Restaurants across Dubai are pulling out all the stops on December 31 – which one will you celebrate the New Year at?

At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa

Raise a glass to the future from 442 metres above the city with a New Year’s Eve celebration that leaves the material world far below and marks the occasion with the simplest of recipes – good friends and good times.

Set your expectations sky high with a choice of a seven or an eight-course degustation menu straight from the exclusive recipe collection of Executive Chef Yann Meinsel. Dishes include Loch Fyne scallops with pumpkin, parmesan and black truffle, a celery risotto dressed with white truffle, wild sea bass accompanies by caviar and leek fondue and wagyu in pepper jus, followed by a white chocolate snow ball with mandarin for dessert.

Details: 7pm onwards. The seven-course menu starts at AED 1,700 with soft beverages, and starts from AED 1,900 for the eight-course menu. Call 04-8883828 or e-mail reservations@atmosphereburjkhalifa.com to make a booking.

Buddha-Bar, Grosvenor House Dubai

Enjoy an unforgettable New Year’s Eve at Buddha-Bar Dubai, starring the internationally acclaimed Burlesque Queen Scarlett James. Your dinner show will include a signature sharing menu and unlimited drinks before you dance your way into 2019 with DJ Mario.

Details: 8pm – 3am. Dinner is priced at AED 1,900 per person all-inclusive. Only 21 and above. Dress code is glamorous. Call 04-3176000 to make a booking.

Queens Grill, The QE2

See in the New Year in spectacular style at one of Dubai’s most authentic British restaurants. The Queens Grill will be serving a delectable eight-course British tasting menu, complemented by live jazz music throughout the evening.

Details: 8pm – 1am. The evening is priced at AED 1,500 for food and beverage. Guests must be 16 years of age or above. Call 04 526 8888 to make a booking.

Gaucho, DIFC

Add an Argentine fiesta to your celebration and gather family and friends for a delicious feast. Indulge in a plethora of shared starters, from braised beef back ribs and tuna ceviche to Argentinian king prawns and watermelon salad, before being spoilt for choice when it comes to the main course. Dig into pan-seared salmon, fillet steak or asparagus risotto and finish off the evening’s delights with a dessert platter to share, including dulce de leche and chocolate brownies, plus more.

Details: 7pm-11pm. Packages start from AED 470 with soft drinks. There’s also an after-brunch package available until 12am. Call +971 4 422 7898 or e-mail events.dubai@gauchorestaurants.com to make a booking.

The Gulf Law, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, JBR

Toast to a glorious 2018 and welcome 2019 on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. Set amongst the spectacular gardens of the resort with the dazzling JBR skyline in the background, dance the night away to everyone’s favourite disco classics with a live band and DJ.

Highlights from the sumptuous buffet dinner include a caviar bar, antipasti, charcuterie selection and a premium variety of live stations. As the clock strikes midnight, continue the celebrations well into the night at the after party hosted at Palm Grill until 3am.

Details: 8pm-12:30am (dinner). Prices start at AED 1,500 inclusive of dinner buffet and soft drinks, AED 1,250 for teenagers from 12-16 years old, and AED 750 for children aged 6-11 years. Kids under 5 years dine for free. Call +971 4 318 6150 or e-mail festive.dubai@ritzcarlton.com to make a booking.

Bvlgari Hotel & Resorts, Dubai

The last day of the year is a flamboyant affair with the Gala Extravaganza at Il Café. Guests can welcome the New Year 2019 while discovering the flavours of Italy through nine lavish stations including iconic festive dishes such as oyster, roasted turkey and a fresh seafood station. The beautifully lit outdoor terrace offers amazing views over the first worldwide Bvlgari Marina for memorable moments to enter the year.

For fancier and more contemporary Italian cuisine, guests can spend New Year’s Eve in the elegant settings of Il Ristorante – Niko Romito. With ingredients sourced directly from Italy, this culinary experience promises authenticity and a gastronomic exploration journey thanks to a menu of amazing dishes such as tortellini with truffle, beef tenderloin and traditional Panettone with chocolate.

For a more toned-down celebration, H?seki with its minimalistic interiors and unique view over the Dubai skyline, is the perfect choice for an exclusive premium dinner starting from Dhs2,000 per person. Following the fine cultural Japanese traditions, Chef Masahiro Sugiyama offers an Omakase experience, a discovery concept where he selects the dishes to create a tailor-made experience based on the special ingredients brought all the way from Tokyo. Call +971 4 777 5433 or e-mail dine@bulgarihotels.com.

Details: Dinner at Il Café is priced at AED 1,150, Il Ristorante – Niko Romito is priced at AED 1,400, and H?seki is priced at AED 2,000 per person. Call +971 4 777 5433 or e-mail dine@bulgarihotels.com to make a booking.

Hotel Cartagena, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

See in the New Year in style at Hotel Cartagena with a special menu including wood-roasted lamb shoulder and Surf & Turf with foie gras. Bring your best Carnival costumes to join the renowned Cartagena dancers as they take to the floor and dance to the beat of the drummer. With DJ IIVA on the decks and an unbeatable view of the Burj Khalifa firework display, Hotel Cartagena is a great spot to welcome 2019.

Details: 8:30pm-12am. Packages start from AED 395 inclusive of soft drinks. Call 04-5601799 to make a booking.

Kalea, Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Autograph Collection

This Polynesian themed restaurant is a classy place to dine with a perfect view of the Dubai Parks and Resorts midnight fireworks, live entertainment and a DJ throughout the evening. Enjoy a great family feast this New Year’s Eve at Lapita’s Gala Dinner. Indulge in blinis and caviar or pan seared foie gras with apple butter, before moving onto mains which will all be live cooked before your very eyes this special evening. Choose from seafood paella or gnocchi and ravioli with creamy morel and chanterelles, as well as Polynesian favourite Poisson Cru made from raw shrimp and snapper. Finally, ring in 2019 with an indulgent chocolate fountain and new memories made with family and friends.

Details: 8pm-12am. Prices start at AED 395 inclusive of soft beverages, and children aged 6-12 years receive 50 percent off. Call +971 4 810 9421 or e-mail Lapita.restaurantreservations@autographhotels.com to make a booking.

Bistrot Bagatelle, The Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road

To kick-off the celebrations, Clarita De Quiroz will serenade the crowd while performing a live piano session. As the night crescendos into Bagatelle’s famous lively atmosphere, a live saxophonist and resident DJ Sam Starks will make sure you’re up and ready to dance your way into the new year – expect nothing short of epic!

In typical Bagatelle fashion, the evening will be one to remember with an unlimited selection of wines, spirits and beers alongside a set menu that promises nothing short of ultimate satisfaction. What better way to end 2018 off than with some crowd favourites such as Pizzetta à la Truffle Noire, Linguini au Homard Épicé, and Salade Bagatelle.

Details: First seating is 7pm-9pm; priced at AED 550 per guest, not including beverages. Second seating begins at 10pm and 10:30pm, and is priced at AED 1,300 per person (AED 550 for the set menu, and AED 750 minimum spend per guest on beverages. Lounge tables are available to book for 6 guests – each table requires a minimum spend of AED 2,500. Call +971 4 354 5035 or email reservation@bistrotbagatelledubai.com to make a booking.

all’onda, Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai

Make New Year’s Eve a night to remember and celebrate the start of 2019 at this brand-new Palm Jumeriah hotspot, all’onda. With panoramic views of the Dubai skyline, guests can expect to see the iconic firework displays from the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis and JBR Beach, from the perfectly situated rooftop terrace accompanied with music by Mr Levier.

Guests can choose from two packages; either an a la carte menu with a minimum spend or a four-course set menu served family style, with unlimited drinks. The Italian Venetian New Year’s Eve menu includes a Selection of Crudos for Antipasti followed by Canadian Lobster Tagliatelle or Spaghetti Carbonari with Black Truffle. For Secondi, key dishes include, Grigliata Mistra of Canadian Lobster and Rosemary Polenta and for dessert, guests can choose from Italian Panettone Baked Alaska or a Selection of Gelato and Sorbetto.

Details: 8:30pm-12:30am (open from 7pm-3am). AED 800 for the four-course set menu including drinks. Call 04 248 8870 or email reservations@allondadxb.com to make a booking.

For our top pick of where to spend Christmas Day in Dubai, click here.