With the fast-approaching New Year's Eve, now is the time to think of just the right menu to celebrate in style with family and friends. Whether it is a grand dinner party or a cosy gathering, your menu will set the pace for the rest of the evening. Indeed, traditional comfort foods in the UK are often married with just a touch of elegance to complete the perfect festive dinner. Here are 12 New Year's Eve dinner ideas, from starters to mains and desserts, ensuring your celebration is full of flavour and one to remember.

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1. Prawn Cocktail

Prawn cocktail is such a British thing, but it does make a sophisticated start to any New Year's Eve dinner. Serve them in fashionably coupe-shaped glasses to give the dish a modern twist. The sauce is the important bit, mix mayonnaise with a squeeze of tomato ketchup, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and a smidgen of paprika. Add some freshly cooked prawns and serve on a bed of crisp, ice-cold icebergs for a retro treat that still hits the spot.

2. Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding

Meanwhile, for the showpiece main, perfection can be had in roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. One of the favourite Sunday roasts translates into a pretty festive New Year's Eve meal. Choose a succulent rib-eye or sirloin and roast to your liking. Fluffy Yorkshire puddings mop up the rich gravy and roasted vegetables, such as parsnips and carrots-perfect accompaniment.

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3. Smoked Salmon Blinis

If you want something light yet festive to start the meal, then the smoked salmon blinis will be a real treat. Fluffy little pancakes serve as the base for creamy crème fraîche and a slice of smoked salmon. Complete this with a sprig of dill and some sprinkled lemon zest for added flair to this simple yet luxurious appetizer.

4. Coq au Vin

Coq Au Vin provides a classic, warm main course for those who do not feel quite as adventurous. This classic French dish of chicken cooked slowly in red wine is served with mushrooms, onions, and bacon. This dish is best served with creamy mashed potatoes or with crusty bread to mop up the sauce. It is warm, hearty, and just right for those chilly winter evenings accompanying New Year's Eve in the UK.

5. Vegetarian Wellington

If you are catering for vegetarians, the Vegetarian Wellington is quite impressive and delicious. This showstopper of a dish comprises a deeply flavoured filling of mushrooms, spinach, and chestnuts wrapped in golden puff pastry. Not only does it look stunning as a centrepiece, but it is full of flavour, a perfect alternative to the traditional Beef Wellington for your New Year's Eve dinner.

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6. Braised Lamb Shank with Red Wine Sauce

One of the more indulgent New Year's Eve dinner suggestions includes lamb shank cooked in a red wine sauce. The low-and-slow cooking will ensure tender, fall-off-the-bone meat. Meanwhile, the red wine sauce gives depth and richness to the beautifully cooked lamb. Serve this up with mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables for the perfect, indulgent winter meal.

7. Butternut Squash Soup

Lighter, if preferred, could be butternut squash soup served. It is a comforting soup with a creamy, velvety texture that is easy to make ahead. Season with a grating of nutmeg or cinnamon for added warmth in flavour. Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche and toasted pumpkin seeds on top for added texture and look.

8. Sea Bass with Lemon and Herb Butter

This is an elegant yet easy choice for seafood lovers to serve on New Year's Eve. The light-flavoured sea bass is beautifully countered by the bright lemon and fragrant herbs. Serve with roasted new potatoes and a green salad or steamed vegetables for a light and refreshing main course.

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9. Stuffed Mushrooms

These stuffed mushrooms will make great additions to your New Year's Eve menu for a versatile starter or side dish. Take large portobello mushrooms and fill them with bread crumbs, garlic, herbs, and cheese mixture. Bake until golden and crispy. These can easily be made ahead of time and will surely impress your guests with rich, savoury flavours.

10. Goat Cheese Tart

Goat cheese tart is a crowd-pleaser, enjoyed by vegetarians both as an entrée and as a main. The sweetness of caramelised onions or roasted red peppers goes contrastingly nice against the creaminess of goat cheese. Use store-bought puff pastry for ease, then bake until the pastry is golden and flaky. It can be served both warm and at room temperature, which, again, will be very handy in case there are other things to urgently attend to during your New Year's Eve dinner.

11. Chocolate Fondant

No New Year's Eve dinner is complete without an over-the-top dessert. Chocolate fondant, with its molten middle, is the perfect sweet treat with which to end the night on a high note. Serve this rich dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a über-luxurious ending to your meal. The contrast between the warm, gooey chocolate and ice cream is a classic combination that is always sure to impress.

12. Eton Mess

The Eton Mess will work if someone wants something light but decadent for dessert. This classic English dessert consists of meringue pounded to bits, whipped cream, and fresh berries-strawberries or raspberries are good choices-arranged in neat layers. It is easy to make and can be put together just before serving; it is a stress-free dessert to include in your New Year's Eve menu. The sweet and sour flavours provide a refreshing end to a rich meal.

How to Plan a New Year's Eve Menu

The planning of a New Year's Eve dinner involves more than just picking some dishes. Here are some tips that can help you in creating the perfect menu so that the evening goes as smoothly as possible:

Balancing Courses

Think about the balance regarding textures and flavours of the meal as a whole. Perhaps you would begin with a light refreshing appetizer, which might be smoked salmon blinis, then use a rich roast beef or COQ au VIN for the main course, finishing off with a rich chocolate fondant for dessert.

Accommodate Dietary Preferences

If needed, make sure to include vegetarian or gluten-free options. Dishes like the vegetarian Wellington or the goat cheese tart ensure that all of your guests enjoy a meal.

Prepare Ahead

Select dishes that can be made or prepped in advance, such as butternut squash soup or Eton Mess, to give you more time to enjoy the evening with your guests.

Adding Festive Touches

Give your New Year's Eve dinner a bit of an upgrade with simple yet elegant touches: garnishes of fresh herbs, stylish serving dishes, and the inclusion of seasonal flavours such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and citrus.

Wrapping Up 

Your dinner on New Year's Eve does not have to be stressful or even overly complicated. Mixing some of those quintessential British dishes with modern favourites will make your menu both delectable and fitting for such an occasion. Here are some dinner ideas for New Year's Eve, which range from rich mains of lamb shank with red wine sauce to lighter starters, such as stuffed mushrooms.

This New Year's Eve will be one to remember with these inspiring menu ideas of New Year's Eve and toast the new year with a dinner your family will thank you for.