Last Minute Incredible Christmas Dinners in Chicago—From $60 Tasting Menus to 15-Course Omakase

Christmas time isn’t complete without a delicious meal shared with friends and family. Luckily, in Chicago, there are a ton of restaurants that offer special Christmas menus. Since it’s only once a week until the big holiday , we’ve hand-selected a few spots for your last-minute reservations! These are our favorite restaurants open for Christmas Eve dinner in Chicago and for Christmas Day. Restaurants open on Christmas Eve in Chicago ------------------------------------------------ Tanta Tanta has made a festive menu to celebrate the flavors and spirit of Christmas, from December 19 to 24th. Enjoy four limited-edition dishes designed to bring comfort, indulgence, and a touch of Peruvian warmth to your celebrations. Specials include Crab and Caviar Crispy Rice, Porchetta Limena, Porterhouse Navideno, and Esfera Navidena. Aba Aba is offering holiday specials on Wednesday, December 24 , including Potato, Parmesan, and Brussels Sprout Latkes, as well as Braised Lamb Shank with black truffle sauce. Enjoy specialty drinks like the Holiday Spritz Tower along with your favorite mezze. Sifr Sifr will be open with its full à la carte menu, offering guests a festive opportunity to savor the restaurant’s Middle Eastern flavors , recognized by the Bib Gourmand distinction. Diners can choose between the signature $60 tasting menu , enjoy seasonal bites at the bar, or build their own holiday feast from Sifr’s standout dishes. Ema – River North Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired specials available for dine-in, carryout, and delivery, including the Spinach & Feta Spread, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail served with harissa cocktail sauce, and Beef Tenderloin Kebabs with bell peppers and cipollini onions, offered during lunch and dinner. il Porcellino Head to il Porcellino and cozy up on Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes! A selection of seafood specials will be available à la carte , such as Tuna Crudo, Grilled Octopus, Lumache Frutti di Mare, and Grilled Branzino, as well as classics from the dinner menu. Adalina Prime What better place to celebrate Christmas Eve than at Fulton Market’s newest gem, Adalina Prime? The globally inspired menu, crafted by *Top Chef * alum Soo Ahn and Executive Chef Nemanja Milunovic, mirrors the setting’s sophistication with a slew of premium steaks, seafood dishes, elevated vegetarian options, and more. The Smith The Smith is the perfect spot for a last‐minute Christmas Eve meal with family and friends. Guests can enjoy standout dishes such as Late Night Spaghetti with roasted cauliflower, long hots, garlic, lemon, basil, and parmesan, the indulgent Smith Burger with cheddar, bacon, shallot jam, crispy onions, dill pickles, and TSB sauce, or selections from the Raw Bar, including Cotuit Bay, Pink Moon, Fishers Island, and the Oyster Sampler. Hawksmoor Make a reservation at Hawksmoor if you’re into charcoal-grilled steaks, oysters on the half shell, and other British favorites , including fried shrimp with jalapeño tartare sauce, Yorkshire sloppy joes, beef dripping chips, and mushrooms Diane. Miru Enjoy the full à la carte menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner this Christmas Eve at Miru . Plus, treat yourself to Miru’s Japanese-Style Fried Chicken for dine-in or take-away. Inspired by Japan’s Christmas Eve tradition, this savory dish adds a unique flavor to your festivities. La Grande Boucherie River North’s brasserie-meets-steakhouse is whipping up a special set of dishes this Christmas , along with its classic à la carte menu of French favorites. Guests can celebrate Christmas Eve with hors d’oeuvres like a Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras and entrées including a Lobster Thermidor. Fora Fora at The Emily Hotel in Chicago will be open on Christmas Eve, offering a contemporary, globally inspired meal. Guests can enjoy the cozy patio with fire pits and seasonal hot drinks like mulled wine, warm apple cider, and festive cocktails. At the same time, chefs serve memorable dishes that blend traditional roots with modern techniques using high-quality, seasonal ingredients. Adorn Bar & Restaurant Celebrate the season in style at Adorn Bar & Restaurant, where the à la carte menu has elevated seasonal offerings that blend timeless tradition with contemporary flair. Each course is crafted to delight the senses, creating a luxurious culinary experience that captures the magic—and flavor—of the season. Nadu NADU, Chef Sujan Sarkar’s newest concept in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, will welcome guests on Christmas Eve with regular hours and its full à la carte menu, offering a festive opportunity to experience Nadu’s vibrant, tradition-driven flavors. Omakase Shoji For a unique Christmas experience, visit Omakase Shoji, where legendary sushi chef Takashi Iida joins Chef Takahashi Shoji in West Town. At the intimate 10-seat sushi counter, Chef Shoji serves his signature edomae-style omakase, featuring the finest fish and ingredients sourced directly from Japan and perfectly aged for peak flavor. For the holiday, they will be offering an over-the-top 15-course luxury omakase menu for $350. Restaurants Open Christmas Day in Chicago --------------------------------------------- Staytion Market & Bar The Staytion team offers a special holiday menu for Christmas and Christmas Eve, featuring both savory and seasonal delights. For the main course, guests can choose the Rack of Lamb, served alongside sweet potato risotto, pickled butternut squash, and mole, or the vegetarian Wild Mushroom Cake , which combines Lion’s Mane mushroom with a chipotle squash purée, haricots verts, and a crispy potato haystack. The Peninsula’s The Lobby Celebrate Christmas in The Lobby featuring à la carte menu options combined with buffet items served from the following station s: carving station with charred Tomahawk, honey-glazed bone-in Christmas ham, roasted turkey; seafood station with jumbo shrimp, king crab legs, East and West Coast oysters, sushi and sashimi; risotto station, and more. La Grande Boucherie River North’s brasserie-meets-steakhouse is whipping up a special set of dishes this Christmas , along with its classic à la carte menu of French favorites. Guests can ring in Christmas Day with hors d’oeuvres like a Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras and entrées including a Lobster Thermidor. Shula’s Steakhouse at Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk Celebrate Christmas Day with Shula’s special Smoked Prime Rib Dinner . The holiday entrée features slow-smoked prime rib carved to order , complemented by seasonal sides and classic steakhouse touches. Guests can enjoy the meal in Shula’s warm, lodge-style dining room, steps from the Riverwalk and within view of the city’s festive lights. Toro Chicago by Richard Sandoval On Christmas Day, Toro Chicago is serving up festive flair with a modern twist . Indulge in a special Christmas Day prix-fixe menu, featuring some of Toro’s specialty appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Guests can sip on playful cocktails like the Hot Chocolate Old Fashioned or Peppermint White Russian , enjoy non-alcoholic treats like Grandma’s Secret Spiced Nog, and snack on savory bites and house-made sweets, including Campfire S’mores. Cima Cima is making Christmas effortless this year with a handcrafted holiday menu. The menu features Seared Crab Cakes, served with a fennel-orange salad and charred lemon vinaigrette, and a 14 oz Porcini-Rubbed Ribeye, loaded with pancetta, truffle, Comté twice-baked, and white balsamic demi. Adorn Bar & Restaurant This Christmas, join Executive Chef Brent Balika at Adorn for an unforgettable holiday brunch at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Delight in festive fare from chef-attended action stations and an elaborate chocolate buffet, while little ones enjoy holiday-themed activities designed just for them. Miru Gather the family for a festive Christmas brunch buffet at Miru, inspired by Japan’s holiday tradition of fried chicken. Savor crispy Chicken & Waffles, a seafood and sushi bar, sizzling fried rice, and a tempting array of pastries and sweets, along with classic brunch favorites. Source: https://secretchicago.com/best-restaurants-for-christmas-eve-and-christmas-day-chicago/