Christmas time is here, and that means joy for you and me and our bellies, too!
If you’re looking to feast this Christmas but don’t want to make a mess in the kitchen, we suggest trying one of these impeccable menu options from the brilliant chef in your own backyard.
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Whether you’re looking to dine-in at a luxurious restaurant or want to bring something home to eat in comfort; want to celebrate with a Christmas Eve feast of the seven fishes or jazz things up with something less traditional, these Christmas meals are a splendid way to spread cheer and flavor for the whole family.
Yes, some spots on our list are open Christmas Day, too!
Various locations in River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market and Oak Brook / Website
Whether you’re looking to hit the town or bring delicious dishes home, Beatrix Restaurants cooked up a fine holiday feast. Dine in on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 23 and 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and enjoy grilled filet medallion with short-rib ragout and truffle-onion jus for $30.95 per person. Likewise, if you’d like to take a meal home for two, Beatrix’ menu offers Brussels sprout and honeycrisp apple salad, butternut squash and apple soup, chicken bebe, filet medallions with short-tib ragout, whipped yukon gold potatoes and truffle-onion jus for $59.95. Takeout orders must be placed by Thursday, Dec. 22, at noon. Your food will be cold upon pick-up or delivery and comes with reheating instructions.
1816 North Halsted Street, 312-280-8990 / Website
Come to King Crab for a royal feast served in three courses. Start your journey with a choice of starters that include mussels, calamari, shrimp cocktail, clam chowder and Caesar salad. Continue with a main course option of filet mignon; Louisiana-style seafood boil with corn, potatoes, sausage, a half-pound king crab and half-pound of shrimp; or a whole pound of king crab legs. Finish with your choice of key lime pie, chocolate mousse, tiramisu or cheesecake. A complimentary glass of wine or champagne is also offered with the $69.95 per person package.
63 W Grand Ave., 312-828-0575 / Website
Looking for something with a different flavor? Sushi-san is offering a Japanese take on tradition with a Togarashi Fried Chicken Dinner for Two for takeout. The menu boasts a bucket of Togarashi-spiced fried chicken, mashed potatoes with a yakitori gravy, wrinkled green beans, squash with brown butter soy vinaigrette, and Okinawa sugar pie for dessert. You can add whisky, sake and wine to your order as well. It’s served for $85 plus tax and gratuity, and can be picked up from 5 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. All orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23.
108 E Superior Street, 312-573-6760 / Website
Another decadent space making room for you and yours, The Lobby invites you to dine in on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Dec. 24, enjoy a five-course menu with an over-the-top dessert buffet and live music from a trio band. The price is set at $275 per guest with an optional wine pairing or $75, served from 5:30 to 10 p.m. On Christmas Day, you can enjoy a brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., boasting a meat carving station, a seafood display, assorted Sassanian caviar, the Peninsula’s signature sushi station, a tartare station, a macaroni and cheese bar, global cheese and charcuterie station, a Shanghai Terrace station with dum sum and classic entrees, a children’s buffet, and a dessert buffet. Christmas Day brunch is served for $295 to $325 per adult, and $85 per child.
Waldorf Astoria, 11 E. Walton 3rd Floor, 312-646-1402 / Website
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are a celebration with the brunch from Brass Tack, both of which will feature endless glasses of rosé. A selection of specialty champagnes will also be on the menu alongside the restaurants usual brunch fare of bennys, lobster toast, coffee cake pancakes, shakshuka and much more. Christmas Eve also boasts a special seafood dinner in addition to the regular a la carte options, while Christmas Day brings a traditional holiday dinner menu.
1301 North State Parkway, 312-787-3700 / Website
This five-star hotel’s Ambassador Room will offer a prix-fixe dinner menu for $75 per person on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It's a five-course affair, starting with creamy potato leek soup, followed by a second course of poached pear salad, a third course of butternut squash ravioli in maple cream sauce, and a fourth course of pan-seared salmon or prime rib. For the dessert course, enjoy a blackcurrant and violet ornament with blackcurrant mousse, violet anglaise, blackcurrant jam and apricot jelly.
505 N. Michigan Ave., 312-321-8823 / Website
Want to celebrate like a champion? The basketball legend invites you and your family to enjoy an over-the-top menu that includes a 60-day, dry-aged, roasted prime ribeye steak with yorkshire pudding and port wine jus for $75. Jordan also suggests strolling through the lovely holiday display at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile hotel in which the restaurant is located, so you can get in the true holiday spirit.
259 E Erie Street, 18th floor, 312-283-4270 / Website
Christmas Eve brings a feast of plenty at Woodwind—and it comes with a great view of the city. Enjoy four courses with your choice of starter snack: house ricotta, rice chicharron, chickpea cheese fries, or tots n' caviar. Next up is a "mostly vegetables" selection of squash and apple bisque, fermented hummus with dipping delights, or roasted Brussels sprouts. The main course offers an Aztec salad, pan-seared salmon, chicken n' waffles, grilled short rib, the Woodwind burger, or pork belly "al pastor" tacos. Finishing the meal comes your choice of an ube ice cream sandwich, local farm apple souffle, or smoked chocolate pot de creme. It’s yours from 3 to 9 p.m. at a fixed price of $75 per person.
1133 W Randolph, 773-672-8955 / Website
With its name meaning “joy” in Italian, this modern jewel honors the Italian traditions by serving a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Pair your meal with something special from the winter cocktail menu, perhaps a SnowBall featuring Diplomatico rum, coconut rum, pumpkin spice, lemon, and a coconut shaving rim?
1559 N Milwaukee Ave., 312-363-3110 / Website
James Beard nominated chef Rodolfo Cuadros brings a lovely menu together for those who wish to cut back on their meat consumption. Bloom is set to serve a three-course dinner from Dec. 9 through the 23 for $55 per person. Star with Puerto Rican Pastel with plantains, malanga, yuca, squash, lentil sofrito and winter greens. Continue with a Christmas Log with braised jackfruit, acorn squash puree, pumpkin chimichurri and black garlic demi-glace. Finish strong with a hazelnut pot de creme tart with almost coconut crust, toasted hazelnuts and cashew dulce de leche, and you’ll be merry and bright!
From 4 to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, this Mag Mile French brasserie is bringing a prix-fixe feast with a whole, salt-baked fish as the star. Seafood is the main theme for this Christmas on the Coast meal, with a variety of add-on options and side dishes, and you have access to the restaurant’s raw bar, too. There’s a special 50 percent off rate for all to-go wine bottles, if you’d like to take something home for your Christmas Day dinner or a New Year’s Eve champagne toast, as well.
4710 N. Ravenswood, 773-961-7919 / Website
Another veggie-forward and vegan-friendly restaurant, Cultivate is open for Christmas Eve brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy The Root, with your choice of eggs, bacon and house potatoes; a French Toast with ciabatta, pineapple marmalade and more; Vegetable Hash with seasonal veggies, truffle vinaigrette, and Yukon gold and sweet potatoes; as well as banana coffee cake, blueberry lemon muffins and more.
3471 n. Elston Ave., 773-583-3066 / Website
Open from 11 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Chief O’Neill’s is serving its regular menu as well as holiday specialties that include Cornish game hens with chorizo cornbread stuffing; pomegranate-glazed blackened salmon with grilled asparagus, sliced avocado and port wine pomegranate reduction; and prime rib with loaded mash cassoulet and grilled broccolini. Pair your plate with a Christmas cocktail called the Peppermint Patty with creme de Menthe, Five Farms Irish Cream, creme de coco, Baileys and chocolate.
110 W Illinois Street, 312-644-0500 / Website
It’s an East Meets West dinner for Christmas with this takeaway menu that boasts all the fixings. For $70 per person, you can serve four with a spread of shishito mashed potatoes, buttered rolls, pork belly adobo, turkey breast with confit legs and gravy, street corn stuffing, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce and sweet apple pie. All orders must be picked up between noon and 3 p.m. on Friday or Saturday, Dec. 2 or 24, as Sunda New Asian will be closed Christmas Day.
8 W Maple Street, 312-944-8888 / Website
Come for the beautiful holiday facade and festive display, stay for the delightful Christmas Day dinner special. Maple & Ash is offering a 36-ounce, bone-in Chateaubriand Rossini with seared foie gras, black trumpet mushrooms, perigord black truffles and truffle jus for $275. The rest of the menu’s regular selection of fine steakhouse fare will also be available, including the seafood tower, caviar and more.
Now that your dinner plans are covered, make merry and bright with a visit to one of Chicago’s most brilliant holiday light displays.
Photography by: FG Trade / Getty; Courtesy of King Crab Chicago; Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Chicago; Courtesy of WoodWind; Courtesy of Venteux; Sunda New Asian
