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Jingle Jangle at Pier 17 offers Manhattan's only roof-top ice skating rink, festive drinks, and a cozy atmosphere.

Family-Friendly Restaurants with Over-the-Top Decor for Holiday Dining in NYC

1. Jingle Jangle at Pier 17 – South Street Seaport

Brought to life by the gang behind The Dead Rabbit, iconic holiday pop-up Jingle Jangle has taken over The Rooftop at Pier 17, bringing plenty of festive cheer. The magic of the season really shines at this seasonal pop-up, which features Manhattan's only rooftop ice-skating rink, delicious seasonal dishes, and kitsch-themed cocktails served in a setting brimming with over-the-top holiday décor. As you sip and skate, enjoy a Christmas soundtrack filled with all your favorite festive hits, making this an unforgettable holiday experience you won’t want to miss.
Kids love: Ice skating high above the city with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the cozy glass cottages, and the french fries!
Parents love: The craft cocktails—don’t miss the signature Jangle All The Way—and sipping them in comfort while the kids skate. If splurging on a glass cottage is too much, sit inside at The Tavern while the kids skate.

2. Oscar Wilde – Flatiron District

Oscar Wilde is a one-of-a-kind venue that seamlessly blends history with extravagant decor. Inside, you'll find a treasure trove of unique artifacts, including the Irish Writer's Wall, an 1840s French fireplace, and New York City's longest bar, which stretches an impressive 118 1/2 feet. The eclectic collection also features a Victorian Gothic lamp, Hope Castle paneling, and 26 antique clocks, each set to 1:50—the time of Wilde's death. Take a picture surrounded by polar bears before you walk into this iconic Victorian-era restaurant decorated lavishly with Christmas ornaments. You don’t have to sit at the bar with the kids, there are numerous tables.
Kids will love: Spotting the clocks and noshing on its trio of sliders.
Parents love: The Christmas-themed cocktails like Mama Claus Is Coming to Town

RELATED: Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free in NYC

Santa’s Winter Wonderland by Watermark is filled with photo-ops and home to a kid-friendly game room. Photo by Jody Mercier

3. Santa’s Winter Wonderland – South Street Seaport

Step into a magical winter wonderland filled with dazzling decorations, glowing trees, and plenty of festive games and activities for the whole family at Santa's Winter Wonderland. You can snack with Santa seven days a week, enjoy a full holiday meal, or even sit in Santa’s sleigh for a photo-op with the glistening Brooklyn Bridge as your backdrop. Write a letter to Santa, play in Rudolph's game room, toast marshmallows at Santa’s s'mores station, steal a kiss under the mistletoe (while your kids say ewwww!), and so much more. Be sure to book your reservations in advance.
Kids love: The mini carousel surrounded by decorated trees, playing in Rudoph’s Game Room, the s’mores station, and free hot chocolate.
Parents love: The boozy hot chocolate, daily Santa sightings, and adorable holiday pictures of the kiddos.

4. Lillie’s Victorian Establishment – Times Square and Union Square

Lillie’s Victorian Establishment is often described as the most beautiful Christmas restaurant in NYC. Both locations are decorated sumptuously with gorgeous holiday decor. The Times Square location is a wonder of white flowers and glowing white lights with hints of red bows here and there, while Union Square is awash in red poinsettias and colorful retro-Victorian era ornaments. Step out of the crowds at either location and be transported to the calm sophistication of the Victorian era.
Kids love: The treats of afternoon tea (Times Square only), the spectacular desserts, and the polar bear.
Parents love: The themed cocktails, the sophisticated surroundings, and learning the story of feminist Lillie Langtry. Check out the history page!

RELATED: Breakfast with Santa in NYC

 Rolf’s German Restaurant is perhaps the most well-known destination for Christmas dining in NYC.

5. Rolf’s German Restaurant – Kips Bay

Stepping into Rolf’s is like walking into a Christmas wonderland. Picture hundreds of thousands of twinkling Christmas lights, plus thousands of ornaments and icicles carefully draped to cover every inch of this restaurant. Kids enjoy spotting the porcelain dolls and countless other holiday treasures nestled among the ornaments. Amaze and entertain the kids with facts about the decor: The decorations are designed by five artists, with every detail hand-crafted over three months. There are more than 200,000 lights illuminating the space and many of the ornaments are vintage antiques. The overall vibe evokes a Victorian-era, turn-of-the-century Christmas ambiance.
Kids love: Spotting the dolls and the overwhelming amount of decorations.
Parents love: The German food, plentiful drinks, and the screen-free entertainment of the decor.

6. SERRA by Birreria – Flatiron District

If you are visiting The Lego Store or the Harry Potter New York and looking for a more sophisticated Christmas experience, head to this rooftop restaurant at Eataly. Head for the elevator near the checkout, when you emerge at the top floor and walk up another flight of stairs, you’re transported to a lush restaurant with greenery, fairy lights, and a towering Christmas tree in the center.
Kids love: Pasta and the novelty of rooftop dining.
Parents love: Lush cocktails and a sophisticated menu.

7. Papillon – Midtown East

After a day of strolling along Fifth Avenue to see the holiday windows and Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, pop into Papillon for even more over-the-top decor. This French restaurant is like walking into the North Pole with sumptuous decorations everywhere. Be sure to take your time walking up the staircase to the dining room so you can eye all the glittering details. Be forewarned: Reservations are hard to come by during the busy season.
Kids love: Noshing on mozzarella sticks under the mistletoe.
Parents love: The Christmas-themed cocktails.

RELATED: 20 Iconic Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC

Leyenda's outdoor snow globe experience offers a kid-pleasing setup for festive dining.

8. Leyenda – Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

If you are looking for something more off-the-beaten-path, check out the Carroll Gardens favorite, Leyenda. Walking in find the restaurant ceiling decorated with all kinds of glittering baubles. You can even find a Hanukkah corner and a Kwanzaa corner! Walk to the backyard and you're greeted with a charming snow globe. Inside, find cozy tables for two fully outfitted with a heat lamp, snuggly white fur throws on the chairs and blankets to wrap around your shoulders while you sip your drinks and crunch your chips. Decor abounds in the garden snow globe, including an inflatable Grinch and a North Pole sign. This location is perfect for a mommy-and-me holiday hang. Make a date for just the two of you, as I did, or grab a bunch of your mom friends and stage a group outing. While you're in the neighborhood, hit favorite local businesses for gifts. Books Are Magic and Dear Dreamer are both just steps away.
Kids love: The over-the-top snow globe garden, the snuggly blankets, and the chips and guac!
Parents love: Staying in the neighborhood, fabulous themed cocktails, and James Beard-nominated pan-Latin food.

9. Grinchy’s at Roberta’s – Bushwick, Brooklyn

Head to one of the best pizza places in all of New York City and find your way to the Grinchy’s holiday pop-up. You’ll find thousands of Christmas lights, painted scenes from your favorite Christmas movies, and holiday movies playing on the big screen TV. Often described as walking into an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest, you’ll definitely fit right in if you choose to don one. A word of caution: This setup is in the tiki bar, so plan to go early in the day. Food is served.
Kids love: The lights, the Christmas movies, and the unbelievable pizza.
Parents love: The authentic vibe, the cocktails, and the unbelievable pizza!

10. Tavern on the Green – Central Park

For a sophisticated splurge during the holidays, take the family to Tavern on the Green at the heart of Central Park. There are darling little touches throughout the restaurant and a sumptuously decorated tree in the center of the courtyard.
Kids love: The kids' menu with sliders and grilled cheese!
Parents love: The historic location, snapping an iconic photo with the tree, and the elevated menu.

If you can't get enough ice cream, Pinkmas at the Museum of Ice Cream is the holiday pop-up for you! Photo courtesy of the Museum of Ice Cream

11. Pinkmas at Museum of Ice Cream – Soho

Sure, it's not a sit-down meal (or even a restaurant!), but we have to mention the Museum of Ice Cream, which celebrates the holiday season in a big way with its Pinkmas—a sweet, pink-hued, winter wonderland that transforms the space into a festive celebration of all things delicious. From mid-November through the New Year, a magical forest of pink trees fills the museum, setting the stage for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Expect limited-time installations, exclusive speakeasy menu items, and holiday-inspired treats like cocoa blizzard sundaes, vanilla bliss ice cream cones, and endless swirls of cotton candy. Plus, get into the Pinkmas spirit with fun activities like ornament decorating, holiday temporary tattoos, and more. It’s the sweetest way to celebrate the season!
Kids love: The unlimited ice cream and the interactive exhibits.
Parents love: The cocktails, the holiday vibe, and the kids running off all of the sugar they’re eating.

Unless noted, photos by the author