Wife-and-husband team, pastry chef Krystal Craig and executive chef Ian Thurwachter, chose the Italian word for “whole” for their East Austin trattoria. The name reflects a sustainable, zero-waste cooking philosophy, which makes every celebration here a seriously ethical one. The hyper-seasonal menu is always changing, but expect housemade pastas along with meats from Texas farms and ranches. Sweeten any occasion with Craig’s exceptional truffles, chocolate barks, or sipping chocolate.

This lively spot comes from the team behind another local modern Mexican favorite, ATX Cocina. Bulevar’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a massive patio, and you won’t find a better spot for a sunset celebration. Fuel your party with street snacks and corn tortillas, made from heirloom Oaxacan corn ground onsite—bonus points for a kitchen that’s 100 percent gluten-free. Bulevar’s high-energy bar is known for top-notch agave cocktails, plus a rollicking happy hour.

Special moments were made for this elegant New American restaurant. Carillon is ideal for a celebratory pre-show dinner or an outdoor Sunday brunch with the family. The restaurant’s burnt-orange interiors—the University of Texas color—also make it a go-to for graduation parties. Chef Kyle Barham’s Texan menu is sprinkled with fun international accents (case in point: seared sea bass with tom yum and Thai herbs), best enjoyed as an occasion-worthy three-course meal.

There are plenty of high-roller touches at this modern sushi and sashimi shrine, including fish flown in daily from Japan and sleek private dining rooms. James Beard Award-winner Tyson Cole oversees a kitchen serving occasion-worthy nigiri like cured Norwegian mackerel with tomato, truffle, and basil, but Uchiko’s menu has something for everyone, including a knockout omakase selection and seasonal specials. Add a killer wine list and desserts, and you’ve got one inventive special-occasion spot.

Ezov might be the newest restaurant from Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, but this Mediterranean hotspot is already a special-occasion fave for Israel-inspired dishes like DIY chicken shawarma (you get to carve it), falafel, and crispy phyllo cigars with spiced sweetbreads, all made with locally grown ingredients. Most of the menu is made for sharing, so bring a crew to celebrate over a family-style feast and take a group photo by the wall decked with Hebrew lyrics to Britney Spears’s “Toxic.”

Inspired by her time living in Barcelona’s international neighborhood El Raval, chef Leila Bazahm crafts perfect-for-sharing tapas and mains like gambas al ajillo, paellas, and oysters. Both the lively bar and the dining room with lush greenery and stylish banquettes are ideal settings for a group celebration fueled by Spanish wine and inventive cocktails developed by renowned bartender Moe Aljaff, founder of Barcelona’s Two Schmucks.

Head to this sophisticated spot from Mathew Peters, the only US chef to win the Bocuse d’Or, for fancy canapés and inventive cocktails. Try sweet pea croquettes with Iberico ham and minted labneh along with clever drinks like Corn & Rice, a tequila-forward highball topped with cornflakes and toasted rice. The stunning location in a historic home surrounded by heritage oaks and a back lawn with Downtown views only add to the restaurant’s special-occasion cred.

At Mexta, chefs Mikel Alonso and Jonatán Gómez Luna serve up elegant traditional Mexican dishes with contemporary twists. Order the shrimp aguachile wrapped in crispy tortillas and a tetela, an Oaxacan snack made from corn masa and served with mole and spicy greens. If you’re drinking, grab a seat at the vibrant bar for creative cocktails, like the ¿Margarita?, a bubbly take on the classic made with smoky mezcal topped with Champagne.

One of Austin’s most beautiful restaurants, sophisticated and stylish Justine’s checks all the boxes for a fun-filled celebration. Reserve a table in the artsy dining room or in the velvet-clad winter tent for bistro-inspired fare like steak frites, escargot, and a killer burger. Bartenders pour French wine and mix classic cocktails while spinning classic vinyl records, from blues to reggae and Edith Piaff, keeping the party going all night long.

Hestia’s sleek, industrial-chic interiors and top-shelf ingredients level up any celebration. The modern-day grill house is part of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group behind other local hits like Emmer & Rye, Canje, and Kalimotxo. Dishes are fired up in a 20-foot custom-built hearth with techniques from around the world. Extra-special occasions call for the multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings,while the new upscale bar has a scaled-down menu—think oysters and burgers and $10 martini Tuesdays.