Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in San Diego

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in San Diego? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Gutter

5.0

5 (23)

$30 and under

American

North Park

About the restaurant

“We Are All In The Gutter But Some Of Us Are Looking At The Stars” – Oscar Wilde.

Top review

Mary

Dined on 8 Dec 2024

Fun experience being in one of only two lanes at the place. No one had booked the other lane (either that or they never showed up), so it was just us two bowling, which was a little strange, but fun. People in the bar would repeatedly come over wondering if they could play in the other lane, but the host turned them away. The atmosphere was very cool yet comfortable. It was definitely on the noisy side due to the crowds at the bar.

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Experience

Single Lane for 60 minutes and up to 6 guests 🎳

Ruth's Chris Steak House - San Diego

4.8

4.8 (4978)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.

Ruth's Chris Steak House in San Diego, CA serves the finest USDA Prime beef available, broiled at 1,800° and served on 500° plates, so your steak stays hot, juicy and delicious from first bite to last. Enjoy our New Orleans-inspired appetizers, USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts. All this while you enjoy our warm, inviting atmosphere and Ruth’s Chris’ genuine hospitality. So whether you’re a regular or have just been wondering what all the buzz is about, Ruth's Chris is the perfect excuse to enjoy the perfect night out. Dinner is served nightly, reservations are suggested and private dining and offsite catering may be arranged.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined today

Great customer service, great views, and great food...

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4.8

4.8 (1340)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Escondido

About the restaurant

We are committed to giving you a French inspired farm to table fine dining experience. We are forging partnerships with local farmers and organizations to bring you good food done well.

We believe that food has the power to bring people together and build community, and we're honored to be a part of that process.

Top review

RebeccaVIP

Dined on 5 Dec 2024

Finely prepared food from locally sourced ingredients. Excellent service from Annie. Lovely ambience. Will return.

Camino Riviera

4.8

4.8 (32)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Little Italy

About the restaurant

Join us for a full sensory journey through the Yucatán in our sultry dining room and open air lounge. SDCM Corporate Executive Chef, Brian Redzikowski has curated an eclectic menu that integrates his unique style with Mexican cuisine. The bar program is built on classic cocktails while celebrating the spirits and flavors from all over Latin America. We source rare expressions of mezcal and tequila from some of the most revered producers in Mexico.

We accept requests for both environments but cannot guarantee the ability to accommodate all requests.

Top review

Bella

Dined on 16 Nov 2024

I truly enjoyed this restaurant. The staff were so nice and very accommodating. The food was good but wish they had a bit bigger of portions. The quality of food is good though so I understand the prices. It’s very pretty inside as well. Great cocktails!

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Experience

Late Night Lounge

Harney Sushi Poway

4.8

4.8 (49)

$30 and under

Sushi

Poway / Rancho Bernardo

About the restaurant

Experience the taste of high quality sushi with a trendy Neo-Asian inspired décor. Harney stands as the top sushi bar and dining destination in San Diego. It's as fresh and innovative as you desire. Here, the spirit of experimentation mingles with joyful revelry, where top-notch dining expertise meets vibrant charm and flair. Our establishment features a private VIP area and an array of over 30 specialty rolls crafted and named by devoted fans. It's a symphony for your taste buds, nourishment for your soul. Since 2001, we take pride in presenting our award-winning, sustainable sushi cuisine rooted in Southern California.

Top review

Suzanne

Dined 7 days ago

So yummy! I love that it wasn’t slammed & the servers weren’t hurried.

Dolce

4.7

4.7 (706)

$30 and under

Californian

Rancho Santa Fe

About the restaurant

Dolce is a high quality, inviting atmosphere and the perfect Ranch neighborhood hideaway. Intimate and lively, Dolce offers delicious local, rustic wine-country inspired cuisine, fine wine and occasions for joyful gatherings.

Top review

lisa VIP

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

Loved our dinner love the ambience and it was so great being there !!! The Christmas cheer was everywhere !! The food was delicious !!

The Melting Pot - Gaslamp Quarter

4.6

4.6 (2578)

$50 and over

Fondue

Downtown / Gaslamp

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Melting Pot San Diego Gaslamp. Located on 5th Ave & E St in the historic Gaslamp Plaza Suites, the San Diego - Gaslamp Melting Pot Restaurant brings a truly unique, romantic and interactive four-course fondue dining experience to San Diego's vibrant downtown dining scene!

Top review

ASdiner

Dined 4 days ago

Very nice service. Good pace for the meal. Definitely a great treat

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

A photo of Lavender & Blueberry White Chocolate Fondue of a restaurant

Experience

Ultimate Romance Dinner for Two- $239

Harney Sushi - Oceanside

4.6

4.6 (60)

$30 and under

Sushi

Oceanside

About the restaurant

Harney Sushi has been serving up San Diego's best sushi since 2001. As fresh and it gets, as imaginative as you want. This is the place where experimentation mixes with celebration, where fine dining service and knowledge fuses with beaming personality and style. Come check out one of Harney Sushi's featured nightly specials, brunch, live music, happy hour, catering, private dinning and more...

You must try one of our signature rolls prepared fresh by Head Chef Miguel Castillo, The Rolls Royce Roll, Flaming Lip Roll and the Castillo Roll are fan favorites. Not into the raw stuff? We have something for everybody, try the Osider #55 Roll with seared top sirloin, shrimp, and fried onions or one of Harney Sushi's entrees form the grill like our amazing Chimi-chile steak entree. We have a kids menu too...

Harney Sushi is located one block from coast highway right in front of the AMC theater and two blocks from the Oceanside Pier.

Top review

Randy

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

Absolutely fantastic as always. Amazing service and the best sushi!!

Firehouse American Eatery and Lounge

4.6

4.6 (193)

$30 and under

American

Pacific Beach

About the restaurant

FIREHOUSE restaurant, at the forefront of upscale-beach dining, sits in the heart of Pacific Beach. Wedged between local Fire Station 21 and Ocean Walk, FIREHOUSE offers an eclectic compilation of classic American dishes and beach side, craft cocktails. FIREHOUSE maintains its iconic patio with the signature fire pit and 4 private seating cabanas. A retractable awning provides shade on hot days and warmth in the winter for all our ocean-view dining tables.

Top review

Rob

Dined on 9 Sept 2024

The food was amazing, and the service was great. Visited Firehouse 21 next door to get a few T-shirts as well. Great location. We will be back during our next trip to San Diego

Tommy V's Carlsbad

4.3

4.3 (156)

$30 and under

Italian

Carlsbad

About the restaurant

Tommy V's Urban Kitchen located in Carlsbad offers an eclectic menu showcasing Californian, New American, and Contemporary Italian dishes. From Stone Fired Gourmet Pizzas, handcrafted burgers, house-made pastas, to tantalizing seafood, Tommy V's Urban Kitchen has something for everyone.

Top review

Armineh

Dined 7 days ago

My husband and I go to Tommy V’s whenever we visit San Diego. Their food is always great, and we feel welcomed by the staff every time we walk in.

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