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A wood-covered room features several tables covered in white table clothes adorned with silverware and glasses. A fireplace sits in the background.
One of two dining rooms upstairs at Gage & Tollner.
Gage & Tollner

14 Hidden Gem Private Dining Rooms in NYC

From cozy wine cellars to whole restaurant buyouts and basically everything in between

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One of two dining rooms upstairs at Gage & Tollner.
| Gage & Tollner

Space is a prized, rare commodity in NYC, and that’s particularly true when it comes to dining options for a private party. There are plenty of excellent group dining options for that big birthday dinner or family reunion feast, but for a meal that merits a truly special, intimate space, a private (or semi-private) area is necessary.

This doesn’t come cheap, with most places requiring minimum spends per person or for the full party, and, in some cases, room fees on top of that. But there are some hidden gems in the private dining department that aren’t exorbitant. Ahead, 14 restaurants around NYC with noteworthy private or semi-private dining spaces worthy of a party.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Café China

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Enjoy dumplings, tea-smoked duck, mapo tofu, cumin lamb, and more at this Murray Hill classic. The new location of Cafe China features three stories, with five rooms for private parties, from 12 to 50 diners. The largest space on the third floor features an arched window that overlooks the city. Book Express online, which allows for quick pricing and matter-of-fact ordering, versus White Glove, for which a staffer tends to the event-planning details of your gathering.

A room with tables to the right, beaded curtains, art on the walls and hanging lamps.
The interior of the relocated Cafe China.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Keens Steakhouse

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With four private dining rooms and no shortage of old-world charm, Keens starts at $85 for lunch and $149 for dinner for private dining. Reserve the 25-spot Lillie Langtry, named for the first woman to dine here, a room that features early American color lithographs. Other charming spots include the Bull Moose Room (a nod to President Theodore Roosevelt) with paneled walls, a working fireplace, and space for 35 diners.

Groups of people sit at tables in a low-light restaurant whose walls are lined with photos
The interior of Keens Steakhouse.
Eater NY

M. Wells

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This Montreal-inspired Long Island City steakhouse is known just as much for its decadent cuts as it is for some lesser-seen types of meat such as shark, organ meats, and nutria. The Ostrich Room decor is equally sumptuous, with a burlesque vibe that includes colorful curtains, a Pompeii-esque wall mural, and bronze-cast ostrich legs. Through the corrugated gate of the private room, M. Wells fits around 20-30 people.

The private dining room at M. Wells Steakhouse, with red walls, long tables in the middle, and booths along the walls
M. Wells Steakhouse is home to the glamorous Ostrich Room.
M. Wells Steakhouse

El Quijote

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Inside the relaunched Hotel Chelsea, there are several private rooms that offer a slice of New York history. Spanish spot in the lobby, El Quijote has a semi-private wine room for 6-10 guests, while the whole restaurant can be booked and fits 70. There’s also a larger ballroom space that can accommodate parties up to 150.

Two rows of tables set up for private dining at the Hotel Chelsea.
A slice of New York history.
Annie Schlechter/Hotel Chelsea

Rule of Thirds

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Greenpoint Japanese restaurant Rule of Thirds has several private spaces for groups. The adjoining event room can fit up to 250 guests, and be expanded to 450 with a full buyout. There are also private rooms for 8-30. More information is listed on the Rule of Thirds website.

An industrial looking room is filled with long tables and seats.
Rule of Thirds has a massive events space.
Rule of Thirds

Peasant

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Fans of the city’s wood-fired cooking scene can rejoice at chef Marc Forgione’s private dining area at Peasant. Downstairs there is a candle-lit wine cellar that can hold 35 diners seated and additional guests standing.

A private dinner party with a cavernous feel.
A private dinner party with a cavernous feel.
Clay Williams

This Italian and Japanese restaurant from the Wayla team was a hit when it opened during the pandemic. Diners looking for a more private experience at Kimika can reserve space for parties of up to 12 people at a table hidden behind an orange curtain.

The private dining zone at Kimika is hidden behind an orange curtain.
The private dining zone at Kimika is hidden behind a curtain
Nicole Franzen/Kimika

Pig and Khao

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Chef Leah Cohen’s excellent Southeast Asian restaurant can accommodate private parties in its back area. It seats up to 38 people, with a party-style menu that features some of the restaurant’s best hits.

A dining room with four colorful murals on the wall and mahogany wood tables
Try the best of chef Leah Cohen’s cooking.
Pig and Khao

Canary Club

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New Orleans-style restaurant and music lounge Canary Club offers a private room — plus a private bathroom — that accommodates up to 18 people. A prix fixe menu is available, and customers have the option to choose their own music during their booking. In addition, the downstairs bar is also bookable for groups up to 25.

Orange and red walls cloak the walls at this private dining room with a central wooden table with chairs and table ware.
A New Orleans-influenced private dining option.
Canary Club

At this pizza palace for all things sourdough, there are two areas of the restaurant: the main dining room and an adjoining slice shop — the latter of which can be rented out for private gatherings. What better way to celebrate than with clam pies and some of the city’s best soft serve. Email hello@leo-nyc.com for more information.

Falansai

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Vietnamese American hot spot Falansai has a private dining room dubbed the “music room,” where the vibes are “stuntin,” according to the restaurant. The cozy space is adjacent to the main dining room and seats up to 11 people. Buyouts for the whole restaurant are also available.

A private dining room with a wooden table, table ware, and colorful posters fills the room at Falansai.
The Music Room is one of Bushwick’s best private dining rooms.
Falansai

Gage & Tollner

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In addition to the upstairs speakeasy-ish bar, Sunken Harbor Club, that’s located inside the well-reviewed Gage & Tollner, the esteemed, historic restaurant also features two private dining rooms. Upstairs, there’s the Edna Lewis Room, which can seat up to 30 patrons, which can be combined with the Dolphin Bar to accommodate up to 50. A three-course dinner menu is priced at $160, with options for additional add-ons, including celebratory cakes.

A wood-covered room features several tables and a bar.
Reserve for a large party at this historic restaurant.
Gage & Tollner

Brooklyn Hots

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Brooklyn Hots is one of the hottest restaurants in Brooklyn right now — in part because of their much-discussed trash plates, an interpretation of the Rochester, New York staple. Guests interested in private dining at Brooklyn Hots can rent out the entire space with a 20-guest capacity. The package includes all-you-can-eat food and two cases of wine from its neighboring sibling wine shop, Radicle. It costs $5,000 for Friday and Saturday, and $4,250 for all other days of the week. To reserve, email brian@brooklynhots.com.

Brooklyn Hots features several wood and metal seats clustered around a wood paneled bar with a metal top.
Customers can buy out the entire Brooklyn Hots dining room for a taste of Rochester.
Adam Friedlander/Eater NY

Dinner Party

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Dinner party-style restaurants are increasingly a trend in New York City, where guests often flock to be seated at group tables and possibly make new friends. But if you want to keep it to just your crew, Dinner Party offers buy-outs of the restaurant for up to 22 customers (split into 12 indoor, 10 in the solarium). From Tuesday — Thursday, buyouts will run you $2,500, with $4,000 Friday and Saturday, which includes a set menu plus, a specialty cocktail, two wine pairings, and tea/coffee. For customizations to the menu, the price is slightly higher. More information about what kind of private events the space accepts is listed online.

Café China

Enjoy dumplings, tea-smoked duck, mapo tofu, cumin lamb, and more at this Murray Hill classic. The new location of Cafe China features three stories, with five rooms for private parties, from 12 to 50 diners. The largest space on the third floor features an arched window that overlooks the city. Book Express online, which allows for quick pricing and matter-of-fact ordering, versus White Glove, for which a staffer tends to the event-planning details of your gathering.

A room with tables to the right, beaded curtains, art on the walls and hanging lamps.
The interior of the relocated Cafe China.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Keens Steakhouse

With four private dining rooms and no shortage of old-world charm, Keens starts at $85 for lunch and $149 for dinner for private dining. Reserve the 25-spot Lillie Langtry, named for the first woman to dine here, a room that features early American color lithographs. Other charming spots include the Bull Moose Room (a nod to President Theodore Roosevelt) with paneled walls, a working fireplace, and space for 35 diners.

Groups of people sit at tables in a low-light restaurant whose walls are lined with photos
The interior of Keens Steakhouse.
Eater NY

M. Wells

This Montreal-inspired Long Island City steakhouse is known just as much for its decadent cuts as it is for some lesser-seen types of meat such as shark, organ meats, and nutria. The Ostrich Room decor is equally sumptuous, with a burlesque vibe that includes colorful curtains, a Pompeii-esque wall mural, and bronze-cast ostrich legs. Through the corrugated gate of the private room, M. Wells fits around 20-30 people.

The private dining room at M. Wells Steakhouse, with red walls, long tables in the middle, and booths along the walls
M. Wells Steakhouse is home to the glamorous Ostrich Room.
M. Wells Steakhouse

El Quijote

Inside the relaunched Hotel Chelsea, there are several private rooms that offer a slice of New York history. Spanish spot in the lobby, El Quijote has a semi-private wine room for 6-10 guests, while the whole restaurant can be booked and fits 70. There’s also a larger ballroom space that can accommodate parties up to 150.

Two rows of tables set up for private dining at the Hotel Chelsea.
A slice of New York history.
Annie Schlechter/Hotel Chelsea

Rule of Thirds

Greenpoint Japanese restaurant Rule of Thirds has several private spaces for groups. The adjoining event room can fit up to 250 guests, and be expanded to 450 with a full buyout. There are also private rooms for 8-30. More information is listed on the Rule of Thirds website.

An industrial looking room is filled with long tables and seats.
Rule of Thirds has a massive events space.
Rule of Thirds

Peasant

Fans of the city’s wood-fired cooking scene can rejoice at chef Marc Forgione’s private dining area at Peasant. Downstairs there is a candle-lit wine cellar that can hold 35 diners seated and additional guests standing.

A private dinner party with a cavernous feel.
A private dinner party with a cavernous feel.
Clay Williams

Kimika

This Italian and Japanese restaurant from the Wayla team was a hit when it opened during the pandemic. Diners looking for a more private experience at Kimika can reserve space for parties of up to 12 people at a table hidden behind an orange curtain.

The private dining zone at Kimika is hidden behind an orange curtain.
The private dining zone at Kimika is hidden behind a curtain
Nicole Franzen/Kimika

Pig and Khao

Chef Leah Cohen’s excellent Southeast Asian restaurant can accommodate private parties in its back area. It seats up to 38 people, with a party-style menu that features some of the restaurant’s best hits.

A dining room with four colorful murals on the wall and mahogany wood tables
Try the best of chef Leah Cohen’s cooking.
Pig and Khao

Canary Club

New Orleans-style restaurant and music lounge Canary Club offers a private room — plus a private bathroom — that accommodates up to 18 people. A prix fixe menu is available, and customers have the option to choose their own music during their booking. In addition, the downstairs bar is also bookable for groups up to 25.

Orange and red walls cloak the walls at this private dining room with a central wooden table with chairs and table ware.
A New Orleans-influenced private dining option.
Canary Club

Leo

At this pizza palace for all things sourdough, there are two areas of the restaurant: the main dining room and an adjoining slice shop — the latter of which can be rented out for private gatherings. What better way to celebrate than with clam pies and some of the city’s best soft serve. Email hello@leo-nyc.com for more information.

Falansai

Vietnamese American hot spot Falansai has a private dining room dubbed the “music room,” where the vibes are “stuntin,” according to the restaurant. The cozy space is adjacent to the main dining room and seats up to 11 people. Buyouts for the whole restaurant are also available.

A private dining room with a wooden table, table ware, and colorful posters fills the room at Falansai.
The Music Room is one of Bushwick’s best private dining rooms.
Falansai

Gage & Tollner

In addition to the upstairs speakeasy-ish bar, Sunken Harbor Club, that’s located inside the well-reviewed Gage & Tollner, the esteemed, historic restaurant also features two private dining rooms. Upstairs, there’s the Edna Lewis Room, which can seat up to 30 patrons, which can be combined with the Dolphin Bar to accommodate up to 50. A three-course dinner menu is priced at $160, with options for additional add-ons, including celebratory cakes.

A wood-covered room features several tables and a bar.
Reserve for a large party at this historic restaurant.
Gage & Tollner

Brooklyn Hots

Brooklyn Hots is one of the hottest restaurants in Brooklyn right now — in part because of their much-discussed trash plates, an interpretation of the Rochester, New York staple. Guests interested in private dining at Brooklyn Hots can rent out the entire space with a 20-guest capacity. The package includes all-you-can-eat food and two cases of wine from its neighboring sibling wine shop, Radicle. It costs $5,000 for Friday and Saturday, and $4,250 for all other days of the week. To reserve, email brian@brooklynhots.com.

Brooklyn Hots features several wood and metal seats clustered around a wood paneled bar with a metal top.
Customers can buy out the entire Brooklyn Hots dining room for a taste of Rochester.
Adam Friedlander/Eater NY

Dinner Party

Dinner party-style restaurants are increasingly a trend in New York City, where guests often flock to be seated at group tables and possibly make new friends. But if you want to keep it to just your crew, Dinner Party offers buy-outs of the restaurant for up to 22 customers (split into 12 indoor, 10 in the solarium). From Tuesday — Thursday, buyouts will run you $2,500, with $4,000 Friday and Saturday, which includes a set menu plus, a specialty cocktail, two wine pairings, and tea/coffee. For customizations to the menu, the price is slightly higher. More information about what kind of private events the space accepts is listed online.

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