Reservation books at restaurants around town are already filling up for New Year's Eve—and fast. Whether you're looking for a casual bite before dancing the night away or a long prix-fixe as the main event (and even a champagne toast at midnight), it's time to get on the phone (or the computer) and nab a spot at your chosen table.
So without any further ado, we present your ultimate New Year's Eve dining guide: 20 of the best New Year's Eve meals across the Twin Cities, mapped in roughly geographic order, along with menu options for the big night, swank factor, and remaining reservation availability. (Or, if you're leaving your night more up to chance, we've also got a few spots that aren't taking reservations at all.)
Are you headed somewhere else on NYE? Let us know in the comments.
Menu: Prix-fixe with options, 4 courses, $45, plus $20 for wine pairings.
Swank Factor: Luxury is available for the vegetarian or the carnivore at this cozy bistro — entree choices include a mushroom gnocchi or a lobster and tenderloin surf and turf.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: A la carte with several New Year's Eve specials.
Swank Factor: As the clock strikes midnight, there will be a champagne toast at this classic French cafe.
Reservations: HIgh Availability
Menu: A la carte from the regular weekly, seasonal menu.
Swank Factor: Decor galore complete with a wine bottle tree and wreaths complete the look at this elegant Minneapolis standby.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe tasting menu with options, $65, plus $40 for wine pairings.
Swank Factor: Chef Doug Flicker will be mixing up the offerings for the occasion, but diehard fans of this intimate fine dining spot should fear not — mainstays like pickled pigs feet with scrambled eggs and braised beef short-rib with "black walnut soil" still make the short list.
Reservations: Very few reservations available. Waitlist on deck.
Menu: Prix-fixe, five courses with options, $75, plus $40 for wine pairings.
Swank Factor: Every luxury ingredient from foie to lobster to pork belly finds its way into the menu somehow, whether it's in a broth, as a garnish, or in a sauce.
Reservations: Low Availability
Menu: A la carte only.
Swank Factor: This neighborhood cafe is keeping their NYE specials and featured wines under wraps until a few days before the ball drop. Check their Facebook page for updates.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe, 5 courses, paired with cocktails and wines, $100 (includes cocktail/wine pairing)
Swank Factor: Scallops, oysters, caviar, oh my! And that's just the first course at this buzzy Eat Street epicenter for all things drink related.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: A la carte only, regular menu.
Swank Factor: No frills at this quirky downtown hotspot, but bourbon flights and house-made meats make for an uncomplicated start to a new year.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe only, 5 courses, $65, plus $30 for wine pairings.
Swank Factor: One of the best known courses coming from this modern room, Borough's chicken and dumplings, sounds simple. But this version of comfort food has its fair share of swank: it's served with foie and black truffle gnocchi.
Reservations: Low Availability
Menu: Full menu a la carte, or prix-fixe with options, $75.
Swank Factor: In addition to a seafood option for every course, the classed up seafood shack will have two options for wine pairings. There will be the basic level or the "Captain's choice" for a New Year's Eve splurge.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: There aren't any specials lined up for the holiday at 112, but the current menu at this fancy tucked away spot already features frog legs, blue prawns, and chef Isaac Becker's famous foie gras meatballs.
Reservations: Very few reservations
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: Specials at the place famous for its refined twists on midwestern cuisine will include oysters, caviar, and a "Tomahawk chop for two."
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe menu, 5 and 1/2 courses, $85 — wine and cocktail pairings available for an additional cost.
Swank Factor: The new Nordic blow out at The Bachelor Farmer will include a cocktail hour upstairs from the restaurant and a dance after-party in Marvel Bar.
Reservations: Very few reservations available.
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: A relaxed and casual spot to fill up on pub grub before hitting the town, Anchor has plenty of fried foods to prep any stomach for what could be a very long night.
Reservations: Does not accept reservations.
Menu: Prix-fixe only, 5 set courses, $65.
Swank Factor: For the big night, this neighborhood gastropub is throwing in an amuse bouche and a "pre-dessert" in addition to the tasting menu.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: There will be a champagne toast to ring in 2014 at this lavish and modern supperclub.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: Family style soul food isn't the swankiest pick of the bunch, but the unfussy food and casual dining room are a good precursor for Ryan Seacrest and Miley Cyrus hosting the ball drop.
Reservations: Does not accept reservations. (Pro tip: the St. Paul location will be accepting reservations and has a high availability.)
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: For those looking to kickstart their New Year's resolution eating, try the green curry with tempeh or the beef brisket with squash and kale at this cute neighborhood cafe before indulging in one last, wild 2013 night.
Reservations: Does not accept reservations
Menu: Prix-fixe with options, 2 courses, $25.
Swank Factor: This sleek neighborhood spot isn't rolling out a red carpet, but a cup of the Dogwood coffee served here should be plenty of fuel to get through the first few hours of 2014.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: If you're left wanting even more after a couple of craft cocktails from bartender Dan Oskey, stick around this stylish steakhouse. There will be a champagne toast at midnight.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe with options, 4 courses, $45, plus $20 for wine pairings.
Swank Factor: Luxury is available for the vegetarian or the carnivore at this cozy bistro — entree choices include a mushroom gnocchi or a lobster and tenderloin surf and turf.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: A la carte with several New Year's Eve specials.
Swank Factor: As the clock strikes midnight, there will be a champagne toast at this classic French cafe.
Reservations: HIgh Availability
Menu: A la carte from the regular weekly, seasonal menu.
Swank Factor: Decor galore complete with a wine bottle tree and wreaths complete the look at this elegant Minneapolis standby.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe tasting menu with options, $65, plus $40 for wine pairings.
Swank Factor: Chef Doug Flicker will be mixing up the offerings for the occasion, but diehard fans of this intimate fine dining spot should fear not — mainstays like pickled pigs feet with scrambled eggs and braised beef short-rib with "black walnut soil" still make the short list.
Reservations: Very few reservations available. Waitlist on deck.
Menu: Prix-fixe, five courses with options, $75, plus $40 for wine pairings.
Swank Factor: Every luxury ingredient from foie to lobster to pork belly finds its way into the menu somehow, whether it's in a broth, as a garnish, or in a sauce.
Reservations: Low Availability
Menu: A la carte only.
Swank Factor: This neighborhood cafe is keeping their NYE specials and featured wines under wraps until a few days before the ball drop. Check their Facebook page for updates.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe, 5 courses, paired with cocktails and wines, $100 (includes cocktail/wine pairing)
Swank Factor: Scallops, oysters, caviar, oh my! And that's just the first course at this buzzy Eat Street epicenter for all things drink related.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: A la carte only, regular menu.
Swank Factor: No frills at this quirky downtown hotspot, but bourbon flights and house-made meats make for an uncomplicated start to a new year.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe only, 5 courses, $65, plus $30 for wine pairings.
Swank Factor: One of the best known courses coming from this modern room, Borough's chicken and dumplings, sounds simple. But this version of comfort food has its fair share of swank: it's served with foie and black truffle gnocchi.
Reservations: Low Availability
Menu: Full menu a la carte, or prix-fixe with options, $75.
Swank Factor: In addition to a seafood option for every course, the classed up seafood shack will have two options for wine pairings. There will be the basic level or the "Captain's choice" for a New Year's Eve splurge.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: There aren't any specials lined up for the holiday at 112, but the current menu at this fancy tucked away spot already features frog legs, blue prawns, and chef Isaac Becker's famous foie gras meatballs.
Reservations: Very few reservations
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: Specials at the place famous for its refined twists on midwestern cuisine will include oysters, caviar, and a "Tomahawk chop for two."
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: Prix-fixe menu, 5 and 1/2 courses, $85 — wine and cocktail pairings available for an additional cost.
Swank Factor: The new Nordic blow out at The Bachelor Farmer will include a cocktail hour upstairs from the restaurant and a dance after-party in Marvel Bar.
Reservations: Very few reservations available.
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: A relaxed and casual spot to fill up on pub grub before hitting the town, Anchor has plenty of fried foods to prep any stomach for what could be a very long night.
Reservations: Does not accept reservations.
Menu: Prix-fixe only, 5 set courses, $65.
Swank Factor: For the big night, this neighborhood gastropub is throwing in an amuse bouche and a "pre-dessert" in addition to the tasting menu.
Reservations: Fair Availability
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: There will be a champagne toast to ring in 2014 at this lavish and modern supperclub.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: Family style soul food isn't the swankiest pick of the bunch, but the unfussy food and casual dining room are a good precursor for Ryan Seacrest and Miley Cyrus hosting the ball drop.
Reservations: Does not accept reservations. (Pro tip: the St. Paul location will be accepting reservations and has a high availability.)
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: For those looking to kickstart their New Year's resolution eating, try the green curry with tempeh or the beef brisket with squash and kale at this cute neighborhood cafe before indulging in one last, wild 2013 night.
Reservations: Does not accept reservations
Menu: Prix-fixe with options, 2 courses, $25.
Swank Factor: This sleek neighborhood spot isn't rolling out a red carpet, but a cup of the Dogwood coffee served here should be plenty of fuel to get through the first few hours of 2014.
Reservations: High Availability
Menu: A la carte, regular menu.
Swank Factor: If you're left wanting even more after a couple of craft cocktails from bartender Dan Oskey, stick around this stylish steakhouse. There will be a champagne toast at midnight.
Reservations: Fair Availability
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