Dining Options for Your Special Day in the Big Apple
If you’re searching for the best birthday restaurants in NYC for your big celebration, then you’ve come to the right place.
Finding the best restaurants in NYC for birthday celebrations can be tricky, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
I’ve rounded up a huge list of amazing spots that will take large groups, serve amazing food, and even a few that offer all-you-can-eat options!
Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly birthday restaurants in NYC or upscale options for a sophisticated night, I’ve got you covered.
Celebrate Another Trip Around the Sun in NYC
Il Buco
- Website: ilbuco.com
- Address: 47 Bond St, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Closest Subway station: Bleeker St
- What I’d order: Costello di Maiale
First on my list of the best restaurants in NYC for birthday celebrations, it’s Il Buco.
This adorable and charming restaurant is located in between Soho and Noho, and it’s one of the most whimsical and beautifully decorated restaurants in the city. Everything about dining here feels special.
Menu-wise, you’ll find delicious Italian food. The food echos tradition, and the ingredients keep the integrity of old-style cooking, whilst the dishes are interesting and fresh.
Gemma
- Website: theboweryhotel.com
- Address: 335 Bowery, New York, NY 10003, United States
- Closest Subway station: Bleeker St, 2nd Ave
- What I’d order: Pappardelle, short rib ragout, and rosemary
Next on my list is the lovely Gemma. This big restaurant is located in the Bowery Hotel and it’s always a hit.
Stepping foot in Gemma is like entering a charming, European tavern, and we love the vibe.
They have some big tables and booths for groups, and the energy here makes it a pretty great choice for your special day.
The food here is Italian, so expect pasta dishes, European-style salads and appetizers.
Chanson
- Website: patisseriechanson.com
- Address: 20 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10010, United States
- Closest Subway station: 23rd St
- What I’d order: Grilled Croque Monsieur
Chanson is next on my list of the best birthday restaurants in NYC. Except this is slightly different to the rest.
This gorgeous patisserie in Tribeca, is a better choice for daytime diners, so perfect if you’re looking to book a birthday brunch or lunch!
This is also the perfect choice for the best restaurants in NYC for birthday celebrations, especially if you have a little bit of a sweet tooth!
This dessert bar won’t serve up pasta or pizza, but they will satisfy any sweet cravings you’ve got!
Read more NYC food recommendations: Upscale restaurants in NYC
Lamalo
- Website: lamalonyc.com
- Address: 11 E 31st St, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Closest Subway station: 33rd St
- What I’d order: The daily spread!
Next up on my list of the best places to celebrate your birthday in New York City, it’s the magical Lamalo, who serve up modern middle-eastern cuisine.
I dined here recently, and have nothing but good things to say, it was so lovely! And so unique!
We were in a group of six friends, and the sharing concept and family-style food was simply perfection. Everyone loved it.
We loved leaning in, trying all kinds of dips and spreads, tucking into each others dishes, and recommending combinations – it was so much fun!
This is such an amazing pick for a birthday celebration and I know you’re going to love it especially if you love ‘discovering’ something a bit different and unique.
Chinese Tuxedo Chinatown
- Website: chinesetuxedo.com
- Address: 5 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013, United States
- Closest Subway station: Canal St, East Broadway
- What I’d order: a selection of dim sum, whole crispy snapper
Next up, it’s the indulgent and glamorous Chinese Tuxedo.
Chinese Tuxedo is a great choice for a birthday celebration in NYC if you’re looking for something a bit swanky, that feels like a big deal.
The two-level restaurant oozes drama, and the decor and food is dramatic to match too. It used to be an old opera house… which is probably why this place feels so dramatic!
We also love their big booth seating, which is ideal for birthdays and celebrations.
Dante
- Website: dante-nyc.com
- Address: 79-81 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Closest Subway station: Houston St
- What I’d order: Roasted branzino with salmoriglio sauce & zucchini
If you’re looking for something a little different for your birthday dinner in NYC then I think my next suggestion will be right up your street.
Dante is one of Greenwich Village’s most loved spots, and it’s a cross between charming cafe and popular cocktail bar.
The menu is Italian-inspired, but you’ll find a really nice variety of dishes on there. Personally, we love the flatbreads and the salads, but you’ll find things like pasta, steak and desserts on there too.
Tip: Be sure to book ahead as it’s very popular.
Read more about NYC food: Options for brunch in NYC.
Cow Girl
- Website: cowgirlnyc.com
- Address: 519 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, United States
- Closest Subway station: Christopher St
- What I’d order: State fair corn dogs, Sherry’s fried chicken
Cowgirl is our next suggestion for your birthday. This themed western bar and restaurant is a lot of fun, and we think it’s an ideal choice for celebrating.
The decor, the BBQ food, the cocktails (specifically margaritas!), it’s all 10/10.
The staff here are also absolutely lovely (I know from experience!) and I know they’ll give any birthday group a big welcome and make the night extra special for you!
This is a great pick for your birthday night out, it’s fun, lively and really unique too.
L’Abeille
- Website: labeille.nyc
- Address: 412 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013, United States
- Closest Subway station: Canal St
- What I’d order: Chef’s tasting menu
Next up on my list, it’s L’abeille. And it’s special, having been there with friends.
This Michelin-starred restaurant is a fantastic choice for your birthday or celebration, especially if you want to push the boat out and opt for something super special. Maybe for your 21st, 30th or 40th…
As you can imagine, the food and service here is perfection. Every dish is considered, every flavor belongs, and every moment was magical.
The staff are experts at their craft, and it makes for an incredible birthday night out in NYC. This is definitely one of the best options for a birthday celebration in NYC!
Emmett’s on Grove
- Website: emmettsongrove.com
- Address: 39 Grove St, New York, NY 10014, United States
- Closest Subway station: Christopher St-Sheridan Sq or W 4 St-Wash Sq
- What I’d order: Baby back ribs, Hot Papi Pizza
Emmett’s on Grove is another amazing location for your next birthday celebration in New York. This pizzeria is a sure-fire hit, and your friends will love it.
Emmett’s on Grove is known for their incredible pizzas, so if your friends love pizza, this will be a hit for your birthday night.
A cozy and cute choice.
The Dutch
- Website: thedutchnyc.com
- Address: 131 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Closest Subway station: Spring St
- What I’d order: Israeli mezze plate
The Dutch is my next suggestion. This beloved neighborhood restaurant will make your birthday feel extra special.
They’re known for their oysters mainly, so if you’re feeling a little fancy, and want to celebrate your birthday with oysters, then this is a great pick.
You’ll also find an array of perfectly cooked entrees on their menu; we personally love the smoked ricotta ravioli, and the pecan duck.
Read more NYC recommendations: Great options for happy hours on the upper west side!
The Boil
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/the.boil/
- Address: 17 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10003, United States
- Closest Subway station: 8 St-NYU
- What I’d order: Seafood boil
The Boil is a great option and it’s unlikely to disappoint.
It’s best known for serving incredible Cajun-style seafood and bags of crab legs and lobster for the ultimate seafood boil.
Everything melts in your mouth, and the enviable Astoria Location makes it one of the best choices for a trendy celebration in Manhattan.
This has to be one of the best restaurants in NYC for birthday celebrations, especially for seafood lovers!
Pastis
- Website: pastisnyc.com
- Address: 52 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014, United States
- Closest Subway station: 14 St / 8 Av
- What I’d order: Heirloom Tomato Salad, and Half Roasted Chicken
Pastis is next up on my list of birthday restaurants in NYC and it’s slap-bang in the middle of NYC’s Meatpacking District.
It’s a bougie representation of Paris’s classic bistros, and the high-energy atmosphere paired with the chic feel makes it one of the options for a birthday restaurant – hands down!
This French brasserie is suitable for everything from lunch to boozy dinners, so don’t miss out.
Sugar Freak
- Website: sugarfreak.com
- Address: 37-11 30th Ave., Queens, NY 11103, United States
- Closest Subway station: 30 Av
- What I’d order: shrimp po’ boy
Are you on the hunt for a restaurant that is laid-back with a New Orleans vintage feel?
If so, you’ll LOVE Sugar Freak.
This Astoria restaurant nails Southern flavors, cocktails, and comfort food, making it one of my top restaurants in NYC for a girly brunch.
Just remember to book a table in advance if you choose this as the best restaurant in NYC for birthday celebrations! It’s super popular!
Read more NYC food recommendations: Places to go and grab breakfast in NYC
Oceana
- Website: oceanarestaurant.com
- Address: 120 W 49th St, New York, NY 10020, United States
- Closest Subway station: 49 St
- What I’d order: Seared Halibut or chef’s tasting menu
Next up on my list is Oceana in Midtown. This place serves up some of the best seafood in Midtown!
Oceana is a great choice if you’re looking for birthday restaurants in the Midtown area, especially Midtown restaurants with a little flair and fanciness.
Ocean definitely feels like a special occasion, and we think you’ll love it. Oh, and they have nice big booth tables for larger birthday groups, making it an ideal choice for special birthday nights out!
Quality Meats
- Website: qualitymeatsnyc.com
- Address: 57 W 58th St, New York, NY 10019, United States
- Closest Subway station: 57 St or 5 Av/59 St
- What I’d order: QM Dry-Aged Prime Tomahawk Ribsteak
Next, it’s the wonderful Quality Meats. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the whole city – birthday or no birthday! And it’s my husband’s. We just love it and go here every time that we visit New York.
Now, if you love steak… and you want to celebrate your birthday with a t-bone (not a cupcake) this might be the best birthday restaurant in NYC for you!
This place is definitely somewhere for a special night out, the atmosphere and energy oozes ‘special occasion’. And the quality of the food matches that too!
It’s my favorite steakhouse in the city, and also the best mashed potato in the city too! A great choice for a special occasion and guarantees a gorgeous night out too.
Lola Taverna
- Website: lolataverna.com
- Address: 210 6th Ave, New York, NY 10014, United States
- Closest Subway station: Spring St
- What I’d order: A big selection of mezze!
If you’re looking for a restaurant that serves incredible Greek fusion cuisine, then you’re bound to love Lola Taverna.
This Manhattan spot is perfect for a rowdy birthday dinner with your closest friends as you can chow down on Gyro bao buns and sip drinks until late.
And if you want to commemorate the moment on your Insta feed, this is one of the birthday restaurants in NYC with an amazing flower setup out back!
Skirt Steak
- Website: skirtsteaknyc.com
- Address: 835 6th Ave, New York, NY 10001, United States
- Closest Subway station: 28 St
- What I’d order: Prix Fixe menu
Skirt Steak is a gorgeous dining choice for celebrating your birthday in New York.
From the delicious menu to the unlimited fries (yup – you read that right!), this is one of our top picks for meat lovers who appreciate a dash of Bearnaise sauce on their steaks.
We’re salivating already!
If your friends or family like to chow down on steak, then this place is definitely going to be a hit. The sharing side of thing, makes it feel really special too.
Kyu NYC
- Website: www.kyurestaurants.com/location/kyu-nyc/
- Address: 324 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Closest Subway station: Bleeker St
- What I’d order: Duck breast ‘burnt ends’, and Korean Fried Chicken
Kyu NYC is an incredibly successful spot in NYC that deserves a spot on my list for sure
Not only does it serve delectable Asian dishes made on a wood-fired BBQ, but the interior is intimate, cozy, and ideal for upscale birthday dinners.
And if you need restaurants for your birthday in NYC that can support large parties – be sure to call ahead!
They’re always willing to accommodate you if you can give enough notice, making it a great choice for this list!
Boqueria W40th
- Website: boqueriarestaurant.com/tapas-bar-nyc-west-40th/
- Address: 260 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018, United States
- Closest Subway station: Times Square- 42 St
- What I’d order: Lots of different picks from the tapas section!
If you’re looking for delicious Spanish Tapas, and fancy celebrating your birthday with Sangria… then consider the search over with Boqueria.
You can expect classic small plates like paella and croquetas, but the craft cocktails are where the party gets started.
There’s something about sharing food together that feels extra celebratory, which is why i think this place is ideal for birthday celebrations.
Oh, and this is one of the birthday restaurants in NYC with several locations city-wide.
So, just take your pick and book a table!
Read more NYC recommendations: Our top 23 themed restaurants in NYC
Maison Pickle
- Website: www.maisonpickle.com
- Address: 2315 Broadway, New York, NY 10024, United States
- Closest Subway station: 86 St
- What I’d order: Spicy honey fried chicken and french toast
If you’re looking an option on the Upper West Side, then I can’t recommend Maison Pickle enough!
The food here is amazing, the setting is great, and the staff are super friendly. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in the city actually!
I don’t need an excuse to visit, I might not be patient enough to wait until my birthday!
Personally, I’d be going for the French Dip, or the Friday Chicken and French Toast. Yummmm!
Tip: I’d actually recommend Maison Pickle for a ‘birthday brunch’ rather than a birthday dinner – because their brunch menu absolutely kills it. Everything on there is 10/10.
Lil’ Frankie’s
- Website: lilfrankies.com
- Address: 19 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003, United States
- Closest Subway station: 2 Av
- What I’d order: La Pala Pizza, and Handmade Spinach Gnocchi Pomodoro
If you’re hanging around the East Village this year, then you’ll want to head to Lil’ Frankie’s to get your Italian fix.
It’s a great choice for the birthday groups, but it’s probably more suited to smaller groups – as there isn’t a lot of space here.
This is among my favorite restaurants for birthday, and it serves everything from huge portions of spaghetti to perfect wood-fired pizzas.
Perfect for keeping everyone int he group happy and fulfilled with their meal.
Red Rooster
- Website: redroosterharlem.com
- Address: 310 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10027, United States
- Closest Subway station: 125 St
- What I’d order: Lenox Smash Burger, Yardbird By The Piece
Although Red Rooster is one of the best birthday restaurants in NYC, it is slightly out of the way in Harlem. Although it’s a total keeper, trust us!
Not only is there a resident DJ who keeps the discs spinning each night (with soul and funk!), but the food is amazing.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a dedicated area for groups to make things easy!
Kyma
- Website: kymarestaurants.com
- Address: 15 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011, United States
- Closest Subway station: 18th St
- What I’d order: Greek salad and watermelon salad
Kyma is one of my top picks for birthday restaurants in NYC that can accommodate large groups at short notice.
It has a nice central location, but the fact that there’s always plenty of space in the dining room is ideal for quieter birthday dinners.
Everything from the seafood tower to the delicious fresh fish is divine.
So, if you need a restaurant for your birthday, especially for seafood lovers, this is the place to book.
Let’s Meat
- Website: letsmeatnyc.com
- Address: 307 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Closest Subway station: 33 St
- What I’d order: Lots of different meats for the BBQ!
Not only is Let’s Meat one of the best spots for Korean BBQ in NYC, but it’s one of my favorite birthday restaurants in NYC!
Guests always love the all-you-can-eat layout and it’s also perfect for introverts who want to cap their birthday celebrations at 100 minutes of eating time.
Hey, no judgment here – we get it!
Rolo’s
- Website: www.rolosnyc.com
- Address: 853 Onderdonk Ave, Queens, NY 11385, United States
- Closest Subway station: Forest Av
- What I’d order: housemade mortadella, stracciatella cheese, cheesy potato croquettes, ricotta cavatelli
Looking for somewhere that serves delicious American dishes and great desserts? Consider the search over with Rolo’s!
This popular spot is incredibly easygoing, hosts a DJ on certain nights, and serves wonderful cocktails too.
So, if you’d like to dance the night away until closing, this is one of the birthday restaurants in NYC that has you covered.
Benare’s
- Website: benaresnyc.com
- Address: 45 Murray Street, New York, NY 10007, United States
- Closest Subway station: Chambers St
- What I’d order: Andhra Chicken Curry, Butter Chicken, Aloo Paratha
Next, let’s look at Benare’s.
Being from the UK, I absolutely love curry and Indian food, and the Indian food at Benare’s is certainly some of the best I’ve tried in New York.
If you love Indian food, then you’re going to love celebrating your special day at Benare’s!
The food is ideal for sharing, I love ordering lots of different curries, breads, dips and side dishes and just diving in! That way, you get to try a little of everything.
We also love their big booth seating, which are ideal for hosting big birthday celebrations!
Shuka
- Website: www.shukanewyork.com
- Address: 38 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Closest Subway station: Spring St
- What I’d order: different mezze dishes, including hummus, fattoush salad, labne, meatballs
Next on my list of the great options to celebrate your birthday in NYC, it’s Shuka!
This contemporary Mediterranean Restaurant is a South Village staple and it’s just so darn cute.
From the stylish blue exterior to the quaint floor-to-ceiling windows and immaculate plates, this is one of those birthday restaurants in NYC you can’t beat.
This place is light, bright, and friendly – so it’s a lovely casual option for birthday celebrations too!
Insa
- Website: insabrooklyn.com
- Address: 328 Douglass St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
- Closest Subway station: Union St
- What I’d order: Corn Cheese Gratin, Kkot Deung-shim
Insa is a wonderful Korean BBQ restaurant in NYC that’s cool, casual, and ideal for low-key birthdays.
You can expect this place to accommodate large groups and get you served quickly, ideal for a birthday night or day out.
Also, there’s something so fun about having Korean BBQ on your birthday. It’s memorable and special, and perfect for making memories.
It’s one of the reasons I love Korean BBQ so much!
And to make things even more celebration-worthy, there’s a karaoke bar attached to the restaurant for post-dinner revelry!
Playa Betty’s
- Website: playabettys.com
- Address: 320 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10023, United States
- Closest Subway station: 72nd St
- What I’d order: Short rib and egg taco
We adore Playa Betty’s for its beachy vibes, Mexican/Californian fusion fare, and amazing Happy Hour deals.
Although we’ll never turn down their amazing veggie bowls or tacos, what makes this one of my top picks are the drinks.
Margaritas? Check. Bottomless Brunch? You bet!
It’s a fantastic pick for birthdays, so make sure you book a table online before heading down.
Fish Cheeks
- Website: www.fishcheeksnyc.com
- Address: 55 Bond St, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Closest Subway station: Bleecker St
- What I’d order: Zabb wings, grilled pork cheeks, pla pao, len saeb
To round off my list, a place that’ll make turning older feel easier, we’ve got Fish Cheeks.
This Thai restaurant is a budget-friendly spot that’s tucked away in the vibrant Noho area, and I absolutely love it.
First of all, this place is nice. and big, with plenty of seating – which is ideal for birthday celebrations and big groups of friends.
Secondly, the food here is immaculate, and there’s lots of choice too (not just for fish lovers).
Serving perfect seafood and super-spicy dishes that every guest will love, it’s a lovely option for your celebrations.
Image credit: https://www.instagram.com/fishcheeksnyc/
