Tis the season for baubles, tinsel, ornaments and lights.
And that means restaurants are going all out to deck their halls, allowing you to eat (and drink) amid jolly Santas, twinkling lights and glittery ornaments.
A variety of spots in Westchester and Rockland — as well as Manhattan (the queen of holiday decor) — make December dining magical, enabling you to feast amid fragrant spruces, hanging icicles, festive bows, flickering candles and often, jolly Santas. A sampling of spots serving holiday cheer in more ways than one follows, including info on Manhattan restaurants worth the trip.
Most places are open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, with some open Christmas Day, so call and check ‒ and make reservations soon.
Westchester
Talk about a feast for your eyes! This Italian favorite has been charming diners for 36 years with its over-the-top, animated, Disney-like landscapes — filled with Santas, reindeer (Rudolph is here!), elves, nutcrackers, ornaments, trinkets, toy soldiers, and trees.
Owner Lou Gigante Jr. said they add to the decorations every year, and this season have added more to their outside area where you’ll find ice skating penguins at the restaurant’s small pond.
Inside, there’s always something new to see, whether it’s a newspaper boy (my personal fave) shouting the day’s exclusives, a woman selling “mistletoe and matches”, a sleeping Santa or a Mulino’s gingerbread house.
There’s simply no other place like it, giving it bucket-list status.
The restaurant, known for it cold seafood platter, pasta, and meats, is open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. And, to keep the holiday cheer going, the decorations stay up until the end of January. And PS there are a few menorahs as well. Happy Holidays: 99 Court St., 914-761-1818. mulinosny.com.
Cue the giant ornament balls, glittery lights and party atmosphere.
There’s always a celebratory vibe at Sergio’s where the bar is forever hopping and a line of patrons seem to be forever cueing by the door. No worries though, there’s plenty of room at this welcoming Italian restaurant where a complimentary bowl of multi-colored olives, house-made breads, and plate of cheeses arrives before you’ve opened your menu.
The cuisine is Northern Italian, with house-made pastas, steaks, and chops, veal and chicken martinis, as well as a variety of specials. Happy Holidays: 25 S. Regent St., 914-881-3220, sergiosofportchester.com.
The Horsefeather’s dining room in Tarrytown takes decorating to a different level. Photographed Dec. 2024
If you’ve been here for Halloween, you know this restaurant takes the spirit of decorating seriously. Come the holidays, it’s a similar vibe with hanging lights, ribbons and and always inventive cocktails like the Naughty Frosty served in an oversized snowman’s mug filled with a spiked vanilla milkshake. Happy Holidays: 94 N Broadway, 914-631-6606, horsefeathersny.com.
Enjoy an extra dash of holiday pizazz at this local favorite where a nine-foot Santa stands outside. Inside, there are three 11 foot decorated Christmas trees alongside oversized candy canes, gingerbread men, ribbons and lights, transforming this lively Irish pub into a holiday marvel.
Now in its 30th year, the restaurant, with three fireplaces, is known for being open 365 days a year meaning you can enjoy Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and/or New Year’s Eve as well as New Year’s Day. Mark your calendars for Dec. 24 when, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Santa stops by with gifts for children. Decorations stay up until Jan. 8 giving you plenty of time to take in the holiday spirit. Happy Holidays: 890 McLean Ave., 914-776-2946, rorydolans.com.
Two decorated fireplaces and an abundance of lights makes this Northern Westchester eatery sparkle each season. Owner Michael Lubic said they went “over the top” this year as in they should’ve bought stock in HomeGoods and Home Depot. Diners can expect more lights, more stockings, and more trees, both inside and out. They are open Christmas Eve for catering and dinner. Another recommendation? The Christmas Mule cocktail, ginger beer, cranberries, apple, cinnamon and vodka. Happy Holidays: 11 Old Tomahawk St., 914- 248-7200, traditions118restaurant.com.
Since opening in 2013, Fortina in Armonk has embraced the holiday season with nostalgic decor. It’s the exterior that really shines — and makes for fun moments as young children love seeing the lit-up Santa’s, snowmen and candy canes that dot the restaurant’s entrance. The holiday magic continues until mid-January. Happy Holidays: 17 Maple Ave., 914-273-0900, fortinapizza.com.
Rockland
This family-owned restaurant is all about creating a cozy atmosphere where you can relax, enjoy, and indulge in new foods and old favorites. Along with their three fireplaces, guests will find oversized ornaments hanging from the ceiling, an array of red poinsettias, wreaths on windows, lots of lights and, at the bar, a large gold nutcracker and sequined Christmas gift boxes. Of course there’s also the soothing background of holiday music. They are open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with special hours for both those days. And, for the first time during the short Christmas week, they’ll be open for Monday dinner service on December 23. Happy Holidays:15 Kings Hwy, 845-398-0200, il-fresco.com.
Any place with a working fireplace is a win in our books — and this place has four! A cozy spot that dates to Colonial times, it’s not only filled with history — it’s more than 300-years-old — it’s decked out in in finery for the holidays. Happy Holidays: 110 Main St., Tappan, 845-359-5476, 76house.com.
Worth the trip to Manhattan
Delmonico’s in New York City is a must-visit during the holidays. Photographed Dec. 2024
Expect a crowd — but it’s worth it just to dine (or drink!) — at this 160-year-old tavern where strands of red lights hang from the bar’s ceiling. You’ll also find an abundance of garlands and wreaths as well as animated holiday villages tucked into the restaurant’s windows. Unsure you can make the trip? No worries: the decorations stay up until Jan. 15. Happy Holidays: 129 E. 18th St., 212-473-7676, petestavern.com.
Lights, lights and more lights await you at Rolf’s which has been pleasing diners for years, not only with its schnitzel and mulled wines, but with its over-the-top Christmas decorations and antique ornaments.
Approximately 150,000 glass ornaments hang from the ceiling of this Alsatian-German restaurant where literally every square space is filled with hundreds of porcelain dolls, wreaths, artificial fir trees, garlands, ribbons, and other festive bits and pieces, evoking an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas.
Even better: The holiday spirit continues until the end of January. Just make a reservation to make sure you get a seat. Happy Holidays: 281 Third Ave., 212-473-8718, rolfsnyc.com.
You can’t help but be dazzled walking into this Central Park icon where the decorations are both inside and outside.Along with the gingerbread replica of the landmark restaurant, you’ll find evergreen boughs, seasonal flower arrangements, lots of lights and sparkling Christmas trees in every room, including a giant tree in the central courtyard. Happy Holidays: Central Park West at 67th St., 212-877-8684, tavernonthegreen.com.
Delmonico’s, a historic New York City establishment known for many firsts — the first to use the term restaurant, the first to have a cookbook, the first to serve women sitting at their own table, without men, etc. — doesn’t have over-the-top decor but it does have understated elegance, as well as a rich history. After after closing its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 it’s now back, full renovated and better than ever with an experience-driven, modern design that pays homage to its 186-year legacy. There’s no better place for American classics such as Baked Alaska, Lobster Newberg, and the Delmonico steak. Happy Holidays: 56 Beaver St. 212-381-1237, theoriginaldelmonicos.com.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Guide to Westchester, Rockland, NYC restaurants decorated for holidays