Christmas Day in Manhattan strands a lot of people with nowhere good to eat, and the Palm Court answers that with a one-day tea built around caviar service and festive specialties rather than the usual tiered stands alone. It is the rare December 25 booking that feels like an occasion instead of a fallback. If you are hosting out-of-town family and want the day to have one fixed, dressed-up anchor, this is the seating to hold.
What to expect
A single-day version of the hotel's afternoon tea, served under the Palm Court's stained-glass ceiling with caviar service alongside festive specialties and seasonal sweets. The window runs from late morning into the afternoon, and the room stays busy throughout with families making a full occasion of the day. Expect a long, seated, unhurried service.
Good to know
- Nearest trains are the N/R/W at Fifth Avenue–59th Street and the F at 57th Street
- Christmas Day service sells out earliest of any seating in the festive run, so hold it well ahead
- Best for visiting family and anyone who would otherwise find Midtown closed that day
- Dress up; this is the most formal room of the holiday stretch
- Allow a couple of hours and do not plan anything tight afterwards
- Step-free from the Fifth Avenue entrance on the hotel's main floor
Get Saturday planned every Thursday
One email a week — the best of the NYC weekend board. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions
How is this different from the regular holiday tea?
It is an elevated one-day version: the Plaza adds caviar service and festive specialties on top of the seasonal sweets served through the rest of the run.
Can I book this and the Yuletide Dinner the same day?
Yes. The tea runs late morning to afternoon and the Palm Court Yuletide Dinner starts in the early evening, so they are separate bookings that do not overlap.
Is much else open in Midtown that day?
Very little. Christmas Day is the thinnest dining day of the year in the neighbourhood, which is exactly why this seating goes so fast.
More this weekend
