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A piece of chocolate cake with multiple layers and gold foil on top sits on a white plate.
The Society Cake at Crown Block is the a great way to top off any celebration.
Kathy Tran

13 Dallas Restaurants Perfect for Celebrating Special Occasions

The city’s best restaurants for birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, and other big deal dinners

by Courtney E. Smith Updated
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The Society Cake at Crown Block is the a great way to top off any celebration.
| Kathy Tran
by Courtney E. Smith Updated

When it comes time to celebrate a big promotion, a milestone birthday, or just an exciting Tuesday, there’s nothing better than a special dinner. What does that look like? It could mean an upscale steak spot, a rowdy dining room with excellent Mexican food, or an intimate dinner over sushi.

Whatever you’re looking to celebrate, these Dallas restaurants boast excellent eats, delicious desserts, and a welcoming vibe perfect for occasions worth celebrating.

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Salum Restaurant

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After its grand reopening in June, chef Abraham Salum’s restaurant is back as a destination for a grand night out. His seasonal menu changes often and is congruent with expectations for a white tablecloth spot — ribeyes, rack of lamb, and veal osso buco are frequently seen options. One neat feature for picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions is a build-your-own-burger option that includes gluten-free buns and a vegan patty.

4152 Cole Ave # 103, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 252-9604
(214) 252-9604

Also featured in:

Maison Chinoise

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Everything in the city’s newest fine-dining Chinese restaurant is splashy, but to make an impression, order the Mandarin Fields dessert. It is served on top of a smoking bamboo steamer and is a Grand Marnier cake with white chocolate ganache, orange compote, green tea sponge, chocolate green tea soil, and an orange marinated in plum wine.

4152 Cole Ave #106, Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 851-2222
(469) 851-2222

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Quarter Acre

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This Lowest Greenville restaurant is a gorgeous spot for a special evening with just the right lighting to be romantic. The menu is tight and runs the gamut with over-the-top dishes and more down-to-earth seasonal options. It’s an excellent place to orchestrate a splashy, showy dinner if that’s the vibe of the celebration or enjoy a night of good service and great food. 

2023 Greenville Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 647-1616
(214) 647-1616

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Petra and the Beast

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Adventurous eaters should plan a night out in Petra’s new Lakewood location. For a more social night, ask for a few seats at the bar or go to the chef’s counter, where chatting with the folks making your meal is guaranteed. If you’ve got a big party, there’s a large table available and even a private dining room for big groups. It’s beautiful, and the menu is a work of art.

1901 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75214
(214) 484-2326
(214) 484-2326

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The Mansion Bar

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Sure, there’s a celebratory time to be had at Rosewood Mansion’s restaurant, but the real move is going to the bar for a distinctly Dallas experience. It’s funkier and looser, with bands many evenings and even an elusive martini special on Monday nights. The art is distinctly Texan, and the crowd that shows up is a cross-section of the city. Selections from the dining room menu are available, along with some of the city’s most incredible vibes.

2821 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 443-4747
(214) 443-4747

Also featured in:

The Old Warsaw

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This French steakhouse is an excellent option for large groups that want a private dining room — it has spaces for groups of up to 40 and 100. The menu is classic steakhouse: lobster Thermidor, caviar, and tableside flaming cherries jubilee — plus steaks, obviously. 

2512 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 528-0032
(214) 528-0032

Also featured in:

Stillwell's

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The low lights and moody decor in this room make it the spot for an anniversary or special date night. The steak and fish options are both excellent and luxurious. Make it a night and linger at the bar at Stillwell’s for a cocktail and appetizer first, then head downstairs to Babou’s to extend the evening. And don’t miss a selfie with Big Tex by the elevators.

2575 McKinnon St, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 405-1911
(469) 405-1911

Also featured in:

Town Hearth

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For rowdier celebrations by maximalists, the rock and roll atmosphere of Nick Badovinus’s Town Hearth is the jam. This surf and turf spot has the extensive menu of an old-school steakhouse, over-the-top decor, and the spirit of a good time written in its bones.

1617 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 761-1617
(214) 761-1617

Also featured in:

Fearing's Restaurant

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Known for large plates of lavish Texas cuisine, Chef Dean Fearing’s restaurant inside the Ritz-Carlton is showy. But there’s quality in every dish, and the outdoor seating area is big, like Texas. Grab some sips from the Rattlesnake Bar, then feast on Fearing’s famous tortilla soup, steak, or fish.

2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 922-4848
(214) 922-4848

Also featured in:

Tei-An

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Ask anyone in Dallas for a recommendation on where to eat sushi, and they’ll likely say Tei-An. But it specializes in soba noodle dishes, as well as omakase. Whether opting for an intimate table for two and glasses of Japanese whiskey or seats at the sushi bar and letting the chefs select bites for you, an evening here will feel very special.

1722 Routh St #110, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 220-2828
(214) 220-2828

Also featured in:

El Carlos Elegante

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Planning a rowdy celebration? This is the place to have it. The main room is always loud and fun, while a somewhat more intimate experience can be had on the back porch or the front room with a hypnotic fireplace. The menu is all about a shared experience, so it’s easy to please a crowd with lots of different types of bites of Mexican food.

1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 277-1800
(214) 277-1800

Also featured in:

Tatsu Dallas

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Plan if you want to commemorate a special event at Tatsu because reservations at this 10-person omakase service spot are difficult to come by. It’s an elevated experience, from the service to the treatment of the food, that will leave a lasting impression.

3309 Elm St ste 120, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 271-7710
(469) 271-7710

Also featured in:

Crown Block

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The restaurant in Dallas’s most iconic location, the top of Reunion Tower, is a go-to special occasion option. It’s easy to order a full-on special event meal with steak, all the fixings, sushi, dessert, and drinks with the budget for a splurge. But for special on a budget, go for a few sharable dishes and a piece of Society Cake, which is massive and made to be shared. 

300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 321-3149
(214) 321-3149

Also featured in:

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Salum Restaurant

4152 Cole Ave # 103, Dallas, TX 75204

After its grand reopening in June, chef Abraham Salum’s restaurant is back as a destination for a grand night out. His seasonal menu changes often and is congruent with expectations for a white tablecloth spot — ribeyes, rack of lamb, and veal osso buco are frequently seen options. One neat feature for picky eaters or those with dietary restrictions is a build-your-own-burger option that includes gluten-free buns and a vegan patty.

4152 Cole Ave # 103, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 252-9604
(214) 252-9604

Maison Chinoise

4152 Cole Ave #106, Dallas, TX 75204

Everything in the city’s newest fine-dining Chinese restaurant is splashy, but to make an impression, order the Mandarin Fields dessert. It is served on top of a smoking bamboo steamer and is a Grand Marnier cake with white chocolate ganache, orange compote, green tea sponge, chocolate green tea soil, and an orange marinated in plum wine.

4152 Cole Ave #106, Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 851-2222
(469) 851-2222

Quarter Acre

2023 Greenville Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75206

This Lowest Greenville restaurant is a gorgeous spot for a special evening with just the right lighting to be romantic. The menu is tight and runs the gamut with over-the-top dishes and more down-to-earth seasonal options. It’s an excellent place to orchestrate a splashy, showy dinner if that’s the vibe of the celebration or enjoy a night of good service and great food. 

2023 Greenville Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 647-1616
(214) 647-1616

Petra and the Beast

1901 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75214

Adventurous eaters should plan a night out in Petra’s new Lakewood location. For a more social night, ask for a few seats at the bar or go to the chef’s counter, where chatting with the folks making your meal is guaranteed. If you’ve got a big party, there’s a large table available and even a private dining room for big groups. It’s beautiful, and the menu is a work of art.

1901 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75214
(214) 484-2326
(214) 484-2326

The Mansion Bar

2821 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219

Sure, there’s a celebratory time to be had at Rosewood Mansion’s restaurant, but the real move is going to the bar for a distinctly Dallas experience. It’s funkier and looser, with bands many evenings and even an elusive martini special on Monday nights. The art is distinctly Texan, and the crowd that shows up is a cross-section of the city. Selections from the dining room menu are available, along with some of the city’s most incredible vibes.

2821 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 443-4747
(214) 443-4747

The Old Warsaw

2512 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

This French steakhouse is an excellent option for large groups that want a private dining room — it has spaces for groups of up to 40 and 100. The menu is classic steakhouse: lobster Thermidor, caviar, and tableside flaming cherries jubilee — plus steaks, obviously. 

2512 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 528-0032
(214) 528-0032

Stillwell's

2575 McKinnon St, Dallas, TX 75201

The low lights and moody decor in this room make it the spot for an anniversary or special date night. The steak and fish options are both excellent and luxurious. Make it a night and linger at the bar at Stillwell’s for a cocktail and appetizer first, then head downstairs to Babou’s to extend the evening. And don’t miss a selfie with Big Tex by the elevators.

2575 McKinnon St, Dallas, TX 75201
(469) 405-1911
(469) 405-1911

Town Hearth

1617 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

For rowdier celebrations by maximalists, the rock and roll atmosphere of Nick Badovinus’s Town Hearth is the jam. This surf and turf spot has the extensive menu of an old-school steakhouse, over-the-top decor, and the spirit of a good time written in its bones.

1617 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 761-1617
(214) 761-1617

Fearing's Restaurant

2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

Known for large plates of lavish Texas cuisine, Chef Dean Fearing’s restaurant inside the Ritz-Carlton is showy. But there’s quality in every dish, and the outdoor seating area is big, like Texas. Grab some sips from the Rattlesnake Bar, then feast on Fearing’s famous tortilla soup, steak, or fish.

2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 922-4848
(214) 922-4848

Tei-An

1722 Routh St #110, Dallas, TX 75201

Ask anyone in Dallas for a recommendation on where to eat sushi, and they’ll likely say Tei-An. But it specializes in soba noodle dishes, as well as omakase. Whether opting for an intimate table for two and glasses of Japanese whiskey or seats at the sushi bar and letting the chefs select bites for you, an evening here will feel very special.

1722 Routh St #110, Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 220-2828
(214) 220-2828

El Carlos Elegante

1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

Planning a rowdy celebration? This is the place to have it. The main room is always loud and fun, while a somewhat more intimate experience can be had on the back porch or the front room with a hypnotic fireplace. The menu is all about a shared experience, so it’s easy to please a crowd with lots of different types of bites of Mexican food.

1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 277-1800
(214) 277-1800

Tatsu Dallas

3309 Elm St ste 120, Dallas, TX 75226

Plan if you want to commemorate a special event at Tatsu because reservations at this 10-person omakase service spot are difficult to come by. It’s an elevated experience, from the service to the treatment of the food, that will leave a lasting impression.

3309 Elm St ste 120, Dallas, TX 75226
(469) 271-7710
(469) 271-7710

Crown Block

300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207

The restaurant in Dallas’s most iconic location, the top of Reunion Tower, is a go-to special occasion option. It’s easy to order a full-on special event meal with steak, all the fixings, sushi, dessert, and drinks with the budget for a splurge. But for special on a budget, go for a few sharable dishes and a piece of Society Cake, which is massive and made to be shared. 

300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 321-3149
(214) 321-3149

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