Led by celebrity chef Gastón Acurio, La Mar Cocina Peruana serves stellar ceviche and classic Peruvian dishes like tiraditos and richly layered causas in a lively space. Made-for-sharing favorites like bandeja cevichera—a feast of four signature ceviche—make it one of the best restaurants for big groups in SF and a popular spot for holiday gatherings. Enjoy waterfront views while you dine under a heat lamp on the patio, or relax in the chic, blue-accented interior.

Located in the Proper Hotel, Charmaine’s Rooftop Lounge is one of the best rooftop restaurants in San Francisco. Spread out with a group in the low-slung striped chairs ringing cozy fire pits to sip on standout cocktails from Bon Vivants Hospitality (Trick Dog), including several zero-proof options. Snacks—think lemongrass chicken wings, skewers, and dips—are made for sharing. Come at sunset for sweeping city views, and don’t miss the weekday 7@7 Happy Hour for food and drink specials.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion or seeking an opulent setting for a group meal, The Empress by Boon impresses with geometric screens, royal blue sofas, and skyline views. Come to one of the most beautiful restaurants in San Francisco for acclaimed chef Ho Chee Boon’s elegant, five-course prix fixe menu with decadent, Cantonese-inspired hits like a scallop and caviar roll. For private dining, choose the Empress room, which seats up to 20 guests.

Led by chef Tyler Florence, Miller & Lux is a sophisticated steakhouse with vintage accents in Chase Center. Don’t be fooled by the location—this restaurant is designed for formal occasions or a splurge-worthy meal before watching the Warriors. Select high-quality, dry-aged steaks sourced from ranches across the country, or enjoy premium seafood from the raw bar. With over 70 bottles of fine wine and a spacious, C-shaped leather booth, sharing a meal with a large group is easy at Miller & Lux.

Sourcing recipes and culinary techniques from Turkey and the Balkans, Taksim is where you go for familiar favorites and creative takes on Mediterranean dishes. Think lamb chops with smokey eggplant labneh, beef tenderloin shish kebab, or olive-crusted lamb carpaccio. For groups of 10 or more, the restaurant can arrange private or semi-private dining and personalized menus in one of five spaces. Expect an industrial-chic ambiance with exposed wooden beams, metal detailing, & warm wooden accents.

Bring a group of friends or the whole family to The Old Clam House. Open since 1861, the city’s oldest restaurant serves up crowd-pleasing seafood favorites like creamy clam chowder and fragrant cioppino. Enjoy them in a vintage dining room—think red-and-white-checked tablecloths and walls lined with historical photos and nautical antiques. No meal here is complete without a warming glass of clam juice.

Historic John’s Grill has been a celebrity and local favorite since opening in 1908. The interior boasts big, circular tables ideal for large groups, and black-and-white photos deck the walls. Expect high-end, American steakhouse fare ranging from filet mignon and New York steak to lobster ravioli. The restaurant also has three elegantly appointed private rooms for groups ranging in size from 14 to 100 seated guests.

Woman-led Greens Restaurant is where you go for stellar, vegetarian and vegan dishes prepared with seasonal, local produce from organic farms. The airy dining room boasts plenty of space for group dining and uninterrupted views of the Golden Gate Bridge through the floor-to-ceiling windows. You can also book one of three small spaces for private events. Although the menu changes seasonally, expect clever plant-forward dishes like eggplant pizza and grilled cabbage shawarma.

Charming neighborhood bistro La Société Bar & Café is a destination for its French brasserie classics with a California twist. With cozy banquettes and a statement wall of colorful modern paintings, the space has a contemporary, laid-back feel. Book a large table in the dining area or reserve a private room for your party. Try the salt spring mussels or savor the pommes frites made with duck fat paired with a glass of red.

Combine dinner and a show with friends into one activity at Foreign Cinema. Open since 1999, this concept restaurant shows independent and classic films once the sun goes down, and the Mediterranean-California fusion menu is just as enchanting as the setting. Must-try dishes include five-spice duck and sirloin beef carpaccio paired with a regional wines. The restaurant also has private areas for parties ranging from 12 to 60 guests.