Got a big crew to feed? You don’t want to scramble through options at the last minute, right? Whether it’s your workmates or the family you haven’t seen in the last 2 years, choosing the perfect place can be tricky.

But don’t worry – we’ve cruised from Ponsonby to Britomart with our big crew to find Auckland’s best group dining spots. Everything features good food, but more importantly, has the space to make the fun possible.

Check it out! 

1. One Tree Grill

One Tree Grills has services tailored specifically for group events. In fact, they have a function space that can cater to up to 120 guests, making it a top choice for big gatherings like corporate events and family celebrations.

As for the food, they have set menus that are divided into 3, 4, or 6 courses. Ideal for groups of 10 or more, guests can expect to only spend $108 to $138 per option. The best part is, the food included per course is customisable.

Some options include mains like steak, pork belly, and truffle risotto. When we visited, everything was served quickly. We also appreciated that they asked for any dietary needs so they could adjust their ingredients.

The convenient location is a major win too. It’s just ten minutes away from Newmarket and the airport. The site gives access to over 200 free parking spaces nearby, so major gatherings are definitely possible.

If we had to point out one drawback, it would be the age restriction – children under 5 are not permitted for group bookings. We understand how this helps maintain the atmosphere, but it can be a dealbreaker for families with younger kids. 

Effortlessly adaptable and professional

“Great, consistent restaurant and business.

Suitable for small, family and large groups – so effortlessly adaptable and professional.”

Emma Hunt | Google Reviews

Great service, delicious food, and thoughtful dietary accommodations.

“Came here with a group and booked out the whole restaurant. Staff was ready serving drinks and ushering. Canapés were perfection 👌🏼We had someone who was vegetarian and another dairy-free and they enjoyed the food too. Steak was amazing 10/10. Pictured is the vegetarian entrée which is very nicely presented but I didn’t enjoy (I’m not a vegetarian though) but the venison and seafood entrées were very well received. Dairy-free guest didn’t find a suitable dessert from the set menu so the restaurant offered him a different dessert, which was well done of them”

Elisa Tayler | Google Reviews

2. Thirty One

Thirty One offers one of the best Pacific fusion experiences in Auckland. With its refined flavours, we find it a strong choice for groups who prefer dining in an upscale environment with professional service.

The dining options aren’t strict, with a wide range of versatile set menus that range from $70 to $80 per person. The chef can even customise dishes to match dietary requirements and even spice levels.

We like that they also create curated tasting menus that include whisky and rum pairings. So, if you’d like a nice drink with your food, make sure to highlight that upon booking a reservation.

When our team paid a visit, we were a group of 15 diners and were pleasantly surprised with how fast we were seated. Even the service remained courteous throughout our stay.

We’d just like to note that there were instances wherein wait times were excessively long. This compelled guests to make constant follow-ups, but kudos to their team for being polite in relaying updates.

Great place and served with smiles

“Great service, great place – came with a big group and they served all of us well with smiles everytime! Will be going back ❤️”

Sulu Joshua | Google Reviews

High Standards with great hospitality

“Came here on Saturday to have Bottomless brunch for my birthday. Catered to a group of 15 with ease and hosted with great hospitality. The food, drinks, and service were all to such a high standard – not a single person left without a good thing to say!”

Oscar Norris | Google Reviews

3. Tempero

Tempero is the ideal place for groups who love Latin-inspired dishes. It’s a contemporary restaurant that can accommodate groups of 6 to 20, making it a versatile choice for families and friend groups.

The food is where this restaurant shines, with dishes crafted from local produce. We particularly loved their picanha steak for its tender and flavorful beef that friends can easily pair with any meal.

Other than that, we also like their feijoada croquettes and potato gnocchi, as well as their daily special “octopus mole”. Although they’re smaller in portion, the softness and depth of taste really stand out.

Pricing is also fair for the level of quality and dining experience your group will get. As we’ve calculated, the average person can spend $70 to $100 for the entire thing, including drinks, starters, mains, and dessert.

If your group has a big appetite, we recommend ordering multiple dishes plus snacks on the side to really make up for the hearty meal. Portions aren’t the biggest, but at least the atmosphere and hospitality are worth the trip.

Manages a lot of people and offered amazing food

“Amazing food, great service. We had group of nearly 20 people but it was managed really well.. ❤️ Going back again😊”

Meenal Patel | Google Reviews

Quick service and delicious food

“Great dining experience, service was quick and food delicious. Fabio and team were great. Definitely coming back with a larger group to try the entire menu.”

Terry Chen | Google Reviews

4. Soul Bar & Bistro

Located in Viaduct, Soul Bar & Bistro is the perfect spot for diners who love awesome waterfront views in a refined venue. The ambience alone is enough to draw guests in, with harbour-facing tables and a nice, lively bar.

We especially liked that their services are built with group diners in mind. They can cater to groups of 6 to 10 comfortably without making the seating feel cramped.

They can also cater to longer dining sessions, so groups can easily spend 3 to 4 hours just staying here for food.

The level of service is a great highlight too, where staff constantly takes care of guests all throughout. We didn’t even have to ask for water top-ups – they come to your table when they notice.

Food is well worth it with the price. Their seafood options were all fresh without any briny texture or taste. We also liked their custom vegetarian dishes, where they can change certain ingredients upon request.

If you’re planning a visit, though, we recommend booking a reservation at least a week or two in advance. It’s hard to secure a spot during weekends, so reserving early is a wise move.

Helpful staff and great menu choices

“Fantastic dinner with group of 6, we enjoyed everything, great choices and the wait staff were very helpful.”

Nathan Cox | Google Reviews

Offered top notch service

“We went there as a group of 8 and had an amazing time. All of our needs were catered for and they even had a separate vegetarian menu for my vegetarian friends! The food was delicious and the service was top notch, we didn’t even need to ask for water top-ups at all. There is a reason why this place is such an icon in the hospo industry, they are the best at what they do.”

Coco Litten | Google Reviews

5. Baduzzi

This Italian-inspired bistro is perfect for groups who love outstanding service in a modern venue. Tables can accommodate groups of 3 to 8, so there’s flexibility when it comes to seating arrangement.

The shared-style menu is impeccable, with many options to sample in one go. We definitely loved their duck ragout, which has a nice gamey flavour and multiple layers of sweet and umami-rich depth.

Cocktails were another highlight here. Although they didn’t have the classics during our visit, the bar was able to accommodate our off-menu requests. It’s nice to keep in mind in case you need the perfect pair for your meals.

Prices are unsurprisingly high considering the upscale vibe of the place. But we find it reasonable. Every person averages from $60 to $100 only for a 3-course meal with drinks.

The only issue we had is that their layout is a bit tight to comfortably move around. There’s limited space between tables which can make it hard to carry out conversations for groups.

Great service and amazing food

“Came with a group of three for dinner. Great food, great service. I’ll be back”

Ben Johnson | Google Reviews

Great authentic italian flavors

“We went in a small group for the first time as I’ve always wanted to go here and was so impressed. Great authentic Italian flavours across all the dishes, amazing pasta and accompaniments. We got the focaccia as a side to dip in the leftover sauces and it was the best focaccia I’ve ever had in my life. Super accommodating as well, we got some classic cocktails which weren’t on the menu and they were also great.”

Myer Robb | Google Reviews

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