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U.S.-CHICAGO-HOLIDAY SEASON
Don’t stress the holidays.
Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua via Getty Images

Where to Eat on Christmas Eve and Day in Chicago

Leave the holiday meal to the experts

by Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman, and Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
Don’t stress the holidays.
| Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua via Getty Images
by Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman, and Eater Staff Updated

The holidays can be a stressful time so 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 Feast of the Seven Fishes celebrations, all-you-can-eat lobster, truffle-laden specials, succulent steaks, and more. Regardless of what diners choose though, it’s a gift the whole family will appreciate.

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Prairie Grass Cafe

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Another to-go option comes from the suburbs thanks to star chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris. Prairie Grass is selling a short-rib dinner to go for $132 to serve two. Mac & cheese, a mixed green salad with figs, dates, and goat cheese, plus a sticky toffee date cake comes in the package.

601 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 205-4433
(847) 205-4433

Also featured in:

George Trois

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Chef Michael Lachowicz and his team at George Trois in suburban Winnetka will host an opulent eight-course Christmas Eve tasting menu ($225) featuring fancy fare like Golden Kaluga caviar with butternut squash royale, orange-dusted lobster with sweet curry glaze, and roast squab with a corn beignet, celeriac-fennel soubise, and Perigord truffle. Reservations for seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. 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

Also featured in:

Bar Roma

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Rustic Italian eatery Bar Roma is opening on Christmas Eve and chef Fred Ramos is whipping up a couple of special dishes for the evening. Reservations are available here.

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

Also featured in:

Longman & Eagle

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For $115 per person, enjoy the feast of the seven fishes at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square. Reservations are here.

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

Also featured in:

Andros Taverna

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Andros Taverna, Logan Square’s upscale Greek restaurant from restaurateur Doug Psaltis, will mark Christmas Eve with several noteworthy menu items to supplement the usual nightly menu. Patrons can keep an eye out for extra-large roasted Royal Red prawns with black truffle orzotto, grilled wild turbot, and crispy wood-oven roasted duck with xinomavro jus and chestnut porridge.

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

Also featured in:

Floriole Cafe & Bakery

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Lincoln Park’s majestic bakery cafe, Floriole, has several Christmas options for home consumption. Find quiches, pastries, soups, and fresh-baked bread to enjoy.

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

Also featured in:

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 $6 Guinness, $7 Bloody Marys, and $15 sausage and giardiniera pizzas.

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

Also featured in:

NoMI

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On Christmas Eve, NoMi will offer a $165 dinner ($45 for kids 5 to 12). The prix-fixe includes chestnut soup, Côte de Bœuf atop Hasselback potatoes, pearl onions, braised rainbow chard; and a Fondant au Caramel.

Christmas Day’s dinner is $195 per person ($50 for kids). The menu includes acorn squash soup, lemon garlic kale salad, and roasted duck.

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

Also featured in:

Indienne

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River North’s new Indian fine dining restaurant is offering a to-go dinner for pick-up on December 22. It’s $75 (minimum two orders) and will get you butternut squash soup, masala babka, a choice of duck haleeem or jackfruit cutlet, a choice of chicken roulade or mushroom manti with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussel sprouts, and Christmas berry pulao.

217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 291-9427
(312) 291-9427
A storefront with a green sign. Chris Peters/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

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, such as a baccala (salt cod) spread, grilled octopus, seafood stew, seafood linguine, and pan-roasted salmon. The menu is priced at $74.95 per person. Make a reservation here.

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

Also featured in:

Lure Fishbar

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Savor the flavors of the ocean on Christmas Eve and Day as seafood specialist Lure Fishbar will offer a holiday prix fixe menu. Diners can choose lobster bisque or Belgian endive salad; prime rib or Dover sole; and eggnog crème brulee or molten chocolate cake. The cost is $95 per person and reservations are available here.

616 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 660-6180
(312) 660-6180

Also featured in:

Kostali by Naha

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James Beard Award winner Carrie Nahabedian will take a traditional approach to the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at Kostali with a seven-course prix fixe meal with accompanying beverage pairings. Courses will include baked cherrystone clams with fennel and bacon, fried smelts, and Georges Bank scallops with chestnuts and brown butter. Tickets ($175) and more details are available via Tock.

521 N Rush St 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 645-1500
(312) 645-1500

Also featured in:

Bub City

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Several Lettuce Entertain You spots are open for the holiday, but few can match the fun of their River North country barbecue spot. Their normal menu will be available for dine-in and carryout. They’re closed on Christmas Day but open the day before.

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 610-4200
(312) 610-4200
Bub City
Bub City River North [Photo: Barry Brecheisen]
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Kinzie Chophouse

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Steakhouse stalwart Kinzie Chophouse is planning a five-course menu for Christmas Eve. The dinner will start with welcome bites before transitioning to entrees. The cost is $150 per person and reservations are available here.

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

Also featured in:

Tortoise Supper Club

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Gather the family at this River North supper club for a festive Christmas Eve meal. The kitchen will offer its regular dinner menu in addition to holiday specials. Reservations can be made here.

350 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 755-1700
(312) 755-1700

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Prime & Provisions Steakhouse

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Prime & Provisions is offering a special Christmas Eve dinner with lump blue crab cake, red wine-braised beef cheek, Farro Island Salmon, and tres leches cake. It’s $125 per person with wine pairings for $65.

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

Also featured in:

Gioia Chicago

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Veteran chef and partner Federico Comacchio will celebrate Christmas Eve with a culinary tradition close to many hearts: the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a meal with roots in the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from meat on the holiday. Comacchio will feature seven seafood specials such as octopus carpaccio and squid ink risotto with sepia and n’duja. Gioia’s regular menu will also be available, as will seasonal cocktails and wine pairings. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

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

Cherry Circle Room

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Cherry Circle Room is tucked away on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association. Reserve a table here.

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

Also featured in:

Mercat a la Planxa

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Mercat is offering a “Barcelona” brunch on both days, as well as a holiday dinner menu that includes roasted butternut squash and cranberry salad, braised wagyu veal cheeks, lemon- and herb-stuffed lumina, and lobster croquettes.

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

Also featured in:

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. Book a reservation here.

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

Also featured in:

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, white cut chicken, noodles, fried rice, hot pot casseroles, and more. Reservations are available here.

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

Also featured in:

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Prairie Grass Cafe

601 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062

Another to-go option comes from the suburbs thanks to star chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris. Prairie Grass is selling a short-rib dinner to go for $132 to serve two. Mac & cheese, a mixed green salad with figs, dates, and goat cheese, plus a sticky toffee date cake comes in the package.

601 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 205-4433
(847) 205-4433

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 eight-course Christmas Eve tasting menu ($225) featuring fancy fare like Golden Kaluga caviar with butternut squash royale, orange-dusted lobster with sweet curry glaze, and roast squab with a corn beignet, celeriac-fennel soubise, and Perigord truffle. Reservations for seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. 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 chef Fred Ramos is whipping up a couple of special dishes for the evening. Reservations are available here.

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

Longman & Eagle

2657 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

For $115 per person, enjoy the feast of the seven fishes at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square. Reservations are here.

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 several noteworthy menu items to supplement the usual nightly menu. Patrons can keep an eye out for extra-large roasted Royal Red prawns with black truffle orzotto, grilled wild turbot, and crispy wood-oven roasted duck with xinomavro jus and chestnut porridge.

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 quiches, pastries, soups, and fresh-baked bread to enjoy.

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 $6 Guinness, $7 Bloody Marys, and $15 sausage and giardiniera pizzas.

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

NoMI

Seventh Floor, 800 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

On Christmas Eve, NoMi will offer a $165 dinner ($45 for kids 5 to 12). The prix-fixe includes chestnut soup, Côte de Bœuf atop Hasselback potatoes, pearl onions, braised rainbow chard; and a Fondant au Caramel.

Christmas Day’s dinner is $195 per person ($50 for kids). The menu includes acorn squash soup, lemon garlic kale salad, and roasted duck.

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

Indienne

217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654

River North’s new Indian fine dining restaurant is offering a to-go dinner for pick-up on December 22. It’s $75 (minimum two orders) and will get you butternut squash soup, masala babka, a choice of duck haleeem or jackfruit cutlet, a choice of chicken roulade or mushroom manti with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussel sprouts, and Christmas berry pulao.

217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 291-9427
(312) 291-9427
A storefront with a green sign. Chris Peters/Eater Chicago

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, such as a baccala (salt cod) spread, grilled octopus, seafood stew, seafood linguine, and pan-roasted salmon. The menu is priced at $74.95 per person. Make a reservation here.

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

Lure Fishbar

616 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

Savor the flavors of the ocean on Christmas Eve and Day as seafood specialist Lure Fishbar will offer a holiday prix fixe menu. Diners can choose lobster bisque or Belgian endive salad; prime rib or Dover sole; and eggnog crème brulee or molten chocolate cake. The cost is $95 per person and reservations are available here.

616 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 660-6180
(312) 660-6180

Kostali by Naha

521 N Rush St 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611

James Beard Award winner Carrie Nahabedian will take a traditional approach to the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at Kostali with a seven-course prix fixe meal with accompanying beverage pairings. Courses will include baked cherrystone clams with fennel and bacon, fried smelts, and Georges Bank scallops with chestnuts and brown butter. Tickets ($175) and more details are available via Tock.

521 N Rush St 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 645-1500
(312) 645-1500

Bub City

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Several Lettuce Entertain You spots are open for the holiday, but few can match the fun of their River North country barbecue spot. Their normal menu will be available for dine-in and carryout. They’re closed on Christmas Day but open the day before.

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 610-4200
(312) 610-4200
Bub City
Bub City River North [Photo: Barry Brecheisen]
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Kinzie Chophouse

400 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654

Steakhouse stalwart Kinzie Chophouse is planning a five-course menu for Christmas Eve. The dinner will start with welcome bites before transitioning to entrees. The cost is $150 per person and reservations are available here.

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

Tortoise Supper Club

350 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Gather the family at this River North supper club for a festive Christmas Eve meal. The kitchen will offer its regular dinner menu in addition to holiday specials. Reservations can be made here.

350 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 755-1700
(312) 755-1700

Related Maps

Prime & Provisions Steakhouse

222 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60601

Prime & Provisions is offering a special Christmas Eve dinner with lump blue crab cake, red wine-braised beef cheek, Farro Island Salmon, and tres leches cake. It’s $125 per person with wine pairings for $65.

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

Gioia Chicago

1133 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Veteran chef and partner Federico Comacchio will celebrate Christmas Eve with a culinary tradition close to many hearts: the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a meal with roots in the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from meat on the holiday. Comacchio will feature seven seafood specials such as octopus carpaccio and squid ink risotto with sepia and n’duja. Gioia’s regular menu will also be available, as will seasonal cocktails and wine pairings. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

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 is tucked away on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association. Reserve a table here.

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

Mercat a la Planxa

638 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

Mercat is offering a “Barcelona” brunch on both days, as well as a holiday dinner menu that includes roasted butternut squash and cranberry salad, braised wagyu veal cheeks, lemon- and herb-stuffed lumina, and lobster croquettes.

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. Book a reservation here.

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, white cut chicken, noodles, fried rice, hot pot casseroles, and more. Reservations are available here.

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

Related Maps