Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Durham? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses 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 book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bin 54 Steak & Cellar

4.8

4.8 (1829)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

To contact the restaurant directly please email info@bin54chapelhill.com

Using only the highest quality ingredients, Bin 54 elevates classic steakhouse dishes to a new level of refinement. Staged in a warm contemporary setting, diners are offered glimpses of the wood-fired grill, semi-open kitchen and the temperature controlled wine room stocked with an extensive inventory of both eclectic and traditional selections. We also offer three private dining rooms; the Wine Cellar, which seats up to 8 guests, the Aberdeen Room, which seats up to 16 guests, and the Solarium, which seats up to 30 guests. Please contact us for information on large group and private dining.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Everything was excellent. Highly recommend this restaurant. Steaks are incredible.

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Popular dish

Hanger Steak

Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Tartare

Popular dish

Banana Pudding

Vin Rouge

4.8

4.8 (4549)

$31 to $50

French

Durham

About the restaurant

Vin rouge is a French Bistro. We focus on classic preparations served in a true bistro atmosphere. We have beautiful patio and garden areas for those who prefer to dine outside. Please indicate your preference for dining inside or out. We look forward to cooking for you soon!

Top review

oscarVIP

Dined 5 days ago

approximately our 10-12th visit. An excellent, well paced meal on the (indoor) patio. "Jax" our waiter - was great, honestly, I am always impressed by the understated - he and the rest of the staff managed a busy evening with quiet panache. well done. plus he chased us down as we were leaving with our leftovers. The mussels were delicious (we should have asked for our baguette early to dip but next time!), The roast chicken and macaroni and cheese (shared - more than plenty for 2) was delicious. still our favorite in Durham!

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Popular dish

French Onion Soup Gratinée

Popular dish

Hanger Steak

Experience

New Year's Eve Celebration!

Fearrington House Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1815)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

The intimate dining rooms within The Fearrington House Restaurant welcome guests with exceptional service and a seasonally changing menu. Executive Chef Paul Gagne commitment to exceptional farm-to-fork cuisine is woven throughout the dining experience.

From partnerships with local farms, including Harland's Creek Farm in Pittsboro and Lil Farm in Timberlake, to herbs harvested from gardens on the property, to dishes that celebrate North Carolina’s seasons, The Fearrington House’s mission to provide Relais & Chateaux level cuisine and service to guests has remained constant since opening in 1980.

Our menu is complemented by a beverage program featuring an extensive wine list, a full cocktail bar, and beers celebrating North Carolina breweries.

Any Allergies and Food Preferences are to be provided in advance. If not provided, not all requests can be accommodated.

Should you not find a desired time available online, please contact the restaurant directly at 919 542 2121.

Top review

CynthiaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Such an excellent dining experience! Can’t wait to go back!

NanaSteak

4.8

4.8 (2597)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Durham

About the restaurant

NanaSteak offers high-energy upscale dining at its finest. Enjoy drinks and appetizers with friends at the beautiful and well appointed bar or dine from a menu full of local North Carolina fare. The award wining wine list offers many unique and interesting selections to compliment any meal. With an impeccable attention to detail, this is the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary evening. In short, NanaSteak is more than just Durham's finest steakhouse.

Top review

Ben

Dined 6 days ago

Likely the best steakhouse in Durham if not the triangle

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4.8

4.8 (601)

$50 and over

Japanese

Durham

About the restaurant

M Tempura is Durham's traditional Japanese tempura restaurant offering Tempura as well as Kaiseki Omakase offerings.

For the multi-course menu items, all members of your party must choose the same option please.

We currently cannot accommodate shellfish, vegetarian (egg in batter), gluten, and seafood allergies. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Top review

KrisVIP

Dined 5 days ago

love m restaurants, can't get better tempura anywhere else in the area!

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Experience

M Omakase Tasting Menu

Experience

Kaiseki Omakase Menu

Nanas

4.8

4.8 (366)

$31 to $50

American

Durham

About the restaurant

Nanas is a neighborhood restaurant in Durham, North Carolina. Helmed by Chefs Matt Kelly and Nate Garyantes, Nanas pays tribute to Nana’s, our beloved predecessor, while reimagining all of the details. Abundant, local ingredients shine on our seasonal menus, which feature dishes like Twice-Baked Grits Soufflé, Duck Ragout Tagliatelle, and the iconic Nana’s risotto alongside seasonal wood grilled whole fish, crispy lamb shoulder, and fresh-baked breads and desserts made daily in house. In our cozy bar you'll find finely executed classic cocktails and local beers, while the wine program offers upwards of 250+ labels of impeccably curated, farming-first wines. If your desired time for a reservation is not available our bar seats are open on a first come first serve basis. Call your nana, it's time to eat.

Top review

Charlie

Dined 2 days ago

The quality of the food and wines by the glass was outstanding as always though the prices and portion sizes (including pours) seemed a little disproportionate. We also enjoyed a lovely conversation with the table for two next to us and discovered a surprising number of connections. Nana's is justifiably highly rated for the amazing quality of the interesting menu choices. Our major nit to pick is the abysmal lack of parking. The prices are reasonable for a Michelin star-rated restaurant, and we think Nana's is worth considering for a star, but the prices are a bit steep without the star and without reasonable parking. Still, Nana's is a wonderful choice for a special occasion when you are willing to spend a little extra for an outstanding culinary experience.

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Experience

Valentines day 2025 at Nanas

Parizade

4.7

4.7 (3298)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Durham

About the restaurant

Parizade is Mediterranean inspired culinary creations. A vast open kitchen spans the length of the restaurant. Surreal art by Henryk Fantazos adorns the walls and ceiling. Parizade is truly the crowning jewel of Giorgios Hospitality Group. *Large parties, please call the restaurant at 919-286-9712*

Top review

Neil

Dined 3 days ago

Parizade is always a wonderful dining experience: the food, atmosphere and service are reliably excellent.

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Caviar & Truffle Dinner

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Durham

4.6

4.6 (2086)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Durham

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House in Durham is located in the Renaissance Center at Southpoint; adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn.

Whether you’re planning a casual dinner with friends, a party to celebrate, business meeting or banquet or a romantic dinner, Ruth’s Chris Steak House is the most distinctive dining destination in the area. Ruth’s Chris professional, but personable staff will make your evening a sizzling success with first class service that is attentive but never fussy.

Top review

LaLecha

Dined 2 days ago

Ruth’s Chris did not disappoint. The food and service were excellent.

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Popular dish

Sweet Potato Casserole

The Sycamore at Chatham Mills

4.6

4.6 (70)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Fine dining in a historic brick-and-wood setting with soaring ceilings and windows. Featuring hand-cut USDA prime and dry-aged steaks selected just for us. Poultry, fish, game and vegetarian dishes are offered alongside a full bar serving classic and contemporary cocktails. Enjoy the cozy ambiance of our lounge with fireplace and try out our lounge plates on Lounge Thursday, where most of our lounge offerings are $10! An a la carte menu is also offered. Live piano accompaniment Tuesday through Saturday evenings, with jazz bands performing on Wednesdays.

NOTE: For parties larger than 6 please call us at 919 704-8731. Email addresses may be used to receive occasional updates.

Top review

Kirk

Dined 4 days ago

Great place for dinner with friends, especially with live jazz music. It doesn't get any better.

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Estampa Gaucha - Raleigh

4.5

4.5 (149)

$50 and over

Brazilian Steakhouse

Durham

About the restaurant

In the extreme south of Brazil, there is a land of rich and strong rural traditions, families have been gathering on weekends, for centuries, to celebrate life around a barbecue "CHURRASCO". There they talk, laugh, dance, enjoy themselves and specialize in grilling many types of meat. Thus, the CHURRASCO became the best representation, the "Trademark" or as the Brazilians say, "ESTAMPA" of the GAÚCHO lifestyle, such Denomination is given to the inhabitants of Rio Grande do Sul, the most southern state of Brazil. Today, here at ESTAMPA GAÚCHA, with great pride, we bring you the best of our churrasco, our culture. We are looking forward to showing our hospitality and win your loyalty for the excellence of our food and services. Come and experience this reality. Make your reservation and join our family.

Top review

Denisse

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

Always such a great time here. My fiancé and I love to come here for special occasions or whenever we’re in the mood for steak. The service always exceeds my expectations and everyone is very attentive and accommodating. Highly recommend!!

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