Café Chelsea

What groups say

Small groups book main dining room tables for birthdays, work celebrations and friend dinners, ordering a la carte.

• Reviewers describe groups of 5 to 8 seated in the main dining room and banquettes, not a separate private space.
• Menu is a la carte, with reviewers sharing appetizers such as croquettes, panisse and ravioli across the table.
• Several reviewers advise reserving ahead, noting reservations can open about a month out and the room fills quickly.
• Parties larger than 3 are advised to reserve rather than walk in.

Drawn from 28 Google reviews of Café Chelsea that mention a group, a private room or a celebration, read September 2026. The reviews below describe a group visit, private rooms and larger events first, with the critical ones kept in.

• group dinner, party of 8

  Our large group of 8 tried just about everything on the menu and found it all to be exquisite! Truly one of the best meals we’ve ever had. The service was outstanding. The staff was very attentive and constantly clearing plates for us to enjoy the next course. I will highly recommend Cafe’ Chelsea to anybody visiting NYC!

• work anniversary dinner

  I went there to celebrate work anniversary with a group of coworkers. Carla was amazing, she is a gem!!! Also, the service, the food everything was amazing . I am so happy we went there for that special night.

• group dinner, party of 5

  Atmosphere is great!! If you are going during rush hour, be ready for tight seating. We were a group of five seating at corner banquette, it barely fit us, and hard to came out. The distance between tables are really narrow. Other than that, the food and service is good.

• group dinner

  seriously might be my worst experience at a restaurant ever. arrived on time for our reservation. told to wait. stood right infront of the entrance. to crowded to move. half an hour later they refused to give us a time estimate of how much longer we will have to wait. when we were asking, a member of my party was pushed into the hostess due to the crowdedness of the space and the hostess rudely replied “do not touch me”. my friend wouldn’t have “touched you” if you managed your restaurant properly. terrible. never coming back.

Good to know

Hours, spend and amenities from Google. Private event hours and minimums are set by the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does Café Chelsea have a private dining room?

Yes. Café Chelsea offers a private dining room for groups in Chelsea. Cave à Vin and adjoining Solarium Bar; dinner starts at $135/person; at Hotel Chelsea; 218 W 23rd St.

How much does it cost to book a private event at Café Chelsea?

Guests at Café Chelsea typically spend $30 to $90 per person on a regular visit, according to Google, before drinks and tip. A private room or group booking is usually priced on a food and beverage minimum that scales from that per-head figure rather than a flat room fee. Minimums run higher on Friday and Saturday nights and through December. Contact Café Chelsea for the current minimum and deposit terms.

When is Café Chelsea open?

Café Chelsea is open Monday to Thursday 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, and Sunday 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, serving brunch, lunch and dinner. The restaurant takes reservations for regular tables. Private rooms can often be booked outside these hours, including daytime events, so ask when you inquire.

What kind of restaurant is Café Chelsea?

Café Chelsea is a $$ French / American restaurant in Chelsea, New York City, rated 4.2 stars across 709 Google reviews. It has outdoor seating and a wheelchair accessible entrance.

What do guests say about group dining at Café Chelsea?

Small groups book main dining room tables for birthdays, work celebrations and friend dinners, ordering a la carte. Reviewers describe groups of 5 to 8 seated in the main dining room and banquettes, not a separate private space. Menu is a la carte, with reviewers sharing appetizers such as croquettes, panisse and ravioli across the table. Several reviewers advise reserving ahead, noting reservations can open about a month out and the room fills quickly. Parties larger than 3 are advised to reserve rather than walk in. Reviewers praise: attentive servers who clear plates between courses for larger tables; staff mark birthdays with candles and complimentary ice cream; shareable dishes and desserts that groups consistently praise; grand dining room and bar with strong atmosphere. Watch for: noise level high enough that some parties cut dinner short; corner banquettes tight for 5, narrow gaps between tables; host stand disorganized at peak; waits and reservation mix-ups reported. Based on 28 Google reviews of Café Chelsea that mention a group, a private room or a celebration.

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