Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in San Diego? 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!

LIPS - San Diego

5.0

5 (22)

$31 to $50

American

North Park

About the restaurant

Lips has been San Diego's ULTIMATE in Drag Dining for 25 years! Dinner, Drinks & fabulous Drag Shows, as well as Brunch on Saturdays & Sundays. Enjoy a great meal & cocktails served up by over-the-top Drag Queens.

DIFFERENT SHOWS WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY. Wed: Bithcy Bingo; Thur: Dining with the Divas; Fri: Glitz & Glam Dinner; Sat: 2 Dragalicious Brunches & 2 Glitz & Glam Dinners; Sun: 2 Gospel Brunches & Sunday Nite Showstoppers. ***Prices- Wed/Thur/Sun Dinner: $35.95(shoe & 3-course dinner, drinks additional); Sat/Sun Brunch: $42.95(Show, meal & bottomless Mimosas/Champagne/Bloody Mary; Fri/Sat Nite: $49.95(show & 3-course dinner,drinks additional)

All shows subject to 7.75%sales tax & 20% suggested gratuity; $12 celebration package for Birthdays/Bachelorette/Anniversary/Promotion/Graduation. 16+ to enter; 21+ to Drink. GOVERNMENT ID REQUIRED-ALL IDS CHECKED AT THE DOOR

Top review

Sergio

Dined 3 days ago

Love this place! Always a grand ol’ party! Great place for celebration and good entertainment!

Collette’s

4.9

4.9 (1325)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Escondido

About the restaurant

Hunsakers is moving forward to COLLETTE'S!

COLLETTE is a name that I love. It has been in my family for generations. It means "Victory of the People". The perfect embodiment of my intentions to collaborate with local farmers to do food well for the community that I am thrilled to be a part of.

The owner, chef and location remain the same with a reimagined notion of fine dining:
COLLABORATIVE COLLECTIVE CUISINE
Join us for date nights, special occasions with family and friends, and on evenings when you would rather open a menu instead of the refrigerator.
We would love to cook for you.

We are in this together, this is OUR victory!

Thank you for dining with us soon and often ~ Jeannette & Chef Hunsaker

Join us for the unveiling of COLLETTE'S ~ by invitation only and you are invited!

Wednesday October 9th 6:00 seating
Thursday, October 10th 6:00 seating
Friday, October 11th 5:30 or 8:00 seating
Saturday, October 12th 5:30 or 8:00 seating
Reserve today, make history with us!

Top review

kathleenvip

Dined 4 days ago

It was so meaningful to attend the unveiling of the Farm to Table experience. Everything was wonderful; the atmosphere, the service, the presentation and especially the food. Look forward to going back!

Mona Lisa Cocktails & Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (87)

$50 and over

Italian

El Centro

About the restaurant

Step into Mona Lisa, an opulent haven of Italian cuisine. Discover a culinary masterpiece where prime steaks are elevated to perfection, accompanied by meticulously curated sides that redefine indulgence. Our open bar offers an endless selection of finely crafted cocktails and wines, enhancing every moment. With an ambiance of refined luxury, Mona Lisa invites you to savor the art of flavor in every bite of our prime steaks, making your dining experience unforgettable.

Top review

Jesus

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Honestly great service super attentive super special for my girlfriends birthday. Food was delicious! Clean space nice and peaceful.

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Popular dish

Ribeye 16oz

Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino

4.7

4.7 (1744)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Alpine

About the restaurant

The Grove Steakhouse has been awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award. Resplendent with luxurious décor and a warm, inviting atmosphere, The Grove offers classic and contemporary cuisine for the definitive gourmet experience. Relax in calming ambience while you’re pampered by our world-class service. Our attention to detail and gourmet selections will make your dining experience a pleasure long remembered. Experience an exciting new menu, which includes an array of tantalizing entrées and desserts that are sure to satisfy and inspire you to return again and again.

Top review

Amyvip

Dined 5 days ago

Our first trip to the newly remodeled and beautiful Grove Steak House. Our favorite server Angelika (Angie) made the experience perfect. We also got 50% off our wine selection since it was Wednesday!

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Popular dish

Petit Filet Mignon 8oz

Popular dish

Porterhouse Steak 22oz

Popular dish

Atlantic Sea Scallops

Dolce

4.7

4.7 (694)

$30 and under

Californian

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Dolce is a high quality, inviting atmosphere and the perfect Ranch neighborhood hideaway. Intimate and lively, Dolce offers delicious local, rustic wine-country inspired cuisine, fine wine and occasions for joyful gatherings.

Top review

Jessicavip

Dined 4 days ago

I come in from out of town for business. It has great food, relaxed atmosphere, lovely staff and a very nice manager / owner. Perfect for business or any occasion dining

Mo-Mo-Paradise - Mira Mesa

4.7

4.7 (224)

$30 and under

Japanese

Mira Mesa

About the restaurant

Since its first restaurant opening in 1993, Mo-Mo-Paradise has expanded its presence to over 20 cities throughout Asia with plans to expand further throughout the rest of the world. Currently, Mo-Mo-Paradise can be found in Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, USA, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Our Mo-Mo-Paradise brand focuses on traditional Japanese “hot pot” with a modern twist. We offer a wide variety of quality international and local meats and vegetables that is cooked shabu-shabu or sukiyaki style at your table. Throughout Asia, Mo-Mo-Paradise has established a strong fan base due to our focus on fresh and varietal selections that are unmatched compared to other establishments. Our goal is to bring you the same quality and selections currently not offered at western shabu-shabu restaurants.

Top review

Patricia

Dined on Oct 5, 2024

Josh, our waiter, was very friendly and helpful. We never had to call on him as he would appear and check on us. We love the food and the ambiance. Thank you!

Harney Sushi Poway

4.7

4.7 (44)

$30 and under

Sushi

Poway / Rancho Bernardo

About the restaurant

Experience the taste of high quality sushi with a trendy Neo-Asian inspired décor. Harney stands as the top sushi bar and dining destination in San Diego. It's as fresh and innovative as you desire. Here, the spirit of experimentation mingles with joyful revelry, where top-notch dining expertise meets vibrant charm and flair. Our establishment features a private VIP area and an array of over 30 specialty rolls crafted and named by devoted fans. It's a symphony for your taste buds, nourishment for your soul. Since 2001, we take pride in presenting our award-winning, sustainable sushi cuisine rooted in Southern California.

Top review

Laura

Dined on Oct 4, 2024

The food, the service were all OUTSTANDING! Brought my bestie out for a bday lunch and it did not disappoint. We will be back for sure, thank you for making our afternoon and bday celebration very lovely

The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter

4.6

4.6 (2565)

$50 and over

Fondue

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Melting Pot San Diego Gaslamp. Located on 5th Ave & E St in the historic Gaslamp Plaza Suites, the San Diego - Gaslamp Melting Pot Restaurant brings a truly unique, romantic and interactive four-course fondue dining experience to San Diego's vibrant downtown dining scene!

Top review

Yoshivip

Dined 7 days ago

Waiter and service was amazing The food was fresh and very tasty It had vegan choices

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

A photo of Lavender & Blueberry White Chocolate Fondue of a restaurant

Experience

Touch of Romance - $19.95

Cocina de Barrio

4.6

4.6 (418)

$30 and under

Mexican

Hillcrest

About the restaurant

*Brunch hours are on a walk-in basis only.
Thank you for your cooperation & support during this time!

Cocina de Barrio by Chef Jose J. Flores

Bienvenidos a Cocina de Barrio, the newest modern-urban Mexican restaurant located in Hillcrest, San Diego! We are proud to feature the culinary richness of Oaxaca as well as other Mexican regions. Stop by and enjoy our bar stocked with plenty tequila and mezcal selections, MUCHA cerveza, and wines sourced from Valle Guadalupe.

Don't forget to join us during our weekend brunch (where we add a Mexican kick) and our happy hour every Tuesday-Friday from 3-5pm! Stay Chido!

Top review

Valria

Dined on Sep 19, 2024

Appetizer, and both entrees were plentiful, hot and delicious. Presentations were awesome . Server was helpful with translations.

Same Same

4.6

4.6 (9)

$31 to $50

Thai

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Inauthentic Thai, Jungle Vibes, Eclectic Drinks.

We are located on the second floor of the Carlsbad Village Faire Shops at the top of the east staircase.

Same Same has the perfect space for birthday bashes, holiday parties, corporate events, wedding festivities, and more!

*Reservations are for Dinner guests only, our bar is always open seating!
*Grace Period for reservations is 15 mins

Top review

shawn

Dined on Oct 5, 2024

Great tasting food with a Thai twist. Everybody raves about the drinks, they were okay, food was the best.

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