Sometimes the best gift isn’t under the tree, it’s a table piled high with delicious food and a chef who knows how to turn winter’s bounty into holiday magic. Whether you’re skipping the dishes, starting a new tradition or just looking for an excuse to drink spiked cocoa before noon, Houston restaurants have you covered with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus built to wow. From Christmas Eve Feasts of the Seven Fishes to fancy and casual Christmas Day affairs, here’s where to eat, sip and celebrate the season in Houston this holiday.
Christmas Eve
Babin’s Seafood House, Katy and Woodlands
The seafood house will offer a Very Merry Christmas Feast, with hours until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Balboa Surf Club, 1753 Post Oak
The trendy seafood spot will be open on Christmas Eve featuring its classics plus a true dover sole special with mustard beurre blanc, crispy french fries, and savoy spinach.
Berg Hospitality Group restaurants will be open and fully serviced on Christmas Eve, including The Annie Café & Bar, Emilia’s Havana, Turner’s, Turner’s Cut, Trattoria Sofia, Prime 131, B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar, B&B Butchers & Restaurant and Annabelle Brasserie.
Brenner’s on the Bayou, 1 Birdsall
The bayouside restaurant will be open December 24 from 4 to 9 p.m., offering the same regular menu and To-Go Prime Rib Dinner ($135 for 2, $185 for 4; pre-order by December 19).
Brenner’s Steakhouse, 10911 Katy Freeway
Brenner’s will be open on December 24 from 4 to 9 p.m., serving its regular menu and a To-Go Prime Rib Dinner ($135 for 2, $185 for 4; pre-order by December 19).
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, 5061 Westheimer
Del Frisco’s will serve a holiday family feast for four ($395) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The menu includes holiday salad with st. agur blue, veal & wagyu meatballs with tomato fondue, gold wagyu king cut bone-in ribeye, sweet potato casserole, roasted brussels sprouts, gingerbread butter cake with warm apple compote, and chocolate mousse cake with peppermint crumble.
The Fancy, 1002 Seawall
The Fancy brings a Gulf-forward twist to Christmas Eve with a four-course dinner for $95 per person, with an optional $55 wine pairing. Chef Matt Sweeney’s holiday menu leans into winter harvests and Galveston’s coastal flavors, starting with an amuse bouche and moving into a half dozen roasted oysters, gnocchi parisienne, a rack of lamb and a bright tart au citron to finish.
Grotto, multiple locations
Grotto will be open Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., serving its signature Italian menu along with chef’s holiday features.
Guard & Grace, 500 Crawford
The downtown steakhouse will be open on Christmas Eve with a feature menu including dry aged duck breast with foie gras dirty rice and Viet-Cajun curry butter, bluefin tuna belly tataki with roast tomato ponzu, baby bok choy, and pickled daikon, pan roasted alaskan halibut with kabocha squash purée, caramelized cipollini onion, and hot honey gastrique, and slow roasted prime rib with charred scallion and ginger au jus and creamy horseradish.
il Bracco, 1705 Post Oak
The Italian hotspot will be featuring steak fiorentina made with 44 Farms USDA prime ribeye, along with festive holiday dishes, whole desserts to-go, and nostalgic cookie boxes.
Le Jardinier, 5500 Main
Le Jardinier will offer a special three-course lunch ($130 per person) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a 5-course dinner ($190) from 4 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Seasonal dishes include lobster & chanterelle vol au vent, kale-ricotta gnudi, steelhead trout, and cranberry nougat for dessert. Wine pairings are available as Classic ($75) or Prestige ($150), and festive cocktails are offered.
Mastro’s Steakhouse, 1650 West Loop South
Mastro’s will be open Christmas Eve with its regular menu and signature holiday dining. The “Under the Mistletoe” cocktail is available through December 31.
Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1001 McKinney
Morton’s will serve a chateaubriand holiday dinner for two ($179) December 21–31, including starter, chateaubriand cut to share, two accompaniments, and dessert. Separately, Morton’s will feature three wagyu steaks ($89 each) December 2–31: 6-ounce A5 wagyu bavette (Japan), 8-ounce Margaret River wagyu “Manhattan Cut” (Australia), and 8-ounce Rosewood Ranches wagyu eye of the ribeye (Texas).
Nobu, 5115 Westheimer
The sushi and Japanese favorite will be open for dinner on Christmas Eve from 5 to 8:15 p.m. (kitchen closes 9 p.m.).
Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, 1510 Texas Ave www.vicandanthonys.com
Vic & Anthony’s will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with its regular menu plus chef features, including 12 oz filet mignon, iberico pork bone-in ribeye, szechuan pepper crusted tuna, and fried lobster mac & cheese.
Willie G’s Seafood, 1640 W Loop South www.williegs.com
Willie G’s Post Oak will serve a Christmas Day buffet ($69 per adult, $29 per child) with prime rib carving, soups and salads, raw line (oysters, shrimp, crab, tuna rolls), hot line items (bacon-wrapped shrimp, chilaquiles, cajun turkey, honey roasted ham, roasted salmon), sides (stuffing, sweet potato mash, mac & cheese, vegetables), kids’ items, and bakery desserts including mini pecan pies and gingerbread cheesecake.
Christmas Day
Babin’s Seafood House, Katy and Woodlands
The seafood house will offer a Very Merry Christmas Feast, opening at 3 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Brenner’s on the Bayou, 1 Birdsall
The bayouside restaurant will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., offering the same regular menu and To-Go Prime Rib Dinner ($135 for 2, $185 for 4; pre-order by December 19).
Brenner’s Steakhouse, 10911 Katy Freeway
Brenner’s will be open on from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., serving its regular menu and a To-Go Prime Rib Dinner ($135 for 2, $185 for 4; pre-order by December 19).
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, 5061 Westheimer
Del Frisco’s will serve a holiday family feast for four ($395) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The menu includes holiday salad with st. agur blue, veal & wagyu meatballs with tomato fondue, gold wagyu king cut bone-in ribeye, sweet potato casserole, roasted brussels sprouts, gingerbread butter cake with warm apple compote, and chocolate mousse cake with peppermint crumble.
Doris Metropolitan, 2815 South Shepherd
One of Houston’s finest steakhouses will be offering dinner service on Christmas Day from 4 to 9 p.m. Guests can celebrate with expertly cut steaks, refined sides and an elevated dining experience, plus holiday cocktails like the Spiced Coquito and Housemade Boozy Hot Chocolate.
Grotto, multiple locations
Grotto will be open Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., serving its signature Italian menu along with chef’s holiday features.
Hamsa, 5555 Morningside
The Mediterranean restuarant will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering its regular dinner service. Bring the whole family to enjoy shareables like the Whole Shebang package or Build Your Own Board with options including the Mushroom Skewer, Octopus, Lamb Lollipops and more.
JW Marriott Houston Downtown, 806 Main
Enjoy a three-course Christmas dinner, with highlights including wild mushroom soup, short rib gnocchi, or apple walnut salad. Entrées feature 12 oz prime NY striploin, seared duck breast, or chili-glazed salmon. Desserts are gingerbread pudding cake or apple crumble. Guests can tack on holiday cocktails like the Cuatro Coquito and Old Merry Monte.
King Ranch Texas Kitchen, 1605 Post Oak
King Ranch Texas Kitchen will serve a Christmas Day buffet ($59 per adult, $25 per child) from 12 to 4 p.m. with carving stations (brisket, prime rib, turkey breast, stuffed pork belly roll, stuffed chicken), appetizers, sides including mashed potato bar, green beans, glazed baby carrots, mac & cheese, tamales, meatballs, and desserts with assorted cookies and a hot chocolate bar.
Mastro’s Steakhouse, 1650 West Loop South
Mastro’s will be open Christmas Day with its regular menu and signature holiday dining. The “Under the Mistletoe” cocktail is available through December 31.
Morton’s The Steakhouse, 1001 McKinney
Morton’s will serve a chateaubriand holiday dinner for two ($179) December 21–31, including starter, chateaubriand cut to share, two accompaniments, and dessert. Separately, Morton’s will feature three wagyu steaks ($89 each) December 2–31: 6-ounce A5 wagyu bavette (Japan), 8-ounce Margaret River wagyu “Manhattan Cut” (Australia), and 8-ounce Rosewood Ranches wagyu eye of the ribeye (Texas).
Nobu, 5115 Westheimer
The sushi and Japanese favorite will be open for dinner on Christmas Day from 5 to 9:15 p.m. (kitchen closes 10 p.m.).
Tipping Point Restaurant and Terrace, 9787 Katy Freeway
The Hotel ZaZa Memorial City restaurant welcomes hotel guests and locals to celebrate with a specialty Christmas menu. Expect a warm, inviting atmosphere and festive flavors ranging from comforting classics to chef-driven holiday favorites.
Willie G’s, 1640 West Loop South
Willie G’s Post Oak will serve a Christmas Day buffet ($69 per adult, $29 per child) with prime rib carving, soups and salads, raw line (oysters, shrimp, crab, tuna rolls), hot line items (bacon-wrapped shrimp, chilaquiles, cajun turkey, honey roasted ham, roasted salmon), sides (stuffing, sweet potato mash, mac & cheese, vegetables), kids’ items, and bakery desserts including mini pecan pies and gingerbread cheesecake.
Winsome Prime, 5888 Westheimer Road
Winsome Prime will be open on Christmas Day for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m., serving its regular menu plus a special Smoked Prime Rib Platter with mashed potatoes and vegetables, along with a martini tree to toast the holiday.
We will be updating this list in the days leading up to the holiday. If you have a restaurant to add, please send your information to dish@houstonpress.com.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.
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