Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Asheville / Western North Carolina

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Asheville / Western North Carolina? 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!

Appalachia at The Lodge

5.0

5 (471)

$31 to $50

American

Lake Lure

About the restaurant

Appalachia Restaurant brings an upscale-casual experience to an intimate setting. With stunning views and a cuisine that offers an Appalachian flair, you will be immersed with the true spirit of Lake Lure.
Dinner at the restaurant begins at 4:30pm.
We bring the Appalachian heritage from the outdoors in while dining in front of the stunning 525 million year old mountains. Inside, outside, or bar room dining, you will have a gorgeous view of Lake Lure and the Appalachian mountains. Boats Slips are first come, first serve. Due to the small volume of tables, we cannot accept preferred table/view requests.
Dress Code: No swimwear or coverups, must have shoes.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent menu combined with a great view and cocktails.

The Gamekeeper

4.9

4.9 (3474)

$50 and over

American

Boone

About the restaurant

You haven't fully experienced the Blowing Rock, NC region until you've dined at The Gamekeeper. It's a true gourmet restaurant with an engaging blend of upscale elegance and mountain charm.

Famous for an evolving menu that blends the traditional with the exotic, The Gamekeeper features a selection of perfectly prepared game plus a range of continental and American entrees.

Acclaimed chef and owner Ken Gordon brings tremendous warmth and skill to the table treating you more as friends than guests. You'll experience a meal to remember that includes fine wines, decadent desserts, and a generous serving of personal attention. You'll leave happy and impressed with a desire to return soon!

Top review

becky

Dined 6 days ago

Very nice meal and Tonya was great. We will go back!

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4.9

4.9 (1800)

$50 and over

American

Banner Elk

About the restaurant

Artisanal Restaurant is open seasonally from May-October end. Contemporary American Fine Dining in a rustic yet elegant environment. Innovative and progressive thinking in a farm to table approach, only working with the highest quality ingredients. This warm environment offers the best food and wine with excellent service. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Private dining room adjacent to the wine cellar available for events. The only available menu is a pre-fix style, with 5-6 choices per course, $105/ guest plus a service fee. We do not offer a kids menu however kids prepared to order off our pre-fix menu are welcome. Our Dress Code is Business Casual. Collared shirts are required, jackets are preferred but not required for men. No shorts, distressed jeans, hoodies, hats, or sandals/flip flops. Please dress comfortably for the weather for outside seating. For our Allergy policy and menu choices, please go to artisanalnc.com

Top review

Beth

Dined 6 days ago

Expert service and superb meal! Red Grouper and Halibut entrees were both amazing!

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Popular dish

Yellowfin Tuna Tartare

4.9

4.9 (659)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Boone

About the restaurant

The Beacon is a labor of love from Tina Houston, owner of Reid’s Café & Catering Co., established here in the High Country since 1999. From our kitchen to our staff, we strive for innovation and discovery in all facets of our company. We love the intentional, the specific, and the well-cared-for. We work closely with our Blue Ridge farmers, producers, and NC fisherman to present deliberate and thoughtful food and beverage menus.

Our Bar highlights inspiring cocktails and an impressive biodynamic wine program. A dedication to offering natural wines adhering to strict traditional methods, free of pesticides, and minimal intervention. Live music every Tuesday and Thursday during dinner service provides a subtle and delightful ambience. Our semi-private section of our dining room hosts "family style" dining of up to 30 guests. Feel free to contact us for availability.

Join us every first friday of the month for Jazz Jam from 9:30 PM - Midnight, including late night food and drinks.

Top review

Jodie

Dined 3 days ago

Perfect date night dinner. Food and Cocktails were excellent. Server was attentive.

Daingerfields Dining Room at Westglow

4.9

4.9 (39)

$50 and over

American

Blowing Rock

About the restaurant

The elegant dining experience in the Manor at Westglow. Our dining room features original paintings by Elliott Daingerfield and a spectacular view of Grandfather Mountain. Enjoy a drink before your reservation in Elliott’s Bar, a fun piano lounge experience featuring our ever-growing wine collection.

Top review

Dan

Dined 6 days ago

A well-cooked and presented meal, a well-stocked bar and attentive service made for a special evening.

Red Stag Grill at Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville

4.8

4.8 (5987)

$31 to $50

American

Asheville

About the restaurant

Where refined steakhouse traditions meet locally sourced, game-driven cuisine in the heart of Biltmore Village. Discover a reimagined culinary experience defined by immersive moments, artful design, and a deep-rooted connection to Asheville. Our distinctive menu and restaurant proudly features the work of local purveyors and artisans — bringing the spirit of Asheville, NC, to every dining experience.

Complimentary valet parking is available.

Top review

Paul

Dined 5 days ago

Absolutely superb place for breakfast. Beautiful hotel, great food. Ideal if you're visiting Biltmore!

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Verri's Italian Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (355)

$31 to $50

Italian

Hendersonville

About the restaurant

Come dine at Hendersonville's Premier authentic Italian Restaurant. New York Chef Tom Verri and his team prepare fantastic Italian food and desserts.

Top review

Ken

Dined 4 days ago

Best food I have had in Hendersonville. Service was also top notch. Parking can be a bit tricky but there is street parking nearby. Place was packed at 6:00 on a Friday so make sure to make reservations.

Casa Rustica Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2243)

$30 and under

Italian

Boone

About the restaurant

Casa Rustica is Boone"s authentic Italian restaurant since 1981. We offer a wide selection of entrees including fresh pastas, chicken, veal, seafood and steaks. Our nightly specials complement our menu and our homemade desserts are not to be missed. Visit the La Bouca Lounge where the menu offers original sandwiches and flat-bread pizzas. Casa Rustica provides a cozy atmosphere in a log cabin setting. Come for romantic fireside dining or bring the whole family and enjoy our friendly and prompt service.

Top review

ChristinaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Our server Ali was fabulous!!! Thank you for a wonderful evening!❤️

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Asheville

4.7

4.7 (3919)

$30 and under

American

Asheville

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a premier dining establishment renowned for its specialty in serving USDA Prime steaks. Each steak is expertly prepared and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate, ensuring a delicious and unforgettable dining experience. Currently, we are offering a special dine-in menu that includes family-style meals available for both dine-in and takeout. For takeout orders, we have a variety of sliders available in individual and family sizes that can serve 4 people. You can place your order by calling us during business hours or online. Walk-ins are also welcome to either place an order at the restaurant or to dine in.

Top review

CherylVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Food and welcoming hospitality was truly remarkable.

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The Stubborn Bull at Mill Creek

4.6

4.6 (493)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Highlands / Sapphire

About the restaurant

Don't see a time you're looking for?
Contact us directly at 828-200-0813
_____________________________________

Inspired by Mediterranean Spanish and South American influences, we are cooking up rustic tapas, or small savory dishes, in a modern environment.

Here at Stubborn Seeds, our menu is created in the spirit of gathering and sharing. We encourage everyone to try a variety of our small plates. Tapas come to the table as they are prepared, so relax and enjoy a social dining experience. Engage with all your senses and enjoy every bite!

Top review

Marcie

Dined 5 days ago

The tapas we had was really good. We loved the calamari, the crispy potatoes, the watermelon salad and the beet salad. The 3 scallops were ridiculous for the entree price and likewise the Paella. $68 for two and it barely would feed one person who was hungry. And honestly it wasn’t very good. So that is a no go in the future. We will come back for the apps though. Also just FYI, the kitchen is not flexible. They make what they make and do not allow any room to modify for allergies or sensitivities. Our server was Nate. Or misogynistic Nate as my husband started calling him lol He was very warm and helpful to my husband. Short, curt and impatient when it came to me. The difference was astonishing. My husband noticed it right away and asked me if it was evident to me. I said, “Of course, but we women are sadly used to it”. Naturally, I was paying the bill that night and while I did leave 20% I didn’t want to. I did tell the manager to get Nate some training but I am not sure the manager (a male) cared either. That kind of thing flows from the top down. Anyway, go for the tapas (they are good sizes) and ignore the entree.

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