Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Sarasota / Bradenton? 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!

Ophelia's on the Bay

4.9

4.9 (6194)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Siesta Key

About the restaurant

Ophelia's on the Bay is one of Sarasota’s premier fine dining waterfront restaurants. Enjoy beautiful vistas of Little Sarasota Bay, from the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the dining room. Or join us for al fresco dining on our open-air patio, as the dolphins and manatee swim by. Winner of many awards both locally and nationally, including an Excellence rating from Zagat as well as being listed as the number one restaurant in America in Power and Motoryacht Magazine for dock and dine. Ophelia's on the Bay has also been voted most romantic, best waterfront and best restaurant with a view by its loyal customers. The menu changes nightly using fresh and seasonal ingredients, fresh fish flown in from all over the world and specialty meats. There is certainly something for every palate! We feature an extensive wine list, specialty martinis, as well as a full bar. Family owned and operated for over 22 years, we have an experienced staff that prides itself on exemplary service.

Top review

Brianvip

Dined 4 days ago

The view from the restaurant is fantastic. Manatees swam close by. View is matched by the quality of food and service

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Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes

The Capital Grille - Sarasota

4.9

4.9 (2835)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for our expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to delighting you.

Top review

Cherylvip

Dined 1 day ago

Our server “ Mikaela” was outstanding and the Wagyu and Wine delicious!!!

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Experience

Wagyu & Wine Fall Lounge Event

Michael's On East

4.8

4.8 (5513)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Serving "inspired cuisine" since 1987, the celebrated Michael’s On East restaurant takes fine dining to another level, offering award-winning cuisine and outstanding service, in an exceptional 1940s supper club atmosphere. Michael's On East has been inducted into Nation's Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame and recently received their 32nd consecutive AAA Four-Diamond Award. The 350+ bottle wine list has been awarded the Best of Award of Excellence by the Wine Spectator!

Upon entering the dining room, you are immediately dazzled by the plush design and inspired décor. The restaurant’s intimate aura, along with its contemporary flare, world-class wine cellar and incomparable service, create an unparalleled dining experience.

Michael's Lounge, complete with a grand piano, is a guest favorite with its signature cocktails and award winning wine selection.

Michael’s Atrium for outdoor dining is a stunning glass-covered, plant-filled courtyard with a beautiful flowing fountain.

Top review

michaelvip

Dined 3 days ago

Top notch all the way. Service is top shelf. Our group had Salmon, Sea Bass and the Maine Special which was Cod. All meals just as good as the other one

KORE STEAKHOUSE

4.8

4.8 (199)

$31 to $50

Korean

Lakewood Ranch

About the restaurant

Enjoy our unique tabletop grilling experience. We also offer a Chef's Tasting experience. With 20 years of experience cooking, our chef is excited to present their vision to you and all our guests. Our caring and committed staff will make sure you have a fantastic experience with us.

Top review

Diana

Dined 4 days ago

Great experience for a fun girls night out! It was definitely helpful to have our waitress Annasophia help us cook so we didn’t just burn everything

Selva Grill University Town Center Sarasota

4.8

4.8 (1869)

$31 to $50

Latin / Spanish

Lakewood Ranch

About the restaurant

Selva offers innovative, intricately prepared dishes, plated and presented as works of art. Selva has earned raves from allover the world, including from the New York Times, which write that Selva is “serving possibly the best food in Sarasota,”and that “everything on the menu is worth trying.”

Top review

Pamvip

Dined 5 days ago

First time and won’t be the last! Excellent food and the service was wonderful. I had the Ahi Tuna and shrimp special and my dinner mates had the Malbec short ribs…. Fabulous! Also, the Selva ceviche , Selva Caesar, and the house chopped salad… delicious! Leave room for the chocolate mousse dessert…well worth the calories!

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4.8

4.8 (80)

$31 to $50

Italian

Palmetto

About the restaurant

The White House, with the red roof.
Mom always says:”the key ingredient in doing anything is passion”.
Ragù is an authentic Italian restaurant in palmetto, our secret is to bring the passion and fresh products on the table everyday

Top review

Robertvip

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Food and service very good . However Wine list is poor !! Needs better wine list of Italian and American wines!

Fleming's Steakhouse - Sarasota

4.7

4.7 (1837)

$31 to $50

Steak

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Your Sarasota Fleming’s is located on the corner of US 41 (Tamiami Trail) and Siesta Drive, just across the street from Westfield Southgate Shopping Center and minutes from downtown and the Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt Regency Hotels. Fleming's in Sarasota is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner or simply wanting to enjoy a night out – we will create a safe and memorable evening in our Dining Room or Outdoor Patio. With premium Prime steak options on our Dinner Menu as well as best-in-class seafood and innovative plant-based options, we have something to offer everyone you are dining with.

Top review

Lindavip

Dined 4 days ago

We celebrated my birthday and our anniversary with the family on 9/6/24. Cheyenne and Edgar were outstanding servers! The food was delicious and fresh as usual. The desserts were over the top yummy! So happy we chose to eat at Flemings Sarasota then anywhere else!! 🥂🍾🍷💕

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Euphemia Haye - Longboat Key, FL

4.7

4.7 (2639)

$50 and over

Global, International

Longboat Key

About the restaurant

Thank you for choosing Euphemia Haye to help create wonderful memories.

A charming bungalow on Longboat Key, Euphemia Haye is an intimate restaurant with eclectic cuisine, a divine dessert room, and cozy cocktail lounge. Please join us for fresh, local, and creative fare all made-to-order in our "scratch" kitchen.

Our downstairs fine dining rooms are by reservation. Diners are encouraged to indulge in our a la carte menu which includes our signature dishes: Classic Caesar Salad, Signature Roast Duckling, and Prime Peppered Steak.

The upstairs Haye Loft was created for a more casual meal and atmosphere, you can just walk right on up as we do not accept reservations for The Haye Loft. Our upstairs diners may enjoy an abbreviated menu consisting of our appetizers, salads, Famous Roast Duckling, gourmet pizzas, and our nightly fresh fish special.

We look forward to providing you with an outstanding meal, served impeccably, in our romantic garden setting.

See you soon!

Top review

Patrick

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Always an awesome experience! Highly reccomend to all!

element: steak. seafood. pasta.

4.7

4.7 (1921)

$31 to $50

Steak

Sarasota

About the restaurant

We encapsulate the best and most unique elements of world class dining. We feature pasture raised, hand-cut steaks grilled or seared to perfection, delicate, local seafood, house made pasta dishes with elegant hand crafted sauces and more.

Top review

debravip

Dined 6 days ago

Josh is an outstanding waiter..attentive with a bit of respectful humor. Our filets were melt in the mouth delectable. Elegant ambiance.

Oyster River

4.4

4.4 (25)

$50 and over

Seafood

Palmetto

About the restaurant

Located on the 8th floor of our "Ship on Land" themed Marriott Resort and Spa, the Oyster River restaurant offers an unparalleled dining experience with spectacular views of the city skyline and marina. Guests can savor fresh oysters shucked right at the bar, complemented by an extensive selection of fine wines. Chef Anthony brings his passion and expertise to every luxurious bite, blending Mediterranean twists with Floridian seafood to create a unique and memorable culinary journey.

Book your reservation today and indulge in a meal that delights both the palate and the eyes—a truly must-try experience.

Top review

Jimvip

Dined 3 days ago

We sat at the bar which was very comfortable. Two of us shared the small fresh seafood tower for 2. It was excellent! We followed up with the lobster bisque which was a piece of art & like nothing I had ever seen before. My husband had the Caesar salad which was beautiful as well. We also shared a lobster Mac & Cheese that could have served 4. - all were very good. A treat for sure as prices are high. Enjoy!

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