The Los Angeles Restaurants We Love For a Celebration

Since debuting in early 2024, this dimly-let pasta and wine haven has garnered a steady following for its comforting but upscale fare. Dishes span from bucatini al vongole and ricotta gnudi to ribeye with salsa verde and tuna crudo. Like the menu, the wine list offers a tour of Italy with stops in France, California and other respected regions, leaning toward low-intervention bottlings. The restaurant can seat up to 10 guests in the dining room, offering a prix fixe menu for parties between seven and ten guests, and it offers partial and full buyouts for those who want to host a crowd.

Who doesn’t love celebrating with shellfish towers and pét-nat? This Lowcountry-inspired seafood spot offers parties of up to ten people a chance to go elbow deep into oysters, clams, hush puppies and wood-fired seafood dishes paired with a solid selection of low-intervention wines from small producers and many lesser-known grapes. The vintage-feeling spot, which is housed in a former auto body shop, is lively and often packed with locals, adding to the convivial vibe. Make sure to finish off the festivities with an order of Sherylyn’s Derby Pie, a recipe passed down from chef Ari Kolender’s grandma.

It’s hard to beat Korean barbecue when planning dinner for a crowd. This retro-looking place, which opened in Chapman Plaza in early 2024, is currently one of the hottest tables in the neighborhood. Staff expertly guide parties large and small through cooking garlic-marinated short ribs, prime pork belly, and minced beef short rib patties (tteok galbi) on the tabletop grills. The set menus come with a selection of banchan that’s hard to beat, including the beloved corn cheese. And the beverage menu includes a wide range of rare offerings, from soju and beer to Korean, natural and locally produced wines. 

Groups are welcome and encouraged at both the original Osteria La Buca Melrose and its newer Sherman Oaks outpost. Unsurprisingly, the Valley location feels more spacious, with a large bar, banquettes, and rounded booths. And its traditional Italian osteria fare, including pizzas, bucatini carbonara, and a 32-ounce, bone-in bistecca fiorentina, is prime for sharing. Parties of more than nine are offered a prix-fixe, family style menu to work their way through the homey offerings.

As one of L.A.’s best watering holes, with serious wine pros overseeing the beverage program and a James Beard award-winning chef running the kitchen, ERB has a lot going for it on the party front. The by-the-glass list is unrivaled for such a casual spot and the bar food is extremely well done (the burger is one of the best in town). Dishes like the mojo pork sandwich, hamachi crudo, and vegan chorizo burger appeal to a wide range of palates and dietary preferences. The bar accepts bookings for parties of 10 online; larger groups should email for more info.

The type-A folks who can score a table for their celebration at this ever-popular Indian sports bar won’t regret the effort. (Here are our best tips on how to score a Resy.) Parties of up to eight can work through the genre-bending fare, like chef Miles Shorey’s infamous yellow wings, malai rigatoni, green chutney and saag pijjas, and whatever else sounds appealing (i.e. the entire menu) while getting lively in the fun and casual ambiance. 

This three-story Loz Feliz hotspot boasts serious vibes for a night out with the crew—along with fantastic mezcal cocktails to brighten the mood. The place hits all the Tulum design go-to’s with woven light fixtures and chairs, sleek concrete, and so much greenery that it feels like dining in a jungle. There’s plenty of room for groups to spread out, but the power move is to request a rooftop table. Admire the view of the Giffith Observatory with friends while passing around taco arabes, ceviches, and other small plates. Tables for up to seven can be booked on Resy, and larger groups should call the restaurant directly. 

At Night + Market, chef Kris Yenbamroong’s goal is to “facilitate drinking and fun-having amongst friends.” Given the premise, it should come as no surprise that this is a fantastic place to celebrate in a party-like atmosphere with flavorful Thai fare. Make sure to sample the crispy rice salad, pad Thai (one of the city’s best), party wings, and spicy as-hell papaya salad (consider ordering mild). Parties of more than seven require a preset menu, which makes it easier to share and split the bill (contact the restaurant directly to discuss). 

The upscale robata-style restaurant combines trendy design with inherently shareable robatayaki fare grilled over binchotan charcoal, along with sashimi, sushi, and other Japanese hits. Parties of up to ten can pick and choose from easily shareable dishes like lobster garlic noodles, skewered chicken meatballs, Brussels sprouts, and yellowtail in garlic ponzu. The sprawling restaurant boasts a stylish dining room bedecked with foliage and a large bar and lounge. 

Executive chef Antonia Lofaso has transformed this former banana-packing warehouse into a lively Latin American dinner destination that feels like it’s been plucked straight out of Cartagena. The sultry spot is massive, with an expansive outdoor patio, three private terraces, and a sleek indoor lounge, all of which can accommodate large groups. Book a table for up to eight and order a bunch of Caribbean-inspired small plates like empanadas, lamb chops, and oxtail tostadas while sipping on refreshing pina coladas and daiquiris. 

This bright and airy restaurant in L.A.’s historic West Adams neighborhood is one of the city’s foremost purveyors of soul food, with a distinctly California twist. Southern-style dishes are prepared with a lighter touch, allowing local ingredients to shine in favorites such as the cornbread, black-eyed pea fritters, and oxtails and rice. Those flavorful classics are paired with creative cocktails and a great wine list in a cozy setting that’s ideal for mingling with groups. Parties of nine or more must pre-order a family-style menu indoors or on the lovely patio — making it easier to sample as many of the dishes as possible.

Hidden away in an industrial nook of Santa Monica near Bergamot Station, Birdie G’s looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a downtown warehouse — until you actually walk in. While the setting is urban and sleek, the vibe is more like one giant dinner party. Chef Jeremy Fox’s menu reflects his Eastern European roots, with Midwestern-style comfort fare (through a California lens, of course). Dishes like the relish tray with pickled vegetables and five-onion dip, a richly flavored matzo ball soup, and a bright pink gelatin-enhanced rose petal pie offer cheffy takes on classics all made with local and sustainable ingredients. Larger parties should opt for a family-style menu that costs $79 per guest and features the greatest hits of the current menu.

The pro move at Majordōmo is to bring as many people as you possibly can, so you can sink into the smoked half bo ssam (which feeds four to five) and the whole plate short rib with beef rice (that one feeds five to six). The sprawling, handsomely appointed space, and those heaping party platters, make David Chang’s L.A. outpost one of the city’s best restaurants for groups. While you’re at it, make sure to also work your way through small plates and the bings — toasty Chinese flatbreads served with toppings ranging from pig head terrine to cave-aged butter and caviar. Tables for up to nine can be reserved via Resy, but larger groups should call 322-545-4880.

Nancy Silverton protégé Matt Molina helms the kitchen at this Cal-Mediterranean Highland Park hot spot that quickly racked up a devoted local following. The restaurant boasts an industrial vibe with high wood-paneled ceilings, concrete floors, and simple pendant lights. However, the food, which consists mostly of crudos, pastas, and meat cooked on the grill (paired with creative cocktails and an impressive list of organic, biodynamic, and natural wines), is warm and rustic — ideal for family-style meals for groups of 10 and up.

Since 1988, Carousel has been considered the hub of Glendale’s Armenian community, and with good reason. The sprawling restaurant and banquet hall is regularly filled with large tables of friends and families — Kardashian clan included — sharing huge spreads of Middle Eastern and Armenian mezza such as hummus, tabbouleh, kebabs, and more. While Carousel offers a wide selection of a la carte options, most large parties opt for the family-style combos, which can feed up to 40 (yes, 40). Depending on when you go, you might find your group surrounded by a mob of belly dancers and other entertainers. What could possibly feel more celebratory? 

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