The Best Cleveland Restaurants for a Special Occasion or Celebration

Looking for the perfect place in Greater Cleveland to go out for a fancy meal to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, graduation, job promotion, or anything else worth celebrating?

Well, good news! We have a lot of them.

Cleveland is actually a big foodie city, and that extends to special occasion dining, too, whether you’re looking for a steakhouse, delicious seafood, hand-made pasta, or something else entirely.

Here are my favorite special occasion restaurants around Cleveland, in no particular order. I’m including the best fine dining spots, followed by some places that I love for special occasions that are a little easier on the wallet.

Top fine dining restaurants in Cleveland

Note: Making reservations in advance is highly recommended (necessary, even) for most of these spots. And if you’re celebrating something special, be sure to let them know when you book, and again when you arrive!

Marble Room is one of the more iconic fine dining restaurants in Cleveland. It’s located downtown on Euclid Avenue inside the former National City Bank building, which was originally built in 1893 by the sons of President James A. Garfield.

The inside of Marble Room oozes 1920s opulence, with huge marble columns, chandeliers, a gilded ceiling, and some features left over from the site’s banking days. Even though it feels like Marble Room has been around forever, it’s only been open as a restaurant since 2017!

Marble Room is known for its steaks and seafood. It does have a full raw bar with oysters, sushi, and even a caviar service, plus 10+ cuts of steak to choose from. Sides are meant to share. Find the Marble Room menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: The service here is absolutely impeccable, and if you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary, they’ll bring out a complimentary fluff of cotton candy to mark the occasion. (You can designate a special occasion when you book a table.)

Good to know: Marble Room does not have a dress code, technically, but “upscale casual to dressy” attire is recommended to fit in with the space. Also, this is one place in Cleveland that tends to book up weeks if not months in advance, so plan accordingly.

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A great Italian spot in Cleveland is Il Venetian, located inside Key Tower. This upscale restaurant transports you to Italy (much of the decor, including the chandeliers, was imported from Venice), and is a really beautiful space with high ceilings and lots of natural light during the day.

The menu at Il Venetian features fresh seafood and pastas that are hand-made daily, plus more than 200 wines to choose from. They even make their own bread! Find the Il Venetian menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: The service, food, and beautiful dining room all combine for a memorable place to share a meal.

Good to know: You can order the “Chef’s Trio” of pasta and sample 3 different types of pasta at once (minimum 2 people must order, and it costs $30 per person). Also, dressier attire is recommended here.

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Opened in 2022 and led by led by James Beard Award Finalist Chef Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia has quickly rocketed up to the top of my “best restaurants in Cleveland” list. The concept is simple: modern takes on Midwest “comfort food.” When I first went to Cordelia, I was told the vibe was “modern grandma,” and that totally tracks.

The dishes at Cordelia change slightly based on what local produce is in season, but you can always expect a variety of small plates and mains, many of which are made to share. You’ll always find a mix of vegetarian dishes and local meats, plus seafood fresh from Kate’s Fish at West Side Market. Find the Cordelia menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: The vibes at Cordelia are so good, and I’ve never been disappointed by the food or drinks. It’s also located on lively E 4th St, which is a fun place to go out.

Good to know: They also do a chef’s tasting menu for $90 per person.

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Formerly Luca Italian Cuisine, Casa La Luna is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Cleveland. The award-winning spot sits up on the Superior Viaduct, serving up excellent skyline views alongside its Italian classics. They have a really nice patio in the warmer months, too.

You can’t go wrong with any of their pasta dishes here, and their veal dishes are also excellent. And don’t skip the tiramisu for dessert! Find the Casa La Luna menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: When you add the good food to the views over the Cuyahoga River and Cleveland skyline, you get the perfect setting for any special occasion.

Good to know: They also have an extensive wine list, with nearly 100 different wines to choose from.

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Down in Moreland Hills, Cru Uncorked also deserves a spot on this list. This French restaurant resembles a French chateau on the outside, and has a beautiful and sprawling outdoor patio space when the weather is nice. Dishes here are presented picture-perfectly, which makes it feel even more high-end.

The menu at Cru includes all the French classics like escargot, steak tartare, and Coq au vin, but you’ll also find things like lobster risotto, venison, and even a burger on the menu. They also have excellent cocktails and an extensive wine list. Find the Cru Uncorked menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: Everything about Cru Uncorked screams fine dining. There are four different dining rooms, each decorated with French antiques and artwork. The tables are spaced nicely, too, which makes it feel more intimate.

Good to know: There’s a lounge that’s open for drinks, but you really do need a reservation to dine here. Valet parking is complementary.

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This Tremont staple by Michelin Starred Chef Dante Boccuzzi is a cozy spot for delicious food in a space that also used to be a bank. The menu here is more varied, featuring everything from homemade pasta to seafood.

Dante offers both an a la carte menu and the option of doing a chef’s tasting menu. The tasting menu is 5 courses and costs $95. Find the full Dante menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: If you want to book chef tasting menu for a special occasion, you can’t go wrong with this one!

Good to know: This is one of several Cleveland area restaurants owned by Dante Boccuzzi (there’s another on this list!), so be sure you’re making reservations at the correct one.

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If seafood is your preference, you can’t go wrong with Pier W, the premier fine dining location in Lakewood. Large picture windows look out over Lake Erie and towards the Cleveland skyline, making this a memorable spot to dine.

The menu here is seafood-heavy, featuring everything from oysters to shrimp to fish, and it’s all sourced directly from fishermen. They also have a few non-seafood dishes, for anyone craving the views but not the seafood. Find the Pier W menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: It’s hard to beat those Lake Erie views!

Good to know: Pier W is also well-known for its seafood-heavy Sunday brunch. The brunch is pricier, though, at $69 per person. Business casual dress is recommended for brunch or dinner.

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When it comes to vibes, few restaurants on this list compare with Jaja. This restaurant in Ohio City has fun decor, Instagram-worthy dishes, and lots of natural light from all the windows – it even has a retractable glass roof!

The menu at Jaja is Argentinean steakhouse-inspired, so you’ll find plenty of meat on the menu (cooked on an impressive 20-foot wood-fired grill). But you’ll also find good veggie and fish dishes. All the plates are meant to be shared, so you can mix and match whatever sounds good to you. Find the full Jaja menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: There’s no denying it’s a gorgeous restaurant, and I’m a fan of shared plates for a special night out, as it means you can try more things!

Good to know: They also have a great cocktail menu.

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Another spot by Chef Dante Boccuzzi in Tremont, Ginko is for the Japanese and sushi lovers in Cleveland. The sleek red-and-black restaurant is built around a large bar, and serves up world-class sushi, nigiri, and even shabu shabu at dedicated tables.

Ginko also offers a 6-course chef-led omakase tasting menu, which is excellent for a special occasion. Find the Ginko menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: It offers some of the best sushi in the city, and the special tasting menus are great for a memorable night out.

Good to know: If you’re looking for a wider range of Japanese option (sushi plus noodles, tempura, and more), check out Goma, another Dante Boccuzzi spot downtown.

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Located in the beautiful University Circle in an old carriage house on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, don’t overlook L’Albatros for a romantic night out or celebration. This restaurant by chef and restaurateur Zack Bruell has been around since 2008.

They’re known for their classic French brasserie vibes and food, plus a really nice patio area in the warmer months. Try a French classic like French onion soup, cassoulet, or duck confit. See the L’Albatros menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: French restaurants always feel fancy, don’t they? Plus, the service here is top-notch.

Note: Edwin’s Leadership & Restaurant would normally make this list, too (it was an excellent French spot in Shaker Square), but it’s in the process of moving into a new space and concept in Cleveland Heights as of February 2025. Hopefully I can add it back to this list soon!

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Other special occasion restaurants in Cleveland

Okay, so the above list includes slightly pricier spots that are considered more “fine dining” in terms of menus, space, and overall vibe. But I have a few additional restaurants that I LOVE for a special night out that don’t always carry quite the same price tag.

So here are 5 more spots to consider:

STEAK Cleveland can come with a fine dining price (depending on what you order), but it doesn’t have a stuffy fine dining vibe AT ALL. This place is pure fun, making it a spot my husband Elliot and I love for a special occasion.

The vibe at STEAK is a little like a nightclub – it’s dark and mostly lit by neon signs, and there’s irreverence in a lot of its details, like the butcher-knife-shaped steak knives, and the cocktails the come in mini bathtubs.

What I love here is their prix-fixe menu, which includes popcorn to snack on, a salad to start with, a steak of your choosing, and bottomless waffle fries all for between $35 and $65 (depending on the steak). I actually think that’s very reasonable for that amount of food! They also have smash burgers and additional sides. See the STEAK Cleveland menu here.

(Also, they’ve gone mini-viral for their crazy desserts, including their sundae Ferris wheel, which is indeed served in a table top Ferris wheel.)

Why it’s good for special occasions: This spot is just fun – and the food is good! If you let them know you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary, you’ll get a cookie shot for free for dessert.

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Amba is such an excellent addition to the Ohio City dining scene. The dimly-lit space has a bar and dining area, and serves up small plates packing big flavor. The idea is to share a variety of dishes, with most plates costing around $10-$15.

Most of their shareable dishes are Indian-inspired (think: paneer cheese, lentil donuts, and herb grilled chicken tikka), but there are lots of global flavors, too, like chickpea fritters, Turkish fried eggs, and lamb kofta. Find the Amba menu here.

They also have great craft cocktails, and a few special zero-proof cocktails, too.

Why it’s good for special occasions: It’s a hip and cozy spot with really good food. Try the chef-curated “Amba Favorites” menu for 2 for $77.

Good to know: They do not accept reservations here.

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Conceived of by the duo (Jessica Parkinson and Jill Vedaa) who brought us Salt+ in Lakewood, Poppy is a cozy little spot in a converted house on Larchmere serving up both shareable small plates and larger entrees.

You can’t go wrong with any dish at a Vedaa-led restaurant, and the menu here does change seasonally. But they always have a mix of veggie-forward and meat-based starters and entrees. Try the biscuits with chili coconut butter, the prime rib (which they offer every Friday), and end your meal with Poppy’s banana cake or a sweet potato casserole. See the Poppy menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: It’s a thoughtfully cozy spot, with a nice patio area in the warmer months and a menu that changes often enough that there’s always something new to try.

Good to know: They also do cute Christmas and Valentine’s pop-ups in their small enclosed Etta bar.

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Rood has re-invented itself a couple of times since opening in Lakewood in 2017, but the overall atmosphere and commitment to good food – and pie – is still the same. Which is why it’s a spot that I love so much!

Rood has perhaps the most laid-back atmosphere of all the places on this list, but the food and cocktails you’ll have here are hard to beat. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always count on a mix of small plates and large plates with a variety of influences, whether it’s lobster rolls in the summer, or a wild boar gnocchi in the winter. Find the Rood menu here.

And of course you have to save room for pie! These flavors rotate, too, but you can never go wrong with a slice of the salt and honey pie.

Why it’s good for special occasions: If you’re looking for something elevated but not too fancy, Rood is a good choice! You can also order whole pies for special occasions at home.

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How lucky are we that there are TWO Batuqui locations for us to enjoy? This traditional Brazilian restaurant operates two locations – one in Larchmere and one in Chagrin Falls – both in converted historic homes. Elliot and I really love the Chagrin Falls location (Batuqui on the Falls).

You can find Brazilian classics like Pao De Queijo (cheese bread), Feijoada, and Moqueca Baiana (traditional stew), alongside Brazilian-style steaks. And be sure to pair your meal with a Brazilian cocktail like a Caipirinha. See the full Butuqui menu here.

Why it’s good for special occasions: The atmosphere in each spot is homey and inviting, and the food and cocktails are fabulous.

READ NEXT: 25+ Amazing First Date Ideas in Cleveland

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What other local Cleveland spots do you love for special occasions?