceviche
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What: Cool-looking staff set the tone at fast-paced but friendly Peruvian restaurant Senor Ceviche, which is a maelstrom of colour, flavour and sound. Ceviche is the main attraction but there’s plenty more to enjoy, including some great barbecued dishes and good veggie options. To drink, there are South American wines and Pisco Sours galore.
Where: Kingly Court, W1B 5PW
Vasco & Piero’s Pavilion
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What: A resident of Poland Street since 1989, unassuming Italian Vasco & Piero still exudes the comforting vibe of a well-loved neighbourhood restaurant. The traditional food comes with a strong Umbrian accent: handmade tagliatelle with a rich ragù or roast sausages with black truffle butter. Prices are modest considering the location and there’s excellent service from friendly staff.
Where: 15 Poland Street, W1F 8QE
Waxy O’Connor’s
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What: You can be sure of a decent pint of Guinness and a whiskey chaser at Irish-themed Waxy's just off Piccadilly Circus, where the menu is a mix of pub classics such as fish & chips, burgers and pies. Expect the place to be quiet-ish at lunchtimes, busy in the evenings, rammed on rugby match days and insanely busy on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Where: 4-16 Rupert Street, W1D 6DD
Quo Vadis
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What: Quo Vadis underwent an extensive reshuffle back in 2017 when the Hart brothers – owners of Barrafina – incorporated their Michelin-starred tapas joint into the building. With Barrafina occupying the majority of Jeremy Lee’s in-house restaurant, the original ground-floor eatery now exists on a smaller scale. Lucky for bookers, its striking private dining rooms are still available to non-members wishing to partake of Lee’s beautiful British dishes. A daily changing menu can include the likes of braised veal with sorrel and anchovy, and the signature smoked-eel sandwich.
Where: 26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL
Temper
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What: This temple of meat is home to the sort of menu where you’ll want to try one of everything (except if you’re a vegetarian of course). Temper is well equipped for large bookings, with sharing tables, booths and banquettes all available. Now you just have to argue among yourselves about who’s going to order what.
Where: 25 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DF
If you are planning an exclusive event, browse our selection of private dining rooms in London.