The best restaurants to celebrate a birthday in Manhattan

We don’t know who Charlie Bird is. A quick Google search may lead you to the Instagram profile of a Swiftie influencer, or the Wikipedia page of a late Irish journalist. The “about” page of the restaurant, however, claims that the name means New York. Perhaps it’s this mysterious dedication to the city that makes it one of the hottest restaurants in Soho.

The interior is fashioned with exposed brick dating back to 1880, and caramel booths line the walls underneath framed photos of boom boxes. To top it all off, hip-hop is always playing. Charlie Bird is available for partial and full buyouts, with seating indoors, on the patio, or in the heated pavilion. The private dining room accommodates 14 guests, ideal for an intimate celebration, in case one of your guests sings Happy Birthday really off-key.

Local ingredients range from Brooklyn-brewed beer to Long Island fluke, and the menu focuses on sharing plates. The cuisine is American with Italian influence, with a sommelier-curated wine list and handmade pasta, which can be paired with duck ragu or a glossy cacio y pepe sauce. For dessert, stick a candle in the Buttermilk Pannacotta or the Chocolate Budino. Since it’s to share, you won’t have to worry — everyone can have a bite.

Though ilili’s founder and Chef Philippe Massoud fled Lebanon as a teen in the early 80s, he’s kept the potent spices of his homeland close. Since 2007, Massoud and his team have brought Lebanese flavors and hospitality to the Flatiron District. Mezze platters are served family-style, encouraging guests and their loved ones to indulge in a communal dining experience. After all, ilili means “Tell me” in Lebanese slang. What better way to celebrate a special day than chatting over great food?

Mezza includes sumac fries, brussel sprouts with mint yogurt, tabouleh and fattouch, and falafel. For mains, you can order a whole roasted chicken, salmon, or lamb chops, among other large dishes. Top it all off with an orange blossom panna cotta, baklava, or knafe for dessert, or choose from their 30-page beverage menu, which has international wines and Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails.

Private dining options include the tented outdoor space for 10 to 20 guests, the elegant mirrored room for 40, semi-private for 95 to 150, or a full buyout for 240. For parties up to 14, you can book directly with the restaurant.

Australian café culture has taken the city (and world) by storm, and we all know they do a perfect avocado toast. For the average millennial city dweller, that could be all they need for their birthday, but Little Ruby’s offers much more. The West Village location is an airy, multi-level space with a full bar and exclusive cocktails, and can be fully bought out for 110 guests. The lower dining room can accommodate 40, and the expansive terrace offers views on the corner of 4th St. and 7th Ave.

If you want a casual, daytime meal, their brunch options include Aussie cafe classics like Vegemite toast and yogurt bowls with exotic fruits. Their dinner menu is a great option for those wanting a bite before hitting up one of the jazz clubs across the street. Despite the heritage, Little Ruby’s is well known for their pasta: try the vodka sauce pasta or classic Ragu. You can order a chocolate cake for dessert, or a sticky date pudding. The former will probably be easier to stick a candle in, but you do you.

The Little Ruby’s cocktail is the signature drink, with grapefruit, lavender, and plum liqueur. There’s an Aussie cucumber mule on draft, or you can get mega-cocktails or $85 punch bowls for a large group. Or a small one. Your special day permits you to go a little wild.

Fried chicken is a staple in Korea and the U.S. – and the two cultures merge at Coqodaq, an elevated fine dining restaurant that, yes, serves fried chicken. Upon entering, you’ll face a futuristic, portal-like world with light-up arches and curved forest-green banquettes. A handwashing station made from jade soapstone greets you at the door.

This may seem a little extra, but it’s a cultural nod – the owner also owns COTE, the famously impossible-to-get-into Michelin Star Korean steakhouse.

If you’re lucky enough to score a reservation, it’s natural to want a little bit of everything. The “Bucket List” runs at $38 per person, and includes two rounds of chicken, consommé, cold noodles, side dishes, and a tangy froyo to finish. The guest of honor can also be treated to the Golden Nugget, a $28 single chicken nugget topped with caviar.

100 types of champagne are available to pair with the meal, with the cheapest glass running just over a typical NYC cocktail at $25. Drink flavors are inspired by the Far East: the star cocktail, The Egg, is made with Grey Goose, Jasmine, and Lychee.

Reservations and curved tables are designed for 4 to 6 guests, but you can book special events and large parties by contacting the venue directly.

If you or a friend has been a Manhattan vegan in the past 7 years, chances are you’ve come across Jajaja. It’s a favorite among herbivores and omnivores alike for the way it redefines a classically meat and cheese-based cuisine. There are multiple locations all over the city, with the largest being in the West Village. The interiors are beachy and floral, down to the little details: hibiscus flowers float in the water carafes.

The dishes have been carefully decare in developing the dishes – no dry bean tacos here. Taco flavors include chipotle sweet potato, jackfruit carnitas, and buffalo cauliflower. You can also order enchiladas with vegan cheese and sour cream, or a massive “chorizo” burrito smothered in salsa and guac. All dishes are made to share, making it an ideal inclusive birthday dinner setting that everyone can enjoy.

You can rent the whole venue for up to 70 guests, or 20 in the main dining room. The underground speakeasy, Bar Nena, can also be rented out, so you can sip on margaritas with up to 60 of your closest friends.