Restaurants throughout Chicago make it easy to celebrate Christmas, whether you’re looking for a traditional dinner with prime rib and buche de noel or decadent brunches where you can pile your plate with king crab legs and sweets. There are takeout options if you prefer to gather everyone at home, but don’t want to do the cooking and Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes for some Italian flavor. Be sure to place your order or book a reservation at one of these restaurants soon so you can have a merry and delicious Christmas.
The Loop and Near North Side
Asador Bastian
The Basque-influenced steakhouse offers a five-course dinner ($205) from 4 to 10 p.m. Christmas Eve including grilled king crab with caviar, black truffle and cheese pasta and roast duck with foie gras dirty rice. 214 W. Erie St., 312-800-8935, asadorbastian.com/event/basquechristmaseve
Bistronomic
Imagine you’re vacationing in Paris this Christmas Eve with a four-course meal ($120 plus $70 for wine pairings) prepared by chef Martial Noguier and Les Nomades chef Roland Liccioni including diver sea scallop with lobster sauce, braised flat iron wagyu rossini and poached pear with bittersweet chocolate sauce. 840 N. Wabash Ave., 312-944-8400, bistronomic.net
Chicago Chop House
The River North steakhouse offers a special menu including crab-stuffed mushrooms ($29), prime rib with horseradish cream ($59) and classic stuffing with cranberry sauce ($15). 4-9 p.m. Dec. 24 and 1-9 p.m. Dec. 25. 60 W. Ontario St., 312-787-7100, chicagochophouse.com/holiday-menu
Ema
A Mediterranean-inspired dinner for two ($125) includes crispy Brussels sprouts, shawarma-spiced roasted chicken, beef tenderloin kebab and honey pie. Place an order by 5 p.m. Dec. 22 for carryout or delivery from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 23-24. 74 W. Illinois St., 312-527-5586, emarestaurants.com
Grill on 21
The restaurant within The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection, celebrates with a four-course dinner ($125) including lobster bisque, truffle arancini, braised short rib with polenta and chocolate cake. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 208 S. LaSalle St., 312-634-0000, ext. 3, grillon21.com
IO Godfrey
Santa Claus hosts a brunch buffet ($59; $15 for kids under 12) featuring an omelet station, carved prime rib, pancakes, avocado toast, a salad bar, acai bowls and hot cocoa. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24. 127 W. Huron St., 312-374-1830, iogodfrey.com/events
La Grande Boucherie
The River North brasserie offers specials in addition to its regular menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including crab bisque ($25), lobster thermidor ($68) and seared foie gras with sunnyside-up quail egg ($28). 431 N. Dearborn St., 312-624-3014, boucherieus.com
Lírica
The Navy Pier restaurant offers a four-course dinner for Christmas Day, including butternut squash soup, beef Wellington and chocolate lava cake for $65. 900 E. Grand Ave., 872-710-5750, liricarestaurant.com
The Lobby at The Peninsula
Celebrate Christmas Eve with a five-course dinner ($300 plus $95 for wine pairings) including winter truffle tart, smoked hamachi crudo, king crab risotto and a dessert buffet plus a visit from Santa and live jazz music. 108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6760, exploretock.com/thepeninsulachicago
Miru
The restaurant ties into the Japanese tradition of feasting on fried chicken on Christmas Eve by offering a half bird to go for $32 from 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 24-25. You can also celebrate with a Christmas Day brunch buffet that includes chicken and waffles, sushi and sizzling fried rice for $150 or $75 for kids ages 5-9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 401 E. Wacker Drive, 312-725-7811, mirurestaurant.com/events
NoMI
The restaurant within the Park Hyatt offers a buffet ($265; $95 for kids; free for kids 5 and under) featuring jumbo shrimp, lemon garlic kale salad, wagyu striploin, porchetta and a dessert station with red velvet macarons and buche de Noel. 5-10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 25. 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030, nomichicago.com
Osteria Via Stato
Executive chef David DiGregorio shares his family traditions with a Feast of the Seven Fishes meal ($90; $53 for kids under 12) including calamari, seafood stew and grilled octopus. 4-8 p.m. Dec. 24. 620 N. State St., 312-642-8450, osteriaviastato.com
RPM Italian
More Top Picks Best E Readers With Large Screens For Seniors
A five-course Feast of the Seven Fishes ($125) menu includes tuna crudo, seafood risotto, center-cut filet mignon and Hokkaido scallops. Noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 24. 52 W. Illinois St., 312-222-1888, rpmrestaurants.com
State and Lake Chicago Tavern
A Christmas Day brunch ($60) features a choice of entree such as roasted turkey with cornbread stuffing or garlic rosemary leg of lamb plus a seafood bar, salads and a sweets table. 201 N. State St., 312-239-9400, stateandlakechicago.com
Staytion Market & Bar
The restaurant within the Renaissance Hotel offers a Tinsel Twilight cocktail made with rum, lime, cherry and orange-cranberry sugar ($16) plus food specials including cauliflower bisque ($15), rack of lamb with sweet potato risotto ($36), roasted ham with white cheddar potato puree ($27) and white chocolate panna cotta ($17) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 1 W. Wacker Drive, 312-795-3308, exploretock.com/staytion-bar-chicago
Travelle at The Langham
Santa will make an appearance at a Christmas buffet ($285, $85 for kids ages 2-12) featuring carving stations, seafood and dessert. 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 25. 330 N. Wabash Ave., 312-923-7705, travellechicago.com/events/christmas-buffet
Yardbird
The Southern restaurant offers Christmas specials including honey bourbon spiral ham ($38), biscuit stuffing ($12), a slice of bourbon pecan pie ($15) and eggnog with salted caramel bourbon ($18). 530 N. Wabash Ave., 312-999-9760, runchickenrun.com/holidays
North Side & Northwest Side
Daisies
A $225 meal for four available to pick up Dec. 23 includes kale Caesar salad, prime rib with horseradish cream, potato gratin, Parker House rolls and peppermint bark. Add on buche de Noel ($65), chocolate babka ($50) or a box of holiday cookies and candy ($30). 2375 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-697-9443, daisieschicago.com
Eli’s Cheesecake Cafe and Bakery
Treat your out of town guests to a Chicago classic with peppermint bark cheesecake ($69), Winter Wonderland baby cheesecakes ($54) and a holiday sampler that mixes cranberry crumble, hot chocolate, cinnamon roll and plain cheesecake ($74). 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive, 773-205-3800, elicheesecake.com
Fiya
The Andersonville restaurant puts a Middle Eastern spin on the tradition of ordering Chinese food on Christmas with a $200 meal for four available for pickup from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24 that includes roast duck, egg drop matzo ball soup, fire-roasted long beans, scallion and za’atar pancakes, and lamb and cabbage dumplings. 5419 N. Clark St. 773-543-7074, fiyarestaurant.com
Floriole
The Lincoln Park bakery offers specials including gingersnap lime pie ($52), stollen ($50), maple pecan cookies ($29) and cranberry orange olive oil tea cake ($25). Place an order by Dec. 21 for pick up Dec. 23-24. 1220 W. Webster Ave., 773-883-1313, floriole.com
Manchamanteles
A three-course tasting menu ($85 plus $45 for beverage pairings) available Christmas Eve and Christmas Day includes fire-roasted corn salad, smoked duck breast with mole negro, and a mole and chocolate tart. 2009 N. Western Ave., 773-799-8148, manchamantelesrestaurant.com
West Side & Near West Side
Aba
Chef CJ Jacobson offers meals for eight featuring short rib with shawarma marinade ($395) or baharat-spiced beef tenderloin ($595) with root vegetable gratin, kale tabouli, roasted marble potatoes and a whole creme brulee pie. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Dec. 17 for carryout Dec. 22-24. 302 N. Green St., 773-645-1400, abarestaurants.com
Duck Duck Goat
Roast a marinated Peking duck and serve it with green beans, char siu bao buns, mashed potato spring rolls, vegetable fried rice and spiced sweet potatoes ($275). Add on a pecan pie ($48) or chocolate shake french fry pie ($45). Pick up the feast for four from 2:30-3:15 p.m. Dec. 23. 857 W. Fulton Market, 312-902-3825, duckduckgoatchicago.com
Fioretta
The Italian American steakhouse offers a four-course dinner featuring shrimp scampi, butternut squash soup, filet mignon and tiramisu for $110. Add-ons include drink pairings ($49), caviar ($95), a Maine lobster tail ($35) and mascarpone whipped potatoes ($15). 4-9:30 p.m. Dec. 24. 318 N. Sangamon St., 312-897-5011, fiorettasteak.com
Good Ambler
Festive treats including fruit and nut Christmas trees ($14), gingerbread caramel Santas ($19) and eggnog ganache ornaments ($16) are available to pick up from Dec. 20-24. 216 N. Peoria St., 312-872-7165, goodambler.com/holidays-2025
Nisos Prime
A four-course dinner ($100) includes East Coast oysters, rigatoni alla vodka, chicken parmesan and chocolate cake. 5-10 p.m. Dec. 24. 312-800-8582, 802 W. Randolph St., nisosprime.com
South Side & Near South Side
The Duck Inn
A prime rib dinner for four available for pickup or delivery Dec. 23 includes duck fat yorkie pudding, creamed kale, Irish cheddar potato casserole and sticky toffee pudding with whiskey cream for $350. You can get everything but the beef for $150. 2701 S. Eleanor St., 312-724-8811, theduckinnchicago.com
Suburban and multiple locations
Bennison’s Bakery
Pick up a decorated gingerbread house ($76), gingerbread house kit ($57), mini yule log ($8.27), fruit cake ($29) and other festive treats available through Dec. 24. 1000 Davis St., Evanston, 847-328-9434, bennisonscakes.com
More Top Picks Ice Cube Tray
Di Pescara
Place an order by noon Dec. 21 to pick up specials Dec. 23 or 24 including a roasted whole beef tenderloin au jus for eight to 10 people ($279), twice-baked potato casserole with applewood smoked bacon ($65-$115) and shrimp cocktail ($49-$119). 2124 Northbrook Court, Northbrook; 847-498-4321; di-pescara.com
L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge
A to-go dinner for two includes oven-roasted turkey breast with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, house-made cranberry sauce and apple strudel for $90. A la carte dishes for 8-10 ($40-$50 each) such as mac and cheese and creamed spinach and full pecan, butterscotch and Key lime pies ($50 each) are also available. Place an order by 8 p.m. Dec. 21 for carryout between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 24. 7110 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood; 847-677-3350; lwoodsrestaurant.com
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
Celebrate Christmas Eve with a three-course dinner ($69-$79) including tomato seafood bisque, chargrilled salmon, whipped potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake, or upgrade to a four-course premium menu ($125-$139) featuring tempura-fried lobster tail and lamb chops. Multiple locations, perryssteakhouse.com
Soul & Smoke
Christmas specials include hickory-smoked ham ($31), Cajun-smoked turkey ($29), herb stuffing ($17), garlic mashed potatoes ($17), candied yams ($27), garlic roasted green beans ($29), brown butter cornbread muffins ($6), herb gravy ($8) and cranberry sauce ($6). Orders can be picked up Dec. 23 in Evanston, Avondale or the West Loop. Multiple locations, soulandsmoke.com
Sweet Mandy B’s
Pick up festive treats including cranberry walnut bread, chocolate peppermint cupcakes and peppermint brownies from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24. 1208 W. Webster Ave., 773-244-1174 and 254 E. Ontario St., 312-255-1632; sweetmandybs.com
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.