You know you’re a true New Yorker if at some point you’ve gone out for Chinese on Christmas. First, not everyone celebrates Christmas, though it sure is nice to have those days off. Second, some years you want to keep it low-key and family-free. So we have the celebrations for you that include fortune cookies.
53
53 is on our list of top Chinese spots for Christmas dinner, thanks to its cutting-edge, innovative take on cuisine. You’ll get the full sensory immersion treatment here. 53 partners with MoMA, and the works on display are curated by the Friedrich Petzel Gallery. For the true foodies, some menu highlights include the Eel Club with foie gras, and lobster rice in lotus leaf. If you’re looking to keep Christmas cozy but don’t want to cook, you can request a private dining experience.
Address: 53 W. 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Buddha-Bar
Tribeca is always trendy, and Buddha-Bar is no exception to the rule. Enjoy one of the top Chinese spots for Christmas with a side of art and music. The 16-foot Buddha installation brings friendly energy, and the resident DJ brings up the mood another notch. Chef Andrew Riccatelli has adapted the Paris flagship’s menu to a modern take on Pan-Asian cuisine. After dinner, order an exquisite craft cocktail, such as the Mekishiko Twist, or a selection from the global wine list to enjoy in the lounge.
Address: 62 Thomas St, New York, NY 10013
Philippe Chow
Philippe Chow’s menu items, especially his duck, are renowned for a reason. His commitment to bringing Beijng-style cuisine to locations across the East Coast has caught the eye of the culinary world, and you’d be remiss not to give it a try. The restaurant is also known for its top-notch service, plus you can have supper here well into the night, after most chefs have hit the pillow. If Christmas isn’t complete without a duck, here you can get it carved tableside. Philippe Chow is the elegant and elevated choice for your Christmas Chinese spot.
Address: 33 East 60th St., New York, NY 10065
Mr. Chow
A reigning presence in the New York food scene since its inception in 1979, Mr. Chow has been a go-to for gatherings among the stars. What makes Mr. Chow one of the top Chinese spots for Christmas Dinner? It’s a classic, of course. Chef Sammy Shao Hua Deng has brought his style to classic Bejing cuisine, and the result is some seriously delicious duck. Moreover, prix-fixe meals are served communally, so you can get that warm family feeling for the holidays.
Address: 324 E 57th St, New York, NY 10022
RedFarm
RedFarm‘s eclectic menu is sure to satiate you with a hearty and memorable meal. Perhaps most exciting is the dumping assortment. Creative, colorful, and, most important, delicious, choose from crispy duck and crab dumplings or Pacman dumplings. They’re so cute that you might not even want to eat them. Our advice: Get a photo for Instagram before digging in. For a rustic, dim-sum-filled holiday, RedFarm is your top Chinese spot for Christmas dinner.
Address: 2170 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
