10 Best Restaurants Near Rockefeller Center & The Christmas Tree
With holiday season approaching and the inevitable foot traffic around Rockefeller Center set to increase, we’re letting you in some of our biggest secrets on the area! Whether you’re heading to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4th or plan to make a visit to the see the 74 foot beauty this year…you may get a little hungry on your visit!
Alas, we’ve done the dirty work of putting together the best dining options that are both in and around Rockefeller Center Plaza, for when you want a little treat while in the popular Manhattan neighborhood. Take a look and be sure to bookmark these for this year:
1. Le Rock
Both upscale and French, Le Rock’s south-side view of the skating rink and tree make it worth the fancy prices the brasserie serves up. It’s from the team behind another NYC staple Frenchette, and it’s equally as elegant—serving up delicacies that must be tried like seafood platters, pâtés, and even a French bread service. Come dressed for the occasion and be prepared to fork out some [very worth] dollars on everything from steak au poivre to shrimp cocktail.
Book a reservation at Le Rock ahead of time here
Where: 45 Rockefeller Plaza
2. La Grande Boucherie
This little outpost brings Parisian vibes to the Big Apple and not to mention goes all-out with holiday decor during the festive season! La Grande Boucherie is where you go to get your French fix near Rockefeller Center…whether you’re sitting at the bar or in the heated atrium. There’s few places in the area where you can see a 26-foot Christmas tree with 1,000+ ornaments, 15,000 string lights, and 700 feet of garland while stuffing your face with steaks, seafood, and charcuterie.
Book a reservation at La Grande Boucherie ahead of time here
Where: 145 W 53rd St
3. Urban Hawker
Where: 135 W 50th St
4. Lodi
Poke around different Italian apertivos at Lodi, a spot helmed under the watchful eye of Michelin-starred chef Ignacio Mattos. Lodi is located on the ground floor of Rockefeller Plaza (opposite side from Le Rock), giving it a perfect location to dig into Italian staples while you stare at the window of the famous “Today” show set. Their versatility ranges since they’re open from early morning breakfast to late night cocktails, so you can kind of go anytime on their menu spectrum—from soft boiled eggs in the morning to dinner-time spritzes and antipasti.
Book a reservation at Lodi ahead of time here
Where: 1 Rockefeller Plaza
5. 53
There’s a reason 53 has racked up awards from the likes of the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards and The Infatuation, and it goes beyond the mesmerizing 3 floor restaurant design. This Pan-Asian restaurant (which is also steps away from the MoMA) fuses Chinese and Singaporean staples into mouthwatering dishes that rival the city’s best. It’s a tad expensive and we recommend taste testing multiple dishes in order to leave full, but it’s worth it, with some of the best being the black cod clay pot and the obvious xiao long bao.
Book a reservation at 53 ahead of time here
Where: 53 W 53rd St
6. Jupiter
What could be better than devouring a plate of pasta while you’re eye to eye with the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink? The Italian joint serves all-day pasta and Italian classics which are all amazing—we usually opt for the pappardelle or pansotti. The interior is pretty Instagram-friendly too…plenty of tiled columns and cozy booths curated by the critically acclaimed trio behind King (Jess Shadbolt, Annie Shi and Clare de Boer).
Book a reservation at Jupiter ahead of time here
Where: Rink Level, 20 W 50th St
7. Ace’s Pizza
Pizza in Rockefeller Center? Say less. Ace’s Pizza is the go-to…where Sicilian and Detroit style pizza steals the spotlight in a deserving fashion. The famous square slices are packed with flavors, ranging from the traditional cheese and pepperonis to more luxe vodka meatballs and hot burratas. No matter what you fancy it’ll all be tasty…with different sizes available depending on how hungry you are (personal, medium, large).
Where: 30 Rockefeller Center
8. Bill’s Bar and Burger
Bill’s Bar and Burger checks all the boxes, and fulfills that hamburger craving when you get it…you know that one. With two floors of seating, it’s an easy spot to get the hamburger, fries, and milkshake of your dreams. Our usual order is the namesake gem, The Bill’s Burger, but there’s plenty more to pick from too, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and plenty more. No reservations required!
Where: 16 W 51st St
9. Del Frisco’s Grille
With a wood-burning oven, 700 bottles of wine, and al fresco dining…this spot is a pretty solid American grill that serves just about everything. We usually go for one of their steaks which are pretty good, or one of their handheld burgers or sandwiches. They also have unique appetizers like cheesesteak egg rolls and deviled eggs that make the menu a bit interesting, but it’s pretty standard for American!
Book a reservation at Del Frisco’s Grille ahead of time here
Where: 50 Rockefeller Plaza
10. Monkey Bar
Monkey Bar is tucked away inside The Hotel Elysee, and it’s one of those places that actually deserves the recognition (kind of slept on in our opinion). Not only is the dining room beautiful with walls lined with murals, but the food is divine. There’s so much to choose from…ranging from USDA Prime Steaks to handmade pastas, crudo, shellfish, and much more. Don’t skip on eof their cocktails too…we highly recommend one of the martinis.
Book a reservation at Monkey Bar ahead of time here
Where: 60 E 54th St
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