The best restaurants for big groups in Central London

Spacious and stylish Marylebone restaurant The Italian Greyhound is known for its modern Italian cuisine, served in a chic venue with a heated terrace. It's a great choice for big groups in Central London on account of its private dining room, however. Separate from the main restaurant, the PDR includes its own cocktail bar, loos, and French doors opening onto a secret garden. It's bright and airy, and can accommodate 50 guests for its family-style sharing feast.

Cora Pearl serves sophisticated British classics, featuring everything from elegant Devon lamb cutlets to hearty Sunday roasts. The venue provides a versatile setting that's well-suited for both quiet, intimate meals and grander celebrations. With assorted pre-theatre options and swift service, this Central London restaurant is also a good choice for large groups planning a visit to the nearby playhouses.

Jamie Oliver's spacious Central London flagship features a versatile layout, ranging from an intimate parlour and striking pavilion-inspired space to a mirrored dining hall and airy terrace, ensuring a perfect backdrop for gatherings of all sizes. The dedicated events staff also provides comprehensive support, assisting with tailored touches like fresh floral arrangements, candles, and other bespoke details.

The former Gilgamesh held the title of the city's largest dining destination, a grandeur that carries through to its new Central London site. For parties of ten or more, the kitchen prepares tailored pan-Asian sharing feasts, highlighting popular selections from the main menu. Additionally, the entire premises can be reserved for private functions, offering a sophisticated backdrop for large-scale gatherings.

Bocconcino spin-off Osteria is a premier Central London restaurant for group meals, with plenty of seating in a chic interior that makes everything from major celebrations to leisurely afternoon hangs feel a bit more special. Mediterranean favourites such as handmade pasta, risottos, and meats prepared on an open grill are complemented by unique experiences like a free-flowing lobster brunch and a lavish Sunday feast.

Novikov serves as a premier Central London restaurant for large parties, boasting two unique dining environments: a quaint, Italian-themed trattoria finished with traditional linens, and a sleek, modern Asian space with an open kitchen. Across both spaces, more than 250 people can dine and make merry, with striking private rooms for secluded gatherings available as well. Entertainment is taken care of – after dinner, just head to the lounge bar for live music.

Though Agrodolce appears modest from the exterior, the interior reveals a sizeable dining area adorned with opulent chandeliers, ornate mirrors, and sophisticated accents. Beyond its capacity to host large parties with ease, the Central London restaurant is available for various special occasions, from weddings and birthday celebrations to corporate gatherings. Regardless of the event, guests can look forward to authentic Roman cuisine.

If you're in charge of planning the evening's festivities, why not save yourself some time and effort and book a group outing to Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, particularly if your guests are fans of the timeless 1970s British sitcom “Fawlty Towers”? Combining interactive theatre with a three-course meal, the immersive Central London experience guarantees uproarious laughs and entertainment for all ages and group sizes.

Fitzrovia restaurant Bennie serves a menu steeped in timeless Mediterranean cooking, from crowd-pleasers such as pastas and risottos to premium steaks, a dedicated brunch menu, and more. Its bold orange-toned interiors make for a striking backdrop to group meals in Central London, with a bookable private room available for more intimate gatherings as well. You can also host canapé parties here.

Central London dining destination El Pirata of Mayfair complements a stylish atmosphere with approachable value. Thanks to its vast selection of tapas dishes, it's a great choice for groups where tastes might differ, letting everyone try different dishes without anyone feeling left out. The food is supported by a well-stocked cellar of over 140 Spanish wines, while the inviting interior, decked out in warm Medi tones, provides a lovely setting.

Located in a grand 18th-century Georgian townhouse, L'Escargot holds the distinction of being the capital's oldest French dining destination. The Central London venue features a variety of private spaces alongside a spacious main dining room with a refined, intimate atmosphere. True to its enduring heritage, the restaurant serves a menu defined by classical French gastronomy, highlighting signature specialities such as snails or lobster bisque.

Vasco & Piero's Pavilion has been a staple for large gatherings since opening in the early 1970s, specialising in authentic dishes from Italy's central Umbria region. The sophisticated dining space, characterised by luminous yellow decor, white tablecloths, and atmospheric lighting, provides a versatile setting for professional functions or celebration. With its focus on traditional recipes and smooth wine pairings, this is a certified crowd-pleaser through and through.

At Colonel Saab, sharing with others is central to the Indian dining experience. Their small plates are purposeful and encourage you to try new things and to take part in a shared meal. Passing bowls of rice or the curry you think is the best around with your friends brings everyone closer. The principle of showing love through sharing new flavours is woven into the fabric of Colonel Saab, as the whole restaurant is an ode to the trip taken by the owner's parents around India.

The first Punjabi restaurant in the UK to receive a Michelin star, Ambassadors Clubhouse is a modern Central London restaurant that can seat up to 180 people across its various spaces, including an outdoor terrace, while a maximalist, gold-domed bar and other statement features add a bit of pizzazz. Groups can feast on lesser-known Indian cuisine, washed down by tequila and mezcal-based cocktails, then head to the on-site lounge for live music and fun.

Asian group Din Tai Fung has won numerous accolades for its meticulously crafted dumplings, with the paper-thin wrapping of each xiao long bao having precisely 18 delicate folds. That same attention to detail is reflected in both the other dishes and the restaurant interior itself, with dining areas surrounding a central stairwell, subtly arranged to offer intimacy while retaining the overall flow and ambiance. The Central London restaurant welcomes groups of all sizes and offers full venue hire as well.

Less formal than most other entries on this list, the Central London branch of Albert's Schloss brings authentic Bavarian vibes to the heart of the city. It's a fun-filled place where there's always something going on, from live music and cabaret to quizzes and more. The hearty German food on the menu provides a solid foundation for throwing back stein after stein, while the lively atmosphere will have everyone dancing on their bench soon enough.

Who doesn't like a pizza party? It's the perfect kind of meal for a big group that wants to keep things loose and easy, and Pizza Pilgrims know just how to make them tick. This homegrown pizza chain is known for its top-tier Neapolitan pizzas, which are front and centre on the various group dining menus you can choose from, complemented by Italian snacks and sides, unlimited crust dippers, knock-out desserts, and more. The Kingly Court branch even has a groovy 1970s basement with its own bar you can book.

Brasserie Zédel is a sophisticated, Art Deco sanctuary in Central London, featuring a beautiful dining hall, an elegant bar, a Parisian-inspired café, and live entertainment at its downstairs cabaret. All this is to say there's plenty of room for groups looking to enjoy French cuisine, fine wines, classic cocktails, and traditional aperitifs, with group dining menus available as well.

Fans of prime cuts ranging from T-bone steaks to hearty ribs and burgers should head to one of the Hawksmoor restaurants in Central London. The successful group's founders strive to maintain their status as one of the nation's finest steakhouses, elevating the reputation of British beef through their commitment to quality. Whichever location you choose, you can expect an expansive, bustling interior where chatter fills the air, intermingled with satisfied chomping.