Dining
Chef William Bradley and the team at the award-winning fine dining restaurant will plate a nine-course tasting menu of sake-cured kampachi, osetra caviar, Langoustine á la Robuchon (a tribute to the namesake chef), and more, ending with a grapefruit sorbet palate cleanser and for dessert, an éclair de fin d’année with amaretto, prune, and milk chocolate. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 858-314-1900.
Time: Seatings from 5:30 p.m.
Price: $335 per person; wine pairing available for a $250
5200 Grand Del Mar Way, Del Mar
Spend New Year’s Eve with a cocktail-style menu, a complimentary Champagne toast, and raffle prizes.
Time: 9 p.m.–1 a.m.
Price: $50 per person
5980 Village Way, Carmel Valley
They’re serving a three-course menu that includes options of brioche topped with house-cured salmon, roasted beet salad, hiramasa crudo, Parmesan gnocchi, cast-iron-seared sirloin, and roasted banana cake.
Time: 4:30–9:30 p.m.
Price: $65 per person (extra $32 for beverage pairings)
2202 Fourth Avenue, Bankers Hill
Dine on Italian food, then hit the dance floor until 1 a.m. at this cozy Little Italy restaurant, complete with a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight.
Time: 4 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
Price: À la carte
1917 India Street, Little Italy
The executive chef has crafted a three-course dinner of Baja coastal cuisine, including his new Baja Ramen. Plus, there will be a live DJ and karaoke from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Price: $45 per person
639 J Street, East Village
Celebrate an East Coast New Year at Bub’s @ The Beach with drink specials starting at 5 p.m. and a ball drop at 9 p.m. Not quite ready to head home? Stick around for a midnight toast, featuring Bub’s Ponies, the house special bubbly.
Time: 5 p.m.–midnight
1030 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
The homegrown hospitality brand is offering a group of multicourse menus at:
Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, Three Courses, $75
BO-beau Kitchen + Bar, Three Courses, $52–$55
Coasterra, Three Courses, $80
Indigo Grill, Three Courses, $60
Island Prime / C Level, Three Courses, $75
SEA180° Coastal Tavern, Three Courses, $70
The Prado, Three Courses, $55
Vintana Wine + Dine, Three Courses, $70
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Feast on a premium, four-course, prix-fixe menu on the waterfront. Try 45-day dry-aged prime strip, lobster mac and cheese, and the option to add on wine pairings.
Time: 5 p.m.–close
Price: $195 per person; wine pairings additional $50 per person
901 Bayfront Court, Downtown
Their four-course, prix-fixe menu will feature lobster salad, clams and mussels, duck gnocchi, and lava cake.
Price: $60 per person
3055 Clairemont Drive, Bay Park; 8141 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa
Settle into a four-course meal (two starters, one entrée, one dessert) that spans roasted beets with Chino Farms strawberries, crispy pork belly, and beef tenderloin with a bone marrow vinaigrette.
Price: $95–$125
1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla
This Little Italy hot spot will be toasting with a four-course prix-fixe menu of seared scallops, short rib gnocchi, or filet mignon. Finish off your feast with a chocolate Pavlova and a Champagne toast.
Time: 5:30 p.m.–close
Price: $95–$115
2210 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
Start with cocktails in the iconic Crown Room before indulging in dinner, dancing, and live entertainment in the hotel’s grand ballroom. They also offer a more PG-friendly party for kids ages three to 17—$125 for the first child and $100 for each additional— that includes dinner, ice skating (ages eight and up), games, s’mores, and a midnight toast with sparkling cider.
Time: 7 p.m.–1 a.m.
Price: $375–$425
1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado
At Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins’s ode to old-school regional Mexican cuisine, you can dine on a six-course prix-fixe menu of Tijuana-style bluefin crudo, Snake River Farms hanger steak with plantain mole, and more (peek at the full menu here).
Time: Seatings at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Price: $80 per person; $45 wine pairing or $25 agua fresca (non-alcoholic) beverage pairings
2885 Perry Road, Liberty Station
Executive Chef Anthony Wells and his team are crafting a four-course New Year’s Eve menu.
Price: $115 per person
2228 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
Head to Leroy’s Kitchen and Lounge for eclectic California cuisine and their three-course menu. Options include sherry-braised short ribs and stuffed delicata squash.
Price: $65 per person
1015 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Dine on a prix-fixe four-course menu of freshly shucked oysters, clam chowder, and filet mignon.
Price: $99 per person
224 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Madison’s three-course menu will include starters like tuna tartare and apple cranberry walnut salad, and entrées like a double-cut sesame crusted pork chop. There will also be a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight.
Time: Seatings 5–7 p.m. and 8–11 p.m.
Price: $65 per person
4622 Park Boulevard, University Heights
To celebrate their first New Year’s Eve in San Diego, contemporary Italian restaurant Maestoso will be offering two prix-fixe options: a three-course or a five-course dinner, both with wine pairing options. The menu will incorporate lentils, traditionally eaten in Italy to bring good luck during the New Year.
Time: 5–8:30 p.m. (three-course dinner); 8:30 p.m.–midnight (five-course dinner, last seating at 9:30 p.m.)
Price: $55–$120
1040 University Avenue, Hillcrest
Choose from a five-course menu, featuring imperial Wagyu beef braised with mulberry wine and Maine lobster tail basted with dill pollen butter. Enjoy live music from the Whitney Shay Band during dinner.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Price: $115–$185 per person
2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla
Check out Maretalia’s newly renovated dining space at their three-course New Year’s Eve dining bash. The contemporary Italian fare will include entrées like chestnut tagliatelle with black truffle.
Price: $85 per person
1300 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Under the direction of new chef, Sean McCart, Mille Fleurs will be serving a five-course New Year’s Eve dinner. Choices include steak tartare and matcha tres leches cake.
Price: $135 per person
6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe
Some of the best views in the city pair perfectly with Mister A’s four-course meal. Highlights include a caviar trio on buckwheat blini and Chilean sea bass with Caribbean shrimp.
Price: $135 per person
2550 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
A four-course menu will give guests a chance to choose between “Menu Mare,” for seafood lovers, and “Menu Terra,” for traditionalists. Guests will also receive a complimentary glass of prosecco.
Time: Seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Price: $45–$50 per person
455 Tenth Avenue, East Village
Inspired by the flavors and flair of Napa Valley, Route 29’s New Year’s Eve dinner will feature a full three-course menu. Choose from surf and turf lobster with a petit fillet, pan-seared scallops, and more.
Price: À la carte
644 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
El Roy’s Tequila Bar + Kitchen
It’s a waterfront fiesta with their unlimited taco bar and $5 margaritas.
Price: $35 per person
1201 First Street, Coronado
You can start early on that resolution to eat more plant-based meals. The artisan scoop shop is debuting its “Vegandulgence” series of vegan ice cream flavors, like Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies, Elvis’s Peanut Butter Banana Split, Candied Apricot Faux-Yo, Aquafaba Marshmallow Oatmeal Moon Pies, and Heidi Ho’s Lemon Cheesecake.
Date: December 28–January 31
Price: Varies
1670 India Street, Little Italy
For an evening of pure opulence, enjoy Executive Chef Andrew Kedziora’s three-course menu. One highlight is the steamed Maine lobster with black truffle risotto. Upgrade your experience with Stake’s Sky High New Year’s Eve experience alongside the fire pit, a three-course dinner for two, and a bottle of Dom Pérignon.
Time: Early dinner seating 4–5 p.m., dinner seating 5 p.m.–close
Price: $95 per person for early seating, $125 per person for dinner seating, $500 for two by the fire pit, $800 for four by the fire pit
1309 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
The craft beer juggernaut is throwing a big bash at their Liberty Station location, with light bites (from beignets to po’boys), two dance floors, a cigar lounge, a photo booth, and of course, beer.
Time: 8:30 p.m.–1 a.m.
Price: $79–$99
Feast, then dance the night away with cocktails and a live DJ at Tower23 Hotel. Reservations are required for dinner, and not included in the ticket price.
Time: 5:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Price: $40–$55 for live DJ and dancing
723 Felspar Street, Pacific Beach
It will be a Latin New Year’s Eve at The Westgate, featuring pre-dinner cocktails, a Latin-inspired buffet, a DJ, and a live music performance.
Time: 7:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Price $129 per person
1055 Second Avenue, Downtown
Parties
Drink from beach to the rooftop at San Diego’s newest New Year’s Eve Party, Beachfront Bash. With the party moving from Draft South Mission to the rooftop of Cannonball and then to the Beach House, there will be dancing, drinking, and feasting all night.
Time: 8 p.m.–close
Price: $20–$190 per person
3105 Ocean Front Walk, Pacific Beach
Michael Franti will take the stage at this Solana Beach concert venue for a 21-and-up show, then returning on New Year’s Day for a second show.
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Price: $106
143 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
Bourbon, Bubbles, and Bow Ties
Barleymash will be hosting a New Year’s Eve bash—the staff will even be decked out in bow ties. Listen to live entertainment and dance through the night.
Time: 9 p.m.–close
600 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
The Whiskey House, home to America’s largest selection of whiskeys, will also have a dinner buffet and live music.
Time: 8 p.m.–close
Price: $40 per person
420 Third Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Indulge in caviar, sushi, a taco station, fresh seafood, and a Moët & Chandon Champagne bar at this upscale hotel. Then hit the dance floor for DJ-spun tunes to ring in the new year. Get five percent off tickets—which include unlimited food and drink plus free valet—with the code ELJNYE.
Time: 8 p.m.–1 a.m.
Price: $189 per person
9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla
Cruise on a vintage 1929 yacht before ringing in the new year with a 1920s-Hollywood-themed party. The cruise company is also offering a sunset buffet tour, a seated four-course dinner, and a New Year’s Day brunch.
Time: 8:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Price: $209 per person
Kids’ New Year’s Eve at Legoland
Need to celebrate early because of the little ones? Legoland California will re-create the Times Square ball drop with a giant Lego brick drop at 6 p.m., plus fireworks and more.
1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
The North Park venue is hosting a Euphoric Haze New Year’s Eve Celebration with three themed rooms: one with mod, Warhol-inspired style, another dedicated to soul tunes, and a variety show in their ballroom. They’re also hosting a three-course dinner from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (must be booked with general admission ticket).
Price: $60 (general admission)–$190
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
Hundred Proof is throwing a party with a cornhole tournament and cocktails in red Solo cups. On New Year’s Day, they’re throwing an à la carte Cutwater Spirits Brunch with a photo booth, cocktails, and more.
4130 Park Boulevard, University Heights
The Pendry’s subterranean lounge is hosting a New Year’s Eve bash with tunes by rap/hip-hop DJ Clinton Sparks.
Time: 10 p.m.–2 a.m.
550 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter
The Pearl is throwing a vintage party that includes a four-course meal, DJ, and a complimentary Champagne toast. Plus, they’re offering $30 off room rates for that night.
Time: Early seating begins at 6 p.m.; late seating begins at 8 p.m.
Price: Early seating, $70 per person; late seating, $90 per person
1410 Rosecrans Street, Point Loma
Red-Carpet Affair at Duck Dive
Ring in the New Year like a celebrity at Duck Dive’s Red-Carpet Affair. Enjoy dancing, live music by DJ Theron, and a photo booth, plus get hair-of-the-dog vouchers to use the next morning. Bottle service and VIP tables will be available by reservation.
Time: 9 p.m.–2 a.m.
Price: No cover
4650 Mission Boulevard, Pacific Beach
Come dressed to impress in 1920s garb and ready for a night of live entertainment, costume contests, and a buffet dinner at The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. This family-friendly event will feature a dedicated Kids Party Zone and two ball drops—one at 9:00 p.m. for the kids, and another at midnight.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Price: $110–$130 per adult
5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad
San Diego New Year’s Guide 2018
