Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Orlando / Central Florida East

OpenTable

Updated 05 June 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Orlando / Central Florida East? 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!

Crush XI

4.8

4.8 (774)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Melbourne

About the restaurant

Crush XI is a casually hip gathering place serving up Rustic American Cookery, boutique style wines and thoughtfully crafted cocktails.
Crush XI is located in Historic Downtown Melbourne in The Iconic FlatIron Building.
The charm of the restaurant is complimented by the original brickwork and tin ceilings in this circa 1920's building.
Crush XI has a chef driven menu that changes seasonally.
Our staff will graciously walk you through the offerings on the menu.
The cocktail program is award winning!
We approach cocktails much like we approach food...thoughtfully made from scratch everyday.
Our uniquely domestic wine selection is a nod and a wink to our namesake, Crush, celebrating the crush of the grapes and the harvest in wine country.
Join us for our NEW Happy Hour!
EVERYDAY from 4-6pm - Enjoy modified cocktail pricing and 1/2 off APPETIZERS!
If you don't find the reservation time you are looking for, Please call us to book at (321) 312-6070

Top review

Barbara

Dined on 3 June 2025

We celebrated our 47th Wedding anniversary last evening at Crush XI, and enjoyed every minute. The caraf of California wine was delightful, salad delicious, and our entree’s superb. We were gifted with their Carrot Cake Ice Cream to share for dessert, and it too was delicious. The staff was delightful, and our Congratulations Card signed by the entire staff on our table as we were seated was a delightful surprise. We highly recommend visiting Crush XI, we will be back. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Discover more

Popular dish

Carrot Cake Ice Cream

Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (57)

$30 and under

Indian

Ocala

About the restaurant

Established in 1981, Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant serves flavorful authentic cuisine. Its charming setting is bright and welcoming with comfortable seating. Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant is wonderful for dining out with the family. Guests can begin their meal with an appetizer of samosa chat, madras fried shrimp or cheese pakora. A fulfilling entrée of butter chicken, lamb saag, paneer tikka or vegetable biryani will satisfy the palate. It also offers traditional desserts like kulfi and gulab jamun. Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant provides catering services for private events. It has a bar that offers cocktails and other libations. Carry-out is also available for individuals wanting to enjoy their meals at home.

Top review

KayVIP

Dined on 6 June 2025

Fantastic food quality and impeccable service. A true Indian gem!

Pompano Grill

4.8

4.8 (953)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Cocoa Beach

About the restaurant

Pompano Grill is a refined dining destination in Cocoa Beach, where gracious hospitality meets elevated cuisine. Owned by Jackie Sampson and featuring the culinary artistry of Executive Chef Ricardo Molinari, we specialize in prime steaks, house-crafted pastas, and impeccably prepared local seafood. Each dish is thoughtfully composed and complemented by a meticulously curated wine list, offering a truly bespoke dining experience. With personalized service and an intimate ambiance, every visit is designed to be both memorable and meaningful. We invite you to dine with us and savor the exceptional.

Top review

LeonardVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Austin is a great host, food and service exceptional

Salt & the Cellar by Akira Back

4.8

4.8 (773)

$31 to $50

Asian

Kissimmee

About the restaurant

Immerse yourself in a culinary journey at Salt & The Cellar, a Michelin-starred restaurant by Chef Akira Back. Located in the luxurious ette hotel in Kissimmee, Florida, this innovative dining destination blends Asian creativity with Mediterranean influences, offering a unique experience for discerning palates. Step into a captivating atmosphere where sophisticated décor and lush courtyards invite you to savor every moment. The menu showcases Chef Back's signature flair, featuring dishes like melt-in-your-mouth AB Wagyu Tacos and expertly crafted Toban Fillet Mignon, all made with the freshest premium ingredients. Enhance your meal with a visit to the curated bar, which offers a diverse selection of spirits from around the world. Whether you prefer a classic cocktail or a modern creation, the skilled bartenders are ready to craft the perfect drink to complement your dining experience. Discover the art of fine dining at Salt & The Cellar.

Top review

Pam

Dined 5 days ago

Service started amazing then waned die to large table seated beside us. Drinks were left empty and no one checked on us for a long while

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (885)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

I Drive / Sand Lake

About the restaurant

Located along the city's famed "Restaurant Row", and minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, NORMAN’S was recently voted BEST Restaurant in the 2024 Readers Choice Dining Awards by Orlando Magazine and the TOP Florida Restaurant in 2024 by Southern Living Magazine!

Norman Van Aken is a restaurateur, chef, author, and James Beard recipient of “Who’s Who in America" and widely considered the "founding father" of New World Cuisine.

NORMAN'S offers a creative culinary and mixology experience, with an extensive wine list. Offering our main dining room, two private dining rooms, and our interior bar/lounge, along with an elegant, covered Terrace offering alfresco dining, with live music on Friday & Saturday.

HAPPY HOUR: Every Day 5:00- 7:00PM, $10 Cocktails, $8 Wines by the glass & seasonal tapas
DRESS CODE: Dining Room: Smart Casual/ Smart Dress (jackets are not required)
Terrace: Resort Casual/ No baseball caps, gym apparel, tank tops, or flip flops

Top review

DonnaVIP

Dined on 5 June 2025

Excellent food, great atmosphere, love the indoor/outdoor option.

Discover more

Sofrito Rubbed Filet Mignon 8oz

The Melting Pot - Melbourne-Viera, FL

4.7

4.7 (861)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Melbourne

About the restaurant

Brevard’s favorite special occasion restaurant! The Melting Pot offers a truly unique dining experience created by the art of fondue. “The Melting Pot is pure entertainment,” declares The New York Times. Whether it is celebrating a birthday, anniversary, baby shower, bridal shower, graduation, or just a Ladies Night Out, The Melting Pot is sure to help enhance any special occasion. Spend your evening relaxing through our dining experience, and let our attentive servers guide you through our selections of fondues, martinis and fine wines. Visit us for lunch to enjoy a scenic view in our newly renovated covered patio. With a variety of featured martinis and spirits, The Melting Pot guarantees a dining experience like no other. Winner of an “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator magazine.

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The manager and server were excellent and very accommodating

Amare at Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

4.7

4.7 (593)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Lake Buena Vista

About the restaurant

Amare, which means “to love”, is a casual upscale venue inspired by the tastes and cultures of the Mediterranean region. The menu focuses on highlighting fresh premium ingredients popular in the area, including a wide variety of seafood, citrus, olive oils, pasta and pitas.

Top review

Robert

Dined 7 days ago

The service was outstanding, the chef accommodating and the sea bass to die for

Discover more

Popular dish

Grilled Souvlaki

Leiah

4.7

4.7 (38)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Downtown Orlando

About the restaurant

Leiah is an experience that elevates the senses and satisfy the palate. An expression of art, a sensation of well being, a status of royalty for everyone. A chef driven home-style kitchen that makes perfect symphony with the most luxurious elements of land and sea. A service that fulfills the unspoken wishes of our guests. A unique experience.

At Leiah’s we only use top quality produce from responsible farmers whose practices proper agriculture. Our farmers are strictly selected as part of an intense research to ensure all fruits and vegetables are cultivated naturally in a responsible environment.

We carefully select our seafood from the right purveyor and fisheries to make sure nature guidelines and rules are being followed to allow proper reproduction. We strongly support and encourage clean oceans.

Top review

Peter

Dined 7 days ago

We had a wonderful dining experience here. The ravioli course and the mascarpone & fruit dessert were both excellent—beautifully balanced and full of flavor. The wine pairing was well thought out and very reasonably priced, adding great value to the meal. Service was attentive, and the overall ambiance made for a very enjoyable evening. While a few small details kept this from being a full 5-star experience, we will absolutely be returning. Highly recommend!

Discover more

Experience

Chef's Table

Nabe

4.7

4.7 (20)

$50 and over

Asian

I Drive / Sand Lake

About the restaurant

***We are currently only selling beer and sake for alcohol during this time***

Welcome to Nabe, a family-owned wagyu hot pot restaurant led by Keren and Khoa, a passionate husband-and-wife duo, alongside Chef Lewis (owner of Juju and Susuru). Nestled in Dellagio Plaza, Nabe offers an upscale yet comfortable and upbeat dining experience, where the spotlight is on the highest-grade Wagyu. From rich, flavorful broths to perfectly marbled cuts, every bite is an invitation to indulge. Whether you're here for an intimate meal or a lively gathering, Nabe is where tradition and quality come together.

| We hold all reservations for a 10 minute grace period. If you’re running late, please send us a message, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. After the grace period, we will release your table to other guests and add you to our waitlist. |

Top review

Jarod

Dined on 30 May 2025

The food and drinks were really good, and the service was quick.

The Eye Restaurant Lounge

4.5

4.5 (23)

$50 and over

American

I Drive / Sand Lake

About the restaurant

Step into a realm where exquisite cuisine, upscale service, and captivating ambiance come together. Immerse yourself in delectable tapas, handcrafted cocktails, and the rhythm of live DJ entertainment that enchants every evening. Join us on Fridays and Saturdays for an alluring nightlife experience, featuring an unforgettable halftime show sure to leave you spellbound. Indulge your senses—your journey awaits.

Due to high demand Parties for 6 or more please call or send a text!
407-274-3373

21+ BEGINNING AT 9:00PM

Happy Hour: Monday-Thursday 6:00PM-8:00PM

DRESS CODE ENFORCED:
TO MAINTAIN OUR ELEGANT ATMOSPHERE, WE KINDLY REQUEST:
•⁠ ⁠NO HOODIES, SANDALS, SHORTS, HATS, RIPPED PANTS, ATHLETIC WEAR, BEACH WEAR.
•⁠ ⁠BUSINESS CASUAL OR FORMAL ATTIRE REQUIRED.
•⁠ ⁠SPORTSWEAR AND OVERLY CASUAL CLOTHING ARE NOT PERMITTED

Celebration Package: $39 Vanilla Evil Eye Cake (feeds 3-4), Customizable Marquee Sign, Sparkler Presentation.

Top review

Tianna

Dined on 29 May 2025

We had a great time at the eye! The food and drinks were great. We loved the live dancing

Explore Diners' Choice best of Orlando / Central Florida East

Explore more Diners' Choice lists