For some, New Year’s Eve means a night of drinking, dancing and debauchery. But if you’re looking for a more civilized end-of-year experience, perhaps you’d prefer to ring in 2016 with a night of fine dining. Why not skip the crowded bars and celebrate the New Year with a memorable meal and a champagne toast at these Vancouver restaurants.
If you’re going to leave your New Year’s Eve dinner in someone else’s hands, it might as well be David Hawksworth. Widely celebrated for his award-winning cuisine, Chef Hawksworth wows diners from around at the world at his namesake restaurant set within the historic Rosewood Hotel Georgia. The downtown dining room is pulling out all the stops for New Year’s Eve 2016 with a dazzling seven-course tasting menu ($178 per person) that’s certainly worth the hefty price tag. Nova Scotia lobster ravioli, poached sturgeon with caviar and wagyu striploin are just a few of the delectable delicacies on offer.
Throw on your swankiest party attire, grab a few friends and head on over to West Oak where the celebrations don’t stop until 2:00 am. This chic Yaletown hotspot attracts a fashionable crowd throughout the year, so it’s sure to be a place to see and be seen on NYE. Don’t forget to bring your appetite; West Oak is offering family-style sharing platters for the holiday season as well as a few special feature items for the big night. From bacon-fat roasted potatoes to fresh wild scallops to a whole-roasted lamb rack, you’ll certainly end 2015 on a delicious note.
For revellers who want to welcome 2016 in style, the extravagant New Year’s Eve dinner gala at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel is just the ticket. There are two different seating options for those who want to party at the picturesque waterfront restaurant: start your night with an early four-course dinner ($99 per person), or opt for the five-course meal ($149 per person) that runs from 8:30 pm until the wee hours. Both feature spectacular West Coast menus devised by Arc executive chef Dana Hauser. The late-night festivities include live music and a glass of bubbly when the clock strikes midnight.
Bauhaus, a modern German eatery housed in a historic former bank building on West Cordova, has been earning critical acclaim ever since it first opened its doors earlier this year. Not your average German beer hall, the kitchen here is helmed by Michelin Star chef Stefan Hartmann who elevates classic European cuisine with his refined, contemporary approach. For New Year’s Eve, the Gastown hotspot will be offering an exclusive chef’s menu with champagne and wine pairing options. Beer fans take note: you’ll find a solid selection of German draught brews on tap, including früh, krombacher pilsner, and a refreshing radler.
An Italian feast at CinCin is definitely a delectable way to ring in the New Year. This Tuscan-inspired trattoria is warm and welcoming and chef Andrew Richardson’s New Year’s Eve menu is sure to impress. Expect a superb variety of antipasti plates, hand-made pastas and risottos, vegetable sides and meaty mains – along with a few surprises. Book the late-night seating to enjoy live entertainment and a midnight countdown followed by a celebratory glass of champagne. Keep the party going with a glass of vino; the restaurant’s impressive wine cellar is home to more than 1,000 bottles.
Stellar coastal cuisine and live music make for a delicious combination at the award-winning seafood restaurant inside the Four Seasons. Yew’s extraordinary New Year’s Eve dinner menu ($149 per person) features four courses of under-the-sea delights such as roasted sablefish, oysters with caviar, lobster sausage and sweetbreads, scallops and crispy pork belly, and much more. Vancouver’s own DJ Leanne will be providing the soundtrack for the evening, accompanied by saxophonist Caley Honeywell and percussionist Pher. Plan on partaking in a few glasses of champagne? Book a room upstairs and you won’t have to worry about finding a taxi home.
Don’t fancy dressing up in your finery for New Year’s Eve? If you’re looking for a lively and relaxed vibe, The Cottage Bistro is a cozy spot to say farewell to 2015. The Mount Pleasant restaurant and bar is hosting a special Countdown Bash with live musical entertainment from The Gale Force Blues Band. The fusion menu will appease picky eaters and the easy-going atmosphere means everyone will feel right at home. New Year’s usually demands a glass of fizz, but this bar boasts a solid selection of single malt Scotch for those who prefer their booze without bubbles.
Southern-style cuisine and a Prohibition-era themed party await at this Gastown smokehouse. Located in a warehouse-style space on Beatty Street (the former home of Chambar), this laid-back barbecue joint is helmed by the team from Howe Sound Brewing. For New Year’s Eve, chef Dave McLeod has created a three-course prix fixe spread ($25 per person) of finger-licking good fare – making this an affordable alternative to some of the haughtier NYE menus in town. Expect a raucous, party-like atmosphere all night long thanks to live blues tunes from The Hot Devils, beer-themed prize giveaways and complimentary party favours.
Music and dancing is always on the menu at Federico’s, but the end-of-the-year celebrations promise to be particularly festive. This Commercial Drive supper club specializes in fine Italian cuisine and live entertainment courtesy of amiable host and owner Federico Fuoco. For New Year’s Eve, diners will be welcomed with a glass of Prosecco followed by a four-course meal. The sumptuous dinner features antipasti, pasta, meaty entrées and cream-filled profiteroles for dessert. Mike Romano will provide live music during the meal and afterwards patrons will hit the dance floor, with nibbles and party favours distributed just in time for midnight.