The Best Group Dining Venues in Sydney Because Long Lunches are Life

Getting the gang together for a group dinner or long, leisurely lunch? You’ll need a place that will fit your guests comfortably, and allow them to eat, drink and chit-chat until their hearts are content.

Sure, you can fork out for a private dining room, but if you want something a little less formal (and where you’ll get more bang for your buck) we’ve whittled down the best restaurants in Sydney, that don’t just accommodate groups; they thrive on them. Rowdy or refined, casual or chic – you’ll find a spot to suit your group’s vibe. Here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Sydney for group dining. 

Il Baretto

For the ideal group dining experience in Sydney, Il Baretto in Paddington is a must-visit. With its comforting Italian cuisine and laid-back atmosphere, it's the perfect spot for get-togethers. Located at the back of Solotel's Paddo Inn, this reincarnation retains that unpretentious, easy charm while serving up their famed dishes—think pappardelle with duck ragu and hearty spaghetti alla carbonara. The private dining room comfortably hosts 10 to 20 guests, offering a set menu at $80 per person, adaptable to dietary needs. While it's a bummer they're no longer BYO, the expanded drinks list featuring Italian and Australian wines, is a bonus. Il Baretto stays true to its affordable, laid-back ethos, making it a diverse hub for all, just as it's been for over two decades. 

338 Oxford Street, Paddington

Cirrus

Set against Barangaroo's picturesque waterfront, Cirrus is Sydney's seafood paradise. Headed by the renowned duo, Chef Brent Savage and Sommelier Nick Hildebrandt, this spot is a seafood haven named after the highest type of cloud. The menu, perfect for sharing, boasts delicacies like live lobster cooked over charcoal with scallop XO sauce. Hildebrandt's wine selection perfectly complements the seafood, with a focus on seafood-friendly whites and a plethora of intriguing small producer wines. With indoor and outdoor seating, Cirrus caters to all—from a cosy dinner to a leisurely weekend lunch—offering stunning views that elevate your dining experience.

23 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

Rafi

Nestled in North Sydney, RAFI is the North Shore's prime spot for group dining in Sydney. Chef Matias Cillóniz crafts a menu inspired by Sydney's coastal elements and local produce, offering shareable, charcoal-grilled seafood and veggie plates. With a sprawling space for 300, it's perfect for gatherings. The vibrant indoor dining area and The Arbour, a semi-al fresco glasshouse, boast an impressive bar serving creative cocktails and a handpicked wine selection. RAFI's design elements, like bright fabrics and mosaic floors, reflect the venue's energetic vibe. If you want a more bespoke group dining experience, book the Chef's Kitchen for a luxurious lunch, team events, birthday celebrations or anything in between!

99 Mount Street, North Sydney

NOMAD

Tucked away on the quieter side of Surry Hills, NOMAD stands out as a spacious gem for the best group dining Sydney has to offer. The place beckons with a stunning Middle Eastern vibe and a layout that suits gatherings perfectly. Grab a roomy long table in their main dining area and dive into their Feast menu at $150 per person, which is designed for sharing. NOMAD tells a tale of culinary inspiration drawn from adventures across Spain, Morocco, and the Middle East, all cooked with fire and smoke. We guarantee you and your mates will leave full and happy. 

16 Foster Street, Surry Hills

The Apollo

If you and your pals have a penchant for saganaki cheese and charred calamari, then The Apollo is the Greek restaurant you need to book. Their take on Mediterranean flavours (with a strong focus on Greek food), along with a smattering of dishes cooked over wood and charcoal, is out of this world. And indulgent. You’ll be left wishing you had a spare stomach.

To get the most out of your experience, opt for ‘The Full Greek’ that showcases The Apollo’s best of the best. For just $70 per person, you will be beyond satisfied with the eight-dish banquet – think baked saganaki cheese, tangy Greek salad and slow-cooked lamb shoulder slathered in creamy tzatziki. Plus for just $5 extra per person, you can add ouzo – which is the proper Greek thing to do!

44 Macleay Street, Potts Point

Chin Chin

With a hat to its name, Chin Chin provides the ultimate destination for lively group dinners. Everything in this trendy Asian-fusion palace is intoxicating, and their inventive take on Thai cuisine is the icing on the cake.

The menu is extensive and full of hero dishes, making the decision process a tough one. Save time and money by ordering the ‘Feed Me’ banquet ($88 per person) to indulge in all of Chin Chin’s favourites including the massaman curry of braised brisket which, in our books, is absolutely essential. And, in true Chin Chin fashion, it can all be enjoyed with a range of cool cocktails with disco tunes playing on a loop. 

69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Lilymu

With a menu by Brendan Fong (Mr. Wong) and an $98 banquet option, it’s no surprise that Lilymu is one of the best restaurants in the area and fast becoming the go-to spot for special event group catch-ups in Parramatta.

The menu is designed to highlight the dynamic flavours of Chinese and South-East Asian cuisines, their budget banquet menu ($98) features kingfish ceviche, ricotta dumplings, banana leaf roasted barramundi, and red curry crispy rice. Be sure to check out their bottomless weekend menu too, which for $99 gives you 90 minutes of sake spritz, espresso martinis, prosecco, rose and Asahi Soukai, teamed with share plates for the table (hello, lime ricotta dumplings and lime banana leaf roasted barramundi). 

153 Macquarie Street, Parramatta Square, Parramatta

Hugos

A Manly institution, a long lunch with your besties at Hugos is a guaranteed good time. Situated smack bang on the wharf and overlooking the harbour-side of town, you can watch the sunset as you sip on your margarita and tuck into your pizza.

A favourite among local and international celebrities alike, the atmosphere and buzz at Hugos — especially on a stunning summer's day — is electric. The menu is brimming with fresh, Italian cuisine (Sydney rock oysters, burrata, king prawns) that's perfect for sharing. 

Manly Wharf, 1 East Esplanade

Balsa

Balsa knows how to bring it on every single front. Good vibes? Tick. Gorgeous location just a stone's throw from Freshwater Beach? Tick. An amazing tasting menu for $65 per person that's ideal for groups? You guessed it... big tick.   

Located within the newly revamped Hardbord Hilton Hotel, Balsa's buzzing atmosphere means you can be as loud as you like and no one will look twice. After your meal (our top picks include the Balsa lobster roll with salt and vinegar chips, the lemon and paprika rotisserie chicken with wood-fired baby carrots and rosemary gravy and the miso eggplant with lemon yogurt, summer leaf and sesame), you can mosey down to the pub's courtyard which is always popping off. 

29 Moore Road, Freshwater

Chiswick

Sydney’s most beautiful garden restaurant is a magnet for ladies’ lunches and family celebrations. Honestly, it’s hard to think of a better place to spend a sunny afternoon. Looks aside, the food is incredible. For groups of four or more, Chiswick's Collective Group Menu ($95 per person) is made up of seasonal plates and the signature slow-cooked lamb, which comes from Matt Moran’s family farm.

65 Ocean Street, Woollahra

The Butler

One of the shining stars on Potts Point’s foodie scene, The Butler is the ultimate place to settle in for the afternoon with your very best besties. With high ceilings, original sandstone walls and indoor plants of every type and texture, this restaurant is an eclectic oasis. The piece de resistance is its lush terrace, which offers a panoramic view of the Sydney skyline. The menu is made up of small and large share plates that your group can work through, and the cocktail list is impressive, to say the least.

Our advice? Opt for a late lunch, so you’re there to watch the sun go down and snap some glowing golden-hour selfies while you're at it. 

123 Victoria Street, Potts Point 

Queen Chow

A Merivale star, Queen Chow in both Enmore and Manly is the perfect place to hit up for Sunday brunch (especially if you and your friends had a big one the night before). Nothing beats yum cha on the weekend and dumpling king Eric Koh serves up Cantonese classics like scallop and prawn and wild mushroom dumplings along with crystal pumpkin and lobster and asparagus. Chow down as many as you can, but leave room for the dim sum platter and duck spring rolls.

2/167 Enmore Road, Enmore

Manly Wharf

Finished feasting with your besties and want some dessert? Check out our edit of Sydney's best ice cream and gelato places. Or maybe you're on the hunt for the best after-work happy hours in Sydney — we've got you covered!