Melbourne is packed with excellent restaurants for every occasion and most are able to host large groups for big nights out. But there are a few things that make certain restaurants stand out from top-notch sharing menus to unique private dining options. Whether you’re planning a special celebration or just catching up with the whole family, the best restaurants for groups in Melbourne are ready to host your next gathering.
The CBD boasts not one but two electric Vietnamese restaurants serving up banquet menus, plus a cosy coffeehouse that will transport you to Greece. There’s also an Italian hotspot that’s perfect for brunch, a Scandinavian restaurant serving up festive feasts and an all-night restaurant, bar and club where you can dance the night away. Try Korean BBQ in North Melbourne or throw a pizza party in South Yarra. A Richmond pub is perfect for game day and the best Yum Cha in the city can be found in Doncaster and the CBD. Head to Fitzroy for unforgettable sushi or visit one of the best pubs in the
Plan ahead – book at the best restaurants for groups in Melbourne on OpenTable today.
Scroll down for 12 of the best restaurants for groups in Melbourne
For an Asian banquet the whole group will love – book at Hochi Mama in Melbourne CBD and Richmond
Known for its killer cocktails and buzzing atmosphere, Hochi Mama in the Melbourne CBD and Richmond is always popular with big groups. Whether you visit the spacious warehouse in the CBD or the brick and neon dining room in Richmond, you’ll find an electric atmosphere and a mouthwatering Vietnamese menu. Book the Mama’s Feast! on OpenTable and sit back and wait for plate after plate of Hochi Mama’s best dishes to arrive at your table. From small starters to hearty mains served banquet-style for sharing, dig into juicy Hochi chicken bao and generous servings of Mama’s pad thai. Alternatively, the Favourite’s Banquet offers even more crowd-pleasers including roast duck wonton crisps and Saigon crispy pork hok with Mama’s spicy sauce. Add on cocktails like the Bacardi and lychee lycheezy, or go for a pint of one of the on-tap Japanese or Australian beers.
📍 CBD — Check availability
📍 Richmond — Check availability
For Korean everyone will remember at one of the best restaurants for groups in Melbourne – head to Yeonga Korean BBQ in North Melbourne
Cook up your own feast at Yeonga Korean BBQ. Settle in at one of the semi-sheltered booths in the sleek, industrial dining space and order platters of meat for the table. The meat is always fresh, never frozen and the grills use 100% genuine charcoal for a perfectly smokey, juicy flavour. Order individual types of meat including Angus brisket, ox tongue and pork belly or go for one of the set menus focusing on pork, marinated meats or a little bit of everything. There are also ready-to-eat dishes for light starters or a heartier main. Try the crispy deep-fried dumplings or a bulgogi hot pot. Pair your dishes with Korean soft drinks, peach soju or a mango rice wine cocktail.
For a pizza party at one of the best restaurants for groups in Melbourne – head to Gilson in South Yarra
Italian favourites are the order of the day at Gilson in South Yarra. This popular neighbourhood eatery has a casual, welcoming atmosphere with a cosy main dining room and relaxed al-fresco seating. Bookings of up to 12 can be accommodated in the main restaurant and groups of up to 32 can book the upstairs private dining suite. It has a private balcony with a leafy view and an open fireplace, perfect for special occasions all year long. Groups of eight or more can book the classic or premium Shared Group Menu. The classic option starts with antipasto and wood-fired flat bread before moving on to a selection of pasta and wood-fired pizza cooked in Gilson’s custom oven. Add some salad and fries on the side and, for an extra $5 per person share a creamy tiramisu to finish. The premium option swaps pizza for cacio e pepe, pappardelle lamb ragu and a tender dry-aged porterhouse.
For everything from date nights to big group get-togethers – check out Il Solito Posto Melbourne CBD
Your next go-to restaurant might just be Il Solito Posto in the heart of the CBD. Head below ground into this sub-basement hotspot spread across multiple areas. Enjoy a laid-back meal in the cafeteria, or book something more formal and intimate in the trattoria. A popular date night spot with the capacity for large groups, Il Solito Posto is perfect for double dates, anniversary celebrations and much more. Groups of six or more can book the Large Breakfast and enjoy the daily pastries, Italian scrambled eggs and bowls of bircher muesli. In the evenings, groups of eight to 12 can book the Large Dining Table and order from the a la carte menu with a minimum spend of $75. Start with an antipasto platter and house-made potato gnocchi with gorgonzola and caramelised pear. For your main try the baked whole lamb and finish with a vanilla bean panacotta. This option tends to book out in advance, so be sure to secure your spot on OpenTable.
For the best pub for groups in Melbourne – visit Corner Hotel in Richmond
A short walk from Olympic Park, Corner Hotel is always lively on game day, whether you grabbing a pre-match meal or sticking around to watch on the big screens. Dine in the cosy front bar or on the sunny rooftop. Wednesday night is parma night with a chicken or eggplant parma and a glass of wine or beer for $20. Tuesdays are steak night with hearty steak dinners for just $23. Wednesdays are also rock and pop culture trivia night so you and your team can compete for fun prizes. The lunch special grilled halloumi sandwich is a popular vegetarian option while the steak, jalapeno and cheese pie are perfect for meat lovers. Fish and chips with battered barramundi and char-grilled sirloin with house slaw are always popular options. For drinks, try signature cocktails like the vodka and passionfruit ladykiller, Australian wines or on-tap beers.
For one of the best restaurants for groups in Melbourne’s Chinatown – book at Secret Kitchen in Doncaster and Melbourne CBD
Secret Kitchen in Doncaster and the CBD is one of the best Yum Cha restaurants in Melbourne. Just opposite Her Majesty’s Theatre the glass-walled CBD outpost perfect for pre-theatre dining (with pre-theatre menus to ensure you make the show on time) while the Doncaster location in Westfield Doncaster shopping centre is perfect for a weekend lunch. The Yum Cha menu includes signature dim sum platters, steamed custard buns shaped like pigs and crispy spring rolls. You’ll find all your favourite dumplings alongside steamed rice rolls and sweet desserts. On weekends you can order larger dishes like suckling pig and Macau-style roasted pork.
📍 Doncaster — Check availability
📍 CBD — Check availability
For one of the best Asian restaurants for groups in Melbourne’s CBD – check out Straight Outta Saigon in Melbourne CBD
Straight Outta Saigon is bursting with Vietnamese flavours, ‘90s hip hop and tropical cocktails. The dark, cosy dining space is lit mostly with pink neon lights, encouraging you to just kick back and enjoy the food and each other’s company. The Baby Got Banq menu for $55 per person for six or more people is perfect for large groups. After a round of solo starters, your table will be packed banquet-style with some of Straight Outta Saigon’s signature dishes. Try fluffy Saigon bao with soft shell crab and sriracha mayo or Hanoi-style vegetarian spring rolls. Share wok-tossed broccoli with crispy pork belly and a Vietnamese curry with crispy eggplant and pickled kra chai. The Saigon Celebration menu for $65 per person adds spicy salmon sashimi and flaky Hanoi-style barramundi. Pair your feast with a cocktail like the Hanoi highball with vodka, coconut and lychee or a Vietnamese beer.
For a transportation dining experience – book your table at Kafeneion at the Melbourne Supper Club in Melbourne CBD
Kafeneion at the Melbourne Supper Club transports diners to Greece, with a warmly lit atmosphere reminiscent of kafenios, Greek coffeehouses. Groups of eight or more need to book the Chef’s Selection menu, featuring Kafeneion’s best dishes. You might start with some hot Santorini fava or a serving of ouzo cured kingfish. Popular mains include the juicy braised pork and the tender lamb with wild oregano. One of Melbourne’s best late-night dining spots, Kafeneion serves its supper menu after 11 pm. Try traditional Greek soups or snack on dry-cured beef and house-pickled veg while sipping on Greek Coffee and Santorini wine.
For one of the best restaurants for celebrating special occasions in Melbourne – book at Freyja in Melbourne CBD
Freyja serves up classic Nordic cooking made with Australian ingredients. Housed in the iconic Olderfleet building on Collins Street, the exposed brick walls, bold paintings and sleek wooden furniture combine to create a unique atmosphere that is both historic and modern. Groups of seven or more can book the Freyja feast menu with chicken or rib-eye bookings available. This festive season, groups of seven or more can also book the Christmas with Freyja menu which includes a seafood platter, hearty mains designed to be shared and a decadent dessert. Consider adding the signature Freyja waffle with smoked sour cream, mixed herbs and your choice of trout roe or Stur Oscietra caviar.
For one of the best sushi restaurants in Melbourne – swing by Ichi Ni Nana in Fitzroy
Ichi Ni Nana in Fitzroy serves up Japanese dishes with a unique twist in a vibrant atmosphere. Slip into long booths under glowing lamps indoors, or head out to the glass-roofed atrium for a leafy vibe. The enclosed heated terrace is perfect in winter and the lush bamboo garden can be booked for private events of up to 24. You can also book the mezzanine level indoors for up to 40 diners, or head downstairs to the Sing Song Den which can host up to 60. The banquet menus are perfect for groups with options for $55, $75, and $95 per person. Start with some edamame and oysters before moving on to crispy gyoza and tempura shrimp. Whether you’ve booked a banquet menu or you’re ordering a la carte, the sushi options are always a must whether it’s tuna sashimi or soft-shell crab maki rolls.
For one of the best restaurants in Melbourne for group dinner parties – check out Marquis of Lorne in Fitzroy
A popular local pub, Marquis of Lorne’s dining room on the second floor is perfect for casual catch-ups. Situated on the corner of George Street and Kerr Street, exposed brick walls and stained-glass windows give it a classic, relaxed feel. Visit on Tuesdays and enjoy steak night where you’ll get a juicy steak with chips, salad and béarnaise sauce for $24. Alternatively, try the tender braised lamb shoulder with spiced carrot and lentils or go for the veggie burger and chips. Don’t forget to order a few starters like the roast scallops with nduja butter or the duck liver parfait with orange marmalade. There are also vegan options including tofu nuggets and garlic roasted mushrooms with a sunflower seed purée. Plus, the extensive wine list, featuring plenty of local Victorian varietals, ensures you can easily find your perfect pairing.
For one of the best spots in Melbourne to party the night away – check out Father’s Office Downtown Flinders Lane in Melbourne CBD
Step into Father’s Office Downtown Flinders Lane, a bar, restaurant and club inspired by American prohibition in the 1920s. Spacious and elegant, find a quiet corner in the sleek, moody dining area, or pull up a stool at the black and white tiled bar. Open until 5 am on Saturdays and Sundays, after a meal, head downstairs and dance the night away. Book a bottomless session and get 90 minutes of bottomless cocktails and shared platters of arancini balls or vegetarian spring rolls for $65 per person. The Bee’s Knees three-course set menu starts with a shared platter of one of the signature appetisers, followed by your choice of main and either homemade ice cream or a milk chocolate ganache for dessert. Popular mains include the juicy classic parma, the flaky barramundi and the 300-gram pork scotch.
Whatever you’re hosting, the best restaurants for groups in Melbourne are ready to accommodate you. With set menus, private dining and plenty of space, you can gather with friends and family over great food and tantalising drinks. From Vietnamese banquets to Italian breakfasts, these restaurants showcase the best of Melbourne’s food scene.
Group bookings fill up fast – secure your tables on OpenTable today
Planning more outings in Melbourne? Check out these guides:
- The 11 best rooftop bars and restaurants in Melbourne with dazzling views
- The best family restaurants in Melbourne to book for the whole gang
- 9 excellent Mexican restaurants to try in Melbourne
- The 10 best restaurants in Melbourne CBD to try right now
- The best pubs in Melbourne loved by locals
- 12 special occasion restaurants in Melbourne for any celebration
- The most romantic restaurants in Melbourne for an unforgettable date night
- The 10 best French restaurants to book in Melbourne right now
- 8 of the best Thai restaurants in Melbourne to book today
