‘Tis the season of holiday cheer, wining and dining, and giving yourself the gift of not cleaning up any dishes whatsoever. Enter our 2018 Christmas Day Dining Guide. From splurge-worthy holiday feasts to family-friendly brunches, here is where to dine on Christmas Day in Houston:
Ambrosia, 2003 Lexington, 832-649-4636
The chic and cozy Museum District restaurant will be open from 5 to 10 p.m., serving its Far East menu of small shareables and large plates.
ARA restaurant and Axis lounge at Royal Sonesta Houston, 2222 West South Loop, 713-627-7600
In addition to regular a la carte menus for lunch and dinner, ARA will be offering a $29 special — featuring roasted prime rib with mashed potatoes, jus naturel and glazed vegetables — from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to close. Upgrade the special to add one appetizer and one dessert for $10.
Avenida Brazil Churrscaria Steakhouse, 12000 Southwest Freeway, 281-277-9292; 201 West Bay Area, 281-557-9999; 1400 Research Forest, 281-651-5369
The Brazilian steakhouses will be open on Christmas Day, serving a high energy, Brazilian-style menu from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cost is $49.90 per guests for the full experience.
Cadillac Bar, 1802 Shepherd, 713-862-2020
Cadillac Bar will be open and offering a Christmas Day brunch, featuring more than 60 items and Cadillac signatures, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Feast on a decadent prime rib at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse.
Photo courtesy of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
Del Frisco’s will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day, featuring a holiday favorite, the Prime Rib (16 ounces for $45 and 20 ounces for $55. Guests can also choose other features including a Dry-Aged Steak or Wagyu Tasting from a limited menu of steaks and signature favorites.
Fielding’s local kitchen + bar, 26400 Kuykendahl, 281-351-2225
This Christmas, gather with friends and loved ones at Fielding's local, which will be open for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 3 to 9 p.m. Guests can expect Christmas features and all the usual favorites.
Fogo de Chão, 8250 Westheimer, 713-978-6500; 1900 Hughes Landing, 281-298-4200
Enjoy a holiday feast featuring the full churrasco dinner menu. Christmas Day hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dinner price all day. Children six and under are complimentary. Children seven to 12 are half price.
Grotto, 4715 Westheimer, 713-622-3663; 1001 Avenida de las Americas, 713-658-0752; 5222 Seawall, 409-740-8605; 9595 Six Pines, 281-419-4252
All area locations of the Italian favorite will be open on Christmas Day, with times varying by location.
Hotel Granduca, 1080 Uptown Park, 713-418-1000
Gather with family and friends to celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas brunch buffet at the beautiful Hotel Granduca. Guests can enjoy seasonal flavors including traditional like turkey and trimmings, prime beef, ham, seafood selections, an array of salads, cheeses, pastas, desserts and more. Cost is $85 for adults and $40 for children (five to 12).
The Houstonian, 111 North Post Oak, 713-812-6932 (The Grand Ballroom), 713-685-6713 (TRIBUTE), 713-685-6840 (The Manor House)
Christmas Day Brunches are bountiful at The Houstonian. The Grande Ballroom will present an over-the-top buffet ($79 for members, $89 for nonmembers, $39 for children ages five to 12) with seatings from 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.; TRIBUTE restaurant will offer a seated à la carte menu with seasonal Christmas items; and the historic Manor House estate restaurant will serve an elegant Christmas prix fixe menu ($58 for members, $65 for nonmembers, $25 for children 12 and under). Take family photos in the hotel’s Great Room Lobby, which will be decked out in inviting holiday décor along with the rest of the property.
Landry's Seafood House, multiple locations
Select locations of Landry’s Seafood will be open and serving signature seafood dishes for all to enjoy on Christmas Day. See online for hours.
Luby’s, multiple locations
Luby’s will offer a Christmas Day dining special featuring a choice of entrée with two sides and bread – prime rib for $15.99 or blackened chicken breast with bacon-wrapped shrimp for $13.99.
Lucienne (Hotel Alessandra), 1070 Dallas, 713-242-8555
Hotel Alessandra’s award-winning Lucienne will offer a Christmas Brunch priced at $65 per person and served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The three-course, multichoice menu features options such as Salmon Gravlax with Caviar, King Crab Benedict Eggs and Crepes Suzette. An a la carte kids menu will also be available.
Morton’s The Steakhouse, 5000 Westheimer, 713-629-1946; 1001 McKinney, 713-659-3700
Get classy with a holiday dinner at this steakhouse, which will be open and offering a limited-time Côte de Bouef — a 36 ounce bone-in USDA Prime Ribeye brushed with garlic-herb butter — in addition to its regular menu.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 5061 Westheimer, 832-487-8862
Enjoy a Christmas Day seafood feast at The Oceanaire from 1 to 8 p.m.
Quattro at the Four Seasons, 1300 Lamar, 713-276-4700
The restaurant will be open for both Christmas brunch and dinner. Holiday brunch takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with offerings including a selection from Bayou & Bottle, a raw bar, made-to-order omelet station, carving station and selection from Quattro. Pricing is $110 for adults and $49 for children age six to 12. Bloody Marys and mimosas are complimentary. Later, enjoy a three-course Christmas Day dinner from 6 to 10 p.m., with dishes such as Christmas beef carpaccio, celery root raviolo, duo of duck, osso buco Milanese and a dessert bar.
Radio Milano, 800 Sorella, 713-827-3545
Radio Milano will have a Christmas Day brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $45 per person. Guests can enjoy cooked-to-order pastas, traditional breakfast items from waffles and omelets to sausage and French toast, soups and salads, a carving station featuring pork tenderloin, prime rib and oven-roasted whole snapper, and fresh fruit, sides and desserts.
Regal Seafood, 12350 Southwest Freeway, 281-494-8888
Offering a twist on the traditional holiday fare with Hong Kong style Cantonese fusion, Regal Seafood will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. Guests can order a la carte from its regular menu featuring Hong Kong style Cantonese fare, from Peking duck carved tableside and dim sum platters to family-style jumbo lobster and king crab. A curated wine list along with hand crafted cocktails, including a Lychee Martini made with
Chinese red soapberries, is available for holiday toasting.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 5433 Westheimer, 713-840-1433
The steakhouse will be open early with its full menu and plenty of holiday cheer on Christmas Day.
Saltgrass Steak House, multiple locations
The Kemah location will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with most locations open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The San Luis Resort, Spa and Conference Center, 5222 Seawall, 800-392-5937
Bring the family and deck the halls with a magical Christmas Day Brunch, featuring holiday favorites, bottomless mimosas and a special visit from Santa. Seating times are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $65 for adults, $60 for seniors and $30 for children ages four to 12.
Shell Shack, 2412 Washington, 832-998-8000
Spend Christmas Day feasting on crab and shrimp boils, fried seafood platters, and fresh shucked oysters at this casual restaurant and bar.
SwitcHouse Plates & Pours, 1200 Lake Plaza, 832-823-2528
Set in the brand new Marriott CityPlace At Springwoods Village, the chic restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, offering a three-course menu special for $44++ from 4 to 9 p.m. Enjoy dishes such as sunchoke cream soup with guajillo oil, smoked beef tenderloin with foie gras and herb compound butter, and an apple crostata with tres leches vanilla bean gelato, caramel and sea salt.
We will be updating this list in the days leading up to Christmas Day. If you have a restaurant to add, please send your information to [email protected].
