Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in East LA

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in East LA? 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!

Dal Rae

4.8

4.8 (6517)

$31 to $50

American

Pico Rivera

About the restaurant

The Dal Rae is the Southern California restaurant where 1950s classics still reign. Lobster Thermidor, Pepper Steak, Chateaubriand, Prime Rib, Fresh Fish, Lamb Chops, Steak Diane and Cherries Jubilee prepared tableside are among more than 100 items on a truly retro menu, complete with some of the city's best martinis. Opened in 1958, the Dal Rae has maintained its original atmosphere, too, right down to a piano bar with live entertainment. And, most important, it has preserved a tradition otherwise found only in private clubs -- knowing its customers by name and treating them like the most important people in the whole wide world. The Dal Rae is located close to the 5 freeway and half-way between LA County, Orange County and The Valley. It is a perfect location for business meetings or entertaining friends and family.

Top review

MelanieGold

Dined 1 day ago

We had a lovely dinner at Dal Rae celebrating my husband Mike’s birthday! He said the famous filet mignon pepper steak was absolutely delicious, and I loved the teriyaki tidbits. Even the bread and butter was amazing! The superb chocolate cake was the perfect finish to a wonderful evening. A great place to celebrate a special occasion!

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Popular dish

Fresh Chilean Sea Bass A la Ben

Popular dish

Dal Rae Caesar Salad (For Two)

Popular dish

Dal Rae Caesar Salad for Two

Stevens Steak & Seafood House

4.7

4.7 (813)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Commerce

About the restaurant

It was just yesterday when we opened our doors. If Yesterday was October of 1952.

Steven's is America's premier traditional steakhouse. We are committed to providing you with outstanding hospitality and serving you the best steaks. Our acclaimed wine list, rich ambiance and personal wait-service are designed to provide you with a truly memorable steakhouse experience.

We also have another side of personality. Our lounge is alive with the hottest sounds of Salsa and many other Latin vibes. I

In addition, we have seven private dining rooms for that perfect quiet evening. Whether you are planning a business dinner, graduation, wedding, anniversary, rehearsal dinner, birthday or a large corporate meeting, we will satisfy your needs in a friendly and professional manner. Steven's steakhouse Gift Cards are the perfect gift for every steak lover. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

Beatriz

Dined on 10 Oct 2026

Very attentive servers and staff. Food was delicious. Went for my mother’s birthday

Panda Inn - La Palma

4.7

4.7 (163)

$30 and under

Chinese

La Palma

About the restaurant

Panda Inn embodies the pursuit of a better life for all, built together one dish and one guest at a time. As “The Original Chinese Kitchen,” it blends classic American Chinese favorites with authentic flavors inspired by the restaurant’s first chef, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, and his roots in Yangzhou, Taiwan, and Japan. It is where heritage meets innovation, and the warmth of family embraces you with every bite.

This is Panda Inn. Welcome to our home.

Top review

Gus

Dined on 9 Oct 2026

★★★★★ Lunch That Hit Every Note Every dish at this lunch was a standout. The Sizzling Rice Soup got things started with real drama: the crispy rice crackles the moment it hits the hot broth, and the soup underneath was savory and comforting, loaded with tender vegetables. The Honey Walnut Shrimp was the star. The shrimp were plump and perfectly fried in a light, crisp coating, finished with a creamy, sweet honey glaze and candied walnuts that added a great crunch. The Cashew Chicken balanced things out nicely. The chicken was tender, the cashews were fresh and crunchy, and the savory sauce had just enough depth to keep every bite interesting. The Orange Chicken delivered that classic sweet-tangy punch with a bright citrus flavor. The pieces stayed crispy even under the sauce, which is not easy to pull off. The flavors and textures worked beautifully together, from crispy to creamy to savory to tangy. Portions were generous, everything arrived hot and fresh, and I left happily full. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

19seventy Lascari's Italian

4.6

4.6 (373)

$31 to $50

Italian

La Habra

About the restaurant

Family-owned since 1970, 19seventy Lascari's Italian is a modern Italian restaurant and bar in Whittier, California, inspired by the owners’ Italian grandparents. Combining time-honored traditions with creative cuisine and expertly crafted cocktails, 19seventy offers an unforgettable dining experience for food lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike.

Signature dishes include table-side Short Rib Pappardelle, twirled in a Parmesan cheese wheel and finished with Alfredo sauce; Neapolitan pizza baked in-house in a brick oven; Wagyu meatballs; baked rigatoni; and tiramisu.

Our skilled mixologists create custom martinis, including the Melontini with a smoke bubble to top it off, Espresso Martini, Il Padrino—an Old Fashioned-inspired cocktail—and Dragonfruit Martini.

The star of our menu is the Short Rib Pappardelle, where perfectly cooked pasta, braised short rib, creamy Alfredo sauce, and Parmesan come together in a tableside experience that marries tradition with creativity.

Top review

Carmen

Dined 6 days ago

Great food, outstanding service from the entire staff, so friendly and welcoming. Charcuterie board was delicious with good cheese and meats, with pistachios and fresh berries. Excellent martinis and old fashioned made with great Ocean whiskey.

Story Whittier

4.6

4.6 (229)

$30 and under

American

Whittier

About the restaurant

Anaheim's Hottest Restaurant comes to Whittier!

At STORY, inspiration isn’t just a goal—it’s a promise. Maybe it’s the bold, unapologetic flavors of our pizzas or the inventive twists in our craft cocktails. Perhaps it’s the ambiance that wraps you up and makes you feel... something. Or maybe it’s the company you keep around the table that makes it all unforgettable.

So, sit back and let our service do more than just serve—let them captivate you with the stories behind our dishes, the magic in our drinks, and the passion of our owner, who dreamed up this space just so you could add your own story to ours.

Top review

Evelyn

Dined 3 days ago

Beautiful place for tea. Great food and service. Also is regular, separate dining. Themes in tea section change monthly. Must try if you enjoy delectable goodies with your tea. Very generous, had to take some home.

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Backstory 85' - Speakeasy

Los Amores de Julia - Pico Rivera

4.2

4.2 (768)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Pico Rivera

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!Welcome to Los Amores De Julia, an enchanting Mexican culinary haven meticulously crafted by Chef Misael Guerrero. Step into a world where flavors dance, and every dish tells a tale of Mexico's rich gastronomic heritage. Named after the chef's cherished muse, Julia, the restaurant offers an immersive journey through the diverse landscapes of Mexican cuisine.

At Los Amores De Julia, every plate is a work of art, a testament to Chef Guerrero's passion for authentic flavors and innovative techniques. Drawing inspiration from regional traditions, each dish is a harmonious blend of heritage and innovation. From the fiery salsas of Oaxaca to the delicate moles of Puebla, every bite takes you on a sensory exploration of Mexico's culinary soul.

Top review

Harry

Dined today

10/10 experience! Everything about this place was amazing, from the food and drinks to the atmosphere and live mariachi! The mariachi was incredible and really made the whole experience that much better. The food was delicious, the drinks were on point, and the service was honestly some of the best I’ve had. Huge shoutout to our server Sebastian! He went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of the entire night. Super attentive, friendly, and always checking in on us without us ever having to ask for anything. You can tell he genuinely cares about providing great service. Sebastian definitely made our experience even better! If you come here, I highly recommend asking for him. Definitely a place I’ll be coming back to!

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Experience

Margarita Wednesday!! 2X1 All Day!!

Experience

TACO TUESDAY!!!

Experience

Margarita Flight Thursday!!

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Downey

4.2

4.2 (46)

$30 and under

American

Downey / Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

Tracy

Dined on 18 Sept 2026

Salmon dish (grilled) with steamed broccoli and subbed baked potato was excellent. The hubs had the beef dip. It was tasty, but a little too salty for our taste buds. The highlight of the evening was our fantastic server, Ronny. He was knowledgeable about the menu, restaurant and the surrounding neighborhood. A very delightful young man who was engaging and "spot on" with his service to our table. We gave a generous tip and encourage the management to give this enterprising young man a promotion!

Rokka Grill and Whiskey Bar - Whittier

4.0

4 (283)

$31 to $50

American

Whittier

About the restaurant

Rokka Whiskey Bar has one of the largest collections of Scoth, Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt and Whiskey in uptown Whittier! Take a trip to Japan, Scotland, Australia, and even India with pours that will surprise you even for the most seasoned of Whiskey enthusiasts. Well Crafted Cocktails and Crafted Culinary experience.

Top review

Armando

Dined on 11 Oct 2026

Our experience was great. The food was amazing & delicious. Our server, Rick, was great and the manager, Frank, they both took care of well. Always making sure we had everything we needed and they were both helpful all night. Can't wait to go back.

NYX Whittier

4.0

4 (46)

$30 and under

American

Whittier

About the restaurant

Welcome to NYX- A bold take on modern American cuisine in the heart of Uptown Whittier. Our menu brings comfort food into a new era with perfectly curated dishes with elevated flavors and inventive presentations, All served in a stylish trend-forward space designated to stand out. From our curated craft cocktails to the unforgettable dinner experience we delivered daily. Come dressed to turn heads- An unforgettable night awaits!

Top review

Laura

Dined 6 days ago

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had an absolutely wonderful dining experience last night! The service was exceptional from start to finish, and the food was delicious. The staff was attentive, welcoming, and made sure we had a fantastic evening. Everything exceeded our expectations. Truly a memorable experience, and I look forward to returning. Highly recommend!

Benihana - Downey, CA

4.0

4 (6124)

$30 and under

Japanese

Downey / Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs

About the restaurant

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

To make your experience even more rewarding, don’t miss out on our new loyalty program, Friends With Benefits! Instantly unlock member status and get a free appetizer reward to enjoy during your next dining visit. Register today by visiting our website or ask your server for more details.

Top review

danyelle

Dined on 13 Oct 2026

Great food still after all these years. The truffle butter addition on the menu was a great treat to try.

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