Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Virginia

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Virginia? 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!

Lehja

4.9

4.9 (1112)

$31 to $50

Indian

Richmond

About the restaurant

Lehja is an award winning modern Indian restaurant located in Short Pump Town Center in Richmond. Our Executive Chef Sunny Baweja has been named Semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award for"Best Chef Mid Atlantic" category for 2019 and 2020. We have been proudly named as “Restaurant of the Year” by Richmond Magazine and “Best Richmond Restaurant” by EATER in 2023,2024. Esquire named Lehja “100 restaurants America can’t afford to lose during pandemic.”
Sunny always strives the freshest ingredients and seasonal menu. Our Wine List has been awarded "Best of Award of Excellence" by Wine Spectator. Sunny Baweja has been invited to Food Festivals across the country . Sunny has won many competitions around like Broad Appetit, Burger Blast, American Heart Association’s Heart ball 2018 “Chefs Challenge”to name a few. Sunny was also the Headliner Chef at 2018 “ Taste of Richmond”. Washingtonian magazine has also featured Lehja as one of the must visit Richmond Spots.

Top review

RoswellFoodieFamily

Dined 4 days ago

Absolutely delicious memorable food from numerous regions of India. We are from Atlanta and often travel globally. Lehja has wonderful imaginative food. We are only in Virginia about once or twice a year and always try to enjoy a meal there.

Alexander's - Roanoke

4.9

4.9 (1552)

$31 to $50

American

Roanoke

About the restaurant

Alexander's is an oasis for award winning cuisine, wine, and craft cocktails. Over the years we've twice been awarded the Open Table Top 100 in the US restaurant designation and in 2018, Southern Living Magazine named us one of the Ten Most Romantic Restaurants in the South. Focusing on superb ingredients; fish, seafood, prime quality Virginia aged meats, and locally sourced organic produce, our cuisine showcases years of collaboration among some of the most talented chefs of our region. You'll be served in an atmosphere filled with romance, sophistication, modern & vintage jazz. It's old world charm with new world flavors!
Built in the 1880s as Roanoke's first office supply company, our vintage building has been transformed into a retro chic rendition of the classic urban restaurants of our great culinary cities. The art, furnishings, lighting, and mirrors are all found pieces of Roanoke's rich architectural history. So relax and let's start making your memories at Alexanders!

Top review

Titus

Dined 6 days ago

Me and my girlfriend dined here at Alexander’s and we got the bbq shrimp appetizer, the lamb, the pork Milanese, and desert and all were fantastic. The ambiance was nice and intimate. The food was delicious and bursting with flavor and the service was attentive and swift. Will definitely visit again.

Mizuno Japanese Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (691)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Mizuno Japanese Restaurant is a family-run business that first opened in 1996. Located in Virginia Beach, Mizuno is embedded in a seafood hotspot, only 25 miles south of the Eastern Shore of Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay, and 158 miles south of Hatteras, North Carolina. Chef-owner Wataru Mizuno feels blessed to be a sushi chef in a culinary trifecta like Virginia Beach. Mizuno and his team take advantage of the restaurant's access to local sources by artfully composing daily specials that feature fresh shrimp, yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, flounder, blue crabs and oysters, to name a few. The hook's simple. Mizuno resists complicated sauces and excessive ingredients. Instead, he flavors scallops from the world famous Chesapeake Bay, adding nothing more, at times, than a dash of citrus and a pinch of sea salt. Wataru Mizuno: Chef/Owner Born in Japan, Wataru Mizuno received his formal training in Tokyo, as an apprentice under master Teruo Sato.

Top review

LaurenVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

I have been going to Mizuno my favorite sushi restaurant, since it opened nearly 30 years ago, and the fish quality remains consistently high. There are a number of creative rolls I've never seen anywhere else (metal gear is a banging surf n turf combo), and many sushi options can be had either traditional or 'new' style with special sauces or garnishes. If soft shell crabs are in season they will be on the menu and you should get them! They also do a mean tempura. It's a bit pricier that most sushi places in the area, but it is also a cut above.

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Popular dish

Sushi & Sashimi

Press 626 Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (16)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Norfolk

About the restaurant

Press 626 Wine Bar is a hidden gem in Norfolk, located in a charming 1906 Victorian home. Experience a unique blend of old-world charm and modern elegance, perfect for romantic evenings, friendly gatherings, or solo escapes with a good book and a glass of wine. Our extensive wine list, curated by experts, ensures you'll find the ideal pairing for your meal. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a novice, our knowledgeable staff is here to help. Enjoy elevated comfort food and small plates made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including Chef Leeroi Fonterela's delicious charcuterie board and grilled cheese. Don't forget to try our expertly crafted cocktails, which complement any dish. At Press 626, we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy friendly service alongside delicious food and wine. Come as you are and make lasting memories with us.

Top review

jennifer

Dined 2 days ago

Perfect experience and food every time! The real stars are the staff, though. Wonderful people!!!!! Thank you, Press626!!!!!!!

TJ's at the Jefferson Hotel

4.8

4.8 (701)

$30 and under

American

Richmond

About the restaurant

TJ's is open Monday-Saturday for Lunch (11am-3pm), Bar/Lounge (11am-9pm), and Dinner (5pm-9pm).

Bar / Lounge seating will be strictly first come, first served.

Top review

RogerVIP

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Business breakfast. The eggs benedict was excellent. White tablecloth and high-end China a plus. This hotel is most impressive.

Gaston's Italian Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (377)

$31 to $50

Italian

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

Modern Italian Cuisine
Gaston’s Italian Steak House, the American Dream for Gaston, is where passion for food, comfort, and enjoyment are combined. Our neighborhood restaurant is casual- elegant and cozy, the perfect backdrop for a first date, anniversary dinner or warm family gathering with a beautiful private room available. Benvenuto!!

Top review

Dan

Dined 7 days ago

Gaston was a great host and Daniel provided excellent service. Food was delicious.

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Popular dish

Shrimp Scampi

The Melting Pot - Newport News

4.7

4.7 (829)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Newport News

About the restaurant

Our popular fondue restaurant is perfect for everyday occasions as well as birthdays, holidays, and special group events. From a romantic dinner with your one-and-only to a fun, after-movie dessert with friends, The Melting Pot Peninsula offers a dining experience like no other in Newport News. Customize your dining experience according to your tastes with a variety of cooking styles and freshly prepared salads with signature dressings, artisan cheese blends, and delicious individual entrée options, ranging from lobster to steak. And don’t forget dessert! We have several decadent chocolates to choose from, or you can ask about creating your own recipe.

Top review

Karen

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

We love fondue, however we always go for the ambiance also. I chose the Melting Pot for my birthday dinner and was not disappointed. Our waitress was excellent and we never felt rushed by her. She took care of all the little extras including offering to pack up our dessert when she heard us saying we just couldn't eat anymore.

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The Melting Pot - Virginia Beach

4.6

4.6 (1797)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Virginia Beach

About the restaurant

The Melting Pot offers an extraordinary dining experience that you won’t find at any other restaurant. Here you'll discover all of the ingredients to a perfect evening, including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and fabulous four-course fondue dinners. No matter what the occasion from a romantic date to get-togethers with friends, meetings or large groups, The Melting Pot is certain to please. Make reservations today and come dip into something different.

Top review

Dennis

Dined 4 days ago

Genevieve was outstanding…everything was delicious!

Jefferson's Restaurant at The Omni Homestead

4.6

4.6 (1117)

$31 to $50

American

Hot Springs

About the restaurant

Jefferson's Restaurant is an elegant, yet casual dining experience. A modern American grill featuring regional influences, Jefferson’s offers a hand-picked selection of the best regional and prime meats. Jefferson’s serves dinner daily.

Choose whether you dine indoors in a setting wrapped in rich wood paneling or take in a dramatic view of the Casino Lawn on the outdoor terrace.

Advance reservations for dinner are strongly recommended. For additional information or for reservations of 9 or more, please call (540) 839-7552.

DRESS CODE

Lunch: Resort casual attire to include collared shirt or t-shirt, casual slacks, denim or shorts. No caps/hats, cutoffs, tank tops or pool attire.

Dinner: Business casual attire to include collared shirt and casual slacks, denim or dress shorts. No caps/hats, athletic shorts, cutoffs, tank tops, t-shirts or pool attire.

Lounge: Resort casual attire to include collared shirt or t-shirt, casual slacks, denim or shorts.

Top review

Caroline

Dined 5 days ago

Always amazing! They take such care with food allergies, it’s one of the few places we can eat stress free because they take allergies so seriously!

Fratelli Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.5

4.5 (76)

$30 and under

Italian

Lynchburg

About the restaurant

About Fratelli
Ciao! Welcome to our Italian kitchen. Sit at our table and savor the warm goodness of our culinary delights. Pair a bowl of mouthwatering pasta or pizza with our carefully selected variety of vino. At Fratelli, you are our guest, but we treat you like family. Bon appétit!

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined 5 days ago

As usual, Fratelli's is on point! Great service (Abigail) great wine and great food!

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