Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Minneapolis - St. Paul

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Minneapolis - St. Paul? 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!

joan's in the Park

5.0

5 (2088)

$50 and over

American

Saint Paul

About the restaurant

joan's in the Park restaurant and full service bar is an elegantly cozy dining destination, located on Snelling Avenue in Highland Park. We offer a 4 course menu designed by Chef /owner Susan Dunlop, which includes distinctive American cuisine . We offer only the finest ingredients, sourced locally when possible. Maître d'/owner Joan Schmitt (and Highland Park native) offers first-class hospitality. Our carefully selected wine, beer and signature cocktail list will also appeal to all tastes. joan's is a must try, if you enjoy great food and amazing hospitality in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Top review

Megan

Dined 1 day ago

We always have a great time at Joan’s in the Park. The seasonal menu offers something new every visit, but they also have regular favorites, like the filet mignon and the brown butter pudding. Highly recommend!

P.S. Steak

4.9

4.9 (47)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

As the name suggests, P.S. Steak was established to continue the story of the historic space that was once famed La Belle Vie. As Chef Mike DeCamp spent 10 years at the former French restaurant, this will be his homecoming and opportunity to write his own chapter for the space. P.S. Steak disrupts the perceptions of a typical steakhouse while honoring the legacy of one of the great culinary foundations in the Twin Cities.
The restaurant features an elevated yet accessible seasonal menu, along with a variety of cuts of meat, dry aged in a display case.
The lounge has been given a modern makeover with chic furniture and marble table tops. A selection of living floor plants divides tables to create intimate seating. Bringing warmth to the room, the bar and adjacent fireplace keeps guests cozied up to a menu of progressive cocktails.

Top review

Melanie

Dined 6 days ago

lounge is outstanding - relaxed, gorgeous room, accessible menu

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Popular dish

Boneless Ribeye

Oceanaire Seafood Room - Minneapolis

4.8

4.8 (6825)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Downtown / North Loop

About the restaurant

The Oceanaire provides the perfect setting to enjoy the freshest seafood flown in daily from around the world. Our knowledgeable staff will delight you with exceptional service — guiding you through the wide variety of items on our menu and helping you select the perfect wine to complement your meal. You'll find out why The Oceanaire has been voted one of the best seafood restaurants in the country.

Top review

Kimberly

Dined 1 day ago

We went to celebrate a family member's retirement and going to Oceanaire really made it special. The food and drinks were amazing, and it was fun to try out different things with a bigger group. Our server was knowledgeable and made the experience fun. We'll definitely be back!

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Rochester

4.8

4.8 (86)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Rochester

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House specializes in serving USDA Prime steaks, each seared to perfection, finished with butter and freshly chopped parsley, and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate. We invite you to join us in Rochester, MN!

Top review

Ruth

Dined 3 days ago

Sat at the bar and started with a Cosmo. Had an excellent bartender in Angela. Dined on the early bird menu. Steak sandwich was delicious. Many that dine here are visiting Mayo and experiencing stress/anxiety. The bar area was a cool slam and welcome relief. The bar staff know their audience!

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Experience

Holiday Lunch

Buca di Beppo - Eden Prairie

4.7

4.7 (798)

$30 and under

Italian

Eden Prairie

About the restaurant

If you are looking for an Italian Restaurant in Eden Prairie, MN then come to Buca. We are located on Mitchell Road and proudly serve authentic family style Italian dishes. We specialize in celebrations and also offer catering suitable for all occasions.

Top review

JimVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This place makes me happy. Their food is always good, fun ambience, and great service. Especially good for groups. Recommend.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Minneapolis, MN | Lyndale & Lake (Lyn-Lake)

4.7

4.7 (315)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Uptown

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Makayla

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

First time ever having Japanese BBQ and it was delightful had a wide variety of meats and really enjoyed it!

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Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

CRAVE - Eden Prairie

4.6

4.6 (1442)

$30 and under

American

Eden Prairie

About the restaurant

CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar was built out of a passion to create a dining experience unlike any other. We combine quality-sourced ingredients, chic ambiance, outstanding service, and diverse menu choices to create an unforgettable dining experience. The energy of the restaurant is all encompassing – the buzz of guests and staff, the warm and open design, the modern sushi bar, the fresh spin on American cuisine, and the sense of discovery around every corner. A CRAVE guest will leave knowing they experienced just the right mix of great food, entertainment, and service in what can only be defined as The CRAVE Experience.

Top review

Anne

Dined 6 days ago

We had a wonderful happy hour experience today, celebrating our friend’s birthday! The hostess asked where we’d prefer to sit, found us a great cozy high top away from the door and the personal service continued from there. Our server, Jeffrey, was very personable, made great recommendations for food and beverages, was there when we needed him and didn’t hover. Food and drinks were great! We had the chicken avocado egg rolls, firecracker shrimp, meatballs, Buffalo shrimp AND a birthday s’mores cake! We will absolutely come back for our next birthday happy hour!

Butcher & the Boar

4.6

4.6 (79)

$31 to $50

American

Downtown / Mill District

About the restaurant

We are fine-casual dining with a fire at the core of its heart. Through the smoke and whiskey ashes of the previous iteration which closed its doors in 2020 rises a new haze of smoke and whiskey as we bring back this iconic brand, smoked meats, bourbon, beer, deep hues, and various spaces to a new location in the North Loop. Butcher & The Boar will honor its beloved roots, while spreading new ones in the fresh foundation that will help our guests embark on a journey with notes of nostalgia that carry the torch forward with new tastes and experiences.

With immense gratitude, we invite you to Live Full Boar with us.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent experience! Accommodating staff that bumped our reservations back due to weather & slow travel. My clients loved the experience and my new favorite go to restaurant in downtown Minneapolis!

Boketto Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (108)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

St. Louis Park

About the restaurant

Boketto merges the rich traditions of a steakhouse with a whisper of Asian elegance & a burst of Mediterranean zest.
Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner, a celebration with friends, or a memorable night out, Boketto offers an experience beyond the ordinary. Here, upscale & intimate combine with trendy, vibrant, and most importantly — welcoming.

From marbled A-5 Japanese and Australian wagyu to our signature Japanese milk bread, lovingly crafted by Authentic Gourmet, every dish tells a story of tradition meeting creativity. Savor the delicate flavors of our fresh seared scallops, paired with the aromatic trio of Thai basil, cilantro & mint, or indulge in the vibrant contrast of our tomato & burrata, elevated with a hint of Calabrian chili, sweet agrodolce, peppery arugula, & toasted bread.

With a cocktail program and wine list designed for the discerning palate, each visit to Boketto is an exploration of flavor & texture, a journey that lingers long after the last bite.

Top review

Roger

Dined 4 days ago

HIGHLY RECOMMEND, from the jump it was a vibe! The atmosphere, the music, the service, and the setting was great. That continued through out the night with the best waiter Chris, gave us the best opinion and service. The food was unexplainably good, overall experience was a 10000/10!!

P.F. Chang's - Maple Grove

4.4

4.4 (133)

$30 and under

Chinese

Maple Grove

About the restaurant

We are an Asian & Chinese restaurant offering dine-in, takeout, to-go, delivery, and catering. Make a reservation online to dine in. Order Asian and Chinese food delivery, takeout, and catering online or through the P.F. Chang's mobile app. Let us cater the perfect feast for you - corporate office catering menus are also available. P.F. Chang's offers a variety of signature Asian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Mongolian, and Chinese food dishes including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Pad Thai, Signature Lo Mein, Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Chang's Spicy Chicken, and Pork and Shrimp Dumplings. Order online for sushi delivery and takeout. Many gluten-free and vegetarian menu items are available. Try our seasonal cocktails and seasonal menu items.

Top review

Denise

Dined on Oct 12, 2024

It was very busy and, at times, our service was slow. However, we were appropriately attended to most of the evening. The food was delicious!

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