Chicago’s award-winning restaurants are ready to celebrate the holidays.
The city’s dining scene goes all out for the most wonderful time of the year, with festive menus, over-the-top decor, and special dishes that make for an unforgettable holiday season.
Here’s our (always growing) 2025 guide on where to enjoy a festive meal in Chicago, from Hanukkah specials to Christmas dinner to afternoon holiday tea.
Holiday meals in Chicago
Hanukkah dinners and specials
Whether you’re planning on dining out or ordering in to celebrate Hanukkah, these Chicago restaurants have crafted celebratory special menus that feature a variety of traditional and modern takes on Jewish favorites.
Ema: Celebrate Hanukkah at Ema in River North with specials like sweet potato latkes with avocado and jalapeño crema for brunch and shawarma-spiced roasted chicken during dinner service, along with a special holiday cocktail and wine option.
Summer House: In Lincoln Park, Summer House will honor the Festival of Lights with a classic dish — latkes served with housemade apple sauce and sour cream, available for dine-in, carry out, and delivery.
Aba: Celebrate Hanukkah at Aba in the West Loop neighborhood with specials like parmesan potato and Brussels sprout latkes with scallion crema and apple compote, as well as braised lamb shank served with yogurt-whipped potatoes, roasted carrots and black truffle sauce.
Schneider Deli: This Jewish deli in River North brightens your Hanukkah celebrations with an assortment of sweet and savory packages. Choose from lox and smoked fish specialties, house-cured meats, traditional sweets, and more.
8 Crazy Nights: Wrigleyville is home to Chicago’s only Hanukkah pop-up bar. This over-the-top winter wonderland features decorations for the Jewish holiday along with challah grilled cheese, a latke menu, fun themed cocktails, and more.
The Goddess and Grocer: This popular local chain makes Hanukkah entertaining easy with a robust catering menu full of classic dishes with plenty of options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners.
Chicago restaurants open on Christmas Eve
Much like Santa and his crew at the North Pole, these places will be up and running all through the night on Christmas Eve, gifting diners with decadent holiday specials.
AVLI: All three AVLI locations in Chicago will be opening for Christmas Eve dinner. Enjoy comforting Mediterranean dishes like a half chicken with roasted potatoes, whole branzino, and lamb chops.
Manchamanteles: This Bucktown Mexican restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Enjoy a three-course Navidad en la Mesa de Mexico special holiday tasting menu, celebrating seasonal flavors from the 32 states of Mexico.
Bistronomic: Celebrate Christmas Eve with Bistronomic’s special collaborative dinner with guest chef Roland Liccioni from Les Nomades. The four-course dinner features items like chestnut and winter mushroom velouté with black truffle, diver sea scallops, and more.
Staytion Market & Bar: Take in the Christmas lights along the Chicago River with a special holiday menu offering. Guests can choose from holiday specials like rack of lamb, sweet potato risotto, and vegetarian wild mushroom cake.
La Grande Boucherie: This elegant brasserie-meets-steakhouse in bustling River North is serving a special Christmas Eve menu featuring elegant dishes like Hudson Valley foie gras and Lobster Thermidor.
Artango Bar and Steakhouse: Experience Christmas Eve with the perfect blend of flavors and mouthwatering dishes at this Argentine restaurant in Lincoln Square. Live jazz will add a festive touch to your celebration.
I|O Godfrey: The annual Christmas Eve brunch buffet includes an omelet station, carving station, pancakes and French toast, a salad bar, avocado toast bar, açaí bowl station, and a dessert table. The event also includes a visit from Santa.
Fioretta: The special three-course Christmas Eve tasting menu features indulgent dishes, including shrimp scampi, butternut squash soup, roasted halibut, hand-cut filet mignon, and tiramisu for dessert. Live music will set the mood in the bar area.
The Langham: The tidings and toast Christmas buffet will feature carving, seafood, and dessert stations, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa.
Chicago restaurants open on Christmas Day
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday brunch or a special night out on the town, Chicago’s restaurants deliver. Here are just a few that will be open to revelers on Christmas Day.
Miru: Gather the family for a holiday brunch inspired by Japan’s holiday tradition of fried chicken on Christmas. Savor crispy chicken and waffles, a seafood and sushi bar, sizzling fried rice, and a tempting array of pastries and sweets, along with classic brunch favorites.
Cafe Robey: The Wicker Park cafe will be serving all-day brunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Each table will receive a Christmas cookie for an extra serving of holiday cheer
Somerset: This Gold Coast hotspot will serve decadent dishes like smoked escargot, foie gras parfait, prime rib, and flan for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner.
Olio e Più: Celebrate Christmas Italian-style with holiday options like housemade ricotta and spinach ravioli, lamb shank, and holiday-crafted cocktails. The restaurant will be transformed into a classic Christmas postcard with lush garlands, wreaths, rich velvet bows, and a green sparkling tree.
Shula’s Steakhouse: Celebrate Christmas Day with special holiday entrees like the smoked prime rib dinner, carved to order and enjoyed with seasonal sides and classic steakhouse touches.
Adorn Bar & Restaurant: Delight in festive flair inside the Four Seasons with chef-attended food stations and an elaborate chocolate buffet. There will also be seasonal activities for the little ones and a live band.
NoMI: Make Christmas Day extraordinary with a holiday brunch high above Michigan Avenue. Indulge in unlimited Wagyu striploin, roasted chicken, lobster, oysters, sushi, and more, followed by an array of seasonal desserts.
Holiday tea in Chicago
If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays, an afternoon tea is the perfect option. Check out these special seasonal offerings, from boozy to indulgent to family-friendly.
Bar Pendry: Step inside the iconic Carbide and Carbon building for this signature afternoon tea, with a boozy twist. Guests can enjoy a three-tiered tower of seasonal savory and sweet bites paired with holiday-inspired tea cocktails savored fireside for an ultra-cozy seasonal escape.
The Gwen: Bold & Gold infuses The Gwen’s iconic Tipsy Tea with golden sophistication. Delight in a curated selection of fragrant teas, radiant tea-infused cocktails, and seasonal bites that shimmer with refined indulgence.
Alma: At Teddy Bear Tea, adults can enjoy a rare Tea Cellars’ premium blends while children sip hot chocolate and nibble on bear-shaped sandwiches, buttery scones, and colorful confections. Each child receives an Alma-branded teddy bear and can pick out a treat from the teddy bear lollipop wall.
Casa Chi: The holiday boozy tea offers a playful twist on the traditional afternoon tea. The three-course menu offers seasonal boozy tea pot pairings like the coconut pisco or the chocolate Cafe de Olla.
The Lobby at The Peninsula: This iconic afternoon tea is nothing short of spectacular. Diners will be seated in view of the stunning 20-foot Christmas tree as they enjoy a traditional English tea menu of finger sandwiches, elegant pastries, and more.
LondonHouse: The holiday tea service at this riverfront hotel features savory selections like miniature lobster rolls and Yorkshire puddings, alongside a selection of whimsical holiday sweets. You can enhance your tea service with sparkling wines, Champagne, or spirit-free mocktails.
Looking for more ways to celebrate the holidays in Chicago? Check out this year’s holiday pop-up bars and our pick for New Year’s Eve dinner in Chicago.
