What Are The Best Restaurants For Group Bookings Melbourne?

Finding a restaurant with enough space for a large group can be challenging. Melbourne, however, is home to a number of fantastic locations where you can satisfy the appetites of a large group without sacrificing quality.

Booking a table for a large party can be a hassle, but these establishments make it easy. They're ideal for your next after-work get-together, birthday celebration, work event, or holiday party, and offer an array of experiences from relaxed and cosy to lavish and unforgettable.

13 Good Restaurants For Group Bookings

Panama Dining Room and Bar

This Fitzroy restaurant, which occupies the historic "Panama House," a textile factory built in the early 20th century, is known for its breathtaking vistas of Smith Street.

The menu features a wide variety of dishes, including duck liver parfait, lamb shoulder with pine nut gremolata, and the pavlova of the day, and is described as "journeys across countries in a way that is uniquely Australian." With the 'let us feed you' menu, also known as the 'Fitzroy feast,' we can guarantee that no one in your large group will leave hungry for just $69 per person.

Jim's Greek Tavern

The paper tablecloths, Greek goddess statues, and whitewashed walls of Jim's Greek Tavern are straight out of the 1980s, but the restaurant is adapting to modern dining norms by scheduling its first seating at 6:30pm and its second at 8pm.. But that doesn't mean the rules are always strictly followed.

In addition to its chaotic service and lack of a cuisine, Jim's has a lot going for it. With a la carte dishes costing between $10 and $30, you can expect to pay between $50 and $70 for the banquet. As the waiter approaches and begins to read off the menu, we nod in agreement. We include grilled prawns in this recipe because we've found that they're an absolute must.

If you have a smaller group, you can order off the menu or ask the wait staff for recommendations instead of the banquet. Even though they have house wine, you're better off bringing your own.

There is a platter of stewed carrots,  olives and beans, octopus chunks dressed in olive oil, parsley, lemon juice and served with a box of toasted bread for mopping up any remaining sauce.

On the side, you'll find a lime saganaki wedge that's both firm and pliable. This dish's chargrilled, large prawns are tender and flavorful, and we'd order them again if the price tag were lower ($6 per shrimp). The roasting rack lamb was so delicious that we couldn't resist ordering a large portion of it.

Richness and saltiness abound, but the serving size is way out of proportion. The wait staff has takeout containers ready for tables that don't make it to the end of the line.

As a vegetarian, you won't have to worry about missing out; there are plenty of options to choose from, including the Greek salad, deep-fried zucchini slices, chunks of beetroot drizzled in vinegary dressing, and butter beans simmered in olive oil.

Jim's has been around for 37 years, but it still retains all of its original allure. This weekend, Jim's is packed to the gills with families and friends from all over the world—some Greek and most of people not.

As a result, the first group of diners tend to overstay their welcome, much to the dismay of the second group of diners, who are not required to leave.

With his slick and extremely broad empire, George Calombaris has become a household name in the world of Greek cuisine.

Jim's Greek Tavern in Melbourne is a great place to get a taste of authentic Greek cuisine in an unpretentious setting.

L'Hotel Gitan

The Hotel Max in Prahran has been replaced by L'Hotel Gitan, an Art Deco establishment. Obviously, it's less formal for a new member of the family, but there's no mistaking the resemblance. This is pub food with a Reymond twist, an ongoing French takeover of an Australian mainstay. This is pub food.

Restaurant fare served at L'Hotel Gitan is equally refined. France's colonial forays into North Africa and Indochinese are prominently featured, but the film's scope is broad enough that the term "gitan," which means "gypsy," is not derided.

Charcuterie that can be sliced to your specifications is a sure bet here. Make a spread of cured meats, including a dense saucisson and some soft, nutty curls of San Daniele Jamon, as well as some soft pork rillette, and some rough-hewn, livery country terrine. Alternatively, you can call it a "assiette," if you must. Tender slices of steak are nestled in baby cos lettuce cups and served with a celeriac remoulade.

Some things can only be described as French with a lot of imagination. No problem there. The chicken are deboned, pan-fried, and topped with a spicy yoghurt sauce before being served. Hidden beneath the surface, barley tabbouleh does nothing to enhance the standard bar fare.

Pub-luxe  tempura marron celebrates the way of cooking, but the zucchini jam and eggplant with harissa seems more at home in the colder months. Curried pumpkin and king prawns on a plancha are also good options. This is not the time for prawns to be hanging out with these people.

Also, a lot of the food was begging for salt, which is unusual for a French kitchen. Menu overseer Jacques Reymond and chef Adam Smith are still getting used to cooking more casually than it has ever been, so the menu's strangeness can be blamed on that.

The former restaurant owner's children, Antoine, Edouard, and Nathalie Reymond, have learned the ropes and are now in charge. There is an adult-friendly front bar at L'Hotel Gitan, which harkens back to the heydey of the Roaring Twenties. Consider the last time you walked into a dining room with a beautiful, sound-absorbing carpet.

The new, state-of-the-art kitchen features a bright rotisserie as its showpiece in the completely redesigned hotel. When people visited Philippe Mouchel's PM24 just ahead of the new year, the gas wasn't turned on, so this was the hardware that swooned us the most. Please serve roasted chicken at the dinner table, sir.

Rupert on Rupert

Rupert on Rupert, located in the alleyways of Collingwood, is a bar and restaurant that draws in customers with its high ceilings, bright interiors, and mini forest of pot plants and trees. After opening Rupert with his wife Mali in 2015, Ric Corinaldi has made it famous for its hip cocktails, laid-back Sunday sessions, and elegant weddings.

When you step through the massive glass door that separates Rupert from the Collingwood sidestreet that shares its name, everything clicks into place. This location is so stunning, it should be used in a major motion picture. Imagine large, brown Chesterfield sofas next to beautifully crafted wooden tables, a glass atrium overhead, and lots of plants throughout the space.

When winter's biting winds blow in from behind, the two custom fireplaces are a welcome sight. There's also a seductive back room for hosting intimate dinners and other events.

If you can pull yourself away from decorating, Rupert is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, so you can enjoy a light bite or a full course meal. Before planning a trip, it's a good idea to check the venue's website or Instagram to see if it will be closed for any upcoming events.

The minimalist but lively restaurant is popular even on weekdays. It's true that most of the dishes on head chef Samuel Wilson's menu are meant to be shared, but there are a few larger ones that you may want to keep all to yourself. Pieces of sumac-cured kingfish are served with preserved-lemon sour cream and brick pastry, while charcoaled ricotta gnocchi are laden with butternut pumpkin and hazelnuts and drizzled with burnt butter.

In addition to the excellent house sourdough wood-fired pizzas, the grilled squid and chickpea falafel are also noteworthy (try the pear and prosciutto one).

There is currently an Australian anchor, which means you can get exotic takes on classic cocktails with lots of bold flavour and spice. Two examples are the Old Anzac, which combines Buffalo Trace bourbon infused with wattleseed with crème de cacao, golden syrup, coconut, and more wattleseed, and the Myrtle Vesper, which combines Hippocampus vodka with Lillet Blanc wine and lemon myrtle.

The Japples, a $10 cocktail made with whisky, ginger syrup, lime, and freshly squeezed apple juice, is the best of the bunch.

In addition to cocktails, the bar offers a wide variety of beers, wines of all hues (including the currently trendy orange), and straight spirits that range from Guatemalan rum to Polish vodka and gin from Byron Bay. Atmosphere-wise, you'll get your money's worth at Rupert thanks to the frequent appearances of live DJs.

When planning an event in this glasshouse bar, Rupert is always available to help you make the most of the venue's famed plant-filled indoor laneway. The space can accommodate events of varying sizes, from private gatherings to complete venue takeovers. If you need some #eventinspo, all you have to do is check out Rupert's Instagram.

Grossi Florentino

Rupert on Rupert, located in the alleyways of Collingwood, is a bar and restaurant that draws in customers with its high ceilings, bright interiors, and mini forest of pot plants and trees. After opening Rupert with his wife Mali in 2015, Ric Corinaldi has made it famous for its hip cocktails, laid-back Sunday sessions, and elegant weddings.

When you step through the massive glass door that separates Rupert from the Collingwood sidestreet that shares its name, everything clicks into place. This location is so stunning, it should be used in a major motion picture. Imagine large, brown Chesterfield sofas next to beautifully crafted wooden tables, a glass atrium overhead, and lots of plants throughout the space.

When winter's biting winds blow in from behind, the two custom fireplaces are a welcome sight. There's also a seductive back room for hosting intimate dinners and other events.

If you can pull yourself away from decorating, Rupert is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, so you can enjoy a light bite or a full course meal. Before planning a trip, it's a good idea to check the venue's website or Instagram to see if it will be closed for any upcoming events.

The minimalist but lively restaurant is popular even on weekdays. It's true that most of the dishes on head chef Samuel Wilson's menu are meant to be shared, but there are a few larger ones that you may want to keep all to yourself. Pieces of sumac-cured kingfish are served with preserved-lemon sour cream and brick pastry, while charcoaled ricotta gnocchi are laden with butternut pumpkin and hazelnuts and drizzled with burnt butter.

In addition to the excellent house sourdough wood-fired pizzas, the grilled squid and chickpea falafel are also noteworthy (try the pear and prosciutto one).

There is currently an Australian anchor, which means you can get exotic takes on classic cocktails with lots of bold flavour and spice. Two examples are the Old Anzac, which combines Buffalo Trace bourbon infused with wattleseed with crème de cacao, golden syrup, coconut, and more wattleseed, and the Myrtle Vesper, which combines Hippocampus vodka with Lillet Blanc wine and lemon myrtle.

The Japples, a $10 cocktail made with whisky, ginger syrup, lime, and freshly squeezed apple juice, is the best of the bunch.

In addition to cocktails, the bar offers a wide variety of beers, wines of all hues (including the currently trendy orange), and straight spirits that range from Guatemalan rum to Polish vodka and gin from Byron Bay. Atmosphere-wise, you'll get your money's worth at Rupert thanks to the frequent appearances of live DJs.

When planning an event in this glasshouse bar, Rupert is always available to help you make the most of the venue's famed plant-filled indoor laneway. The space can accommodate events of varying sizes, from private gatherings to complete venue takeovers. If you need some #eventinspo, all you have to do is check out Rupert's Instagram.

Teta Mona

Teta Mona, winner of the most recent Revive Award, is a bohemian-chic, all-day restaurant that serves straightforward, flavorful Lebanese cuisine with few frills. Like a cross between the shared house of an anthropology fanatic and a stall at the Dandenong markets, the decor is BYO and eclectic. The courtyard can seat up to 22 people, and the dining room can seat up to 12.

The Standard

Fitzroy's Brunswick Street may be cocktail central, but off in the alleyways you'll find one of Melbourne's best spots to raise a glass on a warm day, a chilly evening, or a dull Monday. The cosy, unpretentious bar and restaurant can accommodate groups of 20 for dinner.

Gilson

During the warmer months, locals gather at Gilson to enjoy delicious food and conversation. The private dining room at Private Gilson can accommodate up to 30 guests. Pizzas, antipasti, pasta, and more can be found on the $79, $99, or $125 per person set menus, with an emphasis on dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.

Rumi

Rumi is an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant with a menu made for communal dining. However, the banquets are fantastic for large groups who want to sample a wide variety of dishes. The Classic features some of Rumi's most popular dishes (at $50 for 12) and focuses on seasonal ingredients (at $60 for 14).

Pope Joan

It's easy to find a space that works for your group at this Brunswick staple, helmed by chef Matt Wilkinson. It's hard to beat the serenity of the garden room's intimate setting and its 18-person capacity for more formal gatherings.

Village People Hawker Food Hall

The Residents of the Town It was critical that the drinks at the Hawker Food Hall reflect both the excitement and variety of Southeast Asian markets and the expertise of Japanese culture. From this incredibly large and lively location, you can take in the entire city of Melbourne.

Si Senor Art Taqueria

Due to its proximity to the beach and its colourful brick-walled open-air courtyard, Si Senor Art Taqueria is a popular destination on a warm day. Taking a large group out to dinner allows everyone to try everything on the menu. If you go, be sure to try the marinated slow-roasted pork with pineapple and chillies.

Belgian Beer Café

Eureka Tower's foothills are home to the sprawling Belgian Beer Café, which serves both traditional Belgian beer and Australian local brews.

The venue's outdoor, indoor, and upstairs areas can accommodate groups of any size for events ranging from fancy parties and birthday celebrations to sit-down corporate lunches. If you don't like rump steak, don't worry; it's delicious in German black walnut sauce.

Naked for Satan

For a raunchy night out with your friends, head to Naked for Satan. The expansive lower level serves pintxos (small plates), while the rooftop terrace offers a full menu and panoramic views of the city.

Conclusion

There are a number of excellent restaurants in Melbourne where you can feed a large group of people without sacrificing quality. If you're looking to host a large group, these establishments make it simple with reasonable prices and reasonable expectations. In the world of Greek cuisine, George Calombaris is a household name. Because the roasting rack lamb was so delicious, we had to order a large portion. The ongoing French takeover of an Australian institution continues at L'Hotel Gitan, which serves pub food with a Reymond twist.

For cooler weather, try the eggplant with harissa and zucchini jam, while the tempura marron honours the art of Japanese cooking. Jacques Reymond, the man in charge of the menu, and Adam Smith, the chef, are still getting used to the idea of cooking in a more relaxed setting. Located in the alleyways of Collingwood is Rupert on Rupert. It's a hot spot even on weekdays, thanks to the restaurant's simple design and lively atmosphere. One of the most popular cocktails is the Japples, a mixture of whisky, ginger syrup, lime juice, and fresh squeezed apple juice.

Grilled squid, ricotta gnocchi, and chickpea falafel are just a few of Chef Samuel Wilson's creations. You can get exotic variations on traditional cocktails because they have an Australian anchor. Teta Mona is an all-day Lebanese restaurant with a bohemian vibe. Up to 20 people can dine comfortably at Gilson, a relaxed bar and restaurant. Rumi is a traditional Middle Eastern eatery with a large, family-style menu.

Dinner at Pope Joan, Si Senor Art Taqueria or Village People is an excellent option for a group of friends. Located in the foothills of Eureka Tower is the Belgian Beer Café, which serves both traditional Belgian beers and local brews from Australia.

Content Summary

• Finding a restaurant with enough space for a large group can be challenging.
• Jim's Greek Tavern in Melbourne is a great place to get a taste of authentic Greek cuisine in an unpretentious setting.
• This is pub food.
• Rupert on Rupert, located in the alleyways of Collingwood, is a bar and restaurant that draws in customers with its high ceilings, bright interiors, and mini forest of pot plants and trees.
• If you can pull yourself away from decorating, Rupert is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, so you can enjoy a light bite or a full course meal.
• Before planning a trip, it's a good idea to check the venue's website or Instagram to see if it will be closed for any upcoming events.
• The minimalist but lively restaurant is popular even on weekdays.
• If you can pull yourself away from decorating, Rupert is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, so you can enjoy a light bite or a full course meal.
• In addition to cocktails, the bar offers a wide variety of beers, wines of all hues (including the currently trendy orange), and straight spirits that range from Guatemalan rum to Polish vodka and gin from Byron Bay.
• The private dining room at Private Gilson can accommodate up to 30 guests.
• Rumi is an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant with a menu made for communal dining.
• The Residents of the Town It was critical that the drinks at the Hawker Food Hall reflect both the excitement and variety of Southeast Asian markets and the expertise of Japanese culture.
• Due to its proximity to the beach and its colourful brick-walled open-air courtyard, Si Senor Art Taqueria is a popular destination on a warm day.
• Eureka Tower's foothills are home to the sprawling Belgian Beer Café, which serves both traditional Belgian beer and Australian local brews.
• For a raunchy night out with your friends, head to Naked for Satan.