In need of a major jolt of Christmas cheer? Then grab a table at one of these decked-out restaurants throughout New York City this holiday season
Looking for an NYC restaurant that serves up major holiday cheer with a side of, you know, food? Nearly a dozen New York City restaurants do Christmas decorations with extra flair, from elegant to over-the-top, year after year. Whether you want a quick bite or a big Christmas dinner, this is where you can enjoy the most festive decorations while you dine. Understated, need not apply. And if you’re still hungry for more twinkle, cap off your meal by seeing a holiday lights display nearby. If, however, the garland and mistletoe and blinking lights are too much (is there such a thing?!), you can always try a fun non-holiday-themed restaurant instead.
1. The Greens
Get cozy in one of the rooftop cabins at the Seaport District's The Greens. With floor-to-ceiling views, virtual fireplaces, room for 10, and real heat, the cabins aim to offer a little bit of "upstate downtown." Make sure to order the jumbo s'mores for dessert.
Pier 17
89 South St.
Seaport District
Online: thegreens.pier17ny.com
2. Industry Kitchen
Forget heading to a ski chalet. Instead, head downtown to Industry Kitchen, an industrial chic space located at the South Street Seaport, for some of the most extensive holiday decorations in town. We’re talking 5,000 square feet of sparkling lights, Christmas greenery, giant reindeer families on the terrace, snow-flocked Christmas trees, and wreaths along with two tall nutcrackers at the entryway. And then there are the tasty treats your kids will go love such as Gingernut Pizza with a ginger crust, eggnog frosting, and so much more. Yum!
70 South St.
Seaport District
Online: industry-kitchen.com
3. Lillie's Victorian Establishment
At Lillie’s Victorian Establishment in Times Square, you’ll feel like you walked onto the Love, Actually set. It’s so festive in this Victorian-inspired restaurant tucked right in the same block as two Broadway theaters, you won’t want to leave. The place is decorated to the max with thousands of sparkling garlands, tinsel-bright baubles, life-sized Nutcracker soldiers, and bedecked Christmas trees. Your kids will love the chicken fingers (they’re some of the tastiest in the city) or try the buttermilk pancakes if brunch is more your scene. We love Lillie's year-round—it's one of our favorite places for brunch with kids.
249 West 49th St.
Times Square
Online: lilliesnyc.com
4. Rolf's Bar & Restaurant
The reigning champion of NYC restaurant Christmas decorations, Rolf’s Bar & Restaurant features such awe-inspiring Christmas décor that this German eatery has achieved bucket-list status for most New Yorkers. Order up some potato pancakes with applesauce (hamburgers and meatloaf are other family-friendly faves) and spend the rest of the meal marveling at the 150,000 antique glass ornaments hanging from the ceiling, and the ancient-looking dolls in between.
281 Third Ave.
Gramercy
Online: rolfsnyc.com
5. Tavern On the Green
For the quintessential Christmas in New York, head to this Central Park landmark. Tavern on The Green brings the Yuletide cheer with glistening décor including its very own 20-foot Christmas tree with over 2,000 ornaments and 10,000 lights. The bar room is full of greenery, a Christmas tree, and lights, and boughs and lights adorn the exterior of the restaurant as well. Adding to the scene is the frequent live jazz, and you and the kids can warm up after a jaunt in the park with spiced cider or hot chocolate.
67th Street and Central Park West
Upper West Side
Online: tavernonthegreen.com
6. La Grande Boucherie
For holiday decor with a Parisian flair and a side of pommes frites, head to the elegant La Grande Boucherie. Celebrated for its authentic French cuisine, the restaurant is decorated in an Art Nouveau style and features slim, twinkling trees and a large evergreen decked out for the holidays. It's big—designed to accommodate as many as 400 guests. (Heated floors in this area keep things toasty.) If you're going to MoMa or Radio City, this is a good place to land nearby.
145 W. 53rd St.
Midtown
Online: boucherie.nyc
7. Serendipity3
It's true, many people come here to taste the legendary Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, and Serendipity3 is a spirited place to dine any time of year. But for the holidays, the restaurant adds a little extra oomph with colorful garlands made of ornaments for an especially festive interior. Stop by for a meal or to sample of one its over-the-top sundaes.
225 E. 60th St.
Upper East Side
Online: serendipity3.com
8. Serra by Birreria
Serra by Birreria, which takes over Eataly’s entire 14th-floor enclosed rooftop, is a “Winter Greenhouse” dining space that changes with the seasons. Previous years featured the winter wonderland look pictured above, with the restaurant’s ceiling covered with sparkling lights, and a decorated trellis surrounded by snow-covered Christmas trees that would make the best holiday card backdrop. Meanwhile, the menu, featuring the cuisine of the Italian Alps region, offers some tried-and-true kid-approved faves. Desserts are worth saving room for, too.
200 Fifth Ave. at 23rd St.
Flatiron District
Online: eataly.com
9. Tom's Restaurant
To be fair, it's kind of always Christmas (and 4th of July) at this Prospect Heights, Brooklyn institution, which has been serving up breakfast all day since 1936. (Many of the decorations, from twinkling lights and tinsel to American flags stay up year-round.) Still, Tom's busts out some extra decorations for the holidays, and the perpetual good cheer and goodwill of the joint gets turned up to 11.
782 Washington Ave.
Prospect Heights
Online: tomsbrooklyn.com
10. Pete's Tavern
Established in 1864, this Gramercy Park bar and restaurant holds a lot of history. During the holidays, it gets extra cozy with a striking canopy of tiny red lights over the bar, Christmas decorations throughout, and a festive exterior with lights, wreaths, and holiday villages in the windows. The menu includes hearty dishes, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Plus, there's a kid's menu, and they do brunch as well on the weekends.
129 E. 18th St.
Gramercy
Online: petestavern.com
11. The Beer Garden at Bohemian Hall
We definitely approve of an outdoor beer garden that hangs tough during the winter. Bundle up and head to this family-friendly Astoria, Queens spot to feast on traditional Czech and Slovak fare, as well as bites like crab cakes, quinoa salad, and chicken tacos. Of course, the beer list is extensive and diverse!
29-19 24th Ave.
Astoria
Online: bohemianhall.com
