I love the way restaurants decorate for Christmas in New York City. Already eclectic and creative businesses add a bit of romance by stringing up wreaths, garlands, lights, and ornaments. The warm tones and lighting create the perfect refuge from otherwise cold and gray winters in NYC. And you’d be surprised how quickly you lose track of time sipping on holiday cocktails while hanging with friends.
But with so many sensational places to eat in this big city, it can be hard to know what warrants a visit, especially if you’re only here for a short amount of time. I hope you find my personal list of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City helpful, so without further ado, let’s get jolly!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers + 3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Christmas Themed Restaurants in New York City
Table of Contents: NYC Christmas Restaurants
Table of Contents: Christmas Decorated Restaurants in NYC
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
Website: Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
Neighborhood: Midtown & Union Square
Address: 249 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019 & 13 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003
I’m probably not the first to tell you that New Yorkers never do anything halfway, and the remarkable decorations in NYC during the holidays are no exception. A case in point is Lillie’s Victorian Establishment. This easy-going and ornate Victorian-era restaurant is completely decked out as one of the best-decorated Christmas restaurants in New York City.
Think shiny garlands, life-sized nutcrackers, and a plethora of decorated Christmas trees. As for food, expect to find everything from classic pub favorites like cheeseburgers and chicken wings to more refined dishes like ceviche and tartar.
Balthazar
Website: Balthazar
Neighborhood: SoHo
Address: 80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Balthazar is one of the most iconic restaurants in New York City, and during Christmas, it becomes even more so. The interior of the Parisian brasserie is adorned with garlands and twinkling lights, making it the perfect romantic brunch spot. Add in the warm tones and red-leather booths, and you have a scene straight out of a movie!
Ever since Keith McNally opened the restaurant in 1997, the food has been to die for. The eggs Benedict with smoked salmon rank among the city’s best, and you shouldn’t overlook the French onion soup. If you can’t get in for brunch, I learned a trick – visit the bakery next door! They make the BEST chocolate donuts I’ve ever had – perfectly dense and chocolatey. Oh, and the chai latte from this joint can’t be missed.
Tavern On The Green
Website: Tavern On The Green
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Address: W 67th St, New York, NY 10023
Tavern On The Green is a special place because it was designed to be a part of Central Park from the very beginning. In the original design, this tavern was meant to house the 700 sheep that grazed at nearby Sheep Meadow. Robert Moses decided to turn the sheep-fold into a restaurant in 1934, and the rest is history. The restaurant has become one of the most iconic in New York City, being featured in movies and frequented by celebrities.
Tavern On The Green’s popularity is well deserved. For starters, the restaurant is stunning (you’d never guess it used to be the home of sheep). Even more so during the holidays, when it’s one of the most beautiful Christmas-themed restaurants in New York City.
The courtyard seating has lights strung above, meeting with an illuminated Christmas tree in the middle. Being sandwiched between the city’s skyline and Central Park, consider me a happy camper! Starting in November, Tavern On The Green will be hosting a holiday brunch that consists of a 3-course meal priced at $95 for adults. Consider this one of the Christmas restaurants in New York City you won’t want to miss.
Serra By Birrerria
Website: Serra By Birrerria
Neighborhood: Flatiron District
Address: 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010 (follow signs to the elevator, take it to the top floor)
Serra By Birreria is located on the rooftop of Eataly in the Flatiron District, and its Italian name roughly translates to greenhouse brewery. The seasonal restaurant serves delicious Italian food and (very) well-crafted cocktails. With every changing season, the restaurant manages to outdo the previous decor. In the winter, Serra by Birreria transforms into Serra Alpina, meant to make guests feel like they’re in a cabin in the Italian mountains.
The snow-dusted branches that blanket the ceiling make this one of the most charming Christmas restaurants in New York City. Even though it’s on a rooftop, the restaurant is enclosed and well-heated, and it’s one of the best heated outdoor dining areas in NYC.
Rosemary’s
Website: Rosemary’s
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 18 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
Named after the owner’s mother, Rosemary’s aims to make dishes with the same love a home-cooked meal has. Heck, the restaurant even has its own rooftop vegetable garden that helps provide the produce they serve their guests. Even better, Rosemary’s is one of my favorite Christmas-decorated restaurants in New York City.
The joint is cute as is, but with a wreath hanging on the windows and lights covering the ceiling, it becomes as charming as can be. In terms of drinks, the cocktail menu never fails to impress, especially the Garden Martini. The freshness was unmistakable — did I just accidentally order a glass of (spiked) pressed cucumber juice?
Oscar Wilde
Website: Oscar Wilde
Neighborhood: Flatiron District
Address: 45 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
Oscar Wilde is a Victorian-style restaurant seeking to celebrate everything Wilde stood for. The restaurant is home to an impressive art collection dating back to the 1800s, a cozy French fireplace from the 1840s, and boasts stained glass from an Irish castle. I mean, what more can you ask for?
Making reservations at Oscar Wilde during the holiday season is non-negotiable. The decorations are unmatched and some of the best you’ll find among the many Christmas restaurants in New York City. Every inch of the place gets decorated (including the ceiling); minimalism has no place here. And don’t even think about leaving without trying the Wilde bacon cheeseburger and truffle fries.
Quick history lesson: Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet and one of the most popular playwrights in the late 19th century best known for his wit and flamboyance. Unfortunately, Wilde’s reputation was tarnished after falling in love with a man. In the Victorian era being gay was not only frowned upon, but a crime. So much so, that Wilde spent two years in prison because of it.
Pete’s Tavern
Website: Pete’s Tavern
Neighborhood: Gramercy Park
Address: 129 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003
Pete’s Tavern opened in 1864, making it one of the oldest bars in New York City. In fact they stayed opened through prohibition by posing as a flower shop (nothing to see here, officer). If you don’t want to visit for the history, though, you’ll want to visit because this is one of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City. The bar oozes old-world charm, and the hundreds of Christmas lights give it a modern dazzle.
The food at Pete’s Tavern is also splendid. Bar food has no business being this good, but I’m glad it is! The Italian cuisine pairs nicely with a full beer glass! Here’s a fun note to share with your friends when you visit:
It’s said O. Henry wrote the famous holiday short story “The Gift of the Magi” at Pete’s in 1905. Although you might be unfamiliar with the title, you’ve probably seen an adaption. 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.
Many adaptions have been made off the story’s premise, including when Minnie Mouse trades her watch to buy Mickey a case for his harmonica. Likewise, Mickey sells his harmonica to buy Minnie a chain for her watch. This bit of holiday history is yet another reason Pete’s is one of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City!
Papillon Bistro
Website: Papillon Bistro
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 22 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022
Papillon Bistro is a sister restaurant to both Lillie’s Victorian Establishment and Oscar Wilde (not surprisingly, all three made our list of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City), so expect an astonishing amount of holiday decorations.
I’m talking head to toe, covered in holiday decorations. From the outside, which is adorned by illuminated angels and a life-size Santa, to the inside, looking like a Hallmark movie threw up, they’ve got it all. As soon as you step foot into this restaurant, you are greeted with thousands of twinkling lights, colorful baubles, and decked-out Christmas trees everywhere.
If that wasn’t enough, there is a giant festive teddy bear that hangs above the entrance and adds charm to the already stupendous atmosphere. Since Papillon Bistro is both a bar and restaurant, the menu is curated to satisfy anyone hungry or thirsty. I never miss the chance to order the French onion soup and an espresso martini, adding to the warmth of one of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City.
Miracle on 9th Street
Website: Miracle on 9th Street
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 649 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009 & 595 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Miracle is a company started by Greg Boehm, who decided to put a pin on the construction of his cocktail bar Mace (my favorite bar in the city) to open a holiday pop-up following the advice of his mother. He used the unfinished space, decked it out with Christmas decorations, and masterfully built a holiday-inspired menu of craft cocktails. It quickly became one of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City, so it’s no surprise the word got out and locals started coming by the masses.
The next year, they expanded the pop-up by partnering with more bars around the city, and now Miracle is a worldwide company. Today, New York City is home to Miracle on 9th in the East Village and Miracle on Union in Williamsburg. Because the menu only consists of drinks, I suggest making dinner plans before or after at one of the other Christmas restaurants in New York City before stopping by Miracle on the 9th.
Something to note: The Miracle pop-ups are 21+ only
Loreley Beer Garden
Website: Loreley Beer Garden
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
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. During the holidays, Loreley Beer Garden transforms into a heated wonderland, and it becomes every Christmas enthusiast’s dream come true.
I highly suggest making reservations in advance so you don’t miss out on one of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City. 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 for Instagram photos. While at Loreley Beer Garden, make sure to try any of their holiday cocktails. I’m partial to the famous Boozy Black & White Hot Chocolate made with bourbon, and my husband loves the Spiked Eggnog!
Rolf’s
Website: Rolf’s
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 281 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010
Yes, Rolf’s is one of the best-decorated Christmas restaurants in New York City. But, as much as it pains me to say this, this experience is best described as a tourist trap. The food is okay, not bad, but not great, which is super unfortunate because for the prices they charge ($30+ a dish), I’m expecting a delicious dinner.
The reason they can get away with charging this much is because the clients roll in and pay it anyway, just to see the decorations. Another reason I don’t recommend Rolf’s is because reservations will cost you nothing short of your firstborn child.
Reservations aren’t available online; you have to call (and it can be difficult to get someone on the other line). The reason I did include it as one of the best Christmas restaurants in New York City is solely due to the decorations. If you visit, expect to take a lot of photos, but that will probably be the highlight of the night.
Best Christmas Restaurants NYC (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a quick rundown of the Christmas restaurants in New York City
- Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
- Rolf’s
- Balthazar’s
- Tavern on The Green
- Serra By Birreria
- Rosemary’s
- Oscar Wilde
- Pete’s Tavern
- Papillion Bistro
- Miracle on 9th Street
- Loreley Beer Garden
Map of Christmas Restaurants NYC
Helpful (Related) Links
Christmas in New York City: 20 MAGICAL Things to Do (And 5 to Avoid!)
Christmas Packing Tips: What to Wear in New York City in the Winter (+Packing List)
What to Watch in NYC for Christmas: 15 Charming Christmas Shows in New York City (2023 Guide)
Where to Shop for Christmas: 10 Cheerful Christmas Markets in New York City (Worth the Visit!)
Where to Ice Skate in New York: 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City (+ Where to Skate For FREE!)
Christmas on a Budget: 20 Free Things to Do During Christmas in New York City
And there you have it, our list of Christmas restaurants in New York City. Let us know if you think we missed a spot.
Leave a Reply