Christmas dining in NYC is the perfect way to get into the festive holiday mood during the winter season! New York City’s restaurant scene shows up for Christmas in a big way, transforming bars and eateries into holiday wonderlands. As the city fills up with twinkling lights and festive cheer, the quest for the perfect yuletide dining and drinking experience begins.
I’ve rounded up the best Christmas restaurants, bars, and cafes in NYC. From the coziest corners offering the best Christmas dinner in NYC to the holly-jolly bars that turn ordinary nights into festive celebrations, my curated list explores the very essence of Christmas dining in the Big Apple.
1. Rolf’s German Restaurant
Rolf’s is an iconic holiday staple and arguably the most famous Christmas restaurant in New York City. The tiny restaurant is crammed with millions of lights and ornaments year-round and never fails to feel festive! Lines stretch around the block near Christmas and reservations need to be made weeks or even months in advance. If you want to dine at this famous spot for Christmas dinner in New York, make sure to call in as early as the end of September.
Pro tip: just head for the bar. Rolf’s is an expensive place, and the food has a reputation for being overpriced and bad. Let’s be honest: we’re just here for the vibes and the Christmas decorations! However, it’s no lie that Rolf’s German Restaurant has some of the best holiday decorations in New York City and is especially a must-visit if you are visiting New York over Christmas.
Address: 281 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010
2. Lillie’s Victorian Restaurant
Lillie’s is a beautiful restaurant that changes its decor year-round. They have an amazing Christmas display with a gorgeous window filled with vintage Christmas vibes and the iconic “Believe” sign hanging at the top. However, if you choose to dine inside, you’ll also discover their endless Christmas-themed interior as well! The over-the-top decor is one of the best in New York during Christmas, from the thousands of lights to gigantic moving teddy bears and Santa Clauses. And their food and holiday cocktails (or mocktails) are quite good, especially for an “Instagrammable” venue.
Lillie’s definitely has some of the most charming Christmas decorations in NYC and I would consider dining here one of the best things to do in New York at Christmas! The staff goes above and beyond, and the cheerful vibes here make it a perfect New York Christmas restaurant.
Addresses: 249 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019 and 13 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003 (I personally prefer the Union Square location!)
3. Papillon Bistro & Bar
Papillon is a two-story Christmas restaurant in New York that goes all-out on decor. Giant floating teddy bears, hundreds upon hundreds of string lights, fake snow, and nutcrackers set the festive mood. The venue is surprisingly large for a small entrance and as soon as you step inside, you’ll be greeted by the intricately dressed staircase smothered in jolly Christmas decorations. Not only that, but you can venture deep into the restaurant and still find creative and colorful decorations at every turn!
The food here is very good, though the service can be a bit lacking. We had tuna tartare, steak, and grilled branzino and everything was delicious! The mocktails are also fantastic. Overall, Papillon is one of my top choices for Christmas dining in NYC. Amazing decor, excellent food, and a big space to explore the whimsical ornaments and trimmings—what else could you ask for from the best Christmas restaurant in New York?
Address: 22 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022
4. Oscar Wilde
As soon as you step into Oscar Wilde, you’ll be in an opulent world where Christmas in New York takes on a Victorian theme. While Oscar Wilde is decorated wildly all year round, the restaurant especially shines during Christmas. Adorned with extremely over-the-top and creative festive decorations, this NYC Christmas restaurant exudes the spirit of the season. It’s also home to the longest bar in New York City!
Thanks to its ornate decor and holiday-inspired menu, Oscar Wilde has earned a spot on every New Yorker’s Christmas dining list. It’s also owned by the same people who own Lillie’s Victorian (#2 on this list), so you already know it’s going to be top-tier.
Address: 45 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
Love Christmas in New York City? Then you won’t want to miss all the amazing holiday decor that NYC has to offer! Check out my in-depth article here for where to find the best holiday decorations in New York City.
5. Frosty’s Christmas Pop-Up Bar
Frosty’s is a 21+ Christmas bar in New York City that comes back every year. The spacious bar has 3 floors filled with decorations, photo ops, and tables. They even have cast members dressed as Santa, elves, and the Grinch who will come photobomb you and take pictures! This is the kind of place that is a bit kitschy and cringe, but enjoyable and festive if you commit to the bit.
Entrance to Frosty’s starts at $25, but for an additional fee you can grab a Santa hat or lightbulb necklace as well. Food and drinks aren’t included in admission, and the cocktails go for about $16 each. It’s pricey, but you can’t expect that much from a pop-up Christmas bar in the heart of NYC’s midtown!
I enjoyed exploring the bar and admiring the decorations, but I probably wouldn’t come again unless I had a group of friends who wanted to go. The drinks are obviously overpriced and not very good, and there’s not much else to do. But it’s a cute experience to try out with your girlfriends!
Address: 220 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
6. Loreley Beer Garden
Loreley Beer Garden turns into a New York Christmas restaurant every holiday season. It’s a bit dark inside, but the back features a heated outdoor patio strung with Christmas lights! While the Christmas decor here isn’t as over-the-top as some of the other locations on this list, the tinsel and ornaments everywhere make this unmistakably a New York Christmas restaurant. Pop in for Loreley’s famous and extensive menu of drinks and a bite to eat for some of the best Christmas dining in NYC.
I was impressed by how delicious and Instagrammable the drinks are! I don’t drink alcohol—and there are a lot of alcoholic options on the list for those of you who do—but the non-alcoholic hot chocolate and eggnog were so good, I haven’t found a better spot in New York City. The vibe here is also much more laid-back and has a casual ambiance than the more famous Christmas restaurants on this list. All in all, it’s a perfect spot to soak up some holiday cheer with a delicious dinner spread and a festive drink in hand.
Address: 7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
7. Ophelia Rooftop Bar
This Christmas in New York, elevate your celebration at the enchanting and elegant rooftop bar that is Ophelia. With panoramic views of the city’s sparkling lights and a holiday-themed ambiance, Ophelia provides an exquisite escape for those in search of a more upscale holly-jolly bar in NYC with all the class and none of the tacky decor.
Ophelia’s 26th-floor bar is a lovely blue color all year round, but the magic really starts to shine in the winter, when the ceiling is decorated with glittering hanging lights. Sip on seasonal cocktails while immersed in the refined ambiance, and let the spirited atmosphere of Ophelia make your New York Christmas unforgettable.
Address: 3 Mitchell Pl 26th floor, New York, NY 10017
8. Ralph’s Coffee Truck
The Ralph Lauren coffee truck is a staple of New York City. The iconic green vehicle with its world-recognized stuffed bear driver serves up hot chocolate, coffee, and other drinks all day long. While Ralph’s obviously isn’t exactly a Christmas restaurant, only a fool would exclude it from the holiday roundup!
The Ralph’s coffee truck is located very close to Rockefeller Plaza, making this a perfect stop before or after the equally iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree. The hot chocolate here isn’t cheap at around $8, but can you really say you spent Christmas in New York if you didn’t swing by here? The hot chocolate is actually quite good also, not too sugary and nice and smooth. Make sure to snap a pic with the truck before you go.
Address: 630 5th Ave, New York, NY 10111
9. Pete’s Tavern
Not only is Pete’s Tavern NYC’s oldest continuously operating restaurant and bar, but they show up in a big way for Christmas as well! Since 1864, Pete’s Tavern has been transforming into a festive and classic retreat during the holiday season. Nestled in the heart of Gramercy, Pete’s Tavern offers an authentic Christmas dining experience in NYC, where cherished traditions and a welcoming ambiance make it a must-visit spot for those seeking the best Christmas restaurant in New York.
Address: 129 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003
10. Skinflints
Deep in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, Skinflint emerges as a hidden gem for a laid-back Christmas celebration. This unassuming spot, with its casual charm and eclectic offerings, captures the essence of a Brooklyn Christmas.
As the locals’ favorite, Skinflint is not just a bar; it’s a community hub where friends gather for a festive drink. Experience a relaxed New York Christmas at this unique venue. Enjoy charming and old-fashioned decorations, delicious food, and a local ambiance unique from any of the other offerings on this list.
Address: 7902 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209
💡 Pro tip: Bay Ridge is just a few streets away from Dyker Heights, one of the most popular places to see Christmas lights in New York City! Pair these two together for an unforgettable NYC Christmas dining & decor adventure in one day.
As the city twinkles with lights and laughter, I hope that these recommendations guide you to the heart of Christmas dining in NYC, where every bite and sip is a celebration of the holiday season’s magic. Cheers to the best Christmas restaurants in New York!
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