Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Kansas City, KS

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Kansas City, KS? 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!

Story

4.9

4.9 (2969)

$30 and under

Modern European

Prairie Village

About the restaurant

Story is a contemporary American restaurant in The Village Shopping Center in Prairie Village, KS. The Center is located 10 minutes southwest of Kansas City, Missouri's Country Club Plaza.
Story offers local, seasonal creative American cuisine from Chef Carl Thorne-Thomsen. Chef Carl Thorne-Thomsen is a 2022 and 2013 James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest and FOOD & WINE magazine's The People's Best New Chef: Midwest. Chef Carl Thorne-Thomsen is FOOD & WINE Magazine's The People's Best New Chef National Winner for 2014.

Story features comfortable dining room, patio and bar seating. Story accepts reservations and walk-ins Wednesday - Sunday 4:30pm - 8:30pm.

Top review

MichaelVIP

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

Outstanding service. Don’t miss the fried chicken on Wednesdays. It is crisp on the outside and moist inside…. Just like you wished your mother made it.

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801 Chophouse - Leawood

4.8

4.8 (3249)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Leawood

About the restaurant

## 801 Chophouse: Your Leawood Destination for an Unforgettable Steakhouse Experience Step into a world of refined elegance and savor the finest cuts of USDA Prime steak at 801 Chophouse Leawood. Our restaurant is a haven for discerning diners seeking an unparalleled culinary journey. **Indulge in Prime:** - Our in-house meat program ensures the highest quality, dry-aged steaks, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. - From the succulent Filet Mignon to the robust Ribeye, each bite is a testament to our commitment to excellence. **Beyond the Steak:** - Our culinary artistry extends beyond the grill. Explore a symphony of innovative side dishes, crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients. - Delight in delectable desserts, each a masterpiece of flavor and artistry. **A Wine Lover's Paradise:** - Our award-winning wine list boasts an extensive selection from around the globe, perfectly paired to complement your meal. - Our knowledgeable sommeliers are eager to guide you on a journey of discovery, ensuring each sip enhances your dining experience. **Ambiance of Distinction:** - The warm, inviting atmosphere of 801 Chophouse Leawood sets the stage for an unforgettable

Top review

Gayla

Dined 6 days ago

Entire evening was perfect, outstanding service, top notch food, romantic setting!

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Va Bene Italian Eatery

4.8

4.8 (503)

$30 and under

Italian

Prairie Village

About the restaurant

We are honored to begin serving the community -- whether you are a local or a new visitor, it is our pleasure to host you. We look forward to welcoming you to Va Bene!

Top review

Bob

Dined 5 days ago

Our server worked hard to find a wine that was close to Pinot Grigio and it was very tasty. Of course the arancini was great-best in town. Sat outside on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon. The Mediterranean salad was a very tasty and sumptuous one. Huge portion!

J. Gilbert’s – Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood - Overland Park

4.7

4.7 (8867)

$31 to $50

Steak

Overland Park

About the restaurant

J. Gilbert's is an "upscale casual" steakhouse serving prime-aged beef cooked over a mesquite wood-fired grill. Guests enjoy various cuts of steak, fresh seafood (including award-winning crab cakes) & other house made favorites like the Blue Cheese potato chips & Chocolate Velvet Cake. The cozy atmosphere includes rich wood, brick & soft lighting where you can enjoy an intimate table or host a private party. The extensive wine list offers the perfect compliment to an excellent meal delivered with attentive service. J. Gilbert's is open for dinner 7 days a week and can be booked for private luncheons. Reservations are highly recommended.

Top review

Mark

Dined 6 days ago

One of our favorites! The waiter did a great job!

Bristol Seafood Grill – Leawood, KS

4.7

4.7 (10090)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Leawood

About the restaurant

With an indulgent menu focused on superior quality seafood, Bristol Seafood Grill crafts its dishes with exacting standards & pampers its guests in a comfortable atmosphere. Featuring a generous cellar selection, an oyster bar & creative cuisine, Bristol delivers culinary excellence at a surprising value. Open for weekday lunch, dinner & Sunday Brunch.

Top review

Shelby

Dined 1 day ago

A nice and laid back brunch buffet with all the basics you would want.

Paros Estiatorio

4.7

4.7 (1063)

$31 to $50

Greek

Leawood

About the restaurant

Paros Estiatorio is an elegant 65 seat restaurant located in Mission Farms, Leawood. Our dishes are simply prepared and passed down from generations in order to provide you with and authentic Mediterranean experience. Sit back, relax and allow us to transport you to the sun-drenched Greek islands while you enjoy the company of friends and family.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

Was a little disappointed with lunch at Paros. Dinner has always been amazing. The grilled veggie plate was lukewarm at best. The zucchini cakes were overcooked and had a burnt taste to them. The octopus was okay. I will stick with eating there at dinner time.

Granite City Food & Brewery - Kansas City Speedway

4.6

4.6 (778)

$30 and under

American

Kansas Speedway

About the restaurant

With its warm, inviting, and modern design, Granite City Food & Brewery’s expansive interior features a spacious and comfortable dining room, four-sided modern, full-service bar, as well as an outdoor patio. The on-site brewery, with award-winning hand-crafted micro-brews, is visible from the main dining and bar areas. The restaurant also showcases an open kitchen featuring chef developed, handcrafted made-from-scratch cuisine, including innovative signature entrees, flatbreads and more.

Granite City Food & Brewery’s signature brews, which are made on-site, include The Duke (Pale Ale), The Bennie (Bock), The Northern (American Style Light Lager) and The Stout. Seasonal brews are featured throughout the year.

Top review

Alicia

Dined 5 days ago

Granite city always has great food our server last night was amazing. They had a table ready for us when we walked in!

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Experience

Lawless Brunch Buffet

Plate Italiano Moderno - Leawood

4.6

4.6 (1342)

$30 and under

Italian

Leawood

About the restaurant

Award wining upscale Italian Restaurant from local Restaurateur Christian Joseph. Hand made pasta and bread are the stand out in this very chic and hip atmosphere. Voted diners choice by OpenTable, with awards from Wine Spectator, Societe Mondiale du Vin, and the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Plate Italiano Moderno anchors the upscale Leawood shopping district Park Place.

Top review

Joyce

Dined 3 days ago

Food was delicious.... very gracious greeting by the hostess. Our server was excellent. Will definitely be back!

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4.5

4.5 (54)

$31 to $50

American

Shawnee

About the restaurant

Paulo & Bill Restaurant in Shawnee serves up well-presented seafood and Italian cuisine including the classics and more modern choices.Paulo & Bill Restaurant offers appetizers that include garlic bread, wood-fired salmon salad, calamari, crab cakes and goat cheese bruschetta. Pasta options can be made gluten free and include the house-made gnocchi, wild mushroom ravioli and lasagna. Guests can choose entrées like the chicken piccata and Mama Mia grilled beef tenderloin with whipped potatoes. There is also a wood-fired oven with a number of pizza selections, such as peppered chicken and applewood smoked bacon. Paulo & Bill Restaurant has an outdoor seating area, a kids' menu and a special happy hour menu that includes small plates, such as lasagna rolls and sausage or beef tenderloin flatbreads. There is also brunch available. Special wine dinners are offered throughout the year with vintages paired with each course.

Top review

Barbara

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

We always have a wonderful experience at Paulo and Bill's. It is our favorite place to meet family and catch up. The ambience allows for good conversation and the food is great. Thank you for always taking good care of us!

Wandering Vine at The Castle

4.5

4.5 (1148)

$31 to $50

American

Shawnee

About the restaurant

The extraordinary wine and dining experience in the most romantic setting in Kansas City! Voted Best Wine List in Johnson County and Open Table Diner's Choice Award.

Top review

Christopher

Dined on Jun 29, 2025

Outstanding venue and atmosphere with an interesting menu

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Experience

Saturday Royal Tea

Experience

Common Ground Wine Dinner

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