The Oyster Bar, Grand Central Terminal, New York City

The holiday season in New York City is arguably one of the most exciting times of year that the big apple has to offer both locals and visitors. If you are thinking about dining at a holiday themed restaurant on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, see below for some great options for you and your family.

The WayFarer

Located in midtown east, close to Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the WayFarer is a classic American restaurant that will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some delicious dishes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day include ginger crusted salmon, Scottish salmon burger, and scrumptious braised short rib pappardelle. A few incredible starters to keep in mind are bigeye tuna poke, steak tartare, and a decadent goat cheese tartine. If you happen to be vegetarian, there are some great sushi and non-meat brunch options.

Grand Central Oyster Bar

The Grand Central Oyster Bar will be serving the traditional Italian seven fish dinner on Christmas Eve in a la carte style. Among the traditional dishes are Insalata di Natale (Italian Seafood Salad) and Baccala (Salt Cod), along with Sicilian-style swordfish. The salted cod will accompany a spicy tomato sauce originating from Southern Italy (Amalfi) with broccoli rabe. Other traditional components of the meal will consist of  anchovies, whiting, lobster, sardines, octopus, shrimp, mussels and clams.

Tio Pepe

The Spanish-inspired restaurant will serve a special prix-fixe dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas day featuring items like fried calamari, grilled Atlantic salmon and double-cut pork chops. Some delicious starters include pan con serrano (serrano ham and cherry tomatoes wrapped in garlic bread), along with porcini and chestnut soup with an incredible garlic cream and thyme base.

Delicious dinner options include wood oven roasted salmon and the traditional paella valenciana with seafood instead of rabbit or chicken. To close the authentic Spanish meal, you can treat yourself to churros con chocolate (churros with hot chocolate) or creamy, rich rice pudding with brandy sauce.