Melbourne/Naarm has you sorted in the food and drinks department this NYE.
We’ve popped together an enormous choice of feasts and decadent drinks so you can wine and dine your way into 2024—and of course Sorento’s annual white party is back with a bang. Here are Urban List’s picks for NYE 2023:
Society
Melbourne
Melbourne's big-vibe fine-diner Society is bringing in the new year with a stunning three-course menu alongside a selection from that roaming dessert trolley. It'll set you back $330pp, and those who want to level it up truly can tack on unlimited Dom Pérignon for the evening at an extra $275pp. Following dinner service, DJs will take over the terrace as the clock ticks closer—and over—the midnight moment. Book in here.
Lillian Brasserie
Melbourne
Society's sibling brasserie, Lillian is serving their own three-course menu. It'll be a Euro-leaning affair with the likes of lobster and leek croquettes with a fresh herb emulsion, spanner crab linguine, and a stunning grass fed rib-eye all on the menu. It'll set you back a modest $165pp—book here.
Grill Americano
Melbourne
Yet to experience Melbourne's it restaurant? NYE might be the vibe for you. The chefs tasting menu will set you back $330pp and includes several favourites that most of Melbourne have talked about at least once: octopus carpaccio with chilli, limone and EVOO, lobster and saffron tortellini, and of course, the famous tiramisu served tableside. Book here.
Kisumé
Melbourne
A Japanese mainstay in Melbourne, Kisumé has you sorted for a refined feed on NYE before whatever it is you might be up to when the clock strikes 12. At $165pp, guests will be looking at a Chef’s Tasting Menu across an eight-courses—including sashimi zensai of tuna, kingfish, salmon and; duck breast dressed with shio koji, and lentil miso; and a puncy drunken pineapple dessert. Book here.
Chin Chin
Melbourne
The institution that is Chin Chin is serving up a special something this NYE. There are two options, a classic Feed Me menu at $125 curated by Chef Ben Cooper, or dial it up to $150 which includes several exclusive dishes designed for the night. Book here.
Yakimono
Melbourne
Buzzing Japanese diner Yakimono is getting in on the NYE action with DJs on the terrace and a menu to match. Coming in at $88pp, get in on the likes of tuna hako with dragon’s fire sauce and chilli
crisp; negi chicken with chicken salt and spring onion oil; and strawberry cheesecake bombe Alaska with a silky chocolate chiffon. Book here.
Baby Pizza
Richmond
Baby Pizza is serving up Italian classics from the afternoon late into the evening with two menu options at $66pp and $88pp. There'll also be DJs bringing the vibes for a curated evening of pizza, pasta, salumi and good times. Book here.
Hawker Hall
Windsor
Southside classic Hawker Hall is making things happen this NYE with their famed Champagne Hawker Banquet, including bottomless booze for just $99 per head. On the menu is popcorn chicken with dragon fire sauce; roast duck wontons with chilli vinegar and plum sauce; rendang beef curry and more. Book here.
Antara NYE Brunch & Dinner
Melbourne
Antara are bringing you a generous multi-course dinner that can’t be found on their usual menu. Share some scallops baked in the shell with carrot curry and coral trout, wood fired roasted maron and beef scotch roast to bring in the New Year. If you prefer to stuff yourself early you can indulge in their regular Sunday brunch menu, before the night-time celebrations kick-off. Secure your tickets over here.
Aru NYE Feast
Melbourne
There’s lots of mouth-watering goodness at Aru this new year, they’ve got some extra special add-ons for you to celebrate in style. Think caviar with fried Dutch cream potato cakes and whipped crème fraiche with chicken fat, washed down with some top-shelf bubbles, just to start things off with a bite-sized bang. Secure your tickets over here.
Sunda NYE Dinner
Melbourne
Of course, Sunda is doing NYE right to their liking—banana leaf rice with an assortment of acharas, chutneys, fritters, fried snacks and rich slow-simmered curries. And to make things super special the chefs will roam around to plate your dishes directly on to your banana leaves, this is dinner with a point of difference for sure. Secure your tickets here.
WARABI NYE Dinner
Melbourne
A nine-course meal sounds like the most decadent way to ring in the new year, and of course paired to perfection with a free-flowing beverage package. Enjoy Canapes upon arrival, Tsukidashi with New Zealand scampi and Shirumono with coral trout—to name a few. Secure your tickets here.
Grazeland
Spotswood
The foodies playground is here to help you kiss goodbye to 2023 with full bellies and a sick view of the fireworks. They’ve got kid friendly and 18+ events on offer, with live music and their extensive savoury and sweet food options. For more information click here.
Cinder x Penfolds NYE Dinner
Clifton Hill
AHA Chef of the year Jake Furst has crafted a four-course degustation menu for you to embark on this NYE, if the name isn't enough to get you excited than a dynamic team-up between Cinder and Penfolds should be. Bringing you timeless tastes and some peak vintage wines. Secure your tickets here.
Pincho Disco
Collingwood
New kids on the block, Pincho Disco are giving you a night of dancing, drinking and entertainment to ring in the new year. There are two packages on offer; Party Me and Party Me All Night, each including a curated tasting menu with some Pincho favourites— so take your pick how you wish to celebrate.
Mr Bianco
Kew
The Southern Italian flavours of Mr Bianca are here to celebrate NYE with you. The four-course menu will include antipasto to get the party started, a choice of many pastas such as corn ravioli, braised leeks, herb butter and peppered pecorino, a selection from the hearty mains, and top it off with a dessert to satisfy that sweet-tooth. Secure your tickets here.
Hotel Sorrento’s White Party
Sorrento
Sold out for seven consecutive years—Sorento’s annual white party returns with glitz and glam. A complimentary drink upon arrival, roaming canapès and entertainment across all areas can be expected. Of course, it’s an excuse to take it up a notch in some all white attire—plenty of photo-ready opps at this party. Secure a ticket here.
Johnny’s Green Room NYE Party
Carlton
The newly renovated rooftop bar is throwing one hell of a Lygon Street party with a tasty skyline view. Included in your ticket are a selection of roving canapes from Culinary Director Karen Martini and a drink upon arrival. Expect some mood-providing tunes from a curated New Years soundtrack compiled by Hope Street Radio with some of Melbourne’s best DJ’s on offer. Secure a ticket here.
NYE With Victoria By Farmers Daughters
Melbourne
Close the year in true Victorian style with a NYE dinner party in the heart of the city at Victoria, by farmers Daughters. Sip on a welcome cocktail and eat your way through a four course sharing menu. Of course, there’s a four hour beverage package to complement, with some premium wines, beers and sparkling, perfect for the midnight toast. Secure a ticket here. Or if you’re just chasing somewhere to start your night there is an early sharing feast, so you can sip and snack before your night begins. Secure a ticket here.
Studio Amaro Amalfi In July
Windsor
Got the travel bug this NYE? Studio Amaro are giving diners a sweet slice of Italy with their Amalfi in July offer. You’ve got a choice of feasting from the a la carte or a $99 set menu, including oysters with campari granita, mafaldine pasta with a prawn and citrus bisque, and a 200 gram sirloin on the bone—just to name a few. Secure a ticket here.
Moonhouse NYE
Balaclava
Bid farewell to the old and welcome the new at Moonhouse. They’ve got their a la carte menu on offer, highlighting some one-night only specials. But if you’re chasing something more decadent to sink your teeth into there's a specially built menu on offer—expect scallops with XO foam, finger lime beef and bone marrow spring rolls, plus a chilli vinegar half roast chicken. Secure a ticket here.
Firebird NYE
Windsor
Firebird is bringing you some bite-sized delights this New Years Eve with the restaurant offering two different set menus, so you’ve got options. Of course they’ve got you covered with a welcome drink, pick between a spicy marg or a gin and watermelon highball to start your evening off. You’ll get a huge taste of some Firebird favourites and if you opt for the premium menu—expect fire-roasted duck, wood-roasted fish and egg noodles with lemongrass. Secure a ticket here.
Tokyo Tina
Windsor
Tokyo Tina has a New Years Eve set menu at just $88 a pop which includes some most-loved dishes. You’ll nibble your way into 2024 with some spiced edamame, tuna on a nori crisp with wasabi cream, and a selection of crispy chicken with kewpie mayo plus pork and kimchi gyoza and hibachi grilled striploin. They’ll top things off with a japanese honey pancake sandwich with chocolate cream, roasted peanut and koji caramel to finish the evening in a majorly delicious way. Secure a ticket here.
Yugen
South Yarra
Get amongst the underground countdown that Yugen is providing this New Years Eve. They’ve made sure to look after everyone, with two dining sittings available that will finish at 10:30pm. Then for the late-night rollers this underground haven turns from fine-dining to dance-floor ready, offering its Midnight Xpress at just $50 a person. You’ll be boogying to DJ DNE to start things off, followed by a heap of live entertainment. Secure a ticket here.
New Quarter
Richmond
New Quarter isn't shackling you to a set menu this New Years, giving you a choice to reign in 2023 with whatever flavours you desire. Whether that’s banh mi finger with whipped chicken liver pate, duck floss egg noodles, cha ca barramundi fillet or lemongrass pork cutlet—the choice is on you, no rules, no set menu, just great food. Secure a ticket here.
Keen to keep the party going. Check out what's open on NYE and NYD here.
Image credit: Society | Supplied