Christmas: If you observe it, it usually means a time of gathering loved ones around you for gift giving, church-going, falalalala-ing, and feasting. But it can also be a time of last-minute gift-getting stress (do you really think they’ll like that Tiffany sterling silver pencil sharpener?) and battling holiday travel crowds. Ever want to chuck it all and wassail instead of wallow?
Hark! No matter what your religion, Christmas can be a time for Chinese food and a movie—or more traditional wassailing fare—at these festive places open on Christmas Eve and even Christmas Day. So pair jeans with Jesus this year and hunker down with fun friends for a relaxing, decadent, cozy Christmas dinner and drinks.
Allen & Delancey
115 Allen St. (@ Delancey St.)
Lower East Side 212.253.5400
Baby, it’s cold outside, and there’s no better place to warm up the tummy than at this romantic and dimly lit Lower East Side hot spot. Say “Merry Christmas to me” as you snuggle up under the mistletoe and tuck into a shared plate of slow roasted pork belly.
Open Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
Le Singe Vert
60 Seventh Ave. (19th & 20th Sts.)
Chelsea 212-366-4100
Wish you were in sparkly Paris with Jean-Luc instead of slogging through tourist-clogged Times Square? Well joyeux Noël! Transport yourself to the Left Bank at this lively Chelsea institution that serves up bistro classics for a very Gallic Christmas right here in Gotham.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Zoë
90 Prince St. (Broadway & Mercer St.)
Soho 212-966-6722
Cozy up to the open kitchen and ogle the chefs as they prepare contemporary American cuisine just for you with a wink and a smile. Spot any fetching European strangers dining alone? Invite them to join you and let the reindeer games begin!
Open Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
CookShop
156 Tenth Ave. at 20th St
212-924-4440
Sustainable, seasonal, local, and artisanal are the catch phrases for this warm and friendly Chelsea spot that’s a very popular Christmas Eve destination. Kick off the festivities with a delicious Bourbon Cider cocktail or three and an order of spicy deviled eggs. Have the roast beast of the day and make sure you save room for the decadent sticky toffee pudding with eggnog ice cream.
Open Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
Café Cluny
284 W. 12th St. (@ W. 4th St.)
West Village 212.255.6900
Okay, never mind that there’s a giant bug sculpture on the ceiling in the back room, maybe they’ll put a Santa hat on it or drape it in tinsel or something. The point here is the charming Greenwich Village location, snug surroundings and tasty French Mediterranean fare that will make you think you are in a discreetly hip bistro in Bedford Falls.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Odeon
145 W. Broadway (Duane & Thomas Sts.)
Tribeca 212.233.0507
After all these years you can still walk into Odeon and know everyone around you will look fabulous thanks to the flattering lighting and classically stylish surroundings. Throw in solid French bistro fare and folks, we have a winner! If you’re lucky, maybe that Secret Santa you met at the bar will leave you something special in your stocking in the morning.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Savoy
70 Prince St. (at Crosby St.)
Soho 212.219.8570
Wood. Burning. Fireplace. Stop right there, that’s the ghost of Christmas present! Intimate is the word at this Soho spot that specializes in Mediterranean inflected American fare, most of it made in-house. They even serve honey from their own beehives.
Open Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day.
Chinatown Brasserie
380 Lafayette St. (@ Great Jones St.)
NoHo 212.533.7000
L’Chaim! Christmas Eve has long been one of the most popular days of the year at Shun Lee on the Upper West. Take the tradition downtown with Chinatown Brasserie, which serves up excellent Chinese, including dim sum all day long, in a chic atmosphere. Best of all, Union Square Stadium 14 is only blocks away.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
~Mary Connolly
