If you’re looking forward to the holidays but would prefer not to be in the kitchen the whole time, Hoboken + Jersey City has some of the best spots to dine in. Enjoy good company, good drinks, and good food without worrying about a mess or trying to manage what goes in the oven and for how long. Some of our favorite places are open on Christmas Eve and Day, so if the idea of cooking has had you stressed, take a deep breath. Keep reading for a full list of places open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve in Hoboken and Jersey City this year.
Hoboken
Amanda’s
Amanda’s will be open on Christmas Eve from 4:00PM-8:00PM and will be offering a three-course prix fixe menu for guests. The menu is filled with holiday favorites and wonderful dishes to try. The house-made potato gnocchi drenched in a tomato sauce with raisins and pine nuts is a great way to start the meal. The entrees are looking fine with pepper-crusted beef filet, roasted Cornish hen, and other options available. Guests can even share the Australian lamb rack {made for two with a separate charge} for dinner}. Dinner will be $65 per person {not including drinks, tax, and gratuity}. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Anthony David’s {953 Bloomfield Street}
Chef Pino always has something cooking up in his kitchen, which is why they will be open for brunch and catering pick up on Christmas Eve from 9:00AM-3:00PM. The catering menu is, of course, out of this world and includes some favorites as well as new dishes sure to wow any guest. Enjoy crispy duck breast with creamy polenta and a cherry demi-glace, and braised lamb shank with creamy polenta, heirloom carrots, and Brussel sprouts — there’s no denying this Hoboken staple is a great place for a holiday meal. Please be advised that their sister location, Bin14, will be closed on Christmas Eve and Day but will have an all-day happy hour on December 23rd with $7 sommelier-selected glasses of wine, $5 seasonally selected beer, and $6 + $4 canned cocktails.
Blue Eyes {525 Sinatra Drive}
Celebrate the Vigilia di Natale at Blue Eyes, an authentic Italian restaurant from 12:00PM-10:00PM on Christmas Eve. Napolitano-style pizza is always on the menu, as are an array of pastas and seafood dishes. The Branzino is TDF and served with spinach and roasted potatoes.
Dino and Harry’s {163 14th Street}
This luxe Hoboken steakhouse will be open on Christmas Eve until 8:00PM. The Porterhouse {half NY Strip and half Filet Mignon} gives guests the best of both worlds. With a ton of meaty options and savory sides to compliment any dish, Dino and Harry’s is one of Hoboken’s finest restaurants. If it’s pasta you’re craving, try the penne cacio e pepe or the raviolis are great options. Both are absolutely delectable. Be sure to make a reservation for Christmas Eve.
Cucharamama {233 Clinton Street}
Although this South American eatery isn’t open for guests on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, they will be open for catering orders on Christmas Eve. They will have on and off-site catering available, so be sure to check out the selection on their website.
Dolce & Salato {1101 Grand Street}
Hoboken’s Dolce & Salato will be open on Christmas Eve from 8:00AM-2:00PM. Make sure to stop in for any last-minute holiday treats {like Nutella croissants or cannolis} for Christmas Eve or Day.
La Isla {25 12th Street}
This Cuban gem will be welcoming guests for brunch on Christmas Eve from 12:00PM-10:00PM. Celebrate La Noche Buena at this intimate Cuban restaurant — order the garlic shrimp with white rice and beans, or opt for the whole fish dish {the chef’s daily prepared dish}.
Orale {1426 Willow Avenue, Hoboken + 341 Grove Street, Jersey City}
Both Orale locations in Hoboken and Jersey City will be open for Christmas Eve dinner from 3:00PM-9:00PM this year. As always, the menu will be filled with classic Mexican dishes with a twist. Of course, it is a must to start off with guac {the Guacamole Casa is our fave} and let that lead into something exquisite like the carne asada {seared skirt steak with black habanero garlic aioli and hand-cut beef fat garlic with parsley fries}.
See More: These Local Bars Seriously Decked the Halls in Hoboken + Jersey City
Otto Strada {743 Park Avenue}
The authentic and genuine vibes that radiate from Otto Strada are second to none. This year, they will be open on Christmas Eve from 5:00PM-10:00PM. You must and we repeat must try the popletta di nonna {an enormous 16 oz. meatball with the option to add pasta}. Still hungry after that? Try the orecchiette con salsiccia e rapa {homemade pasta with sausage, broccoli rabe, and ricotta salata}. Finish the night off with a Nutella pizza and don’t forget to bring the wine — it’s a BYOB spot.
Jersey City
Bistro La Source {85 Morris Street}
Visit Bistro La Source, one of the best, local French spots in the area on Christmas Eve. With classic dishes from France on the menu, this popular restaurant will be serving guests on Christmas Eve from 5:00PM-11:00PM. Duck is a huge part of French cuisine and presented in many different ways here. Duck pate, foie gras, roasted duck breast, and duck confit are only a few of the ways this classic dish is prepared at Bistro La Source. Be sure to snag some escargots bourguignons to start, they are simply delicious.
Edward’s SteakHouse {239 Marin Boulevard}
If it’s an upscale Christmas Eve dinner you are in search of, look no further than Edward’s SteakHouse. They will be open from 11:00AM-9:00PM on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. Their menu includes a raw bar, savory appetizers and salads, and seafood and steak options. Enjoy a porterhouse for one or split between two. Don’t forget the sides, either — the baked macaroni and cheese is always a great option.
Frankie Eats {264 Grove Street}
The land down “unda” in Jersey City is one of the areas most vibrant spots for food and drinks. Frankie Eats features a large Australian menu with excitement written on every page. Australian food is not common to the area and visiting Frankie Eats is a great way to try something new. The flatbreads are a great place to start, whether paired with hummus or labneh {a yogurt-like dip}. For a main, we love the pork shoulder and short rib Bolognese — tons of flavor and warms the soul on a cold winter night. Stop by Frankie Eats for a twist on Christmas Eve dinner from 5:00PM-10:00PM. The bar will be open late-night depending on the crowd.
Harry’s Daughter {339 Communipaw Avenue}
Harry’s Daughter, a Caribbean inspired gastropub in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood of Jersey City, will be open for dinner on Christmas Eve from 3:00PM-11:00PM. Their bar will close at midnight. There will be specials on food and drinks all night and will be featuring some of their most popular plates. The braised oxtail stew, served with their famous pumpkin rice will be on the menu as well as the double braised Guinness short ribs.
Hamilton Pork {247 10th Street}
Hamilton Pork was dubbed one of the top BBQ spots in the country and for good reason. Their selection is authentic and drool-worthy, to say the least. They will be open until 4:00PM on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. They will be serving from their regular menu which means pulled pork, baby back ribs, lamb belly, and tacos will be lighting up the afternoon. Reservations in advance are recommended.
Hooked JC {467 Communipaw Avenue}
This vintage seafood shack will be open until 8:00PM on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. The menu is filled with freshly caught fish that can be blackened, fried, or grilled and served on a PoBoy, salad, or platter. They also have a ton of seafood options like crab cakes, buffalo shrimp, grilled scallops, and pollock po’boys. Who can resist a buttery lobster roll to make it feel like Christmas in July.
Liberty House Restaurant {76 Audrey Zapp Drive}
This gorgeous waterfront restaurant is taking reservations for Christmas Eve for small and large groups from 4:00PM-9:00PM. Depending on the entree chosen, meals will range in price from $55 to $70 per adult and $30 per child for a four-course meal. All appetizers, middle courses, and desserts are served family-style with a selected entree of your choice. The Sea Salt + Herb Slow Roasted Prime Rib {with crispy polenta fries, roasted white asparagus, and baby sweet peppers, in a cabernet demi glace} is our go-to pick and we just love their seafood paella, loaded with mussels, clams, shrimp, bay scallops, and calamari. Be sure to make a reservation soon for Christmas Eve.
Light Horse Tavern {199 Washington Street}
Light Horse Tavern, a historical restaurant whose story dates back to the 1800s, will be open for dinner on Christmas Eve until 10:00PM. The American cuisine served here is local, seasonal, and fresh. Chef John Holm’s carefully crafted menu will have guests coming back again and again. Be sure to try literally anything from the raw bar, especially the oysters from Fishers Island, which are caught and delivered daily. The grilled swordfish and the hanger steak are two favorites that are worth a try as well.
Porta {135 Newark Avenue}
{Photo credit: @portajerseycity}
This Christmas Eve, Porta will be open from 12:00PM-6:00PM for brunch. On the menu is a mix of breakfast and lunch options that are sure to please any palate. The S’mores Pancake {a dark chocolate pancake with a graham cracker crumble, toasted fluff, + chocolate sauce} is a must-try. And if looking for something more savory, try the Full Italian Breakfast, which includes two fried eggs, Italian sausage, grilled bread, Italian white beans, hash brown, broccoli rabe, and seared tomato. Pizza is always an option at Porta and their selection is extensive. They will also have $10 mimosa carafes and $20 Aperol Spritz carafes.
Read More: Your 25-Day Hoboken + Jersey City Holiday Event Bucket List
South House {149 Newark Avenue}
South House will be open on Christmas Eve but not Christmas Day this year. In addition to their highly-coveted menu, they will also be whipping up hot chocolate {with the option to spike it} in their courtyard along with other Christmas cocktails. Spice up Christmas Eve with smoked St. Louis BBQ Ribs or Cajun shrimp and grits for a holiday twist. The décor at South House is so cozy and gorg, perfect for any Christmas Eve dinner.
The Hutton Bar and Grill {225 Hutton Street}
Christmas Eve is all about family and friends and The Hutton is the place to be for a cozy dinner together. Opening their doors from 5:00PM-10:00PM on Christmas Eve, this spot will be serving only the best, with pasta, burgers, steaks, and more on the menu. Try their handmade pasta dish or the prosciutto-wrapped salmon. Its unique flavor is second to none. Their drinks are also top of the line and feature an extensive selection of beer, wine, cocktails, and digestifs. Reservations are definitely recommended to secure a spot at The Hutton on Christmas Eve.
White Star Bar {230 Brunswick Street and 179 Warren Street}
Luckily for JC locals, White Star Bar will be open for lunch on Christmas Eve until 6:00PM. They will serve from their regular menu, which features casual American food like bacon mac + cheese, burgers, salads, and more. The White Star Burger {an 8oz Pat LaFrieda blend with your choice of cheese and add ons} is their most popular menu item and rightfully so. If looking for a casual spot in Jersey City, look no further than White Star Bar.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good bite!
Which of these spots will you be visiting this year? Let us know in the comments!
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