Christmas Restaurants for Rent in New York City, NY

Your Guide to Renting Christmas Restaurants in New York City, NY

Sitting by a cracking fire as snowflakes dance outside. Christmas lights blinking and glittering up the long wintery nights. The smell of roasted chestnuts, gingerbread and pine wafts through the air. The room fills with the sounds of conversation and Christmas songs sound from the radio. Are you feeling festive yet? You should be! It’s time to celebrate!

New York gets absolutely magical in winter. Well, it gets quite cold and snowy too, but let’s stick with the magic. In fact, the chill in the air only adds to the Christmassy aura! If you’ve been to the city in December, you know that it’s simply made for the holidays. With colorful lights and ornaments on every corner, special performances and Christmas markets open all over the place, even the Grinch would be dazzled by the city’s festive spirit.

The atmosphere makes New York the perfect place for Christmas celebrations and its multitude of restaurants open up a whole range of possibilities when it comes to throwing a Christmas party. From glamorous to laid-back, there’s always a venue ready and willing to cater to events of all styles and sizes.

If you’re planning to host a Christmas dinner in New York City and could use some helpful tips and inspiration, keep reading!

Why rent a restaurant for your Christmas festivities?

Okay, but before we dig into the process of booking a restaurant, let’s start by answering this question: why would you rent a restaurant for your Christmas celebration?

The list of benefits is long. First of all, when you book a restaurant for your Christmas dinner, you don’t have to worry about preparing the food, serving your guests and cleaning up after the event is over. Instead, all you have to do is simply relax and focus on enjoying the time spent with your family, friends or colleagues.

If you’re hosting a Christmas dinner for a large group, having the help of professional staff will make the event much more efficient as well. Restaurants that offer the option of hosting Christmas dinners are typically experienced in organizing similar events and know how to make everything run smoothly. We recommend checking the reviews of others who hosted their events in your chosen restaurant to learn more about how the staff handles bigger groups.

Last but not least, having a celebratory meal at a restaurant is a great way to treat yourself. There’s something about the change of environment that makes the occasion all the more special. With Christmas songs playing softly in the background, beautiful decorations, and delicious food being served at your table, it will be easy to get into the festive mood and leave your worries at the restaurant’s door.

How to choose your Christmas restaurant

New York’s dining scene offers a myriad of possibilities for a Christmas celebration. But we know that if you’re not sure what you’re looking for, it can be a challenge to pick the right space. Don’t worry, we’ve been there. With the help of our event planning experts, we’ve made a list of useful tips and checked it twice to help you choose the ideal Christmas restaurant! Start with these three most important things:

• Decide what type of event you want to host. The choice of a restaurant will depend on the kind of event you want to organize. Are you interested in a chic and elegant space or are you looking for a more informal setting? Is it going to be an intimate meal with your loved ones or a large banquet for your coworkers? Would you prefer a traditional sit-down Christmas dinner or a self-service buffet, where everyone can easily mingle and chat with one another? Take some time to come up with your vision of the event. This will help you find the restaurant that matches your expectations.
• Determine the number of guests. Another important thing to know before you start searching for the perfect place for your Christmas dinner is the number of people you’d like to invite. Once you have the estimated number, you’ll know how much space you’ll need to accommodate your attendees and you’ll be able to figure out the best seating layout.
• Know your budget. One of the crucial factors is, of course, your budget. The price of renting a restaurant will depend on the number of guests, location and services provided (such as in-house catering, decorations or cleaning up after the event). Decide how much you can spend on your event, then use Tagvenue’s smart filters to set your price range and find the ideal restaurant.

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to dive into the booking process. We’ve got a handful of other tips to keep in mind while choosing the perfect New York restaurant for your Christmas festivities:

• Book in advance. ‘Tis a busy season. You’re not the only one thinking about hosting a holiday meal. The best restaurants for Christmas dinner in NYC will be gone before you know it, so do yourself a favor and book as early as you can to avoid unnecessary stress.
• Consider the location. Think about which location would be the most convenient to your guests, bearing in mind how crazy the traffic gets in New York during the holiday season. Also consider whether you’d like to host your dinner party in the very heart of Manhattan or perhaps you’d prefer a quieter area in Queens.
• Think about the food. Apart from the atmosphere, Christmas is all about the mouth-watering food! In order for everyone to enjoy it, get the info on your guests’ dietary requirements and book a place willing to cater to everybody’s needs. Arrange a menu tasting prior to your event if possible. Alternatively, if you want to take care of the food yourself, look for a restaurant that allows external catering. Potlucks are also very popular at Christmas dinners but will require some more organization.
• Set the mood with music. Christmas songs playing in the background - not too loud, so you can comfortably chat to your guests - add to that special ambiance. Look for a restaurant that has the right sound equipment and if you want to play your own music, make sure your venue manager doesn’t have a problem with that.
• Deck the halls! The right decorations can transform any space into a Winter Wonderland. Decide whether you want to have the venue take care of the decorations, bring in some external suppliers to do the job or decorate the room yourself, making it more personal (and cost-effective).
• Come up with a theme. Why not pick a theme for your festive dinner party, such as Ugly Christmas Sweaters or Santa’s Elves? These are obvious examples, but you can get creative and pick something unique to you and your guests. If you're looking for ideas, check out our post about fun and exciting dress-up themes for your holiday party! 
• Pick some activities. Liven up your party with some fun activities, such as Christmas-themed quizzes and games, crafting DIY decorations or baking your own gingerbread. The options are endless and your imagination is the only limit!

Hopefully, now you know how to tackle the search for your ideal Christmas restaurant. Most importantly, remember to think about the number of guests, your budget and the type of event you want to organize.

Once you have a vision of the perfect location for your needs in your head, book your restaurant as soon as you can. With Tagvenue’s smart search engine and filters, your perfect Christmas restaurant is just a few clicks away. From affordable and relaxed to the most opulent interiors, you’ll quickly find something that’s just right for you and your guests.

What is there to do in New York City around Christmas time?

Let’s face it: you’ll have to get up and move away from the table at some point. And when you do, there are tons of fun festive things to do around New York City during the holiday season! Check out some of our suggestions:

• Visit a Christmas market. Come December, Christmas markets spring up all over the place. Some of the most popular ones are the Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday Market or the Grand Central Holiday Market. Visiting one of them is a must! Stroll around, sip on some apple cider, taste some artisanal food, maybe buy a gift or two, and take in the one-of-a-kind Christmas atmosphere.
• Go ice skating. Rockefeller Center boasts the city’s most famous ice rink. However, in addition to being rather high-priced, it’s also usually crowded. Instead, we recommend Winter Village in Bryant Park, where you can skate for free if you have your own skates. If you don’t, you can rent a pair for $20. You can also enjoy Bryant Park’s Christmas market with its wide variety of shopping and food kiosks.
• See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This one’s a staple if you’re in New York during Christmas. People often compare it to the Eiffel Tower – it may be clichéd but you still want to see it at least once. The most famous tree in Manhattan stays lit from the 1st of December through early January. To skip the biggest crowds, go at night or early in the morning, just before the lights turn on at 5:30 a.m.
• Revel in the light shows. Is it even Christmas without a proper light show? New York goes all out with the light displays for the holiday season. Watch the stunning light installations in Dyker Heights or iconic Central Park, Saks Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center. You’ll also find special holiday light displays in places such as the New York Botanical Garden or The Bronx Zoo.
• Admire the Christmas ornaments. It’s Christmas time and Midtown Manhattan shines its absolute brightest! Wander between 42nd and 57th streets from Broadway to 5th Avenue and marvel at the beautiful Christmas ornaments. Don’t forget to see the giant snowflake suspended at 57th and 5th!
• Check out the holiday window displays. Besides the light shows and the ornaments, Christmas-themed window displays are a very New York tradition. The city’s biggest department stores decorate their windows according to a festive theme and draw crowds of people. Go for a walk and check out the ornate displays at some of the most famous storefronts, such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Barneys, Lord & Taylor or Macy’s. You’ll find the majority of them along 5th Avenue.
• Go to a concert or a musical. During the Christmas season, you’ll find holiday-themed shows all over the city. You can go for a Broadway theater performance or see one of the Christmas classics, such as the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center or the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City. There are special holiday concerts at Carnegie Hall, where you can hear performances of carols and other Christmas classics.
• Take a stroll through Central Park. One of the best things to do in New York City is visit Central Park. This iconic location is equally charming in the winter aura - perhaps even more tranquil and magical if there’s snow. Stop by the holiday market at Columbus Circle, get yourself a hot beverage and lose yourself in the Winter Wonderland.

Pro tip: New York gets crazy busy around Christmas time, so be prepared for crowds of people and a sea of cars. If you need to move around the city, avoid driving and use public transport instead. Not only is riding the subway cheaper than taking a taxi or an Uber, it’s also much faster since you’re not wasting time being stuck in traffic.

FAQs about Christmas Restaurants in New York City, NY

How much does it cost to rent a Christmas restaurant in New York City?

Prices for renting a restaurant for a Christmas dinner in New York can range from around $30 to $85 per person. Depending on the restaurant’s standard and capacity, daily rental fees can reach around $15000 per day. For a venue that charges hourly rates, expect to pay $500 to $2000 per hour. (All data from Tagvenue.)

What are some of the best restaurants for a Christmas dinner in New York City?

Check out some of our favorite picks:

• St Tropez West Village - An authentic French restaurant and wine bar. Located on West 4th Street in the heart of the West Village, the place boasts cozy interiors inspired by a Provencal farmhouse, perfect for all types of Christmas dinner parties.
• Gran Morsi - Situated in Tribeca, Gran Morsi is a bright and spacious Italian restaurant with modern decor. Besides the elegant main dining room, it also features a private event space.
• The Peacock Room at The Raines Law Room at The William - An elegant private space easily accessible from the Grand Central Station. With a classy feel, the restaurant is ideal for corporate holiday parties. You can also host Christmas drinks here, if that's more your cup of tea!

Which areas of New York City have the best restaurants?

You can find fantastic restaurants for Christmas in all five boroughs of New York. There’s iconic Manhattan, packed with all kinds of venues for your festive meal. Eclectic Brooklyn boasts international eateries, high-end restaurants, and casual hangout spots with hip and industrial vibes. Multicultural Queens is a great destination for all foodies, featuring many restaurants serving authentic cuisines from all around the world. The Bronx is popular for its Italian restaurants, but you can also find Irish and Latin American influences. The restaurants in Staten Island boast a relaxed atmosphere and offer some peace and quiet. You can find more detailed information on the different neighborhoods in our NYC event space rental guide.

No matter what kind of meal you're envisioning, these restaurants can host a fantastic dinner party. A classy company function in the early weeks of December or family dinner on Christmas Eve? Use our map to find a holiday dinner venue in a convenient location! 

What is the weather like in New York around Christmas?

December is a beautiful time to visit New York; however, prepare to brave the weather. Expect any combination of icy winds, snow, rain or sleet, plus an average temperature of around 30 - 40 °F. So when you’re packing, think layers: long sleeves, sweaters, warm coats, scarves and hats will be your best friends.