Looking for the best places to celebrate the New Year in style, watch the fireworks display or perhaps just enjoy a fun night out with friends that doesn’t cost the earth? Look no further, our New Year’s Eve roundup has something for everyone…
£975 per person
Goodness it isn’t a cheap way to ring in the New Year but celebrations don’t get much more special than a six course tasting menu at Simon Rogan’s hotel dining room and a night at one of London’s best hotels. Fera at Claridge’s was the highest rated newcomer in our survey this year thanks to its “gloriously attentive” service and “phenomenal” meals. On New Year’s Eve guests will find a welcome bottle of champagne in their room, a special menu and glass of champagne at Fera and a New Year’s Day breakfast in the Foyer and Reading Room with a choice of Bloody or Virgin Mary. To book call Claridge’s on 020 3130 6972.
£395 per table
If you want to see the London fireworks but don’t fancy wading through throngs of people then The Shard is the place to be. The price to secure a table for dinner at Aqua Shard is as steep as the building itself, but you do get half a bottle of champagne and the table is yours for the entirety of the evening. For those not wishing to spend quite so much there are also seats at the bar which cost £95 and includes a glass of champagne. The party ends at 3.30am. To book email newyearseve@aqua-London.com.
£275 per person.
It rose up our rankings this year and once again made an appearance in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants list, so perhaps it’s time to revisit the shouty chef’s Royal Hospital Road fixture? For New Year’s Eve they’ve put together an eight course tasting menu, but as one might expect it’s an arm-and-a-leg-job. On the menu: confit duck and wild mushroom tortellini; poached Scottish lobster, sea scallops with sage gnocchi; roasted loin of venison and finishing with pineapple soup and a bitter chocolate and hazelnut cylinder.
£75 per person (£130 with wine pairings)
Or how about spending New Year’s Eve at one of London’s most celebrated newcomers? Gymkhana’s “sensationally subtle” cuisine was a major hit with our reporters this year and was the 12th most mentioned restaurant in the survey. On 31 December the nouvelle Indian will serve two special menus (one vegetarian), with dishes like potato chat, chickpeas, tamarind; Bhatti Ka grouse, samosa, garlic pickle; wild rabbit Nihari, aloo chokha, and chestnut and date Kheer. To book call 020 3011 5900.
£150-175 per person
The handy Oxford Street outpost of the Salt Yard empire is hosting two celebration dinners on the same night. The first will be a pre-countdown meal leaving one enough time to bounce off to other parties, and the second will be for those who wish to bring in the New Year at Ember Yard. The early dinner is 6-9pm and includes nibbles, starters, nine tapas and pudding. An NYE welcome cocktail, wine and soft drinks are also included (other drinks are extra). The midnight dinner will be 10pm-1.30am and includes all of the above plus a glass of Bolly. To book email Daniel on info@emberyard.co.uk
£50 per person
This recently launched high-end burger and small plates joint is hosting a Jay Gatsby-style roaring ’20s party to celebrate the New Year. Diners are expected to be era-appropriate – so ladies don your flapper dresses and gents a suit and tie or shirt and braces. The evening will feature an array of canapés and cocktails, as well as live music and a blackjack table. The party starts at 9pm and lasts ’til 3am.
£35-45 per person
And now for something completely different. Head to Shoreditch for crazy golf, booze and street food at hipster haven Swingers. They’re having a New Year party with food from long-time Harden’s survey favourite Patty & Bun – as one reporter observed “if they laced the dishes with crack they couldn’t be more addictive!”. Expect the classic Ari Gold Cheeseburger as well as specials like The Pig Dipper (dipped roast pork belly, provolone cheese, sausage gravy, confit garlic, nduja) Shrimp Poppaz and confit thighs with a tamarind glaze.
