Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Long Beach / Catalina

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Long Beach / Catalina? 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!

Trani's Dockside Station

4.9

4.9 (218)

$31 to $50

Seafood

San Pedro

About the restaurant

Trani’s Dockside, is a new waterside restaurant launched by one of the port town’s best known restaurant families. The restaurant was able to hold a soft grand opening on May 16, the 98th anniversary of the opening of the original Trani’s Majestic Cafe that opened in 1925 in downtown San Pedro.

Top review

Vicky

Dined 6 days ago

Our server was polite and kind. She explained all the items in detail and made great suggestions. Everything was delicious! I highly recommend Trani's Dockside Station!

Queensview Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (1701)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Queensview Steakhouse, located on the third floor of Parkers' Lighthouse, is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings from 5-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday evenings from 5-10 p.m.

The Queensview Steakhouse serves upscale Southern California cuisine and features Prime steaks, chops, lobster, and fresh grilled seafood.

Listen to the sounds of local jazz artists --nightly-- This venue offers a 360 degree view and is arguably one of the most romantic rooms in Southern California.

Top review

Bob

Dined 5 days ago

The staff was cheerful and helpful. The food was great. The view of the Queen Mary all decorated up for Christmas lived up to its name. Our water, Alex, was great.

Tokyo Noir

4.8

4.8 (48)

$30 and under

Speakeasy

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Tucked behind El Barrio Cantina in Long Beach, Tokyo Noir is an intimate 25-seat speakeasy with a side-alley entrance and world-class cocktail program, co-concepted by restaurateur/founder Jesse Duron and acclaimed mixologist Kevin Lee. As the only certified Ice Master outside of Japan, Lee has created a cocktail menu at Tokyo Noir that will make it a destination for serious bar culture fans, who want to experience the art and craft of cocktailing. The beverages are complemented by a robust izakaya-style menu from Chef Ulises Alfaro-Piñeda, with craveable small plates that go beyond bar snack expectations. As a whole, this discreet speakeasy concept will surprise locals and impress the industry.

Food service ends 11pm Weds,Thurs, and Sun. Midnight on Fri and Sat.
If you don't see reservations we are fully booked, we do take walk-ins if people no show.
Best time to try is at 5pm or after 11pm.

Top review

Cliserio

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing experience, chill, casual and just cool. Good drinks, food is ok, highly recommend the chicken wings and edamame.

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Experience

New Year's Eve Omakase

LBCC Bistro

4.8

4.8 (39)

$30 and under

International

Lakewood / Bellflower

About the restaurant

The Bistro, run by students in Culinary Arts, offers food at a fine-dining standard and features a revolving prix fixe menu with a choice of appetizer or salad, entrée, and dessert for $20, tax included. Each week the Bistro focuses on cuisine from a different region, such as Asian, Mediterranean, Southern, Latin American or French cuisine. A vegetarian option is available.

Top review

Barbara

Dined on Nov 20, 2024

As a LBCC alumni, we looked forward to this special opportunity to come back to the campus and eat at the LBCC Bistro. We had a wonderful gourmet food experience. The Latin themed 3 course lunch was delicious. We had the yam cakes appetizer, an outstanding entree of seared white fish in a delicious chimichurra sauce, and a unique sweet tamale dessert. The staff were professional and friendly. Our server, Frank, was polite, friendly and answered all our questions. Loved watching the chefs on the big screen in the room and behind the glass window. It was a terrific experience from start to finish and we look forward to another visit in the future!

BO-beau kitchen + roof tap

4.7

4.7 (874)

$30 and under

French

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Downtown Long Beach, this casual eatery offers California-French comfort food and an urban-style "roof tap" beer garden.

Top review

Maria Cecilia

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

It’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. Tonight we celebrated two wedding anniversaries and a birthday. The service was spectacular with Andrew and food was delicious.

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Popular dish

Steak Frites

Olive and Rose

4.7

4.7 (52)

$50 and over

Bistro

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Founded by sibling duo Chef Philip Pretty and Lauren Pretty, Olive & Rose is a culinary destination born from their shared passion for exceptional food and genuine hospitality. We'v reimagined the dining experience as a neo-bistro, where classic French techniques with a twist meet vibrant flavors that are unmistakably Californian. Each dish tells a story of flavor, texture, and creativity—a reflection of Chef Philip Pretty’s entire culinary career.
From sourcing local, seasonal ingredients to minimizing food waste and reducing our environmental footprint, we’re proud to continue the sustainable dining legacy of our sister restaurant, Heritage, by incorporating green certified and green Michelin star practices into our operations.

Our dining area is a covered patio, please dress accordingly.

We are reservation only, please call if you have any difficulty booking online. We look forward to hosting you!

Top review

Robin

Dined 2 days ago

A new gem in Long Beach. A cozy and intimate atmosphere. Nestled in the newly renovated City Center motel which transports you to a different era. We had the must have bread and butter and shared the beef tartare, mussels in a delectable broth, crispy sea bass and tender steak. All delicious and offered a variety of flavors. The cocktails were well balanced, and innovative. There are also crafted non-alcoholic options. The dinning room is on the smaller size so ideal for a date night or small dinner gathering. Noise level can get on the louder side if there are groups and a full dining room given the smaller space. Only noticed a few times. Overall, a great fancy date night!

Heritage

4.6

4.6 (749)

$50 and over

Californian

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Heritage is family owned and operated by Chef Philip Pretty and sister Lauren Pretty. Our lively indoor dining room was built in 1922 as a craftsman house. Walk inside to an open kitchen, request bar seating to watch us cook over a live fire Santa Maria grill. Located in the Rose Park neighborhood of Long Beach on the corner of 7th & Saint Louis Ave. Heritage Restaurant uses sustainable meat & seafood, and Farmer's Market produce. Growing our own produce at Heritage Farm right up the street. Certified blue, green, and maintain a zero-waste kitchen. One red and green star Michelin awarded. We serve a tasting menu only. We politely decline modifications. Please specify all dietary restrictions/allergies when booking your reservation. Our menu is seasonal, and subject to daily changes. We are reservation only, please call if you have any difficulty booking online. We look forward to hosting you!

Top review

Curtis

Dined 1 day ago

Great service, great food. Pricey… but it’s a Michelin Star type deal. Will come back for new menus on special occasions!

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Long Beach

4.6

4.6 (835)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Long Beach 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

Dennis

Dined today

First time at a Ruth Chris. Outstanding place for a upscale dinner and birthday celebration. Our waitress Dee was phenomenal. Checked on us thru out and made sure we had everything we needed. Explained the menu and made suggestions. Tasted wine to find one we liked. First class. Drinks were great. What a pleasant experience when the waiter is so vested in our group having the best dinner experience possible. Shrimp cocktail , garlic mashed potatoes, T-bone steaks cooked to perfection by the marvelous cook. Mac n cheese, creamed spinach and crème brûlée with mixed berries. Everything was awesome. We will be back soon and even try their happy hour. Great service, great meal, and great management. Thank you Dennis

Sky Room

4.6

4.6 (34)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Since 1938, Sky Room has set the standard for fine dining in Long Beach. Perched atop the iconic Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, this celebrated restaurant offers sweeping views from the harbor to Downtown Los Angeles. Led by Chef Maxwell Pfeiffer, whose culinary artistry blends innovation with timeless techniques, Sky Room showcases elegant cuisine crafted with precision and passion. Guests can savor signature dishes like California Wagyu Beef Wellington, Dry Aged Duck “A l’orange”, and Pommes “Sky Room” and paired with an extensive wine list and artfully crafted cocktails.

Special features include panoramic views and a setting steeped in history, just steps from Long Beach landmarks such as the Queen Mary and Shoreline Village.

Top review

Laura

Dined 3 days ago

We were helped by David at the Skyroom and the fact that he read my note in my reservation indicating I had my wedding reception 12 years ago tells me they pay attention to details. I loved the elegant ambiance and the food was delicious and beautifully served. Well done Skyroom! Bravo! We will return many times I’m sure. Thank you for a memorable dining experience. I loved this place!! Laura Reyes.

Sunday Brunch at the Queen Mary

4.3

4.3 (336)

$50 and over

All you can eat/Buffet

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Wrapped in the elegant grandeur of the Grand Salon, the former first-class dining salon, and featuring live entertainment, the Queen Mary Royal Sunday Brunch exudes a refined and sophisticated charm, setting it apart from the ordinary. With champagne, live music, and a tantalizing signature menu sure to please even the most discerning palates, the Royal Sunday Brunch has become a Long Beach tradition that simply cannot be missed.

Top review

Phidias

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

Great food. Good service. Fun times. Will do again.

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