Best Restaurants for Christmas and Christmas Eve Dining in Seattle

Christmas is a time when families gather, exchange gifts, and enjoy delicious meals. If you want to spend the holidays without the hassle of cooking, visiting a restaurant is the perfect solution. Many Seattle restaurants offer special Christmas menus and promotions, allowing you to enjoy festive dishes in a comfortable setting. 
Here are some of the best Seattle restaurants offering special holiday menus and promotions this Christmas.

Photo Credit: lovefood.com

Tai Tung Restaurant at 655 S King St in Seattle is a historic spot and the city’s oldest Chinese restaurant, beloved for its classic dishes and rich legacy. A favorite for Christmas Day dining, Tai Tung serves iconic menu items like egg foo young, sweet and sour pork ribs, egg rolls, and Bruce Lee’s go-to dish, beef in oyster sauce.

Holiday Features:

    Christmas Day: A popular choice for a festive meal, Tai Tung offers its full menu of timeless Chinese classics. Crowds can get intense, so plan your visit between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for a smoother experience.
    Reservations: Parties of six or more can book a table by phone, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience.

Key Information:

    Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day, with the last seating at 6:45 p.m.
    Menu Highlights: BBQ pork fried rice, General Tso’s chicken, and other flavorful favorites that have made Tai Tung a Seattle institution.

Photo Credit: facebook.com/cedarandelm/

Cedar + Elm, located within the Lodge at Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore, serves as the hotel’s flagship restaurant. Led by Chef Luke Kolpin, who joined in 2023 after working at Noma in Copenhagen and appearing on Top Chef, the restaurant focuses on seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients.

Holiday Features:

    Christmas Eve Dinner: A $125 tasting menu featuring dishes crafted from local seasonal ingredients. An optional wine pairing is available for an additional cost. While the specific menu details are not listed, the offerings are expected to include fresh seafood, foraged mushrooms, and locally sourced produce.

Regular Menu Highlights:

    Starters: Options like beef tartare with pickled vegetables or oysters served with mignonette sauce.
    Main Courses: Miso-glazed black cod, ostrich steak, or house-made pasta with seasonal mushrooms.
    Desserts: Berry parfait with coulis or chocolate mousse with coffee accents.
    Drinks: Regional wines and signature cocktails, including herb-infused options using ingredients foraged from the park.

Key Details:

    Location: The restaurant is situated inside the Lodge, offering views of the surrounding park.
    Seasonal Focus: The menu changes regularly to highlight the best of what’s in season.
    Chef’s Expertise: Chef Kolpin emphasizes precision and the natural flavors of the Pacific Northwest.

Photo Credit: facebook.com/thelakehousebellevue/

The Lakehouse, located in Bellevue, specializes in contemporary American cuisine with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Led by James Beard Award-winning chef Jason Wilson, the restaurant is known for its high-quality dishes, including expertly prepared meats, fresh seafood, and creative plant-based options.

Holiday Features:

    Christmas Dinner: A prix fixe menu priced at $95 per adult and $35 for children under 10. The menu includes a prime rib special and seasonal options such as Iberico pork, Chilean sea bass, and A5 Wagyu. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available for every course. Reservations are recommended for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
    Christmas Brunch: Served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering an à la carte selection of Lakehouse favorites and special holiday dishes.

Menu Highlights:

    Starters: Options include Dungeness crab salad, roasted squash soup, and artisan charcuterie.
    Main Courses: Herb-crusted lamb, seared scallops, and house-made pasta with wild mushrooms.
    Desserts: Choices like chocolate ganache, spiced bread pudding, or seasonal fruit tarts.

Photo Credit: instagram.com/thelakehousebellevue

Photo Credit: facebook.com/carrelloseattle/

Carrello is the relaxed counterpart to Altura, offering Italian-inspired cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients and thoughtfully crafted dishes. Known for its tableside carts and handmade pastas, the restaurant delivers a creative yet approachable dining experience under the direction of chef Nathan Lockwood.

Holiday Features:

    Feast of the Seven Fishes: On December 24th, Carrello will host a prix fixe dinner inspired by the traditional Italian American Christmas Eve celebration. Priced at $125 per person, the menu will feature seven seafood-focused dishes, showcasing chef Lockwood's innovative approach. The restaurant will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., with the last seating at 8 p.m.

Menu Highlights:

    Starters: Antipasti selections such as marinated seafood salad or burrata with seasonal accompaniments.
    Seafood Dishes: Expect dishes like scallop crudo, squid ink risotto, and seared branzino.
    Pasta: Handmade varieties like lobster ravioli or tagliatelle with clams.
    Desserts: Traditional Italian sweets such as panna cotta or tiramisu.

Photo Credit: facebook.com/13Coins/

13 Coins is a long-standing local favorite known for its classic American fare and 24-hour service at select locations. With venues in Pioneer Square, SeaTac, Bellevue, and Vancouver, Washington, the restaurant combines retro charm with a diverse menu that appeals to all tastes.

Holiday Features:

    Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Dinner: Special holiday offerings include:
        Beef Wellington: Served with garlic Gouda mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and Pinot Noir sauce.
        Pistachio-Crusted Halibut: Accompanied by Brussels sprouts risotto, seasonal vegetables, and lemon beurre blanc.
        Reservations are recommended for holiday dining.

Menu Highlights:

    Appetizers: Options like fried calamari, French onion soup, and prawn cocktails.
    Main Courses: All Day menu staples include dishes such as a bucket of clams, veal Marsala, and signature omelets.
    Desserts: Classic treats like New York-style cheesecake and crème brûlée.

Photo Credit: facebook.com/13Coins/

Photo Credit: facebook.com/MetGrill/

Metropolitan Grill is one of Seattle’s most renowned steakhouses, celebrated for its classic steakhouse atmosphere and exceptional quality meats. Located in the heart of downtown, it offers an upscale dining with a focus on premium beef and an award-winning wine program.

Holiday Features:

    Christmas Eve Dining: The restaurant will be open from 3 to 9:30 p.m., serving its full menu. Reservations are highly recommended for holiday dining.

Menu Highlights:

    Steaks: Three distinct steak options, including:
        Dry-Aged Prime Double R Ranch Beef;
        Snake River Farms American Wagyu;
        Japanese A5 Beef.
    Other Entrées: Options like grilled salmon, roasted chicken, and rack of lamb.
    Appetizers: Dungeness crab cakes, French onion soup, and shrimp cocktail.
    Wine Program: The restaurant boasts a Grand Award-winning wine list recognized by Wine Spectator since 2018.

Photo Credit: instagram.com/metropolitangrill/

The George and Shuckers Oyster Bar are two flagship restaurants at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle. Both will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Shuckers Oyster Bar
Located on the 4th and Seneca side of the Fairmont Olympic, Shuckers is known for its classic seafood offerings and warm, wood-paneled interior. This year’s holiday prix fixe menu, priced at $95 for adults and $50 for children ages 5 to 12, includes:

    Starters: Seasonal seafood options and fresh oysters.
    Main Courses: Citrus-brined turkey, prime rib, and additional festive entrées.
    Dessert: Eggnog crème brûlée and other sweet treats.

The George
Accessible from the University Street entrance, The George offers a more modern ambiance with ivory tones and vibrant accents. The family-style prix fixe menu (two-person minimum) starts at $85 for adults and $50 for children ages 5 to 12. Highlights include:

    Starters: Citrus-roasted beets and other seasonal salads.
    Main Courses: Grilled beef tenderloin Oscar and other signature dishes.
    Dessert: Assorted seasonal desserts.

Photo Credit: facebook.com/ShuckersSeattle/

Photo Credit: instagram.com/thegeorgeseattle/

Photo Credit: facebook.com/benparisseattle/

Ben Paris is a popular restaurant and bar located in The State Hotel in downtown Seattle, known for its creative menu and relaxed vibe.

Holiday Features:

    Christmas Eve Dinner: Open from 4 to 8:30 p.m., offering the full menu alongside a $75 surf and turf prix fixe. The prix fixe includes:
        Starter: House salad.
        Entrée: 8 oz. New York strip with grilled broccolini, roasted fingerling potatoes, and red wine demi-glace, accompanied by grilled shrimp over chili oil-spiked polenta.
        Dessert: Carrot cake.
    Christmas Day:
        Breakfast: Served from 9 a.m., featuring a $29 steak and eggs special with a 7 oz. Hanger steak, Yukon gold potatoes, demi-glace, and two eggs.
        Dinner: Available until 8:30 p.m., offering the same surf and turf prix fixe or selections from the regular menu.

Menu Highlights:

    Starters: Options like deviled eggs, crab cakes, or Caesar salad.
    Entrées: Roasted chicken, smoked salmon pasta, and the signature Ben Paris burger.
    Desserts: Seasonal offerings like bread pudding or flourless chocolate cake.

Photo Credit: facebook.com/ILBistro/photos_by

Il Bistro is a long-established Italian restaurant located near Pike Place Market, known for its intimate ambiance and classic cuisine. A staple of Seattle’s dining scene for nearly 50 years, it offers an inviting space with a focus on traditional Italian flavors and expertly crafted cocktails.

Holiday Features:

    Christmas Day Dinner:
        A three-course prix fixe menu priced at $89 per person.
        Service runs from 5 p.m. until the last seating at 10 p.m.

Menu Highlights:

    Starters: Options like bruschetta, Caesar salad, or seasonal soups.
    Entrées: Signature dishes may include handmade pasta with rich sauces, braised lamb shank, or grilled salmon.
    Desserts: Choices like tiramisu, panna cotta, or a decadent chocolate cake.

Bar Program:
Il Bistro’s bar holds a storied place in Seattle history, offering expertly crafted cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a cozy spot to unwind before or after your meal.