Christmas Dining in Austin: Top Spots for Your Holiday Feast

Make this holiday season merry, bright, and stress-free with the help of Austin’s incredible dining scene. Whether you’re looking for a festive dine-in experience or ready-to-go takeout options, local restaurants are here to make your Christmas celebration both easy and delicious. From elegant multi-course meals to comforting classics and decadent desserts, these spots have everything needed to spread holiday cheer without the hassle of cooking from scratch. Let Austin’s culinary talents take care of the feast while you focus on making memories with loved ones.

Bringing the feast home

Prefer a cozy Christmas dinner at home without the stress of a bustling kitchen? These Austin eateries have you covered with takeout meals, sides, and DIY kits to make your holiday effortless and delicious:

1. Walton’s Fancy and Staple: Brown sugar & mustard-glazed ham, pies, and other holiday fixings
2. Central Market: Meals featuring turkey, ham, beef tenderloin or tamales are available in portions that serve four, six to eight, or 12 to 14 people.
3. Loro: Whole chicken family meal, whole chilled smoked brisket, sides and more
4. VERDAD True Modern Mexican: Family Fiesta Board featuring prime steak fajitas, organic chicken fajitas, pork spare rib barbacoa, jumbo garlic shrimp, and more
5. Aba: Mediterranean-themed Christmas Eve dinner for two
6. Fresa’s: Holiday tamale packages and a la carte sides
7. Franklin Barbecue: Sliced and whole meats, sides and sweets
8. Buenos Aires Café: Parrillada for four, empanadas and more
9. TLC: Christmas dinner package, plus white chocolate-peppermint bark, hot cocoa kit, and a cookie decorating kit with carrots for Santa’s reindeer

Christmas dining out in style

Celebrate the season with a memorable meal at one of these top-notch restaurants offering festive holiday menus. Make a reservation and enjoy a stress-free Christmas dinner with all the trimmings:

1. The Driskill Bar: Festive holiday cocktails and elevated fare in The Driskill lobby
2. Serenade: Holiday dining with both regular and seasonal dinner menus. Hours: 7 a.m.–2 p.m., 4–10 p.m.
3. Corinne: Festive brunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., then a $75 prime rib prix fixe dinner from 2 to 10:30 p.m.
4. The Peacock Mediterranean Grill: Full menu, plus holiday specials and desserts
5. Skipjack Oyster: Seasonal and regular menus will be available from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
6. Soupleaf Hot Pot: Locally and family-owned hot pot restaurant open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, accepting reservations and walk-ins
7. Nido: Open all day with their regular menu and holiday specials
8. Corner Restaurant: Special Christmas menu available all day
9. Summer House on Music Lane: A holiday menu and the full regular menu will be available
10. Ling Wu: Dim Sum Brunch on Christmas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sweets for the season

No Christmas celebration is complete without dessert! Treat yourself and your loved ones to these decadent holiday confections to end the day on a sweet note:

1. Launderette: Cookie boxes that include 36 assorted homemade cookies and sweets for pickup 
2. Tiny Pies: Full holiday menu of festive pies
3. Gati: Cranberry Pistachio Bundt Cake, 3 Layer Winter Wonderland Cake and more gluten- and dairy-free delights available for pre-order
4. Abby Jane Bakeshop: Eggnog pie, Chocolate Hazelnut Bûche de Noël, cinnamon rolls, freshly baked dinner rolls, sourdough and more.
5. Intero: Pastry Chef Krystal Craig’s truffles and holiday-flavored chocolate bark
6. Bakery Lorraine: Bûche de Noël, macaroons, pies, rolls and more
7. Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop: Chocolate Silk Pie, Gingerbread Raspberry Tart, Herb Parker House Rolls and more
8. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams: Limited-edition holiday flavors like White Peppermint Chocolate, Pistachio Macron and Boozy Eggnog
9. SusieCakes: Seasonal cakes, cookies, cupcakes and more available for pre-order
10. Chez Zee: Baked goods such as pies, cakes and holiday cookies for pre-order and pickup
11. Bonus: For more scrumptious baked goods, check out Tribeza’s guide to Austin’s best bakeries!

Visit each restaurant’s website or call the establishment for complete information regarding offerings and reservations.