As a city that’s played host to countless graduations, engagements, and everything in between, Boston is serious about its special occasions. The 12 fancy restaurants in Boston include celebration-worthy spots that serve over-the-top seafood platters, spectacular omakase lineups, and nonna-approved pasta platters.
Head to Somerville for family-style Peruvian dishes at a lively neighborhood favorite. Get stunning views along with decadent steak and seafood at a stylish waterfront restaurant in the Seaport. Visit Cambridge for an elegant farm-to-table spot known for its creative takes on New England classics.
Whether you’re marking an intimate relationship milestone or throwing a banger of a birthday, this historic city’s got a celebration spot for you.
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These are the best 12 fancy restaurants in Boston for any celebration.
For coastal Italian vibes at one of the fancy restaurants in Boston: Bar Mezzana (Boston)
Level up any celebration at Bar Mezzana, a coastal-inspired Italian spot and one of the best birthday restaurants in Boston. In a light-filled space decked with cozy banquettes for packing in your whole crew, chef-owner Colin Lynch dazzles with fresh, locally sourced seafood and exquisite housemade pastas like a knockout lobster paccheri. Don’t miss out on the refreshing Italian spritzes, which will immediately transport you–and your celebration—to the Amalfi Coast.
For elegant New England dining at one of the upscale restaurants in Boston: Harvest (Cambridge)
Open since 1975, Harvest is a Boston special occasion MVP that serves up creative riffs on New England and all-American classics. Dig into lobster rolls, seared Atlantic salmon, and one of the city’s juiciest burgers, courtesy of local specialty butcher Savenor’s. Enjoy them in the inviting dining room by the cozy fireplace or on the lush, all-weather garden terrace, complete with a roaring fire and plenty of blankets and heated lamps for elegant year-round dining.
For festive Peruvian dishes at one of the nice restaurants in Boston: Celeste (Somerville)
Landing a table at Celeste is reason enough to celebrate. Since opening in 2018, the Somerville star has racked up praise from Eater, the New York Times and more for its made-for-sharing Peruvian dishes inspired by chef-owner JuanMa Calderon’s family recipes. Kick off the party in the lively, compact space with colorful cocktails with Peruvian spirits like pisco, followed by a feast of some of the city’s best ceviches and seafood-forward stews.
For an all-out Italian feast at one of the fancy restaurants in Boston: MIDA (South End, East Boston, Newton)
Nothing says celebration dinner quite like a hearty Italian meal, and you’ll get a knockout one at all three MIDA locations, thanks to James Beard Award-nominated chef-owner Douglass Williams. South End’s rustic-chic gem sits under one of Boston’s signature brownstones, and at every spot, you’ll find thoughtful favorites like bucatini all amatriciana and classic pasta puttanesca. Bonus points for a carefully curated wine and amaro list worthy of any special occasion.
For made-for-sharing Greek feasts at one of the best birthday restaurants in Boston: Bar Vlaha (Brookline)
Bar Vlaha’s catalog of shareable Greek dishes runs deep, making it ideal for easygoing group gatherings. Spit-roasted meats like lamb and fish from the open-flame kitchen are made for splitting, as are the top-notch savory pies. Sit at the taverna-style bar for happy hour drinks, or in the rustic main dining room with colorful textiles and warm wooden accents for larger celebrations. Add in a killer selection of all-Greek wines, and you have all the ingredients for an extra-special night.
For family-style seafood at one of the upscale restaurants in Boston: Little Whale (Back Bay)
Clambakes are practically a rite of passage in New England, and no one does the festive seafood celebration like Little Whale. This charming Back Bay spot is known for its top-notch local littlenecks and Maine lobster, but chef-owner Michael Serpa also serves steamed seafood family-style for parties of eight to 12 (which must be ordered a week in advance)—think whole lobster, plus chowder, clams, and more. Dial up the celebratory factor with the optional raw bar supplement.
For fancy steak and seafood at a stylish waterfront destination: Smith & Wollensky (Seaport)
Credit: Smith & Wollensky
Decadent dishes and a breathtaking backdrop—this NYC-born steakhouse pulls out all the stops for special-occasion meals. Book a table by one of the floor-to-ceiling windows for unbeatable Fort Point Channel views. Start with one of the raw bar platters, then move on to the main event—premium meats like a coffee- and cocoa-rubbed New York strip steak, presented under a glass lid and piped with smoke. No celebration here is complete without a slice of the legendary coconut creme cake.
For elegant sweets and top-notch tea at one of the nice restaurants in Boston: Silver Dove Afternoon Tea (Faneuil Hall)
Boston and tea go way back, so it’s only fitting that the city has an iconic pinkies-up special-occasion spot. Celebrate with canapes, macarons, and pots of Darjeeling and sencha in a plush, Art Deco-inspired setting. Tea is the main event here, but dial up the party vibes with creative cocktails from co-owners (and Drink alums) Patrick Brewster and Lee Morgan. Reserve one of Silver Dove’s sought-after emerald banquettes well ahead of holidays like Mother’s Day, when it’s especially popular.
For refined seafood classics from an acclaimed chef: Puritan & Company (Cambridge)
At Puritan & Company, James Beard Award-nominated chef Will Gilson pays homage to his roots, giving nostalgic New England classics a modern twist. Gear up for a refined seafood-forward menu starring Parker House rolls and swordfish pastrami, made with the fatty belly part of swordfish that is frequently caught off the area’s coast. Celebrate special occasions in the cozy, industrial-chic dining room, or book the private back room for small, intimate gatherings.
For a refined Italian-inspired escape in one of the city’s most gorgeous spaces: Pammy’s (Cambridge)
One of Boston’s most beautiful restaurants, Pammy’s impresses with Greco-Roman decor and hearty Italian American dishes from co-owners Pam and Chris Willis. A 14-seat communal table lined with flower vases, a gorgeous tiled hearth, and a scene-stealing stone sculpture of Demeter—the Greek goddess of harvest— set the stage for a showstopping, choose-your-own-adventure meal starring dishes like gochujang lumache with bolognese sauce and lobster gnocchi.
For stellar sushi in a lively setting: Uni (Back Bay)
Located in a lively space inside The Eliot Hotel, Back Bay’s Uni is where you go for some of the city’s best seafood—much of it sourced from Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji market. Acclaimed chef Ken Oringer’s menu is packed with top-notch sushi and nigiri—think a “spoon” of uni topped with caviar and a quail egg—plus other Asian-accented favorites like Dungeness crab fried rice. Toast with a glass of sake from the top-notch bar program.
For stellar Indian feasts at one of the fancy restaurants in Boston: The Maharaja (Cambridge)
A lot has changed in Harvard Square over the years. But thankfully, not The Maharaja. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook bustling Cambridge, and it’s tradition for many families in the area to hit the lunch buffet to celebrate a special occasion—commencement, anyone? Whether you’re looking to please a vegan or impress a spice-lover, Maharaja’s knockout north India-based menu, filled with tandoori specialties and a power-packed biryani selection, is a regal feast worthy of any celebration.
Whether it’s a date night at a cozy quintessential Italian neighborhood favorite or a blow-out meal at an upscale Japanese hotspot, you can’t go wrong with a reservation at any of these fancy restaurants in Boston. Mark milestones with made-for-sharing Peruvian feasts, elegant twists on New England favorites, coastal Italian hits, and more with a reservation at Boston’s top special occasion destinations.
Book a table at one of the best fancy restaurants in Boston on OpenTable.
Want to learn more about Boston’s amazing restaurant scene? These city guides can help:
- Boston’s 12 most drop-dead gorgeous restaurants
- 12 romantic restaurants ideal for date night in Boston
- These 12 Boston restaurants ace outdoor dining
Carley Thornell-Wade is a Boston-based food, travel, and technology writer who’s been to more than 70 countries and delighted in tasting the regional delicacies of each.
Valerie Li Stack is a Somerville-based writer and editor who’s passionate about all things food, drink, travel, and culture. Her writing has appeared in publications such as Eater, Punch, USA Today, Food52, Boston Magazine, and more
