During the holiday season, it can be easy to get overwhelmed at the sheer quantity of events and dining experiences on offer in New York City. You might find yourself panicking at the thought of choosing the perfect New Year’s Eve party to attend, or perhaps you decided to stay in the city for Christmas or Hanukkah and skip the usual family feast, but still want to enjoy your Réveillon… minus the clean-up. So here is our shortlist of French restaurants in New York where you can celebrate Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or simply a cozy winter afternoon as we close out 2024.
Bar Blondeau
Bar Blondeau, whose incredible views of the Manhattan skyline make it a Williamsburg favorite, has a couple of unique dining options to enjoy this holiday season. The first is their Holiday Tea, which will be offered every Sunday in December from 1 pm to 4 pm, and includes hard-to-find Champagnes and cocktails that highlight local NYC distillers, alongside specialty teas and elegant small bites. Think: Cream Puffs and mini Lemon Tarts, plus savory bites such as Anchovy Toast with Calabrian chili and parsley, and Smoked Salmon Toast with roe, chervil, and pickled onion.
Bar Blondeau will also be hosting a New Year’s Eve Party on December 31st, from 9 pm to 1 am, with the theme, ‘A Night in Casablanca.’ For $295 per person (gratuity included), guests will have access to an open bar with fabulous cocktails, Champagne, of course, and hors d’oeuvres like Au Poivre Sliders, Fried Chicken with Caviar, and Oysters and Prawns. Book on Resy now.
Bar Blondeau at Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Avenue 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Grand Brasserie
If you’re trying to convince your Westchester commuter friends to venture into the city for New Year’s Eve, look no further than Grand Brasserie. This larger-than-life recent addition to the Grand Central dining scene is conveniently located in the station’s Vanderbilt Hall, right across from the Holiday Fair. Conveniently located, but sequestered from the hub’s commuter traffic, this beautiful Art Nouveau space is the perfect place to indulge a romantic New Year’s fantasy, complete with caviar, seafood towers, sparkling cocktails, and French brasserie classics like their stellar steak frites. Book on Resy now.
Grand Brasserie, 89 E 42nd St. Vanderbilt Hall
Benoit New York
Benoit New York, under the masterful hand of industry legend Alain Ducasse, will be offering decked-out French feasts for both Christmas and New Year’s. Their Christmas Menu, which will be available on December 24 and 25, is set at $95 per person, and includes several decadent dish options like oysters and gravlax to start, followed by Black Truffle Risotto, Duck Breast with butternut squash and sage, Filet Mignon aux Poivres with pommes boulangère and peppercorn sauce, or Confit Halibut with Swiss chard and caviar. Dessert options include amped up classics like a Vanilla Millefeuille with hazelnut praliné and a Marinated Grapefruit Crème Brûlée.
Their 6-course New Year’s Eve Menu, set at $180 per person, will include marvelous dishes such as a Mushroom & Black Truffle Tartelet, Roasted Squab with salsify and foie gras-infused jus, and a Citrus, Shiso & Torrefied Buckwheat Composition for dessert.
If that’s not enough, Benoit is also offering the last of their Art of Wine Pairing series for the year on December 20th, featuring Champagne and cheese and chocolate pairings. Tickets are $95 per person for this unique masterclass. Book on OpenTable now.
Benoit New York, 60 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
La Goulue
This cozy Upper East Side gem is a neighborhood favorite, so if you’re lucky enough to live near the park, why not skip the Times Square madness and stick to the East, with a New Year’s Eve dinner at La Goulue. Their 3-course prix fixe menu, at $195 per person, includes the option of dishes like Oysters with yuzu, foie gras with Périgord truffle, sole with beurre blanc and caviar, Beef Wellington in a sauce Périgourdine, and a chocolate and passion fruit tart. Book on Resy now.
La Goulue, 29 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065
Ladurée x St. Regis
The St. Regis New York and Ladurée have teamed up for a sweet holiday collaboration that’s as festive as it is chic. From the street, passersby are treated to the sight of a stunning 12-foot tree decked out in oversized macaron ornaments, and Ladurée’s signature pyramids in peacock blue, gold, and cream. Inside, the lobby hosts a charming cart where guests can purchase the exclusive St. Regis x Ladurée gift set—perfect for gifting or indulging yourself. For a festive treat, the hotel is offering Holiday Afternoon Tea in their newly renovated tea salon, La Maisonette, just steps from the iconic King Cole Bar. With a French twist, this tea experience includes classic sandwiches, Ladurée macarons, Eugénie biscuits, and champagne pairings—available until December 21st. Book on OpenTable.
2 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022
Le Chalet at L’Avenue
Le Chalet at L’Avenue is a luxurious French winter pop-up that transforms the rooftop terrace of L’Avenue at Saks Fifth Avenue into a magical Alpine-inspired retreat. Après ski, anyone? Decorated with cozy winter accents, twinkling lights, and plush furnishings, the space creates an enchanting atmosphere perfect for celebrating the holiday season. Guests can enjoy a menu featuring warming beverages like hot chocolate and spiced cider, alongside elevated French bites (think: fromage) and festive cocktails. Book on Resy.
8 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022
Baccarat Hotel Tinsel Tea
Celebrate the holidays in timeless luxury at Baccarat Hotel New York with their reimagined signature afternoon tea service. This year’s offerings include the festive Tinsel Tea for adults, featuring decadent pastries, seasonal teas, and sparkling champagne, while young guests will be enchanted by the whimsical Little Elves menu, complete with playful treats and hot cocoa. Available from December 2nd to January 5th in the stunning Grand Salon, this experience is a feast for the senses set against the French brand’s iconic crystal tablescape. Book on SevenRooms.
28 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019