23 Best Places to Host a Birthday Dinner in NYC (2023)

Let’s be real: Everyone wants to have a fun, glamorous birthday dinner in NYC at least once in their life. What’s a better way to celebrate yourself than in one of thebest foodie cities in the world?

There is no shortage of cool places to eat for a birthday dinner in NYC, so it’s easy to plan an iconic night fit for stellar Instagram photos and even better food. There are plenty of memorable foodie experiences like private chefs in NYC or food tours in NYC to fit the bill, or you could hit the town to explore the best eateries in town.

Whether you’re looking for a nice restaurant in New York for an intimate night with your significant other or a party-like fun birthday restaurant in NYC, the options are almost endless. We’ve got a coveted list of all the best birthday restaurants in NYC from the classics to hidden gems no one else will tell you about.

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1. The Boil

This is one of those places that people wait to get into for hours. No worries, though, they take reservations! The Boil is known for its over-the-top, mouthwatering Cajun-style seafood. If you’re looking to try something different for your birthday dinner in NYC, why not go somewhere where you can order a big, steaming bag of fresh Cajun king crab legs? Don your bib and dig in!

The Boil | 139 Chrystie St. New York, NY 10002

2. Pastis

For a high-end birthday dinner in NYC that’s kind of like a trip to Paris, Pastis is the place to be. Order from a variety of fresh, aesthetically pleasing French dishes and delectable desserts. (You may be inspired here to learn French cuisine yourself in a cooking class in NYC!) Cheers to Champagne and caviar!

Pastis| 52 Gansevoort St., New York, NY 10014

3. The Polo Bar

After a year and a half stuck inside, it’s safe to say that you deserve a bougie, blowout birthday. If you’re looking for one of the most extravagant places to have a birthday dinner in NYC, it doesn’t get much more impressive than the Polo Bar. Gather your close friends and even some distant acquaintances, because the Polo Bar allows you to invite up to 20 guests for an exclusive private event, complete with customized menus and music.

The Polo Bar | 1 E. 55th St, New York, NY 10022

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4. Panna II Garden

If Chrissy Teigen could have her birthday dinner in NYC here, so can you. This colorful spot in the East Village is studded with streamers, twinkle lights and fun vibes. Enjoy Indian cuisines and don’t forget the Champagne, because Panna II Garden is BYOB!

Panna II Garden | 93 1st Ave. New York, NY 10003

5. While We Were Young

Make your dinner reservations during golden hour, and your birthday photos will be glowing. While We Were Young is an airy, bright pink spot with floor-to-ceiling windows, drinks that look too pretty to consume and a million birthday photo-ops!

While We Were Young | 183 W. 10th St., New York, NY 10014

6. Jacob’s Pickles

For a more cozy birthday dinner in NYC, Jacob’s Pickles is a fan-favorite restaurant for groups in NYC. Their tagline is “Beer. Biscuits. Pickles,” and that’s pretty much all you need to know. This spot is rustic and great for a unique sort of comfort food, including fresh buttermilk biscuits and mac and cheese, root beer on tap, bacon beer and homemade jars of pickles that you can take home with you as birthday souvenirs.

Jacob's Pickles | 509 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10024

7. Lil’ Frankie's

Lil’ Frankie's is a staple of the East Village, another celeb-favorite, and it’s one of the greatest restaurants for groups in NYC. Celebrate your birthday with heaping plates of their famous spaghetti and pass around authentic Naples pizzas.

Lil' Frankie's | 19 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003

8. Corner Social

If you want to have a casual but fun birthday dinner in NYC, this Harlem hotspot is where you should be. There is almost always a DJ on the weekends, which attracts a crowd of down-to-earth people who just want to have fun. Treat yourself to delectable Mediterranean-inspired bites and strong, mouthwatering cocktails. Corner Social is certainly the kind of place to bring friends to, and if you don’t, you’re likely to make some during your stay!

Corner Social | 321 Malcolm X Blvd., New York, NY 10027

9. Flour Shop

A birthday dinner in NYC should be whatever you want it to be. Dessert for dinner? Sure, it’s your birthday! For the most colorful of birthdays, head over to the Flour Shop, where you’ll find rainbow-colored pastries, cakes, macaroons and more.

Flour Shop | 177 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10013

10. The UES

The UES is the perfect example of a fun birthday restaurant in NYC because it’s a hidden gem, it has an awesome menu and it’ll make you feel like a VIP. When you walk in, you’ll be standing in what looks like a regular old ice cream shop. What you don’t know, however, is that a secret codeword (the “storage room”) will bring you to a speakeasy-esque bar fit for an iconic birthday dinner in NYC — it even has a dress code! You’ll enjoy cocktails that taste as unique as they look, including a bright pink "BIRTHDAY SUNDAE" topped with a fiery sparkler, of course.

The UES | 1707 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10128

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11. The Blue Box Café

Instead of receiving a Tiffany-blue box as a gift, spend your birthday inside of one. Tiffany’s Blue Box Café is an Instagram-worthy café that’s perfect for birthday dinners in NYC, complete with afternoon tea, perfect pastries and elegant brunch dishes.

Blue Box Café | 727 5th Ave. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022

12. Claro

For warm, summer birthdays in NYC, make reservations at the backyard patio at Claro. Sit underneath the greenery and enjoy all of the authentic Mexican cuisine and cocktails — go for the frozen strawberry mezcal margarita!

Claro | 284 3rd Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215

13. Bernie’s

Slide on into a big, comfy booth and order all of your favorite comfort dinner foods, like mozzarella sticks, bacon cheeseburgers and chicken Parm. If you're spending your birthday dinner in NYC at Bernie’s, the night can only be completed with a big, classic ice-cream sundae.

Bernie's | 332 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11222

14. The Tyger

For a birthday dinner in NYC with a drool-worthy menu, The Tyger’s Asian-fusion dishes will surely not disappoint. Make reservations to sit at their heated outdoor patio or inside their bright, airy, industrial-chic dining area.

The Tyger | 1 Howard St., New York, NY 10013

15. Grand Banks

This sunny, waterfront oyster bar comes with stunning views and all the seafood you can eat. Have your birthday dinner in NYC at Grand Banks during the sunset, and you'll feel like you're on an island getaway.

Grand Banks | Park, Pier 25 Hudson River, New York, NY 10013

16. Loulou

Known for its vibrant floral storefront, Loulou is a hip French bistro with food and drinks that look like pure art. You might even get to meet the famous Loulou, the restaurant owner’s adorable pooch.

Loulou | 176 8th Ave., New York, NY 10011

17. Xiang Hot Pot

Calling all hungry party-goers! At Xiang Hot Pot, enjoy an all-you-can-eat hot pot birthday dinner in NYC perfect for a crowd. Did we mention it’s on a rooftop patio?

Xiang Hot Pot | 136-20 Roosevelt Ave. #2m, Queens, NY 11354

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18. Wild Ink

Everything about this upscale bar is eye-catching, including the Asian-American-inspired cuisine. For a restaurant for groups in NYC, Wild Ink is popular not only because of its elegance, but because a lazy Susan is conveniently placed in the middle of larger tables!

Wild Ink | 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

19. Wu’s Wonton King

Another great group dinner spot, complete with lazy Susans on the table for an optimal sharing experience. Celebrate your birthday with some of NYC’s best, authentic wontons and Cantonese cuisine. Pack your favorite bottle of red, because Wu’s Wonton King is BYOB.

Wu's Wonton King | 165 E. Broadway, New York, NY 10002

20. Telly’s Taverna

For a birthday dinner in NYC that feels like a vacation, Telly’s Taverna is the place to be. Step inside of this bright white Greek oasis, order some insanely good fresh fish and you’ll be transported straight to the Mediterranean. It’s the next best thing to a birthday celebration in Mykonos.

Telly's Taverna | 28-13 23rd Ave., Queens, NY 11105

21. Fish Cheeks

Gather your loved ones for a family-style Thai birthday dinner in NYC. Fish Cheeks served huge platters of all your favorite Thai cuisine, and the atmosphere is sunny, colorful and birthday-perfect.

Fish Cheeks | 55 Bond St. New York, NY 10012

22. Insa

There are so many cool things about this Korean BBQ spot in Brooklyn. Don’t worry about your NYC birthday dinner being undercooked, because you get to cook it yourself on grills built into your table. The best part? Insa is also home to a swanky cocktail karaoke bar! Bring your friends for a night to remember.

Insa | 328 Douglass St., Brooklyn, NY 11217

23. City Vineyard

If you’re a major social butterfly and can’t find a spot to host all of your friends for your birthday dinner in NYC, City Vineyard’s massive rooftop will do just fine. Toss back bottles of wine and watch the sunset over the Hudson River. Best birthday ever!

City Vineyard | 233 West St., New York, NY 10013

Do It Big for Your Birthday Dinner in NYC

When doing a birthday dinner in NYC, go big or go home. That is, don’t pick a boring place when there are so many unique restaurants in New York. On your search for birthday dinner restaurants in NYC, you’re bound to come across tons of fun options, so be sure to save your discarded choices for a date night in NYC or another special occasion.

For even more fun ways to celebrate a birthday dinner in NYC, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.