The holidays are upon us, and with it comes the inevitable rush. Whether it's choosing the perfect decorations or the right present, there's just so much to do. This year, take one thing off your list by leaving the cooking to the pros.
Below, we've rounded up a number of special offerings for the festive season in New York. From holiday menus and soirées to sweets and to-go meals, plus exclusive hotel packages, there's something for everyone.
Elevated American Chinese dishes at One MICHELIN Star Yingtao
This holiday season, from December 24—January 4, guests will have the opportunity to taste a specially curated holiday menu at Yingtao. Inspired by the tradition of dining at Chinese restaurants on Christmas, the new One MICHELIN Star will feature elevated takes on iconic American Chinese takeout dishes like fried rice (sea urchin, squid ink) and beef and broccoli (prime rib, peppercorns, oyster sauce). Those with a sweet tooth can look forward to their version of a fortune cookie, where instead of a fortune, you’ll find ube filling on the inside.
Get in a festive mood with Chef Daniel Boulud
Celebrate the holidays this year with One MICHELIN Star Café Boulud and One MICHELIN Star Daniel. Each restaurant will be decked out with festive decorations and holiday spirit, and all menus will feature elevated takes on holiday favorites.
For Christmas Eve, guests can expect a three-course menu ($175 per person, $75 for children under 10) at the newly minted Café Boulud, and a five-course menu ($495 per person, $325 for optional wine pairing) at Daniel.
New Year’s Eve will be split into two events: a Pre-Gala and New Year’s Eve Gala.
At Café Boulud, the Pre-Gala will consist of a three-course prix fixe menu ($180 per person, $80 per person for wine pairing). For the New Year’s Eve Gala, guests will have the choice between the same three-course prix fixe menu or a five-course chef’s tasting menu ($325 per person, $135 per person for wine pairing), which includes caviar and black and white truffle.
At Daniel, a three-course menu ($425 per person, $275 per person for wine pairing) for the Pre-Gala; and a six-course menu ($975 per person, $545 per person for wine pairing) for the New Year’s Eve Gala. Guests can also expect a three-piece band and DJ in the lounge.
Experience an Australian holiday at ACRU
This holiday season, ACRU will be bringing Australian holiday traditions to the Big Apple. On Christmas Eve, a late lunch ($145 per person, beverage pairing available for $105) and dinner ($165 per person, beverage pairing for $125) menu will be available. Inspired by Chef Daniel Garwood’s hometown of Tasmania, guests can expect dishes like pavlova & candy cane chocolate ripple cake, Australian-style damper bread, and dry-aged dairy cow.
On New Year’s Eve, ACRU will welcome in the new year with a nine-course tasting menu filled with iconic Australian ingredients, caviar, and truffles. There will be two seatings: early seating ($195 per person, beverage pairing available for $175) and late seating ($225 with caviar at midnight and an optional champagne toast).
Enjoy cozy classics at Two MICHELIN Key Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York
What’s better than a Christmas movie? One with a prix fixe menu from Chef Matthew Woolf (previously of the now shuttered MICHELIN Starred Sixteen in Chicago).
For the first time ever, Two MICHELIN Key Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York is opening their cinema to the public as a holiday experience. On December 22nd, those who purchase the Brasserie's prix fixe menu ($145 per person) will have the ability to attend a showing of Home Alone 2. Guests are invited to dine at 6:30 p.m. before the 8 p.m. showing, where chef-favorite movie snacks and soft drinks await.
Those at the Hôtel Barrière Fouquet's Paris can look forward to a French extravaganza for the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners, with plates like duck foie gras terrine, smoked salmon, and poached lobster. Guests can also enjoy a special firewood celebration on New Year's Eve.
On top of that, the hotel will also feature two limited-time creations (a seeded croustillant filled with timeless French flavors in the shape of a Yule wreath and an Epiphany cake decked with creamy gianduja ganache a hazelnut frangipane).
Celebrate 2025 with a disco-themed dinner
Whether it’s Hanukkah specials or a New Year’s Eve disco dinner, ring in the New Year with style at Motel Morris and chef Ian Coogan (previously of Altro Paradiso).
On December 24th, the institution will host a Christmas Eve lunch and dinner. Lunch will feature seasonal specials (oysters with crème fraîche and caviar, Mafaldine with crab) along with holiday cocktail specials (Jiminy Cricket, a peppermint bark inspired cocktail, and Jorquito, a secret family coquito recipe); whereas dinner will include classics (grilled wagyu and mashed potatoes and Farro Verde ‘Risotto’ with celery root and black truffles) and Christmas cookies.
On December 26th (the second day of Hanukkah), Motel Morris will be offering Latkes with pastrami-cured salmon, house made apple sauce, and sour cream.
For New Year’s, guests can expect a disco-themed evenings filled with classic American dishes with an American twist (lobster garganelli, whole roasted black sea bass), holiday cocktails, and oodles of fun.
Level up your holiday dinner with One MICHELIN Star Christmas Cakes
This Christmas, executive pastry chef Masaki Takahashi of One MICHELIN Star Restaurant Yuu will be crafting two exclusive Christmas Cakes at MOGMOG LIC, a Japanese specialty store in Long Island City.
Available for pre-order now, guests can pick between two options: an Amaou strawberry cake (Fukuoka’s Amaou strawberries, paired with light sponge and rich cream) and a Mont Blanc Cake with Japanese Chestnuts (velvety chestnuts, rich French butter, and smooth marron cream). Cakes will be available for pick-up on December 24th after 11AM.
Angie Mar and Le B is bringing back the Young Gormands Club
Inspired by her own upbringing, the Young Gormands Club is Angie Mar’s initiative to ignite and refine the palates of young food enthusiasts.
For New Year’s Eve, the offering will be available during early seating, with three courses ($95 for parents, $65 for children) that include black truffle and artichoke pizza, a selection of glacées and sorbets, and at least one tableside preparation. A six course option ($285) will also be available, and will include house signatures like the duckling royale and lobster blanquette.
Those that are night owls will want to look towards the late seating, where nine courses ($495) including a champagne greet and New Year’s Eve toast await.
Bar service ($150 per ticket) will also be available all night, and will feature fried chicken with a Georges Laval Jeroboam pairing. Mar’s famous forty-five-day dry aged angus blend ‘Le Burger’ will also be available on the a la carte menu.
Take a break from the holiday shopping with Michael Mina’s first restaurant in New York City
Tucked inside the JW Essex House New York Hotel is Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina’s (of Mina Brasserie) first venture in the Big Apple. Featuring a menu of quality steaks and wagyu, the restaurant is also home to a delicious dessert menu (bourbon flambéed Valrhona chocolate fondue with your choice of cookie dough, seasonal fruit, pastries and more; warm beignets, and basque bruléed cheesecake).
Aside from dinner, guests can also enjoy holiday carols from the New York Nightingales at the hotel lobby (December 12 and December 18, from 4:30–6:30 PM) and performances from Singing Santa and the local precision dance group (December 14, and December 20).
Omakase and Gourmet Takeout from One MICHELIN Star Jōji and Sister Spot Jōji Box
Celebrate the holiday season this year with omakase from One MICHELIN Star Jōji and sister takeaway/delivery sushi counter Jōji Box.
Tucked inside Grand Central Terminal, Jōji Box offers high quality sushi to-go, featuring a selection of freshly made omakase, chirashi, combination boxes, and curated sushi flights. All options are available exclusively for pickup and delivery, with the most expensive box coming in at $59.
Want a more traditional omakase experience instead? Then head on over to One MICHELIN Star Jōji, where curated experiences for each guest (returning guests are served a custom menu different from previous visits) and 90s hip-hop await.
Hotel Away from Home for the Holidays with Three MICHELIN Key Aman
This holiday season, the Aman is offering a special holiday package.
Celebrate the Season is available from Friday, November 29th-Thursday, January 12th. This package offers guests a two-night stay in a suite filled with holiday spirit, along with a $1,000 hotel credit usable for culinary and wellness offerings, and experiences on and off the property.
Christmas Cookies and Roasted Duck Wraps at 53
Not enough sweets for the holidays? Then visit the AMG (Altamarea Group) Bakeshop, where signature desserts like classic cookies from Ai Fiori, bespoke bonbons from Marea, and handmade pies from Osteria Morini await.
Pair your sweet tooth with something savory this Christmas with roasted duck wrap. Priced at $58, each wrap contains roasted duck, five spice hoisin cause, leek, and cucumbers.
Bib Gourmand C as in Charlie’s Holiday Beef Wellington
Starting December 23—31, C as in Charlie will offer their special holiday dish—a Beef Wellington. Dubbed “one of the hardest dishes to make,” this version features a filet mignon wrapped with a spring roll with pâté and duxelles, finished with bokbunja bordelaise.
Mexican Classics for Christmas Eve at Cosme
On Christmas Eve, Cosme and Chef Enrique Olvera will serve two deliciously festive Mexican classics. Available one night only, guests can expect a classic bacalao with house-made sourdough (Salted cod prepared Veracruzana style, featuring a blend of tomatoes, capers, olives, peppers, and potatoes) and buñuelos con miel y chocolate (Sweet and flaky bueñuelos drizzled with piloncillo syrup and paired with a rich chocolate sauce).
Ring in the New Year with One MICHELIN Star L'Abeille
In celebration of the quarter-century, One MICHELIN Star L'Abeille and Chef Mitsunobu Nagae will offer a special menu that takes inspiration from iconic, century-old dishes. Through creative interpretations and new ingredients, Chef Nagae has breathed new life into dishes like Paul Bocuse's fish en croûte, Régis Marcon's cassoulet, and Joël Robuchon's signature caviar and sea urchin.
Following in that spirit is beverage director David Bérubé’s wine program, where vintages and specially sourced magnums of Dom Pérignon 2000 and Krug 2000 take center stage.
Hero image: Miki Yamato / Holiday Cakes
