Ah, New Year’s. A time where many celebrate (or mourn) what has transpired over the last year and revel (hopefully) in anticipation of what’s to come. In a city that goes balls to the wall for the holiday (literally), with millions of people tuning in to watch Times Square become a giant confetti bomb and thousands of restaurants and bars putting on their party hats and offering up prix fixe menus galore, it may be daunting to figure out just where you should spend the evening.
From Champagne and oysters to "A Night in Marrakesh" complete with belly dancers, here’s where to head this New Year’s Eve to ring in the year in style.
Miss Lily’s
"Authentic Jamaican flavors and thumping reggae go hand-in-hand amid Miss Lily’s bright orange booths, retro artifacts and Formica-topped tables," state inspectors. To celebrate the New Year, the restaurant is offering a three-course prix fixe for $85 per person. Menu options include jerk corn, hot pepper shrimp, slow-roasted pimento short rib with pick-a-peppa gravy and rice and peas, and old fashioned banana pudding. An optional beverage pairing is available for $50 per person and includes rum punch, Champagne, beer and wine. Those attending the late night seating will get a Champagne toast at midnight and can dance off some of their food as a DJ keeps the party going.Atoboy
This Bib Gourmand-designated Gramercy hot spot is offering New Year's Eve feasts for $75 to $95 per guest. There will be a variety of dishes to start, including "some of our well-loved Atoboy classics as well as newly added dishes fit the celebration" per an event description. The main attraction includes the restaurant's large format Kurobuta pork rib ssam or a dry-aged rib eye ssam. Oysters and fried chicken will also be available à la carte for an even grander feast.Maison Premiere
There is a special prix fixe menu with two seatings starting at $125 per guest. But for those not looking for a full meal, there will be a pop-up Champagne bar from 2:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. There's no cover charge and the pop-up is open to walk-ins. And if you're need something to nosh on while you sip some bubbly, oysters will be shucked until 1:00 a.m.CUT by Wolfgang Puck
"The Manhattan locale is tucked at the base of the swanky downtown Four Seasons Hotel, and sports a fittingly elegant look with deep magenta chairs, floor-to-ceiling marigold draperies and lovely artwork from the chef’s private collection," according to inspectors. The fist seating offers a four-course meal for $165 per guest, while the second will showcase five courses for $225. As the holiday dictates, each will also include a Champagne toast.Del Posto
Head to Del Posto for what inspectors describe as a "uniquely opulent and fashionable" atmosphere. Executive chef Melissa Rodriguez is hosting two seatings and offering menus of varying lengths (and prices) for diners to choose from. Dishes will include favorites like the gnocchi with brown butter, hazelnuts and black truffles, or the chilled veal and tuna with lemon basil and vinaigrette. The second seating will offer a festive menu with dishes specially created for the holiday.Dirt Candy
"I love making new dishes, so my kitchen crew and I have decided that we're going to make a bunch of new dishes on New Year's Eve to go into 2020 at our most creative," chef Amanda Cohen shared in her restaurant's mailing list. Tickets for "prime time seating" starting at 9:00 p.m. have already sold out, but if you act fast, you can still attend the earlier seating at Cohen's vegetable haven. At $125 per guest, dishes at the kickoff seating include hoppin' John hummus with crudite and bread service; portobello mousse with persimmon compote and truffled toast; and Nashville hot carrot dogs with maple carrot purée, pickled carrots and carrot coleslaw. (A drink pairing at this seating is available for $60 per guest.)Cote
Head to this MICHELIN-starred Korean steakhouse for a feast prepared by chef David Shim. For $175 per person, guests will start with a play on steak and eggs before diving into dishes featuring seven different cuts of steak. And, of course, the bubbly will be flowing—there will even be a Champagne tower at midnight. If you want a different type of party, head to the cocktail lounge downstairs, Undercote, for a ticketed, 1980s Miami’s Vice-themed party running $180/person. There will be a premium open bar, snacks and a DJ. Costumes are encouraged.Jean-Georges
Head to the acclaimed chef's eponymous restaurant for an elegant six-course meal to celebrate the night for $398 per gust. Courses include Vongerichten's signature egg caviar to start and Maine lobster with crispy parsnips and white truffles. The regular vegetarian or omnivore dining menus (either six or 10 courses) are also available for early seatings.Shuka
Transport yourself to "A Night in Marrakesh" complete with a Champagne toast at midnight, photo wall and belly dancers. Diners can choose from an à la carte menu or a $75 per person prix fixe menu during the first seating. For those looking to celebrate at the restaurant through midnight, the cost is $125 per person for a three-course meal.Gotham Bar and Grill
"Donning just the right amount of glamour to add to any sense of occasion, this warmly lit space is helmed by a personable team who makes every diner feel like they’re in safe hands," inspectors state. If that sounds like your cup of tea, head to this MICHELIN-starred spot for an evening of jazz performances to accompany prix fixe menus ($140 per person for the first seating and $350 per person for the second). Dishes include madai fish with buddha's hand, agrumato and Grandeur caviar; agnolotti with yellow foot mushrooms, cauliflower, vanilla and truffle; and sea bream with escabeche and turnip.
