Whenever it’s time to get a large group together at a restaurant, the following anxiety-inducing considerations begin: Which restaurants welcome huge parties? Will they break the bank? Do they take reservations or walk-ins on a whim? And do they have delicious, shareable food? Plenty of SoCal restaurants can easily answer these questions whether a casual Thai Town spot for six people or a 38-seat midcentury private dining room in the South Bay. The following 18 establishments have a little something for everyone and work great for group dining in Los Angeles.
Read More19 Restaurants That Work for Big Groups and Parties in Los Angeles
Where to bring a crew and enjoy a big meal in LA
Casaléna
Casaléna is the ultimate group dining spot in the San Fernando Valley, or possibly anywhere in Los Angeles. The sprawling restaurant features five separate dining areas that span approximately 6,000 square feet of indoor space and 2,000 square feet of outdoor space with a shareable Mediterranean menu.
Raffi's Place
Raffi’s Place celebrates 30 years in Glendale in December 2023. The family-owned business made a name for itself by consistently serving excellent Persian sharable dishes including a tender filet mignon shish kebab, koobideh, basmati rice, hummus, and shirazi salad. With Raffi’s large indoor and courtyard dining areas, there’s plenty of room for a large celebration.
Ruen Pair
With long tables and open seating, Ruen Pair serves solid and reasonably priced Chinese-Thai fare in the heart of Thai Town. The big valet lot helps folks find parking while the easy-going menu of wok-fried dishes should cater to a varied group. Just be sure to be patient during peak hours and bring cash.
Loreto
Frogtown’s Loreto has ample seating for group dining. The sleek warehouse space contains cozy corners and banquettes along with ample space outdoors for groups. It’s the perfect backdrop for sampling the extensive seafood menu with ceviches, tostadas, and zarandeados.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
In addition to patio tables that easily convert to large parties, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele also has a private rear outdoor area to accommodate special events or a large group hoping to get a selection of pastas, salads, or blistering hot Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Bistro 1968
It’s challenging to find a small table at Bistro 1968. Most of the tables sit a minimum of four while the largest tables can accommodate 12 or more. It gets packed at this San Gabriel restaurant, since people come for the very good dim sum. As long as you have a table of at least eight people, you can call ahead to make a reservation.
PleasureMed
If PleasureMed’s exquisite private dining room isn’t required, be sure to peek while dining at Irie. This cannabis consumption lounge and restaurant has plenty of space to accommodate groups at either standard tables or in the mauve-colored lounge with long sofas while dining on a menu developed by former Hatchet Hall chef Wes Whitsell.
DeSano Pizza Bakery
What’s not to love about a pizza warehouse with plenty of parking? That’s exactly what’s up with DeSano Pizza, where four wood-fired, Italian-imported ovens turn out some of the city’s most-loved pizzas. The tables are long with options that include beer, wine, and big-screen TVs. A plus is that DeSano is kid-friendly.
Boston Lobster Seafood Restaurant
It’s the ultimate group activity: sitting around a lazy susan and waiting for the spicy fried lobster at Boston Lobster Seafood Restaurant. Regulars enjoy the family meal for $120, which comes with enough food to feed an army including canh chua and garlic noodles.
Broadway Cuisine
Broadway Cuisine’s menu is massive with 242 items that include Chinese-American classics in the former Plum Tree Inn space. Order the egg foo yong, chop suey, moo shu pork, and Peking duck, then select one of the big tables for the feast.
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M Grill
Koreatown’s popular Brazilian barbecue spot has all the elements one needs for dining with groups. There’s a parking lot and a massive dining room for groups large or small. The salad bar and buffet can cater to various tastes, while the endless parade of grilled meats is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. And because the price is the same per person (except for drinks), settling the bill is a breeze.
Park's BBQ
There may be no finer way to enjoy a sizzling dish of bulgogi than with a cadre of comrades, especially at the upstairs tables, which are designed to accommodate groups. Get the whole gang together to enjoy one of the city’s finest examples of Korean food, full stop.
Girl & the Goat Los Angeles
Chef Stephanie Izard’s spacious DTLA dining room can make large groups fit comfortably in just about any corner of the restaurant. The tables can be pushed together for built-in banquettes, but there’s also a sizeable private dining room with large windows.
Alta
Though Alta’s front dining room is quite cozy with mostly tables for four, Alta’s secondary dining room has a sizeable corner table for a group of eight. But head to the rear patio where anything is possible, including groups of 10 or more to eat chef Keith Corbin’s cuisine that he calls “California Soul.”
Harold & Belle's
Harold & Belle’s has been a West Adams connection point for decades. It’s a place for locals to gather to enjoy Creole cuisine and becomes particularly on busy weekends. A remodel only amplified the group-friendly atmosphere, with room for big tables of families, friends, or a company get-together to gather over a happy, wandering meal.
Cassia
This James Beard Award-nominated restaurant in Santa Monica is happy to host a large group. The key is to book the table in advance, but the long tables can accommodate dining groups as well. James Beard Award-nominated chef Bryant Ng has some powerful renditions of chickpea curry, spicy scallops, and sunbathing prawns, amongst many more hits that are best shared.
La Cabana Venice
Open since 1963, Venice’s La Cabana is all about group dining. Bring a crew that can squeeze into one of the many large booths, or just reserve a table on the colorful patio to feast on margaritas and enchiladas with rice and beans.
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The Strand House
Steps away from the Manhattan Beach Pier, the Strand House has one of the best Pacific Ocean views in the Southland. This longtime restaurant can accommodate a group of 12 up to a wedding reception. Groups can enjoy the cold seafood bar along with a California-esque menu.
The Arthur J
The Arthur J is a modern steakhouse that deserves a capital “S.” The midcentury space utilizes a white oak grill for its quality meats. Multiple rooms can accommodate groups in the actual restaurant or a private room at its poolhouse, clubhouse, or bungalow which can accommodate up to 28 guests.
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