Are you planning a group trip to Chicago with your friends or family? If you are, dining is one of the main things that should be on the top of your list of plans and preparations. The best way to ensure that the whole group can enjoy a good meal in the perfect company is to plan in advance and have a few ideas on restaurants suitable for group events.
Don’t leave things to the last minute. Instead, hire your bus rental or bus charter service now and choose one or a few of the following dining options for groups.
Top Chicago restaurants to try for group events
We have prepared several group-friendly dining places in Chicago that we’d like to share with you. Some of them offer private dining options, while others are simply spacious and ideal for a meal with all of your friends and family during your travels.
Alla Vita
Alla Vita is THE rising star in Chicago’s Italian restaurant scene. Part of the Boka Restaurant Group,Alla Vita is a perfect place for groups to gather to enjoy comfortable and delicious Italian cuisine. This gorgeous restaurant can accommodate up to 100-200 guests, making their soaring ceilings, vibrant interior and beautiful wood flooring the perfect backdrop for large parties of every kind. “Alla Vita” means “To Life” in Italian which recognizes life’s challenges and creating a space for shared meals and memorable experiences. Bon appetito!
RPM Seafood
RPM Seafood is the cool place to be in Chicago with the best seafood and steaks in the city sourcing the highest quality ingredients and providing exceptional service for a dining experience unlike any other. RPM is a group of restaurants from celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic. It is the premier place restaurant group with RPM Steak, RPM Italian, and the new Pizzaria Portofino and of course RPM Seafood. The RPM team can handle groups of all sizes with the best service in Chicago.
Luxbar
Luxbar is a cool All-American Chicago Gold Coast restaurant and bar that will wow your group with feel good favourites made from the best ingredients sourced from local farmers. Part of the famous Gibsons Restaurant Group, Luxbar is super cool with exceptional cocktails and wine list. There’s no shortage of seating as Luxbar can fit groups of nearly any size.
Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse
When it comes to our classics, Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse screams out Chicago. As far as steakhouses go, Gibsons is the one by which all others are judged. Big flavour steaks, fresh fish daily, enormous lobster tails – all matched with an extensive wine list and awesome cocktails made by expert mixologists. Bring your group to Gibsons for a fun and happening atmosphere with entertainment, huge food potions and exceptional service. Gibsons is a happening place where The Who’s who of Chicago go to have a blast. Come for the great dining as well as the people watching and excitement of the Gold Coast! Let Bus Connection guide the way!
The Gundis
Chicago is home to different nationalities and cultures. It’s also one of the most popular travel destinations for people from all around the world. Naturally, when it comes to diverse cuisines, the Windy City has a lot to offer.
The Gundis (translated to “the villagers” from Kurdish) is an exceptional restaurant, where you can try outstanding Kurdish meals. The first of its kind in Chicago, the dining place offers a rich menu with different dishes from the Mediterranean, such as lamb and eggplant, and a diverse vegetarian selection. The Gundis can comfortably seat a group of 30 people and it’s worth reserving a dinner for a truly unique Chicago group experience.
Sun Wah BBQ
Sun Wah BBQ is a family-owned restaurant that enjoys a lot of popularity, both among travellers and locals. By reserving a group dining experience in Sun Wah BBQ, you can try award-winning Hong Kong-style Chinese barbecue cuisine.
Ideal for large groups, the restaurant offers enough space for the whole party, so all of the travel group members can comfortably dine around the table. The typical table hosts around 14 guests. In addition, the portions are more than enough to satisfy even the strongest appetites.
Three Dots and a Dash
Looking to transport yourself and your travel group to an exquisite Tiki bar for an exotic dining experience? Take your bus charter to the Three Dots and a Dash in River North. As a nominee for The World’s 50 Best Bars by Drinks International, it’s also a craft cocktail spot that you don’t want to miss out on.
Its interior is designed to welcome even the biggest groups, with private and semi-private spaces available to host between 15 and 250 people. Offering a memorable combo of Asian fusion dishes and creative cocktails, this destination will certainly leave something to remember.
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab
Most of the locals in Chicago associate Joe’s Seafood with some of the best steaks and seafood options. However, it’s also one of the leaders in the city when it comes to private dining for large groups.
Positioned opposite the shops at North Ridge and in the midst of the mag mile, Joe’s Seafood is an excellent choice if you want to combine fine group dining with a shopping spree. The restaurant offers separate dining rooms, some of them hosting up to 120 guests. You can also choose between a fully private experience or opt for a semi-dining alternative.
Nico Osteria
If you’d like to invite your travel group to a full-blown private dining session, Nice Osteria is another option to consider. Apart from the delicious Italian cuisines that you can choose from, Nice Osteria also stands out with its stunning Chicago views, overlooking the Gold Coast neighbourhood.
The restaurant offers guests a separate private dining menu and is ideal for group dining events and celebrating special occasions. You can also visit the spot during the earlier hours of the day and try its extensive breakfast list.
Carnivale
If you want to get a taste of what everyone is talking about when it comes to private dining parties in Chicago, Carnivale should definitely be on your list. The extravagant interiors feature neon scarves draped throughout the ceiling, electric pop art on the walls, vibrant chair colors, and a palette of creativity and art-inspired details. The restaurant is located off the Kennedy Expressway, with a strategic, central position that is easily accessible from any point in the city.
You can try a diverse selection of Caribbean, Spanish, and Latin-American dishes. Plus, you can choose the dining style that best fits your group – family, heavy reception, buffet, or plated.
Something for every taste
Chicago is popular for its diverse dining opportunities. It’s certainly a travel destination where you can comfortably enjoy the company of your travel group in a luxurious or basic setting, depending on your preferences and budget. If you’re looking for the best group travel restaurant in Chicago, try some of the recommendations in this article and rely on your Chicago charter bus rental to get you there on time, with convenience and comfort at the top of our priority list. We’re here to make your stay in Chicago unforgettable by transporting you and your group to any destination safely, quickly, and affordably.