NYE 2022: Where To Go For Dinner in London
By
1 year ago
From rooftop hangouts to the best Italian in town, these venues are worthy hosts for the biggest night of the year
Swerving club nights for something more civilised this New Year’s Eve? Treat yourself to a slap-up dinner at one of the capital’s top eateries, where you can ring in 2023 with some good food, wine and maybe even a little dance. Whether you’re after a lavish tasting menu or something more low-key, get inspired with our pick of the best restaurants for New Year’s Eve in London.
Best Restaurants For New Year’s Eve in London
Bacchanalia
One of this year’s hottest openings, Bacchanalia is the new restaurant from Richard Caring – the name behind some of London’s most glamorous hotspots. Located on Mayfair’s Mount Street, it features extravagant interiors from industry maverick Martin Brudnizki, alongside a suitably decadent menu inspired by Greek and Italian cuisine. No surprise it’s going big this New Year’s Eve, with a tasting menu, live entertainment and plenty of Ruinart Champagne.
Price: From £375pp
Address: 1 Mount Street, London, W1K 3NA
BOOK: bacchanalia.co.uk
Bala Baya
There’s always a buzzy atmosphere at Israeli restaurant Bala Baya, which sits beneath the Union Street railway arches in Southwark. This New Year’s Eve, head chef Eran Tibi has curated an eight-course sharing menu of Tel Aviv-inspired dishes: think blackened aubergine with oregano and tahini, homemade pittas, marinated Greek feta and more. Alongside this, guests can enjoy fireworks and dance the night away to music from live DJs. Sittings are available at either 6pm or 9pm.
Price: £69pp
Address: Arch 25, Old union yard arches, 229 Union St, London SE1 0LR
BOOK: balabaya.co.uk
Kudu Grill
We were very impressed with Kudu Grill in Peckham when we checked it out last year. A love letter to the art of braai (or open coal South African barbeque), it sizzles up a fiery array of veggie, meat and fish dishes amid a cool speakeasy-style atmosphere. On 31 December, diners will be treated to a six-course feast, featuring dishes like grilled potato flatbread, dry aged prime rib with black garlic glaze, and Koeksisters, a traditional South African sticky doughnut.
Price: £85pp
Address: 57 Nunhead Ln, London SE15 3TR
BOOK: kuducollective.com
Oxeye
Sven-Hanson Britt’s debut restaurant, Oxeye in Battersea, is all about putting top-class produce centre stage, and spotlighting hyper-seasonal ingredients. This New Year’s Eve, the restaurant is offering a Japanese-influenced tasting menu, complete with a whopping eight courses. The evening will kick off on a suitably lavish note with a caviar canape selection, followed by dishes like Dover sole braised on the bone with lovage emulsion, and 70 day aged Longhorn rib grilled over blackcurrant branches. Bonus: from 10.30pm there will be live jazz.
Price: £195pp for the first sitting (7pm) and £350pp for the second sitting (9pm)
Address: Embassy Gardens, 14 New Union Square, Nine Elms, London SW11 7AX
BOOK: oxeyerestaurant.co.uk
Carousel
Creative culinary-focused hub Carousel is launching a new series of events in collaboration with music group AVA – with the first taking place on 31 December. The premise is to pair top chefs with exciting DJs for a seven-course tasting menu and live soundtrack, with each night a total one-off. There are two pairings to choose from on New Year’s Eve: chef Pablo Diaz and DJ Call Super; and chef Emme Prieto and DJ Yung Singh. At 10.30pm, you can either call it a night, or stay for the post-dinner party.
Price: From £145pp including a glass of champagne on arrival
Address: 19-23 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RW
BOOK: carousel-london.com
The Savoy
The Savoy is up there with London’s most legendary hotels, and will certainly fit the bill for a special New Year’s Eve dinner. This year’s celebrations will be a homage to its theatrical history, kicking off with a champagne reception followed by a four-course dinner in the glitzy Lancaster Ballroom, complete with paired wines. Diners will be treated to live entertainment during the event – plus the hotel has a prime location by the river, so you might catch a glimpse of the fireworks.
Price: From £595pp
Address: The Savoy, The Strand, WC2R 0EZ London
BOOK: opentable.co.uk
Amethyst
One of this year’s most talked about openings was Mayfair’s Amethyst, launched by chef Carlo Scotto, who earned his stripes at fine dining restaurant Xier before opening his own venture. Head there this New Year’s Eve to enjoy a decadent 15-course tasting menu inspired by Carlo’s travels around the world, complete with some of the Amethyst staples, such as black cod with burnt hay and caramelised miso. To make the evening even more special, Carlo has also added some new dishes to the menu, including a wagyu beef number and a French toast, croquette and white truffle creation – with everything made using top-quality ingredients.
Price: £375pp
Address: 6 Sackville St, London W1S 3DD
BOOK: amethystdining.com
Berber & Q
Dinner out on New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to break the bank. Much-loved Middle Eastern restaurant Berber & Q is offering a very reasonable ‘Best of Berber’ menu for just £39pp at its flagship Haggerston venue. You can enjoy some of its best North African and Mediterranean plates, including smoked lamb neck mechoui, cauliflower shawarma, wood-roasted prawns pil-pil, and a tahini ice cream dessert. Optional drinks packages will also be available.
Price: £39pp
Address: 338 Acton Mews, London E8 4EA
BOOK: berberandgrillhouse.com
The MAINE Mayfair
If you’re looking for somewhere with that extra pizzaz, The MAINE Mayfair is sure to deliver. The restaurant opened in 2021, set within a historical townhouse in Hanover Square – and both the interiors and the menu are unashamedly lavish (think mother-of-pearl chandeliers and a lobster-ridden menu). No surprise, then, that the venue is going all out for New Year’s Eve. Ring in the new year by tucking into one of its set menus, which offer dishes like spicy shrimp linguine, New York sirloin and filet mignon rossini, followed by a chocolate fondant or crème brûlée dessert. Opt for the £250 set menu to toast to 2023 with a glass of fizz.
Price: £125pp or £250pp
Address: 6, Medici Courtyard, London W1S 1JY
BOOK: themainemayfair.com
The Cadogan Arms
With its roaring fireplaces and velvet chairs, upmarket Chelsea pub The Cadogan Arms is designed for cosy winter nights. Its food offering is also a notch above most pubs – no surprise with two top chefs at the helm: Alex Harper (formerly at the Michelin-starred Harwood Arms) and James Knappett, of Kitchen Table fame. On New Year’s Eve, there’s a four-course menu on offer featuring dishes like ham hock terrine, beef wellington, celeriac and mushroom pie, and an apple and blackberry crumble dessert. The meal also includes a welcome cocktail and bubbles at midnight – and if you want to party on, tickets to the bar area are available for £20 a head.
Price: £100pp
Address: 298 King’s Rd, London SW3 5UG
BOOK: designmynight.com
Lina Stores
What better way to ring in the new year than with a big bowl of pasta? Italian hotspot Lina Stores is throwing a New Year’s Eve bash at both its King’s Cross and Marylebone restaurants, complete with live entertainment and special sharing menus. The four-course feast brings together some of Lina Stores’ festive favourites, like truffle tagliolini, fennel sausage and a Montebianco ice-cream dessert – with vegetarian options also available – alongside Italian wines. Both venues will feature music from live DJs, with some special entertainment on offer at the Marylebone outpost which will remain a secret until the night.
Price: From £65pp
Address: 13-15 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2NE and 20 Stable St, London N1C 4DR
BOOK: linastores.co.uk
Oblix at The Shard
Undoubtedly one of the most special dining spots in the city is The Shard, London’s tallest building which boasts panoramic views of the capital. Its New Year’s Eve party is always one to remember, split between restaurant Oblix West and bar Oblix East. Begin with a tasting menu at Oblix West before heading to Oblix East for free-flowing wine, beers and cocktails from 10pm – 12am, followed by a glass of champagne when the clock strikes midnight.
Price: From £280pp
Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG
BOOK: designmynight.com
Hakkasan
Head to Michelin-starred restaurant Hakkasan for high-end Chinese food amid glamorous settings, with both the Mayfair and Hanway Place branches hosting events on 31 December. At the Mayfair venue, choose from a selection of signature set menus featuring signature dishes like dim sum and stir-fried lobster, alongside live entertainment from London club The Box. Hakkasan Hanway Place will also offer a variety of set menus, with dishes like lobster lychee, grilled Chilean sea bass in honey, and charcoal grilled Japanese wagyu beef sirloin, plus music from renowned DJ Norman Jay MBE.
Price: Various menus on offer
Address: 17 Bruton St, London W1J 6QB and 8 Hanway Pl, London W1T 1HD
BOOK: hakkasan.com
Featured image: Oblix at The Shard, Richard Southall/Ilona Zielinska
