How to plan
a group meal at a restaurant

Planning a group meal at a restaurant always starts with three simple pieces of information: the intended date, the number of guests and the occasion. Whether you are preparing a birthday, a family meal or a corporate dinner, these three elements determine everything else: the space needed, the type of menu and the best time to book. The earlier you share these details, the easier it is to guarantee availability, especially at weekends and during busy periods in Aix-en-Provence.

Also think about clarifying the desired format: a relaxed lunch doesn't have the same rhythm as a more settled dinner. At Di Micheli, our family trattoria on Place des Cardeurs, we are happy to talk things through beforehand to understand your needs and steer you towards the most suitable option. This first step, often overlooked, prevents most surprises on the day.

The choice of space depends directly on the number of people and the atmosphere you are after. Di Micheli has a private room that can seat 24 guests, ideal for a group that wants to gather in a dedicated setting, with no neighbouring table. In fine weather, our 20-seat terrace offers a pleasant alternative, right in the heart of the pedestrian centre of Aix-en-Provence.

For a successful group meal, also anticipate the practical details: access on foot from Place des Cardeurs, the seating of guests and the comfort of older guests or children if it is a family meal. If you wish to book the whole venue for your event, privatising the restaurant remains the most relaxed way to enjoy a moment among yourselves.

The menu is often the trickiest part when bringing many people together. Our approach is simple: a tight, homemade menu, with fresh produce and no frozen pasta. For a group, we offer tailor-made menus built around our classics — wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, fresh pasta, antipasti and Italian desserts such as tiramisu. The idea is to agree on a few balanced choices in advance, rather than letting everyone order à la carte on the day, which slows down the service. Finally, remember to let us know about allergies and dietary preferences beforehand, so that every guest is served smoothly.

Once the date, the space and the menu are set, all that remains is to confirm the booking. For a group meal, it is best to confirm numbers a few days ahead and to let us know quickly if anything changes, so that the room and the kitchen are perfectly prepared. On the day, everything is in place so you only have to enjoy your guests, without handling the logistics.

To better understand how a dining room works and the practices involved in welcoming groups, you can read the page Restaurant on Wikipedia, then come back to us for the details of your event.

In short, planning a group meal at a restaurant comes down to four steps: set the date and numbers, choose the space, put together the menu and confirm the booking. At Di Micheli, in Aix-en-Provence, we support you at each of these steps so that your moment, with family, friends or colleagues, runs smoothly and in good spirits.