Going out to eat in a group is so much fun! However, it can get expensive quickly. We know it is difficult to find a good spot to enjoy a nice dinner that won’t break the bank. Finding cheap restaurants for a group is important for preserving your budget.
That is why we compiled this list to help you find some delicious options at great price points that are perfect for large groups.
On this list, you will find higher-end restaurants as well as casual ones. We also included some that cater to people with food sensitivities and allergies. There is also a wide range of cuisines as well. We are confident you will find something that your entire group will enjoy!
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Best Restaurants for a Large Group
Here are some of the best cheap restaurants for a large group, keeping in mind family meal deals, the average price per entree, and any ongoing specials. Bon appétit!
1. The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory is a well-known American restaurant that serves a wide variety of dishes. While main dishes are upwards of $18, going in to enjoy dishes off of their “small plates” menu is a great option for a group.
While they state that it is a small plate, it is still a decent-sized portion. If you have ever been to The Cheesecake Factory, you know their portions are generous. The prices range from $7.95-$10.95 so it’s a perfect price point for a group at a restaurant.
If you visit during Happy Hour (Monday through Friday 4-6 pm), small plates and appetizers are marked down to $5.95-$7.95. Cocktails are also as low as $6.95 during that time.
The Cheesecake Factory also accepts reservations, so to ensure a shorter wait time be sure to utilize that feature on their website or by calling ahead.
2. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has an amazing menu also at fabulous prices. There are many “comfort food” types of dishes that ring in at under $10.
One of the best parts about Cheddar’s is that they offer Family Bundles.
The three currently listed on their site are:
- The Chicken Tender Bundle for $24.99: 16 tenders with a dipping sauce, served with two family-sized sides and 6 honey butter croissants.
- The Grilled Salmon Bundle for $34.99: Four 5oz salmon filets served over seasoned rice with two family-sized sides, bourbon glaze, and 6 honey butter croissants.
- The Grilled Salmon & Tenders Bundle for $32.99: Two 5oz salmon filets served over seasoned rice and 8 breaded chicken tenders served with two family-sized sides, bourbon glaze, and 6 honey butter croissants.
Menus definitely vary by location, but you might find some more options at your local Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. These deals are truly great for a few people to split a delicious meal at a great price.
Another neat option is that the family bundles are available for takeout, so you can go enjoy this with friends at home!
3. Outback Steakhouse
Steakhouses are known for being pricey, but Outback Steakhouse is typically on the lower end while still serving quality dishes.
The best part is that you can enjoy other cuisines there, too. So if you happen not to love steak, you can still go as a group and enjoy chicken, vegan dishes, pasta, and more!
Although Outback Steakhouse does not have a dedicated group meal type of dinner, the prices are under $13-$14 for soup or salad, their (outstanding) bread, and the main dish.
If your group is available, going at lunch hour is even better. Monday through Friday until 4 pm, you can get main dishes with a side and soup or salad for only $9.99. You can also get unlimited soup and salad for $8.99.
4. P.F. Chang’s
If you are in the mood for Asian food, P.F. Chang’s is one of the best places to go as a group. Yes, it’s Americanized Asian food, but it is absolutely delicious.
This restaurant has a family meal bundle for two, four, and six people. This might be a great place to hang out with friends or coworkers.
Here’s a breakdown of the bundles:
- Family Meal for 2 ($38): 1 Lettuce Wrap, 1 Soup, 1 Noodle or Rice, and 1 Main Entrée
- Family Meal for 4 ($64): 1 Lettuce Wrap, 1 Soup, 1 Noodle or Rice, and 2 Main Entrées
- Family Meal for 6 ($90): 1 Lettuce Wrap, 1 Soup, 2 Noodles or Rice, and 3 Main Entrées
That means you can get a full dinner at a nice restaurant for as low as $15 per person. They also have lots of options for people with different dietary restrictions within these family meals if you are in need of that.
5. Applebee’s
Applebee’s is famously known for their 2-for-$20 meal so this restaurant and deal definitely had to make this list. Get two entrees and one appetizer for only $20. Go as a group, pair up and enjoy a filling meal for a great price.
Applebee’s also has amazing variety on its menu. You can find pasta, tacos, meats, and more so it’s a great place to go with friends.
They also have a really fun and relaxed atmosphere so it makes it a great place to meet to enjoy some drinks or watch some games.
Happy Hour deals vary by location, but most of them do have it and you can get discounted cocktails and appetizers at this time as well.
RELATED: 70 Best Birthday Freebies (<– Applebee’s is just one of many on this list!)
6. Chili’s
Chili’s is also a pretty popular spot because you just can’t beat their deals. The deals do rotate here, but they are almost always a great price for a lot of food!
The special they are currently running is the “3 for Me” deal. So although it isn’t necessarily a family bundle, each person can get a 3-course meal for as low as $10!
Build your meal with this formula:
- Beverage
- Appetizer
- Entree
They have so many options to choose from so you will definitely find something everyone loves there. They even allow you to upgrade your beverage to a margarita or other cocktail or swap your appetizer for dessert.
RELATED: 25 Best Restaurants Where Kids Eat for Free
7. Olive Garden
We definitely cannot get through this list without including Olive Garden. Unlimited breadsticks? Yes, please!
This restaurant has so many locations, you’re bound to find one near you! The lunchtime specials are fabulous but the best deals are their family bundles to take home.
The Olive Garden website currently has 20 different family bundles for different-sized families, different price points, and different flavors. You are certainly going to find something that is perfect for your group at this restaurant.
This is by far a favorite place to go as a group for this very reason!
Their most famous “in restaurant” deal is the unlimited soup and salad meal. Toss in the unlimited breadsticks and your group will be stuffed (at a low price!), with a deliciously flavored meal.
Lunchtime also consists of their regular menu items at discounted prices so be sure to keep that in mind.
8. Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse is known for its Texas-sized portions. Unlimited honey butter rolls, huge steaks, generous sides, and grandiose desserts. This place is great for a crowd to get together and share!
Order off of the appetizer menu and get a half rack of ribs and fries, buffalo wings, or grilled shrimp and toast for $10.99. When you compare the price and the portion, it is truly a steal.
They also have specials called Family Packs. They serve 4-6 people depending on the Pack. Some locations let you eat these in, others are takeout only.
Family Packs consist of one protein, a topping for that protein, two family-sized sides, and a family-sized House or Cesar salad for as low as $34.99. They also include their famous honey butter rolls.
That is so much more food, better quality than you would get at any fast food restaurant, and a much better ambiance to share a dinner with a crowd.
9. Buffalo Wild Wings
If you are looking for a great place for a crowd to gather for a game, Buffalo Wild Wings is where you want to be. They have a different special every day of the week so that’s super fun if you are planning a get-together.
Some favorites are Buy One Get One Free Boneless Wings on Thursdays and Buy One Get One 50% off on Bone-In Wings on Tuesdays. That’s a great deal for a family or a group of friends to get together and enjoy.
They also have a special that is 40 wings with sauces and a large family-sized side of French Fries for $40.
10. Chick-fil-A
This is a much more casual spot, but the food at Chick-fil-A is great and the environment is fun for get-togethers. If you have a local one with a playground, this is perfect for a group of moms and dads to get together.
Family meals here are pretty neat and at a great price. You can get 4 sandwiches, 4 fries or mac and cheese, and a half gallon of lemonade for $30. You can get these both for take out or eating in.
Deals vary across the country, so call and see what your local Chick-fil-A is offering for a casual hangout spot that is very kid friendly!
11. Red Lobster
Red Lobster definitely has to make this list because they win with the specials. They know it, too because their website states “Get a different deal all day, every weekday.” That along with endless Cheddar Biscuits makes this the perfect place to stop in for a group!
The current weekday specials are as follows:
- Ultimate Endless Shrimp Mondays: Choice of two entrees and one side for $21.99.
- Two for Tuesday: Two Lobster, Shrimp & Salmon entrees with two sides each for $59.99.
- Steak & Lobster Wednesday: Sirloin & lobster with two sides for $24.99.
- Throwback Thursday: Shrimp, Pepsi or Iced Tea, and two sides for only $14.99.
- Fish Fry Friday: Hand battered cod with fries and cole slaw for $13.99.
Combine that with happy hour and you can get drinks at a great price along with a great deal for dinner. This is definitely a prime location for a delicious dinner at a great price with a nice ambiance!
12. Red Robin
Red Robin is the place to want to meet if you’re looking for a place to watch a football game with friends or simply hang out over burgers. They have an amazing deal for their delicious burgers this season!
It is one of their juicy, tender burgers with unlimited fries and a drink for $10 on weekdays. If you have never had a Red Robin Gourmet Burger, you definitely need to try it. Upgrade that drink to a milkshake and you’ve got the ultimate treat for a great price!
There are always more deals but they vary by location so be sure to check with your local one to plan the perfect day for a get-together at Red Robin!
13. Denny’s
Denny’s is the perfect place to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a great price, but especially if you’re looking for a late-night spot. This longtime group hangout spot is one of the best if you are looking for amazing deals. They always have something going on!
They have so many options for cheap and they come with so much food!
You can get one of their Grand Slams which comes with pancakes, french toast, or biscuits and gravy, with a side of eggs, and bacon or sausage for only $5.99. You can also do a cheeseburger with all the fixings and a side of fries for $7.99. Seriously, so cheap!
Oh, and did we mention you can get this all day or night? This is such a fun place to get together with a large group for a comfort meal!
14. Bonefish Grill
If you are looking for great seafood options, pasta, and even some great steaks with an amazing ambiance, Bonefish Grill is a perfect spot. This restaurant does take reservations so be sure to use that to get your large party seated quickly.
On Tuesdays, they have $6 Martinis and other handcrafted cocktails. They also have double protein entrees for under $20 and appetizers in the $10-$20 range.
This is definitely a higher-end restaurant though, so the prices are excellent for the service and quality you receive.
We cannot recommend Bonefish Grill enough for a large group looking to celebrate a birthday, big event, or any other accomplishment.
Summary
Whether you’re looking for a higher-end experience or super casual, Mexican, Italian, or American, we are certain you will be able to find something on this list of the best cheap restaurants for a group to suit your needs.
We also want to remind you to call your local restaurant before going in to confirm a particular special is still running or happening at your location.
