The best restaurants for group dining in Melbourne

Welcoming back friends from overseas, interstate or around the office? Give Melbourne's best restaurants for large groups a buzz to make a booking now.

Ging Thai

Just look for the neon glowing over the outdoor terrace at Crown’s colourful Ging Thai. Slip inside and all the scintillating flavours of Thailand await. A snappy som tum, a silky kingfish ceviche, a vibrant vegetable curry. The $68 Feed Me menu, with optional wine matching, is a great group option. Big groups are welcome, but call before booking if there's more than 13 in your crew.

Bottomless brunch at the B.EAST

Head to the B.EAST's Swanston Street digs. Think retro decor, slushy margaritas and all your fave loaded burgers. Book your spot for Bottomless Beast 12pm or 2pm Saturday or Sunday. Bring an appetite for unlimited southern fried wings, gravy-drenched poutine and fries. Plus unlimited cocktail jugs, selected beer, wine and prosecco. Vegan options too!

Miznon

The pitas are bursting with flavour at Israeli street food restaurant Miznon, and they can cater to vego, gluten-free and vegan diets! Big groups can book ahead and smash the $35 set menu option. It comes with a delicious stacked pita each, shared veggie side plates and a dessert. Try the classic 'cheakypita' with falafel burger, roasted cauli and tahini numbers or juicy grass-fed lamb feasts.

Uncle

Uncle serve up bright, modern flavour bombs of Vietnamese cuisine. Grab a group and book a table for one of their tasty banquets, ideal for the whole gang. You can choose from either the $55 or $79 Uncle Knows Best menus. At lunch, there’s also the option of the Lunchtime Quickie, a short, sharp, tasty hit available on weekdays until 4pm for $33. Book online for up to 10 guests or email Uncle for larger bookings (and to let them know of any dietary requests). 

La Camera

Imagine sitting with your friends, staring at the city skyline with a perfect pasta and a glass of red. Imagine no longer. Group bookings are open at La Camera at Southgate. Get a balcony table or a private booth and enjoy perfect Italian cuisine. You can even gather a crew of up to 30 people on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Boatbuilders Yard

The weather’s brightening up and Melbourne is feeling brunchy. So why not head to South Wharf’s Boatbuilders Yard, grab an outdoor table and brunch on a classic smashed avo? Lunch and dinner menus feature pub-leaning dishes. Think Spanish mussels, buttermilk fried chicken wings and soft-shell crab burgers. You can book for groups of up to 20 guests for a two-hour spot.

The George on Collins

The George on Collins in the iconic Georges building has got something for everyone. It’s a slick, glamorous space serving up spicy fusion dishes. Groups of 8 or more can dine on a 7 or 9-course banquet menu ($65-$75pp). Think mehkong whisky lamb ribs. rare chilli lime beef, Kingfish ceviche and passionfruit custard sago pudding. Don't forget to soak up every last drop with unlimited jasmine rice. They also do boozy brunches on Saturdays.

Duke of Wellington 

Book a two-hour spot for you and your besties on the rooftop of the Duke of Wellington. With a cold beer in hand and that peak Melbourne position on Flinders Street, it’s pretty hard to beat. Try a few excellent bar snacks (like the crispy mushrooms) and order quality pub grub. They also have a few different function spaces if you need a really big group booking. 

Chin Chin

Nothing will get you back into a Melbourne dining state of mind than a meal at Chin Chin. For groups of 10 to 14, why not dine under the neon bunny at the Chef’s Table? Choose one of three Feed Me menus ($75-$125pp) and feast at the best seat in the house. Available for lunch or dinner, 7 days a week.

Daughter in Law

Daughter in Law is Jessi Singh's exuberant restaurant on Little Bourke Street. It serves up playfully 'unauthentic Australian Indian' cuisine. There’s a stack of vegetarian and gluten-free dishes to be had here. (Try Colonel Tso’s cauliflower and you’ll be hooked for life.) The tasting menu will have you rolling out the door with a variety of appetizers, curries, naan, rice and dessert. Let loose and pair with matched beer ($29pp) or wine ($50pp).

Fancy Hank's

Fancy Hank’s is serious about low ‘n’ slow Southern-style barbecue. They've gone back to basics with a meat-loaded platter menu, perfect for sharing over a few Paloma spritzes. Choose from a sliding scale of meaty goodness, with smoked brisket, 12-hour pulled pork, chicken fat cornbread, fried chicken and baby back ribs gracing the tables. And did we mention they do an in-house blooming onion? Book online for up to 14 people, and call for larger groups.