By: Robert Lovi and Sarah Finkel By: Robert Lovi and Sarah Finkel | December 13, 2023 | Food & Drink,
Christmas is one of the most magical holidays of the year, bringing families and loved ones together for a day of sharing, feasting and celebrating. Those who celebrate yearn for it all year round, and can you blame them? The festive holiday signifes belly-warming food, spirited decor and oh-so-many gifts. However, sometimes you just don't feel like cooking, which is why some of Miami's best restaurants stay open to offer Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, and even brunches, for those who'd prefer to share in the spirit out of the kitchen. Here's what's on offer this season.
111 NE 41st St. / Website
Christmas dinner at Contessa is one for the books. The restaurant’s classic offerings will be available a la carte, including the spicy lobster capellini and grilled Mediterranean branzino. Pecan pie and lemon cheesecake await as the final sweet touches to the festive meal.
3900 NE 2nd Ave. / Website
Dig into a pre-Christmas Feast of Seven Steaks with luxury Korean steakhouse COTE in the Design District, priced at $225 per person. The spread includes seven cuts of COTE’s top USDA Prime and Wagyu beef as well as lamb, with the option of indulging in additional Korean side dishes such as pickled vegetables and salads. Enjoy their classic vanilla soft serve to conclude the festivities.
636 Meridian Ave. Rooftop / Website
The MediterrAsian hotspot will offer an a la carte menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, featuring hearty delights such as the wagyu skirt steak with pickled cabbage and basil and a 12oz prime ribeye with yuzu kosho and rosemary marinade.
5205 NE 2nd Ave. / Website
In an epic holiday collab, Boia De is joining forces with El Bagel to put on their 5th annual Boia Bagel Christmas Day Brunch. Christmas morning is that much brighter when bagel benedicts and champagne are involved, brought to you by some of the most highly sought after eateries around town.
9703 Collins Ave. / Website
The St. Regis Bal Harbour restaurant, Atlantikós, is serving up a Mediterranean-inspired three-course Christmas Eve feast at $95 per person, with standout items including truffled carpaccio and slow-cooked lamb shank. On Christmas Day, enjoy an indulgent brunch complete with a carving station and all the holiday fixings at $135 per person.
2727 Indian Creek Drive / Website
Not in the mood to cook this Christmas, but also not feeling going out to eat for an elaborate sit-down either? Broken Shaker’s Chinese Take Out pop-up by Chef Jimmy Lebron is the answer, consisting of hits like pork dumplings and shrimp shumai in the comforts of the intimate backyard space.
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway / Website
The iconic and historic Rusty Pelican restaurant in Miami is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas. Guests can enjoy a four-course brunch or a la carte dinner while taking in panoramic views of the glittering Miami skyline. Diners can also sip on delectable cocktails by upgrading to the bottomless mimosa special for $30.
2341 Collins Ave. / Website
Dine at Habitat at the 1 Hotel South Beach on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which will serve a regular dinner menu with signature entrees like the Florida red snapper and Mexican-style slow roasted pork.
90 NE 39 St. / Website
Celebrate Christmas Eve in the magical outdoor garden at Swan. Available a la carte on Dec. 24., the menu spans an array of classics ranging from fish, chicken, meat, salads and pasta, ensuring no one will go hungry.
1500 San Ignacio Ave. / Website
This year, Fiola is offering a 12 Days of Christmas culinary extravaganza, available exclusively from Dec. 14 to Dec. 25. This is the time to feast on an elaborate Cioppino Brodetto and a Prime Delmonico Steak Wellington, as well as mouthwatering ricotta donuts for dessert. The regular a la carte menu is also available.
100 Chopin Plaza / Website
Toro Toro, chef/restaurateur Richard Sandoval's acclaimed restaurant inside InterContinental Miami, is serving an a la carte Pan-Latin holiday feast for Noche Buena and Christmas. Choose between entrees such as the bone-in beef short ribs with grilled calabaza maple pureé or a vegan crispy maitaki and tempura squash blossom. For those looking to up the ante, the Wagyu Tomahawk, 32-ounce Porterhouse and 32-ounce Dry-Aged Ribeye steak upgrades are on offer.
19999 W Country Club Drive / Website
Enjoy your holiday celebrations at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa's acclaimed American steakhouse Bourbon Steak. The Christmas Day menu, priced at $180, includes a selection of appetizers such as Chef's oyster selection, tuna tartare, jumbo shrimp cocktail and more. Entrees such as filet mignon, Delmonico ribeye and Amish roasted half-chicken are available. All are served with side dishes of truffle mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes and classic creamed spinach. Finish the night with options such as an Apple Tart Tatin and Citrus Panna Cotta.
2001 Collins Ave. / Website
Jaya at The Setai combines East and West to create a spectacular holiday dining experience. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., guests can enjoy an a la carte menu of specialty dishes. Along with the full menu, other options include Scallops & Caviar, Green Pea Soup, Grilled Filet Mignon, Grilled Lobster and more. From 11:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, enjoy an even more dazzling version of The Setai's signature jazz brunch, which will include special holiday dishes, an endless supply of Roederer Champagne and a lavish buffet of elevated breakfast classics for $125 per person and $75 per child.
Photography by: Courtesy of knape/Getty, Courtesy of Major Food Group, Courtesy of Felipe Cuevas, Courtesy of MILA, Courtesy of Boia De, Courtesy of the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Courtesy of Freehand Miami, Courtesy of Rusty Pelican Miami, Courtesy of 1 Hotel South Beach, Courtesy of Groot Hospitality, Courtesy of Fiola Miami, Courtesy of Toro Toro, Bourbon Steak, Courtesy of Jaya at the Setai