Restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas in North Jersey
You have enough to do this Christmas without worrying about what to eat.
Wrap your gifts, enjoy some family time, go caroling, deck every hall in your house — and leave the cooking and cleaning to the professionals.
Whether you prefer an elegant, white-tablecloth dinner or a homey feast of comfort foods, there’s a North Jersey restaurant prepping to serve you a holiday meal without the hassle.
Here are some of our favorites.
Open on Christmas Eve
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Clifton
Italians typically eat the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. But, Spuntino is offering its Seven Fishes meal from Dec. 1 to 24. Which seven, in particular, will grace your plate? Smoked salmon salad, lobster bisque, crab cakes, gamberi all’aglio with shrimp, diver sea scallops, fruitti di mare (squid ink pasta, PEI mussels, manilla clams and shrimp), and red snapper. All items are also available a la carte.
Cost: A tasting menu for two is $100. Add wine pairings for two for an additional $50.
Go: 70 Kingsland Road, Clifton; 973-661-2435, spuntinowinebar.com.
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Restaurant Serenade, Chatham
Your holiday meal at Serenade starts off with appetizers such as creamy foie gras, succulent octopus or jumbo lump crab cakes. Entrée options include grilled tuna with sticky coconut rice, seared sea bass and filet mignon. Be sure to save room for dessert: your choice of apple cobbler, lemon tart, chocolate tart, crème brulee or scoops of sorbet and ice cream.
Cost: $89; $45 for kids under 10.
Go: 6 Roosevelt Ave., Chatham; 973-701-0303, restaurantserenade.com.
Summit House, Summit
Summit House’s sumptuous Christmas Eve feast starts with family-style winter squash, Barnegat scallops and foie gras torchon. Entrée options include halibut bouillabaisse with gulf shrimp and marinated mussels; braised pork shank; and prime rib. The meal ends with sharable buche de noel and petits fours. Open from 2 to 7 p.m.
Cost: $95; $45 optional wine pairing; $30 for kids 10 and under.
Go: 395 Springfield Ave., Summit; 908-273-6000, summithousenj.com.
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Viaggio, Wayne
Culinary superstar Robbie Felice has devised a four-course rustic Italian meal for the holidays. Antipasto comes first: your choice of calamari fritti, truffle arancini, octopus carpaccio and more. The pasta course (possibly our favorite) includes options such as Kabocha squash cappellacci, pappardelle “Alla Mema” with sweet sausage, and simple tagliatelle with Bolognese. Proteins come next in the form of roasted red pepper stuffed chicken, wild boar Osso Bucco and New Jersey black bass. And after all that — a dessert, yet to be announced.
Cost: $99.
Go: 1055 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne; 973-706-7277, viaggioristorante.com.
McLoone’s Boathouse, West Orange
McLoone’s Boathouse has a special menu full of seasonal specialties. Try the stuffed acorn squash; the Riesling-poached pear salad; or the domestic lamb chops with mint and pea risotto. McLoone’s, however, is known for its seafood – which makes it the place to be if you prefer to dine on Faroe Island salmon; shrimp and lobster ravioli; clams oreganata; and littleneck clams this Christmas. Open from 3 to 9 p.m.
Cost: A la carte.
Go: 9 Cherry Lane, West Orange; 862-252-7108, mcloonesboathouse.com.
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Bistro D’Azur, South Orange
Bistro D’Azur’s menu is inspired by the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Dishes include steamed mussels, fried calamari salad, bouillabaisse, grilled swordfish and roasted tilefish. There are also a few non-seafood options like petit filet mignon and apricot glazed chicken breast. Each person chooses three for their meal.
Cost: $69 per person.
Go: 14 Academy St., South Orange; 973-327-9725, bistrodazur.com.
Osteria Crescendo, Westwood
Robbie Felice’s second restaurant, Osteria Crescendo, will also be open on Christmas Eve, serving a four-course Italian dinner. The menu hasn’t been announced yet, but expect some of the most authentic Italian food you can find in New Jersey and delicious cocktails. Seatings from 4 to 6 p.m.; 6 to 8 p.m.; and 8 to 10 p.m.
Cost: $99.
Go: 36 Jefferson Ave., Westwood; 201-722-1900, osteriacrescendo.com.
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Morristown
How’s about spending your Christmas Eve tucking into an exquisite dinner in a historic mansion? Jockey Hollow has a four-course prix-fixe meal planned for the occasion. First is a choice of scallop crudo or kale Caesar salad. Second: pumpkin lobster bisque or mushroom risotto. Third: day boat halibut or short rib. And last, but certainly not least, roasted chocolate yule log or gingerbread cake. Open 3 to 8 p.m.
Cost: $89 per person.
Go: 110 South St., Morristown; 973-644-3180, jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com.
Others open on Christmas Eve:
Faubourg: A la carte menu with holiday specials from noon to 8 p.m. 544 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair; 973-542-7700, faubourgmontclair.com.
Ventanas: Specials with a la carte menu. Open from 4 to 8 p.m. 200 Park Ave., Fort Lee; 201-583-4777, ventanasatthemodern.com.
Son Cubano: A la carte menu with specials. Open from 4 to 8 p.m. 40-4 Riverwalk Place, West New York; 201-399-2020, soncubanonj.com.
Sofia: 36 Engle St., Englewood; 201-541-8530, sofiaenglewood.com.
The Brookdale: Open from 11 a.m. to about midnight. 1099 Broad St., Bloomfield; 973-323-1680, thebrookdale.com.
Madeleine's Petit Paris: Seatings at 5, 5:30, 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. Holiday specials will be served. 416 Tappan Road, Northvale; 201-767-0063, madeleinespetitparis.com.
1776 by David Burke: A la carte lunch and dinner menu. Open noon to 10 p.m. 67 E. Park Place, Morristown; 973-829-1776, 1776bydb.com.
The Highlawn: Open 5 to 11 p.m. 1 Crest Dr., West Orange; 973-731-3463, highlawn.com.
Benares: Open noon to 10 p.m. 327 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff; 201-904-2222, benaresnj.com.
Brasserie Memere: Dinner specials include roasted duck for two, beef wellington and seared foie gras. Open 4 to 10 p.m. 107 Vervalen St., Closter Plaza, Closter; 201-660-8822, brasserie-memere.com.
Mama Dag's Seafood & Pizza House: Seatings at 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. 410 St. Cloud Ave., West Orange; 862-233-7557, mamadags.com.
Samba Montclair: Open 5 to 10 p.m. 7 Park St., Montclair; 973-744-6764, https://www.sambamontclair.com.
Osteria Morini: Three-course prix-fixe for $69 per person. Open from 5 to 9 p.m. 107 Morristown Road, Bernardsville; 908-221-0040, osteriamorini.com/bernardville-nj.
The Feathered Fox: Open 4 to 11 p.m. 550 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston; 973-994-4900, thefeatheredfox.com.
Open on Christmas Day
Sofia, Englewood
At sleek and elegant Sofia, nosh on USDA prime steak, fresh seafood and housemade pasta. Sofia will also offer several holiday specials. Champagne and cocktails will flow from the bar. And, if you're really want to celebrate, treat yourself to a cigar.
Go: 36 Engle St., Englewood; 201-541-8530, sofiaenglewood.com.
The Brookdale, Bloomfield
Comfort foods, from hearty burgers to smoked gouda mac and cheese to a 1-pound mozzarella stick called "The Big Cheese," are what The Brookdale does best. It opened in 2020 and is owned by Jonathan Kavourakis, a former chef and partner with Tao Group Hospitality in New York City. You can carb up on Christmas from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Go: 1099 Broad St., Bloomfield; 973-323-1680, thebrookdale.com.
Ventanas, Fort Lee
Culinary icon David Burke and restaurateur Alexander Duran head this trendy restaurant. With its modern artwork, central bar and frequent DJ sets, Ventanas has a club-ish vibe. But during the holidays, wreaths and garlands add some festive sparkle. Asian and Cuban-inspired dishes, as well as Burke classics like clothesline bacon and lobster dumplings, make up the menu. On Christmas, Ventanas will serve brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. Expect a few holiday specials.
Go: 200 Park Ave., Fort Lee; 201-583-4777, ventanasatthemodern.com.
Son Cubano, West New York
Another Alexander Duran and David Burke collaboration, Son Cubano offers Cuban dishes with a striking view of the New York City skyline. It will be open for brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well as dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. The regular menu will be served, along with specials.
Go: 40-4 Riverwalk Place, West New York; 201-399-2020, soncubanonj.com.
1776 by David Burke, Morristown
New restaurant 1776 (another Burke venture) is offering a three-course prix-fixe dinner with plenty of dishes to choose from. Got a family with many different tastes? This might be the place to take them. Apps include tuna and salmon tartare, celery root bisque and butternut squash ravioli. Entrees range from roast prime rib to lemon roasted branzino. For dessert, chocolate hazelnut crunch cake, pecan pie and more. Open from 1 to 8 p.m.
Cost: $85 per person; $32 for kids 12 and under.
Go: 67 E. Park Place, Morristown; 973-829-1776, 1776bydb.com.
The Highlawn, West Orange
This newly opened restored mansion is decked out for the holidays with garland and trees. It will offer a prixe-fixe menu from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (the specifics are yet to be announced). The best part? Every seat in the house has a view of the New York City skyline.
Go: 1 Crest Dr., West Orange; 973-731-3463, highlawn.com.
More
The Feathered Fox: Four-course menu at $150 per person. Open 3 to 8 p.m. 550 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston; 973-994-4900, thefeatheredfox.com.
Did we miss any? Email kingr@northjersey.com with your recommendations.
Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.
Email: kingr@northjersey.com
Twitter: @rebeccakingnj
Instagram: @northjerseyeats
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas in North Jersey
