33 Best Restaurants and Bars to eat at in NYC this December:
The Holidays are officially here, and it is a fabulous time to be in New York City [NYC] to immerse yourself in the quintessential NYC holiday moments. But we all know with the magic of the holidays comes higher stress levels and anxiety—the little moments we intentionally take to do the things we love and enjoy make everything about the Holidays so darn special. Having a lovely meal has always been one of the ways I take time for myself in the midst of whatever is going on, and so today, we are sharing Places to Dine in NYC this December.
Our list features thirty-plus restaurants. We made our selections based on the quality of the Food and the Festiveness of the Restaurants.
Cheers to a Fabulous month of dining in NYC
Bell Book & Candle
Jingle Bell Book & Candle is open now through December thirtieth, featuring festive holiday signature cocktails, including the Canela Margarita made with cinnamon-infused tequila, lemon, and grapefruit, the Coal for Christmas with mint, charcoal-infused Tito’s vodka, lemon, and coconut, and a new Gingerbread Espresso Martini.
141 West 10th Street—West Village
(212) 414-2355
Isla & Co
With locations in Midtown Manhattan at Hotel Hendricks and Williamsburg adjacent to the William Vale, Isla & Co is bringing the cheer with a CAN-NOT miss twelve days of Christmas special beginning on December twelfth. The Aussie all-day cafe and restaurant will offer guests twelve East Coast Oysters plus a Specialty or Classic Cocktail like a Margarita or an Old Fashion for $12.00.
This seasonal Winer special offer is available at all Isla & Co. locations from opening until 6 PM, Monday through Sunday. To redeem this offer, guests can book their table via Resy.
Isla & Co., led by Parched Hospitality Group, is one of the many locations launched during their expansion, including restaurants in Midtown, Fairfield, a newly opened location in Dallas, and a soon-to-open spot in West Palm Beach.
107 N 12th Street—Williamsburg
718-388-8935
25 W 38th Street—Midtown
332-799-7398
Laser Wolf Brooklyn
Named after “Laser Wolf” the butcher in the iconic musical Fiddler on the Roof, the Restaurant features uninterrupted views of the Manhattan skyline over the East River. Here, everything is cooked over a charcoal grill–an ancient cooking style that intensifies the flavor of its subjects.
Laser Wolf Brooklyn, two groups, are joining forces at The Hoxton, Williamsburg, to bring their best to New York City. It is the first collaboration between Philadelphia’s CookNSolo and Chicago’s Boka Restaurant Group, bringing together the trailblazing teams of Chef Michael Solomonov and Restaurateur Steven Cook and Restaurateurs Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz.
97 Wythe Avenue—Williamsburg
(718) 215-7150
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment Named for Lillie Langtry, a late British actress and socialite of the 19th century, Lillie’s Victorian Establishment’s locations are Times Square and Union Square. The interior features an elaborate Victorian-era-themed design with a spacious, high-ceilinged, and equally special menu to satisfy your hunger.
Lillie’s Times Square
249 West 49th Street—New York
(212) 957-4530
Lillie’s Union Square
13 East 17th Street—New York
(212) 337-1970
Ostudio at Nights
An intimate wine bar featuring monthly chef residencies. A place where you can count on something new and equally tasty. Each month a new Culinary master brings their unique style, culture, and menu to the kitchen. Ostudio is a coworking space for creatives by day and dining at night with a menu anchored by small plates focusing on sustainably made, small-production wines and an evolving variety of seasonal fare.
366 Stockton Street—The conjunction of Bushwick and Bedford Stuyvesant
(347) 240-2730
Route 66 Smokehouse
Located on historic Stone Street in FIDI, Route 66 Smokehouse features a menu with Chef Billy Kooper’s unique twist on beloved BBQ and American recipes with a strong emphasis on hand-selected ingredients from farm-to-table vendors. Three unique spaces are featured: a year-round outdoor beer garden, an indoor dining room, and an upstairs game room and lounge. Their All-American Whiskey list comprises an array of highly allocated Bourbons, Ryes, and Whiskeys. In addition, we have 20 beers on tap featuring a rotating American craft beer selection.
Route 66 is offering a VIP bubble dining experience in the winter. You can now make reservations to dine in these private igloos accommodating four to ten guests.
46 Stone Street—FiDi
(212) 943-1602
Ten Hope
Ten Hope is bringing holiday vibes to Brooklyn with three heated igloos and one oversized yurt, each fitting up to eight guests beginning on December first. Each will be weatherproof and heated, providing a posh dining space all winter. Experience delightful Mediterranean cuisine wrapped up in a cozy bubble-like booth, keeping you toasty while you dine all winter long.
10 Hope Street—Brooklyn
(347) 916-0951
Dept of Culture
Dept of Culture serves a tasting menu that spotlights regional Nigerian cooking. And was born out of the IYA EBA pop-up dinner series hosted by Ayo Balogun of the Council Cafe and steeped in the belief that we share more commonalities than differences. Dept of Culture was created to explore an evening of conversation in an intimate setting with a tasting menu inspired by north-central Nigerian cooking. Dinner is served at a 12-seat communal table.
327 Nostrand Avenue—Bedford Stuyvesant
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde is a Victorian-style restaurant in Flatiron, where one is encouraged to live to the fullest with wild abandonment—paying homage to the Irish Playwriter’s prolific story. The Oscar Wilde restaurant gives an ode to the Victorian era with all its glamour and extravagance but in a relaxed yet elaborate tone. During the holiday season, the interior comes even more alive and festive.
45 West 27th Street—Flatiron
(212) 213-3066
Oma Grassa
Oma Grassa opened this summer in Fort Greene. The corner location is intimate and airy and serves charred sourdough pies—the eight-plus pizzas on the menu pair nicely with the wine list.
753 Fulton Street—Fort Greene
Ophelia
Ophelia Lounge transforms into a snow globe with lights and crystal snowflake garlands. A rooftop lounge sits atop a monument of classic New York architecture, designed by John Mead Howells and featuring sculptures by Rene Paul Chambellan at the historic Beekman Tower on the twenty-sixth floor. In addition, there is a 360-degree greenhouse terrace and views of the river and city skyline.
3 Mitchell Place, twenty-sixth floor [49th and 1st]—Midtown East
(212) 980-4796
Pecking House
Pecking House, Eric Huang grew up in his family’s Chinese-American Restaurant in Queens. His dream was to create a restaurant that challenges preconceived Western notions about Chinese cuisine, and he did just that with partner Maya Ferrante. What started as a takeout and delivery business has now taken up residence in Park Slope and serves the best-fried chicken.
244 Flatbush Avenue—Park Slope
(716) 902-3613
Mr. Purple
Mr. Purple is a rooftop bar and Restaurant located on the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo Lower East Side that captures the vibrant and artistic spirit of the local neighborhood. The Restaurant offers an intoxicating combination of panoramic views, craft cocktails, locally sourced food, fresh cold-pressed juices, and handcrafted coffee from local purveyors. In addition, it provides a menu that connects with local iconic culinary staples, featuring locally sourced ingredients.
During the winter, Mr. Purple partners with Veuve Clicquot to create a snow globe on its rooftop with cozy ski-lodge-like decor and a lively champagne bar, themed cocktails, and dishes. Reservations are encouraged.
180 Orchard Street, 15th Floor—Lower East Side
(212) 237-1790
Masalawala & Sons
Masalawala & Sons feature unapologetic food by restaurateur Roni Mazumdar and Chintan Pandya. An exploration of the yesteryears of India from the perspective of a seventy-five-year-old immigrant man from Kolkata—Roni’s father. His favorite memories of food have been recreated with utmost integrity, intricate age-old techniques, authentic cookware, and family recipes.
Those fleeting moments from the homes in Kolkata to the houses he visited are being restored at a festive space in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn.
365 5th Avenue—Park Slope
Villa Berulia
Villa Berulia is nestled in the heart of historic Murray Hill in Manhattan and has served generations of diners for over forty years. Adored by locals and has excellent reviews, this family-owned Restaurant credits great food and service for its success and longevity. During the winter, Villa Berulia is adorned with lavish decorations outside of its Restaurant, which makes for a friendly welcome and an Instagram-able moment.
107 East 34th Street—Murry Hill
(212) 689-1970
KRU Brooklyn
KRU Brooklyn is the Modern Interpretation of hundred-Year-Old Thai Recipes located in Brooklyn. The word Kru is Thai for “Guru” or “Mentor, and Chef Ohm aims to honor the many teachers and books that have enriched his profound culinary understanding and vision.
190 N 14th Street—Williamsburg
The Cabin NYC
Life is better at The Cabin NYC located in one of NYC’s legendary East Village communities, Alphabet City. The Cabin features a cozy, rustic, and comfortable cottage-like space with a full-service bar serving delicious and unique specialty cocktails. In addition, The Cabin NYC serves mouthwatering American Classic dishes with their creative twist and is created for sharing.
205 East 4th Street—Alphabet City
(212) 777-0454
Chino Grande
Chino Grande is a cozy neighborhood restaurant and karaoke saloon with exquisite food and an equally lovely cocktail menu.
253 Grand Street—Williamsburg
(917) 909-0466
Rolf’s German Restaurant
Rolf’s is New York City’s most festive Restaurant offering that NYC Holiday magic year-round. German or Bavarian eatery specialties include Weiner Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, Potato, Pancakes, apple strudel, and more.
From the moment you step inside, you’ll be enveloped in the festive atmosphere. Think hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights, ornaments, and icicles all strung and lined throughout the Restaurant. In addition, there are hundreds of porcelain dolls and wreaths, artificial fir trees, garlands, ribbons, and other festive bits and pieces.
281 3rd Avenue—Gramercy
(212) 477-4750 or (212) 473-8718
Ensenada
Ensenada is a neighborhood mariscos and mezcal restaurant celebrating contemporary Latin American coastal cuisine in the heart of Williamsburg.
Inspired by fresh fish concepts in Mexico City and fish taco carts through Baja California, Ensenada’s menu will showcase ceviches [inspired by Peruvian + Mexican interpretations], a variety of negro, Rojo, and Verde aguachiles, and fish and shrimp tacos served Ensenada style, alongside a selection of starter botanas. Large format entrees like Pescado pastor are meant for sharing.
168 Borinquen Place—Brooklyn
(347) 335 – 0838
Tavern on the Green
Tavern on the Green Tavern on the Green is an iconic, landmark restaurant that Calvert Vaux built-in 1870, originally designed to house the sheep grazed in Central Park’s Sheep Meadow.
Centered around a hearty, rustic menu shaped by local, seasonal ingredients, Tavern on the Green invites patrons into a warm, celebratory gathering space that captures the spirit of Central Park and the unique energy of New York City.
67th Street & Central Park West—Central Park
(212) 877-8684
Eyval
Eyval is a Persian restaurant in Bushwick that offers small plates and wood-fired cooking.
25 Bogart Street—Bushwick
Somewhere Nowhere
Somewhere Nowhere has launched its stunning outdoor igloo seating for the winter season. Visitors can sample a new a la carte menu featuring Wagyu Sliders and Warm Lobster Rolls from inside eight intimate igloos with 360-degree views of Manhattan’s majestic skyline as far as the eye can see and faux fireplaces.
In addition, new Yorkers seeking seasonal cocktails and bites can enjoy the expansive bi-level lounge at the top of the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel and 5,000 square feet of luxury day and nightlife all holiday season till May 2023.
112 West 25th Street—Chelsea
(212) 404-7969
Bar Marseille
Merry Marseille at Bar Marseille will provide a much-needed dose of holiday cheer in Queens. Enjoy delicious menu items that pay tribute to Provençal cuisine with American influences while seated in the newly decorated indoor dining space enthralled with all the wooden accents of a cozy log cabin, including a faux fireplace.
Dine on warm winter menu highlights including French Onion Soup with gruyere and crostini, Escargot with prosecco, garlic herb butter, and a toasted baguette or Beef Bourguignon served with mashed potatoes while sipping holiday-themed cocktails featuring Christmas Kiss with wild turkey bourbon, milk, chocolate, and marshmallow, Noel a Paris with cinnamon-infused rum, condensed milk, and coconut milk, or the Secret Santa with mulled red wine, Grand Marnier, orange, and spices.
190 Beach 69th Street Rockaway Beach Boulevard—Arverne
(718) 513-2474
Santa’s Holiday Lodge
Santa’s Holiday Lodge is an all-inclusive pop-up celebration complemented by the wonder of winter in New York City, open now through January first. Envelope yourself in the nostalgia of the winter holiday season with cozy pillows, blankets, and vintage luminescence.
The festive space is carefully curated to evoke nostalgic memories from another time. Highlights from the menu include Vegan Vegetable Dips, Smoked Duck Flatbread, a Cheeseburger, and French Onion Soup Grilled Cheese with a creamy blend of Gruyere and Sharp White Cheddar complemented with French Onion Soup Onions on Homemade Sweet Potato Challah.
Cocktails are $18 and feature Fireside Chat with rye, cinnamon, and chocolate bitters, Elf Nog with Fernet Crème de Menthe, crème de cacao and cream, Home Alone with Monkey shoulder scotch and bourbon along with blood orange, The Rockette, which features white negroni sbagliato and hot drinks, which include a Hot Toddy, Mulled Wine and Season’s Greetings with Cabernet, Pierre Ferrand cognac, apple cider, and special spices.
The holiday lounge is open Monday-Thursday from 4 PM to late, Friday from 4 PM to 2 AM, Saturday from noon to 2 AM, and Sunday from noon to late.
33 West 26th Street [5th + 6th Avenues]—Flatiron
(917) 261-2501
The Skinny
The holidays are upon us, and no matter if you have been naughty or nice, the Lower East Side staple, The Skinny welcomes you to experience its annual anti-holiday pop-up Naughty or Nice this holiday season. The bar will be decked in floor-to-ceiling over-the-top gaudy Christmas decor and will boast interactive games and a calendar full of surprises.
Expect events to place you on the naughty list, like seductive burlesque performances on Friday nights, mouthwatering holiday-inspired food and cocktails that will make you feel good about being bad, LIVE music, and maybe if you are lucky, you might get a glimpse of Naughty Santa.
The extensive list of holiday “Coping Mechanism” cocktails or pitchers include Naughty…Definitely Naughty with 818 Tequila, elderflower liqueur, blood orange juice, topped prosecco & lime juice, Sweater Weather with Vida Mezcal, sweet vermouth, Campari & chili liquor, a Polar Espresso Martini, and more. Stop by for all the anti-holiday debauchery kicking off December first through the end of January.
174 Orchard Street—Lower East Side
(212) 228-3668
Haven Rooftop
Haven Rooftop above The Sanctuary Hotel in Midtown is ready for diners to celebrate this Christmas season at their Haven Ski Chalet. Visitors will be surrounded by holiday decor with cranberry bundles and holly bedazzling at each table, shimmering Christmas lights overhead, evergreen garlands, and flannel seating pillows.
A Christmas Eve Prix Fixe Menu will be offered from 5 to 9 PM on December twenty-fourth for $79 per person, and guests can ring in the new year from this Midtown rooftop steps away from the Times Square revelry.
132 West 47th Street—Theater District
(212) 466-9000
La Grande Boucherie
La Grande Boucherie is a classic NYC dining destination that is magical during the holiday season—featuring French fare set in a festive and elegant space.
145 West 53rd Street—Midtown West
(212) 510-7714
Boucherie West Village
99 7th Avenue—West Village
(212) 837-1616
Sunday In Brooklyn
Sunday In Brooklyn is a neighborhood favorite offering a warm and cozy vibe. Experiencing Sunday In Brooklyn during the Holidays is nostalgic and elegant. Expect the same great food and cocktails in a magical way.
348 Wythe Avenue—Williamsburg
(347) 222-6722
PHD Terrace at Dream
The Winter Rose Garden is this year’s theme at PHD Terrace at Dream. A dreamy space to enjoy a bit of romance and twinkle lights.
Located in the heart of NYC at the top of Dream Hotel Midtown, PHD Terrace is a welcoming, all-season rooftop oasis perfect for after-work drinks, weekend revelry, and private events.
Enjoy the intimate indoor atmosphere of the lower level, or head outside to the upper level to enjoy a scenic evening on the Terrace. With breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan and Times Square, PHD Terrace is the ultimate destination for your temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of Midtown Manhattan.
210 West 55th Street—Midtown
(646) 905-3660
Frosty’s Christmas Bar
Frosty’s Christmas Bar is better than ever for the 2022 Holiday season. Located Bacall’s & Blue Midtown and have decked the halls across four Bars and three Levels for infinite possibilities and Christmas fun.
Featuring Sensational Seasonal Cocktails, Wonderfully interactive Holiday Photo Experiences, Lights & Music, and the party always goes late. Enjoy a Holiday Bar experience that will knock your Christmas stockings off with Frosty’s Bar.
220 W 44th Street—Midtown
Serra by Birreria at Eataly
SERRA by Birreria has transformed into its iconic rooftop oasis featuring rustic dishes, vibrant handcrafted cocktails, an immersive floral look, and more. Meaning “greenhouse” in Italian, SERRA constantly changes with the seasons, offering a unique dining experience reflective of the Italian countryside.
Serra by Birreria offers rustic, down-to-earth dishes, all served family-style, just like in Italy. A menu carefully curated by their chefs, who source high-quality, seasonal ingredients from their favorite farmers in Italy and the U.S.
Escape the hustle and bustle of Manhattan and enjoy a relaxing, fun event at a beautiful rooftop countryside greenhouse.
200 5th Avenue[14th Floor]—Flatiron
(212) 937-8910
The Winter Garden at The Standard
The Winter Garden Features heated yurts and outdoor tables for parties of two to ten guests, this year’s pop-up draws inspiration from the rustic nostalgia of winter hideaways with a psychedelic twist. Oversized mushroom sculptures, kaleidoscopic colors, and playful patterns complement the blast of evergreen and neon trees, resulting in an altered state of nature where the familiar cozies up to the surprise.
The dinner menu is designed as a $75 per person prix-fixe, shareable feast, with choices ranging from Wagyu sliders to “Frito pie” and tableside s’mores. For brunch, indulge in your favorite Café Standard classics. So comee as you are and let The Winter Garden work its hypnotic magic.
25 Cooper Square—East Village
(212) 475-5700
Sweet Catch Brooklyn
Sweet Catch Brooklyn has now taken its place on the border of Little Caribbean in the Prospect-Lefferts Garden neighborhood. The Restaurant breathes fresh air into the Nostrand Avenue strip between Winthrop and Hawthorne Streets. This new Restaurant is a MUST visit with an incredibly curated menu focused on Seafood perfectly complemented by an equally well-thought-out cocktail list.
1222 Nostrand Avenue—Prospect-Lefferts Gardens
(347) 240-7799
Have you tried any of these restaurants? Comment below and share your experience.
