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Best NYC Restaurants for Christmas 2023

NYC restaurants lay out festive feasts for Christmas dinner. It's not just December 25th for special menus, either; some establishments offer Christmas Eve dinner or a tradition like the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Some of our favorite Christmas dining destinations in NYC follow.

Christmas Dining NYC: Benjamin Steakhouse

Benjamin Steakhouse NYC New Year's Eve menu

Peter Luger alumni Benjamin Prelvukaj and Chef Arturo McLeod have combined over 30 years of experience to create Benjamin Steakhouse, conveniently located near Grand Central Terminal in the century-old Chemist Club Building. Along with its usual refined Old World service and charm, Benjamin Steakhouse will be offering a special Christmas Day prix fixe. Start with eggnog (virgin and spiked versions are both available) then move on to choices like lobster bisque, USDA Prime bone-in-rib eye, dry-aged rack of lamb, Grilled Norwegian Salmon, and an array of dessert temptations. Merry Christmas. $109 per person. 52 E. 41st St., 212-297-9177, benjaminsteakhouse.com

Christmas Dining NYC: Benjamin Steakhouse Prime

benjamin steakhouse prime dining room

Benjamin Steakhouse Prime, which just happened to be the 2019 Concierge Choice Awards winner for Best Restaurant Experience, is offering a great holiday special. For Christmas 2023, look for a $109 three-course prix fixe that starts with egg nog and appetizers like burrata or lobster bisque; followed by USDA prime filet mignon, bone-in rib-eye, or Grilled Scottish Salmon, and a chef's choice of desserts. 23 E. 40th St., 212-338-0818, benjaminsteakhouse.com

Christmas Dining in NYC: David Burke Tavern

Clothesline bacon

David Burke Tavern is a modern American restaurant by award-winning celebrity chef David Burke. A stately townhouse setting showcases Burke’s creative, contemporary approach to classic fare—often with show-stopping presentations. On Christmas Day this year (noon-8:30pm) you'll find a prix fixe special for $105 per person ($45 for children under 12), with delectable entree choices including Fire Roasted Filet Mignon or Salmon, Roasted Branzino, Scallop and Pork Belly, Pumpkin Lasagna, and more. Burke's famous Clothesline Maple Candied Bacon, above, is available as a table share appetizer supplement. Follow it up with pumpkin brulée, pecan, and other tasty dessert selections. 135 E. 62nd St., 212-988-9021, davidburketavern.com

Christmas Dining in NYC: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse Wagyu

For the holidays, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is offering a Chef's Feature from *Dec. 22-Jan. 1, 2024-A Wagyu Chateaubriand, served with 12 oz. Herb Roasted Westholme Waygu Tenderloin, A5 Kobe Tallow and Caviar Butter, for $140. Toast in festive fashion with a cocktail, Santa's Sleigh Ride (Jack Daniel’s, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Fresh Orange Juice, Mulled Wine.) 1221 Ave. of the Americas, 212-575-5129, delfriscos.com 

Christmas Dining in NYC: Morton's The Steakhouse

morton's the steakhouse holiday

Famous for USDA prime-aged beef, fresh seafood, fine wine, and elegant desserts, Morton’s The Steakhouse is an ideal place for a memorable dinner. This year, feast with a loved one on a three-course Chateaubriand Dinner for two, ($179) available *Dec. 24-31551 Fifth Ave., 212-972-3315; downtown location near the 9/11 Memorial at 136 Washington St., 212-608-0171, mortons.com

Christmas Dining in NYC: Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke

Photo: Park Ave Kitchen

Celeb chef David Burke has just launched his latest, Park Ave Kitchen, a two-for-one restaurant with top-notch service. There's a formal dine-in brasserie on one side and a more casual to-stay area with a take-out option on the other. Dishes reflect the technique and boundlessly creative approach Burke is famous for. This Christmas they'll be offering their a la carte menu, with options like lobster dumplings, famous clothesline bacon, bison short ribs, roasted branzino & artichoke, and the crab cake pretzel raft pictured here.

Christmas Dining in NYC: Patsy's Italian Restaurant

Struffoli Patsy's

This Theatre District landmark (Frank Sinatra’s favorite) has been family-run since 1944, celebrating its 79th anniversary this year! Enjoy authentic Neapolitan cuisine at Patsy's Italian Restaurant—and although they'll be closed for Christmas, they will be laying out a Feast of the Seven Fishes from December 17th through Christmas Eve. Drawing on the house's legendary recipes, the feast includes a choice of calamari salad or baccala salad; linguini with frutti di mare sauce; and a choice of shrimp scampi, stuffed calamari, shrimp Fra Diavolo, or striped bass for entrees. Come dessert, it's Patsy’s homemade strufoli (honey balls, seen above) or homemade biscotti. Patsy’s is also offering its line of homemade tomato-based sauces in specially crafted holiday baskets, which contain an assortment of Patsy’s four sauces, available on Patsy’s website (patsys.com). 236 W. 56th St., 212-247-3491, patsys.com

Christmas Dining in NYC: The Sea Fire Grill 

The Sea Fire Grill specializes in contemporary American seafood, with a focus on highlighting the fish itself. Choose from a traditional Christmas Pre-fixe menu ($109), that starts off with a glass of holiday eggnog (spiked or not, your choice). The prix fixe includes possibilities like appetizers of burrata, colossal shrimp, jumbo crab cakes or lobster bisque; for entrees, filet mignon, roasted branzino, rack of lamb, Trofie pasta with crab meat; and chocolate mousse cake, New York cheesecake, or tiramisu for dessert.

There is also a Feast of the Seven Fishes meal option ($149), *served only on Christmas Eve, 2pm-10pm. Scottish salmon, oysters and scallop with king crab starts things off, followed by a squid ink spaghetti with fresh Maine lobster and crab meat, Nova Scotia halibut (pictured here), and blackened Montauk swordfish. 158 E. 48th St., 212-935-3785, theseafiregrill.com

Christmas Eve Dining in NYC: Verōnika at Fotografiska 

Veronika

Hidden within Fotografiska New York, Verōnika is a place for late-night conversations, moments over a shared meal, and serendipitous encounters. Designed by Roman and Williams, Verōnika offers two distinct experiences: Bar Verōnika and the Restaurant. The Restaurant's menu offers continental European classics with a twist, such as seasonal oysters for starters, Salted Crusted Porterhouse *pasture raised (to share), Saffron Creme Caramel for dessert, and much more. Make your Christmas Eve reservations at Verōnika here281 Park Ave. S, Second Floor, E 22nd St, 646-993-6993, veronikanyc.com


Christmas Dining in NYC: Christmas Cruises

Bateaux NYC New Years Eve

One of New York’s most spectacular experiences is getting out on the water. Discover the magic of Christmas in New York on City Cruisesspecial brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises, sailing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from Chelsea Piers and Lincoln Harbor Marina. Dance to live entertainment as you enjoy chef-prepared meals, holiday décor, and spectacular skyline views, including the Empire State Building, One World Trade, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. (You can also ring in the new year with New Year’s Eve dinner cruises, and New Year’s Day brunch and dinner cruises.) Take it all in from a climate-controlled deck and enjoy City Cruises’ distinctive hospitality. Chelsea Piers, Pier 61 (W. 23rd St. & 12th Ave.), 866-817-3463, citycruises.com/newyork

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