8 Awesome Ways Foodies Can Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vancouver

Eat your way to midnight at these food-centric New Year’s Eve events.

New Year’s Eve has a reputation for never living up to our expectations. We spend precious time and money in the hopes of a glamorous evening at one of the city’s swankiest nightclubs, but come January 1 we realize we spent upwards of $200 to attend an over-crowded party (that we may have had a few too many drinks to actually enjoy). This year, instead of heading for the club, we’re booking a seat at one of these Vancouver restaurants, where we can count down the minutes with a delicious meal and craft cocktail in hand.

1. NYE at La Mezcaleria

Celebrate the new year by indulging in a Mexican feast (and a few shots of mezcal) at La Mezcaleria in Gastown. Executive chef Mariana Gabilondo will be serving a delicious four-course meal of creamed zucchini, coconut breaded prawns, roasted pork rib cutlet and orange blossom crème brûlée.

2. Big Rock Urban’s True North Strong NYE Party

Ring in the new year again and again…and again. At Big Rock Urban Eatery’s NYE party, they’ll be toasting to 2017 in every time zone across Canada (a.k.a. you get to count down the seconds every hour on the hour). Canadian trivia and other games will be played, a Canuck-inspired buffet will be served, and maple champagne cocktails will be sipped.

3. Homer Street Cafe and Bar’s New Year’s Eve Feast

Sip a pomegranate-and-vanilla French 75 and snack on smoked trout rillettes as you decided what to order from Homer Street Cafe and Bar’s multi-course dinner menu—there are four appetizers, mains and desserts to choose from: bison terrine, roasted beets and smoked duck with a duck yolk aioli, bass and squash ravioli, spiced poached pear with butter sponge cake, the list goes on and on.

4. Swallowtail’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

If you’re in the mood for a surprise, register for Swallowtail’s secret New Year’s Eve dinner. We can’t tell you where it will be, but we can guarantee you’ll be well fed by Chef Jacob Deacon Evans. Remember to BYOB (and a few conversation topics) to this long-table dinner, where you can mingle with both new and old friends.

5. New Year’s Eve at Prohibition

Head to Hotel Georgia’s 1920s-inspired bar, Prohibition, to sip on champagne—your first glass is complimentary—and one-of-a-kind cocktails (Turmeric fizz or blue cheese martini, anyone?) while you listen to the musical stylings of The Wonders and DJ Myles Bigelow.

6. New Year’s Eve at Timber

Celebrate in true Canadian style at Timber Gastropub. Chef Chris Whittaker will be serving a selection of specialty Canadian dishes and a beaver piñata, that you’re invited to hit with a hockey stick, will drop from the ceiling at midnight. Canadian tuxedo not required.Photo: Prohibition

7. Palm Springs New Year’s Fling

Escape the cold at UVA Wine and Cocktail Bar’s Palm Springs New Year’s Fling. For $60, you can enjoy delicious cocktails, a three-course dinner and a night of pop-up entertainment, including live music by the James Danderfer Trio. Leave your formal attire at home and instead come dressed in your best Palm Springs gear (think palm print dresses, brightly coloured sport coats and kitschy poolside wraps).

8. NYE Murder Mystery Dinner

Bring your detective skills to Brock House. Seven professional actors will be among the other guests and it’s up to you to figure out which of them has committed murder. After the four-course dinner has been served—and the mystery has been solved—hit the dance floor and toast the new year with a glass of champagne.

Did we miss an awesome food-centric NYE event? Let us know in the comments!