A dozen of Toronto’s best New Year’s Eve dinner parties

Celebrating New Year’s Eve doesn’t necessarily mean a trip to the party circuit that is King West. We’ve rounded up 12 of the best dinner parties happening in neighbourhoods from Roncesvalles to Leslieville, so you can wine and dine your way into a delicious new year.

Related: These Toronto bars are getting festive for the holiday season

Arbequina

If you want more dinner, less party, consider a New Year’s Eve feast of Arab-inspired dishes at this Roncesvalles restaurant. Arbequina’s menu highlights the many regional dishes where chef Moeen Abuzaid grew up, with flavours of za’atar, olives and pomegranate. Bonus for anyone looking to avoid drunken revellers: Arbequina is an alcohol-free establishment.

Things to know: The tasting menu is $150 per guest ($175 with zero-proof pairings). And there won’t be a dedicated countdown. 325 Roncesvalles Ave., arbequinato.com

Lardo

This west-end Italian kitchen is ringing in the new year with super-luxe dishes including lobster fettuccine, dry-aged rib-eye with truffle jus and a perfect panettone for dessert. They’ll also be serving up some of their usual hits, like risotto Milanese and the popular oyster martini.

Things to know: À la carte menu with wine pairings available. Champagne at midnight. 970 College St. W., lardo.ca

Linny’s

At his old-school steakhouse on Ossington, chef David Schwartz is serving a smorgasbord of the restaurant’s greatest hits. The special tasting menu includes dishes like their challah service, signature pastrami and chocolate babka. There’s even an option to get the “Shake n’ Bake” chicken with caviar—it’s $30 extra per person but worth it for the added five grams of luxury.

Things to know: $135 per person, served family style. 176 Ossington Ave., linnysrestaurant.com

Sunnys Chinese

Head to Kensington Market for a special four-course spread of Sunnys’ fan favourites: hokkaido scallops, stuffed chicken wings, young chow fried rice and, for dessert, their signature HK French toast. Guests also have the option to add drink pairings, roast duck or a whole damn lobster.

Things to know: $99 per person (add $70 per person for drink pairings). 60 Kensington Ave., sunnyschinese.com

Harriet’s Rooftop

For one night only, the rooftop at One Hotel will be transformed into an alpine-chic disco dance club. Harriet’s two-part dinner service includes à la carte seafood and sushi menus crafted to keep guests satisfied—but still able to perform some fancy footwork to tracks spun by DJ Misha.

Things to know: Dinner seatings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. At 10 p.m., it turns into a ticketed event ($100 per person, welcome bubbly included). 55 Wellington St. W., 1hotels.com/toronto/taste/harriets-rooftop

Evangeline

Ace Hotel’s rooftop lounge, Evangeline, is hosting an après-ski-themed party that promises to be très chic. Alpine Noir guests are encouraged to dress for the theme with faux fur, velvet and satin. The ticket includes passed hors d’œuvres, photo booth fun and music courtesy of DJs King Marie, Taima, Savvv and Manalang—plus a glass of bubbly when the clock strikes 12.

Things to know: $120 (early bird) or $150 per person. The party starts at 10 p.m. and ends at 3 a.m. 51 Camden St., evangelinetoronto.com

Related: Toronto’s best oyster deals

Harbour 60

This long-standing steakhouse is offering two over-the-top NYE dinner menus to match its new look. The early bird Prestige dinner service runs from 5 to 7:30 p.m. For those who want to stay up a bit later, there’s the Deluxe Midnight menu, which kicks off at 9 p.m. and includes dishes like beef tartare lobster bisque (or A5 Wagyu strip loin for an additional $65).

Things to know: $189 per person for the NYE Prestige menu and $289 per person for the NYE Deluxe Midnight menu. The party ends at 3 a.m. 60 Harbour St., harbour60.com

Louix Louis

The special night at this St. Regis Hotel restaurant starts with a glass of sparkling wine or champagne, followed by a selection of passed canapés. Highlights from the menu include little luxuries like burrata crowned with caviar, Wagyu beef tartare, and white truffle and stracciatella ravioli.

Things to know: The four-course dinner (5 to 7:30 p.m.) is $275 per person. The five-course menu (8 p.m. until late) is $396 per guest and includes a cheese table. 325 Bay St., louixlouis.com

Living Room

W Hotel’s signature lounge is offering a multi-level experience in their dedicated Music Zone. Depending on the vibe they seek, guests can choose from the upper or lower bar for table service, canapés and a bottle of Perrier-Jouët champagne.

Things to know: The menu is à la carte and seating is first come, first serve. A live band will take the stage at midnight. 90 Bloor St. E., wtorontoevents.com/w-living-room

Maison Selby

The romantics may want to consider ringing in the new year with Maison Selby’s menu of oysters, truffled tagliatelle, dry-aged steak and risotto.

Things to know: The five-course menu (two-hour seatings starting at 4:30 p.m.) is $125 per person. The six-course menu (two-and-a-half-hour seatings starting at 6:45 p.m.) is $150 per guest. The late-evening six-course menu (9:30 p.m. until late) is $165 per guest. 592 Sherbourne St., maisonselby.com

Broadview Hotel

Riverdale’s hottest hotel is taking its NYE celebrations to new heights with a sultry rooftop party that includes bubbly, beats and a burlesque performance. Each ticket includes a glass of sparkling wine at midnight and passed snacks throughout the evening.

Things to know: $108 per person. Cocktail attire recommended. 106 Broadview Ave., thebroadviewhotel.ca

Wynona

Chef Jeba Sritharan is closing out the year with a set menu of some of the restaurant’s favourite dishes, including foie torchon with coronation grape, pork chop with fennel and, for dessert, decadent hazelnut tiramisu.

Things to know: Reservations available from 5 to 9:45 p.m., with later seatings invited to stay for the countdown. Tasting menus are $125 per person, with an added $65 for wine pairings. 819 Gerrard St. E., wynonatoronto.com