Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in South Wales

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in South Wales? 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!

Butterflies Bar & Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (1455)

£25 and under

Steakhouse

Pontypool

About the restaurant

Multi-award winning restaurant situated in the heart of the World Heritage Town of Blaenavon.
Originally built in 1832 as the Cross Keys Hotel we have been serving the locals of Blaenavon and beyond for almost 200 years.

We are well known across South Wales for our award winning steaks and hearty portions

Voice awards - Best chef 2018
Voice awards - Best Sunday lunch 2019
Voice awards - Best steaks 2019
Welsh hospitality awards - Best Welsh restaurant 2021
Welsh restaurant awards - Best in South Wales 2023
Best commercial garden - 9 consecutive years
Best Restaurant in Wales 2024
Current Finalist Best Restaurant in Wales 2025

Top review

IanB

Dined on 27 Feb 2025

Took my stepdad for his 84 birthday and food was lovely and staff excellent. Especially want to mention Ethan who served us. Great personality and good with customers young and old! He is an asset to your business.

The Brook Bistro

4.8

4.8 (821)

£25 and under

Modern European

Cardiff

About the restaurant

All Day Dining Menu 12pm - 11pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Breakfast & Brunch 9am - 4pm Tuesday to Saturday 9am - 12pm Sunday.

Bottomless Two Course Prosecco Brunch £37.95 10am - 4pm Tuesday - Saturday.

Great Value Weekday Two Course £18.95 menu 12pm - 6pm Tuesday to Friday & 12pm till 3pm Saturday.

Our legendary Sunday Lunch Two Course £27.95 Bookings from 12pm - 4pm .

Top review

caroline

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent quality and presentation of food. Service was outstanding, high standards, waited until everyone had finished eating before clearing plates. Sat in Conservatory which was lovely. Variety and choice of food was also excellent. It was a birthday celebration, candle was placed in dessert and complimentary drink given. Definitely will return!!

Silures

4.8

4.8 (409)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Cardiff

About the restaurant

Whilst Silures is firmly rooted in Wales, benefiting from the abundance of local produce available, the all-day dining menu is inspired by the broadness and endless possibilities of Modern European cuisine.

The all-day dining menu is available from day to night, with Sunday Roast showcasing on the weekends. The bar is a bustling and non-stop space, open to all and featuring a range of crafted cocktails, draught beer and bespoke bar snacks.

Born in Roath, Cardiff, Silures is an integral part of the community not only by creating an accessible but premium offering, but by championing environmental sustainability, local supply lines and ethical practices.

Top review

Paul

Dined 3 days ago

Went for food and drinks Saturday midday, went for the bottomless brunch with champagne and it was really nice, service is always amazing here and the chicken we both had was delicious, we will definitely be back. 10/10 for me.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (2588)

£25 and under

Italian

Newport

About the restaurant

Family run Italian restaurant based in Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran.
Our extensive menu offer seafood options and steaks.
We accommodate dishes for gluten free and vegetarian people.
For health and safety reasons, we do not allow our customers to eat their own celebration cakes but you're still allowed to bring one with you and we will do anything to make your special day unforgettable.

Top review

clyde

Dined 4 days ago

Nice surroundings, good service, nice meal and good value.

Gaucho - Cardiff

4.6

4.6 (886)

£26 to £40

Steakhouse

Cardiff

About the restaurant

This Mother’s Day, treat your Mum to an unforgettable dining experience at Gaucho. Tuck into a traditional Sunday Roast with an Argentine twist, or dine from our delicious à la carte menu, accompanied by an extensive selection of wines from Argentina and beyond.

At Gaucho Cardiff, every detail is crafted to enchant. The venue effortlessly blends sleek industrial design with cultural sophistication, creating an atmosphere of sultry glamour that’s both inviting and unforgettable. Whether you’re here for a business lunch, an afternoon cocktail, or an indulgent dinner, the setting elevates every moment.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Loved this place — great service, food, and atmosphere. Our server, Julia, was helpful, generous, and informative, too. We will come again next time we’re in Cardiff.

Discover more

Mother's Day Sunday Roast

Terra Mare

4.5

4.5 (63)

£26 to £40

Contemporary Italian

Cardiff

About the restaurant

Terra Mare is a contemporary Italian restaurant & bar, inspired by Puglia. Located on High Street and brought to you by the team behind Silures Restaurant, Terra Mare is an authentic Italian dining experience, bringing the heart and soul of Italy right to your table.

Inspired by the vibrant flavours and time-honoured traditions of Puglia, our menu is a true journey through the classic Italian way of dining. From cicchetti (small snacks) to antipasti, primi piatti, secondi piatti, and finally dolce (desserts), Terra Mare invites you to savour each moment, every bite, and every sip. Whether you’re indulging in a few plates or a full seven-course feast, our flexible menu is designed to cater to your unique dining desires.

Top review

PhillipW

Dined 2 days ago

Great visit and lovely food. Execlent service from everyone

Discover more

Experience

Five Course Taster Menu

Experience

Set Lunch & Pre-Theatre Menu

Experience

Seven Course Taster Menu

Côte Brasserie - Cardiff Bay

4.4

4.4 (74)

£25 and under

French

Cardiff

About the restaurant

Cote is inspired by the brasseries of Paris, serving authentic French dishes all day in our classically designed restaurants. We are committed to producing authentic French classics, freshly cooked to order, from the highest quality sourced ingredients.

Top review

Lucy

Dined on 22 Feb 2025

Wonderful service and food was delicious! Perfect pre show meal!

Bill's Restaurant & Bar - Cardiff Central

4.4

4.4 (1838)

£25 and under

British

Cardiff

About the restaurant

Originally built in the late 1800s, Wyndham Arcade, a Grade II listed building, is home to Bill's Cardiff City Centre restaurant. The newly refurbished restaurant is packed full of colour and charm, ideal for a cosy dinner or catching up with friends. Both impressive and intimate, with little booths, nooks and crannies, there's plenty of seating including a large outdoor terrace, making Bill's Cardiff Central the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.

Top review

Karen

Dined on 24 Feb 2025

Lovely food as always, great service, friendly polite staff

Discover more

Experience

Small Group Dining Menu

Experience

Group Dining Menu

Experience

Set Menu for Celebrations

The Goldcroft

4.4

4.4 (60)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Newport

About the restaurant

Welcome to the Goldcroft pub, situated in the wonderful village of Caerleon, that sits on the banks of the River Usk. We have an extensive food menu and we serve 7 days a week. We are dog friendly and have a wonderful sun trap beer garden for you to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming you.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 1 Mar 2025

Lovely pub serving well cooked food from a varied menu. Staff are friendly and professional and it’s got a lovely atmosphere.

Aura

4.4

4.4 (61)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Cardiff

About the restaurant

AURA
A sanctuary for your senses, nestled within the historic Coal Exchange, we present a contemporary bar and brasserie. Engage in intimate and elaborate exchanges against a backdrop of heritage luxe. A lively all-day dining experience awaits, with fresh ingredients taking center stage. Discover your Aura

Top review

Ben

Dined 4 days ago

Fantastic staff and atmosphere. Went around 9pm and it was extremely quiet (customer wise) so was a little hesitant on arrival but was extremely pleased with the food and staff at this establishment. We had the cote de boeuf with two sides to go with it and it was delicious!

Explore Diners' Choice best of South Wales

Explore more Diners' Choice lists