New Year’s Eve in Coastal Orange County arrives with its own energy — oceanfront dinners, rooftop countdowns, candlelit tasting menus, and champagne-filled celebrations in some of the region’s most beautiful settings. If you’re planning to stay local this year, these are the confirmed high-end New Year’s Eve experiences worth booking now.
Studio Mediterranean at Montage Laguna Beach
Montage’s signature coastal restaurant is offering a refined New Year’s Eve celebration with your choice of a four- or six-course tasting menu crafted by Executive Chef Dennis Efthymiou.
Expect elevated Mediterranean dishes like Maine crab, lobster ravioli, and Snake River Farms Wagyu, all paired with sweeping ocean views and impeccable service. The four-course dinner runs from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for $275 per adult; the six-course dinner from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. is $375 per adult. Pricing excludes tax and service charge; 48-hour cancellation applies.
Lobby Lounge New Year’s Eve Countdown at Montage Laguna Beach
For a glamorous countdown experience, Montage’s Lobby Lounge transforms into a festive New Year’s Eve destination with live music, elevated bites, flowing champagne, and curated table packages. Choose from private seating options ranging from $450 for two guests to $1,800 for a party of eight, each including premium champagne or wine and sweet and savory bites. Packages exclude tax and service charge; 48-hour cancellation applies.
SET Steak & Sushi at Pendry Newport Beach – “2026 by SET”
Pendry’s New Year’s Eve celebration begins at 5:00 p.m. with a four-course prix fixe dinner featuring SET’s elevated seasonal menu, live music, a DJ-driven countdown, and champagne moments throughout the night. Guests may also opt for an evening in the bar and lounge with à la carte favorites and signature holiday cocktails. Prix fixe dinner is $195 per adult; reservations required.
Bourbon Steak at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach
Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak offers a polished three-course New Year’s Eve dinner on December 31 from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. The menu features seasonal dishes, luxe ingredients, and the kind of classic steakhouse atmosphere perfect for a celebratory night. Priced at $220 per adult and $95 per child ages 2–10, exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Monarch Bay Beach Club – Seaside New Year’s Eve Dinner
For a celebration directly above the sand, Monarch Bay Beach Club serves a special à la carte New Year’s Eve menu with seasonal dishes, craft cocktails, and unobstructed views of the Pacific. Reserved for resort guests and members, this is one of the most intimate coastal settings for a relaxed yet elevated evening.
VIEW Restaurant at VEA Newport Beach
VIEW Restaurant is offering a three-course prix fixe New Year’s Eve dinner from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., ideal for those wanting a sophisticated yet lively evening. After dinner, continue the celebration at Holiday Hideout, VEA’s festive pop-up lounge, open to guests and the public with specialty cocktails and a celebratory atmosphere.
Newport Beach New Year’s Eve Premier Dinner Cruise
City Experiences hosts an elegant New Year’s Eve dinner cruise on Newport Harbor, featuring a plated dinner, premium bar options, a live DJ, and a midnight toast with waterfront views. Each group receives reserved seating, making it one of the most scenic and seamless ways to ring in the new year.
