Places to Celebrate Holi in NYC

New York City is marking the ancient Hindu celebration of Holi where entire streets turn red, green and yellow as colored powders are thrown into the air and onto celebrants. Several restaurants are also honoring Holi with colorful meals and sweets.  Here are some of them.

Photo: SONA                                                                                                  

SONA (36 East 20th St) in Flatiron will be decked out in the festive colors of Holi.  A special menu is also being offered including Dahi Bhalla Chaat, fermented lentil dumplings, yogurt dressing, hot and sweet chutneys; Shahi Paneer, house pressed cheese roulade, cashew cream korma; Changezi Chicken, Old Delhi street style roast chicken, stir fried peppers and onions; and Cassata Ice Cream Cake with pistachio, strawberry, saffron kulfi. Sona is also offering colorful cocktails like the Gulaabo (Reposado Tequila, Cachaca, Rose Liqueur, Hisbiscus Syrup, Black Salt) and the Golden Lark (Old Grandad Bourbon, Jameson Orange Tangerine Puree, Lime).

Photo: Ben Hon                                                                                            

At Junoon (19 West 24th St), the Michelin-starred Indian fine dining destination in Flatiron, executive chef Akshay Bhardwaj is celebrating Holi with a special menu that is bursting with color and bold, vibrant flavors, available from March 8-12. The 5-course menu will feature new limited-run specials such as Jackfruit Cutlet (with green pea garlic chutney, smoked carrot coconut puree, rainbow carrot salad, candy cane beets), Duck Potli (confit duck stuffed dumpling, pickled radish, almond raisin crumble, walnut saffron sauce) and Holi Thandai (panna cotta, saffron cardamom shrikand, goji crisp). Full menu linked here + link to reservations here. 

Photo: TAGMO                                                                                               

TAGMO (226 Front St) at the Seaport is participating in several Holi events and hosting prix fixe Holi dinners at the restaurant. They also have a Holi collection of sweets. The sweets come in flavors such as Thandai Burfi made with almonds, khoya, cane sugar, rose paste, fennel seeds, black pepper, cardamom, and white chocolate; and Kaju Katli with cashews, cane sugar, cardamom, cocoa butter, and pink dust.  The Sweets will also be offered at several events across the city, including Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and the Seaport.

Public Holi Events

Lincoln Center – This spring festival of color features dance, music, Holi face painting and treats presented by Ajna Dance Company and Lincoln Center. Saturday March 11, 2023 at 11am.  FREE

The Seaport – This annual Holi Celebration includes colorful puppets and powder play to shake off the winter blues and celebrate the arrival of spring. Events will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023 at The Culture Tree and South Street Seaport Museum from 11am to 2pm

Brooklyn Children’s Museum - BCM and Ajna Dance Company will celebrate “Color Festival” with a day of art, dance, food, music, and wonder. Saturday April 1, 2023 with three sessions at 10am, 1pm and 4pm.

All of the Holi events are perfect for some colorful family fun!