14 Houston Restaurants That Have Christmas Dinner Covered

A delightful Christmas Eve experience can be had during both brunch and dinner at this gorgeously decorated Uptown classic. Brunch runs from 11 am to 3 pm, decked with goodies from Scratch Biscuits and Pecan French Toast to Lobster Omelets and Filet Benedict, while dinner is a lavish affair complete with oysters on the half shell, wood-grilled lamb chops, king crab legs, live Christmas carolers from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, and holiday cocktails. Christmas Eve dinner service runs from 5 pm to 11 pm.
Cost: Brunch offerings are $12 and up and dinner runs $14 and up for apps and $36 - $135 for mains.

So an Israeli feast may not be the very first thing you think of when it comes to Christmas, but maybe should be. This modern stunner from the crew behind Doris Metropolitan steakhouse is exactly where you’ll want to be this year. Start with the salatim, each flavorful small plate a gift of its own with choices from tangy matbucha to fiery carrot harissa; do not sleep on the silkiest hummus on the planet; and choose from mains like grilled branzino, lamb spare ribs, and tenderloin skewers dripping in za’atar sumac butter. The dining room will be open from 11:30 am to 8 pm.
Cost: A la carte, with salatim for $5 a plate ($20 for five, $32 for all) and mains from $25 to $50.

The absolutely ace Hogfat Cornbread is reason enough to order the Christmas To-Go package from this homegrown smokehouse. But then there’s the Cinnamon Honey Butter that comes with it, plus the ability to tack on things like Smoked Beef Prime Rib and Whole Turkey Breast, barbecue rubs, cooking fats, and mop sauces, plus sides from fiery Korean Braised Greens to Pimento Mac n’ Cheese, and Rum Raisin Bread Pudding laced with rum anglaise. Ace chef and sommelier (and co-owner) Erin Smith has handpicked some holiday wines available to-go at the Spring Branch shop.
Cost: Meats run $18 - $250, sides and desserts run $40 each (serves 10 - 12); additional costs vary
How to book: Order pick-up online by December 19.

The IG-worthy Thai eats at this Heights favorite are up for grabs on Christmas Day, as the restaurant is open for dine-in and take-out from 11 am to 10 pm serving a limited menu. Spend your holiday going full ham on the holiday special, a Tiger Cry Salad (Yum Nue)—sliced steak with sliced shallots, green onion, cilantro, fresh basil, and roasted rice served with tamarind sauce and cucumber on the side. Reservations are highly recommended. 
Cost: A la carte menu prices vary.

Butter Poached King Crab. Akaushi New York Strip. Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin. It’s all there and more on Christmas Day at this pretty little Post Oak Hotel restaurant. The festive three-course menu is a choose-your-own adventure available from noon to 8 pm.
Cost: $95 for adults and $45 for children (under 12 years old).

It may not be a Santa brunch, but the Christmas Day brunch spread at this sophisticated New American and Southern concept will bring plenty of cheer. Christmas Day brunch runs from 11 am to 4 pm. Bring a crew to take on the Board Room Brunch Platter, stacked with things like Butter Pecan Waffles, Candied Bacon, and Green Chili Hash; or dig into Third Coast classics from Gulf Shrimp & Grits to Tres Leches French Toast. Celebrated a little too hard on Xmas Eve? There are Hangover Bloody Marys and Warwick Cocktail Trees for that.
Cost: A la carte, with the four to five person Brunch Platter for $100.

Why wouldn’t you want to spend your Christmas smashing into Mastro’s famous Butter Cake, two-foot tall seafood platters, and flawlessly executed steaks. Trick question—you would, and you can do so at the venerable chophouse’s Post Oak location, which is open from 2 pm to 9 pm on Christmas Day (and offers Christmas Eve hours, too).
Cost: A la carte menu prices vary.

You’ll want to secure your spot asap for Rosalie’s Italian-American style Christmas Eve festivities, an elevated riff on the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes. Sitting pretty inside the Houston's C. Baldwin Hotel, Christmas Eve here will bring scallops, mussels, squid, tuna, monkfish, and Crawfish Spaghetti to the table, along with a whole bunch of naughty and nice cocktails, from spiced Old Fashioneds to tipsy Spritzers. The restaurant is also open for reservations on Christmas Day.
Cost: The Feast of the Seven Fishes menu runs $75 per person and a la carte ordering is also available.

The Christmas Eve Dinner at this charming restaurant—a part of the Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught empire—starts with warm, buttered-up Parker Rolls and ends with the most perfect Chocolate Tart (or Sticky Toffee Pudding, if you please). In between, highlights include Lobster Risotto, Roasted Tenderloin in Red Wine Sauce, and fall-apart Lamb Shank. Oh, and live jazz and complimentary Eggnog for all. Christmas Eve runs from 5 to 10 pm.
Cost: Reservations run $55 per person ($15 for kids); additional costs vary
How to book: Reserve via SevenRooms.

The dark and moody ambiance at this H-town riff on the classic New York steakhouse sets the mood for a special evening year-round, but things get particularly wonderful when B&B decks its halls for the holidays. Choose between Christmas Eve brunch (11 am to 3 pm) or dinner (3 pm to 10 pm) to dine on filet- and fried oyster-topped Carpetbaggers on the Half Shell, foie-smothered filets, Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding, and Rigatoni alla Vodka. Those looking to ball out at home can place advance orders via The Butcher Shop’s holiday take-out menu, a festive AF offering featuring everything from Whole Tenderloin Beef Wellington and oven-ready Pork Crown Roast to classic creamed spinach, mac 'n cheese, shrimp cocktail, and pecan pie.
Cost: A la carte menu prices vary
How to book: Order pick-up online (48-hour advance notice required).

Want some real pampering this holiday? Score a reservation for Christmas Eve lunch (11 am to 2 pm) or Christmas Eve dinner (5 to 8:30 pm) at this Creole fine dining institution. Guests can expect a prix fixe three-course menu that is sure to treat (that includes sherry-splashed Turtle Soup and tableside flambéed Bananas Foster) alongside impeccable service and an unmatched wine and cocktail list.
Cost: Prix fixe menu price TBA.
How to book: Call 713-522-9711 to reserve your dine-in reservations.

A choose-your-own adventure spread from this fiery Sichuan haunt will hit the spot any day of the year, but it particularly shines during the holidays. Mala’s multiple locations will be keeping regular hours on Christmas Eve and Day (with take-out available, too). Challenge your heat tolerance with Chengdu-style Pot Roasted Tilapia, Red Chile Oil Dumplings, Mala Prawns, and a not-spicy-but-plenty-flavorful Tea-smoked Duck.
Cost: A la carte menu prices vary
How to book: Stop by for first-come, first-served seating or order pick-up online.

A badass holiday meal at this Malaysian street food spot, open till 8 pm on Christmas Day, is nothing short of a Christmas miracle. Rest assured that an excellent array of shareables—namely Crystal Prawn Dumpling, Roti Canai and Curry Dip, Stir-Fried Noodles, and an epic holiday special, the Wagyu Beef Rendang Wellington (available dine-in or to-go, $39)—will most definitely distract you from whatever uncomfortable familial shenanigans await.
Cost: A la carte menu prices vary.

If you're going to put your holiday feast in the hands of another, let it be those of Pondicheri chef Anita Jaisinghani. She and her team have crafted two catering menus to choose from: the Herbivore, stocked with treats like Masala Pecans, Roasted Jackfruit Samosas, and Mushroom Christmas Lasagna; and the Omnivore, featuring Roasted Duck Samosas, Shrimp Mulligatawny Soup, Roasted Masala Beef Brisket, and more. Adding on at least one of the bake lab’s fantastic desserts—think Saffron Citrus Rolls, Apple-Cranberry Crumble, and Pumpkin Chai Pie—is a must.
Cost: Packages run $200 - $240 (serves four); a la carte menu prices vary.
How to book: Preorder online for pickup December 23.