Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Central MA

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Central MA? 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!

Willy’s Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar

4.8

4.8 (2920)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Shrewsbury

About the restaurant

Welcome to Willy's Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, nestled in historic Shrewsbury Center. Established in 1995, we offer an intimate dining experience characterized by elegant wood paneling, crisp white table linens, a polished granite bar, and soft lighting.

We pride ourselves on serving the finest choice cuts of beef, dry-aged for a minimum of 21 days, along with exquisite seafood delivered fresh daily. Our menu also features skillfully prepared sushi, perfect for the most discerning sushi connoisseurs. From classic favorites to original signature entrées, each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients, including locally sourced produce.

Enhance your meal by selecting from our extensive wine list, or let our knowledgeable waitstaff assist you in finding the perfect pairing. Our seasoned servers and bartenders are dedicated to providing exceptional service.
We have private parking and valet service available for added convenience.

Top review

MichelleVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This was a wonderful meal from start to finish - we celebrated the holidays with our adult kids, we enjoyed festive beverages, perfectly cooked food, and scrumptious desserts. Service was awesome, we weren’t rushed nor was service slow- it was perfectly timed between courses. The price was a bit higher, but the portions and value were worth every penny.

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Popular dish

14 oz Prime New York Strip Sirloin

4.8

4.8 (813)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

A unique destination for Worcester's movers and shakers, Piccolo's has become the place to go for great Italian cuisine, a glass of good wine and an eclectic social mix not found elsewhere on Shrewsbury Street.

Top review

bonnie

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great experience. Ashley was terrific. Atmosphere is just what I needed. We will be back.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Worcester

4.8

4.8 (654)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Worcester

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Worcester 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

GaryVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Food was excellent and service was amazing! Merry Christmas 🎄

Publick House

4.7

4.7 (2903)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Sturbridge

About the restaurant

We welcome you to the Publick House Historic Inn where delicious homemade food and comfortable lodging becomes your home away from home. When you come to the Publick House to feast on our generous meals and enjoy the comfort of our Yankee hospitality, you'll be warmed by the same magnificent open hearths that warmed our early American ancestors. Whether you're looking for a restaurant that offers family dining, need comfortable accommodations, or you're in need of a convenient meeting place, planning a bridal shower or want the perfect venue for your dream wedding...the Publick House Historic Inn welcomes you.

Top review

Marsha

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent meal, beautiful setting, felt very Christmasy

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Popular dish

Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie

Popular dish

New England Clam Chowder

Popular dish

Fish & Chips

Lucia's Tavola

4.7

4.7 (1534)

$31 to $50

Italian

Ayer

About the restaurant

Chef owned and operated Lucia's Tavola is a fine dining Italian restaurant. Lucia's features a menu comprised of Chefs family favorites, Chef originals, traditional Italian & local ingredients creating unique Italian inspired cuisine.
Lucia's also offers an extensive cocktail menu and a complete, well balanced wine list.

Top review

Stacey

Dined 2 days ago

Always outstanding, have been our favorite since they started many years ago in Brookline NH.

Clintons Bar and Grille

4.7

4.7 (1903)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Clinton

About the restaurant

Clintons Bar and Grille offers a vibrant and casual atmosphere with details in our custom lighting, a fully stocked bar area with lounge seating, and a focus on guest satisfaction that provides a unique dining experience in the heart of Clinton.

The detailed contempoary American menu leaves plenty of options for any of our guests' palates ranging from the ever popular butternut squash raviolis to our deliciously tender filet. Come experience a little slice of the city on High Street.
Outdoor dining will be available weather permitting.
Kitchen closes one hour before closing.

Top review

Mike

Dined 3 days ago

Another great experience!! Melissa is wonderful!!!

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4.7

4.7 (142)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

Dino's Restaurant is an authentic Italian restaurant located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dino’s has been serving its customers the finest Northern and Southern Italian cuisine, as well as a variety of American foods, for over 40 years, with seafood as a specialty. In that time, Dino's serves cuisine from both the northern and southern regions of Italy, with seafood, steaks, veal, and pizzas being the specialties of the house.

At Dino’s, we believe that our customers deserve the best. With that in mind, we ensure that all of our entrées are cooked to order, using the freshest ingredients, which are visually pleasing to the eye as they are to the palette. We also offer business, social and holiday function facilities in The Café, our private function room, which includes a full service bar. Dino’s also provides catering and delivery services. It is our pleasure to serve you and let us give you a little taste of Italy!

Top review

Erik

Dined 7 days ago

This was our 4th time going to Dino’s, & decided to take another couple (best friends) for the husband’s birthday. Every time we’ve gone, the wait staff have been attentive & outstanding, & the food has been excellent every time! The other couple was quite impressed & are wanting to go back with us again. The only negative this time, was it was on a Saturday evening, & it was packed to say the least. The noise level was a little too much for me, but all in all, a great experience! I highly recommend the meatballs & ricotta! Over the moon for them…👍🏻

Leo's Ristorante

4.6

4.6 (426)

$30 and under

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

Leo's Ristorante offers excellent Italian cuisine at inexpensive prices. The Turo family has been providing quality Italian cuisine for over 50 years. Our beautiful decor and comfortable dining room is a great start to a memorable dining experience. Come see for yourself.

Top review

JuneVIP

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

I have been dining at Leo's for years. It is a favorite. I usually order a veal dish, but this evening I ordered a salmon dinner and it was really delicious. Leo's is 16 miles from my house and that tells you a lot.

Nuovo Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (1583)

$31 to $50

Italian

Worcester

About the restaurant

Nuovo Restaurant is located on 92 Shrewsbury St, with ample parking in the rear of the building (Hill St), and complimentary Valet Parking service. Nuovo Restaurant in Worcester is known for their friendly and exceptional serving and food quality. Serves Italian cuisine with Mediterranean flare and provides an extensive wine list. Perfect place to have dinner with family, a group of friends, or a date night.
For reservations of 7 guests or more please call at 508-796-5915 or text at 508-826-8053.
The 2 private dinning rooms with dancing floor and WIFI available are ideal for a seat down dinner up to 90 guests, or a cocktail party up to 150, and everything in between.

Top review

Pam

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Our servier, Noemie was fantastic! She was very attentive but not intrusive. She got our orders accurately and our drinks throughout our meal were served promptly. The person who brought our drinks and dessert was also very attentive. It may have been the owner, not sure. It was our anniversary and they brought a complimentary glass of champagne for each of us which was a lovely gesture. The food was also amazing. We will definitely go back.

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4.5

4.5 (3119)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Groton

About the restaurant

Drawing inspiration from the region’s history and natural surroundings, the 156-seat freestanding restaurant reflects elemental themes of wood, water, iron, and fire, reminiscent of the carriage houses and blacksmith shops that once dotted the landscape. The centerpiece of Forge & Vine is an eight-foot wood fired grill and open kitchen with counter seating where guests can enjoy dinner while interacting with the chef. Welcoming residents as well as visitors to the area, Forge & Vine offers a strong sense of place with a design sensibility that brings in the outside with floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking pastoral views of Gibbett Hill. The restaurant boasts spacious and casual bar with service inside and out and features classic and comfortable cuisine sourced from the best produce, seafood, and meats that New England offers.

Top review

Dined 3 days ago

Always a great experience at "The Forge". Service is excellent, drinks are great, food is terrific, ambiance is wonderful. Highly recommend trying some of the appetizers as well as some of the signature cocktail drinks. The main courses are always wonderful - you don't make a mistake with any of them. It's also the only place where we always have dessert - they are creative and wonderful. Enjoy!

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