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North Jersey Restaurants Open Christmas Day

1. Blue Morel – Morristown

This contemporary farm-to-table restaurant serves a three-course holiday meal. This year's menu has delicious mains, including crispy gnocchi, beef loin, roasted halibut, and roasted chicken. Finish the meal with a sweet coffee crumb cake. Reservations can be booked via Open Table.

2. Fresco da Franco – Montclair

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. Reservations are strongly recommended.

3. Grand Cascades Lodge – Hamburg

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. A three-course, prix fixe menu or limited a la carte options are available. Reservations are required; call 866-976-7292 to book.

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4. Mohawk House – Sparta

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. Sit back and enjoy the three-course holiday menu. Make reservations early by calling 973-729-6464.

5. Sofia – Englewood

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. Reservations can be booked online.

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

Central Jersey Restaurants Open Christmas Day

6. Metuchen Inn – Metuchen

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

7. Benihana – Edison, Short Hills

If hibachi sounds like a fun alternative to the traditional Christmas dinner, you're in luck! Many Benihana locations are open on Christmas Day. Contact the location nearest you for reservations.

Have an early Christmas dinner at the beautiful Lambertville Station. 

8. Lambertville Station – Lambertville

The Lambertville Station's Christmas dinner includes selections like holiday ham, a rack of New Zealand lamb, roast duck, and more. Call for reservations, 609-397-8300.

9. Orchard Park – East Brunswick

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 green salad, lobster dumplings, butternut squash ravioli with lobster, Christmas duck, beef Wellington, and more. Reserve your table now.

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Congress Hall in Cape May delights guests with Christmas decor.

South Jersey and Jersey Shore Restaurants Open Christmas Day

10. Verona – Haddonfield

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

11. Congress Hall – Cape May

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. Kids 3 and younger eat for FREE.

12. Carmine's – Atlantic City

Serving large portions of classic family-style Jersey Italian Christmas on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Carmine's will be serving their regular menu as well as specials such as Piccata-style salmon and Rack of Lamb at an additional cost. Make reservations online. 

13. Amici Restaraunt – Cherry Hill

For both classic Italian meals and traditional holiday favorites, Amici is a lovely little BYOB that will be open on Christmas Day. The restaurant offers a set four-course meal and has offered a children's menu in previous years. Be sure to make reservations well in advance. 

Photos courtesy of the restaurants

Originally published in 2017.