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Where to Eat During Christmas Week 2025 in NYC - 10 Best Restaurants
Christmas week in New York can feel like two different cities at once. Out on the streets there are packed sidewalks near the tree, tourists in matching scarves and long lines for anything that looks warm. Inside the right dining room there is a plate of pasta or paella, a glass of wine and a table that feels like a small break from the chaos. That is the sweet spot this guide looks for.
This list focuses on restaurants that feel welcoming around the holidays, work well for groups and serve food that feels a little special without turning dinner into an all-night production. Some lean romantic, some feel like big family energy, some are better for a long lunch between ice skating and last-minute gift runs. Together, they cover a lot of Christmas week situations, from visiting parents who want a Central Park view to friends who only care that the pasta is good and the staff is kind.
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Socarrat Paella Bar - Midtown East
Socarrat is the kind of place that makes a cold winter night feel instantly better as soon as a hot pan of paella hits the table. The room feels low-key and informal, which works well for Christmas week dinners with mixed groups and different appetites. Tapas like croquetas, pan con tomate, and other small bites arrive quickly and are easy to share while the signature rice develops that prized crispy layer at the bottom of the pan.
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The Uptown Garrison
In Washington Heights, The Uptown Garrison covers all of the Christmas-week needs in one space. Mornings and early afternoons work well for coffee, brunch, and casual catch-ups, with pancakes, shrimp, grits, and hearty platters that feel like a full meal before winter walks along the river. Later in the day, the bar feels right for cocktails and snacks.
LaRina Pastificio and Vino
LaRina in Brooklyn is pure comfort for anyone whose idea of holiday happiness involves handmade pasta and a very good glass of wine. The space feels intimate and warm without being stiff, with a crowd that ranges from families celebrating birthdays to couples bundled up after walking over from nearby brownstones. For private holiday meals, the team is happy to help build a menu that feels personal.
Eataly
Eataly is a smart move during Christmas week when different people in one group want different things, and no one wants to argue about it. The restaurant areas serve pastas, pizzas, seafood, and salads with fresh ingredients and generous portions. Around Christmas, hot Italian-style chocolate and all the festive sweets add a little extra coziness for anyone warming up after walking through nearby lights and displays.
Panineria NYC
Panineria feels like the right choice for a smaller-scale holiday meal that still tastes like an occasion. The space is cozy, with decorations that lean warm and unpretentious rather than glossy. The focus is on fresh pasta and classic Italian comfort dishes like lasagna and eggplant that arrive piping hot. For teams or families planning at-home gatherings, the catering options cover trays of pasta, salads, and sandwich platters that travel well.
Forsythia NYC
Forsythia on the Lower East Side reads as a small neighborhood spot at first glance, which is exactly what makes it feel special for Christmas week dinners. The dining room is intimate and softly lit, fitting for quiet catch-ups with close friends or low-key date nights during an otherwise hectic week. A seasonal menu highlights fresh pasta, focaccia that flakes almost like a pastry, and other second courses.
Antica Pesa Brooklyn
Antica Pesa in Williamsburg is a fit for nights when a group wants to dress up a little, sit in a beautiful room, and eat food that feels celebratory in a classic way. The decor leans chic and cinematic, with soft lighting that flatters both dates and family photos. It feels right for welcome dinners, reunions, and special Christmas week evenings when a splurge feels justified.
L'Italia NYC
L Italia suits a wide range of holiday plans, from date nights to welcome parties and small private gatherings. The room feels inviting and warm, with enough space for groups without losing intimacy. With takeout and catering also available, the restaurant easily supports both in-house celebrations and at-home Christmas week dinners that rely on someone else’s kitchen.
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All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
All Rights Reserved © Per Diem Subscription
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