Before some of those diets start in 2026, there are several ways to end the year on a delicious note.
Many San Diego County restaurants are hosting New Year’s Eve dinners, including prix-fixe menus and multi-course meals.
And for those who want to celebrate the start of the New Year with brunch, this guide also offers some choices for those early risers on Jan. 1.
New Year’s Eve
Animae: Chef Tara Monsod is preparing a secret four-course dinner to end 2025. Dinner seating will be done in three sessions, with the 5 and 7 p.m. seating costing $115 and the 9 p.m. champagne toast and caviar session priced at $130. 969 Pacific Highway, San Diego. 619-432-1225, animaesd.com/new-years-eve
A.R. Valentien: At The Lodge at Torrey Pines, a five-course menu awaits diners with selections such as butter-poached lobster, wagyu steak and winter squash Wellington. A wine pairing dinner is also available for an additional fee. Customers can either sit in the dining room or the terrace, with two seating times: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. 11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. $95-$290. 858-453-4420, lodgetorreypines.com/event/new-years-eve-dinner
Callie: A family-style meal with a side of live music and a photo booth is what diners can expect for the New Year’s Eve feast. Chef Travis Swikard is presenting a five-course meal with two dining sessions. The first is from 5 to 6 p.m. at costs $185 per person, with a $95 wine pairing add-on. The second gathering is from 8 to 10 p.m. and includes live music, a photo booth and a champagne toast at midnight for $255, with a $110 wine pairing option. 1195 Island Ave., San Diego. 619-255-9696, calliesd.com
Canvas Cafe & Lounge: The Carté Hotel San Diego Downtown is presenting a special all-day New Year’s Eve menu filled with seafood delights. Some of the offerings include oysters, ceviche, Pacific blue shrimp and New Zealand salmon. There will also be dessert options such as chocolate gelato and chocolate délice. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 401 West Ash St., San Diego. Prices vary. 619-546-9600, cartehotel.com/dining/canvas-cafe-and-lounge
Herb & Sea’s prime rib with onion demi and horseradish cream.
(Kimberly Motos)
Herb & Sea: Customers will have a choice of 12 items on the four-course New Year’s Eve menu. Some of the food options include caviar, pork belly, duck, prime rib and tiramisu. There will be three seating times: 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Adventurous guests can get a hot toddy drink if they take a plunge into Moonlight Beach for the restaurant’s annual skinny dip. 131 West D St., Encinitas. $100. 760-704-8300, herbandsea.com/new-years-eve
Kingfisher: Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes are on the menu to help celebrate New Year’s Eve. The Golden Hill eatery will have a family-style feast with shareable foods such as roasted chicken breast, rice noodles with chili oil, gnocchi with béchamel and roasted celeriac. Dinner includes a champagne toast. An optional wine pairing is available. Reservations can be made through the restaurant’s website. 5 to 9 p.m. 2469 Broadway, San Diego. $150-$215. 619-432-1014, kingfishersd.com
Lionfish: A variety of seafood dishes and other delights are part of the four-course dinner. Some of the menu items include caviar, shrimp, lobster rigatoni, tartare, New York steak and a black sesame mousse. Sides offered are papaya salad, pickled shallots, radish sprouts, truffle potatoes and Chinese broccoli. 5 to 11 p.m. 435 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $170. 619-738-7200, lionfishsd.com
Saint James French Diner’s New Year’s Eve menu includes a half roasted harissa-crusted cauliflower, marinated shrimp and a filet, roasted chicken and seared scallops with risotto. (Palisociety)
Saint James French Diner: Downtown San Diego eaters can get a three-course dinner with several options for around $100 per person. Starter options are a winter harvest salad, steak tartare and burrata. Main entrees are a half roasted harissa-crusted cauliflower, marinated shrimp and a filet, roasted chicken and seared scallops with risotto. For dessert, guests can have beignets with spiced cinnamon sugar and bourbon caramel or a white chocolate mousse with peppermint cream. 5 to 10 p.m. 830 Sixth Ave., San Diego. $105. 619-678-1007, saintjamesfrenchdiner.com
Tahona: The flavors of Oaxaca and Baja California, Mexico, are being served at this New Year’s Eve dinner celebration. The four-course meals include various foods such as scallops, oysters, esquite and huitlacoche risotto, pork shank with mole and arroz con leche tapioca. The New Year’s Eve dinner comes with a welcome cocktail and champagne toasts at 9 p.m. and midnight. Also, a mezcal tasting flight is available for $75. 5 p.m. to midnight. 2414 San Diego Ave., San Diego. $75. 619-255-2090, tahonabar.com
The Lion’s Share: Executive chef Dante Romero is creating one-night surprise dinner specials for New Year’s Eve. There will also be limited-time cocktails for $15 that include a mezcal and an espresso martini as well as a champagne toast. 4 p.m. to midnight. 629 Kettner Blvd., San Diego. Prices vary. 619-564-6924, lionssharesd.com
Vessel Restaurant + Bar: A four-course prix-fixe meal is being dished out at The Kona Kai San Diego in Point Loma. Executive chef Ethan Brown designed the dinner menu, which showcases winter squash ravioli, herb-crusted filet mignon, seared ahi tataki and pan-seared halibut with saffron risotto. Guests will also get two free glasses of bubbles. Plus there will be a toast at midnight to ring in the New Year. 5 to 10 p.m. 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego. $75. resortkonakai.com/shelter-island-restaurant
Valle: The restaurant by Chef Roberto Alcocer is bringing Mexican flavors to their New Year’s Eve dinner. The multi-course dining experience includes seasonal food items, wine pairings and candlelight views of Oceanside. 6 to 8:30 p.m. 222 North Pacific St., Oceanside. $250. 866-723-8906, valleoceanside.com
New Year’s Day
Amaya: At Fairmont Grand Del Mar, a three-course champagne brunch is being prepared. Visitors can choose from over 20 food items, such as avocado toast, beef tartare, chilaquiles, steak and eggs, roasted cauliflower, lamb and polenta, French toast, tres leches cake and a chocolate mousse. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego. $75. 858-314-2000, granddelmar.com/new-years
Greenfinch Restaurant: The eatery at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is offering a New Year’s Day champagne brunch. The feast is highlighted by a waffle station and a build-your-own parfait bar. There will be dining room and patio seating available. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. $69. 858-964-6500, estancialajolla.com/greenfinch-restaurant
The Pony Room: For early risers or foodies who want numerous options, Rancho Valencia is offering an à la carte menu. Customers can select from signature entrees like a Mexican rice and fried egg dish with chorizo, lobster, shrimp and macha salsa or the cali eggs Benedict with avocado, ricotta cheese and baked tomato chipotle hollandaise. Other options include lemon pancakes, a blackened swordfish sandwich and seafood salad. There will also be live music on New Year’s Day. 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe. Prices vary. 858-759-6246, ranchovalencia.com/san-diego-events/new-years-day
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse: Get views of Point Loma, Coronado and the San Diego Bay at this New Year’s Day brunch. An omelet station, eggs Benedict, cinnamon French toast, waffles, Moroccan fried chicken, tri-tip, Maine lobster claws and oysters on the half shell are highlights of the menu. The brunch also includes coffee, teas and juices. Children under five years eat for free. 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. 2150 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego. $22-$72. 619-291-9110, tomhamslighthouse.com/new-years-day-brunch-buffet