The best restaurants for group dining in Melbourne

Organising a big catch-up, hosting family from out-of-town or getting together with your besties? Give Melbourne's top restaurants for large groups a buzz to make a booking. Plus, find out which venues meet your group's various access need.

Bistro Bisou

Celebrity chef Luke Mangan's French fare at Bistrot Bisou is a large party's dream. Located on the corner of Flinders Lane and Spencer Street, this 96-seat bistro is the perfect place to gather with friends, family or colleagues. With both ala carte and set menus available, you'll have the group sorted for a true European feast.

Yum Sing House

Modern Cantonese restaurant and karaoke bar Yum Sing House offers a guaranteed fun night out with your besties. Go for the feed me menu coming in at a cool $78 per person. Try dishes like tuna tartare, chicken wonton with ginger and authentic Cantonese dessert. Not ready for home time? Keep party going into the wee hours and book a karaoke room. And if you forgot to making a booking, don't panic. Walk-ins are welcome.

Mesa Verde

When it’s time for a fiesta with friends head to the sixth floor of Curtin House. In a cool old-meets-new space, Mesa Verde serves bold and beautiful takes on traditional Mexican fare. Think freshly-shucked oysters with finger lime mignonette, kingfish ceviche with papaya and an impressive taco menu. For groups of six to eight people, ask for a table in one of the comfy booths. There’s also a chef’s selection menu – perfect for feeding a hungry crew. 

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 appetisers, curries, naan, rice and dessert. Let loose and pair with matched beer or wine.

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 set menus start at $73, 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.

Access notes: Located on the ground floor of Crown, it’s fully wheelchair accessible. It’s easy to move around with a range of seating options. An accessible toilet is via the lift in the Crown complex on level B1. The closest accessible platform super stop is on Clarendon Street. 

Zawaddi Thai Cafe & Restaurant

Thai food is one of the great crowd-pleasers. At Zawaddi, you'll find Thai fusion cuisine in a cosy and welcoming eatery. Hot and spicy stir-fries are available for those who love a kick. There's sweet and sour curries and grilled meats for those who prefer things mild. This is the perfect spot for a large group that likes to keep things relaxed and casual.

Salted Egg

Take a trip to South East Asia with the Salted Egg’s chef’s table experience. Get a group together and feast on two different set menus starting from $69. It features a hand-picked selection of cocktails and wine and can be booked for up to 10 people. If you’d rather go a la carte and have a bigger group, this must-try gem on Flinders Lane takes larger bookings of up to 20. Think beef brisket Panang curry, twice-cooked pork belly and stir-fried soft shell crab.

Taxi Kitchen

Just a hop skip and a jump away from Flinders Street Station is Taxi Kitchen – a popular spot offering an Asian-fusion menu with panoramic city views. Drop in with your mates between 12 and 3pm and feast on the feed me lunch for $55 per person. You’ll get the choice of three small plates and one large plate to share with the table. Our picks are the tuna tataki with spring onion, skull prawns with Singapore noodles and Japanese pumpkin with crispy rice. Or try the $90 showstopper menu for a rotating menu of six plates over three courses.

Kahaani

Every dish has a story at Lygon Street's new Indian restaurant. Kahaani takes its cues from the different regions of India to create a flavour-packed menu that goes far beyond butter chicken. Coming with a crew of eight or more? Opt for the $50 set menu which gets you pani puri, a small plate, something from the grilled menu, two mains and a rice or naan. Try tandoor-roasted cauliflower with smoked yoghurt and melt-in-your-mouth goat curry. Make sure you order a round of cocktails to enjoy with your meal.

Roccella

Pizza, pasta and tiramisu are the ultimate crowd pleasures, so book your group into all-day Italian joint Roccella for the next big catch-up. The star of the show is a fancy take on a Hawaiian pizza set to convert even the most orthodox Italians. It's topped with charred pineapple, aged prosciutto and creamy stracciatella. For hungry mates, go for the non-stop pizza menu for $40 or the all-you-can-eat feed me option for $70. It features antipasti, pizza, pasta, salad and desserts. Plus, there are lots of vegan and gluten free options to keep everybody happy.

Miznon

The pitas are bursting with flavour at street food restaurant Miznon, and they can cater to vego, gluten-free and vegan diets! Big groups can book ahead and smash the $40 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 minute steak numbers or juicy grass-fed lamb feasts.

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 in Southgate. Get a balcony table or a private booth and enjoy perfect Italian cuisine. Book for a group of more than 15 people and enjoy a delicious set menu. You can even gather a crew of up to 30 people on Friday and Saturday nights.

Access notes: A range of seating and space between tables makes it an inclusive space. Reachable via lift, there’s an accessible toilet just outside in the shopping centre. Flinders Street Station and accessible platform super stops on St Kilda Road are nearby. 

The Boatbuilders Yard

Whatever the weather, Melbourne always feels 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. Tuck into chicken tinga tacos, Angus beef burgers and halloumi bites with mojo picón. You can book for groups of up to 9 guests for a two-hour spot, and groups up to 35 will score a three-hour window.

Access notes: There's space at the long tables for wheelchairs and an accessible toilet is available. An accessible platform super stop is on Clarendon Street. The car parks at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and DFO South Wharf have accessible parking spots.

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 feed me menu from $79 per person. Dine on Mekhong braised lamb ribs, succulent pork belly with Vietnamese slaw, Sichuan stir fry and more. Don't forget to soak up every last drop with rice and roti. The George also does boozy brunches on Saturdays for $89.

Access notes: Entering the foyer through a wide step-free doorway, there's a set of stairs with handrails or a platform lift with staff assistance to take you inside. An accessible toilet is there as well.

Duke of Wellington 

Book a spot for you and your besties on the rooftop of the Duke of Wellington. Try a few excellent bar snacks (like the crispy mushrooms) and order quality pub grub. Need a big meal? Groups of 20 to 50 people can enjoy an epic chef's selection menu, featuring a three-hour drinks package and a mixture of fresh fusion food with pub classics. They also have a few different function spaces if you need a really big group booking. 

Access notes: Enter through the wide barrier-free doorways in either Flinders or Russell Street. A grand staircase or lift brings you upstairs and rooftop access is via stairs. An accessible toilet is on level one and accessible platform super stops are right out the front on Flinders Street. 

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 ($88 to $130 per person) and feast at the best seat in the house. Available for lunch or dinner, seven days a week.

Access notes: It's best to book ahead to score the perfect spot if you're a wheelchair user, as it can get crowded. There’s a small step at the wide entrance, so ask the host for the portable ramp. There's an accessible toilet on the premises and the closest accessible tram super stops are on Flinders or Collins Streets. 

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 Long Island iced tea. 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 20 people, and call for larger groups.

EziStreat

Chances are your crew includes vegans, coeliacs, people that are off the bevs, people who can only pop in for one bev, and a few parents. EziStreat is a new, multi-venue food hall (with a huge dog-friendly beer garden) that can cater to every last one of them! Try authentic South East Asian dishes at Soi Thai, grab some prawn katsu at Shokudo, dine on Columbian street food at Berbeo Bros and more. Everything is ordered and paid for via QR code, so there's no messy bill splitting at the end. The bar section also offer a range of beers, cocktails and alcohol-free options. Walk-ins only.

Access notes: A massive ramped entry draws you into the converted warehouse space. There’s lots of room to manoeuvre and an accessible toilet is easy to get to. Macaulay Station is not too far away. 

Ginger Olive Restaurant and Bar

Ginger Olive Restaurant and Bar is perfect for group dining. The restaurant can accommodate large groups of people, whether for family gatherings, corporate functions, or intimate social events. It has a great ambience and warm and friendly service. This contemporary fusion spot specialises in barbecue, ribs, and premium steak.

Access notes: It’s accessible with a wide barrier-free entry and lots of room to manoeuvre. Tables inside and in the laneway outside are a good height for wheelchair users. An accessible toilet is in the building right next door and you'll need an electronic pass from staff. Accessible platform super stops are on Collins, Swanston and Flinders Streets. 

Information correct at time of writing – always check ahead with the venue to make sure they can accommodate your individual access needs.