20 Chicago Restaurants That Have Christmas Dinner Covered
Give yourself the gift of a clean kitchen this year.
It is the most wonderful time of the year. The wintry smell of cloves, cinnamon, and crunchy leaves wafts through the air, and Chicago hasn’t yet decided to punish its inhabitants with -30 degree days. Lights are hanging from trees and cheesy inflatable Santas decorate the sidewalk. That’s right, it's the holidays.
But you know what’s less wonderful? Spending all day Christmas Eve in the kitchen trying to cobble together some sort of feast for your loved ones out of a half-thawed turkey and questionable green beans. This year, consider letting Chicago’s best restaurants do the dirty work by taking full advantage of these 20 outstanding dine-in, delivery, and carry-out Christmas specials.
L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge
True, it’s a bit out of the way, but don’t overlook the carry-out offerings from this Lincolnwood standby. Just under $60 will get you a classic heat-and-eat holiday feast featuring Oven-roasted Turkey Breast with gravy, Mashed Potatoes, house-made Stuffing, and Green Bean Almondine, capped off by Cranberry-Apple Strudel. The menu also features a variety of a la carte options, so don’t be afraid to add on a few metric tons of Mac and Cheese, as well. Classics are classics for a reason.
Cost: Packages start at $60 each (serves 2); a la carte menu prices vary
How to book: Order pick-up via Tock by December 18.
I|O Godfrey
Christmas Eve comes early to one of Chicago’s best rooftops, courtesy of a mid-morning and afternoon brunch buffet curated by I|O Godfrey’s executive chef Alfonso Martinez. Offerings include classic brunch staples like Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Mashed Potatoes, and an Omelette station, and for folks with a heartier appetite, there are more dinner-y options on offer as well. From a full sushi bar to a carving station where you can get all the Prime Rib and jus you could ever want, your $40 will ensure you’ll be leaving full and very, very jolly.
Cost: Reservations run $39 per person
How to book: Reserve via Tock.
Osteria Via Stato
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian custom said to represent the seven hills of Rome. Osteria Via Stato is bringing this tradition to Chicago, offering up a veritable bounty from the sea. Grilled Octopus, buttery-soft Roasted Garlic, Calamari with hot peppers, and a tempting Seafood Stew teeming with seared scallops, shrimp, and a variety of fish highlight the dishes on offer—and for those of you who prefer to celebrate at home, the feast is also available for carry-out.
Cost: Packages and reservations run $69.99 per person
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable or order pick-up and delivery via Tock.
Virtue
This South Side heavy hitter is at it again, serving up a Southern-tinged holiday feast for the ages. Choose between tender Braised Short Ribs or a hefty Ham Quarter, complemented by classics like Mac and Cheese, Collards, Corn Pudding, and finished off with decadent Red Velvet Cake. Optional add-ons include Gumbo sold by the gallon with fluffy Carolina Gold rice.
Cost: Packages start at $210 each (serves 4)
How to book: Order pick-up via Resy by December 20.
Avec
Inspired by a traditional Sicilian holiday dinner, Avec is hosting their own Feast of the Seven Fishes featuring a smorgasbord of seafood for the discerning holiday gourmand. The all-out three-course meal spans Baked Squid in Pomodoro with fragrant and tempting saffron aioli, Roasted Swordfish with capers, tomatoes, and currants, and a Wood-fired Pizza that likely showcases three ingredients you’ve never had on pizza before—confit tuna, pistachios, and bottarga (a delicacy made with cured and salted fish roe).
Cost: Reservations run $160 per person
How to book: Reserve via Tock.
Chestnut Bisque topped with maple creme fraiche, Slow-roasted Beef Tenderloin with roasted garlic, Whipped Potato laced with horseradish breadcrumbs, Grilled Asparagus beneath a balsamic glaze, and ooey-gooey Mac and Cheese are just a few of the enticing Christmas dishes peddled by this sophisticated downtown chophouse. Add-ons like the annual holiday pie lineup—Apple, Banana Cream, Caramel Pecan, Peanut Butter and Whipped Milk Chocolate, and Pumpkin—sweeten the deal.
Cost: Packages start at $85 per person (serves 2 - 10); a la carte pies and cakes start at $35 each
How to book: Order pick-up via Tock by December 20.
The Bristol
Bucktown’s finest is back in action, cranking out Christmas dinner packages complete with Wine-braised Short Rib, Gruyere Fondue, Porchetta, Brussels Sprouts, Milk Bread with butter, and so much more. Tack on a bottle of wine to keep the good vibes flowing until 2022 comes and saves us all… hopefully.
Cost: Packages start at $125 each (serves 2 - 4)
How to book: Order pick-up via Tock by December 19.
Frontier
West Town’s beloved chef Brian Jupiter is ushering in the season with a protein-rich cornucopia fit for not one but all three of those kings. Roll up your sleeves and choose your own adventure starting with Smoked Prime Rib, Smoked Tenderloin, or Whole Smoked Turkey, and followed closely by signature sides like Mashed Potatoes, Five-cheese Mac, Cornbread Dressing, Brussels, Kale Salad, and more.
Cost: A la carte mains start at $97 each (serves 4 - 10), sides start at $44 each (serves 8 - 10)
How to book: Order pick-up online by December 20.
Publican Quality Meats
One Off gems PQM and the Publican are teaming up once more for a very meaty Christmas at home. Create your own holiday feast with tip-top butcher selections like Spiral Cut Ham, Beef Tenderloin, Goose, and Porchetta alongside Sweet Potato Mash, Creamy Greens, and more. The star of the show, however, is the mouth-watering custom 50-day Dry-aged Standing Rib Roast. Choose between assorted holiday cookies, or light and airy holiday Panettone laden with toasted hazelnuts, candied orange, and chocolate chunks, for your closer.
Cost: A la carte mains start at $45 each (serves 3 - 14), packaged sides run $100 each (serves 4), a la carte sides start at $26 each
How to book: Order pick-up via Tock.
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Get into the Navidad spirit this year with the Home for the Holidays package from Lettuce Entertain You’s friendly neighborhood tapas emporium. Grab a buddy and prepare to dig into a series of traditional Spanish small plates, pintxos, and sweets, then liven things up with a pitcher of red or white Sangria for an additional charge.
Cost: Packages start at $50 per person (serves 2 - 3)
How to book: Order pick-up and delivery via Tock.
Flat & Point
Part smokehouse, part white tablecloth refinement, this ever-creative Logan Square go-to is rolling out a true Christmas game-changer this year, with a-la-carte holiday options fit for any style of gathering. Highlights include Prime Beef Sandwich kits with Parker House Rolls and horseradish creme, Whole Smoked Pork Loin, Gravy by the pound, and a variety of mouth-watering sides and baked goods. Make sure to order a pack of their take-and-bake Cinnamon Rolls for Christmas morning.
Cost: A la carte menu prices vary
How to book: Order pick-up via Tock.
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumpling
Forgo the Christmas Ham and all those silly trimmings this holiday season and kick back instead with first-class dumplings courtesy of Chinatown’s most revered dumpling house. Sift through the Bible-thick menu to find your favorite flavors (two words: Lamb Coriander) then follow the online reheating instructions to bring the tiny pockets of joy to life.
Cost: Packages start at $14.99 for 18 dumplings (3 pack minimum)
How to book: Order pick-up online.
Jeong
For the fifth year running, the culinary geniuses behind this sleek Noble Square Korean hot spot get straight to the point with a toothsome Beef and Kimchi Pie complete with flaky black pepper crust, braised beef, and caramelized kimchi swimming in a sea of roasted vegetables and herbaceous aromatics.
Cost: Whole pies run $63 each (serves 8)
How to book: Order pick-up via Tock.
Tanta Chicago
This Peruvian stunner is jazzing up the holiday season with a festive and feisty Christmas meal. Expect head-turners like crispy Porchetta with a herbaceous pachamanca sauce, Banana Leaf-wrapped Tamales with creamy aji amarillo and Argentinian Shrimp, and a mouth-watering holiday Fruit Cake speckled with rum macerated apricots, among other delicious treats. And if you’re really feeling frisky, Tanta is also offering cocktail packages for your enjoyment.
Cost: Packages start at $120 each (serves 4)
How to book: Order pick-up via Tock.
Ema
Top Chef alum CJ Jacobson’s Mediterranean standout is treating stay-at-homers to a bonafide feast for the holidays. Prepare yourself for a heat-and-eat bonanza featuring their classic Hummus, Rotisserie Chicken with lemon thyme jus, Beef Tenderloin Kebabs, Greek Salad, Halva Cookies, and other breezy shareables.
Cost: Packages run $58.95 per person (serves 2 - 8)
How to book: Order pick-up and delivery via Tock by December 21.
All Together Now!
Chicago Avenue’s natural wine sweetheart is offering both a la carte charcuterie boards and shareable bites as well as packaged options for stay-at-home revelers this Christmas season. Family-style feasts for four highlight hearty mains like Challerhocker Cavatelli, Duck Confit, Roasted Ribeye, and Baked Brown Butter Salmon, accompanied by Whipped Potatoes, Brioche Dinner Rolls with cultured butter, Salad, and your choice of desserts including Kuri Squash Pie with ginger and toasted coconut and Chocolate and Butterscotch Meringue Pie. As always, splurging on the optional wine pairing is a real no-brainer.
Cost: Packages start at $125 each (serves 4)
How to book: Order pick-up and delivery via Tock.
Beatrix
This popular cafe is hawking flavorful, farm-fresh Christmas dinner packages out of all four of its Chicagoland locations this holiday season. Fill up on Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, Chicken Bebe, Filet Medallions with short rib ragout and truffle-onion jus, Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes, and Pesto Green Beans with Parmesan breadcrumbs and lemon aioli, among other hearty bites before concluding with a thick slab of sinfully delicious and well-earned Oh My! Caramel Pie.
Cost: Packages start at $52.95 per person (serves 2 to 6)
How to book: Order pick-up and delivery online by December 21.
Tortoise Club
It’s all about the classics inside this timelessly stylish River North supper club, and their holiday dinners are no exception. Although chef Mike hasn’t made this year’s Christmas Eve menu public yet, previous feasts of Dry-rubbed Prime Rib with horseradish cream and rosemary jus alongside Corn and Cheddar Casserole and Cherry Pie should assuage any anticipatory fears.
Cost: A la carte menu prices vary (reservations require a $25 deposit)
How to book: Reserve via Tock.
Faithful Pilsenites already know all about this chic Vietnamese outpost’s utter mastery of Southeast Asian flavors, but for those not yet aware, the multi-course Christmas dinner is the perfect excuse to dip your toes into these seductive waters. Vibrant Papaya Salad lays the groundwork for cheffy takes on Ribeye Steak, Clams in a chili-ginger-lemongrass broth, Banana-Tapioca Pearl Pudding, and much more.
Cost: Packages start at $75 per person (serves 2 -10)
How to book: Order pick-up via Tock.
The Duck Inn
This venerable South Side tavern has Christmas dinner covered this year with a heat-and-eat Irish-tinged banquet for four lucky lads and lasses. Choose between all-natural Prime Rib blanketed in mulled red wine sauce and a Whole Rotisserie Duck, flanked by Duck Fat Yorkie Pudding, Creamed Kale, Irish Cheddar Potato Casserole, and Sticky Toffee Pudding slathered in whiskey-spiked cream. Duck yeah.
Cost: Packages start at $69 each (feeds 4)
How to book: Order pick-up and delivery via Tock.