Houston’s dining scene is heating up this NYE, and we’ve got the inside scoop. Want truffle butter lobster raviolo, wood-fired steaks and handcrafted cocktails? Or a high-energy party with DJs, mariachis and midnight champagne toasts? Whether you’re going luxe, low-key, or somewhere in between, here’s your go-to guide for eating, drinking, and celebrating your way into 2026 in Houston.
Balboa Surf Club, 1753 Post Oak
The trendy seafood spot will be open on Christmas Eve featuring its classics plus a true dover sole special with mustard beurre blanc, crispy french fries, and savoy spinach. From December 26–January 4, it will also serve traditional black-eyed peas cooked with bacon and kale — a Southern New Year’s staple symbolizing luck and prosperity.
Belly of the Beast, 5200 FM 2920
The New Year’s Eve tasting menu brings pure bliss with truffle butter lobster raviolo, buñuelos topped with uni, jamón and caviar, and a luxe surf and turf pairing wagyu with king crab. The $200 tasting menu is available with an optional $80 wine pairing. Limited seating is available and reservations are required.
Blue Claw Seafood Restaurant and Bar, 13232 Northwest Freeway
NYE features a special tasting menu and a DJ to set the festive mood. Families can enjoy two early countdowns at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., with kids taking photos with a lobster from the tank and sipping a smoked apple juice “martini.”
Caracol, 2200 Post Oak
Enjoy a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. for $85++ per person – think Chilean sea bass in blue crab broth, beef tenderloin with mole negro, stuffed eggplant, fire-roasted lobster and desserts like El Coco and New Year’s milhojas – alongside live music from Ikaru from 6 p.m. to midnight and a sparkling toast at midnight.
Dario’s Steakhouse & Seafood 14315 Cypress Rosehill
Enjoy a three-course New Year’s Eve menu for $109 per person, with seatings at 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Highlights include lobster bisque, filet mignon au poivre, Chilean sea bass and crème brûlée. Reservations are required, with to-go orders also available.
Doris Metropolitan, 2815 South Shepherd
The night begins at 8 p.m. with a DJ spinning to set the tone. Expect regular dinner service leading into a red-carpet-style celebration capped by a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight.
Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park
Choose from two special dinner seatings: an early three-course menu from 5 to 6:15 p.m. for $78 per person, and a second seating from 6:30 p.m. to midnight featuring a four-course menu for $98 per person plus a sparkling toast at midnight. Reservations are required. Etoile will be closed on New Year’s Day.
Guard & Grace, 500 Crawford
The downtown steakhouse will serve an elevated menu featuring steamed crab & lobster wonton, slow smoked Texas bone-in beef short rib with black garlic glaze and parsnip purée, and returning favorites including pan roasted alaskan halibut, dry aged duck breast, and bluefin tuna tataki. Reservations recommended.
The Henry, 842 West Sam Houston Parkway North
Ring in the new year with an $85 three-course celebration built for indulgence, with highlights including truffled brie toast and smoked salmon with caviar, roasted chicken frites and a chateau filet served Oscar style, and chocolate fudge pie or lemon olive oil cake, plus optional wine pairings for $35 or a sommelier selection for $50. Reservations are available on OpenTable with seating beginning at 4 p.m.
Hotel Lucine, 1002 Seawall
Hotel Lucine’s The Fancy offers a Gulf-inspired New Year’s Eve dinner, with a multicourse coastal feast starting at 5 p.m. for $125 per person with an optional $75 wine pairing, followed by live music at the Pergola from Del Mar and Kam Franklin plus a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and a speakeasy takeover at The Lanai offering late-night cocktails and tarot card readings.
Hotel ZaZa Memorial City, 9787 Katy Freeway
Ring in 2026 with “A Night on the Red Carpet” from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, dazzling photo ops, a midnight countdown with bubbly and a lavish hors d’oeuvres station. Wine, beer, and cocktails are served along with optional bottle service. General admission is $188, and VIP packages available.
Hotel ZaZa Museum District, 5701 Main
Celebrate 2026 in style at Hotel ZaZa Museum District with a glittering evening of live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, and a midnight countdown with bubbly. The party runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., with wine, beer, and cocktails included (premium drinks available for an additional cost). Enjoy photo-ops, dancing, and optional bottle service throughout the night. Dinner reservations are available online.
Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer
Guests can enjoy a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. for $85 per person plus beverages, tax and gratuity, featuring dishes like yellowtail tiradito, braised oxtail empanadas, Chilean sea bass in mole amarillo and Mexican chocolate dessert. Live music by Viento will run 6 p.m. to midnight with a sparkling toast at midnight.
il Bracco, 1705 Post Oak
The Italian hotspot will be celebrating NYE with a special steak fiorentina made with 44 Farms USDA prime ribeye. From December 26–January 4, it will also serve traditional black-eyed peas cooked with bacon and kale — a Southern New Year’s staple symbolizing luck and prosperity.
Leo’s River Oaks, 2009 West Gray
The festivities culminate on New Year’s Eve with live music from 6 to 10 pm, where guests can enjoy the holiday menu, festive drinks, and a lively atmosphere, making it the perfect setting to toast to new beginnings and create unforgettable December memories.
The Marigold Club, 2531 Kuester
Celebrate 2026 with chef Austin Waiter’s $175 seasonal menu, featuring duck Wellington, lobster thermador tart, Wagyu strip and a trio of festive desserts. Optional raw bar, caviar and champagne add-ons available; and a live pianist sets the tone.
Marvino’s Italian Steakhouse, 24002 Northwest Freeway
Marvino’s Italian Steakhouse welcomes New Year’s Eve with a special holiday menu focused on Italian-inspired steakhouse classics, from crabcakes and Akaushi meatballs to a 16-ounce T-bone.
Nobu, 5115 Westheimer
New Year’s Eve dinner runs 5 to 11:15 p.m. (kitchen closes midnight) with a DJ starting at 8:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve omakase is a six-course tasting ($180 per guest) featuring sashimi tasting and Japanese A5 Wagyu steak with sweet potato sochu teriyaki and broccolini. Nobu’s a la carte menu will also be available.
Októ, 888 Westheimer
Ring in 2026 with dinner, drinks, and a party atmosphere at this Mediterranean hotspot in the Montrose Collective. A DJ kicks off the night at 8 p.m., keeping the energy high until a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Regular dinner service runs all evening.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, multiple locations
Perry’s will be open on New Year’s Eve from 4 p.m. to close with two exclusive, one-night-only prix fixe menus – The Standard Prixe Fixe Menu and the Rare and Well Done Prix Fixe Menu. Price depends on timing of reservation and are also available to-go.
Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella
Unwind with a three-course dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. for $99 per person plus beverages, tax and gratuity in the Lodge’s historic 116-year-old log cabin. Highlights include smoked duck gumbo, a wild game tasting trio, elk chop, lemon icebox pie tart and more.
Toca Madera, 1755 Allen Parkway
Toca Madera is hosting an immersive Masquerade of Fire this NYE, inviting guests to wear masquerade masks, with extras provided for late seating, and enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne. Enjoy the special NYE cocktail, the Jalisco Flower, and a lively countdown led by performers. Seating options include early from 5 to 7 p.m. (no minimum), evening from 7 to 9 p.m. ($165 per person), and late from 9 to 11 p.m. ($195 per person). A bar experience is available all night for $150 per guest. Reservations available via SevenRooms.
Truluck’s Ocean’s Finest Seafood and Crab, multiple locations
Truluck’s will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Houston Galleria and 4 to 10 p.m. at The Woodlands. Celebrate 2026 with à la carte dining at the Galleria or a three-course prix-fixe at The Woodlands, with highlights from Florida stone crab and caviar service to filet mignon and blue crab stuffed lobster tails.
URBE, 1101 Uptown Park
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at URBE’s Fiesta from 8 p.m. to midnight with passed bites, Mexican street food stations, an extravagant dessert table, agave cocktails, a live DJ, mariachis from 9–10 p.m., and festive décor. Tickets are $85 per person and include four specialty tequila and mezcal cocktails plus a sparkling midnight toast; cash bar available after.
Xochi, 1777 Walker
Ring in the new year at Xochi with a four-course dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. for $85 per person plus beverages, tax, and gratuity, featuring dishes like lobster soup, wood-roasted oysters, seared duck leg and decadent desserts like hazelnut mazapan mousse. Enjoy live music by Sol y Son from 6 p.m. to midnight and a sparkling toast at midnight, with award-winning cocktails, mezcal, tequila, and full bar options.
Winsome Prime, 5888 Westheimer
Toast the New Year at Winsome Prime, open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. The special NYE menu features crab beignets, show-stopping entrees like seared halibut and prime rib, and desserts from key lime cheesecake to rum butter cake.
Zaranda, 1550 Lamar
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the flavors of Las Californias, featuring chef Hugo Ortega’s full dinner menu with zarandeado seafood, wood-fired steaks, creative desserts and signature cocktails. Enjoy live music from 6 p.m. to midnight and a sparkling toast at midnight.
We will be updating this list in the days leading up to the holiday. If you have a restaurant to add, please send your information to dish@houstonpress.com.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.