Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Upstate New York

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Upstate New York? 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!

Ancora!

4.9

4.9 (580)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Utica

About the restaurant

Italian for encore, Ancora! is located adjacent to the historic Stanley Theatre and is one of the area’s premier dining establishments.

With its concrete-exposed high ceilings, stage lighting, custom-designed wine tower bar, open kitchen, colorful, local artwork and seasonal outdoor seating, Ancora! is the perfect blend of rustic old-world and urban design.

Featuring Mediterranean-inspired, mouthwatering cuisine, including a signature select tapas menu, Ancora! will have you begging for more.

Shared with friends or cherished alone, Ancora! is the ideal compliment to any evening, conversation or show.

Top review

valerie

Dined 5 days ago

Food and service always excellent. One of our local favorite places!

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Popular dish

Chicken Francaise

Popular dish

Pan Seared New York Strip

Popular dish

Chicken Riggies

The Colden Mill Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (430)

$31 to $50

American

Buffalo

About the restaurant

The Colden Mill strives to make your dining experience unique and memorable, and is located just minutes from Kissing Bridge at 8348 Boston Colden Road. The historic and rustic atmosphere of the once grain mill dating back to the 1830’s, gives the impression of a time to be remembered. We aim to delight our guests with our Contemporary American menu created by award winning executive chef Matthew Webb, highlighting Western New York’s abundant variety of produce and meats. Our casual yet elegant dining atmosphere always welcomes skiers and families alike. While our restaurant offers dinner service Tuesday – Saturday, our two banquet rooms can accommodate parties of up to 50 & 80 guests for parties 7 days a week, and also on or off-premise catering for any occasion.

Top review

Connie

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

If I lived closer to The Colden Mill, I would definitely be there more often for its food and ambiance ... very cozy. I absolutely love it there. The first time I went there was about 40 years ago ... as beautiful as ever.

1909

4.8

4.8 (114)

$50 and over

American

Cooperstown

About the restaurant

With an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, guests will find a menu that offers something for every palate, including the finest cuts of meats, fresh seafood and salads. The cozy setting, featuring outdoor seating on the veranda in season, and the serene backdrop of Otsego Lake provides a perfect complement to your dining experience.

Top review

Archibald

Dined 4 days ago

1909 is a lovely, high-end restaurant, certainly the best in and around Cooperstown, with an expectedly high price. We have dined there many times, and have become accustomed to near-perfection overall; we have never been disappointed. This particular time though, our dining ended with a panna cotta dessert that was an assemblage of bits that did not seem to form a coherent whole, including a bit that seemed like fruit leather that was so tough as to be inedible. The maître-d recognized that -- apparently we were not the first ones to order that dessert that evening, and he offered us the same part of the dessert that was supposed to be "crisper". It really wasn't, and it would have been better to start over for a dessert without that bit, but it was not offered. Still, the appetizer and main course outshone the odd dessert.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Albany

4.8

4.8 (752)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Albany

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Albany 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

Vanessa

Dined 6 days ago

The Albany NY team (particularly Jessie) made me feel so very special for my birthday dinner. Bravo!

BUFFALO CHOPHOUSE - PRIME STEAKS & FRESH SEAFOOD

4.7

4.7 (3370)

$50 and over

Steak

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Buffalo Chophouse is Western New York's premier steakhouse, serving only the finest USDA Prime steaks as well as a selection of fresh, succulent seafood. Located in the heart of Buffalo’s Theater District, we are in close proximity to Shea's PAC, the Convention Center, KeyBank Center, and all major downtown hotels. Buffalo Chophouse is the perfect place to begin or end your evening, celebrate a special occasion, or simply treat yourself to the most fabulous dining experience offered in the WNY area. Whether you prefer filet mignon, strip steaks, ribeye or lobster, our knowledgeable service staff and reputable kitchen team offer our guests an exclusive dining experience. Make a selection from our expansive wine cellar, sip on handcrafted cocktails prepared by our veteran bartenders, and be sure to indulge with a decadent dessert to conclude your memorable experience.

Established in 2002, Buffalo Chophouse remains WNY's most dependable steakhouse for the ultimate dining experience.

Top review

Ben

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Great dinner on a Christmas evening. Spectacular service from two splendid waitresses.

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Popular dish

Mile High Chocolate Cake for Two

Popular dish

12 oz Filet Mignon

Rare 3001

4.7

4.7 (91)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Rochester

About the restaurant

Rochester's newest Steak & Seafood Restaurant. Located at the lower level of Monroe's Restaurant.

If you are unable to find a reservation to your liking, please call the restaurant at (585) 651-0100

All parties of six or more must be booked in person or via telephone with a manager. To reserve a table for six or more people on a weekday (Wednesday-Thursday), a $30 per person deposit is required at the time of the reservation. Parties of six or more on weekends (Friday and Saturday) require a $60 per person deposit at the time of the reservation. All deposits will be applied to your final bill.

Top review

Sybil

Dined 4 days ago

Immediately noticed a long blonde hair on my black napkin. Def not mine. GROSS. Service was excellent but our shared side of potatoes were lukewarm at best. Not the meal I expect for the money we spent.

The Melting Pot - Buffalo

4.6

4.6 (1472)

$30 and under

Fondue

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Melting Pot. We offer a truly unique dining experience created by the art of fondue.

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, a long overdue date night, or celebrating with a group, The Melting Pot Restaurant is perfect for any occasion. Tailor your visit with a four-course dining experience including cheese fondue, salad, entree and dessert. Or, come by for fondue cheese paired with that perfect glass of wine from our extensive selection. That's not to say, we haven't had more than a few stop by to satisfy that chocolate craving after a movie.

Make reservations today, and see what people are talking about.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Our waitress Taylor was outstanding! My kids really enjoyed the Shirley Temples.

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Popular dish

Pure Chocolate Fondue

Experience

Thursdate

Experience

NEW! Ultimate 5-Course Experience

Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse - Utica

4.5

4.5 (644)

$31 to $50

Italian

Utica

About the restaurant

Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse affords Utica diners that want a real challenge the opportunity to give a 24-ounce certified Angus Delmonico steak an attempt. The 16-ounce center cut New York sirloin is nothing to sneeze at either. Not just large, the steaks are full of flavor with perfect seasoning and seared to perfection. The menu at Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse doesn’t end there, however. Chicken is also well represented at Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse with dishes such as chicken Sinatra, chicken prosciutto, chicken marsala and chicken riggies. The classics like shrimp scampi, veal parmigiana and lasagna are all available as well. Dessert options such as the homemade cannoli and amaretto cheesecake finish off the meal perfectly.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

What a fantastic experience. Our server Nick was attentive and personable. Food was fantastic and great portion sizes. They had a magician going around to tables, which I first thought would be awkward. Well I was wrong, it was the high light of the evening. It was absolutely amazing. Will definitely return next time in Utica

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Texas de Brazil - Albany

4.4

4.4 (3133)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Albany

About the restaurant

Texas de Brazil, is a Brazilian steakhouse, or churrascaria, that features endless servings of flame-grilled beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and Brazilian sausage as well as an extravagant salad area with a wide array of seasonal chef-crafted items.

Top review

Jessica

Dined 5 days ago

Always a great experience, never disappoints. Our waiter was too notch and very attentive. Definitely deserves a raise. Wish we were able to request the same server every time.

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Experience

HAPPY HOUR Mon-Fri

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