Washington, D.C. restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Every year, the airy, window-filled Colonnade at the Fairmont Washington D.C. is host to a festive Christmas brunch. Get your fill of luxe offerings like a cheese and bread display, pancake and waffle station, carving station, seafood station, and omelet station.

A pastry buffet filled with creations by Claus Olsen, the hotel's executive pastry chef, will include sweets like rainbow macarons, Linzer tarts, gingerbread cake, strawberry Christmas trees. A violinist playing holiday tunes and Santa visiting each table sweetens the deal. Brunch tickets are $169 per person, and seatings are at 11am and 2pm.

Head to The Darcy hotel for a four-course Christmas dinner at its fine dining restaurant, Gerrard Street Kitchen. Dine on salad with roasted winter vegetables, braised short ribs in a red wine reduction, and risotto with fava bean and wild mushroom. The dessert course includes treats like egg nog rum ice cream and creme brûlée. The whole meal costs $79 per person. 

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If your ideal holiday spread consists of Southern classics, head to Succotash Prime for brunch or dinner. Until 4pm, the restaurant will serve a festive brunch menu chock-full of comfort food like biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, pimento cheese burgers, and French toast piled high with berries and lemon curd at its two D.C. locations.

If you want to celebrate a bit later, you're still in luck, because the menu switches over to regular dinner service after 4pm. If you'd rather celebrate Christmas at the bar, know that happy hour runs from noon-8pm. 

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Michelin-star holder Elcielo, a Colombian restaurant in Union Market, is offering two multi-course tasting menus on Christmas Day. Choose between The Experience, a meal that includes 20 "moments" for $289 per person, and Chef's Choice, a selection of 10 dishes that best represent modern Colombian cuisine for $178 per person.

Time Out tip: This isn't the place to go if you want straightforward, simple food. Elcielo is known for its elaborate presentation and rituals, like "Chocotherapy," which involves eating chocolate out of your hands.   

Many holiday dishes include rich cuts of meat like roast beef and ham, which may make vegetarians feel left out. Those who are looking for lighter, but no less celebratory, fare should head to Mita. The Latin American restaurant in Shaw specializes in whipping vegetables into decadent dishes, and will be open on Christmas. 

I struggle to think of much that's more comforting than a warm bowl of ramen—luckily for us, all of JINYA Ramen Bar's D.C. locations are open on Christmas from 11am-10pm. As for what to get? How about my personal favorite, the Spicy Chicken ramen with bean sprouts and green onions, or the extra-garlicky Tonkotsu Black ramen with garlic chips and garlic oil?

JINYA also has great cocktails; my favorite is the Spiced Grapefruit Sour, which is made with bourbon and spiced maple syrup, and the Crazy Momotoro, a smoky concoction flavored with Japanese whiskey, roasted peach, and brown sugar.

This Michelin-starred Georgetown mainstay inside the Park Hyatt is offering a three-course prix fixe dinner for Christmas. For $165 per person, Blue Duck Tavern's spread includes an appetizer, main, and dessert. Options include crab cakes, Oysters Rockefeller, roasted duck, prime rib, and black forest cake.

Time Out tip: Would you rather have Christmas lunch so you can be home in time to watch some movies? Blue Duck Tavern's offering can be booked from noon to 8:30pm.