If your ideal Christmas doesn't involve a whole lot of cooking, cleaning, or hosting, there are several Austin restaurants that are happy to do the work for you this year. In fact, not only are many restaurants staying open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but they're offering special menus and events.
Here are our top picks for dining in on Christmas or Christmas Eve — we've split it up by day for easy planning. Plus, stay tuned for a takeout-only list coming soon. For a list of festive bars to be merry at, check here.
Just Christmas Eve
It's Italian Cucina
1500 South Lamar Blvd., Ste. 110
This Northern Italian restaurant in South Austin will be offering a Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. The menu includes seven courses, with standout dishes including truffled white anchovies, Maine lobster ravioli with brandy liqueur cream sauce, and a flourless chocolate cake with sorbet. The cost is $115 per person, and you can add on a wine pairing to all seven courses for an additional $35. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
Goldie’s
Austin Proper Hotel, 600 West 2nd St.
Goldie's is Austin Proper's intimate, ground floor bar. This offer won't be available on Christmas Day itself, but from now until January 12, including Christmas Eve, Goldie's is offering a holiday afternoon tea, featuring a Nutcracker Tea series. Afternoon tea at Goldie's costs between $82 and $145 per person, and reservations are required.
El Raval
1500 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 150
Just next to It's Italian Cucina is Spanish restaurant and tapas bar, El Raval. On Christmas Eve, it's offering a special multi-course holiday dinner and wine pairing option, curated by chef Laila Bazahm. The special night, "Nochebuena," pays homage to Spain's Christmas Eve festivities and will include three courses. Guests can choose between various types of tapas, entrees, and desserts. This special menu will be available alongside the restaurant's regular menu, and will cost $95 per person, plus an additional $45 for the optional wine pairing. Reservations are recommended and can be made online through OpenTable.
"Nochebuena" at El Raval pays homage to Spain's Christmas Eve festivities and will include three courses.Photo courtesy of Jane Yun
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum Restaurant
1203 West 6th St.
If you're looking for a classic Christmas meal of Chinese food, Lin Asian will be offering its delicious dim sum brunch from 10:30 am to 3 pm, both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The menu includes potstickers, dumplings, egg rolls, scallion pancakes, and much more. This festively-decorated spot will surely get packed, so grab a reservation or opt for takeout.
The Peacock
Austin Proper Hotel, 600 West 2nd St.
Austin Proper's Mediterranean café, The Peacock, will be open for business on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but with a special menu available. This three-course menu includes an appetizer of Sambousek with butternut squash, feta, spiced honey, and chestnuts; a main course of lamb chop with zhourat jus, sunchoke, celery, and mint; and spiced walnut babka with spiced ice cream and candied figs for dessert. The restaurant will operate during its regular hours both days, from 7 am until 10 pm. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
La Piscina
Austin Proper Hotel, 600 West 2nd St.
La Piscina, Austin Proper's Mexican restaurant and bar, will be offering a three-course special on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The menu includes a spiced hamachi agua chile; a main course of ribeye and chile with nogada fajitas, served with tortillas, rice, and beans; and a churro cheesecake with caramel sauce for dessert. It will maintain its regular hours through the holiday, from 11 am to 10 pm. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
Carpenter's Hall
400 Josephine St.
On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Carpenter's Hall will be open for lunch between 11 am and 2 pm, serving up a family-style feast. The menu includes a choice of prime rib or duck, along with sides like Carpenter's salad, Yorkshire pudding, potato puree, grilled carrots, and creamed spinach. For dessert, there's a spiced bread pudding. It is $80 per person, and $30 for kids 12 and under. Reservations can be made at bunkhousehotels.com. (A fee of $25 is charged for reservation cancellations less than 48 hours in advance.)
Corner Restaurant
JW Marriott Hotel, 110 East 2nd St.
Corner Restaurant at the JW Marriott offers Texan- and Southern-inspired dishes year-round. On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, it will be open during its normal hours between 6:30 am and 10 pm, but will offer a special Christmas menu. Included on the menu are smoked pork ham, caramelized carrots, herb-braised cipolline, mashed potatoes, pickled apple slaw, and a churro bread pudding for dessert. Reservations are recommended and can be made via OpenTable.
Corner Restaurant at JW Marriott offers a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menu. Photo from cornerrestaurantaustin.com
Just Christmas Day
Serenade
200 Lavaca St.
This three-course menu includes a first course of either French onion soup, beef tartare, or blue crab and crisp apple endive salad; a second course of butternut squash steak, poulet roti, smoked ribeye, or pecan crusted sea bass; and a dessert choice of peppermint white chocolate mousse, gingerbread Paris-brest, or vegan crème brûlée. This Christmas Day feast is $95 per person, and reservations can be made on OpenTable.