Organising an office party or team dinner is much easier when the restaurant does the heavy lifting. Our restaurant at 19A Charing Cross Road, a minute from Leicester Square tube, takes group bookings with a set menu that gives everyone a full meal without a long ordering debate at the table.

Whether it is a leaving do, a project wrap-up or an end-of-year celebration, here is how to plan it so the evening runs smoothly and the organiser gets to enjoy it too.

Why a set menu works for team dinners

Ordering from a full menu for a big table takes time. Some people want to share, some don't, and somebody always ends up with the dish they didn't order. A set menu removes all of that. Everyone knows what is coming, the kitchen can cook for the whole table at once, and the food arrives together.

Our group set menu gives every guest the Maharaja Mixed Starter, one main, pilau rice and plain naan. It is a proper meal, and it keeps the bill straightforward, which your finance team will appreciate.

The three options

Option A, Classic: mains are Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Chilli Masala, Shashlik Masala or Chicken Traditional Curry.
Option B, Maharaja: mains are Original Masala, Mango Chicken, Chettinad Chicken or Lamb, Railway Lamb Curry, Staff Lamb Curry, Sizzling King Prawn or Chingri Malai Curry.
Option C, Royal: the Maharaja Special Shank, slow-cooked lamb shank in our chef's special house sauce, or any Option B main instead.

You will find the full details on our group menu.

Practical planning tips

Get your numbers early

Send the invitation early and ask people to reply by a firm date. Once you have a headcount, book the table, then let us know if numbers change. A confirmed number makes it far easier for us to set up the right table and for the kitchen to prepare.

Choose one option for everyone

All guests in a party dine from the same option, so pick the level that suits the group. Option A is full of familiar favourites, which works well if some colleagues are new to Indian food. Option B brings in dishes such as Railway Lamb Curry, boneless lamb with potatoes, yoghurt and coconut milk, and Chingri Malai Curry, tiger prawns in a delicately spiced creamy sauce. Option C adds the lamb shank for a special occasion. If a few people are unsure what to expect, our guide on how to order Indian food is a friendly place to start.

Collect dietary needs up front

Add a dietary question to your invitation so you are not chasing people the week before. Vegetarian choices are available on the group menu, and Option A includes Paneer Butter Masala and Paneer Chilli Masala. Tell us how many vegetarian guests you have when you book, and mention any other needs at the same time so the kitchen can plan.

Allergies

Please tell us about allergies when you book. Our kitchen handles nuts, dairy, eggs, gluten, fish, shellfish, soya and sesame. Asking your guests about allergies in the invitation, rather than on the night, is the easiest way to make sure nothing is missed.

Think about timing

We are open from 12:00 to midnight, Monday to Sunday, so a team lunch works just as well as an evening dinner. For evening parties, an earlier start is kind to colleagues with long journeys home. If you are booking in December, book well ahead, as December is usually the busiest month for group dining.

Where we are, and other options

Our Charing Cross restaurant sits between Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, with Covent Garden a short walk away, so it is easy to reach from offices around the Strand and Westminster, and simple for everyone to get home afterwards.

If your team prefers Soho, our Soho restaurant at 63 Old Compton Street is open later. For a more private setting, see our private dining page.

A quick checklist for organisers

Pick a date and send the invitation with a reply deadline.
Ask for dietary needs and allergies in the same message.
Choose one option: Classic, Maharaja or Royal.
Book the table, then confirm final numbers with us.
Tell us your start time and anything else the evening needs.

Ready to organise your team's night out? Browse our group set menu, choose your option and book a table for your office party.