9 Dallas restaurants perfect for special occasions

Dress up for this chic and celebration-ready Italian spot. It’s steered by chef and owner Danny Grant, who once led Chicago’s RIA to two MICHELIN-star status. At Monarch, he serves wood-fired delicacies from the hearth. The pasta is housemade, the cocktails are expertly crafted, and diners get the best view of downtown in the city: Monarch is perched on the 49th floor of the National skyscraper and wrapped by windows for an occasion-worthy 360-degree look at Dallas.

This long-standing seafood spot is quaint, elegant, and a go-to for intimate anniversary dinners. Though celebration meals usually mean crab remoulade and grilled Texas Gulf red snapper, Café Pacific is also a hidden gem for excellent steak, like pepper-crusted prime filet. Beautiful service—attentive, but never stuffy—completes the flawless fine-dining experience. Don’t miss the restaurant’s signature dessert, a toasted pecan-encrusted ball of vanilla bean ice cream with housemade chocolate sauce and an almond tuile.

Just off Deep Ellum’s beaten path, this new Italian-inspired steakhouse aces the ambiance test, making it perfect for anniversaries or special romantic evenings. Mood lighting, cozy booths, jewel tones, and one of the most beautiful bars in Dallas set the sexy scene. As do sumptuous mains like dry-aged wagyu New York strip glazed with a silky béarnaise sauce. Bonus points for oyster and caviar hour (expect discounted apps, bubbles, and craft cocktails) which happens daily at the bar and lounge from 5 pm to 6 pm.

The menu at executive chef Katsutoshi Sakamoto’s intimate and authentic Japanese restaurant is an ode to robata, a precise way of grilling over natural oak charcoal. From okra to artichokes to whole squid—ingredients you wouldn’t necessarily think to throw on the grill— the food is surprising and delicious, fueling a unique experience for an extra-special night. The sushi also stands out, and so do six kinds of toast-friendly Japanese whisky.

Chef Kenny Bowers, owner of five popular Dallas restaurants, grills everything to perfection at this bustling, occasion-friendly bistro, including oysters, asparagus, and burgers. Thanks to warm hospitality, a solid wine list, and a willingness to prepare any dish to your specs, Kenny’s draws plenty of revelers. The most famous part of the menu is the seafood, and the wood-grilled redfish, served with crab, shrimp, and creamy spinach is a must. The motto at this celebratory culinary staple? “Every day’s a holiday and every meal’s a feast.”

At chef Kevin Ashade’s sophisticated Garland restaurant, made for group celebrations or special date nights, even the sides stand out. Case in point: crowds can’t get enough of the collard greens stewed in African spices with smoked turkey. The kitchen is a pro at shareable Cajun standbys like seafood gumbo and blackened catfish, plus international treats like jerk-roasted lamb shank. Ashade won “Beat Bobby Flay” with a coq au vin recipe in 2016, and lucky for you and your big night out, that’s on the menu, too.

Restaurateur Al Biernat opened this Oak Lawn steakhouse in 1988, and it’s only gotten better throughout the years, earning all sorts of culinary cred. Known for celeb sightings, a super impressive wine list (at nearly 700 bottles, it’s one of the largest in Dallas), and world-class steak and seafood, the restaurant is a special-occasion classic. In addition to chophouse faithfuls, there are unique dishes like Japanese horseradish-crusted halibut. Don’t skip a pre-dinner drink at the bar, where a mesmerizing glass art-inspired painting spans the domed ceiling.

Dreamy cushions and lanterns add a transportive vibe to your night out at this Lebanese and Moroccan spot. Baboush is the brainchild of restaurateur Yaser Khalaf (of Darna Euro-Mediterranean Market in Plano) and just as great for early-in-the-game dates as it is for an easygoing birthday celebration. The restaurant is adored for kebabs and tagines, though the mezze platter gets special-occasion MVP status for having a little something for everyone. Share hummus, baba ganoush, and harissa labneh with friends, and be whisked away to the other side of the world.

This Southwestern icon in the Ritz-Carlton pulls out all the celebration stops, from a pristine open kitchen to powerhouse chef Dean Fearing’s renowned tortilla soup. Fearing’s is known as a sought-after backdrop for popping the question, but it’s also a go-to for a birthday brunch with friends or a celebratory cocktail at the Rattlesnake Bar. The menu offers a mix of innovative dishes like achiote-glazed antelope served with a braised rabbit enchilada, plus locally inspired comfort foods. More likely than not, Fearing himself will pop by your table in his cowboy boots to say hi.