Ask the Experts: 28 Best NYC Restaurants for Parties & Events

For a Michelin-star Italian restaurant that will wow friends and family. Top event planner, Lauren Fishman of Lauren Fishman Events, shares, “Marea has a wonderful private room and great food. I recently hosted a client’s Friday dinner for family and friends the night before her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah at Marea — and the food and service were perfect.”

Marea can accommodate up to 200 guests.

For a historic spot that has undergone a careful renovation that nods to its storied past. New York Times notes that the space is a “combination of surrealism [and] tradition” serving up contemporary Spanish dishes as curated by a chef who spent three years dishing up fare at the Embassy in Madrid.

El Quijote at Hotel Chelsea can accommodate up to 70 guests.

For people who like to be in-the-know, Annie Lee of Daughter of Design shares a brand-new restaurant worth checking out: Al Coro. The elegant restaurant features live music every evening as well as subterranean private dining rooms perfect for any kind of celebration.

Al Coro can accommodate from 12 to 1,000 guests.

For live-fire cooking, house-made pasta, and a robust Italian wine list. Leane Romeo of Overland Entertainment suggests, “Ci Siamo is Danny Meyer’s newest restaurant with Executive Chef Hillary Sterling. This is currently my favorite restaurant in Manhattan, with exceptional service and food in a relaxed, comfortable environment.”

Ci Siamo can accommodate up to 60 guests.

For a place that your friends haven’t been to yet, consider Mel’s, an upscale pizza concept in the former Del Posto space that Annie Lee of Daughter of Design put on our radar.

Mel’s can accommodate up to 50 guests.

For everything from quiet and cozy-dim dining rooms to chic alfresco dining on classic, rustic Italian cuisine, try Gemma, located in The Bowery Hotel. Lauren Fishman of Lauren Fishman Events shares that the spot is great for wedding and baby showers as well as celebratory dinners of all kinds.

Gemma can accommodate up to 45 guests.

For epic views and fare from renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. David Landgraf of Make It Happen Mgmt says, “The Fulton’s private dining room offers the best culinary experience, outdoor dining, and quintessential New York City views of the historic Brooklyn Bridge.”

The Fulton can accommodate up to 200 guests.

For a room for private dining in NYC that feels like its own restaurant. Leslie Price of In Any Event says, “Craft Restaurant is a staple and a hidden gem. They have a private dining room with its own entrance which can seat up to 40, but I love buying out the beautifully-designed main dining room for up to 100 seated guests (80 is better). Expect incredible food, an interesting wine list, and impeccable service.” Price helpfully adds that the private dining room is being used for a pop up for 2022 (so book out for next year).

Craft features two spaces and can accommodate up to 200 guests.

For an intimate gathering around a single, gorgeous table surrounded by antiques and art. Florie Huppert of Florie Huppert Design says, “I love the classics like the Gramercy Tavern. I’m an old school New Yorker, and my favorite places are classic and always perfect.” 

Lauren Fishman of Lauren Fishman Events also recommends the restaurant and adds that the “private dining room is cozy and warm.”   

Gramercy Tavern can accommodate up to 120 guests. 

For private dining in NYC on a rooftop paradise with seasonal, local fare. Leslie Price of In Any Event shares, “A fabulous option in Hudson Yards is Electric Lemon inside the Equinox Hotel. Their private dining room on the 25th floor has room to seat 70 or accommodate cocktails for 100. It is run by Starr Restaurant Group, so you can be confident of great food and service.”

Electric Lemon can accommodate up to 100 guests.

For NYC private dining with epic views and a commitment to sustainability and local purveyors. Annie Lee of Daughter of Design says, “My recommendation would be Peak Restaurant. It has amazing views and food on top of Hudson Yards!”

Leslie Price of In Any Event adds, “My first “go-to” these days is Peak NYC.  The venue is really versatile —  you can buy out just the private event space, which works for an intimate seated dinner or cocktails for up to 250. It’s a blank canvas and also a finished space with lots of potential to customize. If you buy out the entire floor, it’s perfect for a ceremony, cocktails, dinner and dancing. With floor-to-ceiling windows on the 101st floor, the skyline view is undoubtedly the star. There’s a small outdoor private spot your guests can access, one floor above the Edge observatory…Also, they have a small private dining room for 14 guests if you’re looking for something really intimate. And the elevator ‘shows’ both up and down are an experience unto themselves.”

Peak Events can accommodate up to 300 guests.

For an early-American tavern vibe and your choice of interesting private dining rooms. Leane Romeo of Overland Entertainment, says, “Freemans is a special gem of a restaurant, located at the end of an alley off Bowery in the Lower East Side. They have a few private dining rooms, with differently-themed décor in each that span from a vintage look to rustic wood.” 

Freemans boasts six event spaces and can accommodate from 25 to 200 guests.

For a truly grand Mid-Century New York chophouse that will wow your guests. The restaurant features upscale dining and amazing service that is especially well-suited to a special occasion. Don’t miss seeing how this milestone birthday party was celebrated in the space.

THE POOL | THE GRILL by Major Food Group can accommodate from 22 guests to a full buy-out for 600.

For a perfectly-located spot (behind the New York Public Library) that offers truly stunning options for your private dining event. We especially love how this garden-themed bridal shower utilized the lush South Garden space for a memorable affair. Private dining guests rave about the top-notch service and care at this spot.

Bryant Park Grill can accommodate from 35 to 1,000 guests.

For an iconic New York experience with epic views from a luxurious space. Sixty-five stories above Midtown Mathattan, Rainbow Room’s intimate private dining room features a wall of windows that will impress your guests. We also love Bar SixtyFive’s innovative cocktail menu for toast-worthy moments.

Rainbow Room can accommodate anywhere from 24 to 700 guests in four spaces.

For a magical combination of nature and architecture located with garden views at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Michael Cerbelli of Cerbelli Creative says, “This restaurant is absolutely the best. The chef and team are incredible.”

David Landgraf of Make It Happen Mgmt recommends “The Garden Table” at Le Pavillon. He says of the space, “Nestled among this internal zen garden, you follow a path to a semi-private dining table to experience the epicurean delicacies of Chef Daniel Boulud and his team of culinary geniuses.” 

Le Pavillon can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Both Leslie Price of In Any Event and Lauren Fishman of Lauren Fishman Events recommend The Modern for private dining in New York. Price says, “It overlooks the sculpture garden and features catering by Danny Meyers. What more can I say?”

Fishman adds that she likes not only the private dining room but also the “kitchen table” with its opportunity to dine right in the kitchen where all of the action is.

The Modern can accommodate up to 250 guests.

For a spot where art and design meet. Leslie Price of In Any Event says, “I adore the The Orangery in The Whitby Hotel. The aesthetic is lovely. There’s seated space for up to 50 that also has an adjacent private garden. It’s perfect for bridal showers! The hotel has other lovely private event spaces as well, and even has a private movie theatre.”  

The Orangery at The Whitby Hotel can accommodate up to 100 guests. 

For a chic space atop the Museum of Arts and Design that features sleek design and a seasonal menu. Leslie Price of In Any Event adds, “I recently hosted a Bat Mitzvah luncheon here. The space features outstanding views of Central Park & Columbus Circle as well as great service and food, and charming décor.” 

Robert can accommodate up to 250 guests.

For a unique and intimate gathering, check out the swanky vibe of Lafayette’s Salle Privé space. Leslie Price of In Any Event says, “Lafayette has a very nice private room on the bottom level of the restaurant. Plus, it offers wonderful food and service.”

Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery can accommodate up to 150 guests.

For an exquisite dining experience with Michelin-star fare. Lauren Fishman of Lauren Fishman Events recommends Le Bernardin’s “variety of private rooms” because it offers “an elegant experience.” Leslie Price of In Any Event also loves private dining at this restaurant and says, “For a classic space when food is the ultimate priority, Le Bernardin can’t be beat. It has 3 Michelin stars.”

Leane Romeo of Overland Entertainment also recommends the space saying, “Le Bernardin is an incredible three Michelin-star restaurant that I visit frequently. I’m always blown away by the amazing food and service. Chef Eric Ripert has curated a truly extraordinary menu for the high-end splurge client.”

Le Bernardin can accommodate up to 80 guests.

For fresh seasonal Italian fare served family-style in a private dining room with a zinc-topped bar. Lauren Fishman of Lauren Fishman Events recommends the space located in the Greenwich Hotel as a great spot for private dining in New York.

Locanda Verde can accommodate up to 60 guests.

For an award-winning menu and a multiple private dining spaces to choose from. David Landgraf of Make It Happen Mgmt says, “Sweetbriar is a new arrival to the New York food scene with Executive Chef Bryce Shuman. Watch this space, as it is one of the best rooftop and outdoor dining spaces, bringing together great food and fun from this 2022 James Beard-nominated chef!”

Sweetbriar boasts three private dining rooms that can accommodate anywhere from 15 to 35 guests.

For a spot that’s been reliably wonderful for over 30 years (during which it has won 5 James Beard Awards). Leane Romeo of Overland Entertainment shares, “Union Square Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan, with service and food that never disappoints. They have a private dining room which accommodates up to 40 people.”

Union Square Cafe features two private dining rooms that can accommodate 30-40 guests.

For more great fare from Chef Daniel Boulud at his first restaurant where they will work with you to design a custom menu. Lauren Fishman of Lauren Fishman Events recommends the space and says, “Daniel has a really nice private room off the main restaurant. 

DANIEL can accommodate up to 150 guests.

For a chic neighborhood spot that serves fresh twists on American bistro fare. Leane Romeo of Overland Entertainment says, “Hancock Street is a neighborhood restaurant with an ambiance I would describe as elegant and stylish. They have a a private dining room that seats up to 25 people and a semi-private mezzanine that can accommodate up to 14. Their incredible menu ranges from steak frites to Russian Osetra caviar service!”

Hancock Street features a garden veranda for up to 50 and a private dining room for up to 30 guests.

For a modern take on traditional Italian cuisine and multiple spaces to choose from. Leane Romeo of Overland Entertainment says, “L’Artusi, another restaurant I love, creates an intimate, sleek dining experience with delicious Italian food. I am always captivated by their beautiful walk-in wine cellar, where they offer private dining rooms.

L’Artusi features an intimate wine room, a mezzanine or full buyout accommodating anywhere from 10 to 110 guests.

For sweeping city views from the best vantage point, a mere five minutes from New York City. This restaurant draws raves for its top-notch service and wow-worthy ambiance, and boasts four private dinner spaces to choose from (or a full-space buyout).

Waterside Events has spaces for 40 to 1,000 guests.