You might have resolved to stay in this year, but—we gotta say it—some of the New Year’s Eve dining options around town are pretty tough to pass up. As tempting as pajamas and a pizza might be, there’s also the option to treat yourself to an enchanted evening at one of the following local spots—which are all planning prix-fixe menus and special dishes to help diners start 2025 off on a full stomach. (If you’re hoping to keep it casual and pay-as-you-go at a bar or dance party, check out our roundup of NYE bashes, here.)
Alma Cocina Latina: Spend your final night of 2024 indulging in Venezuelan flavors at Alma, which will offer its regular winter dinner menu plus two celebratory specials by chef Hector Romero. Among them are the gluten-free Lobster Alma (poached lobster, dried ají dulce dashi, potatoes, carrots, pea emulsion, green apple, and asparagus) and a cornish hen galantine with foie gras, black truffle, pistachios, and green pepper mustard.
Neighborhood: Station North
Price: A la carte
BLK Swan: Grab a group and dress to the nines for this—fittingly—black-tie affair at BLK Swan in Harbor East. Tiered ticket options ($75-195) offer three seatings for dinner curated by executive chef Saon Brice, plus bottle service, and live music spun by DJ Hi-Def.
Neighborhood: Harbor East
Price: $75-195
The Bygone: With 360-degree views of the Inner Harbor, the top-floor restaurant at the Four Seasons Baltimore is arguably one of the finest spots to watch the Charm City fireworks. Raid your closet for your swankiest attire to enjoy a premium open bar, full buffet spread (think: seafood, carving stations, and the works), live DJ music, and an epic Champagne toast at midnight. Bygone sister-spots Tagliata, The Elk Room, Italian Disco, and Monarque—all located just around the corner on the property dubbed “Atlas Corner” on Fleet Street in Harbor East—are also hosting a joint bash that gives ticketholders access to all venues, with an open bar, standing buffets, and live entertainment at each one.
Neighborhood: Harbor East
Price: $342
Cindy Lou’s Fish House: As far as front-row seats go, you can’t get much closer to the Inner Harbor fireworks than Cindy Lou’s at Harbor Point. Cozy up around the fireplace to watch the blasts shimmer over the water while enjoying cocktails and fancy specials including a crab salad with caviar, Lobster Wellington with truffled mash, and raspberry Semifreddo topped with a pistachio crumble.
Neighborhood: Harbor East/Harbor Point
Price: A la carte
Cinghiale: If an authentic Italian meal is in order for NYE, secure reservations to enjoy a four-course feast—with special Alba white truffle shaving add-ons—at Cinghiale. There, diners will choose from a selection of antipasti like pumpkin soup or tuna crudo before moving on to pasta plates (Spaghetti Neri with lobster sauce and caviar, anyone?) a main meat or fish dish, and treats like a hazelnut chocolate tart.
Neighborhood: Harbor East
Price: $129, plus optional truffle shavings at market price
CookHouse: Join chef-owner George Dailey for an all-inclusive cocktail party at his buzzy Bolton Hill spot. Aside from the open bar, the evening will offer guests posh passed bites (think: Wagyu nigiri, caviar blinis, and lobster croquettes), chilled seafood towers, carving stations, and a colossal charcuterie spread. If you’re able, save room to savor sweets such as petit fours, truffles, and assorted cakes.
Neighborhood: Bolton Hill
Price: $290
Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen: For the first time ever, the team at the Baltimore Museum of Art fixture is dedicating its New Year’s service to the culture of the Emerald Isle—which means celebrating the ball drop on Irish time (7 p.m. here) and getting cozy in your pajamas well before midnight. The party from 5-8:30 p.m. will highlight a buffet of more than 20 Irish dishes (prime rib, Shepherd’s Pie, smoked salmon on brown bread—you get the vibe), live music by Jimmy Eagan & the J. Patrick’s Allstars, and a cash bar for Guinness and Bailey’s.
Neighborhood: Charles Village
Price: $100
Gunther & Co: Per tradition, the team at Gunther & Co. is getting festive with a four-course chef’s tasting menu with optional wine, oyster, and shellfish pairings. Celebrate another year gone by with fancy fare such as lobster bisque, scallop ceviche, Wagyu beef carpaccio, seared tuna loin, sous vide short rib, and a seafood bouillabaisse with a grilled French baguette for dipping. Pretty pastries such as lemon chiffon cake and a dark chocolate mousse bomb are on deck for dessert.
Neighborhood: Brewers Hill
Price: $150 (not including add-ons)
Maggie’s Farm: At this Harford Road haunt, diners will enjoy a three-course prix-fixe with the option to add wine pairings. The full menu features eats like cream of crab soup, a poached pear salad, Syrian sour cherry meatballs, bacon-wrapped Wagyu meatloaf, pan-seared duck breast, and a cheesecake inspired by the viral Dubai chocolate.
Neighborhood: Hamilton-Lauraville
Price: $90-125
Sally O’s: Chef Jesse Sandlin and her staff are going all out with a prix-fixe highlighting filling comfort foods. Start off with bites like phyllo-wrapped feta or panko-breaded Buffalo cauliflower before moving on to main courses like blue crab risotto or black truffle and burrata caramelle pasta. And be sure to save room for the corn tres leches cake or cardamom panna cotta for dessert.
Neighborhood: Highlandtown
Price: $75
The Tilted Row: Book a table at this recently refreshed Bolton Hill eatery to indulge in three courses with optional wine pairings. Your last meal of 2024 will feature dishes such as venison tartare on crispy sweet potato chips, cast-iron diver scallops, roasted duck with candied chestnuts, and grilled sirloin with garlic mash. The dessert menu highlights four options to end on a sweet note, including cranberry upside-down cake and deconstructed s’mores in a bowl.
Neighborhood: Bolton Hill
Price: $85
Toki Underground: If you find yourself in need of sustenance to soak up all of the cocktails after the midnight, head to this Harwood hangout. The Toki team will be hosting a special late-night ramen service from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., serving up their steamy bowls that fuse an array of different flavors and noodle combos.
Neighborhood: Harwood/Waverly
Price: A la carte
Topside: With the glowing Washington Monument in the distance, snuggle up to a table at this top-level hangout inside Hotel Revival. A prix-fixe for two (choice of two appetizers, two entrees, and a dessert to share with complimentary bubbles) showcases options such as seared Spanish shrimp, honey-balsamic whipped ricotta on raisin bread, rockfish with coconut curry rice, caramelized mushroom tagliatelle, a spice cake with vanilla bean gelato.
Neighborhood: Mt. Vernon
Price: $150/couple
Victoria Gastro Pub: Howard County locals will be happy to hear that this area stalwart is offering an array of chef-driven a la carte specials, as well as a three-course prix-fixe for $55. Among the swanky offerings are fried Oysters Rockefeller, braised leg of lamb, and vanilla sponge cake with fresh berries. There will also be free bubbly when the clock strikes twelve.
Neighborhood: Columbia
Price: $55