With its wide selection of European fare, individual order cards that allow for separate payments (no more split-bill hassles!), and comfy and casual table seating of various sizes, Marche has always been a great spot for large gatherings. Our pick is the centrally located Suntec City branch, which has an awesome indoor children’s play area fashioned like a tree house. Traditional European favourites, which Marche does well, include Swiss rosti, French crepes, and German pork knuckle and sausages.

Marche is at #01-612 to 614, Suntec City (Tower 3 East wing), Temasek Blvd 3, Singapore 038983, tel: 6337 3134, and various other locations. 

READ MORE: Take Your Kids To One Of These Fun Indoor Playgrounds In Singapore

This halal-certified spot offers authentic Swedish cuisine – from the popular meatballs to the lesser known Raksmorgas (shrimp and egg sandwich) and Pytt I Panna (sautéed diced beef, potatoes and onion with egg and pickled red beets). The Beach Road outlet has a second floor space – call to reserve – that’s great for big groups.

And if you’re celebrating a special occasion that calls for cake, do note that while you can’t bring in your own cake (likely because of the halal requirement), Fika’s sister bakery, Konditori, does pretty delicious – and decadent – cakes and desserts. You’ll just have to order with the restaurant in advance.

Fika Swedish Café and Bistro is at 257 Beach Road, Singapore 199539, tel: 6396 9096.

This is the place to kill at least two birds with one stone: Snap that fab #OOTD shot in front of the eatery’s famous entrance, and have a feast in comfortable surroundings with your family or pals.

Housed within a massive space that used to be an industrial warehouse, the luxury of space – and the amazing light that comes with it – effects almost instant relaxation. Its large wooden tables and chairs can comfortably accommodate big groups.

Cyclists and bicycle-lovers will have an added bonus of ogling at the bike-centric décor. Food-wise, signature items include the Ultimate Beef Yard Burger and the Chilli Crab Pasta.

Wheeler’s Yard is at 28 Lorong Ampas, Singapore 328781, tel: 6254 9128.

If your family and friends love seafood and healthy eating, this is the place to indulge. The draw at Captain K are the seafood towers. Available in several tiers (the tallest one being the Pacific Tower, which costs close to $330 and can feed eight people or more), these comprise a variety of premium seafood steamed layer-by-layer in front of you.

We’re not merely talking about fish and prawns, but lobsters, king crab and scallops as well. It’s truly a feast for the stomach and the eyes. Reservations are available and recommended!

Captain K Seafood Tower is at 112 Middle Road, #01-00 Midland House, Singapore 188970, tel: 6255 5744.

This is one mala hotpot offering that’s unique and will definitely appeal to almost everyone in the family – even for non-spice lovers and vegetarians! Fish – which you can select from decent range, including patin, sea bass and snapper – is bathed in your choice of savoury broth, in which additional hotpot items, such as crabstick, pork balls and Enoki mushroom, can be added.

Diners can choose to have their dish non-spicy or on the other end of the scale, “extreme” spicy. Pair the unique hotpot with side dishes such as salted egg calamari, black fungus salad, century egg tofu and others.

We like the Mosque Street branch as its long tables and a really good value buffet offering, make it an ideal place for family gatherings.

Chong Qing Grilled Fish is at #01-01, 18 Mosque Street, Singapore 059498, tel: 6225 0087 and two other outlets.

If you’re looking for a place to gather a big group in the heart of Orchard Road, check out this spacious Korean steamboat spot that’s tucked away in Orchard Gateway. There are large tables that can accommodate groups of more than 10 pax, and each person can pick and choose what they want to eat from a buffet spread of up to 80 types of meat, seafood, vegetables and Korean delicacies. All at wallet-friendly prices! (Psst, in case you didn’t know, the restaurant is the brainchild of local veteran entrepreneur Elim Chew.)

GoroGoro Steamboat & Korean Buffet is at #04-01 orchardgateway@emerald, 218 Orchard Road, Singapore 238851, tel: 6385 7854.

READ MORE: Your Guide To The Best Korean Fried Chicken In Singapore

If fluffy burger buns are your thing then head on down to Potato Head Folk. Faves include the Truff Ryder with a Wagyu beef patty and pan-seared foie gras as well as the Honky Tonk, buttermilk fried chicken playfully dressed in hot sauce and miso mayo. They’re also got a rooftop bar that you can head up to if you’re looking to chill after.

Potato Head Folk is at 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143, tel: 6327 1939.

If left alone, you might just find yourself eventually single-handedly mopping up the last of their addictive mezze dips at this restaurants that dishes out creative and delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. Luckily, you’re in a group. Then comes the sharing plates, from hot skillet prawns doused in green chilli harissa to the rich spiced grilled duroc pork collar, as well as daily specials. So good!

Artichoke is at 161 Middle Rd, Singapore 188978, tel: 6336 6949.

Marry the flavour explosions of both Mexican and Korean cuisines and you get the best of both worlds at KoMex joint Vatos Urban Tacos.

And with both cuisines, it’s nothing but the best. So tuck into their addictive kimchi carnitas fries, signature Baja fish or galbi short rib tacos, mango prawn quesadilla and more. All of this is best washed down with one of their makgeolitas; a tequila meets makgeolli concoction that’s so delicious!

Vatos Urban Tacos is at 36 Beach Rd, Singapore 189766, tel: 6385 6010.

A family that eats together stays together — that’s the mantra behind the communal menu (good for four!) at this Asian-inspired restaurant in the Botanic Gardens.  After all, communal dining with shared dishes is a well-loved tradition in Asian culture.

On the 12-course menu: poached prawn pasta, halia chilli crab, angus ribeye and more. Oh and your choice of beverage — we recommend the namesake Halia sangria — also served in a communal jug.

The Halia is at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (Ginger Garden), 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, tel:  8444 1148.

Dining at Camp Kilo Charcoal Club is like going for a backyard barbecue party of a fun old friend who happens to cook really well. Think an energetic crowd mingling around open air seats, a garden bar, spit roasting a whole hog and of course, hearty barbecue fare. Even the desserts (s’mores, cheesecakes and toasted marshmallows, anyone?), pay homage to the camp theme.

Camp Kilo Charcoal Club is at #01-01, 66 Kampong Bugis, Singapore 338987, tel: 9830 6252.

In case you can’t tell, we’re firm believers that BBQ is always a good idea for groups, Korean barbecue included, of course. At Seorae, you get to grill your meats at your own table; they specialise in Korean galmaesigal, a premium cut of pork skirt that’s denser and more luxurious.

It’s even said to be exclusively served to the Royal Family of Korea in ancient times.

Seorae is at #02-01 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, tel: 9181 2709​; and  #B1-10 Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, tel: 9199 8729​.

This Chinese restaurant chain’s various outlets around the island are all designed to reminisce ancient oriental inns. All the better to savour authentic Chinese cuisine in. And no table does without their signature herbal roast duck, marinated with a myriad of herbs and spices, then roasted to a perfect golden brown.

The result: tender, juicy duck oozing a powerful and delicious herb fragrance, crispy skin donned over a layer of gratifying fat.

Dian Xiao Er has various outlets. 

This American diner-inspired restaurant serves up delicious food and a gorgeous view of Marina Bay. You can sit outdoors for the view, or indoors for a bit more privacy. Try the Beer Can Chicken dish – it’s delicious and moist! Down at the bar, you’ll love their elderflower mojito (that also comes in a jug). Not big on booze? Go for the malt milkshake that’s a crowd favourite (and kid-friendly).

OverEasy is at #01-06, One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213, tel: 6684 1453.

A list about group dining ideas isn’t complete without pizza thrown in. Our ideal pizza party looks something like this: unconventional picks like their crowd favourite roasted duck pizza that you don’t find at your typical pizzerias.

All while a live band — it could be a full-on rock set or a jazzy kind of thing — serenades you through the night.

Timbre X is at The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, Singapore 179936, tel: 6338 8030.

Want everyone to have the quintessentially Singaporean food experience?

It’s got to be chilli crab of course. Seafood Paradise is one of our faves, in part because of their addictive, tangy chilli crab, but also because of their other crustacean variations like the intensely creamy and buttery, well, creamy butter crab.

Seafood Paradise is at #02-03, The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands, 8 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956, tel: 6688 7051.

Text: The Finder / Additional reporting: Therese Tay and Atika Lim

This post was updated on 19 March, 2019.