The countdown to 2025 is on, and the challenge of choosing where to dine in the final hours of the year is a major one. Houston restaurants are pulling out all the stops with festive menus, lively entertainment, and midnight toasts to kick off the new year in fine fashion.
Flora
Flora’s chandelier-bedecked dining room is a majestic space to enjoy chef Mate Zorilla’s three-course holiday tasting menu ($55). Dishes like the empanada Navideña; and bacalao, a dried and salted basque-style cod with peppers, capers, olives, pine nuts and almonds in tomato sauce, are inspired by chef Mate’s family memories of Christmas in Mexico. A chocolate mousse-filled Christmas tree, presented on a bed of chocolate crumble, serves as a playful finish. 3422 Allen Pkwy., Houston, florahouston.com
Bloom & Bee
The Post Oak Hotel’s signature restaurant is offering a special three-course meal ($160) from 5 to 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Indulgent offerings from the evening’s menu include uni risotto, wagyu ribeye, and Dover sole and truffles. 1600 W. Loop S., Houston, thepostoakhotel.com
Zanti
Zanti’s four-course prix fixe menu will be offered during an early seating from 5 to 6 p.m. ($85), and a late seating beginning at 9 p.m. ($140), which will feature a champagne toast, party favors, and live entertainment. Alternatively, guests can opt for bar seating and enjoy the restaurant’s reduced a la carte menu. 1958 W. Gray St. Ste. 101, Houston, zanticucina.com
State of Grace
Newly opened after revamping its space and menu, State of Grace is offering a special four-course prix fixe menu ($195) on New Year’s Eve. Highlights include the highly talked about bread service with amber oscietra caviar, yellowfin tuna crudo, Crescent Valley duck, and mocha cake with hot fudge. Guests may elevate the experience with wine pairings at two price points of $65 and $115. 3258 Westheimer Rd., stateofgracetx.com
Camerata
Camerata’s sommelier Elyse Wilson is leading “A Coastal New Year’s Eve” wine tasting ($150) from 4 to 6 p.m. showcasing a number of sparkling wines from coastal regions around the world. Along with three-ounce pours of two Champagnes and four sparkling wines, guests will be treated to seafood pairings like individual caviar service and scallop ceviche. 1830 Westheimer Rd., Houston, cameratahouston.com
Doris Metropolitan
Doris Metropolitan is rolling out the red carpet again this year for its glamorous black-tie New Year’s Eve celebration. Guests are encouraged to don their best black tie garb, while dining from the restaurant’s regular menu. DJ Just V will begin live entertainment at 9 p.m., with guests treated to party favors, a midnight toast, and entertainment until 1 a.m. 2815 S. Shepherd Dr., Houston, dorismetropolitan.com
Coppa Osteria
Along with a number of holiday specials, Coppa Osteria will be serving up a three-course menu ($55) until midnight on New Year’s Eve. The menu features a shaved Brussels sprout salad, tortellini fonduta di parmigiano, and tiramisu cheesecake, with guests treated to a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. 5210 Morningside Dr., Houston, coppaosteriahouston.com
Okto
For its first New Year’s Eve celebration, Montrose Collective newbie, Okto, is creating a festive atmosphere for diners to toast to 2025. Festivities kick off at 8 p.m. and include a live DJ, bottle sabering, balloon drop, and complimentary champagne toast at midnight, with food and drink specials offered until 1 a.m. 888 Westheimer Rd., Ste. 150, oktorestaurant.com
Santé
Keeping the party going after celebrating its grand opening this month, Santé is gearing up for a whimsical New Year’s Eve party featuring live performances and a guest DJ beginning at 9 p.m. Guests can purchase standing room tickets ($250), with caviar and champagne offered all night, or opt for table service for a more tailored experience. 2309 Richmond Ave. Houston, santehtx.com
Toca Madera
For Toca Madera’s first New Year’s Eve celebration in Houston, the vibey restaurant is offering its regular menu, plus a number of splurge-worthy specials like a 24-karat crispy taco trio with A5 wagyu, Maine lobster, and spicy tuna; and a surf and turf imperial wagyu filet with Baja jumbo prawns. Guests may choose from three seatings, from 6 to 8 p.m., 8 to 10 p.m., and 10 p.m. to midnight, with the bar open until 2 a.m. Along with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, the restaurant’s live guitarist and signature fire dancers will roam the dining room throughout the evening. 1755 Allen Pkwy. Ste. 101, Houston, tocamadera.com
Chapman & Kirby
Chapman & Kirby is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve party, the Art of Celebration from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Three rooms spread across the spacious lounge will feature photo booths, live DJs, hookah and cigar service, and a midnight countdown with a complimentary champagne toast. General admission tickets are available for $40, and VIP tickets, with access to skip the line, are $75. 2118 Lamar St. #100, Houston, chapmanandkirby.com
Milton’s
Milton’s is offering an indulgent five-course menu ($135) on New Year’s Eve, with an option to add wine pairings ($75). Featured dishes include Sicilian tartare, lobster risotto, and truffle fettuccine, and for those looking to splurge, a caviar supplement will be offered. 5117 Kelvin Dr. Ste. 200, Houston, miltonandlees.com
Dario’s Steakhouse
Dario’s is offering a special three-course dinner ($109) on New Year’s Eve with four seatings offered between 3 and 9 p.m. Guests can choose from dishes like French onion soup and bacon-wrapped scallops to start, and entrees like prime rib, Chilean sea bass, and rack of lamb. 14315 Cypress Rose Hill Rd. #162, Cypress, dariossteakhouse.com
Amrina
Guests may choose from two seating windows, between 4 and 8:45 p.m. ($125), or 9 to 11 p.m. ($150) while partaking in Amrina’s New Year’s Eve festivities. The evening will feature an exclusive six-course prix-fixe menu, with the option to add on caviar, wagyu, and wine pairings; live entertainment beginning at 7 p.m.; and a champagne toast at midnight. 3 Waterway Square Pl., #100, The Woodlands, amrina.social
Brennan’s of Houston
A roaming jazz band will be keeping the energy high during Brennan’s New Year’s Eve seatings, offered from 5 to 9:45 p.m. Guests can countdown to 2025 over a three-course menu ($150), featuring lobster bisque, scallop and risotto, and surf and turf, with wine accompaniments featuring Cakebread Cellars wines and Taittinger Champagne. 3300 Smith St., Houston, brennanshouston.com
Le Jardinier
Fresh off of celebrating its coveted Michelin star, Le Jardinier is hosting a special New Year’s Eve dining experience with the serene environs of the MFAH as a backdrop. A four-course menu ($175) will be available to guests from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and an elevated celebration featuring a six-course menu ($295) will be offered from 7:30 p.m. onwards, with both seatings to include supplements like caviar service and rare wine pairings. 5500 Main St. Ste. 122, Houston, lejardinier-houston.com
Marmo
Marmo is offering two seating windows for its New Year’s Eve four-course prix fixe dinner, with guests given the choice to dine between 5:30 and 8 p.m. ($129), or 8:30 and 11 p.m. ($159), and the option of adding wine pairings ($35). A pasta course features house favorites like Marmo’s rigatoni alla vodka and squid ink campanelle, and add-ons like shaved black truffle or caviar further enhance the experience. While those who reserve a late seating and dine until midnight will receive a complimentary champagne toast, guests who reserve a patio table will be treated to a complimentary bottle of bubbles. 888 Westheimer Rd. Ste. 109, Houston, marmoitalian.com
Tavola
Come for Tavola’s four-course prix fixe menu ($105), featuring elegant dishes like beef wellington with porcini mushrooms, and stay for a lively party in the restaurant’s loggia. Along with a DJ and dance floor, guests can enjoy an Italian countdown tradition of complimentary champagne and grapes to symbolize prosperity, plus a live pasta demonstration with fresh made cacio e pepe served to all. Seatings are available from 4 to 11:30 p.m., with limited food service after 10 p.m. 1800 Post Oak Blvd. Ste. 100, Houston, tavolahouston.com
Pier 6
Pier 6 is known for its year-round themed extravaganzas, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. This year, the waterfront restaurant in San Leon is hosting a Roaring Twenties party, beginning at 5 p.m., with cocktail specials and special menu, a DJ and dance floor, and a midnight champagne toast and balloon drop. 113 6th St., San Leon, pier6seafood.com
Crú
Wine and dine your way into the new year at Cru’s lively Market Street location in the Woodlands. The wine bar is offering a four-course prix fixe menu ($75) from 5 p.m. to midnight, with highlights like jumbo lump crabcake, miso-glazed Alaskan black cod, and New York-style cheesecake. 9595 Six Pines Dr., Ste. 650, The Woodlands, cruwinebar.com
Sidebar
Sidebar, Levi Goode’s new speakeasy-style bar and lounge neighboring Credence, is hosting its inaugural New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. , for ticketed guests ($100). The party will feature bites, cocktails, live music, and a midnight toast, with the option to elevate the evening with bottle service and caviar. 9757 Katy Fwy., Houston, sidebarhtx.com
Berg Hospitality
Berg Hospitality’s well-appointed concepts are a natural choice during the holidays, with New Year’s Eve being an especially festive time to dine. The Annie Cafe & Bar, Trattoria Sofia, and B&B Butchers will each feature music from live DJs and party favors for guests from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Turner’s is decked out with a balloon ceiling for guests to dine beneath; and Turner’s Cut is offering an extravagant four-course prix fixe menu ($295) featuring dishes like lobster ravioli, American wagyu tenderloin, and white wine truffle risotto. Multiple concepts, berghospitality.com
