Christmas Day Dining Guide

If you’re looking to skip the stress of cooking and hosting, check out this list of Houston restaurants that will be open for business on Christmas Day and enjoy dining out with family and friends. 

ARA & Axis Lounge
Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria
2222 West Loop South 
Christmas Day Hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. 
Executive Chef Robert Graham and his culinary team have prepared a Prime Rib special for Christmas. For $29 a person, enjoy Herb Roasted Prime Rib with au jus and horseradish cream, rosemary roasted potatoes, glazed vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. For an additional $10, guests can add a trio of salad, dessert and glass of wine.

Bayou & Bottle  
Four Seasons Hotel Houston 
1300 Lamar Street
Christmas Day Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 
Bayou & Bottle will serve a three-course prix-fixe menu with seasonal selections like Parsnip-Apple Soup with bourbon roasted apples and Roasted Porchetta. I’m most intrigued by the dessert: a dark chocolate brownie with house-made candy cane ice cream. Bayou & Bottle’s Christmas dinner menu is available for $45 per guest.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
5061 Westheimer Road, Suite 8060
Christmas Day Hours: 3–8 p.m. 
Enjoy a steakhouse experience at Del Frisco’s, which will offer an abbreviated Christmas Day menu. 

Fogo de Chão is offering their Full Churrasco Experience on Christmas Day. (Photo: Fogo Corporate)

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
8250 Westheimer Road
Christmas Day Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 
For a carnivorous feast, head to Fogo de Chão, which is open for both lunch and dinner on Christmas day. The $55.95 Full Churrasco Experience is a unique concept with continuous tableside service of signature cuts of meat prepared, fire-roasted and served by gaucho chefs. Children six and under are complimentary, and children seven to 12 are half price. 

Four Seasons Hotel Houston & Quattro  
1300 Lamar Street 
Christmas Day Hours: Brunch: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Quattro Dinner: 6–10 p.m.  
The Four Seasons Hotel is hosting a special Christmas Day Brunch. Come ready to feast, as more than 75 selections of holiday favorite will be available, including a carving station with honey glazed ham, smoked ribeye and a roasted turkey, plus a raw bar, sushi, and a dessert bar. The brunch is $115 for adults, $55 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Quattro, the modern Italian eatery inside the Four Seasons Hotel, is offering a special Christmas Day dinner. The four-course prix-fixe menu for $85 per person features selections such as a Celery Root Ravioli with shaved winter black truffles, Osso Buco alla Milanese, and a Honey Glazed Duck Breast with lemon-ricotta sage tortellini and sweet potato puree pomegranate sauce.

Grotto  
4715 Westheimer Road
Christmas Day Hours: 11 a.m.-7p.m.
Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at Grotto’s Galleria-area location this Christmas Day. They’ll be serving their traditional items such as scratch-made pastas and antipasti as well as holiday specials for lunch and early dinner. Reservations are recommended. 

Himalaya  
6652 U.S. 59 S.
Christmas Day Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 
If you want your fix of Tandoori chicken, shrimp vindaloo and naan, Himalaya might be the place to go. This Indo-Pakistani joint has been named one of Houston’s top restaurants in the Houston Chronicle and is one of America’s 38 Essential Restaurants by Eater. It’ll be open for lunch and dinner on Christmas Day. 

House of Pies  
Various Locations
Christmas Day Hours: Open 24 hours
Home of delicious pies plus diner-style meals, House of Pies is proudly open 24-hours, even on Christmas Day. Indulge in a slice of Texas Pecan Pie or choose from a wide array of breakfast-all-day options, sandwiches, soups and more.  

Lucienne Restaurant  
1070 Dallas Street
Christmas Day Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 
This upscale restaurant with Continental cuisine from chef Jose Hernandez is open Christmas Day for a special brunch. The three-course menu ($65 per person) features savory items such as brioche eggs benedict and sweets such as s’mores and hazelnut napoleon.  

Mastro’s Steakhouse
1650 W Loop South 
Christmas Day Hours: 2–9 p.m.
Treat your family to Chateaubriand, a large center-cut roast of the finest beef tenderloin that Mastro’s has to offer, for $115. The Chateaubriand is sliced and served tableside and served with Béarnaise Sauce and Peppercorn Sauce on the side. Mastro’s will also be serving their regular menu items of high-quality USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood and raw bar offerings. 

Morton’s The Steakhouse is offering this special Côte de Boeuf on Christmas Day. (Photo: Landry’s)

Morton’s The Steakhouse
1001 McKinney Street; 5000 Westheimer Road
Christmas Day Hours: 2–9 p.m. 
Morton’s The Steakhouse will be serving families their signature steakhouse fare, as well as a special Côte de Boeuf for $135 and Filet & Lobster Oscar for $59.

Peli Peli
Galleria Location: 5085 Westheimer Road, Suite B2515 
Christmas Day Hours: 2-8 p.m. 
This South African hotspot in the Galleria – known for their chicken Espetada, served with roasted potatoes, baby spinach and garlic herb butter – will be offering its full dinner menu plus two specials on Christmas Day. 

San Luis Resort  
5222 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston 
Christmas Day Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 
Indulge in an extravagant Christmas Day Brunch at the San Luis Resort in Galveston. The brunch takes place in the resort’s festive ballroom and includes a range of options from scratch made breakfast items, fresh seafood, desserts and more. See the full menu here.  

Shanghai River  
2407 Westheimer Road
Christmas Day Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 
As one New York Times column put it, “Nothing is More American than Chinese Food on Christmas.” Chinese restaurants are almost always open on Christmas, and Shanghai River is no exception. This traditional Chinese-American spot is open for both lunch and dinner.

Shun Japanese Kitchen marries traditional Japanese ingredients with readily available seasonal produce. (Photo: Becca Wright)

Shun Japanese Kitchen  
2802 S. Shepherd Drive 
Christmas Day Hours: 5-9 p.m. 
Shun Japanese Kitchen is open for dinner on Christmas, serving their menu of sushi and hot dishes inspired by seasonal ingredients and traditional Japanese cuisine. Make it a buzzy night by trying their sake – the restaurant boasts one of Houston’s largest selections of this alcoholic beverage.

The Annie Café & Bar
1800 Post Oak Boulevard
Christmas Day Hours: 10 a.m.-7p.m.
Enjoy festive decorations plus Christmas carolers during dinner service at The Annie Café & Bar. Guests can order from the regular lunch and dinner menu, and there will also be a few food and drink specials.  

The Houstonian  
111 North Post Oak Lane
Christmas Day Hours: Vary by location within the property
The Houstonian has multiple opportunities for festive Christmas Day meals. The Grande Ballroom presents an over-the-top buffet brunch; TRIBUTE at The Houstonian offers a seated á la carte menu for both brunch and dinner, and the historic Manor House has an elegant seated dinner. See details on hours and menus here. Reservations are required. 

The Oceanaire Seafood Room
5061 Westheimer Road, Suite 8050
Christmas Day Hours: 1–8p.m. 
Enjoy seasonal and sustainable seafood flown in daily at The Oceanaire Seafood Room. 

The Remington Restaurant inside the St. Regis Hotel Houston is offering a special Christmas brunch and dinner. (Photo: The St. Regis Houston)

The Remington Restaurant   
The St. Regis Houston 
1919 Briar Oaks Lane
Christmas Day Hours: Brunch – 10:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.; Dinner – 5:30-9:30 p.m. 
Located inside The St. Regis Houston, this American restaurant will offer a special Christmas brunch and dinner. Menus are still to come. 

White Oak Kitchen + Drinks
5011 Westheimer Road 
Christmas Day Hours: 4-10 p.m. 
This American restaurant located inside the Galleria mall will offer a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu. The menu is still to come.  

Editor's Note: Looking for fun holiday events around town? See our holiday events listing and our event calendar for more upcoming events.