You’ve probably been listening to Christmas music and planning your gifts since Thanksgiving, but now is the time to figure out your holiday meals. Luckily that doesn’t require braving packed grocery stores and spending hours in the kitchen.
Restaurants throughout the Chicago area offer catering packages with traditional centerpieces such as spiral ham and prime rib as well as more novel options like a bagged seafood feast. Those who don’t want to deal with the cleanup can go out for a lavish buffet featuring appearances by Santa or to celebrate the Italian American tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes with a wide selection of seafood. However you like to celebrate, these 43 spots will make sure you have a merry Christmas.
The Loop and Near North Side
Aba
Chef CJ Jacobson offers meals for eight featuring short rib with shawarma marinade ($395) or baharat-spiced beef tenderloin ($595) with root vegetable au gratin, kale tabouli, roasted marble potatoes and a whole creme brulee pie. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Dec. 18 for carryout Dec. 23-24. 302 N. Green St., 773-645-1400, abarestaurants.com/chicago
Adorn Bar & Restaurant
A Tinsel and Toast celebration features maple-glazed ham, seafood paella, a sushi station serving maki and nigiri, and a dessert spread including peppermint white chocolate torte. $265; $95 for kids ages 6-12. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 25. 120 E. Delaware St., 312-280-8800, adornrestaurant.com
Asador Bastian
The Basque-influenced steakhouse offers a five-course Christmas Eve dinner, including bluefin tuna crudo with black truffles, Galician sole with golden caviar sauce and gingerbread ganache for $175. 214 W. Erie St., 312-800-8935, asadorbastian.com
Bistronomic
Imagine you’re vacationing in Paris this Christmas Eve with a three-course meal ($98) including hand-cut butternut squash ravioli, beef short ribs with pumpkin puree and crispy chocolate bars. 840 N. Wabash Ave., 312-944-8400, bistronomic.net
Chicago Chop House
The River North steakhouse offers a special menu, including crab-stuffed mushrooms ($29), prime rib with horseradish cream ($59) and classic stuffing with cranberry sauce ($15). 4-9 p.m. Dec. 24 and 1-9 p.m. Dec. 25. 60 W. Ontario St., 312-787-7100, chicagochophouse.com
Cindy’s Rooftop
Chef Kaleena Bliss offers Christmas Eve specials including a chilled seafood platter ($85), a 12-oz. prime rib with garlic potato puree ($55) and Buche de Noel ($16). 12 S. Michigan Ave., 312-792-3502, cindysrooftop.com
Coco Pazzo
The 32-year-old Tuscan restaurant celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fishes with Christmas Eve specials including milk-braised salt cod ($16), seafood risotto ($30) and pan-seared diver scallops with celery root puree ($42). 300 W. Hubbard St., 312-836-0900, cocopazzochicago.com
Grill on 21
The restaurant within The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection celebrates Christmas Day with a buffet including grilled flank steak, snow crab claws, mac and cheese, balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts and pistachio cheesecake. $125; $25 for kids under 12. 208 S. LaSalle St., 312-634-0000, ext. 3, grillon21.com
I|O Godfrey
Santa Claus hosts a brunch buffet featuring an omelet station, carved prime rib, pancakes, avocado toast, a salad bar, acai bowls and hot cocoa. $59; $15 for kids under 12. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24. 127 W. Huron St., 312-374-1830, iogodfrey.com
Kinzie Chophouse
A festive spin on the restaurant’s eight-course Odyssey Tasting Menu includes oysters with caviar, Lobster Wellington, beef carpaccio and dry-aged ribeye. $150 plus $60 for wine pairings. 5-9 p.m. Dec. 24. 400 N. Wells St., 312-822-0191, kinziechophouse.com
Lírica
The Navy Pier restaurant offers a four-course dinner for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including corn chowder, braised bone-in short rib with butternut squash puree and pumpkin cheesecake for $65. 900 E. Grand Ave., 872-710-5750, liricarestaurant.com
Mercat a la Planxa
A $150 Christmas dinner for two served in addition to the regular menu Dec. 21-25 features a 20-oz., dry-aged ribeye with beef jus served with fried potatoes with chimichurri sauce and serrano-wrapped asparagus. 638 S. Michigan Ave., 312-765-0524, mercatchicago.com
Miru
Chef Hisanobu Osaka ties into the Japanese tradition of feasting on fried chicken on Christmas Eve with a brunch buffet that includes chicken and waffles, smoked salmon and sizzling fried rice for $95 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can also come for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3 to 8 p.m. to get a half bird for $32. 401 E. Wacker Drive, 312-725-7811, mirurestaurant.com
Miss Ricky’s
Through Dec. 24 you can share a family-style Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner, including clam chowder, charred octopus and seared scallops. The full meal is $85, but dishes can also be ordered a la carte. 5-9:30 p.m. 203 N. Wabash Ave., 312-940-4777, virginhotels.com
NoMI
The restaurant within the Park Hyatt offers a four-course meal featuring smoked salmon dip, lemon garlic kale salad, filet mignon and a dessert station with chocolate peppermint macarons and Buche de Noel. $190; $65 for kids ages 7-12. 5-10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 25. 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030, nomichicago.com
Osteria Via Stato
Executive chef David DiGregorio shares his family traditions with a Feast of the Seven Fishes meal ($75), including calamari with hot cherry peppers, seafood linguine and tiramisu. 3:30-8 p.m. Dec. 24. 620 N. State St., 312-642-8450, osteriaviastato.com
Prime & Provisions
The steakhouse offers a $110 four-course tasting menu featuring lump blue crab cake, clam chowder, filet mignon with whole roasted garlic and banana cream pie. Beverage pairings are $49, and additional upgrades include half a Maine lobster ($25) and a side of roasted wild mushrooms ($15). 4-9 p.m. Dec. 24. 222 N. LaSalle Blvd., 312-726-7777, primeandprovisions.com
RPM Italian
A five-course Feast of the Seven Fishes ($125) menu includes king crab tortelli, seafood risotto, center-cut filet mignon and Maine scallops. 4-9 p.m. Dec. 24. 52 W. Illinois St., 312-222-1888, rpmrestaurants.com
Siena Tavern
Executive chef Fabio Viviani offers lamb cappelletti, pork loin with charred radicchio and dark chocolate mousse with white chocolate peppermint bark on Christmas Eve in addition to the regular menu. 51 W. Kinzie St., 312-595-1322, sienatavern.com
State and Lake Chicago Tavern
A special brunch ($75) features a choice of entree such as turkey pot pie or honey-glazed pork loin with cornbread stuffing plus a seafood bar, salads and sweets table. 201 N. State St., 312-239-9400, stateandlakechicago.com
Staytion Market & Bar
The restaurant within the Renaissance Hotel offers a Chai Town Xmas Martini made with vodka, chai rosemary syrup and espresso ($17) plus food specials, including cauliflower and fennel soup ($12) and grilled hanger steak ($28) on Christmas Eve and sweet potato chowder ($12) and spiced carrot cake ($14) Christmas Day. 1 W. Wacker Drive, 312-795-3308, marriott.com
Sushi-san
A $45 togarashi-spiced fried chicken dinner available for takeout Dec. 22-24 includes mashed potatoes with yakitori gravy and Okinawa sugar pie. 63 W. Grand Ave., 312-828-0575, sushisanrestaurant.com
Travelle at The Langham
Santa will make an appearance at an opulent Champagne brunch from executive chef Damion Henry featuring carving stations, seafood, hand-rolled sushi and dessert. $285, $85 for kids ages 5-12. 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 25. 330 N. Wabash Ave., 312-923-7705, travellechicago.com
Tre Dita
The Tuscan restaurant celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fishes with a $115 menu including zuppa di pesce, spaghetti alla vongole, blue prawns with salsa verde and octopus salad with fennel. Add on wine pairings for $89 or order some of the specials a la carte along with dishes from the regular menu. 2-8 p.m. Dec. 24. 401 E. Wacker Drive, 312-725-1724, treditarestaurant.com
Yardbird
The Southern restaurant offers a Christmas to-go menu for two to four ($310) or six to eight ($590), including hone- bourbon spiral ham, mashed potatoes, biscuit stuffing, brown butter-glazed yams, cranberry relish and biscuits with honey butter and apple jam. Add on a bourbon pecan pie for $40. 530 N. Wabash Ave., 312-999-9760, runchickenrun.com
North Side & Northwest Side
Andros Taverna
Chefs Doug Psaltis and Jorge Campos celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes Dec. 23-24 with a $68 meal, including smoked mackerel dip, whole roasted wild turbot with sunchokes and walnut spice cake. 2542 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-365-1900, androstaverna.com
Bar Roma
Specials offered in addition to the regular menu include seafood ravioli ($32), pan-seared jumbo scallops with golden saffron potatoes ($34), black lentil soup with ham ($10) and flourless chocolate cake with pistachio sauce ($11). 4-9 p.m. Dec. 24. 5101 N. Clark St., 773-942-7572, barromachicago.com
Le Sud
Celebrate Christmas Eve with a $72 surf and turf special featuring a 14-oz. ribeye, blackened lobster tail, truffle mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. 4-8 p.m. Dec. 24. 2301 W. Roscoe St., 773-857-1985, lesudchicago.com
Mano a Mano
The new Italian restaurant celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fishes with a six-course meal ($68) including scallop crudo, grilled octopus salad, lobster ravioli, roasted sea bream with mussels and panettone bread pudding. 4-10 p.m. Dec. 23-24. 2534 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-819-7970, eatatmano.com
West Side & Near West Side
Fioretta
The Italian American steakhouse offers a four-course dinner featuring shrimp scampi, butternut squash soup, filet mignon and tiramisu for $110. Add-ons include drink pairings ($49), caviar ($85), a Maine lobster tail ($35) and mascarpone whipped potatoes ($15). 4-9 p.m. Dec. 24. 318 N. Sangamon St., 312-897-5011, fiorettasteak.com
Frontier
Celebrate at home with a prime rib meal for four, including mashed potatoes, skillet vegetables, Caesar salad and rolls ($249) or order a la carte with hot or cold smoked turkey ($59-$119) and trays of mac and cheese ($52-$54) and buttered rolls ($18). Food can be picked up on Christmas Eve. 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-772-4322, thefrontierchicago.com
Gioia
The Italian restaurant serves a set menu ($95) featuring pasta fagioli, cacio e pepe and panettone with mascarpone. Dec. 24-25. 1133 W. Randolph St., 773-672-8955, gioiachicago.com
Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar
Celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve with a $150 six-course meal, including steamed mussels with kimchi Polish sausage, smoked oyster and cauliflower tart with caviar and roasted red snapper with braised collard greens, with drink pairings available for $75. You can also place an order by 5 p.m. Dec. 22 to pick up a meal for two ($225) or four ($400) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24 that includes prime rib with rosemary au jus, savory cognac bread pudding, baked lobster claws, whipped potatoes and brown butter financiers. 2700 W. Chicago Ave., 773-661-9577, heritage-chicago.com
Nisos Prime
A four-course dinner ($125) includes beef tartare with brioche, rigatoni cacio e pepe, chicken parmesan and chocolate cake. 5-10 p.m. Dec. 24., 802 W. Randolph St., 312-800-8582, nisosprime.com
South Side & Near South Side
The Duck Inn
A prime rib dinner for four available for pickup or delivery Dec. 23 includes duck fat Yorkie pudding, creamed kale, Irish cheddar potato casserole and sticky toffee pudding with whiskey cream for $325. You can get everything but the beef for $125. 2701 S. Eleanor St., 312-724-8811, theduckinnchicago.com
Lowcountry
Get messy with a holiday feast seafood boil for four ($155) available for dine-in or takeout that includes lobster tails, snow crab clusters, shrimp, corn, potatoes and cornbread. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and you’ll receive complimentary beignets. 5-10 p.m. Dec. 24 and 2-8 p.m. Dec. 25. 1132 S. Wabash Ave., 312-866-8600, lowcountrychicago.com
Suburban and multiple locations
Aboyer
Book a spot for a three-course dinner, including potato-truffle soup, beef short ribs bourguignon with potatoes au gratin and Tahitian vanilla creme brulee. $95, $75 for kids under age 8. 4-8 p.m. Dec. 24. 64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka; 847-441-3100; georgetroisgroup.com/aboyer-events
Beatrix
A Christmas Eve to-go meal for two ($120) includes Brussels sprout and Honey Crisp apple salad, filet medallions, parmesan smashed potatoes, brown butter spaghetti squash and hummingbird cake with instructions for reheating. Place an order by noon Dec. 22 for carryout or delivery Dec. 24. Multiple locations, beatrixrestaurants.com
Di Pescara
Place an order by noon Dec. 19 to pick up specials from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 23 or 24 including a roasted whole beef tenderloin au jus for eight to 10 people ($245), twice baked potato casserole with applewood smoked bacon ($65-$115) and jumbo shrimp cocktail ($59-$125). 2124 Northbrook Court, Northbrook; 847-498-4321; di-pescara.com
Woods Tap & Pine Lodge
A to-go dinner for two includes oven-roasted turkey breast with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, house-made cranberry sauce and apple strudel for $83. A la carte dishes for eight-10 people such as mac and cheese and creamed spinach (both $47) and full pecan, butterscotch and key lime pies ($36) are also available. Place an order by 8 p.m. Dec. 22 for carryout between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 24. 7110 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood; 847-677-3350; lwoodsrestaurant.com
Mino’s Italian
Executive chef Michael Kropp celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fishes through Dec. 24 with specials, including salt cod in tomato sauce ($20), pan-seared squid panzanella ($21), clams with white wine and garlic ($29) and cioppino ($45). 985 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, 847-386-6053, minositalian.com
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
Celebrate Christmas Eve with a three-course dinner ($69-$79), including lobster bisque, chargrilled salmon, whipped potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake, or upgrade to a four-course premium menu ($139) featuring tempura-fried lobster tail and lamb chops. If you prefer to dine at home, pick up a $169 feast for four from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 23-24 that includes prime rib with au jus, Caesar salad, au gratin potatoes and creamed spinach. Multiple locations, perryssteakhouse.com
Soul & Smoke
A Christmas dinner package for six to eight includes four pounds of turkey or ham plus herb stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, candied yams, green bean casserole, cornbread muffins, herb gravy and cranberry sauce. A la carte items include confit duck quarters ($55), mac and cheese ($27-$88), collard greens ($18-$40) and pumpkin praline pie from Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits. Orders can be picked up Dec. 23 in Evanston, Avondale or the West Loop. Multiple locations, soulandsmoke.com
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
