Chicago Restaurants Open on Christmas – Dec 25 2010

Are you in Chicago and looking for a place to eat that is open on Christmas? With special Christmas events such as Christmas Caroling at City Hall,  ZooLights at the free Lincoln Park Zoo,  the light displays at Winter Wonderfest at the Navy Pier, and the lights festival on the Magnificent Mile, Chicago attracts a number of tourists and international visitors during the Christmas holiday season. On Christmas Eve many of the city’s museums are still open, including the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute, which are all open Christmas Eve but not Christmas Day.  The observation deck at the Willis Tower and at the John Hancock Building are both open on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. In fact, one of the best places to enjoy a drink on Christmas Eve is at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock Building.   Many of these travelers book rooms at hotels in the downtown Chicago area and are still in town on Christmas day, making it difficult to find someplace to dine.

In Chicago, you don’t have to eat Chinese food on Christmas as many restaurants now cater to those not celebrating Christmas, or those not interested in churning out a big meal! Historically, eating out on Christmas Day has often meant visiting Chinese restaurants, traditionally among the few establishments open on the holiday. But no more. Of course, if you want to eat Chinese food, all the usual Chinese places in Chinatown, Uptown and the northern suburbs will be open on Christmas Day, too. Many Indian restaurants will open, as well.  As always, make sure to call ahead (many place will be full to capacity) to check on hours and menus; reservations may be required. Even more local restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve, but some will close, so calling ahead then is a good idea, too. If you are traveling on Christmas day, please note that Cracker Barrel (a road favorite) is not open on Christmas Day…..

Several great Chicago sites have lists of open restaurants on Christmas:

Metro Mix has published a list of restaurants and bars that will be open on Dec 24 and Dec. 25 this year, many of which are serving festive holiday fare.

Grub Street Chicago has a list of some open restaurants on Christmas 2010

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If you live, or will be visiting, the River North section of Chicago this Christmas, the following restaurants will be open and serving on Christmas Day.

Fulton’s on the River – Serving up a prix-fixe holiday feast on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 11am to 11pm. $49.95.  Fulton’s on the River is located at: 315 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL Phone: 312-822-0100

Reza’s Restaurant - Offering a special Holiday Brunch Buffet on Christmas Day. 11am to Midnight. Reza’s Restaurant is located at: 432 W. Ontario, Chicago, IL Phone: 312-664-4500

Seasons Restaurant - Seasons is serving up Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Brunch. Two options for Christmas Eve Dinner include a five-course meal in The Dining Room from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, or a three-course meal with a la carte options in The Café from 4pm to 11pm. Christmas Day Brunch has seatings at 11:30am, 2:30pm and 5:30pm. $120/The Dining Room prix-fixe. $58/The Café prix-fixe, $25/The Café prix-fixe for children 5 to 12 years of age. $87/Brunch, $25/children ages 5 to 12. Season Restaurant is located at the Four Seasons Hotel at: 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago, IL Phone: 312-649-2363

Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse – Serving a three-course, prix-fixe Christmas Holiday Feast – appetizer, entrée with family-style sides, and dessert. Regular menu also available. $49/person, $20/children 10 and under
Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse is located at: 318 North State Street, Chicago, IL Phone: 312-670-9900

Sushisamba Rio – Serving up a five-course or seven-course tasting menu alongside their regular menu. Open 3pm to 11pm. Prix-fixe prices are $45 and $55.
Sushisamba Rio is located at: 504 North Wells, Chicago, IL Phone: 312-595-2300

Vermilion – Offering up their four-course, prix-fixe Herb & Spice Christmas Dinner alongside the regular dinner menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 11am to 3pm & 5pm to 10pm. $50/person for the prix-fixe.
Vermilion is located at: 10 West Hubbard, Chicago, IL Phone: 312-527-4060

Weber Grill – Serving a Christmas Day Breakfast and a Christmas Day Dinner. Breakfast served from 6:30am to 10am. Dinner from 11am to 9pm.
Weber Grill is located at: 539 N State St, Chicago, IL Phone: 312-467-9696

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Other restaurants open in Chicago on Christmas Day:

Ann Sather Lakeview – 909 W. Belmont Ave. – Chicago (Lakeview) 7a.m. – 7 p.m. Holiday fare augments the regular breakfast menu.

Ann Sather Andersonville - 5207 N. Clark St. – Chicago (Andersonville) 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Holiday fare augments the regular breakfast menu, beginning at 11 a.m.

Aria Restaurant- Aria, inside Chicago’s luxury Fairmont Hotel offers,  a “Jewish Christmas dinner” — Chinese food and a movie. The restaurant will be serving a special three course Chinese menu, and each diner will receive a ticket for the AMC River East Theater, located a block and a half away. Fairmont Hotel 200 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago 312-444-9494 – 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. – $45 per person

Balsan There will be a “family-style feast” planned for Christmas Eve and Christmas day at Balsan. In the Elysian Hotel 11 E Walton St, Chicago IL60611  312-646-1400

Buca di Beppo – Chicago – Rush and Grand Join us at Buca di Beppo for a memorable meal served up in a fun, festive atmosphere. Our dishes are served family-style, shared by everyone at the table. Open Christmas Day 11am – 8pm.

Cafe des Architectes, They are serving a luxe, three-course menu with options such as butternut squash veloute, duck moulard and — to cap it all off — a chocolate snowball dessert ($72). Be sure to head to stylish Le Bar for some post-meal merrymaking.

Caliterra Bar & Grille – Chicago Join Us For Our Exciting Christmas Menu Featuring Signature Appetizers, Salads Prime Rib, Salmon, Stuffed Chicken And Pork Loin Entrees. Reservations From 12Noon-9Pm. Cheers!

Carmine’s Join us for your holiday celebration and make our home yours this holiday season. Open Christmas Day 3pm-9pm

Chen’s Chinese & Sushi Offering Our Regular Menu.

C-House Restaurant – Join Us At C – House For Our 3 Course / $49 Christmas Dinner Menu. We Will Also Be Offering A Limited A La Carte Menu. Happy Holidays!

Drake Brothers Drake Brothers, the aptly named steakhouse inside the Drake Hotel, will be offering both a Christmas Eve buffet with items like Scotch eggs, duck confit salad, crab claws, Michigan turkey with prosciutto and sage stuffing and dry aged pork loin and a Christmas Day pre fixe four course dinner and a dessert buffet with entree choices such as filet mignon or seared duck breast. Santa and holiday carolers will be on hand for both events. 140 E. Walton Place, Chicago – 312-787-2200 – Noon – 7 p.m. Buffet: $60 adults, $30 children; Dinner: $80 adults, $30 children

Eatt – This diner-style eatery in River North offers an affordable menu of comfort food for breakfast, lunch & dinner in a casual atmosphere. Open Christmas Day 7am-3pm.

The Florentine – Please Join Us For A Festive Christmas Day Meal. We Are Open For Breakfast And Brunch Until 2:30PM. Dinner Will Be Served Until 9PM. Hope You Can Join Us This Holiday Season.

Fornetto Mei – a pan-italian restaurant
We Are Featuring A Truly Special 4 Course Prefix Menu Of Delicious Classic Tastings For $40 Per Adult. There Will Be A Couple Choices Per Course. We Are Open Until 9PM.

Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse - Take the sports nut in your life to Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, named after the legendary baseball broadcaster, for their special Christmas Eve dinner featuring selections like fire roasted tomato bisque, roasted half duck and Colorado lamb chops as well as their full menu. 33 W. Kinzie Street, Chicago – 312-828-0966 – 1:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Entrees range between $16 – $35

Lockwood Restaurant and Bar – We Will Be Featuring Our Holiday Buffet From 11Am – 4Pm. $55 Per Adult, $25 Per Child 6-12 Years Old, Children Under 6 Are Complimentary.

Markethouse Chef Scott Walton is bringing his farm-to-table sensibilities to Christmas dinner, and is offering a three course meal with selections such as Painted Hill Farms rib eye, Maple Leaf Farms cassoulet, winter truffle potato pave and “egg nog” bread pudding with bourbon butterscotch sauce. 611 N. Fairbanks Court, Chicago – 312-224-2200 – 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.- 36 per person

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood – Chicago – Open From 10:30 – 9 On Christmas Day! Featuring Chef’s Christmas Specials For Every Palate – Mouthwatering Grilled Seafood Trio, Herb Crusted Prime Rib And Chef’s Holiday Mixed Grill

Mercat a la Planxa – Mercat a la Planxa – 638 South Michigan Ave. – Chicago (South Loop) 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.< A four-course family-style dinner includes Serrano ham and fig salad, garlic shrimp, grilled lamb chops with romesco and guindilla aioli and chocolate croquettes with banana marshmallows.

NoMI Serves a lavish brunch from 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. on Christmas, include Gruyere and bacon quiche and a selection of spiced, banana and straight-up mini waffles, pancakes and French toast. LFor later guests, there’s duck confit with wild rice, polenta cakes and cauliflower gratin to tempt. But it’s the dessert table — brimming with chocolate-mango panna cotta, hazelnut Yule log and holiday cookies — that may justify the $115 price tag ($35 for kids 5-12).  (Park Hyatt, 800 N. Michigan, 7th fl., 312-239-4030; )

The Palm – Chicago – The Palm will be open for Christmas Day featuring seasonal specials. Celebrate your Holiday with The Palm!

Rosebud on Rush – This bustling restaurant in a renovated brownstone provides for a cozy, satisfying experience of Italian cuisine. Offering their regular menu. Open Christmas Day 1pm-9pm.