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Where to Eat on Christmas Eve and Day in Chicago

Leave the holiday meal to the experts

by Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam Updated
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by Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam Updated
Shutterstock

The holidays can be a stressful time, so this year, take a load off and let someone else handle the cooking. Many Chicago restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve and Day. The following options around town include Italian seafood celebrations, truffle-laden specials, succulent steaks, and more. Regardless of what diners choose, a Christmas Eve meal that requires no prep or cleanup is a gift the whole family will appreciate.

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George Trois

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Chef Michael Lachowicz and his team at George Trois in suburban Winnetka will host an opulent Christmas Eve menu ($189 per person) featuring fancy fare like foie gras eclair over crispy fried leeks, paupiettes of Dover sole with lobster mousse, and filet of beef tenderloin with truffle mousse en croute. Reservations are available via Tock. Interested parties would be wise to move quickly, as the intimate restaurant only seats 12.

64 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093

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Bar Roma

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Rustic Italian eatery Bar Roma is opening on Christmas Eve and the team is whipping up a couple of special dishes for the evening, including Italian wedding soup, Italian white sturgeon caviar for two, and a 22-ounce wood-grilled bone-in ribeye with cacio e pepe butter. Reservations are available via Resy.

5101 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 942-7572
(773) 942-7572

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Longman & Eagle

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For $125 per person, enjoy a family-style feast of the seven fishes (plus a cookie course at the end) at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square. Reservations are available via Resy.

2657 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-7110
(773) 276-7110

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Andros Taverna

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Andros Taverna, Logan Square’s upscale Greek restaurant from restaurateur Doug Psaltis, will mark Christmas Eve with another take on feast of the seven fishes, this time featuring a selection of crudos, roasted seafood orzotto, and charcoal-grilled whole fish for $95 per person. Reservations are available via Resy.

2542 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 365-1900
(773) 365-1900

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Floriole Cafe & Bakery

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Lincoln Park’s majestic bakery cafe, Floriole, has several Christmas options for home consumption. Find chocolate ginger blackcurrant Bûche de Nöel, gingersnap lime pies, potato onion fontina galettes, and more via Tock.

1220 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 883-1313
(773) 883-1313

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Lottie's Pub

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Those who’d rather enjoy an unfussy Christmas Eve may find just what they’re looking for at Lottie’s Pub, which has a full day of football viewing, raffles, and menu specials planned for the holiday, including $8 eggnog cocktails and Bloody Marys, as well as $15 sausage and giardiniera pizzas and $10 breakfast burritos. There’s even more fun planned for Christmas Day.

1925 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-0738
(773) 489-0738

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Alpana

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Sommelier Alpana Singh’s Gold Coast restaurant is rolling out a Christmas Eve menu of specials in addition to a la carte offerings from the usual lineup. Her team is also putting out seasonal cocktails such as a Mistletoe Spritzer and Winter Old Fashioned. Book a reservation on the restaurant’s website.

831 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 624-8055
(312) 624-8055

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NoMI

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On Christmas Eve, NoMi will offer a four-course dinner ($165 per person). The prix-fixe includes chicken liver mousse with blueberry jam and turbot with roasted vegetables and creamy polenta. Christmas Day’s dinner is $200 per person and features dishes such as pomme dauphine with truffle creme and herb-crusted prime rib with thyme jus.

Seventh Floor, 800 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 239-4030
(312) 239-4030

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Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar

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The team at charming this neighborhood caviar bar knows a thing or two about seafood, which makes the feast of the seven fishes a natural choice for Christmas Eve. The five-course holiday menu ($200 per person) will include a smoked oyster and cauliflower tart with Osetra caviar, tuna and hamachi sashimi with coconut dashi and Grand Cru caviar, and grill-roasted red snapper with braised collard greens and pimento grits. Reserve a table via Tock.

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 661-9577
(773) 661-9577

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Osteria Via Stato

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Executive chef David DiGregorio is cooking up a storm on Christmas Eve this year for the feast of the seven fishes. Osteria Via Stato’s multi-course dinner will highlight Italian seafood dishes inspired by various regions. The menu is priced at $74.95 per person. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

620 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 642-8450
(312) 642-8450

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Kinzie Chophouse

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Steakhouse stalwart Kinzie Chophouse is planning an eight-course “Holiday Tasting Odyssey” for Christmas Eve. The team promises a luxurious meal featuring scallops, duck ravioli, dry-aged lamb chops, and more. The cost is $150 per person and reservations are available online.

400 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-0191
(312) 822-0191

Miru

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Miru, the all-day Japanese restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises at the St. Regis Chicago hotel — which resides inside the 101-story skyscraper that overlooks Navy Pier in Lakeshore East — is celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with fried chicken. The move is inspired by the popularity of Kentucky Fried Chicken at Christmastime in Japan. Chef Hisanobu Osaka is offering a half-bird special ($26) for takeout and dine-in patrons.

The St Regis Hotel, 401 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 725-7811
(312) 725-7811
A table laid with fried chicken and a bottle of sake. Miru

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Prime & Provisions Steakhouse

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Prime & Provisions is offering a special four-course Christmas Eve tasting menu with selections like lump blue crab cake, dry-aged Rohan duck, Farro Island salmon, tres leches cake, and banana cream pie. It’s $110 per person and reservations are available via OpenTable.

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222 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 726-7777
(312) 726-7777

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Gioia Chicago

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1133 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 672-8955
(773) 672-8955

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Cherry Circle Room

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Cherry Circle Room, tucked away on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, is now operating under the guidance of lauded executive chef Mari Katsumura (Yugen), which is good news for Christmas celebrants. She’s launching a “surf ‘n turf experience” ($140 per person) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a menu featuring filet mignon, torched lobster motoyaki with caviar, and twice-baked truffle potatoes. Reservations are available via Resy.

12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 792-3515
(312) 792-3515

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Mercat a la Planxa

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Mercat, a favorite for Spanish tapas, is ready to feed diners on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a Catalan-inspired tasting menu ($85 per person) that includes beef and pork albondigas, 10-ounce grilled black angus hanger steaks, and churros con chocolate. Its regular menu will also be available. Book reservations on the restaurant’s website.

638 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 765-0524
(312) 765-0524

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The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

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The South Loop firehouse-turned-restaurant has crafted a special a la carte menu for Christmas Eve that’s stacked with classic hits like ricotta dumplings with short rib ragout, Shrimp de Jonghe, and Berkshire pork chops. Book a reservation via Resy.

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 786-1401
(312) 786-1401

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MingHin Cuisine

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It’ll be business as usual at Chinese stalwart MingHin on Christmas Eve and Day. The local mini chain is open 365 days a year so Chicagoans can spend their holiday enjoying dim sum, roast pork, Beijing duck, noodles, fried rice, hot pot casseroles, and more. Reservations are available on the restaurant’s website.

2168 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-1999
(312) 808-1999

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George Trois

64 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093

Chef Michael Lachowicz and his team at George Trois in suburban Winnetka will host an opulent Christmas Eve menu ($189 per person) featuring fancy fare like foie gras eclair over crispy fried leeks, paupiettes of Dover sole with lobster mousse, and filet of beef tenderloin with truffle mousse en croute. Reservations are available via Tock. Interested parties would be wise to move quickly, as the intimate restaurant only seats 12.

64 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093

Bar Roma

5101 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Rustic Italian eatery Bar Roma is opening on Christmas Eve and the team is whipping up a couple of special dishes for the evening, including Italian wedding soup, Italian white sturgeon caviar for two, and a 22-ounce wood-grilled bone-in ribeye with cacio e pepe butter. Reservations are available via Resy.

5101 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 942-7572
(773) 942-7572

Longman & Eagle

2657 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

For $125 per person, enjoy a family-style feast of the seven fishes (plus a cookie course at the end) at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square. Reservations are available via Resy.

2657 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-7110
(773) 276-7110

Andros Taverna

2542 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Andros Taverna, Logan Square’s upscale Greek restaurant from restaurateur Doug Psaltis, will mark Christmas Eve with another take on feast of the seven fishes, this time featuring a selection of crudos, roasted seafood orzotto, and charcoal-grilled whole fish for $95 per person. Reservations are available via Resy.

2542 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 365-1900
(773) 365-1900

Floriole Cafe & Bakery

1220 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Lincoln Park’s majestic bakery cafe, Floriole, has several Christmas options for home consumption. Find chocolate ginger blackcurrant Bûche de Nöel, gingersnap lime pies, potato onion fontina galettes, and more via Tock.

1220 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 883-1313
(773) 883-1313

Lottie's Pub

1925 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60622

Those who’d rather enjoy an unfussy Christmas Eve may find just what they’re looking for at Lottie’s Pub, which has a full day of football viewing, raffles, and menu specials planned for the holiday, including $8 eggnog cocktails and Bloody Marys, as well as $15 sausage and giardiniera pizzas and $10 breakfast burritos. There’s even more fun planned for Christmas Day.

1925 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-0738
(773) 489-0738

Alpana

831 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610

Sommelier Alpana Singh’s Gold Coast restaurant is rolling out a Christmas Eve menu of specials in addition to a la carte offerings from the usual lineup. Her team is also putting out seasonal cocktails such as a Mistletoe Spritzer and Winter Old Fashioned. Book a reservation on the restaurant’s website.

831 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 624-8055
(312) 624-8055

NoMI

Seventh Floor, 800 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

On Christmas Eve, NoMi will offer a four-course dinner ($165 per person). The prix-fixe includes chicken liver mousse with blueberry jam and turbot with roasted vegetables and creamy polenta. Christmas Day’s dinner is $200 per person and features dishes such as pomme dauphine with truffle creme and herb-crusted prime rib with thyme jus.

Seventh Floor, 800 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 239-4030
(312) 239-4030

Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

The team at charming this neighborhood caviar bar knows a thing or two about seafood, which makes the feast of the seven fishes a natural choice for Christmas Eve. The five-course holiday menu ($200 per person) will include a smoked oyster and cauliflower tart with Osetra caviar, tuna and hamachi sashimi with coconut dashi and Grand Cru caviar, and grill-roasted red snapper with braised collard greens and pimento grits. Reserve a table via Tock.

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 661-9577
(773) 661-9577

Osteria Via Stato

620 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Executive chef David DiGregorio is cooking up a storm on Christmas Eve this year for the feast of the seven fishes. Osteria Via Stato’s multi-course dinner will highlight Italian seafood dishes inspired by various regions. The menu is priced at $74.95 per person. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

620 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 642-8450
(312) 642-8450

Kinzie Chophouse

400 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654

Steakhouse stalwart Kinzie Chophouse is planning an eight-course “Holiday Tasting Odyssey” for Christmas Eve. The team promises a luxurious meal featuring scallops, duck ravioli, dry-aged lamb chops, and more. The cost is $150 per person and reservations are available online.

400 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-0191
(312) 822-0191

Miru

The St Regis Hotel, 401 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

Miru, the all-day Japanese restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises at the St. Regis Chicago hotel — which resides inside the 101-story skyscraper that overlooks Navy Pier in Lakeshore East — is celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with fried chicken. The move is inspired by the popularity of Kentucky Fried Chicken at Christmastime in Japan. Chef Hisanobu Osaka is offering a half-bird special ($26) for takeout and dine-in patrons.

The St Regis Hotel, 401 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 725-7811
(312) 725-7811
A table laid with fried chicken and a bottle of sake. Miru

Prime & Provisions Steakhouse

222 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60601

Prime & Provisions is offering a special four-course Christmas Eve tasting menu with selections like lump blue crab cake, dry-aged Rohan duck, Farro Island salmon, tres leches cake, and banana cream pie. It’s $110 per person and reservations are available via OpenTable.

222 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 726-7777
(312) 726-7777

Gioia Chicago

1133 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

1133 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 672-8955
(773) 672-8955

Cherry Circle Room

12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

Cherry Circle Room, tucked away on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, is now operating under the guidance of lauded executive chef Mari Katsumura (Yugen), which is good news for Christmas celebrants. She’s launching a “surf ‘n turf experience” ($140 per person) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a menu featuring filet mignon, torched lobster motoyaki with caviar, and twice-baked truffle potatoes. Reservations are available via Resy.

12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 792-3515
(312) 792-3515

Related Maps

Mercat a la Planxa

638 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

Mercat, a favorite for Spanish tapas, is ready to feed diners on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a Catalan-inspired tasting menu ($85 per person) that includes beef and pork albondigas, 10-ounce grilled black angus hanger steaks, and churros con chocolate. Its regular menu will also be available. Book reservations on the restaurant’s website.

638 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 765-0524
(312) 765-0524

The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

The South Loop firehouse-turned-restaurant has crafted a special a la carte menu for Christmas Eve that’s stacked with classic hits like ricotta dumplings with short rib ragout, Shrimp de Jonghe, and Berkshire pork chops. Book a reservation via Resy.

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 786-1401
(312) 786-1401

MingHin Cuisine

2168 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

It’ll be business as usual at Chinese stalwart MingHin on Christmas Eve and Day. The local mini chain is open 365 days a year so Chicagoans can spend their holiday enjoying dim sum, roast pork, Beijing duck, noodles, fried rice, hot pot casseroles, and more. Reservations are available on the restaurant’s website.

2168 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-1999
(312) 808-1999

Related Maps