A bone-in steak
Photograph: Courtesy DineAmic Hospitality
Photograph: Courtesy DineAmic Hospitality

The best restaurants for Christmas Eve and Day dinners in Chicago

Most of the city turns into a ghost town on Christmas but these restaurants will be open and offering sumptuous feasts.

Jeffy Mai
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Christmas is all about spending time with the family. This year, give the greatest gift of all by taking your loved ones out to a restaurant and letting the experts whip up a delicious meal. Many Chicago spots will be open on Christmas Eve and Day and offering a la carte specials as well as prix fixe menus. Whether it’s steak, fried chicken or a Feast of the Seven Fishes, the best restaurants in Chicago have everything you need to make the holiday memorable. No matter what you prefer, check out our guide to the best restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Day in Chicago for some good times. Just make sure to book a reservation to avoid getting left in the cold.

RECOMMENDED: Your complete guide to Christmas in Chicago

Chicago restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Day

  • Steakhouse
  • River North

Celebrate Christmas Eve the Basque way at Asador Bastian, where guests will be treated to a festive prix fixe menu ($175 per person). Choices will include crudo of dry-aged blue fin tuna with Umbrian black truffle, spider crab arroz cremoso, Galician sole with caviar sauce and more. Optional wine pairings are also available.

Reservations via OpenTable.

  • Steakhouse
  • West Loop
  • price 3 of 4

The stunning Italian-American steakhouse in West Loop celebrates Christmas Eve with a three-course dinner ($110 per person) boasting seafood and beef options, plus opulent add-ons and optional wine pairings. Diners will be able to savor everything from housemade meatballs and shrimp scampi to hand-cut filet mignon and oak-roasted bay scallops. 

Reservations via OpenTable.

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  • Peruvian
  • River North
  • price 2 of 4

Join Peruvian standout Tanta on Christmas Eve for a selection of holiday specials, along with its regular a la carte menu. Meant to be shared family-style, the dishes include bandeja marinera ($120), ossobuco estofado ($85), chanchito glazeado chifero ($72) and esferas de Noel ($15).

Reservations via OpenTable.

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  • Japanese
  • Loop
  • price 3 of 4

Gather the family for a festive Christmas Day brunch at Miru. Guests will savor options like chicken and waffles, smoked salmon and accompaniments, sizzling friend rice, a variety of pastries and sweets, and classic brunch favorites. The buffet is priced at $95 per person and $55 for children ages 5-10. Miru will offer its regular menu from 1-pm-8pm.

Reservations via OpenTable.

  • Pan-Asian
  • River North
  • price 2 of 4

Indulge in Sunda’s signature new Asian dishes alongside special holiday-inspired offerings crafted exclusively for the season, including arroz caldo ($22), Hokkaido snow beef ($14) and sesame cake ($15). The restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve.

Reservations via OpenTable.

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  • French
  • River North
  • price 3 of 4

Experience "The Winter Réveillon," inspired by the French tradition of Le Réveillon—a celebratory dinner enjoyed during the holidays—on Christmas Eve at Brindille. Both a la carte selections and an exquisite prix fixe menu will be offered.

Reservations via Resy.

  • Italian
  • River North
  • price 2 of 4

The River North trattoria has been decked out for the holidays, with a stunning centerpiece tree, lush green garlands draped throughout the space, sparkling twinkle lights, vibrant pops of red ribbons and other cheerful touches to set the seasonal mood. On Christmas Eve, diners can try a la carte specials like tortellini in brodo ($15), lasagna ala bolognese ($25), beef short ribs ($42) and tronchetto di Natale for dessert ($19).

Reservations via OpenTable.

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  • Humboldt Park

Spend Christmas Eve at Heritage to enjoy an annual Italian tradition—the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The Ukrainian Village restaurant will serve courses showcasing smoked oysters, tuna and hamachi sashimi, steamed mussels, roasted red snapper and swordfish au poivre. The menu is priced at $150 per person, with optional wine pairings available.

Reservations via Tock.

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  • French
  • River North
  • price 3 of 4

This refined brasserie, housed inside a unique, two-story Art Nouveau-inspired space, invites guests in on Christmas Eve for French classics alongside a prime selection of beef and specials like foie gras terrine ($32) and a comme une “Buche” dessert ($19).

Reservations via OpenTable.

  • Italian
  • River North
  • price 2 of 4

The Tuscan stalwart is whipping up some specials for Christmas Eve. Celebrate with Feast of the Seven Fishes-inspired offerings like milk-braised salt cod, Maine lobster- and potato-filled dumplings, pan-seared diver scallops, citrus-cured salmon and more. Oh, and save room for the warm panettone bread pudding.

Reservations via OpenTable.

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  • Global
  • Streeterville

Ring in the holiday season with a “Tinsel and Toast” celebration at Adorn inside the Four Season Hotel Chicago. Diners will sit down to a joyous feast featuring maple-glazed Berkshire ham and relish king salmon wellington wrapped in spinach crepe with truffle pate and tarragon bearnaise. There will also be a tapas station with seafood paella, a seafood station and a decadent dessert spread. The experience is available on Christmas Day and priced at $85 for adults and $45 for children.

Reservations via OpenTable.

  • Italian
  • River North

Italian emporium Eataly will be open on Christmas Day and offer three-course menus ($55) at two of its restaurants—La Pizza & La Pasta and Vino &.... Diners can choose an antipasti to start, followed by an entree. The meal will conclude with Eataly’s famous panettone for dessert.

Reservations here.

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  • Italian
  • Uptown

Load up on pastas and meatballs on Christmas Eve at Andersonville’s Bar Roma. The Italian eatery will offer its regular dinner menu, as well as specials like black lentil soup with Lady Edison ham, seafood ravioli, pan-seared jumbo scallops and more.

Reservations via Resy.

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