As 2026 nears, finding the perfect New Year’s Eve dinner spot can you send-off 2025 in style. Whether you’re chasing harbour-front glamour, sky-high city views, or bold contemporary dining, we at GT have been busy finding the best fine dining restaurants in our biggest cities to celebrate NYE.
With all eyes on Sydney and its world-famous fireworks displays, you can get a front-row seat at the city’s best restaurants. (Just picture Harbour Bridge views from Aria, Bennelong or Quay!) Meanwhile, in Melbourne, a mix of world-class bars and restaurants are hosting New Year’s specials, offering high-quality meals and occasional Yarra views. Further north, some of Brisbane’s buzziest new restaurants will be heralding 2026 in pure style.
if you’re planning a lavish feast and treating yourself to a New Year’s dinner in the hands of a celebrated chef, look no further than our round-up of restaurants and their NYE specials. Bookings have officially opened, so you’ll need to get in quick to secure your spot!
Jump to:
Where to book New Year’s Eve dinner in Sydney
AriaÂ
circular quay
Aria is known for its exceptional scenery and refined modern Australian cuisine. There are three options for NYE drinking and dining: An early sitting from 5pm ($320), after which you can enjoy your evening out in Sydney; the Main Event from 7:30pm, which includes a six-course menu and wine pairing, plus the option to take in the fireworks at the restaurant ($1,950), and, a cocktail party in the Wharf Room from 8:30pm for a standing-only celebration with appetisers and a three-hour beverage package ($650).
Price: $320 to $1,950 per person
OttoÂ
Woolloomooloo
Otto Sydney blends vibrant Italian dining with a glamorous waterfront setting on Woolloomooloo Wharf. On New Year’s Eve, you can commence your night with the Early Evening Sitting from 5-6.15 for two hours, or enjoy the proper four-course New Year’s package from 7:30pm.
Price: $350Â + drinks (adult), $120 (child)
QuayÂ
The Rocks
Enjoy a luxurious New Year dining experience at one of Australia’s most awarded restaurants. Quay is offering two seven-course dinner experiences, with prices arranged by seating. The premium option ($2,600) is situated in the upper and lower towers, with stunning views of the harbour from Quay’s iconic floor-to-ceiling windows. The Main Dining Room experience ($2,250) still offers a stunning setting and menu by Peter Gilmore, though a slightly less-premium wine list. Finally, you can enjoy five courses and live entertainment on one of the two outdoor terraces with The Green Room package ($1,600).
Price: $1,600 to $2,600 per person
Bennelong
Circular Quay
Ring in New Years from within the sails of the Opera House at the prestigious Bennelong restaurant. The most premium option includes four courses, a premium wine pairing and ‘Dress Circle’ seating on the restaurant’s upper level, looking straight out to the Harbour Bridge. The equally spectacular dining room option includes the above with a less premium wine pairing, and seating in the main dining area. Finally, there are options for bar seating, and a group table (10-12) people for $1,900.
Price: $1,900 to $2,750 per person
Cafe Sydney
CBD
Perched above Circular Quay, Cafe Sydney is the premiere destination in CBD for quality, fresh seafood. If you’re seeing a banquet fit for a king this NYE, Cafe Sydney will be offering a five-course food and beverage package with bookings from 7pm.
Price: $1,450 per person
Kingsleys WoolloomoolooÂ
Woolloomooloo
For a more affordable Woolloomooloo location, Kingsleys is a waterfront steak-and-seafood destination with great views and crowd-friendly meals. The NYE package offers outdoor or indoor seating options for $249 and $239, respectively. The dinner will include five courses and a four-hour beverage package, plus a DJ from 10pm for to take you into 2026.
Price: $239 to $249 per person (kids $55 to $65)
Monica
Paddington
If you’re looking for Chef-led dining with a party vibe, Mitch Orr’s brand new rooftop bar, Monica, could be your answer. Set on the fifth floor of the 25Hours hotel in Paddington, Monica has views of the city skyline with certainty of catching some fireworks at midnight. Dine on canapes throughout the evening from 8pm to 1am, with a drink on arrival.
Price: $199 per person
Sail’s At Lavender Bay
McMahons Point
Over the bridge in Sydney’s north, the views from Sail’s offer a different — and completely uninterrupted — view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A family-friendly option, Sails offers a New Year’s dinner special of three courses, plus snacks and sides.
Price: $365 per adult, $110 per child
Where to book New Year’s Eve dinner in Melbourne
FreyjaÂ
CBD
Sleek decor and Nordic cuisine combine to make Freyja and unforgettable dining experience. Enjoy a six-course meal with drink pairings for only $125pp. If you’re thinking views are limited at Freyja, NYE patrons will be treated by an exclusive trip to the Olderfleet building’s 35th floor as you near midnight. From here, you can enjoy champagne while taking in the fireworks.
Price: $85 (non-alcoholic beverages), $125 (alcoholic beverages)
Farmer’s Daughters
CBD
if you’d like to bring in 2026 with a clear conscience and fresh, farm-to-table produce, Farmer’s Daughters has multiple packages for NYE guests. Dine at one of the venue’s three venues (each on its own storey). The upstairs Rooftop and downstairs Deli both offer a lively, curated Chef’s menu, while The Restaurant is doing a six-course degustation with optional wine pairings. Book early to accommodate plans at a second location later in the evening, or opt for a late booking to ring in the New Year with the Farmer’s Daughters team.
Price: $125 to $145 per person + drinks
SocietyÂ
CBD
For a Gatsby-style New Year’s Eve celebration, take yourself to Society, an elegant dining room with marble bar tops and grand chandeliers. Choose from one of Society’s three venues: Society Dining Room, Lillian Brasserie or The Lounge. Society Dining Room is the crown of the Collins St venue, and will offer its Chef’s selection menu for $330 (with the option for free-flowing Dom Pérignon champagne for an additional $275). Lillian Brasserie is holding a $165 Chef’s menu of its own, and the Lounge will host a night-long party with canapes for $99.
Price: $99 to $330 per person + drinks
Taxi Kitchen
CBD
With sweeping views of the Yarra, an evening at Taxi kitchen will offer fresh seafood with even better scenery. Offering exceptional value, $350pp will get you a five-course menu, unlimited drinks, an arrival cocktail and a live DJ. That, and if you book after 9pm, you’ll be able to watch the midnight fireworks along the river. Separate packages are available for the Transport Hotel’s other venues, including the rooftop bar.
Price: $350 per person
Her BarÂ
CBD
If you’d prefer a party-like dining experience, Her in the CBD is offering multiple levels of fun. You can opt to spend the evening dining on steak frites in Her Bar, on The Rooftop with share plates, at BKK with a four-course Thai feast, or dancing the night away at the Music Room. The packages for Her Bar and BKK start at $85, with The Rooftop offering group packages from $130 per person. (Note: the last rooftop lounge spot begins at 8pm and guarantees you a place for midnight.)
Price: $85 to $130 per person + drinks
Where to book New Year’s Eve dinner in Brisbane
Marlowe
South Brisbane
For an unforgettable seafood feast on New Year’s Eve, dine at Marlowe. After opening in September of this year, Marlowe has enjoyed its growing reputation for fine fare and its elegant atmosphere. This NYE, Marlowe offers a seven-course menu by Chef Ollie Hansford, plus an optional wine pairing. Note, the venue closes at midnight, so you’re free to enjoy your 2-hour booking slot at any time before heading off into the night to enjoy the celebrations.
Price: From $190 per person (wine pairing, $140)
Hôntô
Fortitude Valley
What it lacks in views, Hôntô more-than makes up for in menu excellence. Spending New Year’s Eve here would be a treat for any Brisbane-based foodie. The $150 New Year special includes a shared banquet menu and a drink on arrival.
Price: $150 + drinks
Supernormal
CBD
With uninterrupted views of the Brisbane fireworks, Supernormal is a perfect restaurant to enjoy midnight on NYE. A vibey venue, complete with a stunning Asian-fusion banquet menu, book after 10pm for your two-hour dining slot to take you into 2026.
Price: $190 per person + drinks
Donna Chang
CBD
For an atmospheric New Years with a punchy Sichuan menu, Donna Chang is offering a four-course banquet menu and performance by lion dancers to ring in the new year.
Price: $128 per person + drinks
