Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in New York City

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in New York City? 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!

Joomak

5.0

5 (18)

$50 and over

American

West Village

About the restaurant

Acclaimed chef Jiho Kim (DdoBar) opens Joomak, a fresh iteration of his former Michelin-starred restaurant, Joomak Banjum, at Maison Hudson New York. “Joomak,” is an elevated update, a jewel box set in a more intimate and luxurious space with just 27 seats. The menu features New American cuisine rooted in Korean flavors across an eight-course tasting menu, complemented by a robust wine program featuring French-forward and new-world wines alike.

Top review

FrancisVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent meal and service. Will definitely be back.

Discover more

Experience

8-Course Tasting Menu

Aquavit

4.9

4.9 (1935)

$50 and over

Nordic

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Two Michelin-starred and New York Times Three-starred Aquavit, located in Midtown Manhattan showcases seasonal, Modern Nordic fare and has been a pioneer of Nordic cuisine since opening in 1987. The restaurant has an extensive wine list as well as an aquavit infusion and cocktail program. The Bar Room offers an a la carte menu for a casual elegant experience. The Dining Room serves a 2 or 3 course prix fixe menu or a 5 course tasting menu for lunch and a 5 course tasting menu or a Chef's tasting menu for dinner. We also offer Private Dining spaces for both social and corporate gatherings.

Top review

Leslie VIP

Dined 4 days ago

Aquavit was exceptional! We had the 7-course chef tasting menu with the reserve wine pairings. Definitely a huge splurge, and we loved every bite and sip! The waitstaff was also excellent. One of the very important features of an outstanding Michelin starred restaurant is the best service along with wonderful food. Aquavit has it in abundance! Highly recommend!

Vetro by Russo's on the Bay

4.9

4.9 (1593)

$31 to $50

Italian

Howard Beach

About the restaurant

From exquisite cuisine, expansive wine cellar, cocktail lounge and exemplary service. Vetro expands Russo's fine culinary tradition into an elegant restaurant completely distinct from your private occasion. Restaurant, Dine in wine cellar, special occasions.

Top review

Cathy

Dined 7 days ago

The food and service were impeccable. Enjoyed every minute of the evening.

SHI

4.9

4.9 (1080)

$31 to $50

Pan-Asian

Long Island City

About the restaurant

SHI is a gorgeous new waterside Pan-Asian restaurant in Long Island City. Featuring a full bar and lounge it is the perfect spot to start a wonderful night on a date, or just friends going out together. It’s gorgeous dining room has floor to ceiling bay windows that showcase the entire city skyline like you have only seen in pictures. SHI's eclectic menu of Asian style serves Japanese style, Vietnamese style, Chinese style, and a full sushi bar as well. When the weather is warmer, seek the outdoor terrace for your dining pleasure. This sleek restaurant should be classified as sexy and fun.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

This was a last minute reservation after my first reservation change the time due to an event they were having at their restaurant. Glad it worked out and the food was good.

Mike's Bistro - UES

4.9

4.9 (661)

$50 and over

Kosher

Midtown East

About the restaurant

"Mike's Bistro combines an elegant menu with a relaxed, spacious atmosphere in a convenient Midtown East location. Chef Michael Gershkovich creates and executes a contemporary, internationally inspired, Glatt Kosher (OU) gourmet menu with seasonally-inspired nuances."

Top review

Sruly

Dined 6 days ago

Elegant and upscale with outstanding service—the wait staff was incredibly courteous and attentive. The food was amazing: the tuna poke had the freshest, most flavorful tuna I’ve ever had, the braised duck leg was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented, and the short rib melted in my mouth over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. I’ll definitely be back!

Tempura Matsui

4.9

4.9 (662)

$50 and over

Japanese

Midtown East

About the restaurant

Welcome to Tempura Matsui –A Michelin One Star–

Tempura Matsui invites you to experience the fine art of cooking tempura. Within a serene setting, guests have a seat at our counter or tables and can view the delicate preparation of lightly frying fresh fish and vegetables.
We only serve Omakase Dinner Course for $280 per person at 2 specific times Tuesdays through Saturdays between 5:30PM and 8PM.

Also, we serve a Lunch Course for $160 per person at 12 noon only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Open irregularly on Sundays.

You may make a reservation one month ahead and any cancellations must be made 24 hours prior to the reservation to avoid a $100 charge per person.

Beginning June 1st, our Omakase Dinner Course will be priced at $295.
This change reflects our unwavering commitment to sourcing the finest seasonal ingredients and elevating the dining experience to the standards befitting a Michelin-starred restaurant.

We thank you for your continued trust and support.

Top review

Ben

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful experience and top notch food. Eel could be better though.

KOMA sushi

4.9

4.9 (24)

$30 and under

Sushi

Midwood

About the restaurant

We are fanatical in delivering the highest quality sushi & omakase experience, consistently, for people who really love sushi. We combine our passion for hand-selected fish, & quality ingredients. KOMA sushi vision is to create a superlative dining experience – memorable, intimate, spectacular, and elegant. We invite you to think of sushi preparation as a performance, and our counter as the stage. We welcome you as our audience, to watch our highly skilled Japanese chefs, swiftly and expertly prepare each mouth-watering course for you.

Top review

Austin

Dined 1 day ago

The tuna carving is a truly unique and special experience. Would recommend anyone to experience it at least once!

Discover more

Tuna Carving at KOMA Sushi

Campania Coal Fired Pizza - Dongan Hills

4.9

4.9 (117)

$31 to $50

Pizzeria

South Beach

About the restaurant

Specializing in authentic coal-fired Italian pizza, antipasto and other traditional Italian dishes. We use only the freshest and finest ingredients. We also make our own mozzarella daily by hand and have a full bar!

Top review

Lori

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

Food is always consistently delicious, love going here, staff is so friendly. One of my regular spots to go on a Saturday night.

The Factory 380

4.9

4.9 (16)

$31 to $50

American

Kips Bay

About the restaurant

"The Factory was a space where high and low, rich and poor, black and white, gay and straight came together as one.”

Now, put yourself back in 1962 NYC - Our “neighborhood bar / restaurant / lounge with hidden speakeasy" is subtly referencing the Andy Warhol movement while showcasing modern artful cocktails and craft beers. The Factory 380 serves market fresh creative eclectic fare, fermented grains and cocktails to rocking DJ tunes in a funky decor.

Top review

David

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

No se puede ir mal con una tarde/noche aquí. Buenas bebidas, buenas vibras, y comida rica. You can’t go wrong with an afternoon/evening here. Great drinks, great vibes, and delicious food.

Discover more

Experience

Live Music Wednesdays at The Factory 380

Experience

Mixtape Bingo at The Factory 380

Experience

Trivia Tuesdays at The Factory 380

The Champagne & Caviar Bar at RH Guesthouse New York

4.8

4.8 (89)

$50 and over

American

Meatpacking District

About the restaurant

The Champagne & Caviar Bar recalls the distinctive glamour of a vintage jewel box, presenting a carefully curated selection of the finest Champagnes, Petrossian Caviar and a menu of classic dishes in which caviar is the star. The space features a progression of hand-blown chandeliers, geometric floors of Italian marble, and an ornate coffered ceiling, punctuated by camel mohair velvet seating for an intimate, immersive experience.

For group dining inquiries, please email: GHNYDR@rh.com

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined 5 days ago

very cool swanky caviar bar with excellent tasting menu and great select of champagnes - excellent service as well!

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of New York City