Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in South Bend

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in South Bend? 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Essence Restaurant + Bar

5.0

5 (448)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

A culinary playground centered around unwavering hospitality and creatively curated cuisine, wine and spirits.

Welcome home.

Top review

KaleighE

Dined 2 days ago

We always enjoy our date nights at Essence. The food is fabulous and the staff is top notch. This is our favorite place to dine in Elkhart.

Yesterday's Food & Spirits

4.9

4.9 (983)

$30 and under

American

Granger

About the restaurant

Starting December 1st our hours have changed to accommodate the early birds.

Tuesday through Thursday we open from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm
Friday and Saturday we open from 4:00 pm until 10:30 pm
**We are open later for drinks and desserts**

We will be closed for a family holiday from December 22nd to January 1st. We will reopen January 2nd at 5:00 pm.

Until then join us for some Christmas cheer!
From our family to yours, have a Blessed and beautiful season.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

Our first visit to Yesterday’s will certainly not be our last! We highly recommend dining at Yesterday’s…delicious food, friendly atmosphere, and wonderful service! Thank you !!

Cascade

4.8

4.8 (331)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

South Bend

About the restaurant

South Bend’s newest dining destination, Cascade, showcases fresh seafood, shellfish towers and prime steaks. Featuring signature cocktails, craft beer and an extensive wine program with over 400 selections. Floor to ceiling windows provide unparalleled views of the St. Joseph River. Modern yet understated décor, open kitchen and wood fired hearth are the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening. Join us on our large river side patio and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Cascade waterfall, Keepers of the Fire sculpture and river lights, or dine at our custom-built bar: with every seat enjoying uninterrupted views of the water. Private dining for groups of 8-50 people

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

Celebrated our niece’s 22nd birthday last night at cascade. Everyone’s meal was delicious! The service was wonderful and we all left fully satisfied.

Cafe Navarre

4.7

4.7 (2814)

$31 to $50

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Specializing in modern American cuisine, fresh seafood, and USDA prime steaks, Cafe Navarre is celebrating its 12th year in historic downtown South Bend. Located in a bank building in the heart of our city with the fusion of Old World architecture, natural light, and the contemporary furnishings. Join us for dinner or enjoy a cocktail in our bar or on our outdoor patio.

As a locally owned establishment, we strive for excellence in producing and serving the finest cuisine. We are excited to provide you with top-shelf service, world-class recipes, as well as local and fresh ingredients. Every part of your experience at Cafe Navarre is important to us, right down to the last detail.

Café Navarre brings you modern American cuisine with European influences, distinguished by its simplicity, flavor, and respect for ingredients. Cafe Navarre offers fresh seafood and steaks, along with dishes created with seasonal elements from local farms that are unmistakable in flavor and quality.

Top review

Catherine

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful dining experience all around, amazing service and also attention from the manager. Café Navarre is a favorite restaurant!

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4.7

4.7 (1236)

$30 and under

Italian

South Bend

About the restaurant

Our authentic Italian restaurant is full of Italian classics inspired by Carmela herself. Enjoy rich Italian favorites like homemade lasagna, chicken marsala and lake perch. Relax over a hearty meal of spaghetti and arancini or enjoy chicken parmigiana, one of our old world selections. Located right next door to our very own Macri's Italian Bakery, save room for an exquisite dessert selection! Open since 1978 and ran by the same family for 45 years. Join us at our one and only location Downtown South Bend, for the best authentic Italian!

Top review

Robert

Dined 2 days ago

Our server, Kaylie, was training a new server at the time but, that did not diminish the great service we received. I can see why she is chosen to train new servers. Our meals were delicious, as usual.

Artisan

4.7

4.7 (1278)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

The culinary team creates dishes that reflect the freshest in season ingredients. With hospitality that exceeds expectations, Artisan staff foster a space that is inviting and comfortable.

Top review

Heather

Dined 6 days ago

Food was pretty good. Micah was a wonderful server.

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Copper Rock Steakhouse - South Bend

4.7

4.7 (1121)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

South Bend

About the restaurant

Dining at Copper Rock Steakhouse is an experience like no other. Savor perfectly dry aged steaks, succulent seafood, gourmet desserts and more, paired with a selection from an award-winning wine list feature over 200 wines by the bottle and glass. Stop by the bar in Copper Rock Steakhouse for pre-dinner martinis or an after-dinner cognac. Copper Rock Steakhouse is a 21 and older dining establishment.

Top review

Edward

Dined 6 days ago

Food was awesome, as was the service, very relaxing environment.

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4.7

4.7 (379)

$30 and under

French

South Bend

About the restaurant

Brasserie 23 is a locally owned restaurant specializing in genuine French faire with a penchant for fine wine and outstanding cocktails. Driven by a passion for culinary craft and hospitality, we’re committed to creating a sensational French dining experience in the heart of the Midwest. Our restaurant is close to the University of Notre Dame, the Snite Museum of Art, Morris Performing Arts Center and the Hesburgh Memorial Library (one of the world’s largest college libraries). Brasserie 23 has been named the 2024 OpenTable Diner's Choice Winner, a true testament to its unwavering commitment to exceptional quality and service. Join us for al fresco dining on our dog-friendly patio or indulge in the beautifully decorated dining room. We look forward to welcoming you and providing a memorable dining experience.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Our server, Pilar, was very hospitable and quick to attend our needs. Her kind and friendly attitude made the experience all the best. I decided to visit for the first time for my birthday with a big party and we were all satisfied with the food! I have to say my dish “Tortilla de Patatas” and the salad was too salty for my liking but it was well made with greta seasoning. I would recommend to others and I will go back again.

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Popular dish

Steak Tartare

Ruth's Chris Steak House - South Bend

4.6

4.6 (1888)

$30 and under

American

South Bend

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a premier dining establishment renowned for its specialty in serving USDA Prime steaks. Each steak is expertly prepared and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate, ensuring a delicious and unforgettable dining experience. Located in Granger/South Bend, close to the University of Notre Dame, the Snite Museum of Art, Morris Performing Arts Center and the Hesburgh Memorial Library (one of the world's largest college libraries), Ruth's Chris Granger/South Bend has been recognized as the 2024 OpenTable Diner's Choice Winner. This is a testament to its commitment to exceptional quality and service. Whether you're a steak aficionado or simply looking for a remarkable dining experience, we invite you to join us and indulge in our award-winning cuisine.

Top review

LaQuita

Dined 6 days ago

Great food. Had a good time with family! Haven’t been to Ruth Chris in a while and everything was great! Will definitely be back

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4.6

4.6 (1317)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

South Bend

About the restaurant

LaSalle Grill, a modern American Bistro featuring steaks and chops and seafood cooked over a live hardwood fire, is born of the dream of experienced restaurateur Mark McDonnell. Like the restaurant’s namesake, noted French explorer, Robert de LaSalle, McDonnell set out to explore the uncharted waters of downtown South Bend, Indiana. LaSalle Grill has set the standard for fine dining in South Bend since 1991

LaSalle Grill is committed to providing guests with unrivaled hospitality and excellent service, great atmosphere, an award-winning wine list and, most importantly, delicious cuisine that is artfully and dramatically presented.

The Grill has been presented with the coveted AAA Four Diamond Award every year since 1996. The wine list is also exceptional with many bottles priced under $75.00. The list has also won the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence sine 2023.

Set out to explore the art of fine dining usually found only in major metropolitan cities, visit LaSalle Grill.

Top review

Steve

Dined on Feb 28, 2025

Great food great drink and great service. Steve Nani

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