The best locations for private dining in Chelsea, NYC

Café Chelsea, putting contemporary twists on classic French dishes, is inside The Hotel Chelsea. If you’ve ever been to France, this elevated restaurant won’t feel like the typical Parisian cafe you’d stumble across. There is more comfort and privacy, from the unique light fixtures to the spacious seating.

This Chelsea private dining location allows guests the flexibility for semi-private dining or a full buyout, with multiple bars and combined spaces. The Cave à Vin and Solarium Bar accommodate 36 seated or 50 standing, and the Petit Café accommodates 32 guests.

Right by Hudson Yards, between 9th and 10th avenues, is Ci Siamo. This upscale Italian restaurant offers standout views, including in its private dining room, and is known for delivering top-tier hospitality.

This Chelsea private dining room has a personal bar and a private outdoor terrace facing the Empire State Building. The private room can accommodate 40 seated guests or 60 standing, and for larger groups, a full restaurant buyout allows 100 seated or 250 standing. If you want to go beyond the live-fire cooking, the beverage director can curate unique drinks to complete your private dining experience.

Another Chelsea private dining room focusing on seafood is Hav & Mar, but they have you swimming with mermaids while catering to groups as small as 6 or as large as 250.

The comfort of a cocoon is mimicked through the wooden Chef’s Table in the Round, in the middle of the dining room. Small groups from 4 to 8 can enjoy privacy but are not entirely secluded. However, seclusion is found in The Cove, which offers larger groups an altogether private space, seating 16 guests or standing 25 guests.

The entire space accommodates 120 seated guests and 185 guests for a reception.

There is more to Loulou Petit Bistro than we expected, with bubble bath cocktails and unique private dining options.

The fully enclosed wooden Cabanas, decorated with flowers and leaves, provide privacy for smaller gatherings, seating 24 guests or 30 for receptions. Greenery continues in the main dining room seating 96 people, with an additional 20 bar stools or 150 people standing.

If you want something more unique, you have to walk through the door of a vending machine. Yes, you heard us right. To host a private dinner in the fairytale-inspired speakeasy with 36 guests or a reception of 80, you must go through this box full of snacks.

A full-venue buyout includes all three spaces accommodating 250+ guests.

No matter the size of your party, paella is meant to be shared; at least, that's what Socarrat Paella Bar says. This Chelsea private dining room screams authenticity.

Whether a breezy summer night or a chilly fall afternoon, the heated outdoor patio seats 50 guests or stands 60. The flowers and twinkle lights feel like a casual backyard BBQ but with paella. Other options include the communal table room, which seats 26 and stands 25, or the Bar de Vinos, which seats 40 and stands 50.

Travel to Havana’s Chinatown at Calle Dao. This casual spot strives to capture the height of El Barrio Chino with a fusion of Cuban and Chinese culture and cuisine. The funky and informal interior, potted palms, and themed drinks modernize an era of the country’s history.

This immersive Chelsea private dining space accommodates groups of 20 for semi-private events in the mezzanine, fully private events for 70 seated, or 100 guests for a cocktail reception.

Carrie Bradshaw lives the stereotypical, often unattainable, New York dream, attending every exclusive party. Buddakan NYC may be the closest thing to walking in Carrie's shoes, fulfilling the "Sex in the City" fantasy.

Two large staircases descend into this Chelsea private dining room, with dark lighting, high ceilings, and large chandeliers, making it an impressive space to share a meal in New York.

Hosting groups of 13 or more, Buddakan NYC combines the "serenity of Asia with the flamboyance of 16th-century Paris."

Located near the Millennium Falcon–oh wait, we mean the Vessel– is the eastern Mediterranean restaurant Zou Zou’s. The Mural Room and The Parlour Room can be combined for a larger Chelsea private dining space, accommodating 42 seated guests or 60 guests for a cocktail reception.

Both rooms possess floor-to-ceiling windows with blue and white detailing, bringing the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea to New York City.

Individually, The Mural Room allows 24 seated guests and 30 for reception. The Parlour Room seats 18 guests and 20 for reception.

Want to stay in the comfort of your home but are craving food you can’t make? Located in a charming four-story brownstone, The Orchard Townhouse combines comfort and cuisine in a refined environment.

Adorned with outdoor lights, the heated garden accommodates 35 guests, and as summer approaches, the private patio opens and can fit 40 guests. Food and beverages must be pre-ordered from the menu for your event, and includes New American fare and cocktails

Inside the main dining room, 7-18 guests can sit in the main area, requiring a prix fixe menu and beverage minimum. Full restaurant buyouts can accommodate 100 guests seated or standing.

When humans visit The Wilson, they are handed a seafood-focused menu, and a dog menu catered to their furry friends. However, The Wilson also has curated package menus for private dining.

Vegetation covers the ceiling with light bulbs descending from wooden beams, creating a whimsical atmosphere. You can also add live entertainment or capture little moments with a photographer, which offers vendors and amenities to enhance your experience. Go ahead, snap that photo for your dog’s Instagram account.

The Wilson’s Garden space accommodates 80 guests for private dining. For larger groups, the patio seats 100, the upper level and patio seats 250, and the lower level seats 150.