12 Most Festive Restaurants In The US To Visit During Christmastime

For foodies, one of the best parts of the holidays isn't opening gifts. It's chowing down on the real gift that keeps on giving — food. And there's nothing better than indulging in Christmas cheer while being surrounded by twinkling lights, stunning holiday trees, and festive décor. Thankfully, some restaurants throughout the U.S. know to crank up the holiday vibes with over-the-top decorations that put your neighbor's crazy Christmas lights to shame.

Islands rounded up the most festive restaurants in the U.S. to visit during the holidays, ranging from an Irish pub that loves Christmas even more than St. Patrick's Day to a Miami restaurant that forgets that it'll never see more than a lick of snow. To determine which eateries made the cut, we studied the photos of each restaurant's holiday displays to determine which go the most over-the-top with the most lights, trees, garland, ornaments, Santas, ornaments and wreaths — and sometimes, matching dishes, to boot — for an over-the-top winter wonderland. You can even pair your meal with a stay at some of these Christmas hotels around America that transform into festive vacation destinations.

Dining beneath the green garland, colorful Christmas balls, and glittering festive lights at Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina is so popular that some customers book their holiday reservations for next year right after they finished paying the dinner bill for this year. The restaurant sees double the number of customers in December than in an average month. "Seriously, now I understand why they book out for the holidays by the spring," wrote one past visitor on Google. "The lights and other decorations are unbelievably beautiful and if you can score a reservation for next year sometime during November or December I highly recommend it."

But it's not easy setting up the festive décor at the family-owned country steakhouse, which features a different holiday theme in every room. Every year, a crew of about 70 local volunteers get to work in October decking out the halls of the massive, 800-seat eatery. They spend nearly 3,000 hours over four or five weeks arranging hundreds of thousands of lights, more than 30,000 ornaments, and more than 360 nutcrackers to get the restaurant up to snuff. And even more impressively, the restaurant doesn't close for a single night to make it happen. Every year since the tradition began (more than three decades ago), the display has gotten bigger and better.

Butch McGuire's in Chicago, Illinois, is an Irish pub, but the busiest time of the year here isn't St. Patrick's Day. That's because this hometown pub goes all in for Christmas, getting its over-the-top décor out during the first week of November, when kids are barely done with their Halloween candy. Customers looking to enjoy its holiday cheer are encouraged to come as close to that timeframe as possible, since the restaurant gets so busy that no reservations or private parties are accepted in December.

But if they do snag a table, visitors will be rewarded with views of historic double decker model trains, a ceiling absolutely bathed in Christmas lights and décor, and holiday-themed characters that change every year. "This place is a must-visit during the holiday season!" wrote one past visitor on Google. "The bar is beautifully decked out with tons of Christmas decorations." Visitors can even see it on Christmas Day, as the bar is open every day of the year.

Butch McGuire's also offers a Christmas drink to complement its holiday ambiance. The bar is known for its Christmas In Your Mouth cocktail, a $15 on-the-rocks chocolate and mint drink. If that doesn't warm you up, then Butch McGuire's good deeds will. Through train sponsorships, ornament sales, and more, the bar raises over $20,000 every year for the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls of Chicago during the holidays. Nothing spells Christmas cheer like giving back to the community.

Those living in Miami, Florida will likely never get to experience a white Christmas in the city. But they'll hardly miss it if a visit to Casa Juancho is on their Christmas list. The Spanish restaurant, a staple in the city for more than three decades, is known for doing up its Christmas décor with stunning poinsettias, glittering festive trees, countless holiday lights, and massive ornaments that cover every square inch of the eatery. "We visited it on Christmas Day, by walking into the restaurant we loved the decoration for Christmas, very cute!" wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor.

Despite the abundance of décor, the effect is tasteful — not cheesy — as it adorns the wood beams and brick walls of the restaurant. People can even make it their own for a night by booking a holiday party in one of the restaurant's massive private rooms. Casa Juancho's Christmas vibe is amplified by a mix of Christmas carols and Spanish songs strummed by live guitarists for an ambiance that even Santa Claus wouldn't be able to resist. It makes the restaurant's Spanish eats, including Iberian ham croquettes, coconut flan, and bacalao, taste even better.

Tons of restaurants base their holiday decorations on classic themes like "winter wonderland" and "Santa's workshop." But Cava in Southington, Connecticut — a friendly New England town with historic charm in its own right — picks themes for each of their four dining rooms that pop culture fans can get on-sleigh with. The Italian restaurant's festive decor has been inspired by "Beauty and the Beast," "The Great Gatsby," and even "Harry Potter." Those themes (which are always one-offs) are reflected in each room's color scheme as well as their decorative items. For example, the "Harry Potter" room included upside-down trees and "mysteriously" floating candles. It's so mesmerizing that people even drive from out of state just to see it. "This will be a yearly tradition!" wrote one past visitor on Google. "It is worth the trip for the holidays, the place is breathtaking."

But it takes a lot of work and money to make it happen. Cava spends about $20,000 every year upping the ante for its Christmas décor, as well as five weeks of work just getting the decorations in place. The displays include more than 100,000 Christmas lights and 20,000 ornaments. It's been a tradition since the restaurant first opened in 2008.

If you want to enjoy an old-school Christmas that harkens back to your own childhood, then take a trip to The Chase Restaurant in Santa Barbara, California. Besides going all-out for its Christmas décor, this Italian eatery is also known for its old-school festive ambiance that includes vintage nutcrackers that have made an appearance at the restaurant for nearly a half-century. That's only fitting, since The Chase Restaurant has been a staple in the area since it was founded in 1979. Even the executive chef has been with the restaurant since its earliest days.

Besides throwback details, The Chase's holiday décor also includes classic white Christmas lights, red bows, gold ornaments, and greenery. Outside, it gets more festive, which customers can enjoy even in December since the average high temperature during the month in the city is in the pleasant mid-60s. Around Chase Restaurant's outdoor seating area, customers are surrounded by Christmas lights, a massive gold Santa Claus, garland, and a towering 16-foot Christmas tree. "If you want a real treat, come at Christmas time when the decor, already charming, kicks up about 10 notches, with reservations needed weeks in advance," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor.

Craftsman Row Saloon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania doesn't play around when it comes to the holidays, especially since it gets decked out for Halloween every October. However, its Halloween décor can't hold a candle to its Christmas setup, which includes the exterior walls and signage of the restaurant. Inside, the décor becomes downright extreme. No matter where you look inside the Craftsman Row Saloon, you will see every inch of the place packed with holiday cheer. The displays include more than 6,000 feet of garland, 60,000 ornaments, and 20,000 lights. It's not far from Philadelphia's Christmas Village, a picturesque escape full of authentic German charm, either. And best of all, if you want to see the Craftsman Row Saloon's Christmas decor without battling the December crowds, you can come visit after New Year's, as it remains up through the end of January.

What's on the table even matches the vibe at the Craftsman Row Saloon. To get its diners in the holiday spirit, the restaurant presents a Christmas-themed menu that includes cocktails like a gingerbread margarita and a nutcracker old fashioned. For food, you can indulge in a burger with stuffing and cranberry sauce or even pastas and salads adorned with Christmas colors. "We absolutely love the themes during the holidays," wrote one past visitor on Google. "The food is great and drinks are very creative."

Take a look around Filomena Ristorante in Washington, D.C. and you'll know exactly what time of year it is. In fact, this Italian eatery loves to showcase decorations for holidays in every season, but especially at Christmastime. Some of the items you might have the pleasure of dining amongst include gold reindeer, vintage nutcrackers, elf and Santa Claus figurines, and massive gingerbread houses. "What a lovely gem in Georgetown," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "I was searching for a 'Christmas vibe' on my recent trip to DC and I sure found it here. Over the top- almost tacky decorations that were AWESOME!"

All this Christmas cheer harkens back to when restaurant owner Jo Anna Filomena was a child, and her own mother worked to make Christmas special for her and her siblings by completely decking out their home for the holidays. Besides being able to bask in Filomena Ristorante's holiday spirit throughout December, customers can also visit the restaurant on Christmas Eve, when the eatery serves its dinner menu all day. Its menu is just as thoughtful as it holiday décor, as it includes dishes like seafood cannelloni, linguini cardinale (which was beloved by former President Bill Clinton), and eggplant lasagna.

The chill of Boston, Massachusetts during December is not for the faint of heart. But one place that's always bound to make you feel warm and fuzzy is Grill 23 & Bar, especially when it puts up its beloved Christmas decorations. Since its opening in 1983, the cozy steakhouse has been lined with warm, dark woods, leather seating, and a roaring fireplace. But both floors of the two-story eatery transform into a winter respite during the holiday season, when it's also outfitted in red velvet bows, wreaths, garlands, Christmas lights, and evergreen trees. It was named as one of the most festive holiday restaurants in America in 2025 by Time Out. Naturally, this place is especially ideal for a holiday party, with eight private dining spaces to choose from.

"As it was the Christmas season, the windows and interior were beautifully decorated," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "All in all, this was a great experience in a wonderful restaurant." Merry, yet refined, Grill 23 & Bar's holiday décor makes for an upscale experience complemented by a menu of steaks from a family-owned ranch and seafood and cocktails like the flagship frosty martini.

No matter which of the two Lillie's Victorian Establishment restaurants you visit in New York City — there is one near Times Square and another near Union Square — you'll know you're in for a Christmas treat before you even walk in the door. That's because these Victorian-inspired pubs are decked to the nines in holiday garb from the outside in.

The exact vibe can differ depending on which location you visit. According to Ware On The Globe, a blog that visited both locations in 2025, the Times Square location featured a frosted, winter wonderland theme, while the Union Square location was more of a classic Santa Claus theme. "What an amazing place," wrote one past visitor on Google. "Went at Christmas time and the decorations were absolutely beautiful. Every inch was decorated." That means that no matter where you sit, you'll enjoy festive vibes around every corner.

But you better know in advance which location you want to see. Reservations open in October and quickly fill for once the decorations go up in November. If you aren't able to score a reservation, bar seats are first-come, first-served. Festive drinks accompany the menus at both locations, with options such as mulled wine, candy cane martinis, and The Grinch cocktail with pandan, kalamansi, sparkling water, vodka, and vanilla liqueur. If cocktails aren't your thing, Lillie's Victorian Establishment also offers holiday tea service.

New York City is packed with unique winter villages, including one in Bryant Park and in Union Square every year. So, it's only fitting that the city is also home to multiple establishments decked out for the holidays as well. The internationally-known German restaurant, Rolf's, is actually a year-round Christmas extravaganza, with 200,000 Christmas lights, 15,000 ornaments, hundreds of porcelain dolls, and thousands of icicles — as well as garlands, ribbons, wreaths, and faux fir trees. The decor permeates every crevice of the Gramercy Park eatery no matter the month. It's all made by hand and designed by five artists for a throwback feel with tons of antiques in a Victorian Era theme.

Rightfully so, Rolf's has been called the most festive holiday restaurant in the country by Time Out and it calls itself the most Christmasy place in New York City. "What a special experience!" wrote one past visitor on Google. "The atmosphere was a beautiful Christmas filled atmosphere with ornaments and lights around every surface of the ceiling."

Rolf's takes its holiday decorating so seriously that it spends tens of thousands of dollars every year replacing its damaged ornaments and upping the ante for its holiday displays. If you want to enjoy Rolf's Christmas atmosphere during the holiday season, call in advance, since reservations are only taken over the phone. Otherwise, be prepared to wait, as sometimes its line stretches around the block. Seats at the bar are first-come, first-served. The bar's cocktail menu becomes just as festive during the holidays, with options such as spiced eggnog, mulled wine, and spiked apple cider.

With fireplaces in every room, wrought-iron chandeliers, and a true vintage vibe that dates back to 1922, Tam O'Shanter is an authentically nostalgic "Old Hollywood" steakhouse that's been unchanged since the Golden Age. And, with a real-deal Scottish pub menu — featuring dishes like prime rib and Toad in the Hole — this Los Angeles restaurant wouldn't even need Christmas decorations to feel Christmasy. But luckily for those who have a penchant for the festive, it goes above and beyond to bring the holiday vibes to an otherwise modern corner of Tinseltown.

The restaurant is the oldest in the city, owned by the same family in the same spot, and takes its Christmas décor seriously with vintage touches like wreaths, strings of garland, holiday lights to set the mood, and plenty of evergreen trees. It even regularly hosts live carolers dressed in Victorian garb to sing Christmas songs for its customers. The carolers take their work seriously and each know over 100 tunes. "Charming, very charming!" wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "It was decorated for Christmas and had roving Carollers who knew every Christmas song you can imagine."

Forget battling the crowds of Rockefeller Center during December. Every year, the Tavern on the Green in Central Park lights a Christmas tree of its own on its patio in a ceremony that includes complimentary hot chocolate and cookies as well as live music. The colorful tree is surrounded by nutcrackers, ornaments, and all the trappings of a magical Christmas wonderland. It's made even more charming since the restaurant features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, so customers sitting cozy inside can still enjoy the festive outdoor vibes that include almost-countless strings of white lights.

Inside, the Christmas vibe takes on a sophisticated tone with strings of garland hanging from the restaurant's wood beams, white and green Christmas trees, and even a white fireplace decorated for the holidays and topped with a Christmas village. "Visited Tavern on the green at Christmas, it was like something out of a hallmark movie," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "The decorations & lights were beautiful. They had a live singer & all the staff were friendly/attentive." You can even make your visit to the Tavern on the Green into a getaway by staying at one of the best NYC hotels to stay at during Christmastime.