Two rows of tables set up for private dining at the Hotel Chelsea. — A private dining area at the Hotel Chelsea.

12 Great NYC Restaurants for Your Wedding Day

NYC restaurants can host weddings of all sizes, some with sweeping skyline views and others hidden in alleyways

by Eater Staff Updated May 5, 2023, 4:10pm EDT

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A private dining area at the Hotel Chelsea.

| Annie Schlechter/Hotel Chelsea

by Eater Staff Updated May 5, 2023, 4:10pm EDT

New York City restaurants make up for their lack of space for weddings with stellar menus — and sometimes panoramic views, hidden speakeasies, and even their own wines. The proverbial rubber chicken served at so many weddings? There’s no worry of that happening in the list below. Couples can host their celebrations, large and small, with dishes that range from handmade pastas and inventive tapas to Michelin-caliber tasting menus and Chinese dim sum. These 10 restaurants are worthy for any number of celebrations.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it also poses a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

Hudson Garden Grill

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The Hudson Garden Grill at the New York Botanical Gardens offers brides and grooms its terrace and dining room, which seats around 50 guests. The space looks like a grand farmhouse, with the big draw of course being the killer view of the garden. The menu changes throughout the year, but it’s farm-to-table with Hudson Valley produce. Other spaces in the Botanical Gardens can accommodate parties even larger.

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2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458

(646) 627-7711

A dining room with empty tables with checkered table clothes and chandeliers. — The dining room at Hudson Garden Grill.

Eli's Table

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Recently reopened Eli’s Table is one of four restaurants offering New American and two party spaces. Ingredients are top notch, not to mention it’s a venue for French oenophiles.

1411 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10028

(212) 717-9798

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Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden

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Astoria’s legendary Bohemian beer garden hosts low-key outdoor weddings during the summer and indoor ones for up to 250 guests in its casual beer hall when things get colder. Food from the restaurant’s Czech menu, along with catering classics are served buffet style, and of course, there’s lots and lots of beer.

29-19 24th Ave, Astoria, NY 11102

(718) 274-4925

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Nubeluz

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Nubeluz from José Andrés is on the 50th floor of the Ritz-Carlton, the rooftop bar in the hotel where ground-floor NYC debut of Eastern Mediterranean hit Zaytinya opened over last year. The swanky jeweled-tone bar with back-lit panels features 132 indoor seats including the bar, and two terraces, one that seats 12 and another with room for 20: all with 270-degree views of the city.

Look for grazing snacks like oysters, foie gras terrine; a bagel and lox cone with cream cheese, salmon roe, and black sesame; grilled cheese with honey, thyme, and mustard; as well as Jamón Ibérico. Want to have more formal sit-down dinner? Hit the ground floor with Zaytinya.

25 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001

(332) 249-8151

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Inside Nubeluz, with a sweeping, jewel-tone bar. — The bar at Nubeluz.

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19 Sun-Soaked Rooftops for Eating and Drinking in NYC

The Bard at the Chelsea Hotel

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Inside the relaunched Hotel Chelsea, there are several private rooms that offer a slice of New York history. Spanish spot on the ground level, El Quijote can be booked and fits 70, but there’s also the Bard Room that can accommodate parties up to 100.

226 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011

(212) 518-1843

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The Gansevoort Rooftop Bar and Restaurant

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The recently updated indoor/outdoor rooftop offers Japanese dining from Saishin by Kissaki, an omakase and kaiseki restaurant, with views of the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. And yes, there is a 45-foot heated pool with a view as well.

18 9th Ave, New York, NY 10014

(212) 660-6728

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A swanky room framed by windows. — The updated rooftop at Gansevoort.

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Lafayette

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Choose Lafayette for a very French reception. There’s space for about up to 150 people in the wine cave, but seating can also be arranged in a private room for as few as 20 guests. The menus — which can include charcuterie, raw seafood options, and rotisserie chicken — fit with the elegant French ambiance.

380 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003

(212) 533-3000

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Rule of Thirds

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This Japanese restaurant in the heart of Greenpoint is especially helpful to keep on your radar if you have a bigger wedding party and want catering that stays clear of the ordinary. Wedding packages at Rule of Thirds have a 100 person minimum, with items like chicken karaage, yuzo kosho tuna salad, and mochi ice cream available.

171 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

(347) 334-6684

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Freemans

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Hosting a wedding in the many rooms of Freemans — which can 140 seated, and up to 200 for a cocktail reception — is a bit like getting married in a country mansion with plenty of vintage adornments that give the spaces its signature charm.

Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002

(212) 420-0012

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A dining room with a long wooden table and plate settings. — One of the many dining rooms at Freemans.

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Smyth Tavern

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The newish Smyth Tavern has three spaces for a wedding reception, between the main dining room, a large 80-person private dining room, and the Galerie Bar for a cocktail hour. Aside from that, it’s also in the ground floor of the Smyth hotel, which could serve as a headquarters for out-of-town guests.

85 W Broadway, New York, NY 10007

(646) 813-9090

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A long table with cloths, plates, silverware, etc. — The private events room at Smyth Tavern.

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Golden Unicorn

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Dim sum favorite Golden Unicorn hosts weddings for as many as 200 people in its Chinatown banquet hall. Unlike the restaurant’s dim sum service, where diners pick what they want from roving carts, couples choose the menu in advance. A restaurant manager will work with customers to personalize menus.

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18 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002

(212) 941-0911

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A Chinese banquet hall with round tables with guests seated and roving dim sum carts. — Golden Unicorn during a dim sum service.

Frankies 457

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For more han a decade, the backyard at Frankies 457 has been a signature Brooklyn wedding destination. Soft lights are strung across the courtyard area, and there’s a vintage stable to have dinner in. The restaurant pulls from its classic Italian options including its antipasti platters and pastas — almost what one would expect at a wedding in rural Italy. The garden can accommodate up to 130.

457 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

(718) 403-0033

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