40 New Year's Eve Menu Ideas for Restaurants + Prices for 2026
A great New Year's Eve menu gives guests a night that feels like a celebration — and gives your restaurant its highest-earning service of the year.
New Year's Eve is different from every other holiday. Guests aren't looking for comfort food or tradition. They want something a little luxurious, a glass of Champagne, and a reason to stay until midnight. That's why most restaurants switch to a set or tasting menu for the night, with a higher price and fixed seating times.
The best New Year's Eve menus balance three things: dishes that feel special, a kitchen that can send them out to a full dining room at the same time, and a price that makes the night worth opening for.
If you're planning December 31st, here are 40 New Year's Eve menu ideas for restaurants with suggested 2026 prices to help you get started.
Note: Prices below are suggested starting points for a U.S.-based casual or mid-range restaurant. Your ideal prices will depend on ingredient costs, location, portion size, holiday labor, competition and how many seatings you run.
New Year's Eve set menus
Almost every restaurant serves New Year's Eve as a set menu. A fixed price makes bookings easier, lets you take deposits, and helps the kitchen prep exact quantities for a full house.
1. Early seating menu — $55–$75 per person
Three courses from 5–7pm for families, older guests and anyone heading to a party afterwards. A lower price fills tables that would otherwise sit empty.
2. Late seating tasting menu — $95–$150 per person
Five or more courses from 8:30pm, with a Champagne toast at midnight. This is your premium seating and should be priced like it.
3. Wine pairing — $45–$75 per person
A glass matched to each course. An easy upsell that most celebrating tables say yes to.
4. Champagne package — $35–$60 per person
A glass on arrival and another at midnight, or a bottle for every two guests. Include it in the price or offer it as an add-on.
5. Kids' New Year's menu — $22–$30
Two courses and a sparkling mocktail for the countdown. Ideal for early seatings.
6. Bar party ticket — $40–$85 per person
For bars and lounges: entry, canapés, a welcome drink and a midnight toast. Our bar menu template works well for a ticketed night.
New Year's Eve starters and canapés
Start the night with small, elegant bites. They look impressive, can be prepped in advance and keep guests happy while the room fills up.
7. Oysters with shallot mignonette — $18 for three
The classic New Year's Eve opener, and a perfect match for a glass of Champagne.
8. Scallop crudo — $17
Blood orange, fennel and chili oil. Light, bright and quick to plate.
9. Beef tartare — $18
With egg yolk, capers and crispy shallots. A brasserie favorite that feels like a treat.
10. Blinis with caviar or trout roe — $16–$35
Crème fraîche and chives on warm blinis. Use trout or salmon roe to keep costs down, or offer real caviar as a supplement.
11. Wild mushroom velouté — $12
With truffle cream and chives. A comforting vegetarian starter that can be made in large batches.
12. Burrata with winter citrus — $15
Blood orange, pistachio and olive oil. Colorful, simple and great for sharing.
13. Smoked salmon on rye — $14
With horseradish cream and dill. A quick, reliable canapé for bar parties.
14. Truffle arancini — $12
Crispy, cheesy and easy to fry to order. Popular with both early and late seatings.
New Year's Eve mains
Your mains should feel like the most special plates of the year. Offer one premium meat, one fish or seafood dish and one vegetarian main.
15. Beef Wellington — $42–$48
Beef fillet wrapped in mushroom duxelles and puff pastry, with red wine jus. The ultimate celebration main.
16. Filet mignon with lobster tail — $65
Surf and turf is a New Year's Eve classic. Offer it as a supplement on your tasting menu.
17. Butter-poached lobster — $48
With cauliflower purée and beurre blanc. Works well as a fish course on a five-course menu.
18. Rack of lamb — $40
Herb crust, pommes purée and rosemary jus. Elegant, and easy to portion.
19. Pan-seared halibut — $36
With Champagne beurre blanc and leeks. A lighter main that still feels festive.
20. Duck breast with cherry sauce — $36
Rich, colorful and a good point of difference from steak.
21. Short rib bourguignon — $38
Slow-cooked a day ahead and finished to order, so it's ideal for a busy night.
22. Truffle risotto — $28
Creamy, luxurious and vegetarian. Add shaved truffle as a supplement.
23. Roast celeriac or mushroom Wellington — $26
A vegetarian centerpiece that matches the feel of the beef Wellington.
New Year's Eve sides
Keep sides simple and premium. One or two per main is enough on a set menu.
24. Truffle fries with Parmesan — $10
An easy upgrade for bar menus and late-night guests.
25. Pommes purée — $8
Silky mashed potatoes that pair with almost every main.
26. Lobster mac and cheese — $18
Indulgent and shareable. A popular add-on at steakhouses.
27. Charred broccolini — $8
Lemon, garlic and chili. A fresh, green side to balance rich plates.
28. Creamed spinach — $8
A steakhouse classic that's easy to hold during service.
New Year's Eve desserts
Desserts on New Year's Eve should look celebratory. Think chocolate, gold and something to share at midnight.
29. Chocolate dome with gold leaf — $14
Dark chocolate mousse with passion fruit. A show-stopping finale guests will photograph.
30. Champagne sorbet — $8
Light and refreshing. Serve it as a palate cleanser between courses or as a lighter dessert.
31. Crème brûlée — $11
Crack the top at the table. Classic, reliable and simple to scale.
32. Chocolate fondant — $12
Molten center with vanilla ice cream. Prep the batter ahead and bake to order.
33. Petits fours — $8
Macarons, truffles and pâtes de fruits served with coffee. A nice touch to end a tasting menu.
34. Midnight cheese board — $18
A selection of cheeses with crackers, honey and grapes, perfect with a glass of port. Our dessert menu template can help you lay out a full sweet menu.
New Year's Eve drinks
Drinks are where New Year's Eve really pays off. Make sure there's something sparkling for everyone.
35. Glass of Champagne — $16–$22
The essential midnight toast. Offer both a house Champagne and a premium option.
36. Bottle of Champagne — $85–$180
Bottles sell well to celebrating tables. List two or three options at different prices.
37. French 75 — $15
Gin, lemon and Champagne. A classic cocktail that fits the night perfectly.
38. Espresso martini — $15
Popular for keeping guests going until midnight. Our cocktail bar menu template can help you build a full drinks list.
39. Sparkling mocktail — $8
Non-alcoholic sparkling wine or a pomegranate fizz, so drivers and kids can join the toast too.
40. Late-night bites — $10–$16
Mini sliders, fries or grilled cheese served after midnight. A simple way to keep guests at the bar for one more round.
New Year's Eve menu price list for 2026
Using the ideas above, a simple pricing structure could look like this:
| Menu category | Suggested price range |
|---|---|
| Early seating menu | $55–$75 per person |
| Late seating tasting menu | $95–$150 per person |
| Wine pairing | $45–$75 per person |
| Champagne package | $35–$60 per person |
| Kids' New Year's menu | $22–$30 |
| Bar party ticket | $40–$85 per person |
| Starters and canapés | $12–$35 |
| Mains | $26–$65 |
| Sides | $8–$18 |
| Desserts | $8–$18 |
| Champagne by the glass | $16–$22 |
| Cocktails | $15 |
These numbers aren't fixed industry prices. New Year's Eve pricing varies a lot between small towns, big cities, hotels and fine-dining restaurants. Many restaurants price their late seating at around double their usual dinner check.
How many items should a New Year's Eve menu have?
You don't need all 40 ideas.
On New Year's Eve, most tables order at the same time and every guest expects their food before midnight. A short, focused menu helps the kitchen keep pace with a full dining room and makes it easier to prep exactly what you need.
For most restaurants, a strong New Year's Eve menu includes:
- 1–2 seatings with a set price each (plus a kids' price)
- 2–3 starters or a canapé course
- 3 mains, including a premium meat, a fish dish and a vegetarian option
- 1–2 sides per main
- 2–3 desserts, or one show-stopping dessert
- A short Champagne and cocktail list
- Optional supplements for caviar, lobster or truffle
If you're building your menu from scratch, our New Year's Eve menu template helps you organize courses, prices and drinks into a mobile-friendly menu with a QR code. Still planning December? See our Christmas menu ideas and the Christmas menu template.
How to price a New Year's Eve menu
Start with the cost of each course on your set menu. Use the most expensive option in each course to calculate your worst-case plate cost — on New Year's Eve, guests often choose the premium dishes.
Many restaurants aim for a food cost of around 25–32% on New Year's Eve set menus. For example, if a five-course tasting menu costs $28 to make, a price of around $95–$110 keeps you in that range.
Then account for New Year's Eve-specific costs:
- Holiday pay for staff working late into the night
- Champagne for the midnight toast
- Decorations, party favors and live music or a DJ
- Fewer seatings than a normal Saturday, since late tables stay for hours
A few practical tips:
- Take deposits for every booking. No-shows on New Year's Eve are almost impossible to refill.
- Run two seatings. An early seating at a lower price and a late seating with the midnight toast lets you serve more guests.
- Use supplements for luxury dishes. Add $15–$30 to the set price for caviar, lobster or surf and turf.
- Set clear seating times. Print the times on the menu and booking confirmation so early tables leave on time.
Share your New Year's Eve menu early
Guests start planning New Year's Eve in November, especially for late seatings and big groups. Publish your menu by mid-November, and right after Christmas for last-minute bookings.
With a digital menu, you can share the same link on your website, Instagram, Google Business Profile and email newsletter. Guests can check the courses, price, seating times and dietary options before they book.
On the night, a QR code menu on each table lets guests browse the Champagne and cocktail list without waiting for a server. If you run out of a dish or switch from the dinner menu to late-night bites after midnight, you can update it from your phone in seconds.
With mmmmenu's New Year's Eve menu maker, you can add your courses, prices and drinks, customize the design to match your restaurant, and update it anytime without reprinting. Already have a menu online? Use our free menu QR code generator to create a printable QR code for it.
Example New Year's Eve menu
If you want to keep it simple, you could launch with a menu like this:
Early Seating — 3 courses $65
Served 5–7pm. Kids under 12 — $25.
Late Seating Tasting Menu — 5 courses $110
Served from 8:30pm. Champagne toast at midnight. Wine pairing +$55.
Arrival
Glass of Champagne & Oyster with Shallot Mignonette
To Start
Scallop Crudo with Blood Orange
Wild Mushroom Velouté (V)
Fish
Butter-Poached Lobster with Beurre Blanc
Mains
Beef Wellington with Red Wine Jus
Pan-Seared Halibut with Champagne Sauce
Roast Celeriac Wellington (V)
Dessert
Midnight Chocolate Dome
Petits Fours & Coffee
Supplements
Caviar Blinis +$25
Bottle of Champagne for the Table from $85
This gives guests a special, celebratory meal with a clear price, while keeping your kitchen focused on a menu it can deliver to a full room before midnight.
Frequently asked questions about New Year's Eve menus
What should be on a New Year's Eve restaurant menu?
A typical New Year's Eve menu includes a set or tasting menu price, a Champagne welcome, elegant starters like oysters or scallop crudo, a premium main like beef Wellington or lobster, a fish dish, a vegetarian main, a celebratory dessert and a short Champagne and cocktail list.
What are the most popular New Year's Eve dishes?
Oysters, caviar, scallops, beef Wellington, filet mignon, lobster, surf and turf, rack of lamb, truffle risotto, chocolate desserts, crème brûlée, Champagne and sparkling cocktails are among the most popular New Year's Eve dishes.
How much does a New Year's Eve dinner at a restaurant cost in 2026?
In the U.S., an early seating menu at a casual or mid-range restaurant usually costs around $55–$75 per person in 2026. A late seating tasting menu with a midnight toast usually costs around $95–$150 per person, and more at hotels and fine-dining restaurants.
Should restaurants charge more on New Year's Eve?
Yes. New Year's Eve comes with holiday pay, Champagne, decorations and fewer table turns. Most restaurants serve a special set menu priced well above their usual dinner check.
Should I offer two seatings on New Year's Eve?
Two seatings work well for most restaurants. An early, lower-priced seating suits families and guests with other plans, while a late seating with a midnight toast becomes your premium experience.
When should I publish my New Year's Eve menu?
Publish it by mid-November. Many guests book New Year's Eve weeks in advance, and a second push right after Christmas helps fill any remaining tables.
Should I use a QR code menu for New Year's Eve?
A QR code menu works well alongside printed menus on New Year's Eve. You can share the menu online before guests book, update it instantly when a dish sells out, and switch to a late-night menu after midnight without reprinting anything.