Whether you're planning an intimate birthday bash, a family get together or simply a catch up with old friends, finding the perfect venue can be half the battle. Luckily, our guide to the best London restaurants for small group dining is full of venues that come complete with bags of space, private dining rooms and plush booths - perfect for keeping everyone in your gang happy and smiling.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Consisting of a restaurant, oyster bar, live music lounge, whisky bar and Cuban cigar library, Boisdale is one of Canary Wharf's swankiest venues. Boasting a plethora of private dining spaces of all shapes and sizes, this place is more than able to accommodate small groups for an elegant evening of entertainment.
While the ground floor of temper in Covent Garden is bursting with stylish counter seats and cosy tables for two, downstairs in the basement is a very different story. Gather your gang and nab one of the huge leather booth tables for a unique meal of smoked meats, deep-pan pizza and spicy tacos. Or head to the Shoreditch venue.
Whether you're heading out for an intimate birthday dinner or casual catch-up with old friends, Busaba's Thai restaurants are simply perfect. You'll find these eateries all across London, from Stratford and Kingston to Covent Garden and Soho, offering mouthwatering Thai food.
Choose from a menu that features all of your classic Thai dishes, like pad Thai, green curry, pandan chicken and more, or if you're a group of 8 or more? You can instead opt for one of the special group dining menus, where the dishes from your chosen set menu will arrive in the middle of the table to share.
You can decide between the Bangkok Feast (£38pp), the vegetarian Bangkok Jay (£38pp) or the larger Bangkok Banquet option (£55), each of which includes a variety of snacks, small plates, mains, sides and desserts.
Whether it's a double date, small birthday party or family occasion, El Pirata is a great choice for dining in small groups. Book your space in the Mayfair restaurant where you'll find tapas, wines and pretty spaces.
Enjoy Spanish and Italian-inspired cuisine in Soho's Ember Yard. This eatery is the perfect place to tuck into expertly smoked dishes flavoured from a variety of woods; and to make an intimate meal with friends or colleagues that extra bit special.
If you're on the hunt for a place to enjoy an intimate dinner out, The Coal Shed near Tower Bridge has the space for you. Sit back in their gorgeous, contemporary restaurant and tuck into flame-grilled bites and delicious drinks.
They use only the finest quality, seasonal ingredients, alongside fine wines and cocktails. Wondering what's on the menu? Think everything from North Atlantic halibut to sirloin steaks and miso aubergine.
Need a restaurant spot for just you and a few friends? Dehesa is the perfect place in Central London to relax and tip back a few glasses of vino. Check out their food menu so your group can order several plates and chow down on the best Spanish tapas.
Boasting gorgeous, Instagrammable decor, Sticky Mango Waterloo and Tower Bridge are lovely spots to enjoy lunch or dinner with friends. There's a whole load of group set menus available, although you can also order a la carte, with East Asian dishes including Singapore chilli lobster and ox cheek panang curry.
Bringing the outdoors in, The Skylark Café in the centre of Wandsworth Common is the perfect summertime spot to gather with your friends and family. Feast on a selection of sandwiches, brunch dishes, salads and sweet treats whilst enjoying the green and leafy surroundings.
Looking for an intimate atmosphere, but space for privacy? Head to Quaglino's - one of London's most historic restaurants. Frequented by royalty and A-listers alike, this place knows a thing or two about discretion. Reserve yourself one of their plush booths to spend the night dining like kings and queens with top-notch live entertainment to match.
Ideally located for a post-work get-together, Tank & Paddle Minster Court is set up with group dining in mind. Their huge tables can comfortably seat up to 16, and there is a wide range of fresh and frothy beers to keep your fellow diners' thirst quenched all night long.
Enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean at the Opera House located in London's theatre land. Tuck into a great selection of authentic tapas and a specialty drinks menu. Love sherry? They have over ten varieties.
Mare Street Market offers the perfect balance of work and play. With its relaxed, open-plan space, it's an ideal spot for those looking to unwind - and it's perfect for group dining as it has large tables and a menu that caters to all.
Tuck into the likes of plant burgers, pizzas with delicious toppings, and large plates like chicken schnitzel with your mates, and wash them down with an Aperol spritz or G&T.
This charming Mediterranean restaurant and bar can be found tucked away by Liverpool Street station. Luca Dsq. is an intimate venue where you will dine surrounded by plants, while sipping a delicious cocktail. What's more, they serve indulgent brunches every weekend.
The Oak W12 is a charming Shepherd's Bush pub and restaurant. With both a bustling dining room and stunning private spaces on offer, it's the perfect place to host an evening with a small group of friends, gorging on wood-fired pizzas, Spanish-inspired tapas and mouthwatering desserts.
Fancy adding a touch of elegance to your next group outing? Look no further than Cigalon, one of the city's prettiest brasseries. Decked out with green botanics, pastel furnishings and velvet booths, this light and spacious restaurant is primed and ready for your next girl's day out.
Celebrating all things delicate with intricately simple food and drink; Salt Yard is the perfect place for small group dining with co-workers or friends. Tuck into their delightful duroc pork belly and sip on their signature blood orange caipirinha.
Located in Farringdon, The Patio is a fabulous shout for intimate dinner parties and birthday celebrations. Tuck into West African cuisine such as braised lamb shoulder and fried plantains, alongside signature cocktails.
Home to bookclubs, pop-up shops and board game nighs, Coin Laundry is not only a restaurant but a community hub too. With huge windows flooding the dining room with natural light, it's the perfect place for a sunny and spacious group brunch.
Home to one of London's prettiest private dining rooms, The Crown offers the perfect mix of casual atmosphere and top-notch cuisine. Head here for hearty Sunday roasts washed down with a selection of real ales, craft beers and exotic wines.
A relatively recent addition to Brixton's vibrant food and drink scene, Canova Hall is an all-day eatery and bar. Home to a huge pizza oven, as well as several private booths, and a mezzanine level too, it's the perfect place to pass an evening with old friends.
Situated on the edge of the River Thames, and boasting views of the iconic O2 Arena, Gun is one of East London's hidden gems. With a large waterside beer garden and plenty of indoor dining spaces, this place offers a moment of peace away from the chaos of the city.
The ultimate party venue in Soho, 100 Wardour St offers everything from bottomless brunches to live music, with plenty of space for dancing. You and your friends are guaranteed a good time here, and you can even hire out their private dining room for up to 20 guests, with a smaller semi-private space that seats 12.
Their tantalising menu features international dishes like pumpkin risotto, josper-grilled spatchcock chicken and curried cauliflower soup, with canapes and bowl food available too.
One of the capital's best-loved weekend haunts, Flight Club Shoreditch is the perfect spot for some group fun. Hire out one of the private oches (with are fairground-themed) for an evening of social darts, sharing-size pizzas and quirky cocktails.
Can't agree on what kind of cuisine would be best for the group? That's where Arcade Food Hall comes in. This place has everything from Indonesian to Indian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican and American being delved out by a variety of traders.
