Houston’s Ultimate New Year’s Eve Restaurant Guide: 53 Spots Worthy of Ushering in 2018

1. Mezza Grille

6100 Westheimer

Mezza Grille will offer three seatings, 5 to 5:30 pm, 7 to 7:30 pm, and 9 to 9:30 pm, for its four-course prix fixe meal. It’s $125 per couple and includes one appetizer to share, choice of soup or salad for each individual, one entrée for each, one dessert to share, and the option of one glass or wine or sparkling wine for each person.

Some highlights: seafood campechana, chicken Acapulco soup, mango-stuffed chicken, and coconut tres leches.

2. Ousie’s Table

3939 San Felipe

A Southern-style New Year’s meal is on the table at Ouisie’s. Choose form an exclusive a la carte menu, or a $45 four-course menu of special dishes. Seatings run from 5 to 9 pm, or closer to the new year after 9 pm.

The seating share the same menu, party favors, music, and a Piper Heidsieck Champagne toast.

4. Benjy’s in the Village

2424 Dunstan

It takes a village to throw a party, and this New Year”s Eve, Benjy’s in the Village is open for brunch and dinner. Take in French toast with pumpkin butter early in the day, or head over for Grilled Scottish Salmon in the night. Popular small plates like roasted cauliflower and pistachio-crusted goat cheese are available for both meals.

5. Benjy’s on Washington 

5922 Washington

Benjy’s on Washington is giving us something to celebrate —  its going away party. The Houston restaurant is serving its last-ever meal this New Year’s Eve before its transformation into The Classic, which is set to debut this summer. Come say goodbye to this old friend and welcome a new one.

6. Underbelly

1100 Westheimer

Fall under Underbelly’s spell with its dinner offerings. You can order off of the a la carte menu or a special prix fixe New Year’s Eve Celebration menu for $85 per person.

Those who prefer prix fixe will get crab meat gratin with sweet roasted garlic bread, herb-crusted 44 Farms prime rib with horseradish greens, and first-of-the-season strawberry shortcake.

7. Weights + Measures

2808 Caroline

We’re weighing in — consider Weights + Measures’ four-course prix fixe menu when planning your New Year’s Eve. For $75 per person, you get winter truffle risotto, wood-roasted Australian lamb, and more.

8. Bistro Menil

1513 West Alabama

You don’t have to wait until the ball drops to enjoy Bistro Menil’s New Year’s Eve special. It runs from December 27 through December 31. Diners can choose an individual part of the special — an appetizer, an entrée, or dessert — or partake of all three.

The warm potato gratin with smoked salmon, topped with caviar, crème fraiche, and chives appetizer is $19. The entrée is a roasted fillet of beef with grilled shrimp, crowned with truffle cream and served with Parmesan and wild mushroom risotto. The sticky toffee pudding dessert is $12.

Or, choose all three for $65.

 9. MAX’s Wine Dive

4720 Washington

Fine glasses of champagne, meet fried chicken. MAX’s Wine Dive is offering a 50 percent discount on select champagne bottles to complement classic dishes. Nacho mama’s oysters, famous Southern fried chicken, either with mashed potatoes and collard greens or on a champagne salad, shrimp and grits, and more.

10. FM Kitchen & Bar

1112 Shepherd

FM debuts brunch at 11 am on New Year’s Eve. Choose from four sandwiches, including BBLT, your regular ’wich with a healthy serving of bologna. The four taco servings include brisket and breakfast, with tater tots.

11. Local Foods Downtown 

420 Main Street

Go from 2017 to 2018 by going farm-to-table. Fans of fresh and organic can expect extended hours. Doors open at 10 am with “Weekender” brunch. Local’s signature Breakfast Plate comes with scrambled eggs (market, of course), a cornmeal muffin, butter smashed garlic potatoes, and pork’s lighter cousin, chicken sausage.

 12. Bosscat Kitchen & Libations

4310 Westheimer

Bosscat is showing 2018 who’s boss with classic brunch and a special New Year’s Eve dinner party. Brunch is available from 11 am to 3 pm with options like the aptly named “The King” blue suede pancakes and chorizo and potato benedict.

Dinner takes off at 7 pm and goes on ’til 2 am, set to the tunes of DJ Eno. There’ will be a champagne toast at midnight, and bottle service is also available.

The dinner pairing is $65 per person, and includes an app trio of Welcome punch, bacon jam crostini, pimento cheese, and gulf tuna wrap. The entrée includes wine, cocktails, or selected whiskeys with the choice of entrees ranging from short rib to snapper.

Dessert brings together bubbles and bourbon with a combo of Moet Champagne and bourbon chocolate silk custard.

13. Backstreet Café

1103 South Shepherd

Greet 2018 and don’t look back — but you can head to Backstreet. Their four-course menu is $74 per person and includes seafood beignets, seared scallops, duck confit with spiced butternut squash, and more. Midnight will bring a sparkling cocktail toast.

14. King’s BierHaus / Kolache Pop Up

2044 E. T.C. Jester

King’s BierHaus is holding a kolache pop up fit for a king from 9 am to 12 pm at their Heights location. The Czech pastries will come in three cheese with smoke polish sausage, spicy kielbasa, bratwurst, and more.

15. Punk’s Simple Southern Food

5215 Morningside

There’s nothing more simple than choosing to celebrate the new year at Punk’s. You can combine your fried chicken with champagne and try out specials like grilled salmon with sautéed crab meat and squash, zucchini, and white rice.

16. Bayou & Bottle

1300 Lamar Street

The bourbon bar in Four Seasons’ lobby may be welcoming the new year, but it’s throwing it back old school with an 80s themed bash. Tickets can be bought in advance for $30, or at the door for $38. The cover includes a midnight champagne toast, party favors, and a DJ. Table reservations can be made with a $400 minimum purchase.

17. The Pass & Provisions

807 Taft

You won’t want to pass on the seven-course menu at The Pass. The meal is $175 per person, or $300 with wine pairings. Provisions will host a dinner at $75 per person. Both dinners begin at 7 pm.

18. Broken Barrel

1950 Hughes Landing, Ste 1900

Head Into the Woods, or at least Into The Woodlands, for a New Year’s Eve treat. A four-course prix fixe menu, accompanied by a champagne toast, is taking place from 5 pm to 12 am. Think tuna tartare and “not a Caesar salad,” with crispy chickpeas and pesto brioche. Gluten-free and vegetarian options will also be available, including the Baked Alaska.

Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Cancellations with less than 72-hours notice will incur a $50 fee per person.

19. Rainbow Lodge

2011 Ella

Hole up in a historic cabin on New Year’s Eve from 5 to 10 pm. Rainbow Lodge will present its regular menu of wild game and seafood. Stay warm with the smoked duck gumbo and croissant bread pudding.

FRENCH

20. Toulouse

4444 Westheimer

Court the new year from this cozy River Oaks District courtyard. The French Café will be open during regular hours, 11 am to 10 pm, offering up a special dinner menu. The meal includes lobster tail tournedos, sweetbreads, Dover sole, diver scallops, Australian rack of lamb, and more.

21. Brasserie 19

1962 West Gray

Brasserie will embrace New Year’s Eve with its full menu and some specials. On the 31st, you can order popular plates from the regular menu, starting off with charred octopus and oysters on the half-shell, and moving on to whole roasted Branzino and Yellowfin tuna steak.

Toast a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight. You can call now for reservations.

22. Etoile Cuisine et Bar

1101-11 Uptown Park

The theme of the night is four-course and one year ago. A $78 prix fixe menu will offer four courses on New Year’s Eve, with choices like duck foie gras, striped sea bass, and veal tenderloin with polenta cake. Bonne année!

 23. Cafe Azur

4315 Montrose

Kick off the new year Nicoise-style. Cafe Azur will introduce new entrees on December 31st and a special multi-course, prix fixe menu. The two seatings will be a 5 to 6:15 pm with a four-course menu at $69 per person, with an additional wine pairing at $39 per person.

The second seating at 8:30 will be a five-course menu for $100 per person with an extra $49 for party trimmings, including a sparkling wine toast at midnight.

Stick around after 12:30 to enjoy your choice of a Croque Monster or French onion soup.

24. Artisans Restaurant

3201 Louisiana

Artisans is offering a chef’s tasting menu, $120 per person, from 5 to 10 pm. Enjoy lobster mousse, beef Wellington, and venison as the major dishes. You’ll taste champagne throughout the meal, from the champagne sauce in the lobster mousse to the champagne sorbet palate cleanser, and finally, the champagne toast.

25. Bistro Provence

13616 Memorial

No matter when you wish to dine — blue plate special, early evening, or European-style late, Bistro Provence has got you covered.

The Early Bird one-hour seating requires you to start between 5 to 5:30 pm. The $50 menu includes highlights like lobster bisque and salmon soufflé.

There are two-hour seatings at both 6 to 6:30 and 8 to 8:30 for $85. The options include the early bird special, with some additions: tuna tartar with lime zest, and slow-roasted lamb shank, to name a few.

26. La Table

1800 Post Oak

27. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

2800 Kirby

Eddie V’s is kicking things off at 10 pm with a late-night New Year’s Eve menu. Moët champagnes by the glass will be accompanied by a complimentary dessert bar with sweets like chocolate truffles and panna cotta. Don’t forget the $8 chef’s teasers and oyster menu.

Live music will set the mood until 12:30 am.

28. Star Fish

191 Heights

Star Fish will present its regular menu from 4 to 9 pm. Enjoy shucked oysters with a variety of sauces, ranging from spicy jalapeno mignonette and sriracha lime cocktail sauce to the smooth green goddess.

29. Liberty Kitchen Oyster Bar

1050 Studewood Street

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

4224 San Felipe

Liberty Kitchen at the Treehouse

963 Bunker Hill

It’s at your liberty to choose which Liberty Kitchen to hit up for New Year’s Eve. There will be regular menu items along with one-night-only features across all locations.

The exclusive entrées include lobster bisque with mini brioche grilled cheese, Surf & Turf with bone-in filet mignon, tempura main lobster, and shrimp & mushroom fondue.

EUROPEAN

30. Charivari

2521 Bagby

Close out the year like you’re visiting the continent. Charivari will host you with its regular menu, featuring items like Transylvanian Charcuterie Delight, “Jaeger Schnitzel” Berkshire Pork, and seared diver scallops au gratin. Dinner will be served from 4 to 10 pm.

31. Lucienne

1070 Dallas

You don’t have to check in, but you should check out Hotel Alessandra’s restaurant downtown. A four-course prix fixe menu will have three seatings. The 4:30 pm dinner will be $75 per person, the 6:30 will be $85 per person, and the final, at 9 pm, will be $95 and include a glass of celebratory champagne.

Choose a tomato tart, orzo risotto, snapper, and a hazelnut parfait.

32. One Fifth Romance Languages

1658 Westheimer

The restaurant in a former church is throwing a dinner with an a la carte menu. The concept will offer up New Year’s traditions from France, Italy, and Spain.

TEX-MEX

2704 Navigation

It may be too chilly to take in the patio, but fajitas and fresh tortillas will certainly keep you warm. The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation will welcome guests to bid farewell to 2017 during its regular hours, 10 am to 10 pm.

34. Caracol

2200 Post Oak Blvd

Coast your way to the New Year with the Mexican Coastal Kitchen. A four-course menu for $85 per person features grilled tenderloin with mole, ceviche rojo, fire-roasted lobster, and more. Listen to live music by Ikaru as you end your evening with flambéed plantains, complete with Mexican vanilla ice cream.

35. Arnaldo Richards’ Picos

3601 Kirby

Picos will get you feeling festive this New Year’s Eve with live entertainment, a three-course menu, and drinks, starting at 7:30 pm. Soak in the atmosphere and eat up the offerings until 1:30 am New Year’s day.

You can choose your experience from three levels.

The bar and show only $100 ticket gets you a performance and drinks, starting at 9:30.

The individual $165 ticket allows you access to an open premium bar and specialty cocktails, a four-course dinner, cigar lounge, photo booth, champagne toast, and more.

Finally, the $185 VIP ticket adds something extra to the individual ticket: premium seating by the dance floor and VIP takeaway bags.

Those opting for the meal can enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, a choice of two salads, entrees like braised short rib or oven baked ratatouille, and a 30-foot long dessert bar.

36. Hugo’s

1600 Westheimer

Hugo’s is where you’ll go. The eatery’s offering up a four-course dinner with a midnight toast and live music for $72 per person. Options include spicy shrimp cocktail, blue crab soup, stuffed poblano peppers, grilled lobster, and more.

37. Xochi

1777 Walker

Xochi is serving up a four-course prix fixe menu for $79 per person. Start off with sea bass tostadas before moving on to an entrée with mole sauce. The Oaxacan staple appears in the slow-cooked lamb shank, grilled tenderloin, scallops, and more.

 ITALIAN

38. Hotel Granduca 

1080 Uptown Park

Ring in the new year at Hotel Granduca with a six-course wine dinner from 6 to 10 pm. $175 per person and $325 will get you jumbo lump crab, quail lollipops, beef tenderloin, and foie gras, complemented by a range of Italian wines.

The party doesn’t stop there. A special New Year’s Aperitivo will feature cocktails and light bites to the sound of Bubba McNeely

The hotel will keep the party going with a special New Year’s Aperitivo, which will feature light bites and cocktails accompanied by the sounds of local singing sensation Bubba McNeely from 9:30 pm to 12:30 am.

At midnight, a Prosecco toast is accompanied by a Panettone sweetbread meatloaf, and cigars.

39. Quattro

1300 Lamar

Four Seasons’ Italian restaurant is serving a five-course tasting menu for $125, or $185 with a wine pairing, starting at 7 pm. Live music, a dance floor, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight are included.

40. Ciao Bello

5161 San Felipe

Say ciao to 2017 and hello to 2018 at Ciao Bello. The trattoria is following tradition with a big dinner, or “cenone” featuring multiple courses. For $59 per person, you can enjoy a multi-course menu of items such as housemade pastas or polpettes, the Vallone family meatball. The second course will have chops, daily catches, and more.

Live the dolce vita with a trio of desserts.

41. Prego

2520 Amherst

You’ll say Grazi to us for suggesting Prego for dinner. All the Italian delights will be available during regular hours, from 11 am to 11 pm. Indulge in fan favorites like veal scallopini two ways, eggplant parmesan, and pecan wood grilled Texas beef.

42. Coppa Osteria

5210 Morningside

Coppa Osteria is inviting you to enjoy its full menu on New Year’s Eve. Anti pasta plates and cheeseboards await, along with veal chop marsala, spaghetti carbonara, and more. Toast the new year at midnight.

43. Potente

1515 Texas

Potente is up to bat this New Year’s Eve. Jim Crane owns both the Astros and the Italian restaurant, and he’s bringing the best of both to the last night of 2017. A professional photographer will snap pics of guests with the Houston Astros World Series trophy. Now that’s a New Year’s perk.

The evening’s five-course prix fixe menu is $125 per person and features a caviar amuse, four courses including the Spaghhetti al Tartufo, and a complimentary glass of Moët and Chandon.

STEAK

44. B&B Butchers

1814 Washington

This New Year’s Eve, head to B&B Butchers for the steakhouse’s regular menu and all that jazz. From 7 to 10 pm, a jazz singer and guitarist will perform in the downstairs dining room and a jazz singer and pianist will play in the upstairs dining room.

It doesn’t end there. DJ Wyatt Magnum will spin from 10 pm to 2 am on the covered and heated rooftop patio, which looks out on the nearby city skyline.

No need for a ticket, but reservations are required. If you preorder your champagne for the midnight toast when you make your reservation, enjoy 20 percent off the bottle.

45. Steak 48

4444 Westheimer

Steak 48’s serving up its regular menu of red meat classics, salads, seafood, and more. It’s open from 4 pm and taking reservations until 11:30 pm. Reserve your seat now.

46. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

1200 McKinney; 5839 Westheimer

Stake your claim for your New Year’s Eve dinner at either Pappas Bros. Steakhouse locations. Dinner is served through midnight and is a pre-fixe menu with an appetizer like lobster deviled eggs, your choice of salad, your choice of entrée including options such as a 14-ounce Prime New York Strip, and a dessert such as chocolate turtle pie.

The cost is $109.95 per person, or $99.95 with an early bird discount for guests who make reservations up to 6 pm.

47. Tango & Malbec

Suite A-100, 2800 Sage

The Argentinian steakhouse will bring a South American spin on New Year’s Eve dinner with a special Surf & Turf menu. Double up on your dining with an 8-ounce grilled filet mignon and 7-ounce lobster tail, served with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Two seatings are available, one at 5 pm, and the other at 9 pm. The later seating includes a complimentary champagne toast, party favors, and live music courtesy of Joyride Band.

48. Vallone’s

947 North Gessner

The memorial restaurant is serving up special appetizers and entrees on New Year’s Eve. Mini ahi tuna tacos, house made pastas, and other starters will make an appearance. Main course selections include 55-day dry-aged steaks and seafood. The price is $95 per person.

49. Tony’s

3755 Richmond

Tony’s brings together seasonal specialties with longtime favorites on New Year’s Eve with two seatings. The first seating, from 6 pm to 8:45 pm, is $95 per person. The second, from 9:15 to midnight, is $195 per person and includes live music from the Julie Johnson Band and dancing.

Menu items include offerings like the seasonal white alba truffles and BMS12 A5 Japanese Kobe beef.

50. Smith & Wollensky

4007 Westheimer

Hightail it to Highland Village for steakhouse mainstays at Smith & Wollensky. Come in for the Winter Menu during the regular hours, 11:30 am to 12 am. The seasonal selections include “Steaks for Two” preparations, like Chateaubriand or Porterhouse, served with red-wine demi-glace and roasted vegetables.

51. Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille

Multiple locations

After eating up a three-course prix fixe meal at Perry’s, scoot on over to Bar 79 to toast the new year at midnight. The restaurant itself will be open from 4 pm to midnight, while the bar shuts its doors at 1 am.

Soup and salad options included the kale salad with jalapeno-mint vinaigrette and lobster bisque. Entrees include options like the signature 8-ounce “Filet Perry” Nueske’s applewood-smoked bacon and topped with jumbo lump crab meat. Finish things off with a dessert trio.

Seatings are at 5:30 or earlier, with a cost of $59.95 per person, or 5:45 pm or later, at $79.95 per person.

JAPANESE

52. Roka Akor

2929 Weslayan

Have it your way on New Year’s Eve at Roka Akor with either the a la carte menu or a six-course, $128 tasting menu. The specialty menu includes prime beef Tataki with shaved black truffle, lobster and shrimp dumplings, and grilled corn with soy garlic butter. Top it off with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Reservations can be made for 4:30 pm to 1 am.