Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Maplewood

Price

$$
$$$
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Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchJapanese

Regions

EssexMorrisUnion

Neighborhoods

Cedar GroveChathamCranfordKenilworthLivingstonMillburn

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

31 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of McLoone's Boathouse restaurant

1. McLoone's Boathouse

4.0

Excellent(3839)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • West Orange

Booked 28 times today

McLoone's Boathouse is a special occasion spot, offering spectacular views and a variety of American cuisine. Reviews praise the restaurant for its romantic ambiance, exceptional service, and delicious food. One reviewer noted it was the perfect choice for a birthday celebration, and another had a wonderful anniversary dinner there. With its unique location and high ratings, McLoone's Boathouse makes any occasion memorable.

2. La Pergola BYOB

4.7

Exceptional(1724)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Millburn

Booked 23 times today

Indoor and Outdoor dinning . BYOB *Outdoor dinning weather permitted.Nestled in the heart of Millburn, walking distance from Paper Mill Playhouse, La Pergola has curated a delightful outdoor garden dining experience in addition to our signature indoor space. Now whether you prefer to dine surrounded by the lush, flower-filled beauty of nature or in the candlelit elegance of our chic interior, we look forward to serving you the region's best Northern Italian cuisine in style! Please specify your choice with your reservation.To access the outdoor dinning go around to the back of Fidelity Bank. Follow LA PERGOLA GARDEN signs. Bring along your favorite bottle of wine or champagne. LA PERGOLA IS BYOB Open 7Days Lunch and Dinner: 11:30 am to 10pmOrders to go is Pick Up before 6pm!

3. Nero's Grille

4.7

Exceptional(745)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Steakhouse • Livingston

Booked 20 times today

Now celebrating its 55th year, Nero's Grille continues to be one of north-Jersey's most popular dining scenes. We combine the highest quality, freshest ingredients with a comfortable, familiar atmosphere and service that makes you feel like one of the family. Nero's has become the area's place to see and be seen. Three separate dining rooms, and outdoor patio dining as climate permits, provide a warm, unpretentious intimacy in which to enjoy our high-quality, moderately-priced American and Italian fare, while the large bar area buzzes with the energy of friends gathering over a favorite martini or a glass of wine from Nero's award-winning list. Private rooms are also available, and our banquet staff is noted for making special events 'extra special.' After four decades, the entire Nero's family continues to take enormous pride in offering our guests, new and old, a gracious welcome, a terrific meal, and our sincere appreciation.

A photo of Giorgio's Ristorante - South Orange restaurant

4. Giorgio's Ristorante - South Orange

4.8

Exceptional(527)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • South Orange

Booked 6 times today

Giorgio's of South Orange has always been one of the landmarks in the area. Specializing in fine Italian cuisine and catering, we have a wide range of signature soups, salads and of course, our special, main-course, all-time favorite items.

A photo of Benihana - Short Hills, NJ restaurant

5. Benihana - Short Hills, NJ

3.8

Excellent(2677)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Short Hills

Booked 27 times today

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

6. La Griglia

4.9

Exceptional(2209)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Kenilworth

Booked 12 times today

With a unique combination of sophisticated atmosphere, an extensive wine list, and contemporary Italian cuisine, La Griglia offers a taste of Italy far from the ordinary.Although we do our best to accommodate, we can NOT GUARANTEE specific server or table location requests.Join us for Happy Hour, every Thursday & Friday 3:00-5:30. You don't want to miss it.

A photo of NICO Kitchen + Bar restaurant

7. NICO Kitchen + Bar

4.5

Awesome(1911)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Newark

Booked 3 times today

Unwind from the grind at NICO, Newark's most relaxing space. Savor our American menu and the best fries you've ever had. NICO is the perfect place to meet up with friends after work, enjoy a pre-show meal before your NJPAC performance.. Our award-winning team is always here to bring you good times, great music, and delicious vibes.

A photo of da Benito Ristorante restaurant

8. da Benito Ristorante

5.0

Exceptional(914)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Union

Booked 6 times today

Exquisite cuisine complimented with our extensive award winning wine list featuring the very best from Italy, France and California. This makes for a unique and memorable dining experience at this top New Jersey restaurant. Attention to detail defines “Fine Dining” at restaurant da Benito. Immaculate Italian table linens on every table and a professional wait staff will cater to your every wish. Our menu is as rich in flavor as it is diverse and incorporating local grown vegetables, homemade pastas, aged steaks that rival the best steakhouses and fresh wild seafood creates a menu that has to be tasted to be appreciated.

9. Zeugma

4.8

Exceptional(1577)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Montclair

Booked 35 times today

Zeugma is a chic, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that's perfect for special occasions. Reviewers rave about its 'beautiful' ambiance, 'phenomenal' food, and 'excellent' service. Many highlight the 'exceptional experience end to end' and the 'chic' desserts. It's a place where you'll want to come back for 'various occasions' and enjoy 'superb' food and 'predictably nice' service.

10. Fiorino

4.8

Exceptional(1920)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Summit

Booked 21 times today

A taste of Tuscany in downtown summit!!! The expertly prepared food at Fiorino is based on classic dishes of the Tuscany region. The atmosphere is relaxed-upscale, energetic, and friendly.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
AbbyVIP
New York City •22 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Always a great cocktail and always delicious food!
More info
Nero's GrillePrice: Moderate• Steakhouse• Livingston
•
4.7
B
Barbara
Washington, D.C. Area •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Our second time eating here. A really good Italian restaurant with wonderful staff. Highly recommend it!!
More info
Giorgio's Ristorante - South OrangePrice: Expensive• Italian• South Orange
•
4.8
S
Sayantan
Miami - Dade •1 review
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
Our chef was perhaps new to this style of cooking. So the fun element was completely missing. Everything else was as expected
More info
Benihana - Short Hills, NJPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Short Hills
•
3.8
R
ReQuan
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
The service was excellent, the food was tasteful, the scenery was exquisite, and the atmosphere was very welcoming. Thank you & I’ll be back numerous times.
More info
La Pergola BYOBPrice: Expensive• Italian• Millburn
•
4.7
S
Sarah-Ann
New York City •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jul 17, 2025
Very good service and food. I love dining at this restaurant.
More info
McLoone's BoathousePrice: Moderate• American• West Orange
•
4

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