Owned by the same family behind cult favorite shawarma joint Ayat, this lively restaurant on Atlantic Avenue offers abundant platters of homestyle Palestinian fare. The mezze filistini platter, a colorful spread of cooling salads and dips served with pitas fresh from the oven, could be a meal in and of itself, but there are so many jewels on this menu that over ordering is almost inevitable. The shawarma is unsurprisingly delicious, but don't sleep on the pistachio and cheese flatbreads, sumac-scented msakhan, or mansaf, a rich stew of lamb finished with fermented yogurt sauce and slivered almonds; order aggressively and enjoy leftovers in the days to come. Oh, and did we mention it's BYO?

Since 1900, this family-owned spot in Williamsburg has charmed both locals and a dedicated bridge and tunnel following with reliable red sauce staples. Think abundant antipasti, baked clams brimming with garlicky breadcrumbs, hearty platters of penne alla vodka and veal parm, and excellent off-menu cannoli. The dining room in fact served as a set for the Soprano's - if that's not inspiration enough to give it a try, then maybe you're just not that fun.

Flushing certainly doesn't lack for solid hot pot joints, but Chongqing Lao Zao offers the coveted combo of unabashedly flavorful cooking and fantastic decor inspired by pre-Mao village life in Sichuan, replete with warm lantern lights and wooden detailing. Pick a ma la rich broth or two - we're partial to the beef tallow, presented in a nine-gridded pot - and load up your table with meats, seafood, and vegetables to suit every guest's taste. Pair with housemade rose wine or baijiu and you've got yourself the makings of a proper Chonqing-style turn up.

Ernesto's is one of our Lower East Side stalwarts, offering a robust take on Basque cuisine in a dimly lit dining room off East Broadway. Oftentimes, we like to post up at the bar, where you could easily make a meal out of pintxos and excellent wines by the glass, but in case you're rolling in with say eight to eleven guests, there's a four course prix fixe option that features all of Chef Ryan Bartlow's hits served family style.

Owned and operated by a Blue Hill veteran, this Bushwick gem is inspired by Chef Eric Tran's father's cooking style, seamlessly blending Vietnamese and Mexican influences into plates meant for sharing. The family-style dishes and communal tables encourage group dining without sacrificing intimacy. Larger plates change frequently, promising a new experience with each reservation.

POV: It’s a weeknight and you’re craving galbi (thick cut soy marinated short ribs) while belting out Celine Dion classics. Well, look no further than Insa, where you can indulge in both. This neighborhood gem combines a Korean BBQ restaurant with a lively karaoke bar, making it the perfect spot for group feasts that give way to private song sessions. Plus, karaoke rooms are half off on Wednesdays.

Situated on the second floor of a discreetly marked building in the heart of K-Town, Jongro BBQ made its North American debut in New York City in 2015. This beloved Korean barbecue spot offers a spacious dining room that pays homage to its South Korean roots, with old movie posters and tin cigarette signs dotted throughout.

Laser Wolf, an Israeli restaurant from Philadelphia Chef Michael Solomonov, is perched on the roof of The Hoxton Hotel. This sprawling Williamsburg shipudiya offers a prix fixe menu with your choice of kebabs ranging from chicken shishlik, beef and lamb koobideh, shawarma cauliflower, and dorade. Select your main then sit back, relax, and enjoy the view while a colorful array of salatim, warm pita, and ethereally creamy hummus is sent your way to start. Date harissa wings with tehina ranch are technically an add-on, but for us, they're non negotiable. Reservations recommended

Chef Erik Ramirez helms the kitchen at this Williamsburg staple, bringing traditional Peruvian fare to new heights with some fine dining flair. Don't miss the lomo saltado, a succulent beef stir-fry mixed with avocados, chiles, and a generous helping of french fries. This national treasure of a dish is meant to not only be shared, but celebrated, among friends.

An informal catering business has since blossomed into Nasrin's Kitchen, a homestyle restaurant tucked away on the second story of an unassuming townhouse on 57th Street. Groups can feast on a mix of kebabs and khoresh (stews and braises) alongside herbed rice and freshly baked barbari bread. On Sundays, Nasrin's offers abgoosht, a slow-cooked symphony of oxtail and chickpeas served in traditional stoneware crocks called dizi.

Semma, Unapologetic Foods' venture in the heart of the West Village, shines a spotlight on the richness of Southern Indian cuisine. From the adventurous nathai pirattal, snails stir-fried with onions and tomatoes, to the diyal Kool, a soup infused with scallops, squid, and prawns, each bite takes you through a unique flavor journey rarely experienced outside of local homes and neighborhoods.

Sevilla feels a little frozen in time - the historic Spanish restaurant in Greenwich village was dubbed an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation (an award which owner José Lloves initially thought was a scam), drawing in a constant stream of regulars and tourists with steaming platters of paella a la Valenciana, fragrant shrimp al ajillo, and housemade Spanish potato chips. The wine list is tight and not especially exciting, but pitchers of Sangria go down easy. In true Spanish style, we recommend sauntering in on the later side and grabbing a booth with a group of your friends who want to pretend they're in España for an evening.

The sister restaurant to Chef Ayesha J. Ndurjaja's Shuka highlights vegetable-forward creations alongside traditional kebab house favorites. The highly seasonal menu is constantly changing, so it's easy to come back time and again to enjoy something new. What you can count on, however, are four varieties of bread, each baked, grilled, or griddled to order, to accompany your feast.

Should you find yourself in Astoria craving reliable seafood, a chill ambiance, and a check that won't have you sweating at the end (so long as you don't overindulge in quaffable Greek wine), then look no further than Taverna Kyclades. Start your feast with an array of dips, then pick your seafood favorites, fried or grilled to order.

The team behind Cervos and Hart's has mastered the art of restaurants perfect for sharing, and their third venture, The Fly, is no exception. This self-described chicken bar serves free-range, organic New York birds, paired with an impressive wine list that spans the globe. Rotisserie chicken and a chilled red is an undersung pairing IOHO, especially when rounded out with some extra crispy frites. A salad is always nice - for health, or something. Groups of 8-20 can enjoy a family-style chickenin their back dining room.

Tsion Cafe, a cozy gem in Harlem, is known for its Ethiopian dishes with unique modern flair. The menu tells the story of Chef Beejhy's journey from Ethiopia to Harlem via Israel, with vegetarian dishes taking center stage. Forget the utensils and use your hands to dive into plates of steamy injera piled high with stewed fava beans, nutty shiro, and simmered collard greens, all begging to be enjoyed with friends.

Among those in the know, Wu's Wonton King reigns supreme as a cornerstone of the Lower East Side culinary scene. Upon arrival guests will be greeted with tanks housing colossal live Dungeness Crabs and glistening roasted ducks dangling from windows. The expansive menu caters to everyone and is designed to be served family-style, ensuring that even your most picky friend is bound to find something of interest. Groups can enjoy a selection of prix-fixe "feast" menus, as well as a much beloved BYO wine policy - with the aid of a lazy susan, you and your oenophile friends can indulge in impromptu wine pairings.