For many Houstonians, Christmas Day involves spending a day at home with family and other loved ones. We wish those readers a very Merry Christmas.
However, not everyone has (or wants) such a traditional celebration. For any number of reasons, people might want to venture out for a meal or two on Christmas Day.
This guide is for those people. It contains a range of cuisines, locations, and price points. From elaborate prix fixe meals to a drive-thru taqueria, the list below has options that will cater to a wide range of tastes.
Diners who do venture out should be mindful that a restaurant’s staff has given up their holidays to feed customers. Show some appreciation with generous tipping.
Of course, this list isn’t comprehensive. Many restaurants that serve cuisines from different parts of East Asia will be open on Christmas, particularly those that are located in Chinatown or in Asian-oriented shopping districts in other parts of greater Houston. Call in advance to confirm availability.
The Audrey
Located in The Woodlands, this restaurant will serve a three-course, $65 menu. Start with lobster bisque or salad. The entree is herb-crusted prime rib with roasted potatoes, carrots, green bean almondine, and a Parker roll. Red velvet cheesecake completes the meal.
Bari Ristorante
The lively Italian restaurant in River Oaks District will supplement its regular a la carte menu with specials such as cioppino, lobster ravioli, peccorino-crusted lamb chops, and veal osso buco, 12-10 pm.
Benny Chows
Berg Hospitality’s posh Chinese restaurant will serve both its regular menu and a four-course, $95 prix fixe that includes many of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. The six first-course options include hot and sour soup, egg drop soup, and crystal shrimp dumplings. From there, choose a second course such as brisket egg rolls, honey-glazed spare ribs, or soup dumplings. Entree choices include sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli, mooshu pork, or Peking duck ($20 supplement). Diners also have a choice of three different sides and three desserts.
Bloom & Bee
The restaurant at the Post Oak Hotel will serve a three-course, $105 menu. Everyone starts with an amuse bouche of Alaskan king crab salad. From there, choose from three appetizers: porcini cream soup, winter salad, or foie gras torchon. Entree choices consist of Texas akaushi New York strip with truffle gratin potatoes, duck breast with parsnip puree, and king salmon with beluga lentil ragout.
Bowl & Barrel
The upscale bowling alley and restaurant will be open from 5-9 pm with a limited food menu.
The Burger Joint
All three Houston-area locations of this better burger spot will be serving sandwiches, fries, and milkshakes beginning at 11 am on Christmas.
Cleburne Cafeteria
The Houston institution will be open on Christmas Day from 11 am-8 pm with all of its comfort food favorites like chicken fried steak, roast turkey, and liver and onions. Don’t miss the freshly baked cakes and pies.
Chow Wok
The Chinese American restaurant will be open its regular hours on Christmas. Since the restaurant will likely be busy, order your General Tso’s chicken, fried rice, shrimp rolls, dumplings, and more via its website.
Davis St. at Hermann Park
Chef Mark Holley’s globally inspired restaurant will offer a three-course, $70 menu with lots of choices for appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Start with dishes such as gumbo, corn and crab chowder, chargrilled oysters, or crispy Thai shrimp. Entree choices include blackened redfish, turkey dinner, and grilled lamb chops ($12 supplement). Four dessert choices are available, but those in the know will opt for coconut cake.
Dough Zone Dumpling House
The Seattle-based dim sum restaurant will be open regular hours on Christmas. That consists of more than 50 items that are made with a dough or batter, including three varieties of soup dumplings — Berkshire pork, Berkshire pork with crab, and chicken
Duck N Bao
For those craving Peking duck, soup dumplings, or Sichuan dishes, both the Cypress and Memorial Drive locations will be open their regular hours, 11 am - 9:30 pm.
Hamsa
Rice Village’s modern Israeli restaurant will be open Christmas Day to serve its hummus, falafel, and other Mediterranean-inspired fare.
Harrison’s at The Woodlands Resort
The resort’s in-house restaurant will served an expansive buffet from 10 am - 4 pm. Priced at $80 for adults and $40 for kids 6-12, the options include breads, charcuterie and cheese, an omelet station, and classic breakfast fare such as biscuits and gravy and eggs Benedict. Diners will also find a seafood and raw bar with oysters on the half shell and an array of salads. Entree choices include a carving station with prime rib and rack of lamb as well as veal cordon bleu, salmon Picasso, cornish hen, and plenty of vegetable sides.
Hongdae 33
This Korean restaurant in Chinatown’s Dun Huang Plaza will be open regular hours on Christmas Day, which means diners will be able to grill their meats tableside from 11:30 am all the way until midnight. The all-you-can-eat restaurant from the owners of Duck N Bao offers its full menu for just $33 per person.
Kiran’s
The beloved Indian fine dining restaurant will serve its extravagant Christmas buffet ($95) with a wealth of choices that includes paneer or lamb tamales with tomatillo salsa, leg of lamb, tandoori salmon, coconut shrimp, a range of vegetable sides, and seven desserts. Reserve online.
Lombardi Cucina Italiana
The newly opened Italian restaurant in Uptown Park will be open from 11 am - 9 pm with brunch available from 11 am - 3 pm. It will supplement its daily menu with specials such as white truffle risotto, crab salad, and a surf and turf with filet mignon and lobster tail.
Ojo de Agua
This Mexico City-based restaurant in River Oaks District will be open from 9:30 am - 2 pm on Christmas Day with its regular menu that includes breakfast dishes such as chilaquiles as well as sandwiches, tacos, salads, and more. Don’t miss the signature Açaí Bowl ($15 for one scoop / $22 for two scoops).
The Palm
In addition to its regular menu, the downtown steakhouse will offer prime rib specials of 16 ounces, 22 ounces, and a bone-in cut that weighs a hefty 32 ounces. Add a lobster tail to complete the experience, 12-9 pm.
Phat Eatery
Katy’s acclaimed Malaysian restaurant will add Wagyu Rendang Wellington to its regular menu, 11 am - 9 pm.
Red Lion Pub
Head to the Anglo-Indian pub for dishes such as Shepherd’s Pie, fish and chips, and chicken tikka masala as well as a Christmas Day turkey dinner special with turkey, stuffing, yams, Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and more ($38). It will be open for regular hours on Christmas Day (11 am-12 am).
The Rustic
The Uptown Park location of the bar, restaurant, and live music venue will be open from 5-9 pm with tamales, queso, and a beer bottle Christmas tree.
The Taco Stand
The popular Heights taqueria will be open from 8 am until midnight, because even Santa’s helpers deserve to start their day with breakfast tacos and finish it with canned margaritas.
Three Brothers Bakery
Grab a rye bread or some gingerbread cookies from the Braeswood location of this Jewish community staple. It will be open from 10 am-2 pm.
Tonight & Tomorrow at La Colombe d’Or
The restaurant inside the boutique hotel will be open for breakfast, brunch, and dinner on Christmas Day. In addition to its regular menu, it will feature specials such as lamb enmoladas, shaved Brussels sprout salad, short rib bourguignon, blackened turkey, and roasted Chilean sea bass.
Toro Toro at Four Seasons Houston
The pan-Latin steakhouse will feature a decadent Christmas brunch. Served from 10 am - 3 pm, the offerings include an omelet station, a carving station, a cold seafood display, and an array of desserts. It’s priced at $145 for adults and $65 for kids 6-11. Toro Toro will also be open for dinner with its a la carte menu from 5:30 - 10 pm.
Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
Benny Chows will be open on Christmas.
