Best Restaurants for Large Group Dining in Chicago – 2025 Guide
When you’re looking to dine with a large party in Chicago, there are many factors to consider. This article covers the best spots for large group dining in Chicago, highlighting restaurants that are fun for groups, can accommodate big parties, and fit the vibe of your event.
Whether you’re looking for good, inexpensive restaurants for large groups in Northern Chicago, indoor dining in Chicago for large groups, or you’re looking for the best restaurants in Chicago for big groups where you can splurge on a Michelin guide meal, this list has an option that’s right for you!
Table of Contents
Why Trust Us for Your Large Group Dining in Chicago?
At Avital, we’ve been hosting 5-star private dining events since 2011. We are experts in Chicago private dining for large groups and know the best Chicago restaurants with private rooms. We can help you plan everything from a small birthday party to a holiday office bash with the whole team. Whether your want an intimate private room, a lively semi-private space, or a full restaurant buyout, we got you.
Comparison Chart of Large Group Dining Chicago
| Number | Restaurant | Location | Cuisine | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avital Interactive Meal | All | All | 10-150 Guests | $$+ |
| 2 | Bar Siena | West Loop | Italian | 36-300 Guests | $$$ |
| 3 | Sun Wah BBQ | North Side | Cantonese | Up to 16 Guests | $ |
| 4 | avec Restaurant | Various | Mediterranean | 8-70 Guests | $$ |
| 5 | Frontier | Noble Square | American | 2-100 Guests | $$ |
| 6 | Green Street Smoked Meats | West Loop | BBQ | 20-30 Guests | $$ |
| 7 | Cira | West Loop | Mediterranean | 16-85 Guests | $$ |
| 8 | Maxwell’s Trading | River North | Asian-American Fusion | Up to 72 Guests | $$$ |
| 9 | La Josie | West Loop | Mexican | 50-150 Guests | $$ |
| 10 | Publican Quality Meats | Fulton Market | American | Up to 40 Guests | $$ |
| 11 | Yardbird Table & Bar | River North | American | 4-100 Guests | $$$ |
| 12 | Sepia | West Loop | Contemporary American | 60-100 Guests | $$$$ |
| 13 | Maggiano’s Little Italy | River North | Italian | 20-140 Guests | $$ |
Map of The Best Chicago Restaurants for Large Groups
avec
avec Restaurant, West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Bar Siena
Bar Siena, West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Sun Wah BBQ
Sun Wah BBQ, North Broadway, Chicago, IL, USA
Green Streets Smoked Meats
Green Street Smoked Meats, North Green Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Frontier
Frontier Chicago, North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
Cira
Cira, North Green Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Maxwell’s Trading
Maxwells Trading, West Carroll Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
La Josie
La Josie, West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Alegrias Seafood
Alegrias Seafood Chicago, North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
Publican Quality Meats
Publican Quality Meats, West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL, USA
Yardbird Table & Bar
Yardbird Table & Bar, North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
Sepia
Sepia, North Jefferson Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano's Little Italy, North Clark Street, Chicago, IL, USA
Restaurants for Big Groups Chicago
This list feautres restaurant specifically for large groups (think 40+ guests). For a more broad list, explore our restaurants with private rooms in Chicago or our guide to West Loop private dining.
1. Avital’s Interactive Meal
If regular old private rooms aren’t your thing, consider our Chicago Interactive Meal for something. refreshing and unique! You’ll choose one of the best private dining rooms in Chicago, then we’ll set you up with a four-course menu, 3 beverage pairings, and entertain your guests with three interactive experiences throughout the meal. We will teach them to shake up a signature cocktail, stoke their competitive side with food and drink trivia, and end the night with a flavor-tripping experience.
We invite you to join us for your next event—whether it’s a business dinner, team building, birthday, or special occasion. We can accommodate groups of any size, accommodate all dietary restrictions, and have delighted our crew of guests who have booked us to host their business dinners, team-building events, birthday parties, private parties, and more!
Image Credit: barsiena.com
2. Bar Siena
Bar Siena is a spacious Italian Restaurant with two beautiful floors joined together by a towering metal tree sculpture. There are large booths and long thin tables set up specially for groups, as well as many private dining options where the restaurant can accommodate up to 120 guests. Your guests will enjoy their extensive menu of Italian street food and the delicious pizza bar. The lively patio is perfect for group gatherings and is also a great spot for an office party.
Image Credit: sunwahbbq.com
3. Sun Wah BBQ
Sun Wah BBQ’s layout was designed with large group dinners in mind. They have tables that seat up to 16 guests. Dine like a pro and order their Beijing Duck Dinner, a secret menu item meant for big groups. They will carve a whole roasted duck tableside, and serve you a four-course feast using every piece of the animal, all served family-style for everyone to share.
Image Credit: avecrestaurant.com
4. avec Restaurant
Avec is a small (and large) plate Mediterranean restaurant, located in West Loop and River North, and now also in Lincoln Park. Small plates are great for big groups because it is a dining experience meant to be shared, and your guests will get the most variety. Their shareable dishes include favorites like smoky garlic hummus as a flavorful mezze option, and the shawarma spiced skirt steak—a Mediterranean-inspired entrée perfect for a special occasion.
Both their West Loop and River North locations have the ability to accommodate large groups, just be sure to snag a reservation in advance because Avec is very popular!
Image Credit: thefrontierchicago.com
5. Frontier
Frontier is a carnivore’s paradise! It’s a perfect choice for a big group because you can order the Whole Animal Experience, where you can pick from a wide array of animals, have that whole animal cooked for you and your guests, and enjoy it with five delicious sides. They also offer the ability to customize your Whole Animal Experience with drinks, desserts, and other add-ons, making it the perfect choice for a large group dinner. After your meal, relax with your crew in their cozy lounge area and enjoy a drink together.
Image Credit: greenstreetmeats.com
6. Green Street Smoked Meats
Green Street Meats is a chill BBQ restaurant serving high quality grilled meats. They have picnic tables in their dining room for groups of 14 that are perfect for big group dining. You’ll feel like you’re spending a day at the campground with your friends as they bring you steaming metal trays of classic BBQ meats and sides, all served in a pub-like atmosphere. Their patio is open year round, making it a great spot for your crew to gather no matter the season.
Image Credit: cirachicago.com
7. Cira
Cira is a vibrant Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of Fulton Market, located near the Chicago River. They have an exciting dining experience for groups of up to 18 called The Chef’s Table, where you and your guests will be seated right by the open kitchen and can watch the chefs prepare your meal. It’s a fun way to upgrade a group dining experience and provide your guests with entertainment during the meal.
The cafe atmosphere is perfect for social dining, and their terrace offers open-air seating for a taste of the city. Join Cira for your next event or special occasion and enjoy their shareable menus and mezze like smoky garlic hummus.
Image Credit: maxwellstrading.com
8. Maxwell’s Trading
Maxwell’s Trading is a spacious restaurant that is well equipped to handle big groups. They also have three private event spaces you can book out if your party would like to have its own space for private parties or your next event.
Another feather in Maxwell’s cap is that its menu is highly accessible for most, if not all, dietary restrictions, and they offer group-friendly menus for large gatherings. It’s a big group dining experience that everyone can enjoy, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just gathering with friends.
Image Credit: lajosiechicago.com
9. La Josie
La Josie is an upscale Mexican restaurant with three agave bars, including one on the roof! They have a beautiful, long leather booth you can reserve for big groups in their main dining room. La Josie is a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, meaning they serve Michelin quality dishes at an affordable price. This is a great place to bring guests you want to impress without breaking the bank. Their patio is a lively feature for group gatherings and celebrations.
Image Credit: publicanqualitymeats.com
10. Publican Quality Meats
Publican Quality Meats is a butcher shop and restaurant all in one. They offer a special experience for big groups called the Cassoulet Experience. They fill the Cassoulet pot with layers of pork ribs, duck legs, sausage, and white beans which are cooked for hours until the meat is tender and the beans are roasted. You need to book a week in advance so don’t miss out on this special experience by waiting till the last minute! Dishes are served family-style, making it easy for everyone to share and enjoy.
Image Credit: runchickenrun.com
11. Yardbird Table & Bar
Yardbird is an award-winning restaurant and bar with roots in Southern hospitality, and the best Bourbon list you’ve ever seen. The restaurant is large and has multiple private event spaces, meaning if you book well enough in advance, they’ll certainly be able to accommodate your big group.
Yardbird has plenty of room upstairs for private parties, including a bourbon room. We recommend ordering one of each of the mains for your group and sharing everything. Their famous chicken dishes are especially popular for sharing, and their weekend brunch is a hit for groups looking to celebrate together. There’s no dish on the menu that doesn’t make our mouths water!
Image Credit: sepiachicago.com
12. Sepia
Sepia is an elegant Michelin starred restaurant where Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s seasonal menu really shines. For large groups you should take advantage of their private dining experience. They offer an Hors D’oeuvres menu for private dining groups where your guests will enjoy delicacies like Golden Kaluga Caviar, Scallop Ceviche, Prosciutto Donuts, and Foie Gras Corn Dogs. Sepia’s curated wine selection is perfect for group events, and the venue is ideal to celebrate special occasions. If you want to impress a big group, Sepia will help you pull out all the stops!
Image Credit: maggianos.com
13. Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano’s Little Italy will charm you with its devotion to Italian hospitality, and elevated classic Italian-American dishes. Take advantage of their family style menu, which provides you and your guests four flavorsome courses with many options for customization. Maggiano’s was created with large group dining in mind, so take advantage of their experience by booking your event here. Their group-friendly menus make it the perfect place for large groups to celebrate a special occasion.
Honorable Mention Restaurants for Large Groups
- Aba has a private dining option at the chef’s table seating up to 12 people.
- Chicago Firehouse Restaurant has four private dining rooms that can host special events.
- Tre Dita offers five rooms for private parties, including a mezzanine overlooking the main dining room.
- MingHin Cuisine has enough space to seat more than 700 people.
- The X Pot specializes in hot pot dining, allowing guests to experience a traditional dining method.
- Carnivale features eight private event spaces for larger gatherings.
- Beatnik on the River offers a scenic atmosphere and space for groups to gather.
- Group dining at Quartino includes sharing plates of salumi and cocktails served by the liter.
Large Group Chicago Dining Tips
🍴 Dietary Restrictions: Restaurants may provide gluten-free options to cater to guests with specific dietary needs.
🥘 Family-Style Dining: Many restaurants provide family-style menus specifically designed for group dining.
🗓️ Book in Advance: never wait till the last minute to reserve space for your large group. To be safe we recommend making reservations a month, or more, in advance of your desired event date.
🌟 Take Advantage of Private Dining Spaces: as your group increases in size it can be more and more complicated to make a regular reservation. Check in with your desired restaurant to see what private dining spaces they have and if they align with your budget.
💰 Inquire if there’s a Minimum Spend Per Person: you don’t wanna be caught unawares by any fees for your large group dining event. One to be on the lookout for is a per person spend minimum. Many restaurants require this of a big group to make sure they’re getting their money’s worth for hosting your event.
❤️ Let us take Care of the Details: one of the many perks of booking a Chicago Interactive Meal with us is that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your big group dining event. We have been hosting large group dining events since 2011 and are experts on the subject. We will take care of everything from the reservation, to the menu, to communicating with the restaurant staff, and can help you create an event budget you can feel good about.
Closing Thoughts on Dining with a Large Group in Chicago
There are many big group dining options in Chicago ranging from affordable restaurants for large groups in Chicago, to Michelin-starred dining experiences for large groups in Chicago. The deciding factors for your big group dining event will likely come down to budget, preference of cuisine, and neighborhood. But we can assure you, any of the spots on our list will provide your group with a night to remember!
Book Your Large Group Private Dining Event with Avital
There are plenty of fabulous restaurants with private rooms in West Loop. Whether you are looking to host an Italian Feast, a VIP Tasting Experience, or a casual BBQ with family and friends, this list has you covered. There is a private dining room perfect for every event, from corporate to casual, on this list. At the end of the day, it’s about what cuisine, ambiance, and vibe you want the experience to have.
If traditional private dining seems a little boring for your group, book an Interactive Meal with us here at Avital Food & Drink Experiences! We have been cultivating memorable, seamless, and unique private dining experiences since 2011, and would love to help you create the private dining event you’re dreaming of. Let us take the wheel so you can sit back and enjoy your event!
Chicago
Chicago Interactive Meal
All Locations
Hands-On Cocktail Bar
All Locations
Cocktail Rim Spice Blending Bar
All Locations
Water Tasting Bar
