Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Central Pennsylvania

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Central Pennsylvania? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Kevin's

4.9

4.9 (316)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

Owner Rob Friedman invites you to join us at Kevin’s for a casual, fun, and creative dining experience. The culinary team at Kevin’s headed by Chef Matt Gilbert offers a wide range of dishes including fresh seafood, handmade pasta, hand cut steaks, and so much more. Specialty cocktails are featured daily and are sure to be enjoyed! Most of our staff have been with us from when the restaurant opened, lead by General Manager, John Lahr, with many years experience in the industry and who also creates our famous table side Caesar Salad and Bananas Foster. Our family strives to make your dining experience the most memorable one, and we invite you to celebrate any occasion with us!

Top review

Theresa

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

Service was wonderful, the food was delicious and our experience was excellent. I recommend this restaurant for a enjoyable evening out.

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4.8

4.8 (964)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

State College

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown State College, our newly restored space offers an honest, no-fuss menu featuring modern American cooking. The bar program features classics-inspired craft cocktails and a thoughtfully curated biodynamic wine list including plentiful wines by the glass.

Located on the second floor of Hotel State College, an iconic corner of hospitality in the community, the Grill has offered the community and alumni one of the grandest views of town and Penn State through floor-to-ceiling windows for more than 40 years. Thoughtfully restored and reimagined by new owners, Chef Karen Nicolas and the team set out to re-establish the Allen Street Grill as the epicenter of the downtown dining scene with a focus on local, quality ingredients and great hospitality.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We had an outstanding dinner last night, along with pre-dinner drinks. Nate made an excellent Old Fashioned, and Chad was a great sever, helping us with our starter, dinner, wine, and dessert. Our Chilean Sea Bass dinner was terrific!

Cork Bar & Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (363)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

Cork Restaurant opened in Wilkes-Barre in 2007, bringing an innovative, hospitality-focused concept with a unique array of dining, cocktail and wine menus. Cork is located in a quaint neighborhood in the north end of Wilkes-Barre and is a place where customers become friends. Our spacious, multi-level floor plan features a classy, yet contemporary decor and a relaxed cosmopolitan ambiance perfect for dining or entertaining. Cork’s second floor dining area provides the ideal setting for a romantic dinner for two or a larger dinner group of friends or family. Visit Cork Bar & Restaurant in Wilkes-Barre today for hospitality at its finest!

Top review

Melissa

Dined 2 days ago

Always enjoy ourselves at Cork. Our waitress Olivia was awesome!

Cafe Toscana

4.7

4.7 (341)

$30 and under

Italian

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

We are now taking reservations on our website at cafetoscana.net or click the link below to go there directly https://cafetoscana.menu11.com/wilkesbarre/reserve

Bringing a taste of the Old World to downtown Wilkes-Barre, Cafe Toscana is located at One Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Our recipes are tried and true family favorites that represent the best that Tuscany and the surrounding region has to offer.

Cafe Toscana’s Northern Italian cuisine is light and delicate and allows the individual flavors to come through. We feature an array of tried and true family favorites, including veal, pasta, risotto, fish, steak and seafood, with a variety of specials to keep the menu always fresh and exciting. There are also an abundant asortment of homemade desserts on the menu.

A new and greatly expanded wine list gives customers plenty of choices for every dish and every palette.

Top review

Edward J.

Dined on May 9, 2025

CAFE TOSCANA is a must stop for me on all my trips to Wilkes- Barre, PA from Wilmington, DE. It has become the reason to look for all opportunities to get up there. The Friendly Service and DELICIOUS FOOD, across the entire Menu. makes CAFE TOSCANA the place to go to!

The Tavern Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (134)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

State College

About the restaurant

The Tavern Restaurant has proudly served downtown State College, Pennsylvania since 1948.
A newly renovated historic institution, The Tavern specializes in contemporary classic American cuisine in the ambiance of a colonial tavern. Join us for elevated comfort food, timeless cocktails and first class service.

Top review

Rich

Dined 4 days ago

So nice to visit the restaurant on a non-football weekend. Food and service were both outstanding.

Four Blooms

4.7

4.7 (379)

$31 to $50

American

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

Good Food - Good Drinks - Good People
Enjoy a freshly prepared meal or one of our signature cocktails in our spacious dining room & bar area! Reservations are strongly suggested.

Top review

Jack

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

We dined outside on their patio. Great atmosphere. Food was very good and service was spot on.

The Greens at Irem Clubhouse

4.7

4.7 (121)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wilkes-Barre

About the restaurant

With a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere at The Greens you are sure to have a great time. The Greens offers you seating from our cozy Dining Room to our beautiful Patio and Terrace which overlook the Irem Golf course, to the inviting surrounding in our pub. Chef Frank will fulfill your requests when it comes to looking for delicious food. Our friendly staff will always be willing to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. The Greens will be your go to restaurant for all special occasions to come, after all we are Friedman Hospitality Group.

Top review

CHERYLVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

We started with cocktails at the bar, my favorite is the Cucumber Martini, dinner was on the terrace which is a hidden gem , stunning views. Three of us had appetizers, one was steamed clams, I had a mushroom trio it was delicious, and the other was oysters. Dinner was delicious, prime rib, lamb and scallops. Will was our waiter and he was very attentive.Too full for dessert

Grace at the Carnegie

4.5

4.5 (719)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

State College

About the restaurant

Grace Restaurant at the Carnegie House has been awarded for 10 consecutive years by State College Magazine the Best Fine Dining Restaurant and Best Romantic Restaurant!

As you enter the dining room through the French doors from the library, a feeling of warmth and elegance beckons you to enjoy leisurely modern trending dining. A bow window allows dinner guests to view the beautiful flowers that surround Carnegie House and the woods surrounding the golf course. China, crystal, and silver grace the tables on crisp white table linen. Servers are attentive in providing for the needs of the guests who dine on trend-setting cuisine.

From breakfast to elegantly prepared hors d'oeuvres and dinner selections, dining at Carnegie House is as spectacular as it is relaxing. The Library invites casual conversation while savoring a favorite cocktail or glass of wine from the Wine Spectator award winning selection.

Top review

Alyssa

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Nice place. Food was good but the portions were very small even for a nice restaurant. Service was attentive. Good place for a quiet or romantic dinner.

Duffy's Tavern

4.5

4.5 (153)

$31 to $50

American

Boalsburg

About the restaurant

Indulge your tastebuds at Duffy’s Boalsburg Tavern. This restaurant serves up contemporary American cuisine in a traditional Georgian tavern that boasts charming rustic décor, multiple fireplaces, original decor and a relaxed bar. The restaurant’s menu features soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and tasty entrées. Dining highlights include our wonderful steaks, pan seared duck, King salmon, sweet potato gnocchi, and Duffy’s famous signature chicken wings. A children's menu is also available.

Don't miss our St. Patrick's Day celebration with a full Irish menu and our Colonial Christmas weekend with colonial fare celebrating the nationalities of the original settlers in the area.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, Duffy’s Boalsburg Tavern is a popular spot for local residents and out of towners alike. It makes a good choice for everything from a quick bite alone to an elaborate dinner date.

Top review

Norman

Dined on May 24, 2025

Duffy's is a regular stop for us, but the waitress was exceptionally good and helpful. It was a difficult day to visit the restaurant since it was Memorial Day weekend with a parade and carnival going on but our food was excellent and our service was exceptional.

Lionne - The Nittany Lion Inn

4.3

4.3 (143)

$31 to $50

American

State College

About the restaurant

At Lionne, each dish is meticulously crafted with the freshest regional ingredients, celebrating Central Pennsylvania’s bounty of small farms and culinary artisans. From classic Inn dishes to exquisite plated creations, our menu reflects a dedication to superior quality.

*We do not accept reservation for patio season*

Top review

KayVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Justin was an excellent server. Halibut special was delicious.

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