Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in East Bay

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in East Bay? 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!

Forbes Mill Steakhouse - Danville

4.8

4.8 (3401)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Danville

About the restaurant

At Forbes Mill Steakhouse we offer the finest cuisine, Wagyu Steak and Prime Certified Angus Beef, to Fresh Seafood from Hawaii, Australian Lobster, Chicken and much more. Our cuisine is perfectly accompanied by an Award Winning Wine List including local, regional and global vintages all thoughtfully selected by our resident Sommelier. Our professional staff is dedicated to crafting a memorable dining experience for our guests, and they share a commitment to quality and a passion to serve you. Sit back, Relax and Enjoy the Ultimate Steakhouse Experience.

Top review

ErinVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Overall excellent. Service was lacking. It seemed like no one person was assigned to serve our table. It also took awhile for someone to wait on us. Restaurant may have been understaffed?

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4.8

4.8 (1231)

$50 and over

Californian

Oakland

About the restaurant

Commis in Oakland is a Two-Star Michelin rated fine dining restaurant by James Beard Foundation Nominated Chef James Syhabout that serves a multi-course Tasting Menu.

Diners at Commis are invited to linger for 2.5 to 3 hours over an multi-course meal in a warm, comfortable and relaxing dining room appointed by glowing glass light pendants, dark furniture, bare walnut tables, dim lit candles and floral arrangements.

Delivered by the attentive service staff and sommeliers, the cuisine of Commis showcases some of the best Northern California ingredients that are in season through modern and classic cooking techniques. The cuisine aims to bridge the flavors, textures and temperatures of the East and West with every course with the intention to excite and satisfy.

Top review

VeronicaVIP

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

Impeccable service includes attentiveness, knowledgable and friendly staffs, the wine pairing enhanced both the food and the wine, creating more enjoyable experience. Thanks to the whole team of Commis for making our birthday celebration more special.

Hana Japan Steak & Seafood - Berkeley

4.8

4.8 (449)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Berkeley

About the restaurant

Hana Japan Steakhouse in Berkeley California is the premiere hibachi & teppanyaki restaurant in the Bay Area. All reservations are for the live cooking aka hibachi experience. The menu features USDA Choice Black Angus beef, grilled seafood items as well as vegetarian options. Try the Hibachi Salmon for a tasty dinner, the popular New York Steak or our newly added House Dry Aged Rib-Eye. Dinner items are served with a salad featuring our special organic Hana dressing, house soup, steamed rice and seasonal vegetables. Hana Japan’s menu also serves a kid-friendly dishes. Serving the San Francisco Bay area since 1979, Hana Japan draws a local regular crowd and proudly serve during dinner hours. Diners get to enjoy special discounts on their birthdays when they visit with parties of four or more. We are now open for dinner seven days a week. Reservations are Highly Recommended.

Top review

Ramon

Dined 2 days ago

It was great experience. Lovely staff. Food was amazing

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Experience

Hibachi Premiere -$69.50 per guest

Experience

Hibachi Classics - $45 per guest

Tides

4.7

4.7 (391)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Danville

About the restaurant

TIDES is family-owned seafood restaurant in Danville, CA that specializes in modern oceanic inspired cuisine.

We create a variety of fresh seafood based dishes that are versatile, interesting, and delicious; with belief in a culture where food and culinary creativity can bring people together for a memorable experience.

Top review

MutluVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent service providing great food and drinks in a very nice ambiance outdoors.

Bruno's Italian Cuisine - Livermore

4.6

4.6 (177)

$30 and under

Italian

Livermore

About the restaurant

Bruno's Italian Cuisine invites you to experience the warmth of a cozy Italian trattoria in Livermore. The air is filled with the enticing aroma of fresh garlic and herbs, setting the stage for a delightful meal. Our menu features a variety of classic Italian dishes made with the freshest ingredients. Start with crispy garlic cheese bread or Portuguese-style clams sautéed with garlic, tomatoes, and Cajun sausage in white wine sauce. For the main course, enjoy our flavorful fettuccine alfredo or hearty spaghetti bolognese. We also offer a selection of pizzas, including classic pepperoni and a unique Mexican pizza with pepperoni, linguica, bell peppers, and jalapenos. No meal is complete without dessert. Don't miss our homemade tiramisu, known for its light, fluffy texture and rich coffee flavor. Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a night out, Bruno's Italian Cuisine is the perfect destination for authentic Italian dining.

Top review

SaraVIP

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

Love this place! A favorite when visiting Downtown Livermore!

Spin a Yarn

4.5

4.5 (431)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Fremont

About the restaurant

In the early 50’s, nestled in between the eucalyptus trees and rich farmlands of what is now Fremont, there came to be a friendly place where local farmers and their families could meet and share their stories.

Over the years, this unique hideaway became known for its splendid food and even an occasional drop or two of cider. It also became known as the town meeting place, where one could listen to the “Old Timers” tell many stories about life in the Old West, Mining in the Sierras, and the Wild & Wooly days on the Docks of SF.

Since what is now Warm Springs Blvd used to be the primary route between SF and Santa Cruz, many out of town visitors made this a favorite rest stop during their journeys. It was a place to get a good meal, quench ones’ thirst, and tell a few stories. As time went by, it was only natural that this delightful town meeting place came to be known, as it still is today, as Spin-A-Yarn.

Top review

AndrewVIP

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

Excellent food. Good service with prompt food delivery and nice ambiance.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Walnut Creek

4.4

4.4 (4049)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Walnut Creek, CA serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.

Top review

Gary

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent for special occasions, since the high quality of the food and experience does come with a high price

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Experience

$55 3-Course Menu

Experience

Moët & Chandon TasteMaker Dinner

Zaya Thai Pantry

4.4

4.4 (120)

$30 and under

Thai

Danville

About the restaurant

An upscale but casual Thai dining experience, showcasing fresh, local ingredients used in creative, innovative dishes as well as in a delightful cocktail menu

Top review

Sharon

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Wonderful service and delicious food! We will be back!

Prime Rib at the Garden

4.1

4.1 (154)

$50 and over

Prime Rib

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

Prime Rib at The Garden stands as the premier dining destination in the Bay Area. Nestled in the stylish and walkable downtown Walnut Creek, we are celebrated for our distinctive service and exquisite offerings of prime rib and seafood. Whether you're enjoying the view from our garden terrace or relaxing in one of our private rooms, a superb dining experience awaits. We extend a warm welcome to friends, families, and loyal patrons alike, offering superb cuts of prime rib, fresh seafood, and a selection of classic cocktails and wines.

Top review

Gary

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

Great food, great service. I got the presidents cut . It was good size for a hearty appetite.

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Experience

Bloody & Bubblies in the Garden

The Yellow Chilli by Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor - Danville

4.0

4 (354)

$30 and under

Indian