Are you looking for the best festive and Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC? Here are my top picks!
If you’re anything like me, you LOVE Christmas and all the festive events and decor that goes with it!
you’re visiting NYC over the festive period, you’re already super lucky! NYC is one of the best cities to visit during the festive season, and it’ll always be my number 1 pick for a festive city break.
Part of the reason I love it so much? There are Christmas themed restaurants in NYC, alongside all the fun activities and sights.
In this list, I’ll go through all my favorite Christmas themed eateries in NYC – so you can add that extra festive magic into your trip.
So, let’s get into it!
Rolf’s German Restaurant
- Website: https://rolfsnyc.com/
- Address: 281 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States
- Phone: +12124738718
- Type of cuisine: German Restaurant
- Closest subway station: 23 St
Rolf’s German Restaurant is first on my list of Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC. This is perhaps the most famous one, and I’m guessing you’ve heard of it!
Rolf’s go absolutely overboard with their decor around Christmas time, and you couldn’t possibly find a more festive and more Christmassy restaurant if you tried! It’s like Santa’s workshop exploded inside – and it’s amazing.
There are decorations hanging from every surface of this place, it’s like stepping into a winter wonderland. It’s perfect for feeling totally festive, and makes for a fun festive date idea too.
It’s one of the classic picks for festive restaurants in New York, and it’s a must-visit location for a few fun selfies too.
Read more about Christmas in NYC: 42 festive things to do in NYC at Christmas time
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
- Website: https://www.lilliesnyc.com/
- Address: 13 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003, United States
- Phone: +1 212-337-1970
- Type of cuisine: Victorian Restaurant
- Closest subway station: 14 St–Union Square
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment is my next suggestion, and it’s such a unique one. Lillie’s Victorian Establishment is located in Times Square, so if you’re visiting NYC and stopping in Midtown, this place will be pretty easy to get to (even for NYC newbies!).
This beautiful eatery is decorated with thousands of festive, glittering garlands, glistening baubles, and even life-sized Nutcracker soldiers (!) so you know you’re going to feel extra festive here.
The food here is also great, so you’re getting all that Christmas cheer, plus some fantastic and tasty meals too.
A great option for Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC, and a perfect pick for tourists who don’t want to venture too far from Midtown or Times Square.
I also love the historical twist this place puts on their festive decor!
Tavern on the Green
- Website: https://www.tavernonthegreen.com/
- Address: W 67th St, New York, NY 10023, United States
- Phone: +1 212-877-8684
- Type of cuisine: American restaurant
- Closest subway station: 66 St-Lincoln Center
Tavern On the Green is one of my favorite places to eat in the city, and it’s especially wonderful during Christmas time.
Tavern on the Green is located in the heart of Central Park, so it’s a gorgeous place to visit if you plan on exploring the park too during your trip. On a cold winter’s day, this place is the perfect cozy shelter midway through a Central Park walk.
The restaurant usually requires booking ahead, especially during Christmas, so keep that in mind.
Their beautiful restaurant is also decked out in the most festive Christmas decor, and they also have a wonderful Christmas brunch menu (just to make you feel even more festive!). And a ginerbread house too!
It’s a perfect pick for Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC, and we know you’ll love it.
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The Garret Coctelería
- Website: https://thegarretcocteleria.com/
- Address: 349 Broome St, New York, NY 10013, United States
- Phone: +1 917-398-3044
- Type of cuisine: bar and grocery
- Closest subway station: Canal St
The Garret Coctelería is my next choice for Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC. This quirky and cool bar / restaurant in NYC oozes all the nostalgic Christmas vibes, and we’re totally here for it.
This place is bright, colorful, festive, fun, basically everything you could possible want from a festive experience in the city.
Aside from their Christmas decor, they also do some amazing christmas-themed cocktails too, so that’s another reason to visit!
There are photo opportunities galore here, so make sure you’re phone is fully charged before visiting!
Read more about NYC: The perfect one-day itinerary for Christmas in NYC
The Winter Garden at The Standard, East Village
- Website:https://www.standardhotels.com/new-york/features/The-Garden-East-Village-Restaurant
- Address: 25 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003, United States
- Phone: (212) 475-5700
- Type of cuisine: American restaurant
- Closest subway station: 14 St–Union Sq
Next on my list of Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC, it’s the amazing Winter Garden inside The Standard, East Village.
Located in the East Village, this place has festive yurts you can book, that ooze festive vibes and Christmas cheer.
You can book the Christmas yurts for parties of two to ten guests, so they’re a really gorgeous option if you want something unique and special.
It’s cozy, Christmassy, and we absolutely adore it.
This is definitely one of the most romantic Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC too, so if you’re planning to pop the question, we think this would be a beautiful location.
Read more about visiting NYC in winter: My guide for when to expect snow in NYC!
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden
- Website: https://bohemianhall.com/
- Address: 29-19 24th Avenue Astoria, New York 11102, United States
- Phone: (718) 274-4925
- Type of cuisine: Bar with snacks and food.
- Closest subway station: Astoria Blvd
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden is another wonderful option for festive fun in the city. This is an outdoor option though, so make sure you wrap up warm.
This place is laid back, fun and festive and it’s a great place to enjoy some festive cheer in NYC at Christmas time.
They also have a Christmas market during some days in December, so make sure to check that out too, for some fun crafts and independent vendors.
It’s a fantastic pick for Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC!
Read more about Christmas in NYC: What’s open on Christmas Day in NYC?
Serra Alpina at Eataly
- Website: https://www.eataly.com/us_en/stores/nyc-flatiron/restaurants/serra-by-birreria
- Address: 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States
- Phone: +1 212-937-8910
- Type of cuisine: Italian food
- Closest subway station: 23 St
Serra Alpina at Eataly is my next beautiful suggestion for Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC!
This place is a little more along the vibe of ‘sophisticated Christmas’ – so if you’re looking for somewhere that is super festive, but also very stylish and romantic, this could be it.
This is a beautiful seasonal rooftop bar, that change up its decor each season to reflect the weather and atmosphere out in the city. So, as you can imagine, they don’t do things by half. And Christmas is always a show-stopping display.
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Frosty’s Christmas Bar
- Website: https://frostyschristmas.bar/new-york/
- Address: 220 W. 44th st, New York, NY, United States
- Phone: +1 877-709-3650
- Type of cuisine: Bar with snacks and food.
- Closest subway station: Times Sq–42 St
This pop-up restaurant and bar in NYC is a perfect place to visit during the holiday season in NYC. It’s back with full force for this year’s Holiday season, and it’s better than ever!
You’ll find Frosty’s Christmas Bar in Bacall’s & Blue Midtown, and they are occupying 4 Bars, and 3 Levels for their themed Christmas fun!
You’ll find amazing festive cocktails here, lots of festive photo opportunities (which we love!) as well as music, twinkling lights, and a great atmosphere.
This is one of the Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC with a party vibe, so if that’s you’re kind of thing, you’ll love it here.
My top tip? This place is going to be one of the most popular Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC, so be sure to book ahead. You need to get tickets if this place is on your to-do list when visiting NYC.
Read more useful NYC recommendations: Top 22 group-friendly restaurants in NYC
PHD Terrace at Dream
- Website: https://taogroup.com/venues/phd-terrace-new-york/
- Address: 210 West 55th St New York, NY, United States
- Phone: 646-905-3660
- Type of cuisine: Bar with snacks and food.
- Closest subway station: 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr
This amazing rooftop bar does a different theme each year, and it’s always beautiful, so don’t expect anything less than ‘wow’.
This is a different kind of Christmas decor than the other places on this list (because it’s much more of a nightlife destination, than a restaurant), but still super magical and festive.
Their winter rooftop garden would be perfect for romantic festive nights, Christmas date nights and beautiful for special events too.
Read more about Christmas in NYC: Our guide for how to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in NYC
Ophelia Lounge NYC
- Website: https://www.opheliany.com/
- Address: 3 Mitchell Pl, New York, NY, United States
- Phone: +1 212-980-4796
- Type of cuisine: Cocktail Brunch
- Closest subway station: 51 St
Cocktail lounge Ophelia is next on my list of the best Christmas-themed restaurants and bars in NYC.
Ophelia decorates their lounge each year, and this year will be no different!
This year, the decor will transport visitors into a magical snow globe, with all the trappings of a classic festive holiday movie.
Including… cozy blankets and throws, holiday cocktails, fairy lights, dangling snowflakes, and so much more. Ophelia Lounge NYC is a great pick, and a really romantic Christmas hideaway too!
La Grande Boucherie
- Website: https://www.boucherieus.com/location/boucherie-la-grande-boucherie/
- Address: 145 W 53rd St, New York , United States
- Phone: +1 (212) 510 7714
- Type of cuisine: French food
- Closest subway station: 5 Av/53 St
La Grande Boucherie is next on my list of Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC.
La Grande Boucherie give their festive decor a Parisian flair, so if you’re looking for festivities with a side of sophistication, this is the place.
La Grande Boucherie is a classic NYC dining destination, made even more magical during the holiday season. It’s elegant, the food is delicious, and you can be sure to try some authentic French cuisine too.
During Christmas, the restaurant is decorated in a unique and intriguing Art Nouveau style, which sets it apart from many other places on this list of Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC.
Read more about Christmas in NYC: Top 18 restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC
Sunday In Brooklyn
- Website: https://www.sundayinbrooklyn.com/
- Address: 348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
- Phone: 347-222-6722
- Type of cuisine: American food
- Closest subway station: Bedford Av
Sunday in Brooklyn is an amazing pick for Christmas-themed restaurants in the city, especially if you’re based in Brooklyn for your trip to the big city!
This restaurant is all about comfort, familiarity, and feeling at home. So you know their festive decor is going to be beautiful and nostalgic. This is a place to get warm, feel cozy and take it slow.
Sure, their festive decor might not be as loud and colorful as others on this list, but that’s kind of the point. It’s subtle, but stunning.
Sunday in Brooklyn is a great choice if your idea of Christmas is quality time, mellow vibes, and great food.
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Keens Steakhouse
- Website: https://www.keens.com/
- Address: 72 West 36th Street New York NY 10018, United States
- Phone: 917-265-8057
- Type of cuisine: Steak restaurant
- Closest subway station: Times Sq–42 St
Keens Steakhouse is next up on my list of Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC.
This is one of the most famous and iconic steakhouses in NYC, so you better believe they go all out during the holiday season.
There’s just something about the old-school style of Keens Steakhouse, that lends itself perfectly to Christmas decor.
If you’re craving steak, and you want to combine steak with some uber-festive decor – then Keens is an ideal place for you to visit.
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Mr. Purple
- Website: https://www.mrpurplenyc.com/
- Address: 180 Orchard St, New York, NY, United States
- Phone: +1 212-237-1790
- Type of cuisine: American Food & Wine Bar
- Closest subway station: Delancey St-Essex St
Mr. Purple is an amazing rooftop bar and restaurant, located on the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo in the Lower East Side.
This bar is in a great part of the city, and the rooftop offers up some amazing views too. But that’s not really why you’ll be visiting during the festive season.
Why visit in the wintertime? Well, they transform their rooftop into the ultimate winter wonderland, and it’s simply amazing.
Picture yourself cozied up in a giant igloo, overlooking the skyline of downtown NYC, and you’ll see why this place is such a great pick for Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC.
Russian Tea Room
- Website: https://russiantearoomnyc.com/
- Address: 150 W 57th St, New York, NY, United States
- Phone: +1 212-581-7100
- Type of cuisine: Russian food
- Closest subway station: 57 St-7 Av
The Russian Tea Room is next on my list of Christmas restaurants in NYC. It’s a classic pick for festive dining in NYC, and one of the Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC you can rely on to go all-out with their Christmas decor.
The Russian tea room has been open for over 95 years, and Christmas is when they really push the boat out with their experiences and decor.
At this Christmas restaurant in NYC, you can expect lots of trees, plenty of decorations, twinkling lights and festive menus too!
Read more about Christmas in NYC: 17 perfect restaurants for Christmas Eve dinner in NYC
The Cabinet
- Website: https://www.thecabinetnyc.com/
- Address: 649 E 9th Street, New York, 10009, United States
- Phone: 347 866 7739
- Type of cuisine: Mexican food
- Closest subway station: Smith-9 Sts
The Cabinet is next on my list of Christmas restaurants in NYC. This is one of the original Christmas pop-ups in NYC, and it’ll be returning to the East Village again this year.
Located in the epic cocktail bar the Cabinet, this is such a wonderful choice for Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC.
You can expect every inch of this amazing place to be covered in festive decorations. Oh, and don’t miss out on the festive-themed drinks too!
Top tip? This place books up fast, so make sure you book ahead!
Paddy Maguire’s
- Website: https://www.paddymaguiresnyc.com/
- Address: 237 3rd Ave New York, NY, 10003, United States
- Phone: (212) 253 – 0031
- Type of cuisine: Bar with snacks and food.
- Closest subway station: 125 St
Next on my list of Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC, it’s Paddy McGuire’s. This is a classic Irish pub in NYC, and they really go all out for the festive season.
If you fancy some casual drinks, some cheap food, and a good time, this is a really nice place to check out.
The decor won’t disappoint, there are plenty of opportunities for a fun selfie (or three!) and the vibe here is really lovely too.
Bryant Park Winter Village
- Website: https://bryantpark.org/activities/category/winter-village
- Address: 1065 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2400, NY 10018, New York, United States
- Phone: 212-768-4242
- Type of cuisine: Bar with snacks and food.
- Closest subway station: 42 St-Bryant Pk
Last on my list, it’s the Winter Village in Bryant Park. Now, this is last on my list, because it isn’t technically a restaurant. It’s a festive market, with a food hall attached to it!
So, it delivers all the festive goodness you’re searching for, but with a slightly more chilled-out vibe than a restaurant or bar.
It’s also a great alternative to Christmas restaurants in NYC, because it won’t require a pre-booking! You can just rock up when you’re hungry!
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