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North Jersey Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2025

1. Blue Morel – Morristown

Price range: Starts at $89.

Menu type: Pre-fixe. Upscale new American cuisine.

Why families love it: This contemporary farm-to-table restaurant serves a three-course holiday meal. This year's menu has delicious mains, including crispy gnocchi, beef filet, roasted halibut, and roasted chicken. Finish the meal with a bread pudding. Available Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Pro tip: Reservations can be booked via Open Table.

2. Fresco da Franco – Montclair

Price range: $25-50 for each plate.

Menu type: Authentic Italian Christmas Eve menu and Christmas Day menu or regular menu.

Why families love it: Fresco da Franco offers a special traditional feast of the seven fishes menu, plus its regular menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The seafood selection includes clams, mussels, calamari, scallops, and more. 

Pro tip: Reservations are strongly recommended.

3. Grand Cascades Lodge: Kites Restaurant and Crystal Tavern – Hamburg

Price range: $30-50 per adult entree.

Menu type: Contemporary American.

Why families love it: Have a budding New York Times food critic in your family? Then you might need to test out the creative culinary chops of the chefs in command at Crystal Springs Resort. Kites is offering its standard menu plus Christmas specials like scallops, prime rib, and veal. Crystal Tavern will also be open for dinner.

Pro tip: Reservations are required; call 866-976-7292 to book.

4. Mohawk House – Sparta

Price range: Splurge.

Menu type: Farm-to-table, three-course holiday menu. 

Why families love it: This grand country estate is decked out for the holiday season and ready to make all of your Christmas dining dreams a reality. Check your car with the valet and venture into one of the eight elegantly appointed, cozy, fireside dining rooms reminiscent of a charming ski chalet.

Pro tip: Make reservations early by calling 973-729-6464.

5. Sofia – Englewood

Price range: $25-100 for entrees

Menu type: Christmas brunch, then the all-day menu

Why families love it: Whether you want to go early for its special holiday brunch or prefer to dine out for dinner, you won’t be disappointed with this northern New Jersey hot spot. From seafood that’s flown in fresh daily to house-made pasta and sundry seasonal Italian creations, many cooked in a wood-burning oven, the food is out of this world. All you can wish for is some flurries to complete the picture, as the restaurant’s open-air concept and floor-to-ceiling windows usher in tons of natural light and a great view of downtown Englewood. 

Pro tip: Reservations can be booked online.

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Enjoy a historic holiday feel and new American cuisine at Metuchen Inn.

Where to Eat in Central Jersey on Christmas Day

6. Metuchen Inn – Metuchen

Price range: $30-50 per entree.

Menu type:  A la carte dinner menu.

Why families love it: Enjoy Christmas Day dinner at this restaurant that dates back to 1843. In years past, the Christmas menu included appetizers, salads, seared fish, Italian dishes, delectable desserts, and more. 

Pro tip: Call for holiday reservations: 732-494-6444.

7. Benihana – Cherry Hill, Short Hills

Price range: $30-50

Menu type: Japanese hibachi and entrees.

Why families love it: If hibachi sounds like a fun alternative to the traditional Christmas dinner, you're in luck! Many Benihana locations are open on Christmas Day.

Pro tip:  Contact the location nearest you for availability and reservations.

RELATED: Where to Have Breakfast with Santa in New Jersey

Have an early Christmas dinner at the beautiful Lambertville Station. 

8. Lambertville Station – Lambertville

Price range: $85 for anyone over 11 and $45 for kids ages 6-10.

Menu type: Family buffet

Why families love it: The Lambertville Station's Christmas dinner includes selections like glazed ham, leg of lamb, lemon herb salmon, a sundae bar, and more. 

Pro tip: Call for reservations, 609-397-8300.

9. Orchard Park – East Brunswick

Price range: $98 per person over 12 and $55 per child 12 and under

Menu type: Family buffet

Why families love it: On Christmas Day, David Burke’s restaurant at the Chateau Grand Hotel offers a special three-course prix fixe menu with celebratory festive dishes. This year’s menu includes winter truffle mushroom risotto, crab cake, baked oysters, prime rib, duck, beef Wellington, and more.

Pro tip:  Reserve your table early.

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Congress Hall in Cape May delights guests with Christmas decor.

South Jersey and Jersey Shore Restaurants Open on Christmas Day

10. Verona – Haddonfield

Price range: $20-40.

Menu type: Dinner menu.

Why families love it: Specializing in Southern Italian and Sicilian cuisine, Verona's Christmas Day menu is full of cozy comforts, including fried calamari, lobster ravioli, and chicken Parmesan.

Pro tip: Reservations are not required but are strongly recommended and can be booked online.

11. Congress Hall – Cape May

Price range: $89 per adult, $39 per child. Kids 3 and younger eat for FREE.

Menu type: Family buffet.

Why families love it: Leave the Christmas cooking to the chefs at Congress Hall this year for a beautiful dinner in the ballroom. In past years, this delicious buffet menu has featured ham, buttery mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and more. 

12. Carmine's – Atlantic City

Price range: $120-160 for the table

Menu type: Italian food served family style.

Why families love it: Serving large portions of classic family-style Jersey Italian Christmas on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Carmine's will be serving its regular menu as well as specials such as Piccata-style salmon and Rack of Lamb at an additional cost. 

Pro tip: Make reservations online. 

13. Amici Restaraunt – Cherry Hill

Price range: $70-90 for the set menu, $30-40 per a la carte entree. 

Menu type: Options include a set four-course meal, a la carte, and the children's menu. 

Why families love it: For both classic Italian meals and traditional holiday favorites, Amici is a lovely little BYOB that will be open on Christmas Day. 

Pro tip: Be sure to make reservations well in advance. 

What to Know Before Dining Out on Christmas Day in NJ

Definitely try to make plans early. Some restaurants get booked weeks in advance, so try to make reservations well before the big day. Holiday menus are sometimes limited, so if you have a picky eater, be sure to preview the menu and ask about options for kids and special diets.

Many spots serve special brunch or early dinner hours, which are great for little ones. And, expect to wait a bit between when you order and when the food arrives. Try to bring plenty of quiet activities and games to occupy little ones.

Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Meal Out with Kids

• Pack some activities and games (or even small gifts) for kids. Or check out our list of dinner games, many of which require no prep at all!
• Choose earlier seating for shorter waits.
• Ask about allergy-friendly options or kids’ portions on set menus. Consider ordering a kid-friendly side or appetizer as soon as you're seated to keep little ones busy.

FAQs for Dining Out on Christmas Day with Kids in New Jersey

Q: Do any Christmas Day restaurants offer kids’ menus?
Yes! Be sure to ask about options for kids.

Q: Are restaurants open for Christmas brunch or dinner?
Yes, many restaurants are open for brunch, dinner, or both.

Q: Do I need to make reservations for Christmas Day dining?
Many restaurants get booked up, so you'll definitely want to call for reservations.

Q: What’s the average price for Christmas dinner at restaurants in NJ?
Expect to pay around $40-50 per person or more.

Q: Are fast-casual or chain restaurants open on Christmas?
Hours may vary by location, but Wendy's, McDonald's, Perkins, Seasons 52, Dunkin', and others are open on Christmas. 

Photos courtesy of the restaurants

Originally published in 2017.