Have yourself a merry little Christmas that doesn’t include working in the kitchen. While many restaurants around town will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (check websites of your favorites), below is a list of restaurants that have a little something special up their red velvet sleeves for the occasion.
Trace is one of the hotel restaurants in Austin that will be serving a special Christmas dinner.
Apis. 23526 Texas 71. 512-436-8918, apisrestaurant. The wonderful restaurant on the edge of the Texas Hill Country in Spicewood will serve early dinner on Christmas Eve from 3 to 7 p.m. The prix fixe meal, which includes canapé service and mignardise, costs $120 and $30 for children.
Bonneville. 202 W. Cesar Chavez St. 512-428-4643, thebonnevilleaustin.com. The husband-and-wife-owned restaurant downtown will celebrate Christmas Eve with a French-Canadian menu that pays tribute to co-owner Jennifer Costello’s heritage. The regular menu will also be on offer.
Cannon + Belle. 500 E. Fourth St. 512-493-4900, cannonandbelle.com. The restaurant at the Hilton downtown is offering a three and four-course meal on Christmas Day from 2 to 8 p.m. Menus include chicken and dumplings, masa biscuits served with pumpkin butter and pineapple jam. ribeye and more. The three-course meal costs $59 per person and the four-course dinner is $67.
Driskill Grill. 604 Brazos St. 512-391-7128, driskillgrill.com. Austin’s grand dame will serve its five-course prix fixe dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 2 to 7:30 p.m. The menu includes roasted butternut squash soup, bacon-wrapped scallops, halibut and more. Cost is $130 for adults and $65 for children.
Estancia Churrascaria. 10000 Research Blvd. 512-345-5600, estanciachurrascaria.com. The Brazilian steakhouse will serve its splendor of grilled meats (and salad) at lunch ($41.95) and dinner ($51.95) on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and all day on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fonda San Miguel. 2330 W. N. Loop Blvd. 512-459-4121, fondasanmiguel.com. The venerable Mexican restaurant hosts a special edition of their Sunday Hacienda Brunch on Christmas Eve from a 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The brunch buffet, which includes an array of Mexican dishes, costs $38.95. The restaurant will also be open with its regular menu for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m.
Hightower. 1209 E. Seventh St. 512-524-1448, thehightoweraustin.com. The East Austin spot will serve Christmas Eve brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Le Politique. 110 San Antonio St. 512-580-7651, lepolitiqueaustin.com. The new downtown French restaurant opens at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve with a five-course menu that includes foie gras mousse, oysters and roasted capon. Cost is $90, with wine pairings for an additional $60.
LeRoy & Lewis. 121 Pickle Road. 512-775-3392, leroyandlewis.com. The inventive barbecue trailer is selling meats by the pound, such as pit ham and brisket, along with sides for like mashed potatoes and gravy and mac and cheese and cake and pie for advance pick-up. Email sawyer@leroyandlewis.com with questions or to place your order. Final orders due by December 17th.
L’Oca d’Oro. 1900 Simond Ave. 737-212-1876, locadoroaustin.com. Chef Fiore Tedesco will celebrate an Italian tradition on Christmas Eve, with the Feast of Seven Fishes, a family-style four-course dinner featuring an array of fish dishes. Cost is $75 for adults with $25 unlimited house wine and $25 for children ages 3-12. Call or email info@locadoroaustin.com for reservations.
Mattie’s at Green Pastures. 811 W. Live Oak St. 512-444-1888, mattiesaustin.com. The renovated classic offers two seatings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.). The buffet featuring Southern classics costs $85 for adults and $40 for children ages 6-12. Those under six eat free.
Second Bar & Kitchen at Domain Northside. 3121 Palm Way. 737-300-4800, sbkdomain.com. Chef David Bull’s restaurant will serve a Christmas Day meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that includes herb-roasted prime rib, maple-glazed ham and more. Cost is $48 and $24 for children.
Threadgill’s. 6416 N. Lamar Blvd. 512-451-5440; 301 W. Riverside Drive. 512-472-9304; threadgills.com. Pork chops, roast turkey and, of course, chicken fried steak are on the special Christmas menu at both locations.
Trace. 200 Lavaca St. 512-542-3660, traceaustin.com. The restaurant at the W Hotel will serve a four-course Christmas dinner with options like prime rib, duck breast, eggnog rice pudding and more. The cost is $60 per person.
Trio at the Four Seasons. 98 San Jacinto Blvd. 512-685-8300, triorestaurantaustin.com. The restaurant at the hotel on Lady Bird Lake will serve its famous brunch all day (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) on Christmas Day. The spread include lobster Benedict, a colorful Christmas salad, tuna crudo, rack of lamb and much more. Cost is $88 for adult and $35 for children.
The Yard at Waller Creek. 701 E. 11th St. 512-478-1111, sheraton.com/austin.com. The restaurant at the Sheraton will serve from 4 to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas. The three-course menu includes New York Strip, peppermint cheesecake and more. Cost is $42 ($70 with wine pairings).
