You know what else should be classified as an extreme sport? Going to eat out with a group! Between having a mate who only eats meat and another who’s happy enough to grab a flat white, managing everyone’s preferences becomes a tough job.

Taking one for the team (not that we’re complaining), we scoured Hamilton to look for spots that can handle the chaos of dealing with big groups. We also made sure we picked spots that we can book for group events or private dining.

From Hood Street to venues near the river, here are some of the best spots that will make you think you’ve hit gold in group dining in Hamilton!

1. Furnace Steakhouse

Service at Furnace Steakhouse is fast without feeling rushed, so we can see how smoothly they manage big groups. During our first visit, our meals were served promptly and without error, and the dishes were still warm.

As you can tell by their name, their steak here is beyond expectations. It’s cooked to perfection, with the kind of juiciness that reveals itself with every bite. It has the perfect smokiness and tenderness to it too.

There are various starters, though we really like their calamari set because it’s easily shareable and perfectly prepared (definitely not rubbery). 

Each guest can expect to spend $60 to $70 here, which is reasonable for the meats available.

The overall ambience of the place is also versatile for any type of event. There’s warm lighting and polished wood decor that’s ideal for birthdays, business dinners, or a night out with friends.

As the evening hits, you may love how the buzz adds energy. But take note – it can get too noisy. If you want a more intimate evening, you may want to skip weekend nights.

Awesome staff and food

“Great steak! Awesome staff. Always a good time. Highly recommend the patè and the calamari entrees, all steak cooked to perfection.

Good for large groups”

Cara Gane | Google Reviews

Perfect food and service

“Couldn’t fault anything. The food and service was perfect. Bread, entree mains and desserts were all fantastic. Our steak was cooked to perfection, and bees cheeks err amazing. Our waitress was very attentive, even the seats at the table were super comfortable. 100% recommended.”

Katrina | Google Reviews

2. Gothenburg Restaurant

The views at Gothenburg alone were enough to draw us in – floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views of the Waikato River. With the ambience it gives off, it’s the perfect venue for tapas dinners or cocktail-style events.

For group-centred gatherings, they have a private room upstairs that can accommodate up to 70 guests. It’s also equipped with AV and a stocked private bar, though it may be best to book their full venue hire services for the best experience.

Guests can choose between set tapas-style menus or canapé options, with prices generally falling between $70 to $80. For tapas, there is a good selection of well-seasoned meats, including lamb ribs, pork belly, and salmon.

The venue also offers a separate allergy menu and has gluten-free and vegetarian options, which we found to be a thoughtful approach. Turnaround times for meals are also fast, even during busy hours.

We’d just like to note that across multiple visits, we encountered times when certain menu items were unavailable later in the evening. For evening eat-outs, it may be best to arrive at least 3 hours before they close.

Excellent service

“This is the second or third time we have been to Gothenburg and definitely won’t be the last!  The food is amazing and the service excellent.  Such friendly staff!  Each time we go, we look for a new dish to try and have not yet found one we didn’t enjoy.  Great venue for a group as half the fun is in sharing the different dishes!”

Blair Daly | Google Reviews

Flavourful food and friendly staff

“Excellent experience every time… very friendly staff,  amazing and full flavour food!”

Debora Figueiredo | Google Reviews

3. Mr. Pickles Bar & Eatery

With riverfront views and indoor and outdoor seating, it’s easy to see why Mr. Pickles is a local favourite. The location alone is a big attraction, perfect for work functions or birthday dinners.

Their set menu starts at $65 per person (with dessert, that goes up to $80). It’s a bit on the pricier side, but it offers a lot in terms of value.

We went for the chef’s menu choice, which is available for groups of four and above. This one features their best dishes, including small and large plates. Options include sticky chicken, duck fat potatoes, and beef cheek croquettes.

The portion is enough for sharing, and the flavours are rich and bold. Though if you have dietary restrictions, it’s best to make requests beforehand. They can accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.

Accessibility is on the good side too, as wheelchair users can easily enter the place. However, take note that street parking is limited. The nearby lots can also fill up fast, almost any time of the day.

The best thing you can do is take public transit or book a car-hailing app. 

Enjoyable food choices

“Went with a work group for lunch (9 people). Table had been booked and was set up for us.  Wide range of drinks including plenty of non-alcoholic. Everyone enjoyed their food choices. A bit expensive  but you can choose smaller options.”

Beth Smithl | Google Reviews

Good value for money

“We were a group of 7 and thoroughly enjoyed our lunch experience at Mr Pickles Bar & Eatery. Excellent food, service and overall good value for money.”

Lauren Mackintosh | Google Reviews

4. Iguana Street Bar & Restaurant

One of Iguana’s standout features is their impressive function offerings. Pieces of furniture are all movies and large windows fully open for airflow – these make them an ideal venue for various types of events.

Our favourite option is their garden bar that comes with its own bar, fireplace, TV, and more.  For smaller events, there’s a red room for a semi-private setting with booth-style seating for up to 15 guests.

For casual eat-outs, while there are no set menus, the all-you-can-eat ribs and steak are just as good for a big crew. Meats are juicy, and though there are occasional issues with tenderness, the smoky flavour remained consistent.

However, take note that the options are only specials, and they’re offered on certain nights only.

We also appreciate that individual plates arrive at the same time. This eliminates any waiting, making it easy for groups to immediately share portions of each dish.

For lunch dishes, popular options include fried chicken wings, roadie burger, and classic pepperoni pizza. The prices and mid-range, and the portions are generous – a great way to enjoy classic food fare.

Amazing food 

“Great evening. Food was amazing and I really enjoyed the hospitality. Thank you for a lovely evening. Would love to come back and dine with a group again”

Noelle Beech | Google Reviews

Enjoyable experience 

“A group of nine lunched there on Thursday and we all enjoyed the experience. all meals came at the same time, staff were more then helpful. We will be back.”

Lois McCowatt | Google Reviews

5. Good George Dining Hall

We find Good George to be a solid option for both intimate catch-ups and large corporate parties. They have 4 distinct areas available for rent, including a full venue hire that accommodates up to 300 guests.

Their event menus, in particular, are generous and accommodating. They offer feast-style services, all with attention to dietary needs. Plus, the platters and drinks are refilled without delays.

Their sample platter was a solid option – the fried chicken was crunchy and pairs wonderfully with hot honey and ranch dressing. The sticky-braised pork belly has the perfect softness to it, without an overpowering saltiness.

The service is consistently warm and helpful, usually checking in on diners from time to time. What’s best is that they could manage a big group (we noted a table that had over 20 guests), and the meals arrived promptly with no fuss.

One thing to note – during winter months, the heating in certain rooms isn’t the best. We don’t really recommend booking a venue during these months, as the insulation and heaters need improvement.

Great venue and friendly staff

“Great place for a group dinner. Paul & staff friendly, amenable & great venue.”

Conferences & Events Ltd | Google Reviews

Fast and friendly table service

“We had a group from work having an early dinner – very fast friendly bar and table service.  Meals were great, and the gin is very good.”

Cathryn Tiley | Google Reviews

---