Ring in 2018: Where to dine, celebrate, and brunch in Austin!

Can you believe 2018 is right around the corner? I can’t, it hasn’t hit me yet. But nonetheless, it’s here and we best go buy our sparkliest dress, make our New Years Eve plans, and of course, prepare ourselves for an epic first day of the new year brunch, amirite! To be honest, the new years day brunch thing is a new tradition of mine, but as a foodie, starting the new year off with a belly full just seems appropriate. 🙂

Don’t worry if you don’t have any of the above ready yet, we still have time, 11 days to be exact. So read on for my roundup of the best places to dine, celebrate, and brunch. And make some plans! Be sure to share this with your pals so you can make the best plan of attack. Because “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” and I don’t want y’all to start 2018 off as a…failure. So let’s get to it!

South Congress Hotel   <—— Where SpinSyddy and I will be celebrating! Join us!

Guests are also invited to make a night of it and stay at South Congress Hotel. All South Congress Hotel room types are 15% off for stays on 12/31 with promo code NYEATSCH.

backYARD at Waller Creek

Celebrate 2017’s last hoorah all day with backYARD at Waller Creek! Start your day with backYARD’s signature Live Music Brunch featuring savory menu items like the Chorizo & Pepper Jack Grits Benedict and Texas French Toast; plus, tunes from Mack ‘n’ Dreams Soulful Reggae Duo at 11:30 a.m. Then, end your night (and year) with a delicious dinner at backYARD, live music performance by Bethany Becker at 9 p.m. and champagne toast at midnight. On New Year’s Day, Dory and The Beet will kick off backYARD’s January live music program with a special showcase at 10 a.m.

Hours:
December 31^st | Normal business hours & menus
January 1^st | Normal business hours & menus

Brix and Ale (Georgetown)

Brix And Ale will be featuring a special New Year’s Eve Dinner from 5pm to 10pm. Executive Chef Patrick Taylor’s four course menu is $75 per person with added wine pairings for an additional $49 per person. This price includes tax and gratuity. Reservations are required, please call 737-444-2750.

Take the elevator home: All guests who dine with Brix And Ale are eligible for the $99 Take the Elevator Home room rate, enjoy luxe accommodations in a Sheraton Austin Georgetown signature room.

Jack’s Lounge features Live Music all night with Beth Blu Hopkins from 8 to 9:30pm and Brandon Alan Band from 9:30pm to 12:30am. Also, enjoy a complementary champagne toast at midnight.

Boiler Nine Bar + Grill

Ring in the new year with Boiler Nine Bar + Grill. Start your evening with a savory dinner, with holiday specials from Executive Chef Jason Stude, on the mezzanine level. Then, head on down to the newly re-designed Boiler Room Lounge for nightcap bites, vintage & obscure, classic cocktails, music and a champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight! Note: Boiler Nine will be offering normal brunch hours and menus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31^st. Additionally, Boiler Nine Bar + Grill will be closed January 1^st and January 2^nd.

Hours:
December 31^st | NYE Dinner Specials: 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. | NYE at Boiler Room Lounge: open at 8:00 p.m.
*Normal hours & menus for brunch
January 1^st | Closed
January 2^nd | Closed

District Kitchen + Cocktails

Date + Time: December 31^st dinner
New Year’s Eve Menu – For New Year’s Eve, District is offering guests and residents of Circle C some tasty, holiday-inspired options crafted by Executive Chef Amir Hajimaleki and Executive Pastry Chef Dennis Van. The menu includes a Caviar + Champagne starter special served with beluga caviar and champagne at market price and served with goat butter, house potato chips, chives and a blini spread. For the First Course, guests can choose from Potato Soup, Butternut Squash Bisque, Heirloom Tomato and a Bibb Wedge. Second Course options include Wild Mushrooms, Wagyu Tartare or a Lobster Roll. Third Course includes a Red Snapper, Prime New York Strip Steak, Prime Rib or Duck. Finally, for Dessert choose a Chocolate Torte or a Cheesecake served with goat cheese, balsamic ice cream, tomato marmalade and basil.

Reservations: Reservations can be made via Resy or by calling 512-351-8436
Price: $75 per person
Full menu can be viewed here.

Emmer and Rye

Ring in the New Year with your loved ones this year with a celebratory dinner at Emmer & Rye. Dinner is $100 per person for 5 courses. The special menu will be offered Saturday, December 30 and Sunday, December 31. There will be three seatings, kicking off at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 10:15 p.m. Make reservations via email at emmerandrye@gmail.com or call at 512-366-5530.

Olamaie

Chef Michael Fojtasek invites you to kick off the New Year at Olamaie’s first-ever New Year’s Eve celebration on Sunday, December 31. Enjoy a four-course meal that includes Olamaie’s famous biscuits and a sparkling wine toast for just $100 per person. To complement the dinner, Olamaie will offer two wine pairing options, a $50 wine pairing or a reserve pairing for $100 with wines from some of the United States’ premier vineyards. Additionally, Olamaie will offer a $50 cocktail pairing option curated by Bar Manager Erin Ashford.

Olamaie will offer seatings at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m. Reservations can be made at https://olamaieaustin.com/reservations.

Large groups up to ten guests can be accommodated at the Chef’s Table for $2,000. The group will have the table for the evening and be treated to additional courses, including full caviar service.

For more information, please visit http://olamaieaustin.com/ or Olamaie Facebook page.

Geraldine’s

Date + Time: December 31, starting at 8 p.m.
Geraldine’s will be offering a pre-fixe meal for guests that book dinner reservations 8 p.m. and later. Those at the table will also receive some special NYE party favors with their meal.

Then, ring in the New Year with a live music performance from Akina Adderley and the Vintage Playboys starting at 9 p.m. This 9-piece band will help you bring in 2018 with soul.

Price:
Entry to Geraldine’s for live music is free.
Pre-fixe meal is $80 per person; Optional champagne fight add-on is available for $15 per person.

Reservations: Call (512) 476-4755
Full menu can be viewed here.

Lone Star Court

Date: December 31 | Live music begins at 9 p.m.
Lone Star Court will be hosting a New Year’s Eve bash at the hotel’s on site restaurant, The Water Trough, which includes a performance from DJ OG Sprocket starting at 9 p.m. Attendees will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne at midnight along with some special offerings from the bar.
While the event at The Water Trough is open to the public, Lone Star Court is also offering guests an option to book an overnight stay at the property. Book the New Year’s Eve package and you’ll receive the following perks to ring in the new year:

A retro inspired guest room for one or two
Complimentary New Year’s Day Mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s with breakfast served in the Water Trough
Complimentary self-parking
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Price: Entry to The Water Trough event is free.
Room Reservations: Book online or call (512) 814-2625

Mattie’s at Green Pastures

Date + Time:
December 31 | Seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
January 1, 2 and 3 | Closed

Mattie’s at Green Pastures will be offering two special dinner menus on New Year’s Eve. These set menus, curated by Chef Joshua Thomas, feature Southern-inspired cuisine made with rustic, farm-fresh produce and ingredients. Guests can also enjoy a live music performance by The Lost Counts in the upstairs area of the restaurant, starting at 9 p.m.

5:30 p.m. seating
3-course menu
$75 per person
Price includes a glass of champagne per person

8:30 p.m. seating
5-course menu
$125 per person
Price includes a bottle of champagne per couple
Set menus available upon request.

Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar

Date + Time: available January 1^st
New Year’s Day Brunch: Both Oasthouse and District Kitchen + Cocktails will be open for brunch on New Year’s Day. Specials include a Prime Rib French Dip Sandwich and Black-Eye Peas along with a Bloody Mary Bar.
Reservations: Reservations can be made at Oasthouse via Resy or by calling 737-222-5779

In addition to their holiday specials, both District Kitchen + Cocktails and Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar are offering a special gift card holiday promotion. Guests can spend at least $100 on one or more gift cards at either location during the month of December 2017 and receive a $20 gift card to use throughout January and February 2018.

Second Bar + Kitchen Downtown

Welcome 2018 with Second Bar + Kitchen downtown, complete with dinner specials for every course. Start with a Black Eyed Pea & Kale Fritter amuse-bouche with ham and comeback sauce for good luck in the new year, a small plate & two entrée specials, a chocolate-y treat for dessert from Pastry Chef Andrew Lewis, and – of course – a champagne toast at midnight. Second Bar + Kitchen downtown will offer normal brunch hours & menus on December 31^st, and will be closed on January 1^st.

Hours:
December 31^st | New Year’s Eve Dinner Specials: 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
*Normal hours & menus for brunch
January 1^st | Closed

Second Bar + Kitchen Domain NORTHSIDE

Date + Time:
December 31^st | New Year’s Eve Four-Course Menu: 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
January 1^st | “Hair of the Dog” Brunch: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Normal hours & menus for breakfast and dinner

Celebrate the last day of 2017 and first day of 2018 with Second Bar + Kitchen Domain NORTHSIDE. On New Year’s Eve, enjoy a special four-course dinner menu prepared by Executive Chef David Bull with expertly-paired wines by Wine Director Paula Rester. Enjoy savory and sweet plates like Charred Salmon Belly, White Crab Bisque, Grilled Ribeye Loin and Chocolate Mousse. Plus, on New Year’s Day, retox with SBK Domain NORTHSIDE’s “Hair of the Dog” brunch featuring yummy specials like the Chilaquiles, Chili Cheese Friesand a refreshing Aperol Spritz with Aperol, sparkling brut, seltzer and orange wheel.

Price: New Year’s Eve Four-Course Menu | $75 per person; +$55 per person w/ wine pairings
Menus:
New Year’s Eve Four-Course Menu
“Hair of the Dog” Brunch

WU CHOW:

• Course 1 Choices:
  • Bacon Wrapped Dates
  • Foie Gras Torchon
  • Pozole Verde
  • Turn up the Beet (roasted beets, Asian pear, goat cheese, almond crumble)

• Course 2 Choices:
  • Rutabaga Tagalatelle
  • Tuna Crudo
  • Lamb Tartare
  • Crispy Baby Octopus

• Course 3 Choices:
  • Buttercup Squash (with a carrot demi-glace, trumpet mushrooms, and pickled pearl onions)
  • Skate Wing
  • Olive Oil Poached Salmon
  • Dry Aged Flannery Beef Ribeye
  • Tender Belly Pork Belly

• Course 4: A choice of dessert

Juliet Italian Kitchen

With seatings beginning at 5:00PM, Juliet Italian Kitchen is the perfect spot to celebrate the last night of the year with the entire family. The menu will feature items including Wild Mushroom and Black Truffle Risotto, Duck Confit Torchio, Steak Tartare, Blue Crab and Arugula Salad and Scallops & Pork Belly. For dessert, don’t miss the Champagne Float and Torta Barozzi.

For the adults, toast to 2018 with champagne specials including Zardetto, Gruet and more. Specialty New Years Eve cocktails include Barrel-Aged Lower Eastside Manhattans with Elijah Craig bourbon and Dripping Springs 75s with Dripping Springs gin and lemon twists. Feel the New Years love with the Flame of Love cocktail made with Grey Goose Vodka, Fino dry sherry and flamed orange peel.

Juliet Italian Kitchen will be open on New Years Eve from 5:00PM – 10:00PM. New Years Eve specials will be available beginning Thursday, December 28 through Sunday, December 31.

To keep the celebration going, Juliet Italian Kitchen will also be serving brunch on New Years Day from 11:30AM – 3:00PM and an all day happy hour from 11:30AM – 7:00PM. For reservations, please call (512) 479-1800 or visit juliet-austin.com

Stagecoach Inn

Date + Time:
December 31 | Brunch menu available 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; a la carte menu available 3 – 9 p.m.
January 1 | Closed

Stagecoach Inn will be offering their recently launched brunch menu from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Enjoy your favorite Southern indulgences such as Bacon Cheddar Grits with poached egg and tobacco onions; Biscuits and Gravy with Andouille sausage black pepper cream gravy; and Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict with poached eggs and corn bread BBQ hollandaise. The restaurant will offer the regular a la carte menu from 3 – 9 p.m., which will include specials such as Turkey & Dressing and Prime Rib. They’ll also be serving a complimentary black-eyed pea amuse-bouche to guests to bring prosperity in the new year.

Reservations: Call (254) 947-5111
Brunch Menu
A La Carte Menu

Taverna – Downtown and Domain NORTHSIDE

Date + Time: December 31 | all day
An Italian New Year’s Eve – Taverna is offering a special menu for guests joining them on New Year’s Eve. The Italian menu includes a selection of Salads like a decadent mix of navy beans, mache, fresh hearts of palm, roasted pomodorini, aurora dressing and Maine lobster meat, a Pasta made with spaghetti, half a Maine lobster, shrimp, melted leeks, vanilla brandy cream sauce, a Duetto served with a pan roasted 16-ounce veal t-bone with porcini demi glaze and roasted jumbo prawns with lemon butter sauce and for Dessert, a flourless chocolate cake with gianduia gelato and fresh mixed berries.

Price: Prices range per dish
Reservations: Reservations can be made at www.tavernabylombardi.com or by calling 512-477-1001 (Downtown) or 512-356-9384(Domain NORTHSIDE)
Full menu can be viewed here.

The Carillon

Date + Time: December 31 | Reservations available 5-9 p.m.
Located just inside the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, The Carillon will offer a Four-Course New Year’s Eve Dinner with optional wine pairings. The menu features stand-out dish options such as Rosewood Wagyu “Kobe” New York Strip with bone marrow demi-glace, foie gras, fondant potatoes, and king trumpet mushroom or the King Crab “Scampi” with squid ink pasta, meyer lemon, tomato, Texas rose garlic, and uni butter.

If you’re looking for an overnight option following your meal, the property is offering a New Year’s Eve package, which includes:

• An overnight stay at AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
• New Year’s Eve dinner for two at The Carillon
• Breakfast for two The Carillon’s decadent breakfast buffet on New Year’s Day
• Complimentary self-parking

Price for dinner: $110 per person; additional $40 per person for optional wine pairing add-on
Reservations: Call 512-404-3655
Full New Year’s Eve menu available here.

Toulouse Café and Bar

Date + Time: December 31^st, all day

Au revoir 2016 – LFC’s French concept, Toulouse Café and Bar, is offering a delicious menu of French dishes for guests to enjoy at their Domain NORTHSIDE location on New Year’s Eve. The menu includes Lobster Tail Tournedos or bacon wrapped lobster tail served with devil sauce, green peas and goat cheese raviolis, Diver Scallops and Sweetbreads Vol Au Vent served in a creamy truffle sauce with sautéed spinach, a decadent Rack of Lamb with sweet potato puree, crispy lardon and wild mushrooms and for dessert, a Praline Chocolate Cake made with hazelnut praline, chocolate sauce and served with vanilla ice cream from Amy’s ice cream.

Reservations: Reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling 512-615-1070
Price: Prices range per dish
Full menu can be viewed here.

Vince Young Steakhouse

Date+ Time:
December 31^st | 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
January 1^st | Closed

Ring in the new year with Austin steakhouse staple Vince Young Steakhouse. Enjoy a decadent dinner with offerings including their signature The Perfect Ten with Texas Akaushi Beef from Yoakum, Texas, Pan Seared Scallops, and Tomahawk Pork Chop vanilla brined with grilled peach honey glaze and baby carrots. Plus, a wide selection of wines, whiskeys and cigars to elegantly welcome 2018.

Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden

Ring in 2018 with its annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Banger’s will host a smoke out on New Year’s Eve with live music from Teddy Long, followed by a complimentary toast of Miller High Life, “the champagne of beers,” at midnight. They will also tap Austin Beerworks’ Mr. Sparkle.

The New Year’s Eve smoke out menu includes: smoked prime rib, charred swiss chard and potato au gratin.

New Year’s Day features Banger’s brunch with a special on “beans and greens” — black- eyed peas, collard greens, ham hocks and cornbread (foods considered to bring luck in the New Year).

WHEN:
Sunday, December 31, 2017 from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.
New Year’s Eve smoke out menu available starting at 6 p.m.

Monday, January 1, 2018
Brunch from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., open for dinner until 11 p.m.

TICKETS: No cover for either event
Special New Year’s Eve smoke out menu: $35

Cover 3 

All locations in Austin and San Antonio will offer brunch on Monday, January 1 – an offering normally reserved for only Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The full brunch menu will be available that morning from opening at 11am to 3pm, including the popular U-Mix-It Bubbles and Bloody Mary Bar. The traditional lunch and dinner menus will also be available throughout that Monday until close at 10pm as COVER 3 will be screening each of the NCAA 2018 College Football Playoff games that afternoon and night (includes Georgia vs Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl at 4pm & Alabama vs Clemson in the Sugar Bowl at 7:45pm CT). COVER 3’s brunch was recently named “Best Brunch” in Austin and San Antonio this year by Austin Monthly Magazine and San Antonio Current respectively, so this is a great opportunity to kick off the new year with some of the best local bites around!

Additionally, on NYE the preceding day, all COVER 3 locations will be offering various specials for champagne drinks, although details on specific promotions will be revealed online in the days leading up to the holiday. On NYE day, all COVER 3 locations will have normal business hours with traditional brunch/lunch/dinner menu offerings – 11am to 10pm.

Launderette

The restaurant’s Third Annual New Year’s Eve Extravaganza will include a $85 four-course prix fixe dinner. Reservations can be made beginning today online at launderetteaustin.com, with availability between 5pm to 10pm that Sunday night.

MENU:

First Course:

Foie Mousse – grapefruit preserves, baby brioche
Tuna Crudo – potato crisp, Santa Barbara uni, horseradish ponzu, thai chile dashi
Eggplant Feuille de Brick – taleggio, baby kale, whipped pine nut hummus, smoked eggplant

Second Course:

Escargot – Spanish chorizo, creamed kale, garlic butter, bread crumb
Agnolotti – ricotta, winter squash, brown butter, pilacca, pecorino, fermented daikon
Rack of Lamb – cardamom yogurt, brown butter couscous, fig jam, red chermoula

Third Course:

King Crab Legs – piquillo salpicon, espelette aioli
Texas Wagyu Strip – potato pave, smoked fresno butter
Cacio e Pepe – gnocchi, truffle, stravecchio

Dessert:

Chocolate Custard Tart – fermented Ocoa ganache
Apple Hot Toddy – dulce de leche, sweet potato, biscoff cookie, black tea tapioca, bourbon, apple cinnamon ice cream
Ricotta Beignets –honey, rosewater quince butter, pistachio, tahini, hoja santa ice cream

TRACE

At W Austin is ready to help ring in 2018 with an indulgent four course dinner worthy of a year-end highlight. Enjoy dishes like Tuna Capaccio, 30-Day Dry Aged Niman Ranch Strip Sirloin, Butter Poached Lobster, and more. Dinner is $115 per person, to reserve call 512-542-3660 or do so through OpenTable.

• Ease into the New Year with W Austin‘s hangover brunch at the Living Room Bar.

From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For $25 enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes with brunch add-ons available as well, plus Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bars.  Visit whotelaustin.com/hangoverbrunch to purchase tickets.

• Downtown restaurant Searsucker will be offering brunch on New Year’s Day to kick off the new year and relieve your hangover.

Enjoy Searsucker’s brunch favorites such as short rib chilaquiles, tenderloin benedict, biscuits and gravy, or brioche french toast with grand marnier, plus the signature bacon infused Bloody Mary with sriracha and blue cheese – the ‘dazed & infused’.

• The original 6th Street Bar, Star Bar, will open on 11:00 AM on New Year’s Day.

Will be offering their signature Hail Mary featuring a P Terry’s Cheeseburger, dill pickle, Gerkins, Hard Boiled Egg, Pickled Okra, Lil Cheddar Smokies, Chicken Nuggets, Powdered Mini Donut, Celery, Cheddar Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, and cherry tomatoes. In the mood for something spicy? Tumble 22 will also be open and will have various fried items ready to cure your hangover.

• All three Lavaca St. Bar locations, Downtown, South Lamar, and Rock Rose, will open at 11:00 AM.

And will have Mimosas and Bloody Marys available. Turf N Surf will be offering breakfast tacos from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Lavaca St. Bar Downtown and Rock Rose while the South Lamar location will have regular items starting at 3:00 PM.