Staten Island offers event planners a different restaurant landscape than Manhattan and the rest of New York City. The rooms are often bigger, and parking is usually easier. You’ll also find a wide range of fun and elegant options, from tequila-fueled birthday dinners to a polished Italian buyout with a serious wine list.
If you’re hosting an event in Staten Island, consider these restaurants that double as one-of-a-kind event spaces!
5 Best Staten Island Restaurants for Private Events
While Staten Island has many options, these are the restaurants we chose as the best all-rounders. Each offers great service and strong event options.
1. Sofia's Taqueria - Forest Ave. Staten Island
Location: 1210 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY
Sofia’s Taqueria on Forest Avenue brings the group’s taco-and-tequila format to Westerleigh, with a casual setup that works well for birthdays and low-key celebrations. This location also serves as Sofia’s newer Guac Bar, giving it a more informal identity than a standard full-service dinner spot.
Signature margaritas, sangria, beer, and Sofia’s Mexican dishes anchor the format here. Indoor seating, covered outdoor seating, and a walk-up margarita window create a more social flow than a single enclosed dining room.
This layout makes it easier for guests to move between drinks and dinner instead of locking the event into a fully seated pace.
2. Sofia's Taqueria - Amboy Rd. Staten Island
Location: 4370 Amboy Road, Staten Island, NY
Sofia’s Taqueria on Amboy Road carries the same festive Mexican format, but this location has a broader all-day rhythm.
Breakfast is served here on weekday mornings and on weekends before brunch, making it more flexible than a dinner-only restaurant. The menu covers tacos, fresh guacamole, platos fuertes, and a tequila-and-mezcal program with more than 150 bottles behind the bar.
Signature margaritas, sangria, cocktails, and brunch service give the room a built-in celebration format, whether for a daytime gathering or a weekend group meal with more energy.
3. Sofia's Taqueria - Bay St. Staten Island
Location: 977 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY
The Bay Street Sofia’s is the most built-out event option of the three taqueria locations. It has multiple floors and an outdoor courtyard, giving the restaurant more space for private parties than a single-room setup.
The multi-level layout also makes it easier to host different kinds of gatherings, from birthday parties and cocktail-heavy dinners to more casual group celebrations.
The food stays in Sofia’s familiar lane with tacos and larger Mexican plates, while the drinks program is even more extensive.
More than 100 tequilas and mezcals, handcrafted cocktails, and specialty margaritas help carry the night. The restaurant also regularly offers happy hour and weekly specials that suit group occasions.
4. Pastavino
Location: 44 Navy Pier Court, Staten Island, NY
Pastavino takes a different approach from the Sofia’s Taqueria locations. It draws inspiration from a trattoria and enoteca, pairing the casual style of an Italian neighborhood restaurant with the wine-driven approach of an Italian wine bar.
The menu includes house-made pasta, Roman-style focaccia, modern takes on Italian classics, and an exclusively Italian wine list featuring more than 100 producers.
The drinks side goes deeper than a standard neighborhood Italian spot, with seasonal cocktails and a large amaro collection. The selection has earned them a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2020.
Pastavino also has six event-space options, including:
- A full restaurant buyout for 148 seated guests
- A main dining room for 120 seated guests
- A 90-seat partial main dining room
- A 45-seat section
- A 20-seat table in the main dining room
- A private dining room for 28
5. Li Greci’s Staaten
Location: 697 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY
Li Greci’s Staaten is a family-run venue with more than 55 years of experience. That long history still shapes the venue: formal and built for big occasions rather than casual drop-in dining.
Li Greci’s is a full-service event destination with in-house catering, a longstanding banquet experience, and a layout designed for private functions rather than a standard restaurant floor.
The scale is the biggest draw here. The venue includes six event spaces:
The Staaten is a better fit for weddings, galas, showers, and larger private celebrations than a typical restaurant buyout.
Getting there: Forest Avenue and Bement Avenue put Li Greci’s Staaten close to the Forest Av/Bement Av stop, about a 1-minute walk away. The 22nd Street light rail station is also nearby at roughly a 10-minute walk, while drivers can arrive straight off Forest Avenue.
How to Choose the Right Staten Island Restaurant for Your Event
The right venue depends on your guest count, event style, and the kind of experience you want guests to have.
Start by narrowing down restaurants that can comfortably handle your group size, whether that means a casual dining room, a private space, or a full buyout.
Next, think about the tone of the event. A lively taco-and-margarita restaurant like Sofia’s Taqueria works well for birthdays or casual celebrations, while an Italian restaurant with private dining like Pastavino may suit corporate dinners or more polished gatherings.
Larger milestone events such as weddings, showers, or galas may benefit from a dedicated event venue like Li Greci’s Staaten, which offers multiple rooms designed for big occasions.
Finally, consider logistics for your guests. Staten Island venues often offer easier parking and larger spaces than many New York City restaurants, which can make planning smoother for groups arriving by car or traveling from different parts of the borough.
Once you’ve matched the restaurant’s space, atmosphere, and menu to your event goals, it becomes much easier to choose a venue that will make the gathering feel effortless for everyone involved.
Book The Perfect Space for Your Event in Staten Island
These Staten Island picks cover different kinds of nights. One might make sense for margaritas and a big group dinner, while another is better for a quieter private room or a large-format celebration with a traditional event setup. That variety is the real advantage here.
Once you know whether your event needs brunch and margaritas or a private dining room with a polished pace, the shortlist is much easier to narrow down.
Ready to lock in your Staten Island venue? Head to the Perfect Venue Marketplace to compare spaces and book a Staten Island restaurant that fits your vision.
FAQ: Staten Island Restaurants for Private Events
What are the best Staten Island restaurants for private events?
Some of the best Staten Island restaurants for private events include Sofia’s Taqueria (Forest Ave, Amboy Rd, and Bay St locations), Pastavino, and Li Greci’s Staaten. These venues offer a mix of casual celebration spaces, private dining rooms, and large-scale event facilities that work well for birthdays, corporate dinners, and weddings.
Are there Staten Island restaurants with private event spaces?
Yes. Several Staten Island restaurants offer dedicated event spaces. Pastavino offers multiple dining configurations, including a private dining room and full-restaurant buyouts, while Li Greci’s Staaten features multiple banquet-style rooms designed specifically for private events.
Which Staten Island restaurants are best for large events?
For larger gatherings, Pastavino can host up to about 148 seated guests with different room configurations. Li Greci’s Staaten is designed for large-scale celebrations with multiple event rooms, making it a strong option for weddings, galas, and large private parties.
Are there casual Staten Island restaurants for birthday parties or group dinners?
Yes. Sofia’s Taqueria locations are well-suited for casual celebrations like birthday dinners and group gatherings. The restaurants feature lively atmospheres, margarita and tequila programs, and flexible seating layouts that make social events easier to organize.
What types of events can you host at Staten Island restaurants?
Restaurants and venues in Staten Island commonly host:
- Birthday parties
- Corporate dinners and team celebrations
- Wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners
- Bridal and baby showers
- Holiday parties and family celebrations
Many venues offer flexible layouts and event packages to accommodate different group sizes.
Why is Staten Island a good place to host private events?
Staten Island restaurants often have larger dining rooms, dedicated event spaces, and easier parking compared with many Manhattan venues. This makes the borough particularly appealing for larger gatherings or events where guests may be traveling by car.
How far in advance should you book a Staten Island restaurant for an event?
For most Staten Island venues, booking 3–6 weeks in advance works well for medium-sized gatherings. Large events like weddings or banquet-style celebrations may require several months of planning, especially for weekend dates.
