From a California-meets-Mediterranean fusion spot known for its movie screenings to a historic grill with elegant private dining rooms, the best restaurants for big groups in SF have space for the whole crew and every type of celebration.
Dine on fine Cantonese cuisine in a swanky room with antique furnishings in Chinatown, or spread out in a large booth at a luxury steakhouse in Mission Bay. Enjoy the sunset from a chic terrace at a Peruvian restaurant in the Financial District.
Whether dining with a group of six or over 100, you can find a restaurant in San Francisco with space for everyone—plus food to impress the whole group.
Book a table at one of the best restaurants for big groups in SF on OpenTable today and ensure a memorable group dining experience.
Read on for a guide to 10 of the best restaurants in San Francisco for big groups.
For ceviche and other Peruvian dishes with waterfront views – visit La Mar Cocina Peruana (Financial District/Embarcadero)
Led by celebrity chef Gastón Acurio, La Mar Cocina Peruana serves stellar ceviche and classic Peruvian dishes like tiraditos and richly layered causas in a lively space. Made-for-sharing favorites like bandeja cevichera—a feast of four signature ceviche—make it one of the best restaurants for big groups in SF and a popular spot for holiday gatherings. Enjoy waterfront views while you dine under a heat lamp on the patio, or relax in the chic, blue-accented interior.
For Asian-inspired small bites and cocktails with killer views – book a table at Charmaine’s Rooftop Lounge (Downtown/Union Square)
Located in the Proper Hotel, Charmaine’s Rooftop Lounge is one of the best rooftop restaurants in San Francisco. Spread out with a group in the low-slung striped chairs ringing cozy fire pits to sip on standout cocktails from Bon Vivants Hospitality (Trick Dog), including several zero-proof options. Snacks—think lemongrass chicken wings, skewers, and dips—are made for sharing. Come at sunset for sweeping city views, and don’t miss the weekday 7@7 Happy Hour for food and drink specials.
For fine Cantonese dining in a historic space in one of the best restaurants in San Francisco for big groups – visit The Empress by Boon (Chinatown)
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or seeking an opulent setting for a group meal, The Empress by Boon impresses with geometric screens, royal blue sofas, and skyline views. Come to one of the most beautiful restaurants in San Francisco for acclaimed chef Ho Chee Boon’s elegant, five-course prix fixe menu with decadent, Cantonese-inspired hits like a scallop and caviar roll. For private dining, choose the Empress room, which seats up to 20 guests.
For top-quality beef and seafood at an upscale steakhouse – enjoy a meal at Miller & Lux (Mission Bay/South Beach)
Led by chef Tyler Florence, Miller & Lux is a sophisticated steakhouse with vintage accents in Chase Center. Don’t be fooled by the location—this restaurant is designed for formal occasions or a splurge-worthy meal before watching the Warriors. Select high-quality, dry-aged steaks sourced from ranches across the country, or enjoy premium seafood from the raw bar. With over 70 bottles of fine wine and a spacious, C-shaped leather booth, sharing a meal with a large group is easy at Miller & Lux.
For Mediterranean dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients in one of the best restaurants in San Francisco for big groups — grab a table at Taksim (SOMA)
Sourcing recipes and culinary techniques from Turkey and the Balkans, Taksim is where you go for familiar favorites and creative takes on Mediterranean dishes. Think lamb chops with smokey eggplant labneh, beef tenderloin shish kebab, or olive-crusted lamb carpaccio. For groups of 10 or more, the restaurant can arrange private or semi-private dining and personalized menus in one of five spaces. Expect an industrial-chic ambiance with exposed wooden beams, metal detailing, and warm wooden accents.
For seafood specialties at the oldest restaurant in San Francisco — try The Old Clam House (Mission Bay/South Beach)
Bring a group of friends or the whole family to The Old Clam House. Open since 1861, the city’s oldest restaurant serves up crowd-pleasing seafood favorites like creamy clam chowder and fragrant cioppino. Enjoy them in a vintage dining room—think red-and-white-checked tablecloths and walls lined with historical photos and nautical antiques. No meal here is complete without a warming glass of clam juice.
For premium steaks and historic, private dining rooms — find a table at Historic John’s Grill (Downtown/Union Square)
Historic John’s Grill has been a celebrity and local favorite since opening in 1908. The interior boasts big, circular tables ideal for large groups, and black-and-white photos deck the walls. Expect high-end, American steakhouse fare ranging from filet mignon and New York steak to lobster ravioli. The restaurant also has three elegantly appointed private rooms for groups ranging in size from 14 to 100 seated guests.
For vegetarian food with incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge – reserve a table at Greens Restaurant (Marina Cow Hollow/Presidio)
Woman-led Greens Restaurant is where you go for stellar, vegetarian and vegan dishes prepared with seasonal, local produce from organic farms. The airy dining room boasts plenty of space for group dining and uninterrupted views of the Golden Gate Bridge through the floor-to-ceiling windows. You can also book one of three small spaces for private events. Although the menu changes seasonally, expect clever plant-forward dishes like eggplant pizza and grilled cabbage shawarma.
For a business lunch or dinner in an upscale French bistro – try La Société Bar & Café (SOMA)
Charming neighborhood bistro La Société Bar & Café is a destination for its French brasserie classics with a California twist. With cozy banquettes and a statement wall of colorful modern paintings, the space has a contemporary, laid-back feel. Book a large table in the dining area or reserve a private room for your party. Try the salt spring mussels or savor the pommes frites made with duck fat paired with a glass of red.
For Mediterranean food with a California twist and a movie – enjoy a meal at Foreign Cinema (Mission District)
Combine dinner and a show with friends into one activity at Foreign Cinema. Open since 1999, this concept restaurant shows independent and classic films once the sun goes down, and the Mediterranean-California fusion menu is just as enchanting as the setting. Must-try dishes include five-spice duck and sirloin beef carpaccio paired with a regional wines. The restaurant also has private areas for parties ranging from 12 to 60 guests.
From Peruvian ceviche with just enough tang to top-tier steaks, the best restaurants for big groups in SF have something for every occasion and meal preference.
Dine on cioppino at the oldest restaurant in San Francisco, or customize your menu in a private room at a Mediterranean restaurant. Visit a contemporary French bistro with work colleagues or take your extended family to a fine-dining Cantonese restaurant. Regardless of your party’s size, a restaurant in San Francisco is waiting to host your group.
