The definitive guide to NYC private dining rooms, waterfront venues, and group-friendly restaurants where holiday gatherings take shape with warmth and intention.
The holiday season in New York has its own atmosphere. Gatherings unfold under warm lighting, conversations stretch long into the night, and every table becomes its own small celebration. Whether you are planning an intimate family dinner, a corporate holiday party, or a festive night out with friends, the city’s restaurants offer spaces that make the season feel both effortless and elevated.
This guide brings together some of the most inviting private dining rooms, group-friendly restaurants, and destination venues across NYC [and just beyond] that welcome holiday gatherings with soul, personality, and exceptional hospitality. Each listing has been carefully selected for its atmosphere, design, culinary vision, and ability to make groups feel at home, whether you are planning for 8 guests or 80.
These are the places where celebrations take shape, where details matter, and where the season’s warmth is felt long after the last dessert is shared.
Table of Contents Show
Private Dining Rooms
Berimbau Brazilian Table
📍 Location: 3 West 36th Street — Midtown West, Manhattan | 🌐 Website: Berimbau Brazilian Table | Time: Christmas Day 1 PM–9 PM | Price: Varies
Berimbau brings the warmth of Brazilian hospitality into the heart of Midtown, making it an inviting choice for office gatherings, family celebrations, and group events that call for both comfort and elegance. Its private dining room, styled with Brazilian Mid-Century Modern influences, accommodates up to 34 guests. Additionally, the main dining room and bar seat an additional 54, and stadium seating fits 20 more.
On Christmas Day [1 PM–9 PM], groups can enjoy a three-course prix fixe [$85 adults, $45 children] featuring a thoughtful menu that highlights the depth of Brazilian cuisine. Pão de Queijo served with a ricotta and brown-butter herb dip, Feijoada enriched with smoked pork and dried beef, and a tender Strogonoff layered with mushrooms and a silky tomato-cream sauce, paired with rice and crisp potato sticks.
Berimbau’s bar program complements the menu beautifully, featuring classic Caipirinhas, tropical cocktails, and mocktails specifically designed for younger guests. For hosts seeking flexibility, the restaurant offers customizable catering menus to accommodate dietary needs and group preferences.
Warm, vibrant, and genuinely welcoming, Berimbau is ideal for holiday parties that balance great food, relaxed celebration, and a sense of occasion—without feeling overly formal.
CHADA Restaurant & Bar
📍 Location: 260 6th Avenue — Greenwich Village, Manhattan | 🌐 Website: CHADA NYC | Time: Varies | Private dining available | Price: Varies
CHADA brings a modern, design-forward interpretation of Thai dining to Greenwich Village. Offering one of the neighborhood’s most atmospheric private rooms for holiday gatherings. Tucked just off the main dining area, the space accommodates up to 35 guests seated or 60 standing. The design wraps guests in a nature-inspired palette: flowing curtains, black marble tables, sculptural chandeliers, and intricate brass detailing.
The menu is crafted around house-made pastes and a commitment to balanced, expressive flavor. Groups can expect dishes like mushroom spring rolls, folded pandan dumplings, crab fried rice or pad thai, steamed branzino, and a beautifully executed braised short-rib Panang, alongside aromatic curries in green, red, Panang, or Massaman.
CHADA’s cocktail program mirrors the cuisine’s depth, offering bright, layered drinks designed to complement Thai spices and textures rather than overpower them.
Warm, contemporary, and transportive, CHADA is a standout choice for groups seeking a festive celebration that feels refined, intimate, and rooted in both heritage and modern New York design.
Leslie
📍 Location: 514 3rd Avenue — Murray Hill, Manhattan | 🌐 Website: Leslie NYC | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
Leslie brings Miami’s warmth and ease to Murray Hill, offering a stylish yet relaxed setting for holiday gatherings of all kinds. These include intimate family dinners, lively office parties, and festive group celebrations. Led by Chef Sebastian Fernandez and co-owner Leslie Ames, the restaurant leans into globally inspired New American cuisine with dishes that feel both comforting and thoughtfully composed.
Groups can expect standout plates like house-made Agnolotti with truffled ricotta and brown-butter sage. Meanwhile, the Branzino Filet comes finished with white garlic sauce and braised fennel purée. And the signature Smashburger is layered with melted cheese, smoky bacon jam, and crisp house-made pickles.
The cocktail program is equally considered, offering polished takes on familiar classics. For example, a maple-sweetened House Old Fashioned, a Brooklyn cold-brew Espresso Martini, and other seasonal drinks pair seamlessly with the menu.
With its warm ambience, thoughtful service, and dialed-in flavors, Leslie is a standout for groups seeking a celebratory spot that feels elevated without losing its sense of ease.
Large-Group & Corporate-Friendly Venues
ATIK
📍 Location: 555 City Island Avenue — City Island, East Bronx | 🌐 Website: ATIK NYC | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
For groups of 15 or more, ATIK offers a serene, Mediterranean villa–style dining experience along Eastchester Bay. It is an unexpected winter escape just outside Manhattan’s fast pace. The waterfront setting feels intentionally transportive. In fact, guests can even arrive by boat, adding a sense of occasion to any holiday gathering.
The menu highlights refined Mediterranean flavors. Caviar Service with Siberian Sturgeon, Eggplant Croquettes with pomodoro and feta, Lobster Ravioli finished with sun-dried tomatoes and shaved pecorino. And a standout Prime NY Strip paired with crispy Brussels sprouts. The kitchen accommodates special requests and dietary preferences, making the experience adaptable for both corporate celebrations and intimate group dinners.
An extensive wine list complements the cuisine, while seasonal cocktails, most notably the Fig Sour, bring a festive warmth to the table.
Elegant, waterside, and quietly indulgent, ATIK feels like a winter retreat without leaving the city.
Blu Ember
📍 Location: 137-49 Northern Boulevard — Flushing, Queens | 🌐 Website: Blu Ember | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
Blu Ember was designed with gatherings in mind, offering one of Queens’ most versatile and beautifully appointed settings for holiday celebrations. Its private dining room seats up to 30 guests. Arranged around a glowing fireplace and a banquet table set beneath an ornate chandelier. An elegant, warmly lit backdrop for intimate seasonal dinners.
For larger events, the adjoining MOLI EVENT banquet hall expands the experience, accommodating up to 350 guests with customizable menus crafted by Blu Ember’s culinary team. Whether the occasion is corporate, familial, or celebratory in nature, the venue’s scale, flexibility, and thoughtful planning support seamless group experiences.
Refined yet comfortable, Blu Ember is an excellent choice for hosts seeking a polished, adaptable space in Flushing for holiday gatherings of any size.
Explore Availability | Begin Your Event Inquiry
Pulpería Latin Mediterranean Kitchen
📍 Location: 338 West 46th Street — Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan | 🌐 Website: Pulpería NYC | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
Pulpería offers a warm, understated setting in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, making it an inviting choice for private parties and group celebrations. The dining room accommodates up to 60 guests, with a layout that lends itself naturally to communal, celebratory meals.
The menu leans into Latin-Mediterranean flavors with broad group appeal. Ceviche Rojo Rivera with octopus, shrimp, and striped bass; Signature Empanadas in beef or vegetarian varieties; and richly layered paellas, including the Picaña Paella with grilled picaña, bomba rice, and truffle aioli. A raw bar adds an elevated touch for events seeking a more dynamic dining experience.
Pulpería’s cocktail program balances brightness and warmth, offering drinks like the Maracuya Sour and the popular Upscale Margarita, alongside a rotating selection of seasonal cocktails for festive gatherings.
Comfortable, flexible, and flavor-forward. Pulpería is a standout in Midtown West for hosts who want their holiday event to feel communal, lively, and effortlessly convivial.
Taquería Condesa
📍 Location: 824 9th Avenue — Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan 🌐 Website: Taquería Condesa | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
Taquería Condesa brings a vibrant, effortless energy to Hell’s Kitchen, making it a standout choice for holiday office parties, family gatherings, and group celebrations that call for something festive yet relaxed.
The menu centers on thoughtfully executed tacos: slow-roasted birria with Oaxaca cheese and classic consommé; crispy pescado topped with cabbage and jalapeño mayo. And a rotation of other flavorful, shareable options that work beautifully for groups.
The cocktail list adds to the celebration, offering drinks like the pomegranate-hibiscus Beso Rojo, the playful frozen Sangrarita, and other seasonally attuned options that give gatherings a bright, spirited edge.
Stylish without trying, flavorful without excess, Taquería Condesa is a standout for groups seeking a casual, upbeat holiday gathering in the heart of Midtown West.
Waterfront & Destination Venues
Blu on the Hudson
📍 Location: 1200 Harbor Boulevard — Weehawken, NJ | 🌐 Website: Blu on the Hudson | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
Just five minutes from Midtown by ferry, Blu on the Hudson offers one of the most striking waterfront dining backdrops for holiday celebrations. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame uninterrupted views of the Manhattan skyline, while a dramatic, modern dining room accommodates gatherings ranging from intimate parties of 10 to expansive events of up to 400 guests.
Executive Chef JC Ortega creates customizable New American menus shaped by global influences, each designed to suit the scale and style of the occasion. Beverage Director Jeremy Le Blanche oversees a cocktail program rooted in technique and seasonality. Sommelier Adam Greer curates an international wine list that pairs seamlessly with the menu.
For corporate holiday parties, milestone celebrations, or elegant winter dinners, Blu on the Hudson offers a rare combination of view, versatility, and sophistication, a destination that feels celebratory before the first toast is even poured.
MŌLÌ
📍 Location: 253 Greenwich Avenue — Greenwich, Connecticut | 🌐 Website: MŌLÌ | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
For groups wanting a luxurious holiday dining experience just outside the city, MŌLÌ offers an opulent escape shaped by the glamour of 1940s Shanghai. Crystal chandeliers, seafoam green banquettes, and a softly lit second floor create a cinematic, transportive atmosphere well-suited for winter celebrations.
The restaurant’s layout makes it particularly adaptable for destination gatherings. The sunlit upper level seats up to 40 guests. Meanwhile, a speakeasy-style private room, accommodating 8 to 18, offers intimacy without sacrificing style.
With its refined, authentic Chinese cuisine and striking design, MŌLÌ is an inspired choice for holiday dinners that feel elevated, memorable, and just a touch decadent.
Elegant Group-Friendly Dining
Massara on Park
📍 Location: 48 East 26th Street — Flatiron, Manhattan | 🌐 Website: Massara NYC | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
Massara brings a lively, Southern Italian spirit to the Flatiron District, making it an effortless fit for group celebrations and festive holiday nights out. The menu leans generous and indulgent. Standouts include the beloved Cheesemaker’s Raviolini and the 60-day dry-aged Ribeye Modo Compana, both served with the kind of exuberance and warmth that define the restaurant’s style.
The pastry program, led by Pastry Chef Dominique Canvin, is a highlight in its own right, featuring made-to-order sfogliatella that leaves an impression long after the meal ends.
Vibrant, inviting, and built for celebratory dining, Massara is an excellent choice for groups seeking a holiday gathering that feels both festive and deliciously unfussy.
Rezdôra
📍 Location: 27 East 20th Street — Flatiron, Manhattan | 🌐 Website: Rezdôra | Time: Varies | Price: Varies
Though intimate in size, Rezdôra remains one of Manhattan’s most sought-after destinations for elevated group dining and private buyouts. Chef Stefano Secchi crafts handmade pastas rooted in Emilia-Romagna traditions, comforting, wintry, deeply comforting dishes such as Uovo Ravioli, Gnoccho Fritto, and Cotoletta Bolognese that feel right at home during the holiday season.
The regionally focused Italian wine program, curated by Wine Director Michael Duffy, brings added warmth and refinement to every gathering, whether you are hosting out-of-town guests or planning a celebratory dinner with friends.
With its intimate ambiance and deeply expressive cooking, Rezdôra offers a festive, heartfelt experience ideal for smaller holiday celebrations.
NYC Private Dining: Where Holiday Gatherings Take Shape
New York offers countless places to dine in December, but only a handful create the kind of experience that stays with you. The warmth of a long table, the ease of being well taken care of, the feeling that the night was worth carving out of a busy season. Each restaurant in this guide was chosen for its ability to hold those moments with intention.
From a quiet dinner for a few to a celebration that fills an entire room, these are the places that bring people together with generosity, design, and a sense of occasion. The holiday season may move quickly, but the memories made around these tables tend to stay long after the lights come down and winter settles in.
If your gathering deserves a setting that feels thoughtful, festive, and distinctly New York, start here.
