Unforgettable Holiday Dining
Experiences in New Jersey

Guide to the best NJ winter Holiday dining restaurants

Listed here are the best New Jersey Holiday Dining Restaurants selected for their outstanding food and holiday ambiance and are open for Thanksgiving, New Years Eve, and some for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

These restaurants are known to offer one or more amenities that are valued at a family special occasion including; food, decor, ambiance, and attentive and friendly service. .

While restaurants sometimes change their Holiday opening dates on Thanksgiving & Christmas, it's recommended that you call if the holiday you are interested is not listed.


Northern New Jersey Holiday Dining Favorites

1776 David Burke Restaurant

1776 by David Burke
Morristown, NJ
Owned and operated by co-partner and acclaimed chef David Burke, they serve a well executed modern American Cuisine menu, with a vibrant bar scene set in a modern, upscale, open air main dinning room. An added amenity for golf enthusiasts is the six co-located Top Golf Suites.
Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve & New years Day.

Adega Grill Restaurant

Adega Grill
Newark, NJ
Adega Grill is not your typical Spanish - Portuguese Ironbound restaurant noted for their glitz, flashing neon lights, and packed crowds who have come for the huge potions of food. Overall, it's one the best fine dining experiences in the Ironbound section of Newark.
They are open seven days/week, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve & New Year's Day.

Antyhony David's Restaurant

Anthony David's
Hoboken, NJ
Anthony David's is an Hoboken institution and a neighborhood's trattoria in the Italian tradition. Owned and operated by acclaimed chef Anthony Pino, they are open Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, & New Year's Day

blue Morel Restaurant

Blue Morel
Morristown, NJ
Serves a well-executed menu. Popular with health conscious diners who enjoy a menu of smaller portions, and fresh, local ingredients. They are open Thanksgiving, New Years Eve, Easter, and Mothers Day

Chart House Restaurant

Chart House
Weehawken, NJ
Offers an awesome scenic view of the waterfront and the NYC skyline from any table in the house.
Open seven days/week, all major holidays including Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Chez Catherine Restaurant

Chez Catherine
Westfield, NJ
This French restaurant is as close as you can find to a taste of France in New Jersey. They are open on Thanksgiving Day and serve a traditional Thanksgiving turkey menu.

Crystal Springs Resort Restaurant

 Crystal Springs Resort - Holiday Dining
Vernon, NJ
This upscale family resort in the Kittatinny mountains offers several restaurant choices for Thanksgiving, & New Year's eve, & New Year's day dining. Spend the weekend and experience cozy accommodations at your choice of two stylish hotels, endless activities for all ages, live entertainment ---- and world-class holiday dining

Fresco da Franco Restaurant

 Fresco Da Franco
Montclair, NJ
This upscale Italian restaurant serves excellent traditional Italian Dinners. They are open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve & New Years Day

Grain House Restaurant, Basking Ridge, NJ. A dining review

Grain House Restaurant  At the Olde Mill Inn
Basking Ridge, NJ
The Grain House was the original "Inn" from 1930 to 1977 with its historical theme and colonial charm surrounded in rich woods, striking hearths and richly beamed ceilings. Open on Thanksgiving. and Easter. 

Ho Hokus Inn, NJ. Restaurant review

 The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
The Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern is an historic Circa 1796 restaurant listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They serve a well-executed menu. Open
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve.


Ninety Acres Restaurant

Ninety Acres
Peapack, NJ
located in the Natirar Resort & Spa, in the mountains of Peapack in the Carriage House and Garage from the estate of the late Moroccan King Hassan II. Their well executed menu uses local "fresh farm to table" produce and livestock products. They are open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, & New Year's Eve.

Rails Steakhouse Restaurant

 Rails Steakhouse
Towaco, NJ
Rails Steakhouse is a special occasion, destination steakhouse with stunning rustic upscale ambiance. They are an ideal spot to celebrate a special occasion with family or friends.
They are open Thanksgiving serving a traditional Thanksgiving menu, and Christmas Eve & New Years Eve with a special holiday dinner.

Restaurant Serenade

 Restaurant Serenade
Chatham, NJ
Restaurant Serenade is a high end, destination - special occasion restaurant rated as one of the top Northern New Jersey restaurants. Serves a well-executed European/French influenced menu. Open for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve & New Year's Day.

Sofia Restaurant

Sofia
Englewood, NJ
A chic Italian Steakhouse & nightlife venue with one of NJ's few indoor smoking licenses. Smoking is allowed in their ventilated speakeasy-style cigar lounge and bar, separate from its main dining room. They are open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve & New Year's Day.

Ventanas Restaurant

 Ventanas @ The Modern
Fort Lee, NJ
Ventanas @ The Modern is a popular high- end, trendy restaurant, and a "clubby" late-night dining and dancing destination.
They are also open on Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. During the holidays, decorations are festive.

Waterside Restaurant

Waterside Restaurant
North Bergen, NJ
A destination restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out directly across the river at the Manhattan skyline. Open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & New Years Eve.


Central New Jersey Holiday Dining Favorites

Avenue Restaurant, Long Branch, NJ

Avenue
Long Branch, NJ
Located in the Pier Village section, popular with diners who enjoy good food with upscale, energetic, trendy ambiance in a Jersey shore beach front setting.
Open on Thanksgiving with a special menu.

Drifthouse by David Burke Restaurant

Drifthouse by David Burke
Sea Bright, NJ
Offers dining in an high end chic atmosphere, serving inspirational dishes prepared with fresh, quality ingredients, and panoramic ocean & sunset views.
Open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, & New Years Eve.

Frog and Peach Restaurant

 Frog And The Peach
New Brunswick, NJ
The Frog and the Peach restaurant is a New Brunswick mainstay that continues to improve and attract patrons willing to splurge on a fine dining experience. They are open on Thanksgiving Day serving a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with roasted free range turkey, Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve.

Lambertville Station Restaurant

Lambertville Station
Lambertville, NJ
Popular with diners who are visiting Lambertville and are looking for good traditional American food, convenient parking, and a scenic Lambertville experience.
Open for Brunch and dinner on Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve with a special NYE Gala Dinner & New Years day

Laurea Restaurant, Princeton, NJ

Laurea
Princeton, NJ
Laurea is a beautiful restaurant situated in the open-spaced atrium of Hyatt Regency Hotel. A high end, upscale, restaurant with a modern look serves
well prepared contemporary Italian cuisine.
Open on Thanksgiving serving a special Thanksgiving menu, and New Years Eve.

Metuchen Inn Restaurant

Metuchen Inn
Metuchen, NJ
The Metuchen Inn features old world dining in an elegant setting. Located in a circa 1843 restored old mansion, the restaurant is popular with diners out to celebrate a special occasion with old world, formal ambiance. They are open for holiday dining on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve. Holiday decorations enhance the atmosphere.

Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank, NJ

Molly Pitcher Inn
Red Bank, NJ
The Molly pitcher Inn is an historic landmark restaurant, located on the bank of the Navesink River.
The serve special holiday dinners on Christmas Eve & New Years Eve, with a special buffet brunch on Christmas Day
The Molly Pitcher Inn is open Christmas Eve, New Years Eve & New Year's Day.

Orchard Park by David Burke Restaurant

Orchard Park by David Burke 
East Brunswick, NJ
Located in the Chateau Grand Hotel, the kitchen is run by acclaimed chef David Burke. The attractive decor and ambiance includes an illuminated red salt brick wall and a massive fine-handcrafted wooden wall, with a spacious dining room, and bar/lounge with a 1,500 bottle wine room.
Open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve serving a special A la Carte Menu, and on Christmas Day serving a special Three Course Prix Fixe menu.

rats Restaurant

Rats
Hamilton Township, NJ
The romantic restaurant is located on the Grounds for Sculpture park providing a scenic background for an out of the ordinary, romantic dining experience. The grounds are attractively developed along the lines a small European village. The interior has five dining rooms adorned with original artwork, and fireplaces.
They are open for winter holiday dining on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, & New Years Eve.

Red Horse By David Burke Restaurant

Red Horse by David Burke
Rumson, NJ
Located in a Victorian mansion, formerly the highly rated acclaimed Fromagerie restaurant, Red Horse by David Burke is a Modern-American Steakhouse and sushi bar. Highly acclaimed Chef David Burke serves a well-executed high-end gourmet menu.
Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve & New years Day, serving special holiday menus.

salt Creek Grill, Rumson, NJ

Salt Creek Grille
Rumson, NJ
The setting on the banks of the Navesink river is the scene for stunning waterfront views. The interior is glowing with ambiance. There are dimly lit booths with softly glowing lanterns, and window seats overlooking the Navesink.
Open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, and New Years Day.

Scarborough Fair Restaurant

Scarborough Fair
Sea Girt, NJ
Scarborough Fair is a charming, romantic restaurant, set in a restored farmhouse, serving dishes prepared with healthy, locally sourced ingredients.
During holiday seasons the restaurant is attractively decorated, complete with soft string lighting. The decorations are especially attractive during Valentine's Day and Christmas.
Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and Valentine's Day.

sirena Restaurant

 Sirena Ristorante
Long Branch, NJ
Sirena Ristorante is a classical Italian restaurant with lots of ambiance and awesome, scenic oceanfront/beach views.
Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, & New Year's Day.

perch at the Peacock Inn, Princeton, NJ

The Perch at The Peacock Inn
Princeton, NJ
Located in a charming Eighteenth century mansion B & B, It's an "Old World" fine dining restaurant popular with diners who come to celebrate a special occasion or a romantic dining experience. They are open for the winter holidays on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve & New Year's day.


Southern New Jersey Holiday Dining Favorites

blue Pig Tavern, Cape May, NJ

Blue Pig Tavern
Cape May, NJ
The Blue Pig Tavern in Cape May's Historic Congress Hall Seaside Resort, serves a menu prepared with fresh ingredients from their own nearby farm. Set in an 1800's historic hotel, it's especially cozy in the colder winter months with the warmth and glow from their large wood burning fireplace.
They are open on Thanksgiving serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & New Years Eve.

Carmine's restaurant, Atlantic City, NJ

Carmine's Restaurant
The Quarter at the Tropicana
Atlantic City, NJ
Popular with diners, especially in large groups, who enjoy red sauce traditional Italian food served in huge portions.
Open 7 days/week and on holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve & New Years Day.

Deauville Inn, NJ

 Deauville Inn
Strathmere, NJ
Located on the bay side of Corson's Inlet with scenic waterfront and sunset views, the Deauville Inn is a casual yet upscale restaurant with 1920s and '30s nostalgia.
They are open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, & New years Eve.

Ebbitt Room, Cape May, NJ

Ebbitt Room
Cape May, NJ
One of Cape May's top restaurants, located in the Virginia Hotel, this fine dining restaurant is open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Year's Day.

McCormicks and Schmicks, Cape May, NJ

 McCormick and Schmick's Seafood & Steaks
Atlantic City, NJ
This seafood restaurant is a high end national chain and a good place to celebrate a special holiday occasion or for a romantic dinner. They are open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Old Homestead Steakhouse, Atlantic City, NJ

 Old Homestead
Atlantic City, NJ
The Old Homestead in the Borgata Hotel is popular with diners looking to celebrate a special occasion and high rollers who are looking for the highest grade of beef in a big-time atmosphere.
Open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

River Winds restaurant, NJ

River Winds
West Deptford, NJ
One of Gloucester County's most upscale restaurants, known as the go-to place in southwest Jersey for scenic waterfront views of the south Phiily skyline.
It's "Old World" upscale ambiance, and prices that won't break the bank. They are open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve

Seaview Hotel Restaurant, NJ

 Seaview Hotel and Golf Club
Galloway, NJ
The grand main dining room is upscale, formal, yet inviting with an intimate touch for a luxurious dining experience.
Amenities at the resort include 18 holes of golf, heated indoor pool, fire pits, and John Madden games in the lobby bar and lounge.
Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New years Eve, & New Years Day. Overnight accommodations are available in Seaview's 296 guest rooms and 16 suites.

verona Ristorante, NJ

Verona Ristorante
141 Kings Highway East
Haddonfield, NJ
Verona Ristorante is a classic Italian restaurant serving a well-executed southern Italian Menu in a romantic setting. They are also open on major dining holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.