Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in St. Petersburg

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in St. Petersburg? 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!

Sol - St. Pete

4.9

4.9 (763)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Sōl (soul) St. Pete is a high vibrational restaurant that offers a unique casual-upscale, gluten-free dining experience in the Art's District of St. Pete, Florida. Founded and operated by a close-knit family, Sōl prides itself on serving farm-to-table dishes made from locally sourced organic, wild-caught, grass-fed/finished ingredients free from seed oils and common allergens. The restaurant's commitment to scratch dining allows guests to savor and enjoy the quality of their meals. A cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere, Sōl exudes warmth and hospitality, making it the perfect spot for both intimate dinners and celebratory gatherings. The menu features a diverse selection of gf seasonal dishes, innovative fermented cocktails, and a biodynamic wine list curated to complement culinary offerings. From the friendly service to the food presentation, Sōl stands out as a must-visit destination for those seeking a memorable "safe" dining experience in an inviting setting.

Top review

Dined 2 days ago

This is my favorite spot in St Pete. It's always the best food and the most attentive staff.

Parkshore Grill

4.8

4.8 (3797)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Indoor and Outdoor dining along Beach Drive and overlooking the Vinoy Yacht Basin and beautiful Banyan trees at North Straub Park. Serving Lunch, Dinner and a Weekend Brunch. Chef Tyson Grant proudly serves All-Natural beef, pork and chicken, Gulf fish and organic produce. Accolades include the coveted Florida Trend Golden Spoon Award, the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, OpenTable's Top 100 Best Alfresco Restaurants in America and Diner's Choice Awards, Best Chef in Tampa Bay and Best Sidewalk Dining.

Top review

BarbaraVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Love Park Shore- they have it down. The bar is great- comfortable, elegant, great service. The restaurant is do comfy and quiet enough for conversation. The service is great and the food is excellent.

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (488)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Fortu is a culinary sanctuary showcasing modern Asian cuisine. Rooted in Japanese influences, our menu features bold, Asian-inspired dishes crafted with meticulously sourced global ingredients. Each creation balances tradition and innovation, designed to surprise and delight with every bite. Our sophisticated yet welcoming space, bathed in soft lighting, creates a sensory experience, enhanced by expertly crafted cocktails that elevate every occasion. Embracing our philosophy, “Savor the Journey,” Fortu delivers a dynamic fusion of flavor, culture, and connection, transforming every visit into a celebration of culinary excellence. Come, experience the essence of Fortu.

Top review

LisaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Incredible experience ! Outstanding food and service

Elliott Aster

4.8

4.8 (91)

$50 and over

Italian

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Elliott Aster, located in the historic Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, offers an elevated dining experience led by Michelin-starred chef Lee Wolen. The restaurant features a sophisticated menu with wood-fired steaks, decadent pasta, and unique specialties, including an antipasti bar.

Chef Wolen's menu showcases carefully sourced ingredients and innovative techniques. Indulge in the 45-day dry-aged prime bone-in ribeye, savor the Beef Cheek Tortelli, or enjoy the Mediterranean Sea Bream, Grilled Rack of Lamb, or Lacquered Brick Chicken. Lighter options include Tuna Crudo and an Endive Salad with Florida Citrus and Lemon Poppyseed Vinaigrette.

Dress Code: Elliott Aster welcomes guests in smart casual attire. To help maintain our relaxed yet refined atmosphere, we kindly ask that guests refrain from wearing swimwear, workout clothing, jerseys, ball caps, garments with a strong marijuana odor, or clothing featuring offensive language or graphics.

Top review

HarriotteVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Fabulous dining experience with a beautiful ambience. Loved all the food.

Kobe Japanese Steakhouse - St. Petersburg

4.7

4.7 (2224)

$30 and under

Japanese

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Kobé is known for offering its guests a unique Teppanyaki dining experience and doing so with its very own blend of fun and flare at its 13 Central Florida locations. We provide a unique dining experience that offers an exciting and vibrant environment for guests to gather and celebrate over delicious food and drinks.

Due to our unique communal seating arrangement at our teppanyaki table, please expect a short wait time with your reservation upon checking in with your complete party. We offer limited online booking availability, with communal seating, for large parties 11-20. For large parties requesting a booking outside of online availability, parties 20+, and parties requesting private tables please contact your preferred Kobé location by completing our online inquiry form at https://kobesteakhouse.com/banquets/to reserve through a manager with a banquet menu. We cannot guarantee that reservations booked separately will be sat together.

Top review

Terri

Dined 7 days ago

Great service! A lot of great food. Always love to eat there.

Discover more

Popular dish

Sirloin & Scallops

Taverna Costale

4.7

4.7 (789)

$31 to $50

Italian

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Taverna Costale- Where Coastal Italy Meets Downtown St. Pete

Step into the vibrant heart of Downtown St. Pete and discover Taverna Costale, a coastal Italian escape crafted by nationally acclaimed celebrity chef Fabio Viviani. From fresh pastas to locally sourced seafood, every dish is a love letter to the sun-soaked shores of Italy. With an energy that's equal parts upscale and inviting, Costale is where aperitivo hour lingers into night, the wine flows freely, and the Gulf breeze meets la dolce vita. Whether you're here for a casual lunch, a date-night, or cocktails at golden hour, Taverna Costale isn't just a restaurant-it's the place to be! Join us today to enjoy the breezy patio seating on Central Ave or mingle with a beverage at our inside-outside bar. Either way, Costale is a great place to eat, drink, and stay a while!

Top review

JoanneVIP

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

It was a quiet night for a Saturday….. went for the Restaurant Week menu. Food and service were very good.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (127)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

St. Pete Beach

About the restaurant

The original Malio's Steakhouse was opened in 1969 by Malio Iavarone, whose immigrant parents had owned and operated their own restaurant since 1945. Always striving to provide their clientele the finest dining experience, Malio's Steakhouse, for over 50 years, earned a reputation for serving the finest quality food, with superior service and atmosphere.

It is in that tradition that our newest location, Malio's Beach House offers Creekstone All-Natural Prime Beef & Pork, the freshest seafood available (featuring coldwater lobster tails), accompanied by a selection of over 100 wines, along with unparalleled service and ambience.

We look forward to providing you with a memorable dining experience. When in downtown Tampa please visit our other location Malio's Prime Steakhouse.

Welcome to our family,
Derek and Jen

Top review

Rosanna

Dined 3 days ago

Awesome food and ambiance! Mia provided great service!

The Melting Pot - St Petersburg

4.6

4.6 (1019)

$31 to $50

Fondue

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Join us for a night of interactive dining, handcrafted cocktails, and tableside fondue. Located right on Central Avenue and 7th Street, our new home is ready to bring you the interactive dining experience you’ve been craving. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, planning a date night, or just indulging because you can, now is the perfect time to experience fondue in the heart of St. Petersburg.

Top review

Kyle

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Jake was great! Fun experience and would come back for another family style dinner.

Discover more

Experience

Standard Reservation & Celebration Add-ons

Da Sesto

4.6

4.6 (496)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pinellas Park

About the restaurant

Chef Sesto and his amazing staff welcome you to the most authentic Italian restaurant you will ever encounter.
Voted one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in Florida.
Da Sesto Italiano in Pinellas Park, Florida features authentic Italian cuisine that has received very favorable reviews on social media. The restaurant is renowned for its pasta dishes, which you might enjoy after creating your own antipasto platter from a number of items on offer. House specialties at Da Sesto Italiano include lobster Lorenzo and pollo alla Sesto con penne. The pappardelle amore mio alla norcina also comes highly recommended.

Roman style Pinsa are also available at Da Sesto Italiano. Start your evening with one of our specialty cocktails then pair your meal with something from the wine list and finish off with a hot cappuccino or espresso, and you have the ultimate Italian meal.

Top review

Joseph

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

The restaurant is a charming environment with a great variety of authentic Italian favorites made with homemade pasta. It’s great to go to a restaurant that has the feel of family and great a great meal. They even offered us complementary limoncello after our meal.

Discover more

Popular dish

Minestrone or Soup of the Day

Popular dish

La Marsala

Renzo's-St Pete

4.6

4.6 (719)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Downtown St. Petersburg, just steps from the waterfront, Renzo’s offers a stylish, welcoming atmosphere where South American-inspired cuisine blends tradition with innovation, delivering bold flavors through refined techniques.

Family-owned and chef-led, Renzo’s is rooted in craftsmanship. Our steaks are butchered and handpicked daily, sourcing only the finest cuts to ensure unmatched quality. Signature dishes like our grilled Argentine-style churrasco, housemade chorizos, uniquely crafted desserts from our in-house bakery, and Josper-roasted seafood reflect our commitment to bold flavors and live-fire cooking.

Our wine program is equally intentional, featuring the largest collection of New World wines in Tampa Bay—curated by our staff during vineyard visits to Argentina. Each bottle is hand-selected to complement our menu.

Renzo’s offers an elevated yet approachable dining experience and a reputation as one of the area’s top steakhouses.

Top review

Martha

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Renzo’s was great! The food was great and the service was outstanding! I would like to see some of the menu items at the Kennedy restaurant available at the St. Pete restaurant.

Explore Diners' Choice best of St. Petersburg

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

American