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Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Ocala / Gainesville

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OpenTable
Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Ocala / Gainesville? 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!


A photo of Katya Vineyards restaurant
4.9
4.9 (787)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Ocala
About the restaurant
At Katya Vineyards we believe in the power of food to bring people together, create lasting memories, and celebrate the joy of shared moments. Every dish from Executive Chef Tony Deras is a labor of love and paired with our exquisite wine list and hand crafted cocktails.

Come experience the warmth of Katya Vineyards – where fine dining meets familial embrace.


Top review
John
Dined 4 days ago
Outstanding experience excellent service and dinner
A photo of Mark's Prime Steak House - Ocala restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2734)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Ocala
About the restaurant
Marks Prime Steakhouse has a goal to create a unique dining experience that will please the palate and soothe the soul. We serve the finest beef, freshest seafood, premium wines and naturally fresh vegetables. We hope to see you soon.
Top review
Barryvip
Dined 7 days ago
Our son lives in Ocala, and we make it a point to eat at Marks every time we visit, and we’ve never been disappointed. Restaurant is very well run and the servers focus on delivering a great customer experience.
A photo of La Cuisine French Restaurant restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2165)
$31 to $50
French
Ocala
About the restaurant
Located in the heart of beautiful downtown Ocala, La Cuisine offers an authentic selection of bistro dishes drawn from the various regions of France.
Our award-winning menu focuses on unprocessed ingredients. We use local, grass-fed, antibiotic free meat and poultry when available.
Everything you taste at La Cuisine is homemade and well portioned as if you were invited to our grandmother's table.

Top review
RONvip
Dined 6 days ago
WE ENJOYED THE THANKSGIVING DINNER VERY MUCH. THE FOOD WAS FANTSTIC AND OUR SERVER, JESSIE, WAS OUTSTANDING. WE ALWAYS ASK FOR HER BECAUSE SHE DOES SUCH A GREAT JOB.
A photo of Sensei Asian Bistro restaurant
4.8
4.8 (219)
$50 and over
Contemporary Asian
Gainesville
About the restaurant
Sensei Asian Bistro unites classic along with modern Asian elements in a sophisticated, contemporary setting.

Right across street from Regal Cinemas in Celebration Pointe!
Indoor and outdoor patio (covered) seating available.

Give us any detail you are comfortable with for your special occasion! (Names, # of yrs for anniversary, Birthday, etc.) We love to make your day personal and memorable.

Top review
Renee
Dined 6 days ago
We did the Thanksgiving experience, fabulous! Every course was a mouth explosion. The sake flight was fun and informative. We really enjoyed it all.
A photo of Remington's Prime Steakhouse restaurant
4.8
4.8 (255)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Ocala
About the restaurant
Prime Steak, Fresh seafoods , Bison Burgers and so much more. Fine dining with a Montana feel.
Top review
Alan
Dined on Nov 26, 2024
First time at this steakhouse and it was not disappointing. The hearts of palm salad was great, the steaks outstanding and the brussels sprouts the best I have ever had. Great vibe and really good service. Its pricey but isn't everything nowadays! Great for a special occasion, but it was packed on a Wednesday night, so I guess its good anytime...Thanks to the staff for our anniversary dessert.
A photo of Stirrups at World Equestrian Center restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1551)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Ocala
About the restaurant
Prime steaks and chops, sustainable Florida seafood and seasonal specialties are served in a refined dining room with elevated service. Stirrups offers an extensive wine cellar to complement your menu selections.
Top review
Terrivip
Dined 4 days ago
Had a wonderful dinner at Stirrups. Our server, River, was phenomenal! The food was presented like works of art and was so delicious!
A photo of Prime & Pearl restaurant
4.7
4.7 (872)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Gainesville
About the restaurant
Prime & Pearl is a sublime, delightfully original chophouse in Gainesville, Florida that believes unexpected, flavorful pairings lead to something magical. From steaks, dry-aged for 35 days to uniquely crafted cocktails, dining at Prime & Pearl is an experience. One you won’t soon forget.

Our focus is on bringing things together—often unexpected things—to make something creative and authentic. We believe a sense of wonder is an integral part of every memorable dining experience in our space.

Enjoy a local, hand-selected 25-ounce Porterhouse ribeye perfectly dry-aged on-site. Taste an array of oysters from our own gulf waters up to the shores of New England and Canada. Choose a unique steak knife that reflects your personality. Quench your thirst for originality with a personalized Prime & Pearl Bourbon or Whiskey. Whatever you do, don’t eat ordinary.

Top review
Marci
Dined 6 days ago
PERFECT!!! This was by far the best Thanksgiving meal ever, the turkey was insanely delicious. I hope Prime does this every Thanksgiving because now that I’ve had the best, I refuse to go back to the old way.
A photo of Braised Onion restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1718)
$30 and under
Comfort Food
Ocala
About the restaurant
Welcome to Braised Onion where we serve "Comfort Food with Attitude!" Our wonderful entrée & dessert selections are ALL homemade and will tickle your taste buds! We also offer a full-service liquor, wine and beer bar. Try our martini specials! Whether it's a big event or a quaint party, you will enjoy our fantastic food and a fun, colorful and festive atmosphere! There is a private banquet/dining room for your special event or just a quaint dinner out!


Top review
Andris
Dined 6 days ago
Very lovely place. You feel the pride the owners have in your experience. Good food and very friendly and attentive staff.
A photo of 18 South restaurant
4.3
4.3 (30)
$50 and over
Oyster Bar
Ocala
About the restaurant
18 South is a dining experience with menu items from all over the world. Taste oysters from cold Atlantic/Pacific regions, caviar from Russia, king crab from Norway, and A5 Waygu from Japan's finest cattle. Our spirits and wine list is A+. Our dining atmosphere is a modern look from an 1895 restored building that looks over Ocala's town square. Sit and relax while our player Steinway piano plays for you; and enjoy.
Top review
Bree
Dined on Oct 19, 2024
Second time there and this one was phenomenal!!!!! Excellent food and cocktails
A photo of Amelia's Italian Cuisine restaurant
3.6
3.6 (1428)
$31 to $50
Italian
Gainesville
About the restaurant
Gainesville's Finest Italian Cuisine for over 30 years! Located downtown in the Sun Center (Behind the Hippodrome). Amelia's brings you back to its Northern Italian cuisine roots with top quality food, service, and ambiance.


Top review
Tim
Dined on Sep 15, 2024
Not their fault, but we sat outside, which was lovely, but there were two “kids” skateboarding on the sidewalk right next to our table. They were very loud. This is an issue for the Gainesville PD. Something for Amelia’s to bring up with them.
Explore Diners' Choice best of Ocala / Gainesville
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