Christmas-Decorated Restaurants in NYC, the Ones Worth Booking.

Papillon Bistro is a personal favorite in our household for outlandish holiday decor. The restaurant is covered head toe with garlands, string lights, ornaments and trees.

If that wasn’t enough, there is a giant festive teddy bear that hangs above the entrance and sets the tone for the jolly atmosphere. Restaurant and bar, the menu is tailored for both cocktails and proper meals. Staying true to a commitment to quality, the restaurant serves delicious fare and doesn’t rely on holiday decorations alone to stay busy (don’t sleep on the French onion soup).

Papillon Bistro is a sister restaurant to two other establishments that made our list of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City.

Walking into Lillie’s during Christmas feels like stepping into a Victorian snow globe. The restaurant goes all out with life-sized nutcrackers flanking the entrance, shimmering garlands draped from every surface, and trees so heavily decorated they look like they might topple over. Order the shepherd’s pie (it’s better than it has any right to be at a place this pretty) and snag a seat near the stained glass windows. Two locations in the city, but the Midtown spot near Times Square is the more festive of the two.

Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet and one of the most popular playwrights in the late 19th century. Known for his wit and flamboyance. A criminal offense during the Victorian era, Wilde spent two years in prison because of the relationship.

This Victorian style restaurant celebrates all that Wilde stood for. Hosting an impressive art collection dating back to the 1800’s you can admire a French fireplace from the 1840’s, stained glass from an Irish castle and so much more.

In my opinion, making reservations at Oscar Wilde is non-negotiable. The unmatched decorations are some of the best you’ll find among the many Christmas restaurants in New York City.

One of two restaurants within the park, Tavern on the Green originally served as a sheep fold before being transformed into a restaurant in 1934. Despite its touristy reputation, the restaurant dishes out great food using local ingredients.

The stunning interior has come a long way from storing sheep. Tavern on the Green is particularly enchanting during the holidays when it gets decked out with legendary decor. Enjoying a meal here is a great addition for anyone looking for iconic things to do in New York City during Christmas.

Pete’s Tavern opened in 1864, making it one of the oldest bars in New York City. Fun fact. The tavern posed as a flower shop during prohibition. But if history alone isn’t enough to entice you, perhaps the fact that it’s one of the most heavily Christmas decorated restaurants in New York City might.

The bar oozes old-world charm, with hundreds of twinkling lights adding a modern dazzle to the storied establishment. The food is great too and it pairs nicely with pints of cold beers.

Rumor has it, O. Henry wrote The Gift of the Magi at Pete’s Tavern in 1905. The beloved holiday tale makes an appearance every year around the holidays. In the story, two people want to get each other a gift but can’t because of financial hardship. They then sell their own most prized possession to get the gift for the other, only to find the other has done the same thing. Sound familiar?

Balthazar is an iconic NYC eatery year round, but there’s something special about the holiday season when the French bistro transforms into a refined winter wonderland.

Warm and inviting, Balthazar exudes romantic vibes ideal for memorable brunch dates. Whenever someone plans to visit for the holidays, the first thing I do is make reservations at Balthazar because the place never fails to impress.

From outstanding smoked salmon eggs Benedict to incredible french onion soup, the hardest thing about visiting this popular holiday decorated restaurant in New York City is scoring a reservation. If brunch is fully booked, pay a visit to the bakery next door.

There’s no denying that Rolf’s is one of the best-decorated Christmas restaurants in New York City. But, between you and me, it can feel like a tourist trap. For starters, the food is okay (not bad, not great) which is unfortunate because at $30 a dish, the quality leaves much to be desired.

Another reason I don’t recommend Rolf’s is because reservations are impossible to score. You have to call for reservations (and it’s difficult to get a hold of someone) otherwise expect to wait in line for hours.

But, I’d be doing you a disservice by not including it on my list of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City because the decor is worthwhile. Maybe swing by and see if there’s a bar stool available, a festive cocktail should fit the bill.

Serra By Birreria is located on the enclosed rooftop of Eataly in the Flatiron District. The menu and decor change with the seasons, but you can expect delicious Italian food and knock-out cocktails every day of the year. In the winter, Serra by Birreria transforms into Serra Alpina, making you feel like you’re in a cabin the Italian Alps.

Named after the owner’s mother, Rosemary’s is keen to serve comforting home style dishes that make you feel like you’re dinning at the family table. More impressive, the restaurant grows vegetables and herbs on its rooftop garden, ensuring everything is as fresh as can be.

Come December, the West Village haunt kicks things up a notch with beautiful decorations. A bit tamed compared to some of the other spots mentioned on this list, it’s one of my favorite Christmas-decorated restaurants in New York City.

The food is solid and the drinks are great, I’m a big fan of the Garden Martini (vodka, st. germain, clarified cucumber and basil). As for food, the pasta dishes never disappoint.

Not only is Loreley Beer Garden one of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City, but it’s also home to the largest heated outdoor patio in the Lower East Side.

I highly suggest making reservations in advance so you don’t miss out on the fun. Regardless of whether you choose to sit inside or outside, you’ll be surrounded by over-the-top Christmas decorations and twinkling lights.

Out in the heated patio area, you’ll find a wall covered entirely by colorful ornaments that make for a great backdrop. Make sure to sample your way through the creative holiday cocktails. I’m partial to the bar’s signature Boozy Black & White Hot Chocolate, but my husband prefers the Spiked Eggnog.

Miracle on 9th Street is a popular holiday-themed cocktail pop-up bar that makes an appearance every year. Decked to the nines, the bar oozes an endearing holiday spirit few can resist. In terms of decor, you’ll find the usual suspects, large ribbons, holiday trinkets, bright green garlands, twinkling lights and classic Christmas music playing on a loop.

As for drinks, that’s where things get interesting. The pop up takes great pride in keeping everybody on their toes with creative libations centered around classic holiday memories. If you see the Jingle Balls Nog (cognac, cream sherry, almond milk, cream, egg, vanilla and nutmeg) on the menu, don’t skip a beat – it’s one of the best holiday cocktails in the city.