Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Columbus

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Columbus? 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!

The Alcove Restaurant & Lounge

4.8

4.8 (1270)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Columbus

About the restaurant

Founded in 1911 as a small ice cream and candy shop in the heart of Downtown Mount Vernon, The Alcove offers the finest dining experience in Central Ohio. Our diverse menu includes steak and seafood favorites as well as our signature Prime Rib of Beef available Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings. Within feet of one-of-a-kind shops, just a block away from The Grand Hotel, across the street from The Woodward Opera House, and a few miles from Kenyon College and the Mount Vernon Nazarene University, our establishment is a great location for gathering with loved ones young, elderly, and in between. Whether you're entertaining or looking to be entertained, The Alcove is the perfect spot for you. | Join us today to experience Casual Elegance. We'll save you a seat. | Reservations and Carry-Out orders may also be made by calling us at 740.392.3076.

Top review

Kristi

Dined 6 days ago

Food was amazing and the drinks were spectacular. We will be back for sure

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Rusty Bucket - Hilliard

4.7

4.7 (303)

$30 and under

American

Northwest Columbus

About the restaurant

Rusty Bucket is a casual neighborhood tavern serving the highest quality food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time.

Top review

KevinVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent service. Food was great! Server was very attentive and friendly. Did not have to wait for refills. Excellent experience!

The Capital Grille - Columbus

4.7

4.7 (166)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Columbus

About the restaurant

Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for our expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to delighting you.

Top review

Andrew KirkVIP

Dined today

Excellent service. Lobster bisque, Caesar Salad, cheese cake, and wines were wonderful. Bone in Filet Mignon was ok but not great

1808 American Bistro

4.6

4.6 (2008)

$30 and under

American

Delaware

About the restaurant

1808 American Bistro serves classic American fare with the occasional Southern, Cajun, and international twists. Steaks grilled to order. Shrimp and Grits with a bit of a bite. A delectable array of house made sauces, vinaigrettes, remoulades, tapenades, aioli, and demi-glaces. Not to mention the pastas, burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, entrees and desserts, all of the mouthwatering variety.

Our full bar offers 24 cold craft beers on draft, and a delightfully tippling assortment of wines and spirits. Stop by for dinner for a beer, or any combination thereof that tickles your fancy.

Reservations recommended for the Dining Room. However, we cannot accommodate reservations for the Patio and Bar.

Top review

TerriVIP

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

Just love dining here! It is consistently delicious. All new menu for winter!!! It’s always a great experience🙂

FYR Short North

4.6

4.6 (767)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Columbus

About the restaurant

FYR represents the metaphorical hearth of downtown Columbus with the centerpiece of the kitchen being a wood-fired grill led by renowned Argentine chef, Sebastian La Rocca. Located within Hilton Columbus Downtown, the use of fire & smoke is incorporated into every dish to bring the historical ritual of cooking over an open flame tableside. FYR is a stronghold of culinary passion - a gathering place that honors the emotional, mental and spiritual nature of flame and food.

Top review

Luciana

Dined on Dec 18, 2024

Loved everything about our dinner at FYR. Great open fire kitchen with Argentina parrilla. Food was amazing, from starter to dessert. Favorites if the night was skirt steak and the side of grilled carrots. The gnocchi was also delicious. The place is big and spacious with a nice setting of tables around the room making the ambiance super nice for every occasion ( large or small parties). Want to go back to try lunch menu too.

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Mitchell's Steakhouse - Columbus Polaris

4.4

4.4 (2377)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Polaris

About the restaurant

Mitchell’s Steakhouse has a wide selection of prime steaks that are aged to perfection. Our house made side dishes don’t just complement, they wow. Our servers will guide you through the menu with their fine dining expertise and warm hospitality to treat you to the enjoyable experience you deserve.

Executive Chef - Michael DeHaven

Top review

M . Scott

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

This was my first Christmas meal away from home and the staff and food was amazing. I would come back for a meal or holiday experience again

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Ruth's Chris Steak House - Columbus

4.4

4.4 (1218)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Columbus

About the restaurant

Now Open: We look forward to serving you soon.

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Columbus, OH 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

Brian

Dined on Dec 24, 2024

Phenomenal dining experience, as always! The wait staff was extremely attentive, especially Nathan.

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Popular dish

Tomahawk Ribeye

Popular dish

Bone-In New York Strip

17 Arrows Craft Kitchen + Bar

4.2

4.2 (44)

$30 and under

American

Columbus

About the restaurant

At 17 Arrows Craft Kitchen & Bar, we offer bold, regionally inspired menus that celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Ohio. Join us each week to enjoy our fantastic specials, including "Wine Down Wednesdays," indulgent weekend brunches, and vibrant happy hour offerings. This summer, our space comes alive with live music, so follow us on social media to find out when your favorite band or artist will be performing!

The name 17 Arrows pays tribute to Ohio's state seal, where the seventeen arrows symbolize its place as the seventeenth state admitted into the Union. Our venue beautifully balances warm sophistication with a friendly Midwestern attitude, creating the perfect setting for conversation, fun, and elevated dining. Our seasonal menu honors Ohio's rich recipes, ingredients, and history while supporting local farms, artisans, microbrewers, and neighbors. Whether you're a local or visiting from afar, we invite you to experience the unique charm at 17 Arrows Craft Kitchen & Bar.

Top review

Brandi

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Sat at the bar in comfy chairs! Bartending was kind and fun to talk with but food was amazing

Brio Italian Grille - Columbus - Polaris Brio

3.9

3.9 (1261)

$30 and under

Italian

Columbus

About the restaurant

Brio Polaris is a premier Tuscan-inspired Italian restaurant in Columbus, OH serving authentic, northern Italian cuisine, luxury wines & cocktails-our specialties include premium quality steaks, chops, seafood, made-to-order pasta and flatbreads. If you're looking for the best holiday party venue or restaurant for Thanksgiving, Brio offers easy reservations and catering services to make your event special. Whether dining in or ordering online, Brio Polaris is the place to eat in Columbus, OH for great Italian cuisine. Visit us today-reserve your table or order online!

Top review

William

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Overall experience was good. Portion sizes for the price was lacking. Food was average compared to other restaurants in the area. Not the same experience that I have had in the past. The quality of the food just isn't as good as it use to be. Not going to rush back in anytime soon.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Easton Town Center

3.9

3.9 (204)

$30 and under

American

Easton

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Gayle

Dined 4 days ago

We did an online reservation through Open Table. Arrived and had no problems. I had the broccoli cheddar cheese bread bowl-It was awesome. I also had a Caesar salad-It was great. The hostess was very kind, and informative. She smiled and checked on our table several times. Very nice manners. Atmosphere was casual and friendly. Would recommend eating here. The cost was reasonable and the food overall is great.

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