Austin is filled with fantastic dining opportunities. From tender barbecue to tasty Tex Mex, you’ll find a little bit of everything in the Texas capitol. This makes choosing a place to eat in Austin relatively easy. But what if you’re dining with a large group? We all love a good hole in the wall or food truck, but small eateries aren’t usually accommodating for groups, especially if you’re planning a private dining event.

Finding the perfect restaurant is only the first step of organizing a group dining experience. You’ll still have to think about how your guests will get there. Hosting a 40-person corporate happy hour at Banger’s sounds great until you get a call (or five) from colleagues trying to find a parking place around Rainey Street. Book a charter bus to simply shuttle everyone instead. GOGO Charters Austin has a large network of minibuses and charter buses that will make your group’s evening much easier.

A charter bus rental will save guests the frustration and cost of parking along Austin’s busy roads. A professional driver will pick everyone up from your office, home, or any other designated location and whisk them away to your dining reservation. It’s that easy. No trying to parallel park in a spot way too small for your SUV or paying $45 for two hours of parking.

Now let’s think about the food. Where is the best place to take a big group?

Well, it depends.

If you’re organizing a rehearsal dinner or a birthday celebration, you’ll want a restaurant with a private room. If your company is hosting a laid-back social gathering, reserving a big patio table is a better bet.

Private Rooms

Booking a private dining room is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food. Are you looking for a classy space with tasty family-style Italian fare? Il Brutto in East Cesar Chavez is your go-to spot. Their private dining room can seat up to 40 people, while bigger groups of up to 100 can rent out the shaded patio. Enjoy all the pasta and wine you want—with a private bus rental you’ll have a built-in DD.

Is contemporary Mexican more your thing? Try La Condesa in Downtown Austin. Taste test their many types of guacamole and chow down on dishes like savory carne asada or an array of ceviches. La Condesa serves up family-style menus for parties of 11 or more in the main dining room. The restaurant also has a private dining room called The Flour House which can seat up to 20 guests. Groups over 20 should ask about renting Malverde, the restaurant’s indoor/outdoor private event space.

If you want chic decor and delicious New American cuisine like bison tartare and delectable hush puppies, look no further than Eberly for your private dining needs. This Bouldin Creek eatery has six separate dining spaces available for private events. The Study at Eberly is the perfect intimate space for wedding dinners and can seat up to 40 people, while The Cannon Room is a wonderful space for a company or organization’s cocktail hour.

Spacious Patios

Patio restaurants and bars are a dime a dozen in Austin, but picking the best outdoor space can still be tough.

Beers, brats, and big patios are a great combo. Fortunately, you’ll find all those things at Easy Tiger on Sixth Street and Banger’s on Rainey Street. Both patios have large communal tables that are great options for drinks with coworkers, birthday celebrations, or kick-offs to an evening of bachelor/ette party festivities.

Easy Tiger has individual patio table reservations that can seat eight to 10 people, as well as the option to reserve different sections of the patio. If you’re having an exceptionally large event, you can reserve the entire patio for 250 guests standing or 120 seated. Banger’s only offers table reservations Monday through Thursday for groups of 12 or more. Full buyouts of the iconic Banger’s yard are also available upon request.

“Fresh” and “farm-to-table” are a match made in restaurant description heaven. Contigo brings fresh, local ingredients together to create American cuisine like burgers, ox tongue sliders, and chicken wings. The restaurant has a sprawling deck with community style tables that can be reserved for private events of up to 50 people.

Food and drinks are always best when enjoyed with a group. So why not make your next gathering even better with great ambiance, cuisine, and private group transportation? Call 512-640-4096 to get a personalized charter bus quote for your next flavor filled Austin outing!