12 Boston restaurants that are open on Christmas
If Thanksgiving dinner was enough work for you, let these restaurants do the cooking on December 24 and 25.
As Santa sleigh-rides around the globe on Christmas Eve, sit tight and celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The Italian meal features chilled jumbo lump crab, sautéed clams with touches of garlic and white wine, and Maine lobster risotto. (Thursday, December 24 from 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; 64 Arlington St.; $75 per person)
Besides family time, carols, and decorations, the holiday season is marked by food. So. Much. Food. Continue the tradition by indulging in Bristol’s Christmas Day buffet. There will be a waffle station (chocolate shavings, strawberries, and syrup included), a station for eggs made to your liking, a cold breakfast area, a chilled seafood bar, a salad bar, a hot entrée station, and a table lined with holiday desserts to really take things over the top. (Friday, December 25 from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; 200 Boylston St.; $98 per person, $49 for children ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under)
The Langham Hotel’s Cafe Fleuri is going all out for Christmas—expect Santa Claus, a jazz trio, a face painter, and a balloon artist. They’re also serving breakfast and Christmas Day brunch (mimosa included). Be sure to reserve your spot because it’s almost sold out. (Friday, December 25 from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; 250 Franklin St.; $91 per person, $45 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and under)
Craving a midday meal on the lighter side? Enjoy afternoon tea and light food at The Reserve; they’re offering a holiday tea menu, plus sandwiches, scones, and desserts. (Friday, December 25 from 2-7 p.m.; 250 Franklin St.; $42 for adults, $34 for children ages 5-12, and free for children 4 and under)
If an elegant Christmas evening is your style, head to Bond’s dining room, marked by high ceilings and crystal chandeliers. The prix-fixe menu will include house smoked Atlantic salmon, mushroom bisque, thyme roasted filet, and New Bedford sea scallops. Options on the sweeter side include pumpkin creme bruleée and Bûche De Noël. If you’re not up for a four-course meal, the bar menu will also be available. (Friday, December 25 from 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; 250 Franklin St.; $85 per person)
A Christmas feast, but with a mix of provincial and New England flavors. Chefs Didier Montarou and Thomas Reany are cooking up a three-course Christmas lunch and dinner, including a goat cheese tart, short ribs, a Tuscan seafood stew, and a warm honey roasted pear tart. (Friday, December 25 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; 510 Atlantic Ave.; Dinner:$70 per person and $35 for children 12 and under)
Miel’s dining room
Begin or end Christmas Day on a high note at the Envoy Hotel. Its new trendy restaurant is serving the regular full menu, which boasts a slew of contemporary dishes, plus chef specials that include soy glazed short rib with gingered green apple, slow roasted salmon, and a chocolate peppermint cake. (Thursday, December 24 from 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday, December 25 from 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; 70 Sleeper St.; Regular menu prices)
For French food-obsessed. Indulge in Maine lobster bisque, foie gras terrine, chestnut ricotta gnocchi, and roasted rohan duck, among other dishes. Of course, make sure to leave room for sweets. Expect Bûche De Noël, a chocolate dessert with mousse and roasted pears, and Pain d’Épice served with nutmeg, gingerbread, and butterscotch sauce. (Friday, December 25 from 12-8 p.m.; 776 Boylston St.; $85 per person, plus an additional $59 for wine pairings)
This year, have the most Boston Christmas by dining in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods. Stay warm and cozy near the fire, or sit in the dining room or at the bar of Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro. Their Christmas Day menu features chestnut soup, pan seared salmon, braised lamb shank, apple croustade, and more. Beacon Hill has alleys worth exploring, which would make for a lovely post-indulgence stroll. (Friday, December 25 from 1-10 p.m.; 25 Charles St.; $63 per person, plus an additional $32 for wine pairing)
There’s no special Christmas deals or a prix-fixe menu here on Christmas, but Ruth’s Chris is opening its doors on Christmas Day nonetheless. (Friday, December 25 from 12-8 p.m.; 45 School St.; Regular menu prices)
The seafood hub is staying busy all day long. For breakfast, they’re serving the everyday breakfast menu: eggs benedict, cinnamon French toast, a smoked salmon bagel, and more. The chefs will switch it up and introduce a light-fare menu from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as they prepare for the real deal. The three-course prix-fixe dinner menu will begin at 1 p.m., and a full raw bar will also be available. (Friday, December 25 from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; 528 Commonwealth Ave.; Dinner is $65 per person)
Eastern Standard in full swing.
Seafood lovers, give yourself a gift on Christmas: make your way to downtown’s Legal Crossing on December 25. Enjoy the three-course prix-fixe menu, including sweet potato bisque, crab cake made with asparagus, roasted cod, hoisin glazed salmon, and tea smoked duck accompanied with pineapple fried rice and tangerine chili glaze. (Friday, December 25 from 12-8 p.m.; 558 Washington St.; $55 per person)
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