The holidays are here again, and with it comes plenty of opportunities to feast. Why stress in the kitchen when you live in one of the greatest food cities in all the land?
Some of Boston's most talented chefs are cooking up special holiday menus and keeping doors open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Whether you're looking for honor the Italian-American tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes, are craving a good Wagyu steak or just want fine food in a festive atmosphere, these 11 Boston eateries will hit the spot.
See also: Weekly Recipe: BBQ Holiday Turkey by James Beard Winner Chef Rodney Scott
View this post on Instagram
1 Dalton Street / Website
Celebrate the season with one of four specialty Christmas Day menus, created by Chef Daniel Burger. Dine in with friends and family at the hotel’s One + One restaurant, enjoying a main course, seasonal sides and a desert buffer for $149 per adult and $69 per child (though kids five and younger eat for free). Take your meal home with a family feast that serves four to six, indulge with in-room dining, or book a private event.
View this post on Instagram
3 Mechanic Street? / Website
Snuggled away from the street on the North End, Mare Oyster Bar will serve elegant fare and intimate vibes on Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to midnight. The menu is curated by chef Frank DePasquale, including top-tier seafood, steak, pastas, salads and more.
View this post on Instagram
1 Broadway, Everett / Website
Open Christmas day from 3 to 10 p.m., Rare Steakhouse offers a three-course holiday menu with prime cuts of meat—including Japanese cuts from the Kobe and Kagoshima prefectures—for $85 per person. The fine dining room will be decorated with floral arrangements and tree displays, to get you in a festive mood.
View this post on Instagram
241 Hanover St. / Website
This North End staple will welcome guests on Christmas Day from noon until 8 p.m., offering signature Italian dishes including seafood entrees, delectable steak, Italian desserts and an array of holiday specials.
View this post on Instagram
215 Charles Street / Website
Come for a festive Christmas Day brunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., curated by Clink. executive chef Daniel Kenney. Busy in the morning? Come for dinner with platters to share, local artisan cheeses, starters from petit baked stuffed lobster to East Coast oysters on ice; and entrees including Wagyu beef ribeye, Alaskan halibut and more.
View this post on Instagram
200 Stuart Street / Website
Enjoy a four course, prix-fixe menu at Rebel’s, featuring holiday specials of prime rib, duck breast, wood roasted oysters and more. For dessert, diners will have their choice of candy cane lava cake, eggnog creme brulee and more. It’s $75 per person, and reservations are available between noon and 8 p.m.
View this post on Instagram
280 Hanover Street; 11 Parmenter Street / Website
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Trattoria il Panino offers an authentic Italian celebration. Enjoy a variety of homemade pastas, signature entrees and shareable plates, as well as the restaurant’s large selection of curated wine, beer and cocktails. With a charming Italian atmosphere, it’s a quaint and delicious way to mark the day.
View this post on Instagram
135 Richmond Street / Website
Aqua Pazza brings an extra special holiday flair to its menu with a variety of Italian favorites. Try seafood-centric pastas, an array of crudos, fresh oysters and more from 4 to 11 p.m. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance.
View this post on Instagram
100 North First Street / Website
It’s a Feast of the Seven Fishes as this Italian-American eatery celebrates the Christmas Eve tradition. Chefs Will Gilson and Tony Susi have prepared a seven-source seafood selection, including bay scallop crudo, chilled lobster salad, grilled stuffed calamari, fritto misto, saffron chitarra, salt cod cannelloni and smoked swordfish belly. Dessert brings torta della nonna. Reservations are available from 5 to 10 p.m.
View this post on Instagram
138 St James Ave. / Website
Christmas Day brings holiday specials at Oak, including a 16 oz. herb crusted prime rib and a green apple tart tatin. Get cozy among the fireplaces and wreath-adorned windows and celebrate with friends and family from 7 a.m. to midnight.
View this post on Instagram
3 Newbury St Rooftop / Website
It’s a four-course prix-fixe celebration at Contessa this Christmas Day. For $195 per person, you and yours will enjoy antipasti of burrata with caviar, baby kale and squash carpaccio. The primi course offers spicy lobster rigatoni or macaroni con cinghiale. The secondi course offers prime rib with au jus or grilled mediterranean branzino, and dessert brings torta di baci and olive oil ice cream with truffle. All this among the holiday lights.
Photography by: Jed Owen / Unsplash
