London knows how to throw a party—and it’s not just about DJs, dance floors and sticky pints at 2am. When it comes to dining with your crew, celebrating a big birthday, marking a work win, or just rounding up your loudest mates for a long-overdue catch-up, the capital has you covered. And not just covered—spoiled. This city is stacked with spots that know how to host a group. The vibe? Buzzing. The food? Shareable, snap-worthy, and properly satisfying. The service? Unflappable, even when your table is eight strong and three people are “just doing starters.”
So whether you’re the designated planner in your group or you just got lumped with the job because no one else volunteered, fear not. We’ve scouted the very best restaurants for group dining and celebrations in London right now. From glittering townhouse hideaways to City hotspots and big-flavour feasts worth shouting about—these places will make your next gathering one to remember.
1. Delamina Townhouse – Covent Garden
Let’s start strong: Delamina Townhouse is an absolute gem. Tucked away on a quiet street in Covent Garden, this Eastern Mediterranean beauty delivers a warm, spice-laced welcome that feels like arriving at someone’s very stylish home—if that someone had a serious thing for tahini, za’atar, and chargrilled aubergines.
But don’t let the calm exterior fool you. Inside, it’s buzzy. The kind of place where groups lean in over pomegranate-laced chicken skewers, clink cocktails with muddled herbs, and somehow keep ordering “just one more thing to share.” The food is vibrant, the lighting soft, and the tables well-sized for spreading out mezze plates like a glorious edible jigsaw.
“We get loads of birthday groups and after-work teams in,” says Amir, one of the longtime staffers. “The vibe is super relaxed, but the food still feels special.” And he’s not wrong. It’s flavourful, fun, and endlessly crowd-pleasing. Pro tip: order the roasted cauliflower with tahini and date syrup twice—you’ll thank us later.
2. Gloria – Shoreditch
If maximalism had a culinary mascot, it’d be Gloria. This OTT Italian trattoria is no stranger to Instagram, but beyond the velvet booths and floral explosions, it’s actually a brilliant place for group feasting. The dishes are designed to share, the portions are gloriously generous, and the staff are more than game for celebration mode.
You want to shout-sings “Happy Birthday” over a three-tier lemon meringue pie? Be their guest. You want six people to share one ludicrously creamy truffle pasta? Totally normal behaviour here. It’s raucous, irreverent, and just the right amount of chaotic. You’ll walk out feeling like you’ve been to a party. Because you have.
3. Berenjak – Soho
Ever tried to squeeze ten people into a Persian kabab house and somehow still maintain chill vibes? You can at Berenjak. Hidden down a narrow Soho alley, this spot punches well above its square footage.
It’s intimate, sure, but they do a mean job of hosting groups without it feeling cramped. Skewers sizzle on open grills, warm flatbreads fly from table to table, and the fesenjoon (a dark, rich chicken stew with pomegranate and walnuts) will haunt your dreams—in a good way. Tables of six to eight work best here, especially if you’re all happy to go family-style and get stuck in.
4. Dishoom – King’s Cross
It’s hard to mention group dining in London without invoking the mighty Dishoom. And yes, everyone’s heard of it, but that’s because it delivers—every single time.
The King’s Cross outpost is perfect for larger parties thanks to its vast space, sultry colonial-era décor, and the holy trinity of black daal, chicken ruby, and roomali roti. It’s celebratory in a subtle way: you come here for comfort and atmosphere, not for theatrics. But that low-key warmth is exactly what makes it ideal for everything from team dinners to reunion nights with old uni mates.
5. St Barts – City of London
Now here’s a wildcard—and a classy one at that. St Barts sits in the shadow of Smithfield Market, and from the outside, you might assume it’s a quiet little secret. Inside? It’s quietly spectacular.
Known for its exquisite British tasting menus, this isn’t your shouty party spot. But it is perfect for small, special-occasion groups looking to splash out and be wowed. Think seasonal, locally sourced ingredients arranged with jaw-dropping precision. You’ll sip, savour, and probably take a million photos of your plates.
It’s not cheap. But it’s one of those “big night” restaurants that actually earns the price tag. Ideal for a group of foodies looking to toast something meaningful—without ending the night at a karaoke bar (unless you really want to).
6. Manteca – Shoreditch
Manteca is for the cool crowd. The ones who read natural wine labels like poetry and know their ‘nduja from their guanciale. This rustic-modern Italian in Shoreditch has group dining down to a fine art. Communal tables, soft lighting, and plates that just beg to be passed around—think pig head fritti, handmade pastas, and proper sourdough.
Even better? They’ve got private dining options for those looking to get a bit rowdy without disturbing the couple on date night nearby. It’s informal but thoughtful. Delicious without being fussy. And most importantly—no one’s judging if you order three bottles of orange wine before the food even lands.
7. Casa do Frango – London Bridge
Piri-piri chicken, smoky and addictive, served in a sun-drenched warehouse with towering ceilings and lots of green. That’s the Casa do Frango vibe. It’s great for groups because the menu is simple, the drinks flow easily (especially their house white sangria), and the setting just screams “casual party.”
It’s hard not to fall in love with this place. The grilled fare arrives sizzling, the sides—garlic rice, African hot sauce, crispy fries—are dangerously moreish, and the vibe’s so laid-back, you could be in Lisbon. Great for Friday nights when you want something unfussy but still full of flavour.
8. Bao Noodle Shop – Shoreditch
Less formal, more slurpable. Bao’s noodle-focused outpost is perfect for a birthday dinner that doesn’t want to feel like a cliché. There’s something thrilling about crowding around a table with friends, chopsticks clacking, while massive bowls of beef noodles arrive like gifts from heaven.
The atmosphere is chilled, and the prices are reasonable enough that ordering one of everything is within reach. Grab one of their semi-private booths if you can—it turns dinner into a kind of ramen-fuelled hideout.
9. Fowl – St James
Now here’s a restaurant that really knows how to treat a group. Fowl, the meaty lovechild of some of London’s most creative culinary minds, is all about one thing: poultry, done properly. But don’t let the name fool you—this isn’t just a chicken shack.
Expect flame-grilled birds, banging sides (think garlic mash and sticky wings), and a playlist that swerves between hip-hop and funk. It’s rowdy in the best possible way. One recent party saw a table of ten spontaneously start a wing-eating competition mid-meal. The staff? Totally unfazed.
“We love groups who come to have fun,” said one server with a grin. “Just don’t be shy about ordering everything.” We wouldn’t dream of it.
10. Circolo Popolare – Fitzrovia
Another Big Mamma Group behemoth, Circolo Popolare is unapologetically over the top. The ceiling’s dripping with fairy lights, the cocktails are served in entire pineapples, and the carbonara comes in a massive wheel of pecorino.
It’s basically a birthday party waiting to happen. Get your gang together, book a table, and surrender to the spectacle. Nobody leaves here without laughing—or rolling home in a food coma.
Wrap It Up
London’s group dining scene is thriving in 2025—and thank god. Because after the past few years of table-for-two restrictions and awkward “no standing at the bar” rules, we’re more than ready to reconnect, celebrate and feast together again.
From elegant tasting menus in the City to roaring chicken parties in St James, this city’s got a restaurant for every gathering, every palate, and every excuse to pop a bottle. So grab your friends, book that table, and make a night of it. Just don’t forget to tip your waiter—especially if your group is the “one more round” type.
Because in London, dining together isn’t just about the food. It’s about the moment.
