Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Middlesex

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Middlesex? 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!

Labebe Prime - Steak & Seafood

4.9

4.9 (1195)

$50 and over

Steak

New Brunswick

About the restaurant

At Labebe Prime, we honor our culinary matriarch, Labebe—a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to our family. Her passion for the culinary arts has been passed down through generations. One of life’s greatest joys is sharing an incredible meal with family and friends which is something she took pride in.

Labebe Prime's commitment to farm-to-table excellence is unwavering. Each dish unfolds a narrative of our agricultural heritage, a blend of Mediterranean and American splendor delivered straight to your table. Indulge in the delight of fresh, wholesome, locally sourced ingredients, brought together in a feast that beckons you to relish every moment.

We welcome you to partake in this culinary voyage, inspired by the heart and soul of Labebe while taking it to the next level with our award-winning chefs. Cheers to good company, great memories and incredible food in a magical setting at Labebe Prime. Life is delicious! Eat it up!

Top review

JayVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The BEST dinner that I've EVER had. The service was excellent, the food was top notch and the drinks were exceptional. The whole day was perfect. My party of 4 was so happy. We've decided to make them a regular destination. Thank you for everything ❤️ ♥️

Mezcal

4.9

4.9 (342)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Old Bridge

About the restaurant

Mezcal blends authentic Mexican flavors with steakhouse sophistication, offering exceptional dining and a vibrant, refined atmosphere in Old Bridge, NJ.

Top review

laurieVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Our waitress Sam was great and the food was delicious

Catherine Lombardi

4.8

4.8 (2465)

$31 to $50

Italian

New Brunswick

About the restaurant

Upscale Italian restaurant with homey fare & 2 fireplaces plus a cozy red interior & lively bar.

Serving Menus from Stage Left Steak & Catherine Lombardi in the Same Dining Room Mondays-Saturdays. Spring and Summer months seating will be in Stag Left Steak. Fall and Winter in Catherine Lombardi

Top review

AdrienneVIP

Dined on May 30, 2025

My husband and I had a wonderful dining experience from beginning to end! The staff were very friendly and extremely attentive! To start off, the complimentary bread was the best I’ve ever tasted and I’m a big bread lover who has frequents lot of upscale restaurants, so that’s saying a lot. The calamari for our appetizer was fresh and tasty. I had the crab and shrimp fettuccine that lacked enough sauce but still enjoyable. My husband had the filet mignon, which was out of this world. I’m not a big steak lover at all but next time I will be sure to order it for myself! It was served with a hot Himalayan salt block and their house steak sauce - just yummy! We had the chocolate cake for dessert and ordered to go their delicious chocolate cookies baked right out the oven! Drinks were also very good and the ambience I would describe as very classy vintage! We’ll be back for sure!

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Start the night off right with Glenfiddich

Steakhouse 85

4.8

4.8 (4209)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

New Brunswick

About the restaurant

Steakhouse 85 is a 21st century rendition of the classic American Steakhouse. The menu at Steakhouse 85 is comprised of fresh and inspiring modern day interpretations of classic American cuisine, served alongside the traditional steakhouse classics we all know and love. The back bone of our menu is without a doubt our beef. Our mouth watering dry aged steaks are rubbed with a simple yet luscious combination of sea salt, black pepper and fresh herbs. They are seared on a 1200 degree cast iron grill and then broiled to your liking. Paired with a large classically designed bar, complete with savvy cocktails and a Wine Spectator award winning wine list, this steakhouse is sure to please.

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

Official Steakhouse of Rutgers Athletics

Top review

Stephen

Dined 2 days ago

The food was excellent and our server, Paul, was wonderful!

Luca's Ristorante of Somerset

4.8

4.8 (1217)

$31 to $50

Italian

New Brunswick

About the restaurant

If you are seeking not just a great meal, but a great dining experience, you need look no further than Luca’s Ristorante Somerset. Tucked away on Rt. 27 between Princeton and New Brunswick, Luca’s Somerset is an oasis of authentic regional Italian cuisine. Offering modern adaptations of traditional dishes from Ischia, here you can enjoy hand-cut ravioli stuffed with Chef Andrea’s latest mouth-watering combinations, a selection of fish entrees so fresh that they evoke the Mediterranean Sea, or a filet of such quality that it is paralleled only by the accoutrement that accompany it. Our dining room décor is uniquely Ischitana, and goes to show that here at Luca’s Somerset, we understand that the difference is in the details. When you are done with it all, take in the cozy setting with a delicious dessert made from scratch, and the perfect cup of locally micro-roasted espresso or cappuccino. So please, be our guest.

Top review

FrankVIP

Dined 3 days ago

As usual the food and the service was EXCELLENT! MATT took very good care of our table. I had two guests who both ordered the specials and said they were FANTASTIC. I mentioned to them you really cannot go wrong with anything on the menu or the specials. Everything is always delicious.

Metuchen Inn

4.7

4.7 (1850)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Metuchen

About the restaurant

The historic Metuchen Inn has elegant new decor, same fantastic food and service with a creative new menu. Come see some old friends and make some new. Enjoy our Happy Hour with your hosts Constantine and Victor

Top review

RinoVIP

Dined 2 days ago

As always, great food great taste and great service, perfect combination to spend an evening and also lunch👍

Ponte Vecchio

4.7

4.7 (721)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Old Bridge

About the restaurant

Ponte Vecchio Italian Seafood Grille specializes in serving the finest seafood, along with the best traditional Italian Cuisine. The Decor of this 180 seat restaurant is based upon the famous "Ponte Vecchio" bridge in Florence, Italy.

Top review

MatthewVIP

Dined on May 31, 2025

A tried and true for my family. This place is fantastic - the food is top notch. You cannot go wrong here.

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4.6

4.6 (1500)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

New Brunswick

About the restaurant

A contemporary steakhouse in the heart of New Brunswick's theater district with a wood-burning grill serving delicious dry-aged steaks and locally sourced dishes since 1992. The wine list is extensive and features estate-bottled wines from small producers. A variety of hand-crafted cocktails are offered on the nationally-recognized cocktail menu. Winner of many accolades including Best of the Best, Best Steak, Best Burger, "Best of Award of Excellence", Coziest Restaurant and more.

We are currently open Monday - Thursday : 4:30-9 and Friday - Saturday : 4:30-9:30.

In cooperation with our sister restaurant, Catherine Lombardi, guests have the option of ordering from both of our menus on the days that we're open.

Top review

KarlaVIP

Dined on May 29, 2025

Extensive wine list. Food & service was outstanding!

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Experience

Start the Night off right with Glenfiddich

Le Malt Lounge

4.5

4.5 (780)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Woodbridge

About the restaurant

"At Le Malt, food makes an appearance, but cocktails rule" - NY Times.

Le Malt Lounge, a trendy Whisky & cocktail restaurant & bar, is located in the heart of New Jersey featuring the largest selection of brown spirits with over 1,000 bottles to choose from.

The restaurant has soaring interiors with a refined, yet approachable menu by our James Beard Foundation featured Chef Duke Estime. Also, featuring a thoughtfully-curated spirits program celebrating the great regions of the world, alongside innovative and classically-focused cocktails.

Top review

JuliaVIP

Dined on May 16, 2025

Impressive cuisine!! You don’t have to go to NYC for a gourmet experience. Going back soon.

Orchard Park by David Burke

4.5

4.5 (1933)

$50 and over

American

New Brunswick

About the restaurant

Award winning Celebrity Chef David Burke brings his whimsical approach to American cuisine and classic dishes. Join us in this stunning venue to enjoy his specialty Clothesline Bacon, Pretzel Crab Cakes and his patented Himalayan Salt-Aged Beef. Save room for dessert, with staples items on Chef Burke dessert menu such as Tin Cake in a Can and the Cheesecake Lollipop Tree. Offering a stellar Brunch on Sundays, sure to be a family hit!
Planning an intimate gathering? Our Wine Room built with 2500 Himalayan salt brick wall, European glass globe lighting fixtures suspended above, we can accommodate up to 22 guests, offering a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere.

** Our restaurants are generally not the best environment for young children. We welcome families, but we ask parents to keep children at the table and calm vocal infants or youngsters outside of the dining room. We do not allow strollers in the dining room, however we do offer child seating in our "Lounge Area".

Top review

Bonnie

Dined 6 days ago

Service and food was outstanding- pleasant surroundings and I will be back!

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