Ten Best 2016 New Year's Eve Dinners in Palm Beach County

The one issue every privileged human shares: narrowing down a place to eat. It's so common, on Master of None, Aziz Ansari dedicated a whole scene of scouring the internet in search of the best taco in NYC. The struggle is real, as they say. And it's even worse on holidays. Your regular top ten lists aren't going to cut it on New Year's when restaurants switch over from a la carte menus to pricey prix-fixes and ticketed parties. Don't fret, fine friend; we've got you covered. From reasonable meals to extravagant experiences, here are the ten best places to dine in Palm Beach County to ring in 2016.

10. Meat Market Palm Beach (191 Bradley Place, Palm Beach; 561-354-9800)

Palm Beach is known as an old school rich folks town — the kinda place filled with fancy hedges and men donning blue blazers with pink shorts. Classic steakhouses with red leather booths and lots of wood are a shoe-in. Meat Market is the hip answer to the staid meat-centric restaurants of yesteryear. For New Year's Eve, this sleek Palm Beach eatery is bringing in a DJ for the evening. It's serving its regular menu, then toasting 2016 with complimentary champagne. 

9. Cafe Chardonnay (4533 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 561-627-2662)

Palm Beach Gardens residents: there's no need to leave town to say goodbye to 2015. With three decades under its belt, this place has been a special occasion go to for generations. Cafe Chardonnay is serving a la carte dishes from 4 to 6:15 p.m., followed by a three-course, prix-fixe menu starting at 6:30 p.m. Each set meal is $95 and comes with a glass of champagne at the end.

8. Pistache French Bistro (101 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach; 561-833-5090)

Pistache French Bistro is hosting a posh francophile fete with a live DJ, party favors, and superb views of NYE fireworks over the Intracoastal waterways in downtown West Palm Beach. There are two dinner seatings. The first, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., includes three courses for $75 per person. The second, from 9 p.m. through the night, features a five-course, prix-fixe menu and a complimentary bottle of champagne (per couple) for $175 per person.

7. Jove (2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach; 561-533-3750)

The Four Seasons is known for being a classy place. Manifest some luxury for 2016 by observing the change in annum at the hotel's luxe Italian restaurant, Jove. The $140 per person three-course dinner features prosecco risotto, veal tenderloin and colossal stone crab duo and chocolate hazelnut nougat. For those looking to blow some money, there's an indulgent six-course tasting for $255 per person, including all of the aforementioned selections along with cured salmon, pumpkin cavatelli, and scallop intermezzo. Finish the night at the NYE Party in the Living Room.

6. City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill (00 S. Rosemary Avenue, West Palm Beach; 561-366-0071)

Celebrate the change in year with executive chef Kevin Darr's special menu. The DIY choices allow guests to spend as much or as little as they please — well, nothing in life is free, of course. It features seafood like lobster and Champagne risotto or grilled wild blue shrimp with black truffle and organic mache ($36). There's also grilled Wagyu NY Strip with roasted potato lasagna, creamed local Swiss chard, and bordelaise ($45) as well as house-made fresh linguini nero topped with rock shrimp, cellar cured pancetta, local heirloom tomato, Meyer lemon butter, and opal basil ($28). 

5. Racks Downtown Eatery and Tavern (402 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561-395-1662)

The Roaring Twenties was the best party period in history. Go back in time at Rack's Gatsby-themed fete. The event includes live DJs, 1920's flapper-girl-live-talent, special menu, and unforgettable countdown celebration. There are two dinner seatings. The first is from 4 to 7 p.m. The second seating begins promptly at 9 p.m., with a $90 prix-fixe menu. Reservations —and flapper gear — are strongly suggested.

4. Barolo Ristorante (1201 US-1, North Palm Beach; 561-626-1616)

Say, arrivederci to 2015 like an Italian at Barolo. The restaurant is offering five courses for $85. It starts with eggplant parmigiana, seafood brodetto (basically stew), or salmon carpaccio, then move on to a cleansing house salad. The pasta course includes a choice of Meyer lemon linguini or gnocchi with pancetta, shallots, mushrooms, and tomato sauce. For mains, pick from sole Francese, veal scallopine, or grilled center-cut pork chops with sauteed onions, cherry peppers, and fresh rosemary in Marsala sauce.

3. Tryst (4 E. Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach; 561-921-0201)

Rendezvous at this Atlantic Avenue gastropub with a five-course menu featuring Crispy Blue Point oyster with charred scallion aioli, and pickled chilies to start, before choosing from Caribbean braised beef and pumpkin soup or local organic greens. Third course includes oak-fired Sicilian eggplant parm, Hudson Valley foie gras, or diver scallop and Berkshire pork belly. Vegan ramen, cornmeal crusted, or grilled filet mignon with truffled mashed potatoes make up the options for the last savory segment of the meal. Finish up with orange creme brulee or triple chocolate cupcake. Reservations between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. are $70 person. The cost goes up to $100 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., which includes Champagne. Email [email protected].

2. Max’s Grille (404 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561-368-0080)

This Mizner Park stalwart is offering a number of menu options, so diners don't have to dish out a fortune. It opens at 11 a.m. and stays open until 2 a.m. — the last dinner seating is at 10:30 p.m. In addition to an à la carte menu, the eatery is serving a $50 prix fixe with three courses. Pick from items like cauliflower soup with pomegranate glazed duck, baked langostinos, tempura sushi roll, and fresh mozzarella burrata with American caviar to start. Move on to pan seared colossal scallops, baked black grouper, or, for a $10 up-charge, 10-ounce Meyers Ranch bone-In filet, before indulging in flour-less chocolate cake or Max’s Famous Crème Brulee for dessert.

1. Dada Restaurant & Lounge (52 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach; 561-330-3232)

Choose from seven apps, eight entrees, and five desserts in DaDa’s prix fixe menu. Executive chef/partner Bruce Feingold is preparing creative dishes like gnocchi and wild mushrooms, sous vide pork belly, and foie gras steamed clams to start. Mains include items like roasted half-duck with balsamic pomegranate reduction over toasted orzo, grilled pork porterhouse with red pepper jelly, harissa lamb chops with hibiscus and apricot aioli, as well as American red snapper and crab. Desserts range from passion fruit crème brulee and mini cheesecake with cherries jubilee flambe to sticky toffee pudding and chocolate ganache bread pudding. It costs $75, including complimentary Champagne at 12 a.m. and a live band onsite. The a la carte menu will not be available.