Christmas Dining in Houston: A Guide to Restaurants Open on December 25
Whether or not a Houstonian happens to celebrate Christmas, the day is perfect for gathering with friends and family for a celebratory meal. While many people will feast at home, others may want someone else to do the cooking and cleaning. Thankfully, Houston restaurants are here to help. As with Thanksgiving, more and more establishments are open for business with a range of cuisines.
Variety of Cuisines and Neighborhoods
From familiar Chinese restaurants to one of the city’s buzziest new Italian restaurants, diners are spoiled for choices. Here are some options that include a variety of cuisines, neighborhoods, and price points.
Asian Cuisine
- Afuri Ramen: Open regular hours from 11 am to 10 pm, the Heights spot serves a menu of tasty sushi, ramen bowls, and an array of craft cocktails.
- Duck N Bao: All three locations will be open their regular hours, 11 am – 9:30 pm, with menu selections like Peking duck, dim sum and dumplings, noodle dishes, and cocktails.
- Hongdae 33: The Korean restaurant in Chinatown’s Dun Huang Plaza from the owners of Duck N Bao will be open regular hours on Christmas Day, serving its all-you-can-eat menu for $36 per person.
- Ocean Palace: The Chinatown dim sum favorite is open from 10 am to 5 pm on Christmas day, serving a menu of steamed dumplings, baked bao, and classic Cantonese dishes.
- Silk Road: Widely considered to serve the best dim sum inside the loop, this Chinese result will be open from 11:30 am-2 pm for dumplings, tea, and more.
Italian Cuisine
- Hypsi: The Italian restaurant at the Hotel Daphne will serve its menu of pastas, shareable apps, and entrees from 5-10 pm. Don’t miss sampling dishes from the the signature mozzarella cart that rolls through the dining room.
- La Griglia: The upscale River Oaks restaurant will be open from 12 to 8 pm serving specials like pasta alla routa, bucatini Amatriciana, and other Italian favorites.
- Lombardi Cucina Italiana: Open from 10:30 am to 9 pm, the menu at this Italian concept includes dishes like Mediterranean branzino, eggplant Milanese, a variety of housemade pastas, plus holiday cocktails and desserts.
American and Steakhouse Cuisine
- The Burger Joint: Stop in at any of the three locations on Christmas for burgers, fries, and milkshakes.
- Cleburne Cafeteria: Open from 11 am-8 pm, the Houston favorite will serve comfort food classics like chicken fried steak, roast turkey, and liver and onions, as well as its signature cakes and pies.
- Fielding’s River Oaks: Maine Lobster Thermidor, chateaubriand for two, and a Christmas yule log dessert highlight the swanky spot’s Christmas menu offerings, which are available from 11:30 am to 9 pm.
- The Palm: The downtown steakhouse will be open from noon to 8 pm, serving its regular menu as well as Christmas Day specials of king or queen cut prime with soup or salad and dessert for $95 or $85 respectively.
- Winsome Prime: The elegant Westheimer spot serves Christmas dinner from 4 to 10 pm with a menu that showcases the restaurant’s bold global flavors and fine wine selections.
Other Cuisines
- Aga’s Restaurant & Catering: The Southwest Houston Indo-Pak restaurant will be open during its regular hours on Christmas Day, serving biryani, goat chops, curries, and more.
- Baso: Open for its regular hours of 4-10 pm on Christmas, diners at the Heights spot — winner of Restaurant of the Year in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards — can expect its signature, chef-driven menu of Basque-influenced fare.
- Davis Street: A $75 prefix menu lets diners choose from appetizers, entrees, and desserts such as Boutte’s Southern gumbo, poached pear salad, blackened Louisiana catfish, grilled pork chop, and Down South Coconut Cake.
- Doris Metropolitan: Dinner service from 4 to 9 pm features the Upper Kirby restaurant’s signature steaks and refined sides, along with special holiday-themed cocktails like the Spiced Coquito or Boozy Hot Chocolate.
- Hamsa: The elegant Rice Village spot offers regular dinner service from 11:30 am to 8 pm, with a selection of sharables, craft cocktails and exquisite wines.
- Juliet Steakhouse & Fine Dining: The Galleria-area restaurant has a Christmas Day buffet with selections like carved-to-order turkey and filet mignon, served with sides such as mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, candied yams, cornbread dressing, lobster bisque, and more.
- Ojo de Agua: This Mexico City-based restaurant in River Oaks District will be open from 9 am to 4 pm on Christmas Day, serving its regular menu of acai bowls, egg dishes, salads, and sandwiches.
- Phat Eatery: The Katy restaurant is open from 11 am – 9 pm, serving it regular menu of much-loved Malaysian dishes.
- Toulouse Cafe & Bar: Give Christmas a French flair at this River Oaks District spot. Open for brunch and dinner, the menu features favorites like deviled truffled eggs, steak frites, Dover sole, beef Bourguignon, chef specials, and holiday cocktails.
Brunch and Buffet Options
- Harrison’s at The Woodlands Resort: Come for brunch on Christmas Day and enjoy buffet selections such as carved turkey, crown roasted pork, oysters, sushi, desserts, and gourmet hot cocoa.
- Remi at Hotel Granduca: Christmas Day brunch begins with a complimentary glass of bubbles for adults and apple juice for the kids, followed by selections such as the Autumn Harvest Grain Bowl, chopped salad with chicken, mini filet Wellington, lemon-herb seabass, and butternut squash ravioli accented with mushrooms and black truffle.
- The Sunrise House: Open for brunch from 8 am to 3 pm, expect a special winter menu that includes festive selections like the Jingle Board, red and green pancakes topped with cream cheese drizzle, roasted marshmallows, fresh fruit, and candied pretzels, served with eggs, bacon, sausage, and shrimp and grits.
- Toro Toro: The pan-Latin steakhouse at downtown’s Four Seasons Hotel will serve a lavish buffet from 10 am to 3 pm, with selections like herb-crusted prime rib with horseradish cream and red wine jus; honey-glazed ham with bourbon-mustard sauce; a seafood tower; pasta station; waffle and French toast station; omelette station; and dessert.
- Willie G’s: Open from 11 am to 7 pm, the seafood restaurant next to the Post Oak Hotel will serve an expansive Christmas buffet with a variety of restaurant favorites and specials like prime rib and all the fixings.
Conclusion
With so many restaurants open on Christmas Day, Houstonians have plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for Chinese, Italian, American, or something else, there’s a restaurant out there to suit your taste. So why not take a break from cooking and let someone else do the work for you? Make a reservation at one of these great restaurants and enjoy a stress-free Christmas meal with your loved ones.
