During the holiday season, restaurants are full of festive decorations and seasonal specials. But come Christmas Eve, many restaurants close their doors, and most restaurants are dark on Christmas Day.
Not that we blame them, but that’s not much help to those who’d prefer to dine out on those days. But we uncovered more than a dozen restaurants that are serving Christmas dinner, lunch or brunch, plus a few places with special offerings on Christmas Eve. (Most restaurants listed under Christmas Day are also open Christmas Eve; we’ve noted those offering special menus or times.)
Unless otherwise noted, prices are per person and do not include tax, tip or beverages.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Allgauer’s On the Riverfront, in the Hilton Northbrook Hotel, will serve a 150-item buffet brunch from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; cost is $30.95, $14.95 ages 12 and younger. There also will be an a la carte Christmas dinner served from 4:30-9 p.m., including roast turkey, grilled steak and horseradish-crusted salmon. 2855 S. Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, 847-664-7999.
Ann Sather will be open Christmas Day, serving Swedish dishes and traditional holiday fare. 929 W. Belmont Ave., 773-348-2378.
Avenues, in the Peninsula Chicago Hotel, will serve a four-course seafood feast from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost is $79 ($25 for kids). The hotel’s more casual The Lobby will offer a Christmas Day brunch from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; cost is $69 ($25 for kids). On Christmas Eve, Avenues will offer a five-course dinner for $98, $25 children, and the Lobby will offer a four-course dinner priced at $69, $25 children. 108 E. Superior St., 312-337-2888.
Bin 36 will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Breakfast will be served from 7-10 a.m., the Tavern menu will be available from noon-10 p.m. and the Cellar menu will be available from 5-9:30 p.m. The Cellar menu will feature special chef’s Christmas items. 339 N. Dearborn St., 312-755-9563.
Caliterra, in the Wyndham Chicago Hotel, will serve a three-course Christmas lunch from 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. ($29), and a three-course Christmas dinner from 2-10 p.m. A similar dinner will be offered on Christmas Eve, featuring roast organic goose with foie gras. 633 N. St. Clair St., 312-274-4444.
Cerise, inside the Le Meridien Hotel, will serve its regular menu, plus a four-course “English Christmas” menu priced at $49. 520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-645-1500.
Entre Nous, the intimate spot in the Fairmont Hotel, will offer a four-course candlelit dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Seatings are every half-hour from noon-9:30 p.m. Cost is $60 ($30 for kids under 12). 200 N. Columbus Drive, 312-565-7997.
The Maggiano’s Little Italy location in Old Orchard Shopping Center won’t be serving dinner on Christmas, but it will be offering carryout service, featuring most items on the regular menu, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 175 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, 847-933-0955.
McCormick & Schmick’s will be open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Christmas Day. Order off the regular menu, or opt for a turkey dinner with mashed or sweet potatoes, asparagus and Waldorf or mixed greens salad. Cost is $16.95. 41 E. Chestnut St., 312-397-9500.
Piazza M, attached to Galleria Marchetti, will offer a five-course Christmas Day brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost is $25 and includes a champagne cocktail. A three-course Christmas dinner, available from 3-9 p.m., includes choice of pasta, broiled salmon, pork chop Vesuvio and filet mignon. Cost is $13.95-$22.95 ($10.95 for kids under 10). 835 W. Erie St., 312-421-0022.
The Pump Room, in the Omni Ambassador East Hotel, will offer a four-course menu from 5-10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and noon-8 p.m. Christmas Day. Live piano entertainment. Cost is $65 adults ($29.50 kids 12 and under). 1301 N. State Pkwy., 312-266-0360.
At The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, Christmas brunch will be served in The Dining Room (seatings at 10:15 a.m. and 1, 3:45 and 6:30 p.m.; cost is $75, $21 ages 4-12) and in The Greenhouse (seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; cost is $55, $21 ages 4-12). A special prix-fixe Christmas lunch and dinner will be offered in The Cafe; cost is $47 ($17 ages 12 and younger). On Christmas Eve, The Cafe will feature a three-course dinner menu from 4-10 p.m. (cost is $47 adults, $17 ages 4-12); regular menu also available; and The Dining Room will feature a five-course degustation dinner from 5:30-8:30 p.m., priced at $98. 160 E. Pearson St., 312-266-1000.
Sedona Grille, in Indian Lakes Resort, once again hosts its annual Christmas Day brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The champagne buffet includes carving station, omelet station, Asian station and more, including a knee-high buffet for youngsters. Cost is $22.95, $12.95 children. 250 W. Schick Rd., Bloomingdale, 630-529-0200, ext. 6749.
Szechwan East will serve its regular menu from 5-10 p.m. Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, its regular buffet lunch ($8.95), plus a special dinner buffet ($14.95), will be offered. 340 E. Ohio St., 312-255-9200.
Zest, the new Mediterranean restaurant in the Hotel Inter-Continental, will offer a three-course Christmas Day brunch from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $45 and includes a glass of champagne or mimosa cocktail. On Christmas Eve, there will be a four-course menu for $31, including corn and sausage chowder soup, roast turkey with apple dressing, traditional sides and a mini chocolate yule log. Regular menu also available. 505 N. Michigan Ave., 312-944-4100.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Betise will feature its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight dinner from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The a la carte menu includes dishes such as oyster gratin with bleu cheese, venison pate, beef Wellington and lobster fricassee. 1515 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, 847-853-1711.
Brett’s Cafe Americain will serve a very traditional Christmas Eve dinner (roast beef, roast goose, Christmas cookies). Cost is $45, $15 children. 2011 W. Roscoe St., 773-248-0999.
The four-star French restaurant Carlos’ will serve a five-course degustation meal at lunch ($39.50) and a seven-course degustation in the evening ($90). 429 Temple Ave., Highland Park, 847-432-0770.
Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar will serve dinner from 4:30-10 p.m. There will be an a la carte menu of special dishes (entrees range from $14.50-$24), and a prix-fixe dinner priced at $35 for four courses, including roasted goose and buche de Noel. 546 N. Wells St., 312-467-0546.
Lawry’s the Prime Rib. Order off the regular menu from 3-8 p.m. Christmas Eve in elaborately decorated surroundings. Diners will be serenaded by Christmas carolers dressed in traditional Victorian costumes. 100 E. Ontario St., 312-787-5000.
Molive, in the Whitehall Hotel, will offer a five-course dinner featuring traditional holiday dishes from around the world from 5-10 p.m. Cost is $65 (plus extra for champagne pairings). 107 E. Delaware Pl., 312-573-6300.
Nacional 27 will feature a Cuban Christmas Eve menu from 6-9 p.m. The four-course meal includes lobster empanadas, choice of mojo-marinated suckling pig or shrimp criolla, and traditional desserts. Cost is $40. 325 W. Huron St., 312-664-2727.
Salpicon will feature a four-course Christmas Eve dinner of chef Priscila Satkoff’s favorite dishes, including roast turkey with red mole and chile-sauce-marinated lamb shank. Cost is $45. 1252 N. Wells St., 312-988-7811.
The Signature Room at the 95th will serve Christmas Eve dinner from 5-10 p.m. The a la carte menu will be augmented with special items, including Waldorf salad and roast breast of goose. John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave., 312-787-9596.
And Trotter’s To Go will be open until 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, for those interested in carryout orders (though calling ahead is strongly recommended). 1337 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-868-6510.
