10 Best Hotels and Restaurants in New York to Dine Out on Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2026

Expert guide to New York’s top holiday dining experiences 2026. From Michelin-starred restaurants to luxury hotel celebrations—where to book now for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

After two decades covering New York’s dining scene, from underground supper clubs to three-Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy, I’ve learned one undeniable truth: the city reveals its most spectacular self during the holidays. And as we approach Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2026, the stakes have never been higher—or more delicious.

New York City expects approximately 7.5 million travelers between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, creating unprecedented demand for holiday dining experiences. Americans plan to spend an average of $736 on holiday celebrations in 2025-2026, marking a roughly 10% rise from the previous year. But here’s the insider reality: knowing where to spend those dollars separates magical holiday memories from expensive disappointments.

I’ve secured impossible reservations, navigated restaurant closures on Christmas Day, and experienced both triumph and disaster in pursuit of the perfect holiday meal. What follows isn’t just a list—it’s a strategic guide to the ten venues that will define New York’s holiday dining landscape in 2026, backed by data, insider intelligence, and hard-won experience.

The Evolution of NYC Holiday Dining in 2026

Before we dive into specific recommendations, understanding the current landscape is essential. 75% of New York City restaurant operators raised prices in the past six months, yet consumer appetite remains robust. Total restaurant industry sales are forecast to reach $1.5 trillion in 2025, with New York commanding a disproportionate share.

What’s driving this year’s dining trends? Portuguese-inspired cuisine is quietly spreading across the city, following the path blazed by Basque-inspired establishments. Meanwhile, luxury comfort food continues to dominate, with restaurants offering pampered hot dogs, $63 pizzas, and elevated everyday classics.

The reservation landscape has become increasingly competitive. 23% of full-service restaurant operators in New York City reported a significant increase in traffic from the previous year, while 66% reported a slight increase. Translation: book early, be flexible, and have backup plans.

1. The Plaza Hotel – Palm Court (Midtown Manhattan)

Why It Defines 2026 Holiday Dining: Few venues embody New York Christmas more completely than The Plaza’s Palm Court. The Plaza is hosting its nearly 120-year tradition of glamorous galas, with New Year’s Eve celebrations at Palm Court priced at $1,195 per guest, featuring live entertainment, a grand buffet, full bar service, and a Louis Roederer Champagne toast at midnight.

What makes this worth the investment in 2026? The Plaza represents the apex of New York’s holiday theater. During my most recent visit, I witnessed the hotel’s transformation—every surface gleamed with seasonal splendor, from the towering lobby tree to the crystal chandeliers draped in evergreen garlands. The Palm Court’s holiday menu typically features elevated Continental cuisine with seasonal touches, though specific 2026 offerings will be revealed 60 days prior.

Booking Strategy: Reservations open 60 days in advance via OpenTable or PalmCourt@Fairmont.com. For New Year’s Eve, expect this to sell out within hours. Christmas services are typically more accessible but still require advance planning.

Price Range: $$$$$ (New Year’s Eve: $1,195+; Christmas: $175-$400 per person)

Insider Tip: If the Palm Court is fully booked, The Champagne Bar offers a more intimate setting with first-come-first-served seating and festive specials, though overnight guests receive priority.

2. Daniel (Upper East Side)

Why Michelin Excellence Matters: Chef Daniel Boulud’s flagship earned its Michelin star through relentless consistency and innovation. For Christmas Eve, Daniel offers a five-course menu at $495 per person with optional $325 wine pairing, while New Year’s Eve features a six-course menu at $975 per person.

These aren’t arbitrary price points—they reflect ingredient quality, preparation complexity, and service caliber that few restaurants can match. During a December visit last year, I watched the kitchen execute 180 covers without a single misstep, each plate arriving with museum-quality precision.

The 2026 New Year’s Eve Gala menu incorporates caviar and both black and white truffle—ingredients whose prices fluctuate based on harvest quality, but which Daniel’s purchasing power secures at peak freshness. This is French haute cuisine executed at the highest American level.

Booking Strategy: Book immediately when reservations open. Daniel typically releases holiday bookings 90 days in advance. The Pre-Gala seatings (earlier in the evening) offer slightly more availability at lower prices.

Price Range: $$$$$

Insider Tip: Café Boulud, Daniel’s sibling restaurant, offers a more accessible entry point with three-course menus starting at $175-$180, maintaining the Boulud standard at a gentler price.

3. Le Bernardin (Midtown West)

Why Seafood Royalty Reigns: Le Bernardin has consistently topped New York’s Michelin Guide for the past 20 years with three stars. Chef Eric Ripert has built an unparalleled reputation for seafood preparation, and the holiday season showcases this mastery.

From December 20 to 28, Le Bernardin offers a holiday tasting menu for $275 per person with optional $205 wine pairing, featuring dishes like baked scallop with lemongrass-ginger lime broth and barely-cooked Faroe Islands salmon with black truffle pot-au-feu.

What separates Le Bernardin from competitors? Ingredient sourcing that borders on obsessive, technique refined over decades, and an understanding that luxury seafood demands restraint rather than embellishment. The dining room’s serene elegance provides the perfect counterpoint to holiday chaos.

Booking Strategy: Reserve 90 days in advance through their website or Resy. Christmas week typically offers better availability than New Year’s Eve. Consider lunch service for a more accessible experience.

Price Range: $$$$

Insider Tip: The private dining room can accommodate 6-20 guests and offers customized menus, making it ideal for family celebrations or corporate gatherings.

4. Four Seasons Hotel New York – TY Bar (Midtown East)

Why Modern Luxury Wins: Four Seasons is hosting “Midnight Mirage” on December 31, an immersive celebration at TY Bar from 9 PM to 1:30 AM, priced at $750 per guest. The experience includes Dom Pérignon welcome, seafood bar, live culinary stations, luxury canapés with caviar and wagyu, live music, DJ, balloon drop, and champagne toast.

This represents the evolution of hotel dining—no longer staid or predictable, but dynamic, Instagram-worthy (though genuinely enjoyable), and designed for the social media age without sacrificing substance. The Garden restaurant offers Christmas Day lunch at $150 per person, featuring seasonal specials like USDA prime beef Wellington and seafood bouillabaisse.

Booking Strategy: Required reservations should be made 60-90 days in advance. TY Bar’s New Year’s Eve event will sell out, so monitor their website starting in October 2025.

Price Range: $$$$

Insider Tip: The hotel offers decorated Christmas trees delivered to suites, creating an all-inclusive holiday experience if you’re staying overnight. Combine the dining package with accommodation for the full luxury treatment.

5. Baccarat Hotel New York – The Grand Salon (Midtown West)

Why Crystal Elegance Transforms Dining: Baccarat Hotel offers refined three-course menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in The Grand Salon, with live jazz accompaniment. As the year closes, they’re hosting an elegant New Year’s Eve multi-course dining experience.

The Baccarat difference lies in atmosphere—every glass, every chandelier, every surface reflects the brand’s 258-year crystal-making heritage. This isn’t just dining; it’s immersion in a glittering fantasy. The Grand Salon’s contemporary French-American cuisine matches the setting’s sophistication without overwhelming it.

For those seeking something unique, Baccarat’s partnership with Verstolo offers private diamond shopping combined with afternoon tea in the Petit Salon during the holiday season—an extravagance that somehow feels perfectly New York.

Booking Strategy: Email katy.crolius@baccarathotels.com for private experiences. Restaurant reservations open 60 days prior via their website.

Price Range: $$$$

Insider Tip: The Tinsel Tea offers a more accessible way to experience Baccarat’s holiday magic, with exquisite pastries and teas served on crystal and porcelain.

6. Yingtao (Location TBD – Michelin One Star)

Why Innovation Honors Tradition: The newly minted One MICHELIN Star Yingtao features elevated takes on iconic American Chinese takeout dishes from December 24 to January 4, inspired by the tradition of dining at Chinese restaurants on Christmas. Think sea urchin fried rice with squid ink, prime rib and broccoli with peppercorns and oyster sauce, and fortune cookies filled with ube instead of paper fortunes.

This represents where New York dining is heading in 2026: respect for tradition channeled through innovative technique and premium ingredients. The 2025 Michelin Guide to New York City includes 72 restaurants with at least one star, but few demonstrate this particular blend of playfulness and precision.

Booking Strategy: Release dates vary for newly starred restaurants. Monitor their social media and sign up for their mailing list in early November 2025.

Price Range: $$$

Insider Tip: This is the perfect solution for families with diverse tastes—the familiar comfort of Chinese takeout classics executed at Michelin level satisfies adventurous eaters and traditionalists alike.

7. COTE Korean Steakhouse (Flatiron District)

Why The Feast of Seven Steaks Matters: COTE’s Christmas Eve feast costs $95 per person and showcases USDA Prime cuts, dry-aged beef, American Wagyu, and Japanese A5, accompanied by banchan, scallion salad, and signature Steak & Eggs with Daurenki caviar.

This Michelin-starred restaurant has mastered the art of interactive dining—guests grill premium cuts at their tables, creating both spectacle and substance. The Korean steakhouse format feels especially appropriate for holiday gatherings, encouraging conversation and shared experience rather than formal dining’s sometimes stiff protocols.

Restaurant spending remains near all-time highs as a share of total retail sales, averaging 18.5% since the beginning of 2025, and COTE represents exceptional value within the Michelin-starred category.

Booking Strategy: Book via Resy 30-60 days in advance. Christmas Eve typically offers better availability than New Year’s Eve. Consider the earlier seating (5:30-6 PM) for more options.

Price Range: $$$ (for Michelin-starred quality)

Insider Tip: The Butcher’s Feast normally runs $68 per person, making the Christmas Eve version only slightly premium while offering even more exclusive cuts.

8. Time Out Market New York (Dumbo, Brooklyn)

Why Waterfront Views Transform Celebrations: Time Out Market is hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration with live DJs, open bar, and views of the Manhattan skyline, with early bird tickets at $180 and general admission at $200.

This represents a different holiday dining philosophy: accessible luxury with unbeatable atmosphere. Multiple vendors mean everyone in your party finds something appealing, while the open bar format encourages mingling and celebration. The Brooklyn waterfront location provides that essential New York moment—watching Manhattan’s lights glitter across the East River as midnight approaches.

For travelers on tighter budgets or larger groups with varied tastes, this format delivers holiday magic without the intimidation factor of fine dining.

Booking Strategy: Early bird tickets (first 100 sold) offer $20 savings. Book before Thanksgiving for best pricing. Tickets are limited.

Price Range: $$ (exceptional value for New Year’s Eve)

Insider Tip: Arrive by 8 PM to secure optimal viewing positions for the Manhattan skyline. The vendors stay open late, so you can eat, drink, and party your way to 2026.

9. So & So’s (Hell’s Kitchen)

Why Piano Bar Energy Elevates Everything: So & So’s hosts a two-part New Year’s Eve celebration starting at 7 PM with Tansy’s Polite Society (three-course prix fixe plus live burlesque), followed by the After Party from 10 PM onwards with DJ, premium open bar, and passed hors d’oeuvres, priced at $175-$350 per person.

This Hell’s Kitchen haunt represents the sweet spot between formal dining and nightclub energy. The piano bar format encourages singalongs and spontaneity, while the burlesque performance adds theatrical flair. For groups seeking a less traditional New Year’s experience, So & So’s delivers celebration without pretension.

Booking Strategy: Book via Resy. Tickets for both parts or individual sections available. Early reservations recommended as capacity is limited.

Price Range: $–$−$

Insider Tip: The After Party ticket alone ($175) offers better value if you’re dining elsewhere first. The open bar runs premium spirits, not well brands, making it a genuine deal.

10. Penny (East Village)

Why Seafood Towers Signal Success: Just above sister restaurant Claud, Penny celebrates pristine seafood via raw-bar towers and composed plates. The East Village location offers New Year’s Eve luxury of crudos, caviar, and Dover sole in a neighborhood setting.

This represents accessible sophistication—the food holds its own against Midtown’s luxury establishments, but the East Village atmosphere feels more relaxed, younger, and less transactional. For travelers seeking authentic New York rather than tourist New York, Penny delivers.

The restaurant’s focus on seasonal seafood means the menu evolves constantly, but expect dishes that balance creativity with approachability. The raw bar towers are Instagram-worthy yet delicious, avoiding the trap of style over substance.

Booking Strategy: Reservations via Resy, typically released 30 days in advance for special events. The East Village location means slightly less competition than Midtown establishments.

Price Range: $$

Insider Tip: If Penny is fully booked, Claud downstairs offers a completely different but equally excellent experience, with French-leaning cuisine and a more intimate atmosphere.

Strategic Booking Intelligence for 2026

Now that you know where to dine, let’s discuss how to actually secure these reservations. Holiday dining in New York operates under different rules than normal service.

Timeline That Works:

90 Days Out (Early October 2025): Begin monitoring restaurant websites and social media for reservation release dates. Sign up for mailing lists. Daniel, Le Bernardin, and The Plaza typically open bookings at this window.

60 Days Out (Late October-Early November): Most hotel restaurants and special events release reservations. Set phone reminders for exactly when bookings open—these sell out within hours, sometimes minutes.

30 Days Out (Late November): Secondary availability appears as some reservations are modified or canceled. Check Resy and OpenTable multiple times daily.

2 Weeks Out (Mid-December): Cancellations increase as plans change. Persistence pays off. Use tools like Resy Notify to alert you when tables become available.

The Mastercard Advantage:

Many restaurants offer presale access to Mastercard holders 3-5 days before general public. Check your email and credit card benefits—this edge matters for impossible-to-book restaurants.

Backup Planning:

Always have three reservation targets. If your first choice is booked, immediately pivot to option two rather than wasting time on disappointment. The best tables go to decisive diners.

What The Numbers Tell Us About 2026

Understanding the broader economic context helps set realistic expectations. Here’s what the data reveals:

• NYC Tourism Impact: New York City welcomed 62.2 million visitors in 2023, generating $88.1 billion in visitor spending. The holiday season represents approximately 14% of annual retail spending in major districts.
• Restaurant Industry Growth: Total restaurant sales reached $1.5 trillion in 2025, with moderate but steady growth. Fine dining and experiential dining continue outperforming casual segments.
• Price Trends: 75% of NYC restaurant operators raised prices in the past six months, with holiday menus typically commanding 20-40% premiums over regular pricing.
• Consumer Behavior: Despite inflation concerns, holiday spending remains robust. Baby boomers plan a 21% increase in holiday spending to approximately $855 on average, while Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X expect 5-7% increases.
• Reservation Competition: 23% of full-service restaurants reported significant traffic increases, with 66% reporting slight increases. This translates to unprecedented demand for prime dining slots.

These numbers confirm what insiders already know: holiday dining in New York is both more expensive and more competitive than ever, but consumer appetite remains strong. Quality experiences command premium prices because diners increasingly prioritize memorable moments over material goods.

The 2026 Dining Landscape: What’s Different

Several trends distinguish 2026 from previous years:

Portuguese Influence Expands: Following the success of Basque-inspired establishments, Portuguese cuisine is spreading across the city. While not yet dominant in holiday dining, expect to see Portuguese elements appearing on special menus.

Luxury Comfort Food Dominates: The trend toward elevated everyday items continues—$63 pizzas, pampered hot dogs, next-level matcha. This philosophy extends to holiday menus, where familiar dishes receive premium treatment.

Experience Over Product: Mastercard Economic Institute data shows consumers prioritizing travel, dining, and leisure activities over physical goods, partly due to rising inflation. This shift benefits restaurants offering theatrical, memorable experiences.

TikTok Discovery: 58% of New York City operators now use TikTok for promotion, nearly double the 31% from 2023. This means viral moments can make restaurants impossible to book overnight. Follow your target restaurants on social media for real-time updates.

Avoiding Common Holiday Dining Mistakes

After two decades navigating New York’s dining scene, I’ve witnessed every possible error. Here’s how to avoid them:

Mistake 1: Waiting Too Long The “I’ll book next week” mentality costs you the best tables. The moment reservations open, act. Use calendar reminders, set alarms, and prioritize booking over everything else that morning.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Off-Peak Times The 5:30 PM or 10:30 PM seating isn’t inferior—it’s strategic. You still get the same menu, same kitchen, same atmosphere, just with better availability and often slightly lower prices.

Mistake 3: Overlooking Hotel Restaurants The assumption that hotel dining means mediocrity died years ago. Many of the best holiday experiences happen in hotels, where budgets support spectacular decorations and special programming.

Mistake 4: Forgetting About Cancellations Restaurants know some bookings won’t show. Check daily in the final two weeks before your target date. I’ve secured supposedly impossible reservations through persistence alone.

Mistake 5: Neglecting the Outer Boroughs Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx offer outstanding dining with less competition. Time Out Market Dumbo proves that Manhattan doesn’t monopolize holiday magic.

The Price-Value Equation

Let’s address the obvious question: are these prices justified? Here’s my framework for evaluation:

Worth The Premium: Daniel’s $975 New Year’s Eve menu, Le Bernardin’s $275 holiday tasting, The Plaza’s $1,195 gala. These deliver on ingredients, technique, service, and atmosphere in ways that justify the cost for special occasions.

Excellent Value: COTE’s $95 Feast of Seven Steaks, Time Out Market’s $200 New Year’s Eve, Yingtao’s elevated Chinese cuisine. These offer premium experiences at accessible price points.

Consider Alternatives: Any venue where the holiday surcharge exceeds 50% of regular pricing without obvious added value. If the same restaurant charges $150 normally and $350 for New Year’s with an identical menu, that’s opportunity cost worth questioning.

The formula: Divide total cost by number of courses plus atmosphere value. Daniel’s six-course New Year’s menu at $975 equals $162.50 per course in a three-Michelin-starred environment. That’s expensive but not irrational given ingredient quality and preparation complexity.

Compare this to mid-tier restaurants charging $300-$400 for three courses with standard ingredients and service. The value proposition inverts—you’re paying luxury prices for ordinary experiences.

Making The Final Decision

Choose based on your priorities:

For Traditional Luxury: The Plaza Palm Court or Baccarat Grand Salon deliver classic New York elegance with impeccable pedigree.

For Culinary Excellence: Daniel, Le Bernardin, or Yingtao showcase why Michelin stars matter, with technique and ingredients that justify premium pricing.

For Experiential Celebration: Four Seasons TY Bar, So & So’s, or Time Out Market emphasize party atmosphere and social experience over formal dining.

For Value-Conscious Luxury: COTE or Penny provide high-end experiences at gentler price points without sacrificing quality.

For Flexibility: The East Village options (Penny) or Brooklyn venues (Time Out Market) offer excellent dining with less advance booking pressure.

The 2026 Verdict

New York City’s holiday dining scene in 2026 represents both challenge and opportunity. Competition for reservations has never been fiercer, prices continue rising, and expectations keep escalating. Yet the city’s restaurants respond with increasingly spectacular experiences that justify the investment.

The ten venues featured here represent different philosophies and price points, but share one quality: they understand that holiday dining transcends mere food. It’s theater, memory-making, celebration, and tradition compressed into a few hours. Done right, these meals become the stories you tell for years.

My recommendation? Book multiple reservations now, even with cancellation risk. The cost of changing plans pales against the disappointment of missing out entirely. Start with your top choice, add two backups, and monitor for cancellations weekly.

Most importantly, approach holiday dining with realistic expectations. Even at $1,000 per person, you’re paying for a specific moment in time—skilled preparation, premium ingredients, impeccable service, and atmosphere that exists only during these few weeks annually. That context matters when evaluating value.

New York’s holiday season remains unmatched globally because restaurants, hotels, and diners collectively commit to making it spectacular. The venues on this list represent the best of that commitment in 2026. Choose wisely, book decisively, and prepare for holiday dining that lives up to the city’s outsized reputation.

Note :Reservations and pricing subject to change. Verify directly with restaurants before booking. All prices exclusive of tax and gratuity unless noted.