Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Beach Cities

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Beach Cities? 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!

Slay Steak & Fish House

4.9

4.9 (789)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Manhattan Beach

About the restaurant

Owner and acclaimed chef David Slay brings you SLAY Steak + Fish House. The food is locally sourced, some of which comes from his very own garden in Orange County at his other restaurants, Park Ave & Il Garage. SLAY offers cast-iron cooked grass-fed beef, chops, and sustainable seafood. Wine, from his very own winery Slay Estate & Vineyard located in Santa Barbara is also sold at SLAY. The ambiance is upscale and one of a kind.

Top review

StephanieVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We chose this restuarant as a good middle destination for us (South County) and our friends coming from Calabasas. The food was delish, the service was FAST and the owner gifted us a complimentary bottle of wine. Celebrated an intimate 40th birthday there - was perfect.

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Experience

Caviar Stuffed Martinis

Experience

Galentine's Wine Flights

Palmilla Hermosa Beach Cocina Y Tequila

4.8

4.8 (895)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

For birthdays, anniversaries or large parties, please call our Events Manager, Anjel at 310 977 7939 or email at reservations@palmillahb.com

Palmilla Hermosa Beach Cocina Y Tequila, an upscale chef driven restaurant, delivers regionally influenced gourmet Mexican food, engaging service, hand-crafted cocktails, and the best selection of premium tequilas in the South Bay. Located steps away from the Pacific ocean on the Hermosa Beach promenade, guests will enjoy an elegant market-fresh menu. The innovative space, designed by G+ Gulla Jonsdottir Designs, transports guests to a Mexican resort complete with a cozy heated patio, unique white stone walls surrounding an intimate dining room, and a stunning marble counter-top at the full service bar.

Top review

Nicole

Dined on 2 Mar 2025

Server was great ! Food was even better ! Reservation definitely a must isn’t crazy packed but to guarantee good seating.

Steak & Whisky

4.8

4.8 (1089)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

Steak & Whisky is a decidedly Californian take on the American Tavern featuring classic American dishes with a modern twist.
Join us for nightly dinner or weekend happy hour, a cozy night out with friends or simply a weeknight meal, Steak & Whisky brings exceptional ingredients and attention to detail to every dining experience.

Each cut of meat has been hand-selected from a single-source herd of cattle to give you the highest quality meat available. Smoked Pork Meatballs, S&W Dry Aged Burger, as well as a selection of quality steaks.

Enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail, 100 plus curated whiskey list, or one of our many by-the-glass wines, a selection from our chef-driven menu, and the cozy ambiance of our intimate dining room. Signature dishes include our Seared Scallops, Butter-Poached Whole Lobster, and our hand-selected steaks, including the Tomahawk, Filet Mignon, and Prime Porterhouse.

*Table Time Limits Enforced*
1-2 people: 1.5hours
3-4 people: 2hours
5+ people: 2.5hours

Top review

Karen

Dined on 25 Feb 2025

Perfect way for hubby and I to celebrate our Anniversary!! We hank you

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4.8

4.8 (894)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

Zane's offers fresh, simple dishes inspired by world flavors, innovative design, and a vibrant full bar.

On the corner of Pier and Hermosa Avenues in the heart of downtown Hermosa Beach, Zane’s dishes range from $11 to $49 and include such signature items as an Ahi Tuna Tartar over crispy wontons and avocado. Serving steaks cooked to perfection in an 1800 degree broiler and served with a choice of two sides; Zane's offers the freshest seafood available prepared to order, and a cioppino served in a zesty tomato broth with a combination of the freshest seafood and shellfish available.

Zane’s dessert menu boasts a warm cinnamon sugar churro, topped with vanilla bean gelato. Zane’s is open daily for dinner.

Please note: Any large party over 12 guests have a $750.00 Food and Beverage minimum. Privite loft available upon request. Zane's also offers set menu options for larger groups. Please email info@zanesrestaurant.com to inquire.

Top review

Judy

Dined 7 days ago

Zane’s truly is a neighborhood gem. Food and service is always excellent!!

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Popular dish

SH CRISPY BRUSSEL SPROUTS

Gabi James

4.8

4.8 (1025)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Redondo Beach

About the restaurant

Spanish & Coastal French Food in coastal Riviera Village.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL TABLES ARE RESERVED FOR 2 HOURS FROM YOUR RESERVATION TIME OR THE TIME YOU ARE SEATED, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.

WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU DRESS WARMLY AS IT CAN BE CHILLY.

WE SERVE INSIDE & OUTSIDE BUT DO NOT GUARANTEE SPECIFIC SECTIONS.

RESERVATIONS WILL BE HELD FOR 10 MINUTES, UNLESS WE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED & EXPRESSED OUR ABILITY TO HOLD IT LONGER.

Spanish & Coastal French Food in coastal Riviera Village.

Gabi James is now open for OUTDOOR & INDOOR DINING service while continuing all our TAKE-OUT options as well. For information on what we are doing to make the safety of our team & our guests is our biggest priority, please visit https://www.gabijamesla.com/covid-19-response/.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

All the items we ordered were delicious. We will be back for dinner in the near future.

bashi at Terranea Resort

4.7

4.7 (683)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Asian

Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates

About the restaurant

Enjoy inventive ‘wok’-style dishes inspired by classic Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian recipes, weaving simple, fresh ingredients into flavorful creations. bashi also offers a selection of freshly handmade rolls. Sit back and sip artisanal concoctions, sample from an extensive sake list, and enjoy specialty wines and an unrivaled selection of Asian beers.

Please find menu here: https://www.terranea.com/dining/bashi/menus

Top review

veraVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Every bite was excellent, beautiful ambience, and great service. Will keep coming back here for more!

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Popular dish

Lobster Fried Rice

Popular dish

Whiskey Miso Bread Pudding

Experience

Social Grilling

Swan Thai Rpv

4.7

4.7 (60)

$30 and under

Thai

Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates

About the restaurant

Swan Thai RPV Restaurant, in Rancho Palos Verdes, crafts a tantalizing and refined selection of authentic Thai cuisine served in a friendly and sophisticated setting. The marinated shrimp lady fingers fried in spring rolls and served with sweet and sour sauce and the crispy garlic wings served atop broccoli and carrots make incredible starter options. Swan Thai RPV Restaurant's specialty dishes include the tantalizing curry with chunks of filet mignon, potato and peanuts in mild curry sauce, the crispy exotic sole fish in chili sauce with fried basil and the paradise fried rice blended with chicken, shrimp, cashew, pineapple and egg. If noodles are what you crave, Swan Thai RPV Restaurant has delicious choices, such as the crispy noodles with vegetables and gravy and the BBQ pork with egg noodles.For a sweet finish, enjoy the sweet sticky rice with coconut ice cream with a creamy Thai iced tea.

Top review

Ian

Dined on 27 Feb 2025

Honey fish and bottom salad was very salty. Calamari was only 8 pcs. Not worth it.

BOA Steakhouse - Manhattan Beach

4.7

4.7 (331)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Manhattan Beach

About the restaurant

Simply put, BOA is unlike any other steakhouse. We reinvented the traditional American steakhouse to fashion a distinctly unique dining experience. That experience is bold, modern and innovative. From the seductively stylish interior to the dry-aged prime steaks, BOA’s vibrant ambiance is as alluring as the cuisine itself.

Top review

Edward

Dined 5 days ago

Oz our server was amazing. The food was great. An overall great evening.

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Popular dish

Goat Cheese Baklava

Dash Dashi Sushi and Sake Bar

4.7

4.7 (100)

$30 and under

Sushi

Manhattan Beach

About the restaurant

We're an upscale casual sushi restaurant and pride ourselves to serve only premium fresh ingredients to customers. With a dedication to carefully hand-selected live and fresh fish as well as other seafood items every morning, you'll find the finest sushi with friendly vibe only one block from Manhattan Beach Pier.

Other than our wide selection of regular menu, we also offer seasonal seafood dishes and Omakase sushi-sashimi course that are prepared by our highly skilled sushi chefs.

We also offer BOGO 50% OFF Special Rolls, 15% Off Wine, Sake & Shochu, Up to $4 Off Beer. Dine in only. Exclude holidays. LUNCH: Mon - Fri 11.30am - 3pm and HAPPY HOUR: Mon - Fri 5pm - 6pm and Sat - Sun 3pm - 5pm. Cozy dining tables, sushi bar and wet bar are available to accommodate your parties. Book your table today.

Top review

ReginaVIP

Dined on 17 Feb 2025

Good casual spot. Sushi was absolutely amazing melt in your mouth. Sat at the bar and everyone was just fantastic! Very good, no frills , fantastic sushi spot!

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Experience

Lunch & Happy Hour BOGO 50% Off Special Rolls

Tapville Social- Hawthorne

4.2

4.2 (27)

$30 and under

American

Hawthorne / Gardena

About the restaurant

A socially-driven dining experience celebrating the people and places that make us say "Cheers!". The perfect escape to create fun and memorable moments with friends. From our creative cocktail flights and pairings to our self-pour wine and beer walls, Tapville Social removes the obstacles of the restaurant experience and puts you in control of the journey.

Top review

Kim

Dined 5 days ago

Food was amazing and the offered endless drink possibilities. Would definitely recommend giving them a try. I will be coming back soon

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Experience

Boozy Brunch with Iced Coffee Flights

Experience

$12 Lucky Leprechaun Cocktail Flight Night

Experience

Margarita & Taco Flight Tuesday - $9 Taco Flights

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