8 Los Angeles restaurants perfect for special occasions

71Above scores bragging rights for being the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi. But the sweeping views aren’t its only special occasion perk. Its three-course Mediterranean menu also rises to any occasion, with swanky touches like Kaluga caviar and rosewater pavlova. The whole special occasion package is here—views, food, and atmosphere. For something a little more low-key, check out the Vista Patio on the 69th floor with equally stunning surroundings and a top-notch Mediterranean mezze menu.

For a quintessentially Californian celebration, grab a table in one of LA’s prettiest gardens. The lush outdoor courtyard at A.O.C.—James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin’s French-accented wine bar—is where you want to plan a big birthday dinner or bridal shower. But it’s also just as perfect for a midweek pick-me-up. Go for the cheese and charcuterie boards, wood-fired clams, and 24 by-the-glass wines, picked by acclaimed restaurateur and sommelier Caroline Styne.

Take a whirlwind trip through the Middle East when you celebrate at the second restaurant from the award-winning Bestia team. This is Casablanca in the Arts District, splashed with turquoise, saffron, and brass accents for days. The menu travels to Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, featuring spectacular roasted meats with lots of harissa and tahini. No birthday party here is complete without the strawberry and sumac pastry and a scoop of pistachio ice cream.

Anyone who can’t imagine a celebration dinner without meat—and lots of it—should go straight to this upscale Tuscan steakhouse. Chi Spacca is part of chef Nancy Silverton’s Mozza empire and zeros in on butcher-inspired mains like a 50-ounce bistecca Fiorentina and tomahawk pork chop. The supporting characters on the menu are just as impressive, and so is the massive Italian wine list. Add a candlelit dining room and you’ve got all the essentials for a big night out.

Alinea vet Dave Beran opened this elegant French spot in 2019, but really turned heads for a tasting menu he launched in 2023—because nothing says special occasion like a limited-edition meal. Beran brings MICHELIN-starred swagger and unexpected Japanese touches to his 12 gorgeous courses, which also include a wine pairing option. If you’re going the a la carte route, get the duck for two, pressed in front of your eyes for a little tableside je ne sais quoi.

Gear up for one of the fanciest nights of seafood you’ve ever had. Providence—which added a Green MICHELIN star to its growing list of awards this year—is led by James Beard Award-winning chef and co-owner Michael Cimarusti, who works his technical magic on an eight-course tasting menu starring the ocean’s most elite like golden Kaluga caviar and luscious uni. Don’t be surprised if a meal here takes a whopping three hours to finish. Bring anyone you want to impress, whether that means potential in-laws or your closest friends, and raise a glass to a meal of a lifetime.

Even 40 years after it opened, Wolfgang Puck’s Beverly Hills icon is still a stunner. A special occasion meal here means you’re celebrating your big night and the dishes that made the Austrian American chef/restaurateur one of the most recognizable names in the food world. Puck’s signature (and often copied) dishes like smoked salmon pizza with crème fraîche and caviar may not be on the menu, but you can still order them. Whether you’re looking for a romantic meal for two or a full-on LA blowout, Spago’s got you covered with private dining options that can fit anywhere from 24 to 277.