The Field Marketers Guide to the Top 10 Spots to Host a Dinner in NYC
New York City is renowned worldwide for its food and culture. Within this dazzling urban landscape, you can find some of the most exquisite and unique event spaces to wow your prospects and customers. Choosing the right venue is more than just finding a place to gather; it can make or break an event. An impressive venue sets the stage, captures the mood, and enhances the overall experience for attendees. According to a survey by Eventbrite, 64% of event professionals say the right venue is one of the most critical factors for a successful event. The list of the city’s top spots could go on forever, but we narrowed it down to some of the best to get you started.
Hudson Yards
Ci Siamo
Ci Siamo is a new venture by Danny Meyers, who is behind some of the most beloved and acclaimed restaurants in the city. Ci Siamo boasts house made pastas and live-fire cooking alongside a robust Italian wine list. There is a private dining room with its own dedicated bar and an outdoor terrace. The room has floor to ceiling windows and views of the Empire State Building.
Flatiron
Cote
Claimed to be NYC’s first Korean steakhouse, Cote blends the dining experience of Korean barbeque together with the hallmarks of a classic American steakhouse. They serve the highest quality USDA Prime beef, a 1200+ label wine list, and a suite of classic-but-creative cocktails.
Blackbarn
Blackbarn is an American restaurant and event venue overlooking Madison Square Park. It offers farm-to-table food sourced locally from farms in the tri-state area thanks to their partnerships with local farmers, artisans, and ranchers. A number of private dining rooms with a modern barn aesthetic serve up a sophisticated menu with fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Chelsea
El Quijote
El Quijote is a historic Spanish restaurant and tapas bar located in the Hotel Chelsea. It’s exuberantly decorated and is famous for the paella. It provides an intimate setting for small to larger groups - they can accommodate full buyouts or semi-private dining experiences in the wine cellar.
West Village
L’Artusi
L’Artusi remains one of the city’s most celebrated Italian restaurants. The trattoria does a modern take on traditional Italian cuisine including comforting pastas and elevated classics. The restaurant features two floors of comfortable banquette seating, an extended traditional bar, cheese bar and a chef's counter overlooking the open kitchen. Private dining opportunities are available in the 2500 bottle walk-in wine cellar which can fit 14, and semi-private options include an upstairs mezzanine that can host up to 50 for cocktails and seated events.
Little Owl the Townhouse
Little Owl the Townhouse is a unique event space with the same noteworthy style of service and Mediterranean cuisine as Little Owl restaurant. Little Owl Events offers full-service event design — from planning and production to catering, decor, florals, rentals, entertainment, and more. The townhouse was built in 1910 and is a beautiful, multi-level space. For a seated dinner, guests are invited down a small set of stairs to cocktails on the bar level and then invited upstairs for dinner. For a cocktail-style event, the party is hosted on a flow throughout the top two levels with a mix of high and low seating, depending on the guest count.
NoHo
Il Buco
Il Buco is a rustic and charming eatery serving an eclectic Mediterranean menu of Italian and Spanish farmhouse cuisine. Private dining is hosted in the wine cellar, which houses the restaurant’s wine collection and is full of rustic old-world charm.
Lafayette
Lafayette is an everyday grand café and bakery in the ceremony of French cooking. The main dining room, bakery, and two private dining suites are housed inside an iconic landmark NoHo building - interiors are rooted in traditional brasserie style with modern natural touches. Lafayette can accommodate groups of all different sizes for private dining from 8 to 150 guests.
Soho
Charlie Bird
Charlie Bird offers quality service in a hip setting. The private room is tucked behind the bar and can accommodate up to 14 guests. Charlie Bird is “Italian influenced, American executed and entirely New York.”
Financial District
Crown Shy
Crown Shy is located on the ground floor of an Art Deco building - the dining room and bar occupies a series of rooms with floor to ceiling windows leading to an open kitchen. The food is rooted in European technique with first-rate service to match. There are two private dining rooms that can be used either independently or together as a single space and each has dedicated entrances.
The Bottom Line
Every event, big or small, deserves a venue that can offer more than just space. It should resonate with the occasion, reflecting its purpose and spirit while offering guests an unforgettable experience. New York City is replete with exceptional venues that cater to a range of event styles and sizes. Each of these venues listed above offers something unique, reflecting the city's diverse and vibrant character. You can’t go wrong!
Ready to take your events to the next level?
PlanWell helps small-team marketers bring their event strategy to life. We’d love to serve as the team within your team and help elevate your event experience. To learn more about our services check out our full list. If you are interested in learning more, you can book a call here.
