The countdown begins, the second hand ticks over, the corks pop and champagne starts to flow: a new year has dawned. New Year’s Eve is a time for remembering the year that was, and looking forward to a fresh start. Bubbly, music, dancing and a spectacular feast are what will make this a night to remember. Don’t get left in 2012: here’s where to celebrate this New Year’s Eve.

Johannesburg

Cantare
Celebrate with a masked ball at Cantare at R850 per person. This includes live entertainment, a five-course menu and a glass of bubbly at midnight.

Clico Boutique Hotel
Celebrate with a glass of bubbly and oysters on arrival, a three-course menu and optional live entertainment. See the menu on the listing.

La Belle Terrasse
Celebrate with a three-course menu at R750 per person. See the menu on menu tab of the listing.

Maximillien
Celebrate with a taste of the islands event as Maximillien takes you on a culinary journey. R420 per person includes live cooking stations featuring buffet cuisine from Mauritius, Zanzibar, Thailand and Hawaii, international DJ and dance floor.

Moyo (Melrose Arch)
Celebrate in true African style with entertainment and a three-course menu at R630 per person.

Ramkietjie Country Estate
Celebrate with a three-course buffet (menu available on request) with live entertainment provided by Alter Irving featuring ex-Clout lead singer Cindy Alter and ex-Ballyhoo frontman Stewart Irving. R250 per person.

Roots at Forum Homini
Celebrate with a six-course dinner and MCC for the countdown at R495 per person.

Pretoria

De Kloof
Celebrate with sundowners, bubbly and a tasting menu.

Geet Indian Restaurant
Celebrate with the à la carte menu and a complimentary drink at midnight.

Durban

Gigi’s Brasserie
In the Imbizo Hall from 7.30pm Hotel Izulu will present A Taste of South Africa. Guests can make their way around specially designed market stalls featuring some of South Africa’s finest food choices after enjoying an Amarula crush on arrival. The selection of fine South African cuisine includes Cape Malay pickled fish, beef frikkadel with traditional smoor, and butternut, lentil and feta bobotie; West Coast flavours with St Helena Bay oysters with lime and tequila dressing, and grilled Paternoster snoek; and boerekos with biltong and avocado salad, boerewors, and oxtail potjie. R695 per person.

The Grill Room
Celebrate with a refreshing welcome drink on arrival, table festivities, a set menu, a gift and a glass of Champagne at midnight for R1450.

Madame Zingara
Celebrate with welcome drinks and a decadent four-course dinner as you watch the show, el Milagro, unfold. When the show ends, party in true Zingara style as Dino Moran opens up the dance floor. Tickets are R895 per person, which includes welcome drinks, dinner, the show, and a bottle of bubbly per couple as the clock strikes 12 for midnight.

The Ocean Terrace
Celebrate with a refreshing welcome drink on arrival, table festivities, a buffet menu, a gift and a glass of Champagne at midnight at R1250.

Winelands

Makaron
Celebrate with a four-course menu at R625 per person. See the menu tab on the listing.

Moyo (Stellenbosch)
Celebrate the beginning of the evening with a welcome drink, chocolate-coated strawberries, and face paint. Entertainment and a three-course menu will be on offer afterwards at R495 per adult and R250 per child.

Restaurant at Clos Malverne
Celebrate with an eight-course food and wine pairing and the maiden Rosé Méthode Cap Classique. Tickets cost R468 per person, which include all the wines. Pre-bookings are essential as seating is limited.

The Restaurant at Grande Provence
Celebrate a seven-course dinner with a welcome drink of chilled sparkling wine and oysters served on arrival in The Angel’s Garden. The cost of R790 per person excludes beverages, with the exception of the complimentary arrival and countdown sparkling wine. Dancing continues after countdown and the bar service will be available.

The Restaurant at Waterkloof
Celebrate with a six-course menu at R650 (R825 with wine). See menu on listing.

Cape Town

Azure Restaurant
Celebrate with a buffet menu prepared by executive chef Henrico Grobbelaar in the Azure Restaurant and Atlantic Terrace marquee, while the resident musician entertains with festive tunes and New Year’s cheer. The cost of R1 895 per person includes a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, and again at the stroke of midnight.

Blowfish
Celebrate with a range of 50s-style starters and a main course of beef sirloin with a l’escargot in an emmental, blue cheese and fig sauce, or crayfish thermidor rested on line fish and calamari, served with seasonal vegetables.

Cafe Dijon
Celebrate with the James Bond themed New Year’s Eve party. The evening will feature a set 3-course meal as well as welcome drinks (Martinis (shaken not stirred), Heineken or Bubbly), canapés and bubbly and chocolates at midnight. The evening, which also includes a jukebox, costs R700 per person.

Catharina’s at Steenberg
Celebrate with a 4-course set menu for R1250 per person or a 4-course vegetarian set menu, also for R1250 per person.

The Conservatory at The Cellars-Hohenort 
Celebrate with an enchanted garden-themed dinner at R750 per person. See menu on listing.

Constantia Uitsig Restaurant
Celebrate with champagne cocktails on arrival and a five-course menu at R850 per person.

The Five Flies
Celebrate with a masked ball, a four-course menu and bubbles at R600 per person. See menu on listing.

The Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort 
Celebrate with a nine-course menu at R1250 per person (with wine) and R950 (without wine). See menu on listing.

La Colombe
Celebrate with a five-course meal, welcome drinks, bubbly at midnight and a DJ, at R1600 per person.

La Mouette
Celebrate with a five-course menu in the courtyard and a glass of bubbly at midnight for R795 per person.

Massimo’s
Celebrate with background live music by The Drifters, a welcome drink and three-course menu at R425 per person.

Myoga
Celebrate with a seven-course menu at R850 per person. See menu on listing.

Nobu
Celebrate with an eight-course gala dinner Omakase Menu (meaning ‘from the chef’s heart’) at R2250 per person. Enjoy a live performance at the adjacent Vista bar & Lounge with cover band Late Final.

Orinoco
Celebrate with a sixties themed party. The cost of R600 per person includes a three-course menu, DJ, dancing and a glass of MCC at midnight. See listing for full menu.

Reuben’s at One&Only Cape Town
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a five-course gala dinner menu at R1750 per person. A live performance will take place at the adjacent Vista Bar & Lounge with cover band Late Final.

The Roundhouse
Celebrate with dinner and dancing under the stars, bountiful bubbly for you to drink all night long, and the warm hospitality of a bygone era. R1650 per person includes a three-course menu, bubbly, live music and DJ.

Salt Restaurant 
Celebrate with a glass of bubbly, an eight-course tasting menu, and a live band, at R995 per person.

Savoy Cabbage
Celebrate with canapés and a Champagne cocktail on arrival, followed by a gala dinner, at R995 per person. See menu on menu tab.

Signal
Celebrate with a four-course dinner menu at R1950 per adult and R975 per child. See menu on listing.

The Table Bay Hotel
Celebrate with a sparkling cocktail reception in the Palm Court followed by a buffet dinner in the Ballroom and a champagne toast at midnight whilst watching the fireworks over the Atlantic at R2100 per person.

Top of the Ritz Revolving Restaurant 
Celebrate with a six-course menu at R775 per person. See menu on listing.

Tuscany Beach
Celebrate with an à la carte menu at R175 per person. See menu on listing.

The Garden Route 

Island Café and Tapas Bar
Celebrate with a five course gourmet dinner, welcome and midnight drinks and a live classical guitarist at R495 per person. See listing for menu.

Kurland Hotel
Begin the celebrations with a complimentary amuse-bouche of carrot and beetroot lollies on arrival. The seven-course signature menu includes red cabbage gazpacho with seared scallops; roasted kingklip with a red capsicum and basil risotto and a caper and vanilla broth; venison bobotie with egg yellow rice, home made mango and pear chutney and pickled onion salad; beef tagliata (thinly sliced beef with rocket parmesan and vinaigrette); a trio of lemon tart, tiramisu ice cream and raspberry sherbet; and a spiced gin and tonic served with banana and bacon cookies. Cost per person is R790.

Quay Four (Knysna)
Celebrate with three course menu, live entertainment, welcome and midnight drinks and lagoon views at R400 per person. See menu on listing.

Hermanus

Harbour house Hotel
Indulge in a four-course meal to be enjoyed in the popular al fresco restaurant with breath taking views over the ocean at R340 per person.

The Pavilion at the Marine
Celebrate with a six-course menu, canapés and welcome drink included, at R1150 per person. See menu on listing.

St Francis Bay

Five Elements
Celebrate with a night of a thousand candles at Five Elements. Enjoy a welcome drink, tapas dinner, live performance by Divalicious, a professional DJ and Champagne toast at midnight, at R690 per person.

Langebaan

Die Strandloper Restaurant and Beach Bar
Celebrate with a party on the beach. The cost of R350 per person includes a seafood buffet, Champagne at midnight and music. No children under 12 and 50% non refundable deposit is required on booking (before 15 December 2012).

Clarens

The Phatt Chef
Celebrate a four-course menu at R390 per person. No children under 16. See menu on listing.

By Kelly Pluke
Photographs (from top): Bayasaa, Stephen Bolen, Inspire Kelly, Steve A Johnson, Andy Grauland, Amani Hasan and Jesse757.
Featured on home page: Jesse757