Celebrate Christmas with Houston Restaurants Dining In or Getting It to Go
B&B Butchers Houston is bringing back its Holiday Take-Out Menu for the entire month of December, offering a full lineup of entrées, sides, and hors d’oeuvres available with 48 hours’ notice. Guests can order impressive holiday mains such as Beef Wellington, roasted prime rib, filet mignon, and a pork crown roast—along with crowd-pleasing hors d’oeuvres like pigs in a blanket and mini beef Wellingtons. Classic holiday sides, that serve 8–10 people, including whipped potatoes, creamed spinach, B&B mac & cheese, and Brussel sprouts are also available. Photo: Kirsten Gilliam
Blue Claw: Open on Christmas Eve 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Christmas Toy Drive: Blue Claw will be hosting a toy drive for the Rainbow Room. Guests can drop off new, unwrapped toys under their Christmas tree for donation. Christmas Takeout: Blue Claw’s sushi boxes/platters and seafood boils are very popular takeout items for the holiday. Photo: Kristen Wells
Caracol: Christmas Eve: Buffet de Noche Buena, 5 to 8 pm, Christmas Eve Buffet with complimentary ponche, and live music by Ikaru from 5:30-8:30 pm. Cost is $55 per person & $15 per child plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Full bar, award-winning wine list. Reservations highly recommended. Limited seating. To-Go: Christmas to-go orders must be placed by Monday, December 22 for pick-up at noon on Wednesday, December 24. Photo courtesy of Caracol
Christmas Eve at Brennan’s: Join the Creole house for its annual fine and festive Christmas Eve meal. Seatings are available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The a la carte menu will include starters such as Southern Citrus Salad and Chili-Fried Gulf Oysters, plus entrees like Gulf Fish Pontchartrain and Wood-Grilled Filet Mignon. Pair with sides such as Sorghum Glazed Brussels Sprouts & Bacon Lardons or Smoked Gouda & Andouille Mac & Cheese. Finish sweet with selections like Creole Cream Cheesecake and Brennan’s Bananas Foster. Call 713-522-9711 for reservations.
Duck N Bao‘s Peking Duck and Dim Sum on Christmas Day: Create your own holiday-worthy feast by handpicking delicious, freshly prepared Chinese specialties to enjoy alongside Duck N Bao’s famous crispy-skinned Peking duck. Dumplings all the ways, specialty rice and noodles, seafood and vegetable plates and more create merriment minus the mess. No reservations; walk-ins welcome. Photo: Jenn Duncan
Etoile Cuisine et Bar Christmas Eve: Etoile will be open on Christmas Eve for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. serving regular menu and for dinner from 5 to 9 pm serving a 3-course menu for $89 per person plus beverages, tax & gratuity. Kids menu (ages 10 and under) $28 plus beverages, tax & gratuity. Reservations highly recommended.
Guard & Grace: Christmas Week 12/23 – 12/27. Closed Lunch all week M-F (open for dinner except for 12/25). Open Christmas Eve 3-8 p.m. Guard & Grace will be serving chef-crafted seasonal dishes such as the Dry Aged Duck Breast with foie gras dirty rice and Viet-Cajun curry butter, the Bluefin Tuna Belly Tataki with roast tomato ponzu, baby bok choy, and pickled daikon, the Pan Roasted Alaskan Halibut paired with kabocha squash purée, caramelized cipollini onion, and hot honey gastrique, and a Slow Roasted Prime Rib served with charred scallion and ginger au jus and creamy horseradish. The Houston Holiday Box (serves six) is available for preorder. Houston Holiday Box (To-Go): LINK
Hongdae 33’s AYCE Korean Barbecue on Christmas Day: Change things up this year by heading to Hongdae for all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue in a vibrant, high-energy space. The premium menu is $25 for lunch Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the all-day deluxe menu is $36 per person for 90 minutes of unlimited food and a la carte drinks, cooked by guests on the specialized tabletop grills. No reservations; walk-ins welcome. Photo: Jenn Duncan
Hugo’s: Christmas Eve: Buffet de Noche Buena, 5 to 8 pm, Christmas Eve Buffet with complimentary ponche, and live music by Viento from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. $55 per person / $15 per child plus beverages, tax and gratuity Reservations highly recommended. Limited seating. To-Go: Christmas to-go orders must be placed by Monday, December 22 for pick-up at noon on Wednesday, December 24. Photo courtesy of Hugo’s
JW Marriott Houston Downtown: Celebrate the holidays with an elegant, three-course Christmas feast. Guests can begin with comforting starters like Wild Mushroom Soup with truffled sourdough croutons, Short Rib Gnocchi in black truffle sauce, or a bright Apple Walnut Salad with dried cranberries and maple–balsamic vinaigrette. Entrées include a beautifully seared 12 oz Prime NY Striploin with garlic spinach and smashed potatoes, a Seared Duck Breast over mascarpone polenta with cherry sauce, or a vibrant Chili-Glazed Salmon served with coconut–scallion jasmine rice and baby bok choy. Save room for dessert in the form of Gingerbread Pudding Cake topped with eggnog ice cream or a cozy Apple Crumble with bourbon-spiced apples.
Kenny & Ziggy’s Christmas Eve: Houston’s most authentic New York deli, Kenny & Ziggy’s, serves sky-scraping sandwiches, sizable salads authentic Eastern European entrees and more, and will be open on Christmas Eve from 8 am to 8 pm. To-Go: – 48-hour advance notice needed. Photo courtesy of Kenny & Ziggy’s.
Kolache Shoppe: Holiday Sweet Roll Loaves — Throughout December, special order the Holiday Sweet Rolls in epic loaf form to serve as a centerpiece at holiday brunches or as thoughtful gifts for hosts, colleagues and friends. $15/loaf. Place orders with 48-hour notice via the online ordering form. Photo: Carla Gomez
Le Jardinier: Crafted by executive chef Felipe Botero and pastry chef Tiffani Gkaris, celebrate the holiday with a special 3-course lunch ($130 per person) and a 5-course dinner ($190). Enjoy seasonal specialties like Lobster & Chanterelle Vol au Vent, Kale-Ricotta Gnudi, Steelhead Trout – and indulge in a Cranberry Nougat for dessert. Elevate the tasting experience with a Classic ($75) or Prestige ($150) wine pairing and a festive cocktail. Lunch is available from 11:30AM-1PM and dinner is available from 4-9PM. Reservations on OpenTable. Photo: Brian Kennedy.
Molina’s Cantina: For a limited time through the New Year, Molina’s traditional, chili-laced braised pork tamales are on sale for $16.95 a dozen for pick-up/takeaway orders. They’re a great gift for party hosts to enjoy on their own after guests go home. For large orders, please provide at least 24 hours advance notice. Call the nearest location to order. Photo: Julie Soefer
Nobu: Christmas Eve: Dinner: 5-8:15 p.m. (kitchen closes 9 pm) and Christmas Day: Dinner: 5–9:15 p.m. (kitchen closes 10 pm). Holiday Takeout Options–Normal takeout / UberEats / DoorDash (No Tock). Photo courtesy of Nobu.
Ocean Palace welcomes guests on Christmas Day with Houston’s favorite dim sum experience, offering a festive spread of steamed dumplings, baked bao, and classic Cantonese dishes. Families can enjoy a relaxed, no-stress holiday meal at the iconic restaurant, which stays open from 10 AM to 5 PM, serving its full menu in a warm, celebratory setting. No reservation required. Join the waitlist by visiting oceanpalacehouston.com | Chinatown, 11218 Bellaire Blvd. Photo courtesy of Ocean Palace
Ouisie’s Table: Dine on Christmas Eve menu favorites and holiday specials with a special Christmas Eve ala carte menu. The menu includes options for appetizers, salads, poultry, seafood and grilled or roasted meats. From the poultry farm comes choices including Cilantro Lime Chicken and Shrimp, and Tuscan Half Chicken with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce. Seafood enthusiasts have choices including Bacon Wrapped Dry Scallops, Lobster Meat and Crab Finger Pasta or Blackened Mahi Mahi with Mango Crab Relish. Feast on dishes including Grilled Herb Crusted Pork Chop with Apple Chutney, Bacon-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin Filet, Braised Wild North American Elk Osso Buco Au Jus or Seared Venison Back Strap with Blueberry Sauce. The Christmas Eve Feast is available from 4-10 p.m. Photo courtesy of Ouisie’s Table.
Seaside Christmas Eve at Pier 6 : Celebrate Christmas Eve Gulf Coast–style at Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House in San Leon. Beginning at 5 p.m., Executive Chef Joe Cervantez and team will offer a featured holiday menu alongside the restaurant’s full lineup of wood-fired oysters, chilled seafood platters and other tide-to-table specialties. Guests will enjoy live jazz and saxophone performances throughout the evening, plus a personalized Christmas gift for each reservation and complimentary holiday cookies for the little ones. Call 281-339-1515 for reservations or book online.
The Pit Room: Bring the smokehouse home for the holidays with the Christmas BBQ To-Go Menu, featuring a full lineup of their signature post-oak–smoked favorites. Choose from Whole Smoked Turkey Breast (5 lb. average; $105), brined for 48 hours with brown sugar, sage, and apples; a Whole Brisket (5 lb. average; $125, includes 1 qt. BBQ sauce); or a Honey-Glazed Smoked Ham (6 lb. average; $75). Photo: Duc Hoang
Rainbow Lodge Christmas Eve: Rainbow Lodge is Houston’s original lodge restaurant featuring seafood and wild game in a historic 117-year-old log cabin on an acre of beautiful grounds. The restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve for dinner from 5 to 9 pm, serving their regular a la carte menu. Reservations highly recommended. Limited seating. Rainbow Lodge is also offering Holiday Foods To-Go, to be ordered by calling 713-861-8666 at least 3 days in advance of pickup. Available for pick-up though December 23 excluding Mondays. Photo courtesy of Rainbow Lodge.
Roma Ristorante: Enjoy a special Christmas Eve offering of “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” the iconic Italian-American seafood tradition celebrated on Christmas Eve. Menu includes Calamari Fritto and Crostini di Gamberi featuring shrimp, crostini, and pesto; Insalata di Polpo with octopus, arugula, potato, olives, and vinaigrette; Fregola alle Vongole, a Sardinian toasted pasta with clams; Lemon-zest Ravioli with Lobster (Ravioli Ripieni di Limone con Aragosta); Entrées such as Baked Salmon and Grilled Tuna served with roasted potatoes and asparagus; and Panettone with Gelato and Limoncello with Pomegranate. The menu is priced at $69.50 per guest (plus tax and gratuity). Hours are 4pm-9pm.
Seven Sushi & Robata’s AYCE Sushi on Christmas Day: Dine on an indulgent all-you-can-eat experience–perfect for holiday dining with a twist. Guests can enjoy endless sushi, sashimi, maki, handroll and hot bites from the robota grill, along with Japanese small plates and a full bar. Pricing is $37 for unlimited ordering from the core menu and $57 for the core menu plus premium menu items such as bluefin tuna, scallop and Hawaiian ribeye. Guests have up to two hours to dine. Photo: V. Sweeten
Southern Standard Hospitality is offering a special Christmas menu available for pickup on Christmas Eve from 12 PM to 4 PM, with all items offered hot and ready or packaged cold for easy reheating at home. The menu features holiday favorites such as prime rib, roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, classic sides, and seasonal desserts, along with family-style packages designed to simplify at-home celebrations. Orders can be placed by emailing info@southernstandardhouston.com. | Energy Corridor, 14775 Memorial Dr.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen: Both locations of Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen will be open Christmas Eve – Woodway location open 11 am to 6 pm, Eldridge location open 11 am to 5 pm. Come celebrate with your Tex-Mex favorites, including traditional tamales! Full bar, patio seating available. Reservations recommended. Photo courtesy of Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen
URBE Christmas Eve: Cena de Noche Buena from 5 to 8 pm, Christmas Eve Buffet with complimentary ponche, live mariachis from 5-6 pm and 7-8 pm. $45 per person / $15 per child plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Full bar, patio seating. Reservations recommended. To-go: Christmas to-go orders must be placed by Monday, December 22 for pick-up at noon on Wednesday, December 24.
The Woodlands® Resort: Delight in the Polar Express Brunch at Harrison’s, featuring Pumpkin Spiced Brioche French Toast, Gingerbread Waffles, and a “Conductor” Hot Cocoa Cart, plus Saturday Breakfasts with Santa. Also on Christmas Day, indulge in the Brunch Buffet at Harrison’s, featuring carved turkey, crown roasted pork, oysters, sushi, desserts, and gourmet hot cocoa, or enjoy a festive Plated Special at Back Table with Slow Roasted Carved Beef, Maple Purée Sweet Potato, Three-Cheese Mac, and a Warm Spiced Apple Pie Tart. Reservations here. Photo: The Woodlands® Resort
Xochi Christmas Eve: Buffet de Noche Buena, 5 to 8 pm, Christmas Eve Buffet with complimentary onche, live music by Sol y Sun from 5:30-8:30 pm. $55 per person / $15 per child plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Full Bar, patio seating. Reservations highly recommended.
Zanti Cucina Italiana Hosts Festive “Zanti Claus” Christmas Brunch: Celebrate the season with its “Zanti Claus” Christmas Brunch on Saturday, December 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., transforming the restaurant into a festive holiday setting. Guests can enjoy classic brunch favorites and seasonal specials as Santa Claus visits tables for photos and warm holiday moments. The celebration will also include festive music from a live DJ and a selection of holiday-inspired cocktails. Reservations are available at OpenTable through the link HERE. Photo credit: Zanti
Zaranda Christmas Eve: They are offering their full dinner menu from 5 to 8 pm, featuring zarandeado seafood, wood-fired steaks, creative desserts, and signature cocktails…y mas! There will be live music from 5:30–8:30 pm and the restaurant will be dressed with a touch of Christmas décor After a dinner, take a stroll through festive Discovery Green just across the street! Reservations recommended. Photo courtesy of Zaranda.