NYC Restaurant Week 2018: The Best Spots To Dine With Your Squad

Summer Restaurant Week is in full swing, and though there are plenty of hot spots across the city to choose from, you may start regretting that text you sent to the group chat a few weeks ago along the lines of: “Omg we HAVE to do Restaurant Week!”

Before your gourmand group of friends turn hangry, whip out their iMessage history, and start bickering about those reservations you promised you’d make, do yourself a favor and consider dining with a group as a blessing in disguise – just think of all the dishes you can sample! Palliate your worries (and later on, satiate your appetite) by exploring our guide to the ultimate squad-worthy restaurants to wine and dine. The more the merrier, right?

[Photo via @legaseany]

With three outposts bringing affordable steaks and innovative bites to the Insta-crowd across the city, there’s probably a Quality Eats in whichever hood your group prefers. Nevertheless, the new NoMad location, which opened earlier this year, is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Spacious booths and banquettes provide plenty of room for a party of five, while neon art and tableware provide plenty of photo opportunities. A win on both ends!

Quality Eats, 3 E 28th St.

[Photo via @quality_eats]

Legasea combines a top-tier seafood prix fixe menu, which includes Spicy Crab Beignets, Flounder Francaise, and Seafood Marinara Pasta, with a young, hip crowd at the Moxy Times Square. Tell your girls to dress their best and get ready to see and be seen.

Legasea Seafood Brasserie, 485 7th Ave.

[Photo via @legaseany]

Located at the Dream Downtown, Bodega Negra is offering a prix fixe menu that incorporates dishes from their newly revamped summer menu. Serving ceviche, tacos and a variety of options that pair perfectly with Bodega Negra’s selection of tequila cocktails, this always-jumpin’ Mexican spot is bound to elevate any group dining experience.

Bodega Negra, 355 W. 16th St.

[Photo via @bodeganegranyc]

Narcissa features a rotating menu of upscale farm-to-table fare as well as an always-chic crowd. It boasts a large main dining room (perfect for groups), and a charming private garden for an al fresco experience capturing summertime vibes. You and your crew can dine on fluke ceviche with Florida citrus and papaya, skirt steak with grilled summer fruits and chimichurri, and a cheesecake sundae with seasonal ice cream, rhubarb jam, black walnut.

Narcissa, 25 Cooper Sq.

[Photo via @narcissa]

Chef Charlie Palmer’s Aureole has been a fancy NYC staple for almost three decades, but the Liberty Room provides a more casual night on the town experience for you and your friends. Try the marinated heirloom tomatoes with Vermont mozzarella and basil pesto, organic chicken breast with rainbow Swiss chard and purple potatoes, and the vanilla sponge cake with berries, spearmint and ice cream.

Aureole, 135 West 42nd St.

[Photo via @aureolenewyork]

A speakeasy of a restaurant and watering hole, Beauty & Essex is always a fun time with your group of well-heeled ladies. Wine and dine with your squad and enjoy offerings from the scrumptious signature menu of international small plates along with dry-aged steaks and raw bar offerings. Oh and do be sure to leave room for the restaurant’s decadent desserts.

Beauty & Essex, 146 Essex St.

[Photo via @beautyandessexnyc]

The Breslin Bar features a meat-centric menu that embraces unique cuisine methodologies at their Flatiron District gastropub. Executive chef April Bloomfield is serving up bites like braised shin of beef with polenta and black cabbage, stuffed pig’s foot (for two), and a chargrilled lamb burger with cumin mayo. Not the best option if there’s a vegan in your group…

The Breslin Bar & Dining Room, 16 W. 29th St.

[Photo via @peachytravels]

True to its name, this cozy Brooklyn eatery serves up buttermilk ricotta, a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, and buttermilk fried chicken with cheddar waffles. Come one, come all, any time of day for your share of drool-worthy comfort food.

Buttermilk Channel, 524 Court St., Brooklyn

[Photo courtesy @littlemissyum]

Need a night out with the boys? The Capital Grille serves classic steak house offerings such as chops, large North Atlantic lobsters and fresh seafood in an atmosphere with art deco chandeliers and rich mahogany. It’s an elegant, old school New York classic.

The Capital Grille, 155 E. 42nd St.

[Photo via @thecapitalgrille]

Winter, spring, summer, fall—for every season, the eatery Park Avenue changes its name, appearance and menu, taking the concept of seasonal cuisine to new heights. Stop in for a taste of summer!

Park Avenue Summer, 360 Park Ave. South

[Photo via @parkavenuenyc]