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Relax and enjoy your Christmas dinner in a festive atmosphere at Sinigual.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in NYC

1. Sinigual – Murray Hill

Price range: $
Menu type: À la carte
Why families love it: A local favorite upscale Mexican restaurant, Sinigual is open on Christmas Day from 11am-9pm. If you prefer to stay in, you can order the restaurant's flame-grilled fajitas or a roasted half chicken for the whole family.
Pro tip: If you order the guacamole, it'll be made fresh right at your table.

2. Agora Taverna – Forest Hills, Queens

Price range: $$
Menu type: Prix fixe and à la carte options for brunch, lunch, and dinner
Why families love it: If you're craving Greek food for Christmas dinner, this Forest Hills fave may be your best option. The restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe menu featuring traditional Greek classics, including stuffed grape leaves, lamb shank, and spinach pie for $42.95 per person.

3. Il Gattopardo – Midtown

Price range: $$
Menu type: À la carte
Why families love it: Gather with your family at this popular spot, which serves traditional Southern Italian comfort food. The restaurant usually serves dishes honoring the Italian Christmas tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, including dishes like lobster and artichoke salad, pheasant ravioli, broiled striped bass, and much more.

4. Chola – Midtown East

Price range: $
Menu type: À la carte dinner
Why families love it: If you haven't had Indian food for ages, spice it up this Christmas with a visit to this neighborhood gem. Focusing on flavors inspired by more than 8,000 miles of Indian coastline, Chola presents seaside delicacies in a comfortable setting. From sizzling tandoori dishes delivered to your table on a cart to flavorful chicken dishes and tandoori lamb chops, there's something for everyone on the menu.

Tapas and paella served family-style make for a fun Christmas dinner at Socarrat.

5. Socarrat – Multiple Locations

Price range: $$
Menu type: À la carte
Why families love it: Paella and Spanish tapas for Christmas dinner; yes, please! Socarrat offers a mouth-watering menu served family-style at the table.
Pro tip: Make sure to leave room for the dessert plate with chocolate churros and flan.

6. Fogo de Chao – Midtown

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Prix fixe and à la carte
Why families love it: Using the centuries-old Southern Brazilian cooking technique known as churrasco, Fogo de Chão has been serving fire-roasted, high-quality meats since 1979. Meat lovers are in heaven as delectable cuts are brought to each table to sample. Choose from seafood dishes, cheeses, and fresh, seasonal appetizers, too. On Christmas Day, the restaurant is open 11am-9pm, and the cost is set at dinner prices all day.
Pro tip: Let your server know at the beginning which meats your party prefers, and they will ensure you receive exactly what you want.

7. Jing Fong – Upper West Side and Chinatown

Price range: $
Menu type: Dim sum
Why families love it: Now with two locations, this popular dim sum eatery welcomes diners on the holiday. Enjoy traditional dishes, like chicken feet and rice noodles, plus flavorful Chinese cauliflower with preserved pork and sea scallops in garlic sauce. The Chinatown location is open 10:30am-9pm, while the UWS one is open 11am-10pm on Christmas Day.
Pro tip: You can wait for carts of food to be wheeled to you, but you can also ask for certain dishes by name if you know what you want.

Savor Indian spices this Christmas dinner at Bungalow.

8. Bungalow – Lower East Side

Price range: $$
Menu type: À la carte
Why families love it: Experience a unique Indian feast at this Indian restaurant, run by Michelin-starred Chef Vikas Khanna. Enjoy a meal highlighting the flavors of India, such as Banarasi puri, chicken Amritsari, and Rajasthani pulled lamb.
Pro tip: A Christmas Day reservation to Bungalow is not easy to secure, so act fast to secure yours!

9. Marseille – Hell's Kitchen

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Prix fixe
Why families love it: Taking its name from the port town in southern France, this brasserie serves yummy, traditional French favorites like bouillabaisse and moules frites. The restaurant has a holiday three-course prix fixe menu available on Christmas Day for $90 per person (plus tax and tips).

10. Victory Garden Cafe – Astoria, Queens

Price range: $$
Menu type: Prix fixe
Why families love it: Try a Mediterranean-inspired feast for Christmas dinner from this family-owned bistro. The well-priced holiday menu offers a choice of main course—sirloin steak, balsamic chicken, or salmon, plus a variety of appetizers and Greek side dishes for $59.55 per person.

Have a very French Christmas at Le Rivage.

11. Le Rivage – Midtown

Price range: $$$
Menu type: Prix fixe and à la carte
Why families love it: If you happen to be in the theater district for Christmas, Le Rivage is the perfect place to enjoy a decadent, delicious meal. Dine on French classics such as moules farcies, beef bourguignon, and coq au vin, or opt for the three-course prix fixe menu, which includes roasted ham, foie gras, and blueberry compote.
Pro tip: A prix fixe menu is available for $95 per person, but you can also order à la carte from its regular menu.

12. Red Rooster – Harlem

Price range: $$
Menu type: Prix fixe and à la carte
Why families love it: Named after the historic Harlem speakeasy, this spot serves cozy comfort food that's perfect fare for the holidays. Choose from an à la carte menu loaded with Christmas specials or indulge in the chef's special holiday twists on the prix fixe menu at $80 per person. All meals are served family-style for a warm, festive celebration with accompanying live music. Christmas Day hours are 11am-9pm.

13. LaoJie – Multiple Locations

Price range: $$
Menu type: All you can eat à la carte
Why families love it: Nothing says Christmas in NYC like unlimited hot pot. Choose from one of three locations—two in Brooklyn and one in the Bowery. Enjoy special Christmas dumplings, barbecue skewers, and yes, an endless hot pot option. No reservations are taken for Christmas Day.

14. 5 Acres – Midtown

Price range: $$
Menu type: Prix fixe and à la carte
Why families love it: For a great family-friendly option for the holidays, head to 5 Acres in the concourse at Rockefeller Center. Though the holiday menu isn't available yet, the restaurant typically serves traditional Christmas fare (last year's featured a roast with carrots, Brussels sprouts, and mashed potatoes). A kids' menu is available with options like pasta, chicken fingers, and a burger.
Pro tip: During the holiday season, private events are given priority over individuals and families, so it may be hard to get booked at this popular spot. You can also book a 40-minute stay at the Après Skate Chalets for up to six people to enjoy "light bites" from 5 Acres in a cozy Christmas-decorated chalet.

15. Siena Cafe – Upper East Side

Price range: $$
Menu type: À la carte
Why families love it: You'll feel like family at this cozy neighborhood Italian joint, which serves its regular a la carte menu plus a selection of to-be-determined holiday specials on Christmas Day. Homemade pasta is guaranteed to steal the show and be a kid-pleaser.
Pro tip: This restaurant is open 11am-1am on Christmas Day—later than any other places on this list.

Restaurants Open on Christmas in NYC for Takeout Meals

16. Butterfield Market – Upper East Side & Bushwick

Price range: $$$
Menu type: À la carte
Why families love it: Didn't manage to book a reservation? You can still eat delicious, made-for-you restaurant fare thanks to Butterfield Market. Order from its extensive Christmas Eve menu by Wednesday, December 17 at 4pm, and you and up to 11 guests can still eat a scrumptious holiday meal with all the classics. You can even pick up a floral arrangement to make your home extra festive. Delivery is available throughout Manhattan, or you can pick up from the Madison location.
Pro tip: Check the website for reheating instructions to ensure your leftovers taste as good as on the first day!

17. BKLYN Larder – Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Price range: $$$
Menu type: À la carte
Why families love it: For more than a decade, Bklyn Larder has been supplying Park Slope and Prospect Heights with hand-crafted cheeses, homemade prepared foods, and hard-to-find grocery items. For Christmas, choose from Bklyn Larder's a la carte menu for traditional items like glazed ham, vegetable dishes, a cheeseboard, and even eggnog. Reserve your order by Saturday, December 13 to guarantee availability, and pick up on Tuesday, December 23 and Thursday, Decemver 24.

18. Bario's – Heartland Village, Staten Island

Price range: $$
Menu type: À la carte
Why families love it: This Staten Island establishment has an extensive catering menu for every major holiday.
Pro tip: While you're there, consider picking up a pizza kit for the kids, which includes dough, sauce, and cheese for little ones to make their own pizzas at home—for just $5.

What to Know Before Dining Out on Christmas Day in NYC

Dining out on Christmas Day in NYC can be a magical experience. The atmosphere and decorations in NYC on Christmas are simply unmatched, and it's always a good day when you can take a break from cooking and cleaning up after a family dinner. But, the experience takes some prep work. Here are some things to keep in mind before you book a Christmas Day family meal.

Reserve Well in Advance

Reservations are often required weeks in advance, so you'll need to keep an eye on restaurant websites to snag a spot.

Check for the Christmas Menu

Keep in mind that menus are often different for the holiday, which means many eateries ditch their regular offerings—including, often, the kids' menus. Check in advance if kid-friendly alternatives are being offered.

Know Where You'll Park

Parking in NYC is tough on regular days, but on Christmas Day, it can be a downright nightmare. Figure out ahead of time where you'll park, and be prepared for a potential walk to get to your restaurant of choice. Even better: Plan to take public transit!

Be Prepared To Entertain

Restaurants are extra busy on holidays, so it may take a bit longer for your meal to arrive at your table. Bring small activities to keep the little ones busy during the wait.

Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Meal Out with Kids

So you've managed to book a reservation at your favorite restaurant on Christmas Day. Here are a few ways to make the experience as fun and stress-free as possible:

Bring some coloring pages for younger kids. I personally love the water-activated coloring books, since they're sturdy, you only need one marker, and there's no chance of the color making its way to any restaurant surfaces.

Be sure everyone's hungry, but not too hungry. You know your kids best, so you'll know the optimal time to feed them so they'll be ready to eat but not so ravenous that they're fussy.

The biggest crowds tend to gather around lunch and dinner time, so aim for a time between those two for shorter waits and smaller crowds. Even if a restaurant doesn't have a kids' menu, they're often willing to portion out smaller, child-sized meals. Ask your waiter about this!

FAQs for Dining Out on Christmas Day with Kids in NYC

What restaurants are open on Christmas Day in NYC?
There are many restaurants open in NYC on Christmas Day! Whether you're in the mood for a classic Christmas meal or a cultural twist, you can find it in one of the restaurants listed above.

Do any Christmas Day restaurants offer kids’ menus?
Restaurants that don't have special Christmas menus will still have their regular kids' menu offerings. Locations that change their menus for special holiday meals might not have kids' menus, but you can often ask for kid-friendly options or portions. Check with your waiter about this.

Are restaurants open for Christmas brunch or dinner?
Most of the NYC restaurants open for Christmas Day are open for the full day, morning to night. While some only have dinner options for the duration of opening hours, many serve brunch earlier in the day.

Do I need to make reservations for Christmas Day dining?
In nearly all cases, you do need to make a reservation for Christmas Day dining—sometimes, weeks in advance!

What’s the average price for Christmas dinner at restaurants in NYC?
Prix fixe meals tend to be priced around $50-$80 or more, depending on the restaurant and menu. For à la carte menus, you can expect to pay roughly $20-$40 per entree.

Are fast-casual or chain restaurants open on Christmas?
Many fast-casual and chain restaurants will be open on Christmas, including IHOP and Applebee's, though some will have reduced hours. Call ahead to check if a spot is open.

READ NEXT: 10 Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes to Bake with Kids

Photos courtesy of the restaurants/catering companies

Originally published in 2020.