Note from Karen,December 2020: For New Year’s Eve picks for 2020, an update, click here.
By Jennifer Agress and Yours Truly
A reader posted a question on AskKaren about ideas for Miami New Year’s Eve, which I’m sure a number of you will be wondering about too. So to help you comb through Miami’s long list of options, we’ve rounded up our favorite NYE dinners, some with serious entertainment, and other special ideas. They’re at different price points including free admission, all happening at South Florida’s hottest restaurants, hotels and venues. Here they are:
The Lido Bayside Grill
There are few places in Miami as iconic as The Standard Spa, Miami Beach. This New Year’s Eve, ring in 2019 at its onsite restaurant—the Mediterranean, wellness-inspired The Lido Bayside Grill—for a special “Not Your Standard New Year’s Eve” menu and incomparable views. Along with the regular menu, guests can take advantage of three holiday-inspired dishes: the Black-Eyed-Pea Salad with cornbread croutons ($16), Rum-Glazed Ham with braised collard greens ($32) and Billionaire’s Brioche with a Champagne-guava glaze. Pair it all with Lido’s light-strung setting and Biscayne bay views, and it will be one Happy New Year, indeed. The Lido Bayside Grill is located at 40 Island Avenue. Price does not include tax and gratuity. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made any time after 6 p.m. Reservations can be made here. Hotel valet is available.
Kiki on the River
Ring in 2019 with dinner and a party! At the chic, riverfront Kiki on the River, choose from two seatings—one between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., in the outside garden or main room, or one after 9 p.m., inside only—and get a bottle of bubbly to go with it. Those who take the first seating ($125++ per person) will get a complimentary bottle of Moet Brut for two, and those who take the later seating ($375++ per person) will get a complimentary bottle of Dom Perignon Vintage for two. The four-course meal will be served family style, and includes plates like Dungeness Crab Bite served on a herbed crostini and topped with sea urchin, Kiki Truffle Heirloom Tomato Salad with truffle feta cheese, Grilled Prawns with a Ladolemono Sauce, Surf and Turf with Wagyu Filet, a double Lamb Rack with a Black Truffle Tapenade, Grilled Lavraki with lemon potatoes, and either a Chocolate Mousse Cake or Fruit Tart, both topped with gold flakes. After 9 p.m., partygoers can reserve tables with bottle service to welcome the New Year in style. Kiki on the River is located at 450 NW North River Drive. Price does not include tax and gratuity. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made here. Valet and street parking are available.
Novikov Miami
A true celebration calls for delicious food, and you can find that at Downtown Miami’s Novikov Miami, the raved-about Chinese-Japanese restaurant from Russian dining impresario Arkadiy Novikov. Started in London, and a favorite amongst A-list diners like Prince Harry and Rihanna, Novikov serves the highest-quality seafood complimented by flavors that are sure to make your mouth water. Expect a special NYE menu with dishes like King Crab with Honey Truffle Butter, A5 Wagyu Foie Gras Nigiri, Kaluga Caviar and, of course, a midnight champagne toast. Two seatings are available, which differ in price. The 6 p.m. seating is priced at $150 per person, and the 9 p.m. seating is priced at $395 per person. You can get the caviar, but it will cost you; you’ll fork out an extra $350, in fact. Novikov Miami is located at 300 South Biscayne Boulevard. Price does not include tax and gratuity. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made here. Valet is available.
La Centrale
Miami’s coveted, three-story Italian food hall is celebrating its first NYE with two parties for guests to choose from. Head to the second floor of La Centrale, and you’ll get a three-course, prix-fixe meal with three hours of premium open bar, beats by DJ Eric Martinez, a ball and balloon drop at Midnight, and a Prosecco toast to ring the new year in. On the third floor, head to a masquerade ball with a five-course prix-fixe dinner, ultra premium wine pairings, Venetian masks, a surprise performer and a Midnight toast with Ca’ del Bosco franciacorta. The fête on the second floor runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., and is priced at $75 for dinner and $120 for the three-hour premium open bar. The ball on the third floor runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., and is priced at $150 for dinner and $190 for the premium wine flight. La Centrale is located at 601 South Miami Avenue, Suite 181-C. Price does not include tax and gratuity. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made by calling 305.720.2401 or sending an email to ciao@lacentralemiami.com. Parking is available in the Brickell City Centre parking garage.
Acqualina Resort & Spa
Head to Acqualina Resort & Spa, where you can ring in 2019 with exquisite hotel guests and South Florida glitterati. This year, the resort’s top restaurants, Il Mulino New York and AQ Chop House by Il Mulino, are coming together to host an extravagant dinner party with live music, unbelievable cuisine and a premium open bar. Choose either restaurant for 2018’s “last supper”—AQ Chop House will host a buffet with the restaurant’s favorite dishes, while Il Mulino NY will host a more formal four-course dinner. While guests have to pick one restaurant to eat at, they can mingle with family and friends at both. The festivities will run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., and both celebrations are priced at $495+ per adult, $395+ per child aged 14-20, $250+ per child aged 3-13. Acqualina Resort & Spa is located at 17875 Collins Avenue. Price does not include tax and gratuity. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made by calling 305.466.9191. Hotel valet is available.
Zuma Miami
This December 31st, celebrate 2019 with “The Tale of Two Cities” at Zuma Miami! This ultra-luxe dinner party is two events in one. Choose from a seated dinner with a “Tokyo Nights” tasting menu, La Grande Dame Veuve Clicquot and Kirinzan Sake, or mentally transport to the streets of Osaka on Zuma’s beautiful, waterfront terrace with live tasting and drinking stations, DJ entertainment and more. “Tokyo Nights” dinner seatings before 8 p.m. will be priced at $195+ per person, and those at 8 p.m. or later will be priced at $425+ per person. Tickets to the terrace celebration start at $175 per person. Zuma Miami is located at 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way. Price does not include tax and gratuity. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made by calling 305.577.0277 or sending an email to info@zumarestaurant.us. Hotel valet is available.
Faena Miami Beach
Faena Miami Beach always throws a good dinner party, and on December 31st, 2018, this over-the-top hotel will do it bigger and better than ever. At this year’s glamorous, tango-inspired celebration, guests of Faena Miami Beach can expect a one-of-a-kind fête with tango performances, a multi-course dinner, live music, fireworks, extravagant surprises and more. Start with passionate tango performances in the hotel’s gilded Cathedral lobby, and move on to a luxurious feast at either of the hotel’s two award-winning restaurants: Argentine hotspot Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann, or the whimsical, modern-Asian restaurant, Pao by Paul Qui. At the former, guests can indulge in a fixed menu of plates like Ossetra Caviar, Maine Lobster Tail and Smoked Wagyu Tenderloin with shaved black winter truffle, while Pao invites guests to sit on its ocean-view terrace and savor Asian-inspired creations like Miyazaki A5 Wagyu Carpaccio, Alaskan King Crab Rice with Foie Gras, 72-Hour Smoked Short Rib Asado with Truffles and so much more. Dinner reservations at either restaurant are priced at $600 per person and include Faena house wines, spirits and Champagne.
When dinner is over, head to Faena’s leopard-clad bar and lounge, Living Room, and dance the night away with live music and Perrier-Jouët Champagne, or head to the Tree of Life and lounge under starry skies with hand-rolled cigars and bottle service. When it’s time to ring in 2019, the hotel’s iconic Damien Hirst golden mammoth installation is the only place you want to be. There will be dazzling live performances, fireworks and more. General admission to this one-night-only celebration starts at $275 per person, and table reservations at The Living Room and Tree of Life start at $400.
Faena Miami Beach is located at 3201 Collins Avenue. Prices do not include tax and gratuity. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made any time after 8 p.m. Reservations for everything can be made here. Hotel valet is available.
Macchialina
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, home-cooked Italian feast, look no further than Chef Michael Pirolo and his cozy Italian trattoria, Macchialina, on Alton Road. This New Year’s Eve, he will offer both the regular a la carte menu and a special $95 tasting menu. If you choose the latter, two wine pairings are available for just $32 more, and for $55, you can have a more elevated wine experience with special bottles handpicked by Managing Partner and Beverage Director, Jacqueline Pirolo. Macchialina is located at 820 Alton Road. Price does not include tax and gratuity. Reservations for dinner are required and can be made any time after 6 p.m. Reservations can be made on Opentable, by calling 305.365.4156 or by sending an email to info@macchialina.com. Parking lots and street parking are available.
Other Ideas:
The Fontainebleau’s annual poolside New Year’s Eve bash is always one of the hottest (and priciest) tickets in town. This year brings performances by Colombian megastar J Balvin and Swedish DJ Alesso. Also, your ticket gets you access to an open bar until midnight.
Low cost options include the Wharf, a huge waterfront party with food vendors, lots of drinks and sure to be the unexpected; and a Wynwood block party at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center. Expect lots of food and drink and free admission.
