Need dining plans for Christmas or want to celebrate with Feast of the Seven Fishes? While many places will be closed during the holidays, these restaurants are serving up a feast. From all the seafood to brunch buffets to take-home spreads, there’s a little something off everyone’s gourmet wish list.
Christmas Eve Dinners
Christmas Eve Dinner at The Common Good
The Common Good inside the Benson Hotel + Faculty Club opens for both Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch. Specials on Christmas Eve include Winter Spiced Duck with artisan grains, brussel sprouts, and a cranberry port wine sauce; and Glazed Salmon with creamed kale with a cranberry ginger chutney. Reservations available here. 13025 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora, eatatthecommongood.com
Taiwanese Feast at Pig and Tiger
Chefs Darren Chang and Travis Masar are celebrating Pig and Tiger’s first holiday season with a family-style Christmas Eve dinner. Delight in five courses including wonton soup, pork belly, whole steamed bass, lamb shank, stir-fry noodles, and more. Book a reservation between 5 and 8 p.m. at $80 per guest, with the option to add on a wine pairing for $35, or zero-proof tasting for $25. 2200 California St., Denver, pigandtiger.com
Joyeux Noël at Chez Maggy
Go French this Christmas Eve at Chez Maggy, located inside the Thompson Denver hotel downtown. Pick your seatings from 4 to 9 p.m. and enjoy a four-course prix fixe menu featuring Bruleed Goat Cheese Salad, Foie Gras Terrine, Steak Diane, and Cranberry and Cherry Clafoutis. Reservations run $125 per person and can be made here. 1616 Market St, Denver, chezmaggydenver.com
Candlelit Christmas Eve Dinner at Jill’s Restaurant
Join Jill’s Restaurant at the St Julien Hotel & Spa on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for an elegant candlelit dinner. The menu runs $109 for adults and $49 for children ages 5 to 12, and includes a choice of fennel and tomato bisque, Tuscan kale and beet salad, or burrata bruschetta. Next pick from wagyu beef short rib, blackened diver scallops, herb-crusted prime rib, or vegetable wellington.
Finally, for dessert there’s eggnog cheesecake and chocolate-peppermint flourless cake. More information and reservations can be found here. 900 Walnut St., Boulder, stjulien.com
Festive Menu at West End Tavern
Chef Kevin Grossi is feeding your family this Christmas Eve by offering an array of tasty dishes. Start with Grandma’s Home Cooking (smoked ham and turkey, roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and gravy), which runs $25 per plate. For dessert, the holiday Peppermint Chocolate Brownie with coffee ice cream or the Bourbon Molasses Pecan Praline Pie with vanilla ice cream have our collected mouths watering. Bonus, adults 21-plus who wear a holiday sweater any day in December will receive a complimentary Grinch Jell-O Shot. 926 Pearl St., Boulder, thewestendtavern.com
Christmas at Urban Farmer Denver
This LoDo steakhouse is offering brunch and dinner service on December 24 and 25. Christmas brunch gets served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days, and starts off with a spread of savory breakfast breads, lobster omelets, and a raw bar. Also look for the Cinnamon Apple French Toast, Bourbon Glazed Pork Belly, Chicken & Waffles, and Croque Madame.
On the holiday dinner side, join the fun from 4 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 4 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. The dinner menu showcases comforting winter dishes including short rib gnocchi, lobster bisque, roasted prime rib, spiral-cut ham, and Chilean sea bass. There’s also a variety of traditional sides such as green beans with browned butter and almonds, horseradish creamed spinach, truffle whipped potatoes and baked campanelle and cheese. For dessert look for the housemade butter cake, campfire s’mores, and basque cheesecake.
Urban Farmer’s Christmas Brunch is priced at $85 for adults, and $45 for kids under age 12. Christmas dinner is priced at $95 for adults, and $45 for kids under age 12. Reservations are highly encouraged, please secure your spot here. 1659 Wazee St., Denver, urbanfarmersteakhouse.com
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Three Days of Fish at Coperta
The Feast of the Seven Fishes returns to this cozy Uptown Italian restaurant, and you have three days (December 22, 23, and 24) to enjoy it. The dinner runs $95 per person and includes six family-style dishes such as potato gnocchi with Dover sole and Meyer lemon cream, and Testaccio-style albacore tuna with orange spice. The entire regular dinner menu will also be available, and it’s not required that the whole table participates in the traditional feast. 400 E. 20th Ave., Denver, copertadenver.com
La Vigilia Dinner at Gattara
Celebrate Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve at Gattara, located inside the Warwick Denver Hotel. The festive, $75 prix fixe menu features Italian seafood favorites such as an antipasti selection with cozze al vino bianco (mussels, white wine, lemon, garlic, parsley and extra virgin olive oil) and baccalà (lightly breaded cod served with chili sauce). A choice of primi piatti runs the gamut from Insalata di Polpo (octopus served with fresh cherry tomatoes, olives, parsley, garlic and lemon) to Linguine alle Vongole (pasta with clams, extra virgin olive oil, white wine, garlic and parsley).
Next diners get a choice of Branzino alla Griglia (grilled branzino, served with mashed potatoes and green beans) and Salmon Imperial (grilled salmon topped with house-made pesto, and served with spaghetti, spinach, garlic and extra virgin olive oil). End the evening with tiramisu or banana pudding. Dishes are also available a la carte. Reservations are encouraged and available here. 1776 Grant St., Denver, gattararestaurant.com
Jax Feast of the Seven Fishes
Join the iconic Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar for a five-course menu on Christmas Eve. The $85 dinner includes Fritto Misto with shrimp, squid, anchovy-stuffed olives, and lemon calabrian chile aioli; Little Gems Chopped Salad with creamy anchovy dressing, grana padano, and a brioche-bottarga crumble; Spaghetti al Scoglio with shrimp, mussels, and squid; plus more. Multiple locations, jaxfishhouse.com
Feast of the Seven Fishes at Osteria Alberico
Celebrate Christmas Eve with this casual Italian restaurant’s Feast of the Seven Fishes. The Italian-American tradition features seafood-based dishes a la carte options in order to augment the regular menu. Dinner reservations begin at 4 p.m., and can be found here. 3455 S. University Blvd., Englewood, osteriaalberico.com
Dining Out On Christmas Day
Christmas Dinner at Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek
Enjoy a decadent buffet feast with the whole family at Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek. Savor goods from the carving stations, enjoy holiday classic side dishes, and dive into a display of specialty desserts. All this gets served in the elegant second-floor Halcyon ballroom. The feast is available for lunch or dinner from noon to 5 p.m. Reservations are $95 per adult (includes a glass of sparkling wine and discounted valet parking) and $30 per child ages 12 and under. 245 Columbine St., Denver, halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com
Holiday Brunch at The Common Good
The Common Good inside the Benson Hotel + Faculty Club opens for both Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch. For Christmas Day brunch specials include Eggnog French Toast and Caramelized Onion and Brie Benedict. Reservations available here. 13025 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora, eatatthecommongood.com
Candlelit Christmas Day Dinner at Jill’s Restaurant
Join Jill’s Restaurant at the St Julien Hotel & Spa on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for an elegant candlelit dinner. The menu runs $109 for adults and $49 for children ages 5 to 12, and includes a choice of fennel and tomato bisque, Tuscan kale and beet salad, or burrata bruschetta. Next pick from wagyu beef short rib, blackened diver scallops, herb-crusted prime rib, or vegetable Wellington.
Finally, for dessert there’s eggnog cheesecake and chocolate-peppermint flourless cake. More information and reservations can be found here. 900 Walnut St., Boulder, stjulien.com
Brunch Buffet at The Inverness Denver
A longtime Englewood favorite, The Inverness Denver offers a lavish Christmas Brunch Buffet on December 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. From chilled seafood displays with snow crab legs and Old Bay-poached shrimp to carving-station classics like roasted prime rib with cabernet au jus and rosemary-glazed pit ham, the menu is designed for indulgence.
Guests can also enjoy made-to-order omelets, a vanilla bean waffle bar piled high with seasonal toppings, and a decadent dessert spread of mini cheesecakes, pecan pie, winter-spiced plum crumble, and more. Each seat is $115 and also includes bottomless mimosas and mocktails. Don’t be surprised to find Santa strolling through to greet families as well. Reservations are required and can be made here. 200 Inverness Dr. W., Englewood, hilton.com
Christmas Day Dinner at Gattara
Gattara will also host Christmas Day dinner, with a special menu of Italian favorites including minestrone soup and chef’s salad. Starters include eggplant parmigiana and gambaro spizzico (shrimp, pico de gallo, saffron, butter and arugula).
On the main dish list, look for Paccheri alla Aragosta (lobster sauce, shrimp, chardonnay, garlic, heavy cream and parsley); Risotto alla Gorgonzola, Arrosto di Vitello con Patate (roasted veal with rosemary and oven roasted Yukon gold potatoes), and Baccalà alla Romana (cod, served with San Marzano tomatoes and oven roasted potatoes). Lava cake is also available for dessert. Reservations are encouraged and available here. 1776 Grant St., Denver, gattararestaurant.com
The ART Hotel Christmas Buffet
Gather the family for an epic holiday brunch buffet. You’ll all get the foods on your wish list at the carving station, which includes strip loin and salmon en croûte, made-to-order omelets, plenty of craveable sides, dessert, and more. Plus, grownups can get merry with bottomless mimosas. The meal is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and runs $75 per adult and $25 per kid. View the full menu here. 2001 N. Broadway, Denver, thearthotel.com
Christmas Day Grand Brunch at St Julien Hotel & Spa
Celebrate Christmas with live music and a grand brunch buffet in the grand ballroom at St Julien Hotel & Spa. The festive feast includes carved prime rib, honey-glazed ham, roasted winter vegetables, Verlasso salmon, and an assortment of fresh seasonal salads. You won’t want to miss the epic dessert display either, which features house-made pastries, yule logs, and more holiday confections. Reservations, available here from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., are $109 for adults and $49 for children ages 5 to 12. 900 Walnut St., Boulder, stjulien.com
Holiday Feasts to Take Home
Holiday Peking Duck at Ace Eat Serve
This Uptown restaurant has brought back its take-home Holiday Peking Duck Feast complete with reheating instructions. This year’s spread feeds four and features a whole Peking duck (carved or not carved) complete with sesame hoisin, apricot chili jam, pickled sweet peppers, five-spice sugar, and mu shoo crepes or lettuce cups.
It also includes three signature sides such as Little Gem Salad with carrot-ginger dressing and cashew crumble, Mashed Yaki Imo with brown-butter, and Stir-Fried Green Beans with mushroom XO sauce and pickled shallots. For dessert add on a Chocolate Miso Tart, good for six revelers. Pre-orders are open now through December 20, and pick up on December 24. Order here. 501 E. 17th Ave., Denver, aceeatserve.com.
Olive & Finch’s Pick-Up Christmas Meals
Olive & Finch, the fine-casual eatery from chef Mary Nguyen, is helping to make holiday entertaining a breeze this December with full, ready-to-serve holiday meal dinners for pickup. For $225, the holiday bundle serves six to eight people, and includes herb-roasted boneless turkey, brown sugar–glazed spiral ham, mushroom gravy, orange cranberry sauce, two sides (choice of stuffing, whipped Yukon potatoes, bacon-roasted Brussels sprouts, and a root vegetable medley), kale or roasted beet salad, rolls, and dessert.
Individual dishes, pies, and wine pies are also all available to add on. Orders can be made now and until December 20, for pickup on Christmas Eve. Reserve your feast here.
Lasagna From Restaurant Olivia
Over the pandemic this Michelin-recommended restaurant started making take-home lasagnas, and they have been popular ever since. Order the large lasagna for four to six people for $57, a two to three person lasagna for $32. Each comes layered with Fontina Mornay and beef bolognese. You can also add on a salad, take-and-bake cookies, bread, and wine. Find more details here, and pick up at the restaurant. 290 S. Downing St., Denver, oliviadenver.com
Next Level Veggie Grill’s Take-Home Holiday Feasts
Get the best plant-based holiday meal to take home now from Next Level Veggie Grill. Now available for pre-order, each vegan holiday feast serves four to six people and comes with an entrée and five sides, plus the option to add dessert. The meal includes the Holiday Harvest Wellington, spiced cranberry sauce, garlic mashed potatoes with creamy thyme gravy, citrus-glazed carrots with toasted walnuts, green bean almondine with herbed butter, baked mac and cheese with parmesan crumb crust, and savory sage and onion stuffing.
Optional dessert add-ons include vegan treats such as gluten-free organic holiday apple crumble, classic carrot cake, and Belgian chocolate cake. You can also get a gluten-free option for the Wellington. Pickup between December 18 and 24, and December 26 and 31, with a minimum of 72-hour notice. Feast can be purchased here. 1605 E. Evans Ave., Denver, nextlevelvg.com
A Taste of Mizuna
Enjoy a classic Christmas Eve or Christmas Day feast at home, thanks to the team at Mizuna. For $120 per person, the meal includes Beef Wellington with foie gras demi-glace, herb-roasted fingerling potatoes, garlic confit root vegetables, Gerry rolls with whipped butter, butter-poached lobster mac and cheese, caramel apple tart, and more. Pickup from Mizuna on December 23, reserve here. 225 E. 7th Ave., Denver, mizunadenver.com
Desserts From Moon Raccoon
This Sunnyside bakery will be offering a special Christmas Eve menu filled with unique baked treats from Colorado Honey Pie to Honey Plum Gingerbread to a holiday cookie tin. On the savory side Moon Raccoon has a quiche with bacon, caramelized onions, and provolone; lasagna with bolognese sauce; and lasagna with pancetta and fontina. Pre-orders are live now and need to be placed by December 20. 2839 W. 44th Ave., Suite 103, Denver, moonraccoonbakingcompany.com
Brunch Box to Go From Ambler
Savor the season with Ambler’s Brunch & Be Merry Boxes. For just $50 you can pick up a fully-loaded brunch box featuring a ready-to-bake cinnamon brioche French toast casserole, choice of house-made quiche or frittata, candied or regular bacon, assorted mini pastries and fresh fruit. Make it boozy with a $20 mimosa kit or a $15 Bloody Mary kit. Call Ambler at 720-544-6105 at least 24 hours ahead of the day you want it. It’s perfect for Christmas morning, New Year’s Day, or any cozy weekend at home. 1801 Wewatta St., Denver, amblerdenver.com
