10 Boston Restaurants Open on Christmas Day

Rebel’s Guild at the Revere Hotel is decked out like Whoville, and has “roast beast” as part of its Christmas Day brunch buffet. / Photo courtesy of Rebel’s Guild

A joyful Christmas brunch or dinner doesn’t have to mean spending hours around the stove—or hours shopping for groceries, or hours cleaning up. Treat the family to a festive feast in Boston this year, whether you’re looking for a merry brunch buffet, an elegant prix-fixe menu, or even a unique and special bento box. These 10 Boston restaurants can help you celebrate. Happy holidays!

Looking for dining ideas on Christmas Eve? We have those, too.

Alcove

Open from noon until 8 p.m. on Lovejoy Wharf, Alcove is serving up its dinner menu all day, with celebratory specials like caviar service; fettuccine with Dog Patch Farm guanciale and an optional truffle add-on; and beef short rib with grits, cippolini onion, and fresh-grated horseradish.

50 Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, 617-248-0050, alcoveboston.com.

Photo courtesy of the Mandarin Oriental, Boston

Bar Boulud

Spend the day at star chef Daniel Boulud’s boîte at the Mandarin Oriental: It’s hosting a Christmas brunch buffet from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m, then an elegant dinner. The buffet experience costs $98 per person; children under 5 can eat free, children ages 6-11 can feast for $49. From 5-10 p.m., settle in for a festive three-course menu, featuring the likes of foie gras terrine with pear and ginger chutney; black winter truffle risotto; roasted filet mignon; and sweets like praline baked Alaska—all paired with beautiful Burgundies and other wines, if you’d like.

776 Boylston St., Boston, 617-535 8800, barboulud.com.

Boston Harbor Hotel

Santa is hanging out harborside once he finishes delivering gifts: Visit with the man in red during Christmas morning brunch on Rowes Wharf. From 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., bring the whole family here for festive fare like agrodolce-glazed duck breast with port and cranberry sauce; omelets made to order; and herb-grilled chicken breast with wild mushrooms. There will be live music in addition to the visit from Santa Claus, plus seasonal treats like buche de noel, gingerbread crème brûlée, and more for dessert. The experiential feast is $115 for adults, and $50 for children under 12.

70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, 617-439-7000, bhh.com.

Colette Wine Bistro brings French fare and flair to Porter Square. / Photo provided

Colette Wine Bistro

Greet the holiday at this Porter Square bistro, or meet the family for a fully French feast later on. Colette is open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Christmas Day with chef Cyrille Couet’s regular menus: That means everything from freshly baked pastries, tartines, and omelets for breakfast; to oysters and shrimp cocktail, seared scallops with cranberry-citrus gremolata, chicken leg coq a vin, and sweets like buttery Breton cake with poached pear and walnut cream.

1924 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-576-2222, colette1924.com.

Encore Boston Harbor: Garden Cafe, Sinatra, and Rare

Need an escape from all the hustle of a traditional holiday? Head to Everett’s new casino—maybe you’ll win yourself a very special gift. Whether or not you earn some extra holiday cash, you can eat well: Beginning at 11 a.m., the Encore’s Garden Cafe is open with a special three-course holiday menu, including prime rib, for $40. Sinatra, one of the resort’s Italian joints, is open from 3-9 p.m. with its regular menu, including baked lobster pasta, and halibut pot pie. Or, have yourself a meaty little Christmas at Rare Steakhouse, which is open from 3-9 p.m. with menu additions like a $42 holiday plate of Berkshire pork crown roast and whipped potatoes.

1 Broadway, Everett, (857) 770-DINE, encorebostonharbor.com.

Frenchie

At this sweet South End bistro, chef Alex Falconer is offering some brunch dishes, as well as his regular lunch and dinner menus from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Complete your Christmas Day with artisan cheeses and charcuterie, signatures like escargot toast, duck magret, and more.

560 Tremont St., Boston, 857-233-5941, frenchieboston.com.

Legal Harborside photo provided

Legal Sea Foods

From date nights to work lunches, local classic Legal Sea Foods is always a fine choice—and that includes on Christmas Day. Many Legal locations are open from lunch through early dinner this holiday, including the first and second-floor dining rooms at Legal Harborside (pictured; open noon-9 p.m.), Park, Harvard, and Kendall Squares; Burlington, Dedham, and Chestnut Hill, including its fresh fish market from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. See the full list of open-on-Christmas Legals here.

270 Northern Ave., Seaport, 617-477-2900; 26 Park Plaza, Boston, 617-426-4444, and other locations, legalseafoods.com.

Mamaleh’s Delicatessen

Have yourself a traditional Jewish Christmas with Asian-inspired specials like Reuben egg rolls, brisket bao, and lox rangoon, plus house-made sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and other a la carte menu items. The deli is open from 5-9 p.m.

One Kendall Square Bldg. 300 (15 Hampshire St. on GPS), Cambridge, 617-958-DELI, mamalehs.com.

Shokado bento box photo provided by Momi Nonmi

Momi Nonmi

Chef Chris Chung is opening up his restaurant home on Christmas Day from 5:30-9:30 p.m. In lieu of the regular menu, he’s serving up a five-course omakase ($68), as well as a very special shokado bento box ($38) packed with seasonal treats. Reservations are required.

1128 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 617-945-7328, mominonmi.com.

Rebels Guild

Here’s a fun option if you have kids in tow—or are a kid at heart. The Revere Hotel restaurant is hosting Cindy Lou’s Brunch for Whos from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Amidst brightly colored tinsel, baubles, and other colorful holiday decor—see the photo up top—feast on roast beast (there will be a carving station), breakfast fare like omelets, French toast, fruit, and more, plus pastries, cookies, and cakes. The celebration is $45 for adults and $20 for children.

200 Stuart St., Boston, 978-761-1993, reverehotel.com.