On December 1st, Rockefeller Center will kick off the holiday season in New York City with the lighting of the Christmas Tree.
The stunning lighting ceremony takes place at 45 Rockefeller Plaza for all to see, bringing a festive glow and holiday cheer to the area.
Between the tree lighting, ice skating and catching the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, stop for a bite to eat at one of these restaurants all within walking distance of Rockefeller Center.
See also: How To Throw The Ultimate Holiday Dinner Party With Food Network’s Katie Lee
Limani New York
45 Rockefeller Plaza / Website
Located in Rockefeller Plaza, Limani New York is the best place to see the tree lighting from a bird’s-eye view. The restaurant’s outdoor patio offers individual heating and spacious seating, while the expansive indoor dining room transports guests to the islands of Greece with a crystal-blue infinity pool and two open kitchens. Guests can enjoy Greek-Mediterranean dishes with fresh fish flown in daily from the Mediterranean as well as a global wine list.
Osteria La Baia
29 W 52nd St / Website
Brand new Italian restaurant Osteria La Baia is a stylish dining destination for cocktails at the bar or a sit-down dinner with friends or family. The bustling restaurant serves a menu that captures flavors from regions around the coast of Italy, with antipasti, salumi, crudo, pizze and secondi plate offerings. Limani’s cocktail program elevates classic Italian drinks such as the Spritz and Negroni, using spirits and fresh juices native to the region.
Nizza
630 9th Ave / Website
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Hell’s Kitchen inside neighborhood favorite Nizza, where guests can find all the warm, comforting dishes of an Italian Trattoria. The restaurant offers indoor and heated outdoor seating, and the kid-friendly menu includes a variety of made-in-house pizzas, pastas and Nonna’s meatballs. Beverage offerings include Italian cocktails, draft beer and a range of curated wines by the bottle or glass.
Marseille
630 9th Ave / Website
French brasserie Marseille, now celebrating its 20th year in business, is the ideal retreat after an afternoon spent exploring holiday displays. The longstanding restaurant offers classic French dishes including soup a l’oignon, escargot, bouillabaisse, honey glazed duck and the standout ‘Le Burger’ made with gruyere, bacon-onion marmalade and radicchio.
Carmine’s
200 W 44th St / Website
If you’re visiting with a large group of family and crave Italian, there is no better place to go than Carmine’s in Times Square. The old-school Italian restaurant offers family-style dishes that feed four to six people including fried calamari, meatballs and spaghetti and penne alla vodka. Guests can enjoy an extensive wine and cocktail menu as well as decadent desserts such as classic Italian cheesecake and a rich flourless chocolate torte.
Virgil’s Real BBQ
2452 Broadway / Website
There’s no better time to enjoy comfort food than the holidays, and Virgil’s Real BBQ brings warm Southern comfort to NYC with their slow-smoked barbecue, classic side dishes and family-friendly atmosphere. Virgil’s BBQ chicken wings, ‘Trainwreck Fries,’ and BBQ nachos are all great starters to share, while the Memphis style pork spare ribs, Texas beef brisket, barbecued chicken and Carolina pulled pork are delicious main course offerings.
Le Pain Quotidien
16 E 44th St at Madison Ave or 56th St at Sixth Ave / Website
With breakfast, lunch and bakery options, Le Pain Quotidien makes the perfect pit-stop in between seeing the tree and getting some holiday shopping done. Menu selections range from savory options including quiche Lorraine and a warm brussels farro bowl to coffee, tea, Belgian hot chocolate and an array of dessert and breakfast pastries.
