Getting a top-notch reservation in Miami can be hard enough already, but it’s even more difficult when you’re a party of 8 or more.
Whether you’re planning a bachelor(ette) party, corporate event or any other celebration, chances are that you are part of a large group if you’re riding on a Double Black party bus and need a restaurant that can accommodate you.
There are three different types of dining experiences that could potentially work for your large group and chances are that you will use a combination of them if you are staying in the Magic City for multiple nights.
We will cover the pros and cons of each as well as some of our favorite restaurants in each category!
Private Dining Room
There’s nothing better than a private dining room for a large group of friends eating together. The extra privacy allows you to be as loud as you want, without disrupting fellow patrons.
The setting of the table will also be designed for large groups so you won’t have to worry about pushing tables together or cramming people on the ends.
Restaurants also tend to assign their most experienced servers to the private dining rooms because of the large gratuities.
Unfortunately, this does not all come cheap.
The most significant downside to booking a private dining room is the cost. Not only are most private rooms in Miami at really expensive restaurants but they also often have spending minimums over the average cost of dinner at their establishment.
These can range from $50 – $200 a person and restaurants will often take a deposit down to ensure you don’t cancel. For this reason, we recommend only one private dining room reservation per trip.
The first night is usually the best for it because everyone will still (hopefully) have it together and not cause a scene or harass the staff. Here are our favorite private dining rooms in Miami:
COTE
Not many steakhouses have michelin stars anywhere in the country and Cote has them in multiple locations for good reason.
This is one of the few pre-fixe steakhouses we’ve ever been to and any meat-loving group would be ecstatic to have this on their weekend’s itinerary.
They have two beautiful private dining rooms and an extremely attentive staff, backed by high-quality meats.
What more can you ask for?
Zuma
One of the liveliest restaurants in all of Miami, Zuma serves delicious sushi and food cooked off of the robata grill.
They also having a private dining room and a private terrace that can both be reserved for large parties.
The drinks are strong and the staff is extremely friendly, but your bill might not be!
Dirty French
Any one of Major Food Group’s restaurants would serve as an unforgettable meal for your next large group reservation in Miami.
In case you’re unaware, they’re the proud owners of Carbone and have been dominating fine dining across the world for the last decade.
Dirty French is a glamorous, high-energy steakhouse with tiger striped couches and neon valet.
Standard Large Reservation
Not every restaurant has a private dining room, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take large reservations.
Some restaurants will still accommodate parties up to 15 – 20 people by just putting a lot of tables together.
This does not provide the same intimate experience as a private dining room but it is often cheaper and easier to plan. Here are some of our favorite Miami restaurants that allow large groups:
Santorini by Giorgios
Is there anything more fun than smashing plates on the floor while eating delicious greek food?
Just be careful because the portions are more than generous at Santorini’s, making this a great place to start your trip so you have leftovers for the rest of the weekend!
The lobster here is as good as anywhere and the terrace has a great ambience.
Versailes
You’re going to want a cuban lunch at some point over the weekend, and Versailles is the place to have it!
They are absolute pros at accommodating large groups and can have you in and out as quick as you’d like.
This place has been a Miami icon for decades and we’re confident it will continue to hold its place in the heart of locals and tourists alike for decades to come.
Tropical Chinese
While chinese might not be the first cuisine that comes to mind when you think of Miami’s pristine beaches, Tropical Chinese is still worth a visit if your group loves dim sum.
Just a heads up that their brunch service is extremely chaotic among a flurry of dishes and servers.
Counter Service
Walking up and ordering at the counter can be a great option for breakfast and lunch when you’re with a big group.
This way you don’t have to make a reservation or split the check a dozen ways.
There are also a handful of dinner spots with counter service, the only trouble is finding enough seating for your entire group.
That’s why we recommend eating at these establishments during the slower hours of the day (earlier than 5:30 pm or later than 8:30 pm). Our favorite counter service restaurants in Miami are:
Rice Mediterranean Kitchen
Served day and night, this is a great healthy option for people who love mediterranean food. We recommend the lunch special!
Taco Stand
You know it’s good if they can call themselves The Taco Stand in a city with hundreds of taco stands!
This place has a long list of tacos and delicious fillings as well as a side of Mar y Tierra fries that are topped with carne asada, shrimp, queso, guacamole and crema.
Avo Miami
Another great healthy option, Avo offers a ton of power bowls with salmon and lentils.
They also have delicious shakes and are located right off of Miami beach.
Conclusion: Dining with a Big Group
We hope this guide has given you some ideas for your next culinary journey through Miami with a large group.
Foodwise, it is hard to go wrong in the Magic City but being part of a large group definitely has its constraints.
The best thing you can do is plan ahead and make those reservations early. Because trust us, there are hundreds of groups looking for a similar table as you!
And don’t forget if you need large group transportation, book a Miami party bus with us!