If you’re looking to feast this Christmas in Chicago 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.
See also: The Best Holiday Events In Chicago
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—and yes, some spots on our list are open Christmas Day, too.
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120 E. Delaware Place / Website
For a particularly luxe Christmas Day spread, make tracks to the Four Seasons Chicago to explore the Mag Mile destination’s “Tinsel and Toast” celebration, led by Executive Chef Franco Diaz. Enjoy holiday dishes like maple-glazed Berkshire ham and relish king salmon wellington, accompanied by a tapas station, a sushi station and a decadent dessert spread with chestnut mont blanc, peppermint white chocolate tortes and chocolate blackberry forest cherry Swiss rolls, all for $84/adult and $45/child. Reservations can be made here.
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Locations in River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market and Oak Brook / Website
Whether you’re looking to hit the town or opt for carryout or delivery, Beatrix is a stand-out option for Christmas Eve dining. Featured specials include grilled filet medallions with short rib ragout, parmesan smashed potatoes and truffle-onion jus, but the menu has plenty of other options, too—including vegetarian and vegan choices aplenty. Orders must be placed by 12 p.m. on Dec. 22 for carryout or delivery on Dec. 24. Reservations can be made here.
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11 E. Walton St., 3rd Floor / Website
This restaurant in the Waldorf Astoria will be buzzing throughout the Christmas holiday. Christmas Eve dinner offerings include specials of braised veal cheeks, pan-seared Chilean seabass and pumpkin ravioli all’uovo. On Christmas Day, brunch will feature specials like traditional croque monsieur, cage-free eggs Florentine and Rohan duck breast a l’orange, along with the regular menu of signature items like lobster toast and crab Benedicts. And for Christmas dinner, the regular menu will be joined by specials and wine-tasting options. Reservations can be made here.
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12 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
Christmas Eve specials at this beloved Chicago Athletic Association restaurant include a chilled seafood platter, Buche de Noel, 12-ounce prime rib and specially selected Champagne offerings, all served with stellar views of Millennium Park and the lakefront. Reservations can be made here.
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2700 W. Chicago Ave. / Website
This Eastern European spot is ringing in the holidays with its five-course Feast of the Seven Fishes Christmas Eve tradition. Highlights include the Osetra caviar-topped smoked oyster and cauliflower tart, sliced tuna and hamachi sashimi with coconut dashi and swordfish au poivre, all for $200 per person. Optional beverage pairings are also available. The restaurant is also offering ready-to-reheat Christmas packages, featuring everything from prime rib to caviar and cocktails. Reservations can be made here. Pre-orders are available through Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. here. Order pickup is available on Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
108 E. Superior St. / Website
Open for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this five-star hotel beckons with two equally tempting options in The Lobby restaurant. On Dec. 24, enjoy a five-course prix-fixe menu (think caviar, scallops, Chilean sea bass, beef Wellington and more) with an over-the-top dessert buffet and live music from a jazz trio. The price is set at $285 per guest with an optional wine pairing for $85 (children can order from the children’s menu). On Christmas Day, dig into a brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a series of decadent stations, including meat carving, paella, bao bun, imported and domestic caviar, cheese and charcuterie and Shanghai Terrace, finished off with a decadent dessert buffet. A magician will be on hand to perform for children, and a string quartet will provide live music; the experience is priced at $325 per adult and $95 per child. Reservations can be made here.
401 E. Wacker Drive, 11th Floor / Website
On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this chic Japanese spot is offering a $32 special of Japanese-style fried chicken, a playful nod to the Japanese tradition of ordering fried chicken on Christmas Eve. Miru’s regular dinner menu of sushi, robata dishes and more will also be offered, and the half-bird is available for dine-in from 3 to 8 p.m. or carryout from 2 to 6 p.m. Visitors can also join Miru for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day brunch buffet from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring chicken and waffles, smoked salmon, sizzling fried rice, brunch favorites and a selection of pastries and sweets for $95 per person. Reservations can be made here.
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8 W. Maple St. / Website
Open for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this Gold Coast fave is offering a special of bone-in Chateaubriand Rossini with seared foie gras, black trumpet mushrooms, Perigord black truffles and truffle jus in addition to its signature menu of fine steakhouse fare. Reservations can be made here.
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222 N. LaSalle St. / Website
This top Loop steakhouse will offer a Christmas Eve feast in the form of a three-course tasting menu ($110 per person) with tempting options like wedge salad, clam chowder, petite filet mignon, pan-seared salmon, red wine-braised short rib and more. Menu add-ons and sommelier-selected wine pairings ($49 per person) are available too. Reservations can be made here.
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317 N. Clark St. / Website
Want to truly go over the top on Christmas Eve? Make tracks to this River North fave for an updated version of the classic Italian celebration of Feast of the Seven Fishes, featuring king crab tortelli, seafood risotto, Maine scallops and center-cut Creekstone filet mignon, all for $125 plus tax and gratuity. And if you’re feeling like more Seven Fishes experiences, check out fellow Lettuce Entertain You restaurants il Porcellino, Tre Dita and Osteria Via Stato, each of which will be offering their own unique take on the menu. Reservations can be made here.
118 W. Grand Ave. / Website
This Peruvian hot spot in River North is offering Christmas Eve dinner specials available Dec. 20-24—think hearty seafood platters, cross-cut veal shank and gochujang-braised ham served with a crispy fried rice skillet, lettuce wraps, rocoto hoisin and pickled daikon radishes and carrots. Reservations can be made here.
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160 E. Pearson St. / Website
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago’s sleek Italian steakhouse Torali is hosting a lavish Christmas Day feast. The menu is stocked with favorites like the chilled seafood tower, short rib osso bucco, grilled octopus, Mafalde bolognese and more. Restaurant-goers can finish off their meal with decadent dessert offerings, such as hazelnut banana tiramisu, milk chocolate baked ricotta cheesecake and strawberry swirl cannoli. Reservations can be made here.
530 N. Wabash Ave. / Website
Get a taste of the South on Christmas Day with to-go holiday packages from this River North comfort food haven, which will be offering special dishes like honey bourbon spiral ham, mashed potatoes, biscuit stuffing with sage, bourbon brown butter-glazed yams and more. Or, take home the Yardbird Fried Chicken for The Family meal kit to receive 24 pieces of the restaurant’s 27-hour brined chicken, biscuits and mac and cheese. Orders can be placed here.
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; Swift & Sons photo by Nick Podraza; Tanta photo by Mistey Nguyen
