Are you wondering “What restaurants are open on Christmas day in NYC?” – If so, this list will give you some great ideas!
Finding the perfect restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC is so important if you plan on spending Christmas Day in the city.
Obviously, the city is packed full of amazing food, but not everywhere opens on Christmas Day in NYC – so you’ll want to make sure you’re dinner choice will actually be serving customers!
We’ve put together some of our top picks for restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC, so you can narrow down the best festive food spots in the city.
Oh, and choose the perfect place to enjoy some food on Christmas day in NYC!
These are our favorite restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC, so we hope it’ll inspire you to book!
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Top tip! Always book in advance when looking for restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC!
It’ll come as no surprise, that most of these restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC fill up way ahead of time, and bookings are essential!
So if you’re wondering what restaurants are open on Christmas Day in NYC… Let’s get into it!
Reminder: Whilst we try to be as accurate as possible, we are human! Some restaurants will change their opening hours for holidays with little notice. We will check sites like Open Table to verify, but we always recommend checking and reserving yourself ahead of the day!
Here are our favorite restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC!
Quality Meats
The first restaurant on our list of restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC, is Quality Meats.
This is one of our top restaurants in the city for cozy vibes and delicious food – and it just checks all the boxes for a festive and beautiful Christmas Day meal in NYC.
Expect to find lots of delicious steaks and meat dishes, but also some pretty amazing side dishes and desserts too. We know you’re going to love it.
And this place is right near Central Park too, which is the perfect place to have a Christmas Day stroll beforehand.
Read more about visiting NYC: 42 festive things to do in NYC at Christmas!
Chola
Next on our list of the best restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC, it’s Chola.
If you’re craving Indian food instead of a traditional Christmas dinner, then be sure to check out Chola.
This is among the best restaurants that are open on Christmas day in NYC, offering guests incredible food and an even better atmosphere.
The décor is lovely and welcoming, and diners just adore the extensive Indian menu that covers several regions.
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There are a few Christmas specials on offer each year, so keep an eye out for special curries and interesting dishes that your server is sure to point out.
Whatever you choose to order, if you’re wondering what restaurants are open on Christmas day in NYC, you can’t go wrong with Chola.
Fogo de Chao
The brilliant Brazilian Steakhouse, Fogo de Chao, in NYC is one of the ultimate choices for a Christmas festive feast!
Of all the restaurants that are open on Christmas day in NYC, this is where you’ll find the best value for money, as it’s all you can eat!
You can head to their central location, and celebrate the season with friends and family, eating delicious food and amazing steak dishes.
Dinner also includes some seasonal side dishes too, which makes the experience even more festive! We recommend booking ahead for this place, as it’s a really popular choice.
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ABC Kitchen
Okay, so we absolutely adore the food at ABC Kitchen, but out of all the restaurants that are open on Christmas day in NYC, this is one of our favorites because of the cozy décor.
Minimalistic yet effective, the color palette in here makes you feel as though you’re sitting in a winter wonderland. A subtle one, that is!
If you’re looking for a delectable meal, be sure to order the Christmas Ribeye Dinner for Two.
Offered every year and dry-aged to perfection, this is a wonderful choice for any couple spending Christmas day together.
The folks here cook these steaks to perfection and it’s such a special choice for restaurants that are open on Christmas day in NYC.
This is one of the best restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC!
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Marseille
Located near the theatre district and Times Square, this is a great choice for restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC, especially if you’re stopping in central Midtown and want somewhere in easy walking distance.
It has cozy French vibes (as you’d expect) and it’s also really reasonably priced too!
Marseille are offering a three-course ‘Prix Fixe’ menu for $48, which is a great deal – especially if you’re on a budget.
Definitely book ahead for this place (as it will fill up fast) and be aware that you’ll need to place your order beginning Sunday 12/19.
This is a gorgeous choice for restaurants that are open on Christmas Day in NYC.
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Bar Boulud
If you’re wondering what restaurants are open on Christmas day in NYC, then let us make you aware of Bar Boulud!
The food at this gorgeous spot is mostly French, so expect famous dishes straight from France that are delicious and elegant.
Among the classics on offer here are the beef bourguignon and butter-poached lobster. Though there are other mains available, we highly recommend sampling those two first.
Be sure to toast some champagne or a cocktail once you get home – if you’ve not got anything that you can drink at home, then these guys can facilitate your merriment with their bottles of champagne and incredible cocktail menu.
Although this is one of the restaurants that is open on Christmas day in NYC, you won’t be able to eat your food on-site, so prepare to carry your food away when you arrive.
This is a wonderful choice for restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC!
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Robert NYC
Next on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC, it’s Robert.
This place is located in Columbus Circle, right by Central Park – so it’s a fantastic location and easy to get to.
They offer an elegant Christmas dining experience, that is also reasonably priced (considering it includes entertainment too!).
For $110, you’ll get three courses and some live music to enjoy whilst you eat. Sound pretty good to us!
Another important thing to mention about this place… is the VIEWS!
The views from Robert are simply stunning, and for that reason, we recommend booking a table in the afternoon when it’s still light enough to enjoy them!
Read more about NYC at Christmas: 18 Christmas-themed restaurants in NYC! With festive decor!
La Grande Boucherie
Next up on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC, it’s La Grande Boucherie.
We love La Grande Boucherie because it’s one of those really unique and memorable restaurants that looks a bit like a movie set.
Their dining gallery is literally dazzling and has these incredible 40’ glass ceilings, so if you’re wanting restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC with WOW factor – this is the one.
The menu is made up of french classics and bistro food, which will please most people!
The Whitby Bar and Restaurant
Next on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC, it’s The Whitby Bar and Restaurant.
This place has all the cosy and romantic vibes you’d want from a festive dinner, and we LOVE it.
This place is super popular and really well frequented – so be sure to book your Christmas Day table ahead of time.
The Whitby Bar and Restaurant promise to take the effort out of Christmas Day for their guests, and spoil them with delicous food and an amazing atmosphere.
Not only will you enjoy a welcome glass of Champagne (yum!) with crudités and a charcuterie board, but you’ll also sit down to a delicious Christmas feast with all the trimmings.
It’s a great choice for restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC.
Eleven Madison Park
Another one of the best restaurants that’s open on Christmas day in NYC is Eleven Madison Park.
If you’re not up for traditional turkey and trimmings this year, then why not opt for this place.
They made the change in 2021 to make their menu plant-based, so this is a great choice for vegetarians.
This is the place to come to if you want to get your money’s worth.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you to take the plunge for Christmas dinner this year, then you may want to know that this restaurant that’s open on Christmas day in NYC also donates 20 meals to those in need for every special dinner purchased.
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Wayan
Are you looking for a total departure from your usual Christmas dinner fare this year?
Well, buckle up folks, as this is a spot that you’ll want to add to your list of what restaurants are open on Christmas day in NYC.
Serving incredible Indonesian food that is just bursting with flavor, Wayan is quickly becoming one of the go-to spots for New Yorkers who don’t feel like whipping up their own festive feast.
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Leuca
Those on the hunt for restaurants that are open on Christmas day should consider heading to Leuca.
Located in Brooklyn, this wonderful Italian restaurant offers beautifully seasoned food that won’t break the bank.
This place is delicious, hearty, wholesome food. The kind that tastes amazing, and leaves you feeling full and satisfied too. We highly recommend it!
A perfect choice for restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC.
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Restaurant Daniel
Are you looking for restaurants that are open on Christmas day that also happens to be swanky and luxurious?
If so, you should absolutely make Restaurant Daniel your first port of call.
Before we go into the food that’s on offer at this restaurant, we thought we’d get the price out of the way first.
Costing a minimum of $1800, this is one of the restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC that’s probably best reserved for high rollers.
With incredibly fancy dishes on offer, as well as breads, cheeses, desserts, and lobster thermidor, it’s unsurprising that Restaurant Daniel is one of the best restaurants that you can visit on Christmas day.
Carmine’s
Carmine’s is next on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC.
If you’re wondering ‘what restaurants are open on Christmas Day in NYC?’ then Carmine’s is a great pick.
Carmine’s is a family-style restaurant, so you can imagine that their Christmas Day offerings are pretty impressive (and delicious!).
Their food is good value, which makes this another great choice for restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC.
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Gyu-Kaku
Our next suggestion for restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC, is Gyu-Kaku!
If you’re looking for a slightly more unique dining experience on Christmas Day in NYC, then Gyu-Kaku is a really great option.
Gyu-Kaku is Japanese BBQ, and they offer table BBQ set-ups, so you can cook your food at your table.
Overall, we love this place and it’s a great option for a quirky Christmas dinner in NYC!
Definitely one of the most interesting restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC!
The Leopard at des Artistes
Next up on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC, it’s The Leopard at des Artistes.
This gorgeous restaurant is located in the landmarked Hotel Des Artistes, so it’s a delicious option for Christmas day, and an iconic one too!
This place is all about the amazing flavors and ingredients, so you can expect some pretty delicious food to be served up some wonderful food here. Perfect for celebrating Christmas Day!
Le Monde
Le Monde is our next suggestion for restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC.
Le Monde is a classic choice for people stopping on the Upper West Side, so if you’re hotel is located in that area, it’s a fantastic choice.
The food here is inspired by Loire Valley cuisine in France, and some of their key dishes include onion soup, and coq au vin. Yum!
It’s a wonderful pick for restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC!
Smith & Wollensky
Smith & Wollensky is next on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in NYC!
This place is a New York City classic and it’s an icon in it’s own right!
If you want to spend NYCsoaking in some NYC history, then we can’t recommend Smith & Wollensky enough! It’s simply wonderful!
Smith & Wollensky is a steak place, and it’s absolutely wonderful.
Hopefully this list of restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC has given you plenty of inspiration!
There are lots of great food choices and plenty of restaurants open on Christmas day in NYC, so hopefully you’ve found your perfect match! Have a wonderful Christmas!
