Where to Celebrate New Year's Eve in San Francisco

New Year's Eve quite possibly may be the busiest night of the year for restaurants. Year after year, chefs go bananas showcasing a special prix fixe menu, decorations galore and of course, a Champagne toast at midnight.

While there is certainly no shortage of excellent restaurants in the Bay Area that are open for service, we’ve rounded up five Michelin-recommended establishments for your consideration.

Avery

The contemporary kitchen is offering two seatings to ring in the New Year. "Its ambitious menu pays homage to the chef’s prior experiences at some of the city’s more elite kitchens," say inspectors. The first seating features nine courses for $189 per person, while the later seating includes an additional course and a Champagne toast for $255. As for the setting? "Walls smeared with blue-and-white paint, oversized wooden tables and modern music give the space a youthful yet refined vibe."

Californios

"Set in a bohemian area known for its street tacos and bare bones eateries, Californios aims to elevate the Mission district's south-of-the-border fare to contemporary Mexican cuisine and it more than succeeds," state inspectors. To celebrate the New Year, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant is "offering an exciting winter menu featuring several fun luxury ingredients," per its website. Dinner will last approximately three hours and there are two beverage pairing options available—one of which features wines only from Champagne. Going one step further, they are going with an '80s prom theme for the evening—your participation is optional but encouraged.

flour + water

Want to carbo-load before a big night of partying? Head to flour + water for a five-course tasting menu focusing on the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy from chef Ryan Pollnow. The area is "the birthplace of Italian kitchen staples Parmigiano-Reggiano, aceto balsamico and prosciutto di Parma," per the restaurant's website. It's sure to be a good because, per inspectors, "Laid-back service, up-to-the-moment music and a buzzy, effervescent vibe make flour + water the epitome of California cool."

Birdsong

"The front windows are stacked with logs, dried fish hangs from the rafters and the dining room is gently scented with wood smoke, but lofty ceilings and a contemporary aura make Birdsong feel lumberjack-chic," per inspectors. Sound like your ideal setting for ringing in the New Year? Then head to Birdsong in SoMa for one of the restaurant's two seatings. The menu includes dishes such as succulents with Shigoku oyster, seaweed vinegar and dill; aged water buffalo with barbecue carrot; and apple pie with thyme ice cream.

Goose & Gander

This Napa Valley restaurant is throwing a speakeasy party complete with live ragtime musician Jim Maihack during dinner. The $165 five-course menu includes dishes such as oysters Rockefeller, wood-grilled octopus and hoppin' John, and a 24-ounce dry-aged rib eye for two. An optional wine pairing is available for $85 per person. And be sure to bring your dancing shoes for the after party with a DJ.