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Sure bets for gathering with friends and family
Spacious settings, communal tables, and big energy. Heaping platters, brimming baskets, and bubbling pots. When it comes to group dining, size matters. In one way or another, these 18 places, listed geographically, aim to please a hungry crew, whether they’re primed for a casual chow down or prepped for an upscale night on the town.
Read MoreStews, soups, and starches of all kinds are made for family-style feasts at this homey Lakewood gem. From red red, chakalaka, and egusi to fufu, kenkey, and jollof rice, trying a little bit of everything with a band of fellow food fiends is the only way to go here.
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Among the Vietnamese-Cajun seafood joints that have been bubbling up across town for years now, this promising Lakewood arrival does it all: Not just crawfish and crab boils with corn and potatoes, not just baskets of fried shrimp or squid or even alligator, but also oyster platters, stir-fried snails, grilled lobster, and massive shellfish boats feeding up to seven people. The recent acquisition of a liquor license only sweetens the pot.
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No group-dining list would be complete without mention of a dim sum parlor — and this Athmar Park longtimer is the one to beat. Come early (10:30 a.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. on weekends) to avoid a wait for all the things on the ever-circulating carts: dumplings, buns, rice-crepe wraps, turnip cakes, egg tarts, and much, much more. Granted, it’s an equally solid bet at dinnertime, when a Cantonese extravaganza of seafood, clay-pot dishes, sizzling platters, and so on awaits.
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Located in a veritable banquet hall (it used to be a dim sum joint), this top spot for Vietnamese fare is obviously well equipped to handle large parties — and so, of course, is the wide-ranging menu, laden with such crowd pleasers as stir-fried whole crab; rice-paper wrap platters starring the likes of deep-fried sugarcane shrimp or lemongrass pork skewers; and fire pots bobbing with seafood of all kinds, from catfish to squid and mussels. (Reservations are recommended for six or more.)
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This eternal LoHi hot spot is all about convivial gatherings both out on the hopping patio and in a dining room bifurcated by communal tables. Behind them, the open kitchen turns out modern, seasonal Italian dishes for everybody to dig into with abandon: pizzas, pastas, generously portioned entrees like the pork chop milanese, and more. Reservations for 10 or more guests are required.
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Offering not just a meal but an immersive experience for all involved, the multicourse prix fixe tasting menu at Kelly Whitaker’s Sunnyside sensation — centered this season around buckwheat — is served inside or out in fireplace-equipped tents. Parties of more than six should contact the restaurant directly to book.
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Communal tables and bocce-ball courts start the party at this RiNo bierhalle, while hearty German fare keeps it going. From giant pretzels with three dips to the heaping grillwurst platter of sausages with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut to the smorgasbord, featuring schweinshaxe, roast chicken, and spaetzle, Rhein Haus Denver will satisfy whatever your group is craving. Reservations are recommended for eight or more.
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Feeding six to eight is a snap at Big Red F’s chicken shack in Rosedale (as well as LoHi, Boulder, Longmont, and Lafayette). Just order the Big Bubba Love, which comes with two fried birds, four large sides — think buttermilk waffles, green chile mac-and-cheese, and collard greens — and eight biscuits. An 88-ounce tower of beer from The Post’s own brewery should help to wash it all down.
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Located in the stately, high-ceilinged lobby of The Ramble Hotel, one of the city’s best cocktail lounges takes reservations for parties of seven to 10. Nothing like a table laden with wildly inventive drinks and eats meant for sharing — think chips and cola-braised onion dip, smoked trout with crispy hash brown, and mushroom fritters with horseradish aioli — smack in the midst of the action to foster a festive mood.
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For groups of eight or fewer, this pan-Latin fiesta right next door to Death & Co. is an adventure waiting to happen. Cover the table with small plates from the dim sum–inspired carts, including patatas bravas, fried pork wings, and ropa vieja, or dig into large-format dishes such as Yucatan-style braised pork with housemade tortillas or whole pan-roasted striped bass in red curry. Better yet, do both. (Just don’t do it at the height of the dinner rush: Super Mega Bien doesn’t take reservations, so come early or late to ensure seating.)
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This old-school Italian haunt in Wash Park (which now has a sibling in MacGregor Square) has been serving up family-style portions of red-sauce classics since long before it was cool — 1994, to be exact. Prepare to be plied with the large-format works: antipasti misti, sausage and peppers, chicken piccata, eggplant parmigiana, baked ziti, and other classics.
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From the famous hummus and the dazzling array of salatim (small shared plates) to hefty entrees like the pomegranate-braised lamb shank, there’s no place quite like Safta for breaking bread — or in this case pita — with a tight-knit crew. (Note that parties of eight to 14 will be seated at a semi-private table with a prix fixe Chef’s Menu, served family-style.)
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Opened in July by the family behind La Adelita Cocina y Cantina, this lively Mexican eatery and bar in Bonnie Brae already has a loyal following who make it feel like the neighborhood place to be as they gather around cocktails, appetizers like queso fundido and shrimp aguachile, and molcajetes brimming with goodies (take, for example, the Morisqueta featuring tomato- and garlic- braised pork ribs, black beans, rice, green onions, and two cheeses). Reservations for parties of six to 16 are a good idea, though walk-ins prepared for a possible wait are certainly welcome.
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Sprawling and high-energy, this all-American hangout in the 9+Co. development is just the ticket for a sizeable, spirited squad. Though it can’t hurt to book a reservation for groups of up to 12, the front-of-house crew aims to accommodate walk-ins no matter the number — while the back-of-house team whips up sociable stuff like BBQ pork-belly nachos, Detroit-style black truffle–mushroom pizza with smoked-onion Alfredo sauce, and monkey bread à la mode.
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There’s something about using one’s hands to scoop up a rainbow of meat stews, legumes, and greens with tangy, tender injera that makes the Ethiopian dining experience feel especially merry with a group, which this Montclair charmer can gladly accommodate (though it’s not a bad idea to confirm availability in advance).
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Chinese food served family-style is always a sure bet for a crowd. This Greenwood Village longtimer welcomes them with a slew of Shanghainese and Sichuan specialties, including tea-smoked duck, Dynasty fish with pine nuts, cumin lamb, and twice-cooked pork belly, as well as a few tables decked out with Lazy Susans.
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With eight different broths and some 50 ingredients to choose from — including crab, mussels, fatty beef, lamb, pumpkin, tofu skin, seaweed, dumplings, and glass noodles, just to name a few — this bustling all-you-can-eat hot pot spot serves up interactive feasts for groups of all sizes and ages, complete with a self-serve sauce and topping bar. Note that reservations for six or more are required on Friday and Saturday nights.
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From the banchan onward, Korean barbecue is a communal affair if ever there was one. Ordering’s easy here with combo packages that include multiple meats, a choice of stew, a pancake, and a bottle of soju — but that galbi, bulgogi, pork belly, and more are also available à la carte for supplementing with anything from spicy fish-egg soup to stir-fried squid with glass noodles.
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Stews, soups, and starches of all kinds are made for family-style feasts at this homey Lakewood gem. From red red, chakalaka, and egusi to fufu, kenkey, and jollof rice, trying a little bit of everything with a band of fellow food fiends is the only way to go here.
Among the Vietnamese-Cajun seafood joints that have been bubbling up across town for years now, this promising Lakewood arrival does it all: Not just crawfish and crab boils with corn and potatoes, not just baskets of fried shrimp or squid or even alligator, but also oyster platters, stir-fried snails, grilled lobster, and massive shellfish boats feeding up to seven people. The recent acquisition of a liquor license only sweetens the pot.
No group-dining list would be complete without mention of a dim sum parlor — and this Athmar Park longtimer is the one to beat. Come early (10:30 a.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. on weekends) to avoid a wait for all the things on the ever-circulating carts: dumplings, buns, rice-crepe wraps, turnip cakes, egg tarts, and much, much more. Granted, it’s an equally solid bet at dinnertime, when a Cantonese extravaganza of seafood, clay-pot dishes, sizzling platters, and so on awaits.
Located in a veritable banquet hall (it used to be a dim sum joint), this top spot for Vietnamese fare is obviously well equipped to handle large parties — and so, of course, is the wide-ranging menu, laden with such crowd pleasers as stir-fried whole crab; rice-paper wrap platters starring the likes of deep-fried sugarcane shrimp or lemongrass pork skewers; and fire pots bobbing with seafood of all kinds, from catfish to squid and mussels. (Reservations are recommended for six or more.)
This eternal LoHi hot spot is all about convivial gatherings both out on the hopping patio and in a dining room bifurcated by communal tables. Behind them, the open kitchen turns out modern, seasonal Italian dishes for everybody to dig into with abandon: pizzas, pastas, generously portioned entrees like the pork chop milanese, and more. Reservations for 10 or more guests are required.
Offering not just a meal but an immersive experience for all involved, the multicourse prix fixe tasting menu at Kelly Whitaker’s Sunnyside sensation — centered this season around buckwheat — is served inside or out in fireplace-equipped tents. Parties of more than six should contact the restaurant directly to book.
Communal tables and bocce-ball courts start the party at this RiNo bierhalle, while hearty German fare keeps it going. From giant pretzels with three dips to the heaping grillwurst platter of sausages with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut to the smorgasbord, featuring schweinshaxe, roast chicken, and spaetzle, Rhein Haus Denver will satisfy whatever your group is craving. Reservations are recommended for eight or more.
Feeding six to eight is a snap at Big Red F’s chicken shack in Rosedale (as well as LoHi, Boulder, Longmont, and Lafayette). Just order the Big Bubba Love, which comes with two fried birds, four large sides — think buttermilk waffles, green chile mac-and-cheese, and collard greens — and eight biscuits. An 88-ounce tower of beer from The Post’s own brewery should help to wash it all down.
Located in the stately, high-ceilinged lobby of The Ramble Hotel, one of the city’s best cocktail lounges takes reservations for parties of seven to 10. Nothing like a table laden with wildly inventive drinks and eats meant for sharing — think chips and cola-braised onion dip, smoked trout with crispy hash brown, and mushroom fritters with horseradish aioli — smack in the midst of the action to foster a festive mood.
For groups of eight or fewer, this pan-Latin fiesta right next door to Death & Co. is an adventure waiting to happen. Cover the table with small plates from the dim sum–inspired carts, including patatas bravas, fried pork wings, and ropa vieja, or dig into large-format dishes such as Yucatan-style braised pork with housemade tortillas or whole pan-roasted striped bass in red curry. Better yet, do both. (Just don’t do it at the height of the dinner rush: Super Mega Bien doesn’t take reservations, so come early or late to ensure seating.)
This old-school Italian haunt in Wash Park (which now has a sibling in MacGregor Square) has been serving up family-style portions of red-sauce classics since long before it was cool — 1994, to be exact. Prepare to be plied with the large-format works: antipasti misti, sausage and peppers, chicken piccata, eggplant parmigiana, baked ziti, and other classics.
From the famous hummus and the dazzling array of salatim (small shared plates) to hefty entrees like the pomegranate-braised lamb shank, there’s no place quite like Safta for breaking bread — or in this case pita — with a tight-knit crew. (Note that parties of eight to 14 will be seated at a semi-private table with a prix fixe Chef’s Menu, served family-style.)
Opened in July by the family behind La Adelita Cocina y Cantina, this lively Mexican eatery and bar in Bonnie Brae already has a loyal following who make it feel like the neighborhood place to be as they gather around cocktails, appetizers like queso fundido and shrimp aguachile, and molcajetes brimming with goodies (take, for example, the Morisqueta featuring tomato- and garlic- braised pork ribs, black beans, rice, green onions, and two cheeses). Reservations for parties of six to 16 are a good idea, though walk-ins prepared for a possible wait are certainly welcome.
Sprawling and high-energy, this all-American hangout in the 9+Co. development is just the ticket for a sizeable, spirited squad. Though it can’t hurt to book a reservation for groups of up to 12, the front-of-house crew aims to accommodate walk-ins no matter the number — while the back-of-house team whips up sociable stuff like BBQ pork-belly nachos, Detroit-style black truffle–mushroom pizza with smoked-onion Alfredo sauce, and monkey bread à la mode.
There’s something about using one’s hands to scoop up a rainbow of meat stews, legumes, and greens with tangy, tender injera that makes the Ethiopian dining experience feel especially merry with a group, which this Montclair charmer can gladly accommodate (though it’s not a bad idea to confirm availability in advance).
Chinese food served family-style is always a sure bet for a crowd. This Greenwood Village longtimer welcomes them with a slew of Shanghainese and Sichuan specialties, including tea-smoked duck, Dynasty fish with pine nuts, cumin lamb, and twice-cooked pork belly, as well as a few tables decked out with Lazy Susans.
With eight different broths and some 50 ingredients to choose from — including crab, mussels, fatty beef, lamb, pumpkin, tofu skin, seaweed, dumplings, and glass noodles, just to name a few — this bustling all-you-can-eat hot pot spot serves up interactive feasts for groups of all sizes and ages, complete with a self-serve sauce and topping bar. Note that reservations for six or more are required on Friday and Saturday nights.
From the banchan onward, Korean barbecue is a communal affair if ever there was one. Ordering’s easy here with combo packages that include multiple meats, a choice of stew, a pancake, and a bottle of soju — but that galbi, bulgogi, pork belly, and more are also available à la carte for supplementing with anything from spicy fish-egg soup to stir-fried squid with glass noodles.
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