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An overhead photograph of several small plates of seafood bread, and cooked produce
Boqueria’s tapas menu is designed for sharing.
Boqueria

18 D.C. Area Restaurants That Are Great for Big Groups

For when all the friends want to hang

by Mekita Rivas and Eater Staff Updated
2 comments / new
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Boqueria’s tapas menu is designed for sharing.
| Boqueria
by Mekita Rivas and Eater Staff Updated
2 comments / new

Large group dinners are fun, but they also require a bit more planning and preparation. When everyone RSVPs “yes” to the invite and suddenly the party has gone into 10-12 person territory, not every restaurant is equipped to meet the demand. From spots with platters of lumpia to rolling dim sum carts, shareable carnival-inspired bites, taco bars, and more, the D.C. venues on this map are here to help. Each eatery on this list either provides a large amount of seating, reservations for large parties, or festive menus that are ideal for sharing, no matter the season.

Have another favorite group dining destination? Share in the comments.

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Summer House Santa Monica

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With a sprawling, light-filled interior, this Bethesda spot is beloved for its brunch and dinner offerings alike. Whether you have a big party or an intimate gathering to plan, the full restaurant can be booked for larger groups; a banquette table in the main dining room is available for smaller parties. Summer House also offers full-service catering for off-site events, with menu choices like taco bars and sushi platters.

11825 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 881-2381
(301) 881-2381

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Hollywood East Cafe

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Wheaton’s popular dim sum restaurant is a great place for groups of friends to gather over dumplings, pan-fried taro cakes, shrimp toast, and fried wontons. Carts roll through the aisles on the weekends, but the dim sum menu is also available weekdays.

11160 Veirs Mill Rd, Wheaton, MD 20902
(240) 290-9988
(240) 290-9988

Also featured in:

Purple Patch

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With a large outdoor covered patio and a sizable indoor space with a separate area for larger parties, this Filipino mainstay is a solid choice for your group outing. Order platters of lumpia and pitchers of Palawan — a rum-based cocktail with pineapple and lemon, cream of coconut, and calamansi honey — for the table. 

3155 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 299-0022
(202) 299-0022

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Roofers Union

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This Adams Morgan restaurant full of craft beer, sausages, and sandwiches is very flexible about accepting large groups in its three-story complex. Parties of up to 10 people can book online, while groups of up to 20 can call the restaurant to reserve.

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 232-7663
(202) 232-7663
Roofers’ Union’s dining room complete with large picture windows, several tables, and a golden chandelier
The dining room at Roofers Union
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

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Ethiopian restaurants lend themselves to group dining with large sampler platters of vegetables, grilled meats, and stews served over injera. This U Street classic in D.C.’s Little Ethiopia corner is welcoming to large parties, is open late, and is a good option for a last-minute meal without a reservation.

1114-1118 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-8735
(202) 667-8735

Dolce Vita Coastal Mediterranean Cuisine

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Dolce Vita has a large communal table near the bar that groups can reserve, outfitted with royal blue seating and built-in tubs on the table to keep your wine cold. The coastal Mediterranean eatery offers plenty of shareable dishes, including artichoke and tomato flatbread, Moroccan lamb shank, and seafood paella, just to name a few.

1610 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-4872
(202) 506-4872
A look at the dining room and open kitchen at Dolce Vita.
A look at the dining room and open kitchen at Dolce Vita.
Laura Chase de Formigny/Dolce Vita

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St. Anselm

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This classic American tavern has a hidden gem in its Beefsteak Room, a unique private dining space that seats 18 and serves as a prime locale for special events. A menu full of blue crab deviled eggs, grilled okra, and lamb leg steak encourages sharing with friends.

1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 864-2199
(202) 864-2199
St. Anselm’s sprawling dining room.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Imperfecto

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West End’s Mediterranean-Latin hot spot offers a showy private dining room — recently graced by Bill Gates and other celebs — that is tailor made for a big group. It’s also open on Mondays, when many restaurants are closed.

1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 964-1012
(202) 964-1012

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Yardbird Table & Bar

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The popular Miami import is best known for comfort foods like its thick-battered fried chicken brined for 27 hours, buttermilk biscuits, and lobster mac and cheese. The eatery has two spacious patios, as well as plenty of indoor seating.

901 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 333-2450
(202) 333-2450

Also featured in:

Boqueria

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Boqueria’s latest incarnation in Penn Quarter has 164 seats, and reservations for groups up to 20 can be made online. Both locations share menus that are festive for large groups, including a $42 unlimited tapas brunch, a suckling pig feast ($95 per person), and plenty of Spanish small plates.

777 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 552-3268
(202) 552-3268
Boquerias dining room, with pantry items and a leg of jamon on the back wall, a tapas counter to the left, and banquette seating to the right.
Inside Boqueria
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Zaytinya

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For diners interested in sharing small plates, José Andrés’s expansive Mediterranean restaurant in Penn Quarter takes online reservations of up to 11. Serving everything from seared octopus to fluffy pita bread, the longtime D.C. favorite is a crowd-pleaser, so it pays to plan ahead during busy times.

701 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 638-0800
(202) 638-0800
A flatbread flecked with cheese, chives, sausage and egg yolk
A flatbread from Zaytinya
Zaytinya [official photo]

Also featured in:

Peter Chang

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This Arlington Chinese food destination works well for groups because there are the large circular tables and borderline ridiculous portion sizes. Groups can come together over large plates of slippery Grandma’s noodles and crispy golden chicken. The Sichuan flavor master just planted his first flag in D.C. with the opening of Chang Chang in Dupont Circle.

2503-E N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 538-6688
(703) 538-6688
The large selection of tables that make up the interior of Peter Chang in Arlington
The interior of Peter Chang in Arlington
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Carmine's

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Behemoth platters of everything from chicken Parm to pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe make Carmine’s a place you don’t want to go without a large group in tow. With 700 seats, the Penn Quarter Italian place can handle a large dining party. There are several private room options as well.

425 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 737-7770
(202) 737-7770

Also featured in:

Ambar (Multiple Locations)

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Restaurateur Ivan Iricanin’s flagship Balkan restaurant got a recent renovation to the tune of a $3 million upgrade. A new pastel-hued, year-round rooftop patio joins a second-floor balcony alcove with room for 12. At either location, plan to share a variety of meze, spreads, flatbreads, and pies as well as grilled meats, veggies, and seafood. Opt for a $49.99 all-you-can-eat small plates menu in D.C. and Clarendon, with a third location en route to Shaw.

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 813-3039
(202) 813-3039

Also featured in:

Mi Vida Restaurante

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This modern Mexican standby along the Southwest Waterfront has multiple patios, multiple bars, 400 seats, and several private dining spaces. Diners can make reservations for groups up to 10 online, or call for larger parties. Or check out the newly opened Logan Circle location for the same dishes, plus tequila flights and skewered snacks.

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 516-4656
(202) 516-4656
A cast-iron platter filled with queso fundido, flecked with chorizo and green onions and stretched with a fork. Tortillas appear on the side.
Queso fundido from La Vida
Mi Vida [official site]

Also featured in:

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Boardwalk Bar & Arcade

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Need lots of space for your function but still want a scenic view? Head to the Wharf’s Boardwalk Bar & Arcade. There’s 10,000 square feet to play with, complete with four event spaces, three bars, and plenty of Skee-Ball and games to keep groups entertained. The boardwalk-themed menu features chili dogs, corn dogs, and blackened mahi tacos, plus craft beers and colorful cocktails poured from 24 different tap lines. 

715 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 481-0044
(202) 481-0044

Also featured in:

Osteria Morini

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This Italian favorite is a picturesque waterfront option for groups in the Navy Yard area. Make reservations for groups as large as 20 online and be sure to order the crostini and prosciutto e melone for the group.

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-0660
(202) 484-0660
Pasta flecked with small pieces of meat and red pepper
Pasta from Osteria Morini
Osteria Morini [official photo]

Also featured in:

Honey Pig BBQ

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Korean barbecue is ideal for communal group dining. With a huge space and hours that stretch into the early morning, Honey Pig is a favorite for crowds, especially those in search of a post-drinking feast.

7220-C Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 256-5229
(703) 256-5229

Also featured in:

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Summer House Santa Monica

11825 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852

With a sprawling, light-filled interior, this Bethesda spot is beloved for its brunch and dinner offerings alike. Whether you have a big party or an intimate gathering to plan, the full restaurant can be booked for larger groups; a banquette table in the main dining room is available for smaller parties. Summer House also offers full-service catering for off-site events, with menu choices like taco bars and sushi platters.

11825 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 881-2381
(301) 881-2381

Hollywood East Cafe

11160 Veirs Mill Rd, Wheaton, MD 20902

Wheaton’s popular dim sum restaurant is a great place for groups of friends to gather over dumplings, pan-fried taro cakes, shrimp toast, and fried wontons. Carts roll through the aisles on the weekends, but the dim sum menu is also available weekdays.

11160 Veirs Mill Rd, Wheaton, MD 20902
(240) 290-9988
(240) 290-9988

Purple Patch

3155 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010

With a large outdoor covered patio and a sizable indoor space with a separate area for larger parties, this Filipino mainstay is a solid choice for your group outing. Order platters of lumpia and pitchers of Palawan — a rum-based cocktail with pineapple and lemon, cream of coconut, and calamansi honey — for the table. 

3155 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 299-0022
(202) 299-0022

Roofers Union

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

This Adams Morgan restaurant full of craft beer, sausages, and sandwiches is very flexible about accepting large groups in its three-story complex. Parties of up to 10 people can book online, while groups of up to 20 can call the restaurant to reserve.

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 232-7663
(202) 232-7663
Roofers’ Union’s dining room complete with large picture windows, several tables, and a golden chandelier
The dining room at Roofers Union
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

1114-1118 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Ethiopian restaurants lend themselves to group dining with large sampler platters of vegetables, grilled meats, and stews served over injera. This U Street classic in D.C.’s Little Ethiopia corner is welcoming to large parties, is open late, and is a good option for a last-minute meal without a reservation.

1114-1118 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-8735
(202) 667-8735

Dolce Vita Coastal Mediterranean Cuisine

1610 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Dolce Vita has a large communal table near the bar that groups can reserve, outfitted with royal blue seating and built-in tubs on the table to keep your wine cold. The coastal Mediterranean eatery offers plenty of shareable dishes, including artichoke and tomato flatbread, Moroccan lamb shank, and seafood paella, just to name a few.

1610 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-4872
(202) 506-4872
A look at the dining room and open kitchen at Dolce Vita.
A look at the dining room and open kitchen at Dolce Vita.
Laura Chase de Formigny/Dolce Vita

St. Anselm

1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

This classic American tavern has a hidden gem in its Beefsteak Room, a unique private dining space that seats 18 and serves as a prime locale for special events. A menu full of blue crab deviled eggs, grilled okra, and lamb leg steak encourages sharing with friends.

1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 864-2199
(202) 864-2199
St. Anselm’s sprawling dining room.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Imperfecto

1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037

West End’s Mediterranean-Latin hot spot offers a showy private dining room — recently graced by Bill Gates and other celebs — that is tailor made for a big group. It’s also open on Mondays, when many restaurants are closed.

1124 23rd St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 964-1012
(202) 964-1012

Yardbird Table & Bar

901 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

The popular Miami import is best known for comfort foods like its thick-battered fried chicken brined for 27 hours, buttermilk biscuits, and lobster mac and cheese. The eatery has two spacious patios, as well as plenty of indoor seating.

901 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 333-2450
(202) 333-2450

Boqueria

777 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Boqueria’s latest incarnation in Penn Quarter has 164 seats, and reservations for groups up to 20 can be made online. Both locations share menus that are festive for large groups, including a $42 unlimited tapas brunch, a suckling pig feast ($95 per person), and plenty of Spanish small plates.

777 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 552-3268
(202) 552-3268
Boquerias dining room, with pantry items and a leg of jamon on the back wall, a tapas counter to the left, and banquette seating to the right.
Inside Boqueria
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Zaytinya

701 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

For diners interested in sharing small plates, José Andrés’s expansive Mediterranean restaurant in Penn Quarter takes online reservations of up to 11. Serving everything from seared octopus to fluffy pita bread, the longtime D.C. favorite is a crowd-pleaser, so it pays to plan ahead during busy times.

701 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 638-0800
(202) 638-0800
A flatbread flecked with cheese, chives, sausage and egg yolk
A flatbread from Zaytinya
Zaytinya [official photo]

Peter Chang

2503-E N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207

This Arlington Chinese food destination works well for groups because there are the large circular tables and borderline ridiculous portion sizes. Groups can come together over large plates of slippery Grandma’s noodles and crispy golden chicken. The Sichuan flavor master just planted his first flag in D.C. with the opening of Chang Chang in Dupont Circle.

2503-E N Harrison St, Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 538-6688
(703) 538-6688
The large selection of tables that make up the interior of Peter Chang in Arlington
The interior of Peter Chang in Arlington
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Carmine's

425 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Behemoth platters of everything from chicken Parm to pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe make Carmine’s a place you don’t want to go without a large group in tow. With 700 seats, the Penn Quarter Italian place can handle a large dining party. There are several private room options as well.

425 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 737-7770
(202) 737-7770

Ambar (Multiple Locations)

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Restaurateur Ivan Iricanin’s flagship Balkan restaurant got a recent renovation to the tune of a $3 million upgrade. A new pastel-hued, year-round rooftop patio joins a second-floor balcony alcove with room for 12. At either location, plan to share a variety of meze, spreads, flatbreads, and pies as well as grilled meats, veggies, and seafood. Opt for a $49.99 all-you-can-eat small plates menu in D.C. and Clarendon, with a third location en route to Shaw.

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 813-3039
(202) 813-3039

Mi Vida Restaurante

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

This modern Mexican standby along the Southwest Waterfront has multiple patios, multiple bars, 400 seats, and several private dining spaces. Diners can make reservations for groups up to 10 online, or call for larger parties. Or check out the newly opened Logan Circle location for the same dishes, plus tequila flights and skewered snacks.

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 516-4656
(202) 516-4656
A cast-iron platter filled with queso fundido, flecked with chorizo and green onions and stretched with a fork. Tortillas appear on the side.
Queso fundido from La Vida
Mi Vida [official site]

Related Maps

Boardwalk Bar & Arcade

715 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Need lots of space for your function but still want a scenic view? Head to the Wharf’s Boardwalk Bar & Arcade. There’s 10,000 square feet to play with, complete with four event spaces, three bars, and plenty of Skee-Ball and games to keep groups entertained. The boardwalk-themed menu features chili dogs, corn dogs, and blackened mahi tacos, plus craft beers and colorful cocktails poured from 24 different tap lines. 

715 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 481-0044
(202) 481-0044

Osteria Morini

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003

This Italian favorite is a picturesque waterfront option for groups in the Navy Yard area. Make reservations for groups as large as 20 online and be sure to order the crostini and prosciutto e melone for the group.

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-0660
(202) 484-0660
Pasta flecked with small pieces of meat and red pepper
Pasta from Osteria Morini
Osteria Morini [official photo]

Honey Pig BBQ

7220-C Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003

Korean barbecue is ideal for communal group dining. With a huge space and hours that stretch into the early morning, Honey Pig is a favorite for crowds, especially those in search of a post-drinking feast.

7220-C Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 256-5229
(703) 256-5229

Related Maps