Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Durham? 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!

Elements

4.9

4.9 (2401)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Elements is OPEN for DINE IN & TAKEOUT!

From the moment you walk in to the last delicious morsel you will taste, we promise to deliver a unique and exquisite dining experience. Our cuisine combines classical as well as modern Asian and European cooking techniques to enhance the flavors of local and sustainable ingredients. Our menu changes often to capitalize on the freshest and most seasonal fare. We believe George Barnard Shaw said it best when he said. There is no love sincerer than the love of food." We couldn't agree more. From fork to mouth, we wish you good eats.

Elements Team

Top review

Tom

Dined 4 days ago

Exceptional Food and Service. Our go to restaurant. Never disappointed. Appetizer (Lobster sushi roll); Main (Walnut Prawns); Dessert (Peach Empanada). All Yummy!!!!

Bin 54 Steak & Cellar

4.8

4.8 (1798)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

To contact the restaurant directly please email info@bin54chapelhill.com

Using only the highest quality ingredients, Bin 54 elevates classic steakhouse dishes to a new level of refinement. Staged in a warm contemporary setting, diners are offered glimpses of the wood-fired grill, semi-open kitchen and the temperature controlled wine room stocked with an extensive inventory of both eclectic and traditional selections. We also offer three private dining rooms; the Wine Cellar, which seats up to 8 guests, the Aberdeen Room, which seats up to 16 guests, and the Solarium, which seats up to 30 guests. Please contact us for information on large group and private dining.

Top review

John

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent experience with great good and service. The background music was just right.

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4.8

4.8 (3260)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Durham

About the restaurant

Parizade is Mediterranean inspired culinary creations. A vast open kitchen spans the length of the restaurant. Surreal art by Henryk Fantazos adorns the walls and ceiling. Parizade is truly the crowning jewel of Giorgios Hospitality Group. *Large parties, please call the restaurant at 919-286-9712*

Top review

Christopher

Dined 5 days ago

We enjoyed our evening at Parizade. We entered from the convenient parking deck and were greeted warmly by servers and support staff as we approached the host desk in the front. My wife and I dined on the front patio with our dog, and the cool weather was perfect. Our server was Katya, who said she was fairly new to Parizade. She was laid-back, confident, and prepared. We began with a glass of Cava, and a scotch-based crafted cocktail. The burrata was surrounded by prosciutto, cantaloupe, baby arugula, and aged balsamic. We shared the marinated lamb chops served over creamy polenta. Sliced eggplant and sweet peppers marinated in sherry vinegar were placed by the lamb. The subtle vinegar was a pleasant surprise. Grated Pecorino Romano tied the dish together. We also shared the new Mezze Rigatoni with house made Italian sausage. This pasta included sautéed onions, roasted red peppers, chili flakes, spinach, and fresh herbs. The ingredients were distinctly identifiable--both visually and by taste. Parmesan generously tops this pasta. We finished our dinner with a peach cobbler immersed in cheesecake. Our evening was enhanced by seeing familiar faces, and visiting with other guests in the dining room and courtyard. This is a warm and cheerful environment, and we are grateful Parizade is here for us in Durham.

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Herb Stuffed Branzino

Fairview Dining Room

4.8

4.8 (1827)

$31 to $50

American

Durham

About the restaurant

Year after year, the cuisine served at the Fairview earns the highest marks among respected food critics and peer reviewers. Our Executive Culinary team is widely regarded for their unique "regional neo-American" specialties. The Fairview has received the prestigious AAA Four Diamond award for 25 consecutive years.

From our ever-so-tempting appetizers to the last irresistible morsel of our homemade desserts, every meal at the Fairview is executed with discriminating taste and renowned attention to detail. The Inn's extensive wine list, recognized annually by the Wine Spectator Magazine, assures the perfect wine compliment for your meal. Exquisite food, impeccable presentation, attentive service, and a cordial, elegant ambiance make the Fairview the area's restaurant of choice.

Top review

Haroonvip

Dined on Aug 12, 2024

Always great food and excellent service. After all it is part of the Washington-Duke Inn.

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The Sycamore at Chatham Mills

4.8

4.8 (50)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Fine dining in a historic brick-and-wood setting with soaring ceilings and windows. Featuring hand-cut USDA prime and dry-aged steaks selected just for us. Poultry, fish, game and vegetarian dishes are offered alongside a full bar serving classic and contemporary cocktails. Enjoy the cozy ambiance of our lounge with fireplace and try out our lounge plates on Lounge Thursday, where most of our lounge offerings are $10! An a la carte menu is also offered. Live piano accompaniment Tuesday through Saturday evenings, with jazz bands performing on Wednesdays.

NOTE: For parties larger than 6 please call us at 919 704-8731. Email addresses may be used to receive occasional updates.

Top review

Bob

Dined 6 days ago

We went on a Wednesday jazz night. The band was excellent, as was the decor and food. We ate from a less expensive bar menu. The salad was spectacular.

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Experience

Bourbon, Whiskey, and Tapas Dinner (50% Deposit)

Osteria Georgi

4.8

4.8 (847)

$31 to $50

Italian

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Giorgios Bakatsias' inspiration behind his newest concept, Osteria Georgi, stems from a deep appreciation for his dear friend- the late, great George Tarantini, an Italian native and beloved soccer coach for NC state University, well-known for his love and respect for hospitality.

Osteria reflects the passion behind Italian cuisine and culture-
a daily celebration of life while gathering around a shared table, of enjoying the beauty in simply prepared hand-made pasta, locally sourced ingredients and vibrant flavors, in having gratitude for the local farmers, fisherman, and artisans from which it all came, and always- a love for great company.

Top review

MIchael

Dined 1 day ago

We were disappointed that bread with some dipping oil was not available. Waitress said "Sorry, we don't have it, can't help you" Everything else was fine.

Nanas

4.8

4.8 (291)

$31 to $50

American

Durham

About the restaurant

Nanas is a neighborhood restaurant in Durham, North Carolina. Helmed by Chefs Matt Kelly and Nate Garyantes, Nanas pays tribute to Nana’s, our beloved predecessor, while reimagining all of the details. Abundant, local ingredients shine on our seasonal menus, which feature dishes like Twice-Baked Grits Soufflé, Duck Ragout Tagliatelle, and the iconic Nana’s risotto alongside seasonal wood grilled whole fish, crispy lamb shoulder, and fresh-baked breads and desserts made daily in house. In our cozy bar you'll find finely executed classic cocktails and local beers, while the wine program offers upwards of 250+ labels of impeccably curated, farming-first wines. If your desired time for a reservation is not available our bar seats are open on a first come first serve basis. Call your nana, it's time to eat.

Top review

henryvip

Dined 3 days ago

First time back to Nana’s for Anniversary celebration since reopening. a very pleasant experience with excellent food and service. Meredith was a great - knew the menu and attentive server.

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Experience

An Evening with Authentique Vin

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Durham

4.7

4.7 (2046)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Durham

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Durham is located in the Renaissance Center at Southpoint; adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn.

Whether you’re planning a casual dinner with friends, a party to celebrate, business meeting or banquet or a romantic dinner, Ruth’s Chris Steak House is the most distinctive dining destination in the area. Ruth’s Chris professional, but personable staff will make your evening a sizzling success with first class service that is attentive but never fussy.

Top review

frank

Dined 6 days ago

Great Food. Great service. Management was very attentive. Problem with lighting on big fixture. Would change brightness every 20 seconds. If you have sensitivity to light it could be a real concern. Made manager aware. Obviously, could not fix in the moment

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Popular dish

Sweet Potato Casserole

4.6

4.6 (1715)

$50 and over

Italian

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Il Palio is an intimate restaurant in the Siena Hotel. We strive to emulate the best of the great Italian tradition of hospitality and quality at the table and in the glass. Our vision is simple – use the best local and Italian ingredients as purely as possible and serve them with comfort and pride. We cook as an Italian might in North Carolina.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 2 days ago

Very nice experience. I do not like being required to reply with a minimum of 50 characters...I have, however, used 120

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Popular dish

Pappardelle Bolognese

Popular dish

Ravioli di Buratta

Ay Por Dios! Mexican Bistro

4.0

4 (37)

$30 and under

Mexican

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Our dishes are made only with fresh, seasonal ingredients and our dynamic menu offers a wide selection of the best foods from each culture. The restaurant is inspired by authentic Mexican food and culture.

Top review

Jessica

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

Veggie tacos were good and decent price but the meat and seafood items seemed overpriced but in full disclosure I did not order them. Service was great and the place is gorgeous. However, the music was this awful fake pop music (re-recorded pop songs, so not by original artists) and there were commercials that played in between some songs as well. It was very distracting and given the price point of the restaurant, off-putting.

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