Let’s face it, nobody likes going to birthday dinners.
Name something worse than being seated next to your ex’s new summer fling.
Ok, maybe heaping portions of mediocre food and painfully loud music.
Or the fact that you have to pretend you actually like the birthday girl.
See Also: Best NYC Restaurants That Turn Into A Dance Party
Hate to break it to you Katie, but your birthday is in fact not a national holiday. And it definitely doesn’t last a whole month.
In the spirit of cringey group dinners, we’ve rounded up the ten best places to celebrate your birthday in NYC.
Warning: these spots have great food and even better vibes. Ah, the irony.
Lil Frankie’sView this post on Instagram
19 1st Ave, Manhattan/Website
Famous for their melt-in-your-mouth Pasta Limone, Lil Frankie’s is the perfect spot for a large group dinner. Offering wood-fired pizzas and other casual eats, this old-school joint will be sure to impress even the pickiest of palettes. Most importantly, you won’t break the bank eating here. Even if you order three of their highly addictive espresso martinis. If you’re trying to match Lily’s “single birthday girl” energy, you’ll definitely need caffeine injected into your veins.
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210 6th Ave, Manhattan/Website
While this cozy Greek eatery is perfect for a hungover Sunday brunch, it’s also a great pregame spot for a wild night out on the town. Everything on the menu is delicious, but our favorites include the Spanakopita spring rolls, chicken Gyro bao buns, and the Maine lobster pasta. Tell the hostess it’s your birthday in advance, so they bring out the highly-basic-but-highly-necessary sparklers. The space is covered in gorgeous florals, guaranteeing Sydney will get her Insta photo captioned “another year in the books.”
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136 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website
Not sure if you want a decadent birthday dinner or a crazy night out with the girls? No need to worry! At Saint, East Village’s up-and-coming hotspot, you can have both. Start the night with mouthwatering French dishes served in a hip, brick-walled brasserie. After stuffing your face with shrimp cocktail, spinach pasta, and the famous 5th sin burger, head on over to Saint downstairs, the trendy subterranean speakeasy for drinks and dancing. Even Abby and Ashley will crack a smile.
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835 6th Ave, Manhattan/Website
Steak and all-you-can-eat fries? Count us in! This Tik Tok famous steakhouse offers a prix fixe menu for just $30, which includes a field greens salad, skirt steak cooked to your liking, and endless homemade fries. Cocktails, wine, and sides come at an additional cost, but will still keep your meal under $50 per person. Unless you’re ordering an endless supply of martinis, but that seems like a you problem. Ugh, is Sarah really throwing up in the bathroom again?
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343 W Broadway, Manhattan/Website
This Soho townhouse-turned-supper-club has a retro 70’s vibe with a contemporary, 21’st century twist. Sister of the Eldridge Street favorite, The Flower Shop, Little Ways is perfect for drinks, food, and the sickest of vibes. If you have an aversion to anything super basic, this cool-girl spot will meet all your expectations. We hate to break it to you Rachel, but posting a picture of your dirty gin captioned “Olive you” is just a wee bit basic.
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324 Lafayette St, Manhattan/Website
If you’re looking for the fun Miami vibes, but don’t want to spend a million dollars on plane tickets, Kyu is the spot for you! Bringing the Florida heat to the streets of NYC, this clubby Asian eatery is the ideal spot for a rowdy birthday with friends. If you’re here for a good time not a long time, you’re most definitely in the right place. Make sure you’re wearing your best birthday fit because Kyu is a scene and a half.
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19 Cleveland Pl, Manhattan/Website
A relaxed Israeli restaurant by day, and a buzzy oasis by night, 19 Cleveland is the embodiment of the best of both worlds. Described as the “windswept wonders of the Mediterranean mingled with the irresistible pulse of New York City,” this Noho staple perfectly balances two party cultures. While you may not be dancing on tables like other famous Israeli haunts, 19 Cleveland is perfect for the laid-back girl who secretly likes attention on her birthday.
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Multiple Locations/Website
An oldie but a goodie, La Esquina is a shoo-in for a great birthday with your 32 closest friends. Kidding, sorta. With multiple locations around the city, this upscale Mexican spot is equally as delicious as it is convenient. Upstairs is a no-frills taqueria with irresistible guac and margaritas, but the party doesn’t stop there! Behind an unmarked door lies the ever-so-exclusive basement brasserie, AKA a fancy tequila bar, which is popping at all hours of the night.
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Multiple Locations/Website
This Spanish restaurant meets Tapas bar is a great option for this year’s birthday dinner! Serving small plates, authentic-style paella, and an abundance of sangria, you most definitely will not leave Boqueria hungry (or sober, for that matter). Inspired by the “buzzy atmosphere and delicious food of Barcelona,” Boqueria transports you to the Spanish streets without ever having to leave home. This vibrant eatery is perfect for sharing, making the awkward “do we treat the birthday girl?” conversation slightly more seamless.
Whether you think your birthday lasts 365 days, or wish you could skip it altogether, we've got all your dinner needs covered.
Photography by: Half Point, Getty
