Philly Restaurants Perfect for Ringing in 2019

Before saying so long to 2018, eat a celebratory New Year’s Eve dinner at one of these Philly restaurants. Choose from decadent multi-course meals with midnight Champagne toasts, dinner with a side of live music, and more. Just be sure to book a table before it’s too late. Note that these prices don’t include tax and tip.

Good King Tavern
Good King Tavern (614 S. 7th Street) turns into a 1920s-style Parisian speakeasy every New Year’s Eve, with an $85 prix fixe menu full of what the bistro is calling “fancy, Frenchie foods.” Caviar and vodka ($20) will be served on trays by “cigarette girls.” Expect it to get loud at midnight, once the noisemakers are handed out.

Brauhaus Schmitz
Book at Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South Street) for a three-course fondue dinner plus German holiday beers and mulled wine. There’s free Champagne at midnight and the roof deck will be open to watch the Penn’s Landing fireworks. $115

Bing Bing Dim Sum
On East Passyunk Avenue, Bing Bing Dim Sum is doing a four-course, family-style menu — including nine one-night-only dishes — for $45. Dinner opens with oysters with shiso and closes with carrot sponge cake. In between, there will be plenty of noodles and spicy vegetables.

Bing Bing’s sister spots Cheu Noodle Bar (255 S. 10th Street), Cheu Fishtown (1416 Frankford Avenue), and Nunu (1414 Frankford Avenue) are also planning NYE specials. All three restaurants are taking reservations (the Cheus usually don’t).

Jason Varney

Cadence
On Girard Avenue, intimate BYOB Cadence is offering a four-course prix fixe dinner for two that includes bison tartare, Happy Valley pork, herb dumplings, and Alina duck (a corn-fed French breed). Several dishes can be made vegetarian. The final seating of the night at 9:30 or 10 p.m. gets a free Champagne toast at midnight. $85

Fond
At the elegant Fond (1537 S. 11th Street), the five-course New Year’s Eve tasting menu includes foie gras, lobster, pork belly, and filet mignon. Add black truffle to any course for $20. There’s a free Champagne toast at midnight. $95; optional wine pairing $35.

Fond [official photo]

Hungry Pigeon
The New Year’s Eve tasting menu at eclectic eatery Hungry Pigeon (743 S. 4th Street) includes oysters, king salmon tartare, lobster gnocchi, grass-fed New York strip, and a choice of dessert. The a la carte menu will also be available. $75

Bar Amis
Families can head to Bar Amis at the Navy Yard for an early all-ages celebration. Kids will enjoy their own buffet with meatballs, pigs in a blanket, sparkling cider, and more, while adults fill up on pasta and steak. Everyone shares dessert: tiramisu and zeppoli. $65 for adults and $35 for kids over 2.

Marigold Kitchen
In West Philly, Marigold Kitchen (501 S. 45th Street) is pulling out all the stops with a 15-course feast that will include king crab, Wagyu beef, pheasant, lamb, white Alba truffles, and enough other bites to keep diners full a few days into 2019. The restaurant is BYOB; reservations (with a credit card to hold the table) are recommended. $125

Mission Taqueria
Dinner comes with a drag show featuring Iris Spectre and friends at the colorful Mission Taqueria (1516 Sansom Street). For $100, get a reserved table, a taco dinner, margaritas, and the show; $60 for the show with two drinks and passed appetizers (including empanadas, quesadillas, and croquettes). Doors open at 8 p.m. and a DJ will play party tunes until 1 a.m.

Ed Newton

Russet
Rittenhouse BYOB Russet (1521 Spruce Street) is offering a luxe, wintry five-course prix-fixe menu that ends with a free glass of Champagne at midnight for $92. Highlights of the meal include house-cured duck prosciutto, chestnut soup, seared foie gras, lobster gnocchi, prime rib, and ginger cake for dessert.

Kanella Grill
Greek-Cypriot BYOB Kanella Grill is serving a $55 prix fixe menu with a long list of meze to share, entree options including stuffed eggplant and braised lamb shoulder, and four desserts, including coffee and cardamom mousse.

Twisted Tail
The burlesque party at Twisted Tail’s (509 S. 2nd Street) features music from the Mikey Junior Band and burlesque performances. Dinner options include foie gras, Wagyu carpaccio, and duck cassoulet. Get dinner and general admission to the show for $75 (a limited number of $25 show-only tickets will be available); $125 includes reserved seating for the whole night and $125 in food and drinks. After midnight, pop out the front door and turn the corner to catch the end of the Penn’s Landing fireworks show.

Twisted Tail [official]