Chow Time

Mardi Gras makes the 10 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

The Village Dallas will host Mardi Gras on Main Street this weekend.

The Village Dallas

This week brings two big celebrations in our neck of the woods: Texas Independence Day and Mardi Gras weekend ahead of Fat Tuesday on March 4. There are parties for both on the docket featuring themed fare from king cake to crawfish and beignets to barbecue. (And a full list of Mardi Gras dining events can be found here.) Also make plans for a tasty mahjong night, two big wine dinners, and an entire festival dedicated to rum.

Wednesday, February 26

Chianti Classico Masterclass Wine Dinner at Radici
Wine expert Lorenzo Giappichelli of Vinifera Imports will guide attendees through a curated tasting of wines from several of the nine communes of Chianti Classico, showcasing the unique terroir of each. Guests will enjoy complimentary wines from Vinifera and other distributors, along with a family-style dinner at Radici, chef Tiffany Derry's Italian restaurant, featuring antipasti, pasta, and entrees including focaccia and wood-fired grill specialties. Tickets are $110 and the event begins at 5:30 pm.

Thursday, February 27

Mahjong & Meze Night at Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge
Lovers Lane restaurant and lounge invites mahjong pros and newcomers alike to this elevated game night featuring authentic Greek cuisine. Enjoy a three-course dinner with choice of soup or salad, entrée, and dessert before partaking in a game of mahjong and half-priced bottles of wine. Menu highlights include crispy artichoke hearts with roasted beet whipped feta, Texas grilled beef with Greek feta butter & lemon potatoes, and orange custard cake. The three-course dinner is $40 plus tax and gratuity, and is available starting at 5 pm before a 7 pm mahjong start time. Tickets for mahjong start at $25 for open play, or $45 for a lesson first from a certified instructor. A glass of bubbly is included.

Duckhorn Wine Dinner at Le Meridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh
A four-course dinner paired with Duckhorn wines will be guided by wine expert Alina Walker. Courses include lobster risotto croquette with Decoy brut cuvee, grapefruit and haricot vert salad with Duckhorn sauvignon blanc, herb-crusted lamb and prawn duo with Migration & Calera pinot noir, and chocolate cake with Heath crunch, chocolate custard, chantilly cream, and Oreo crumble, paired with Decoy limited cabernet Paso Robles. Tickets are $116 plus tax and fee, and dinner begins at 6 pm.

Mount Eden Wine Dinner at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Mount Eden Vineyards owner Reid Patterson will visit Pappas Bros. to share his journey in viticulture at his family estate. A four-course dinner includes butter-poached Maine lobster tail with black truffle, poached egg in red wine sauce, and dry-aged New York strip loin with dauphinoise potatoes and Chioggia beets. Wines to be poured include eight vintages of chardonnay, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon. The event is $395, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 6:30 pm.

Friday, February 28

Mixology Class with Maestro Dobel at The Exchange Hall
Kick off Friday night with a cocktail class featuring Maestro Dobel tequila. The $30 price includes light bites. There are two class times, 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and each will take place at the AT&T Discovery District at The Exchange Hall.

Saturday, March 1

Texas Independence Day at PGA District
The entertainment district located next to the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa will celebrate the Lone Star State's independence with live music, whiskey samples, a barbecue class, and cocktail class. Start the day with the Ultimate Pitmasters in the Making class ($99 plus tax and fee) which will focus on brisket, ribs, and smoked chicken. A cocktail is included and class begins at 10 am. At 1 pm there’ll be a hands-on mixology class featuring Garrison Brothers bourbon whiskey for $75 price (plus tax and fee) featuring two cocktails, light bites, and a gift. End the day with live music by a George Strait tribute band on the lawn and Garrison Brothers samples from 6–8 pm.

Mardi Gras on Main Street at The Village
The Village Main Street will transform into Bourbon Street as the district celebrates Mardi Gras with street entertainers, live music, a New Orleans brass band, beignets, custom hurricanes, and a 500-pound crawfish boil. The event is free to attend but tickets are required for the Hurricane Package ($25 for two hurricanes) and the Crawdaddy Package ($40 for a pound of crawfish, corn, and potatoes, and two hurricanes). Both come with beads and swag. Other Village restaurants and bars will have numerous NOLA-inspired specials. The good times will roll from 12–6 pm.

Western Son Distillery Re-Opening
Popular Pilot Point vodka distillery will celebrate its reopening for the season with a day-long party. Visit for live music, signature cocktails, local vendors, and food truck cuisine. The event will run from 12–7 pm and admission is free, although distillery tours are $15 and should be booked in advance.

Texas Rum Festival
It’ll be a rum lovers paradise during this second annual tasting event that will feature more than 100 different rums from 30 brands, to be held at 2616 Commerce St. event center in Deep Ellum. Ticket prices vary based on entry time but start at $65 (in advance) for a 4 pm arrival and unlimited tastings until 7 pm. Or attend the Daquiri Mania event starting at 5 pm and enjoy classic daiquiris and DJ music, too.

TexFest
The 10th annual celebration of Texas brews in historic downtown Carrollton features craft beer tastings, food vendors, and Texas music. Patrons can purchase a $30 beer tasting card good for 12 three-ounce pours from more than a dozen breweries, including Four Corners Brewing Co., Lakewood Brewing Co., Celestial Beerworks, and False Idol Brewing. Food selections range from Wagyu beef hot dogs to tacos, turkey legs, and Texas barbecue. The event will run from 3–9 pm and admission is free.

wine holidays event-planner

Holiday Dining News

These Dallas restaurants are open on Christmas Day 2025

Lake Lawn

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Dallas restaurants are almost always open and ready to serve, with one exception: Christmas Day, a day that sees most close. But the restaurants on this list are the exception: Dallas restaurants that are open on Christmas Day — a true blessing for diners seeking a festive meal.

Here's all the restaurants across Dallas (and Fort Worth) that are open for dining on Christmas Day: (This list does not include Christmas Eve or Christmas to-go.)

Brio Italian. Italian chain will be open lunch and dinner on Christmas Day with an array of classic comfort dishes, signature Italian cuisine, from savory starters to salads, main courses, to delectable desserts. 11 am-9 pm. Allen 214-884-3920. Southlake 817-310-3136.

Buca de Beppo. Italian restaurant will be open lunch and dinner on Christmas Day with full menu plus three limited-time winter menu specials: pappardelle with Spicy Italian sausage, garlic, & spinach; pappardelle Bolognese with beef ragu, carrots, celery, onions, and tomatoes; and pork osso buco in a puttanesca sauce over polenta. Prices a la carte. 11 am-8 pm. 214-361-8462.

Carbone Dallas. Italian restaurant will have a menu of appetizers, pastas, veal, chicken, pork chop, and seafood. Prices a la carte. 4-10 pm. 469-290-6009.

Catch Dallas. Uptown seafood and steakhouse will offer full menu plus holiday specials including $42 toro crudo, 20-oz Texas Wagyu ribeye for $130, and the holiday "Hit Me" cake with candy cane Klondike, white chocolate ice cream, brownie, and chocolate stout cake for $26. 4-9 pm. 214-983-1440.

The Crescent Club. Hotel Crescent Court restaurant will host Christmas brunch with omelet station, benedict station, crepes station, chilaquiles station, hot cocoa station, sushi rolls, lobster tail, crab claws, oysters, charcuterie, salads, salads, holiday sides, Yule log, gingerbread scones, cheesecake, macarons, and more. $150, or $60 for 11 and under. 10:30 am-2 pm. 214-871-3200.

Cut & Bourbon. Live! by Loews Arlington restaurant is hosting Christmas dinner with chef Robert Carr's holiday special, beef Wellington with whipped Yukon gold potatoes & glazed root vegetables wine demi-glace, in addition to traditional menu options including crab legs, Prime NY strip, and salmon. Advance reservations strongly encouraged. Prices a la carte. 5 pm-10 pm. 682-277-4950.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle. Christmas feast for four, served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, features winter green salad, veal & wagyu meatballs with tomato fondue, 40-oz Wagyu bone-in ribeye, sweet potato casserole with marshmallow & pecan crumble, Brussels sprouts, gingerbread butter cake with apple compote, chocolate mousse cake with peppermint crumble, $395 for four people. Dinner 2-8 pm. Dallas 972-490-9000, Plano 972-312-9115, Fort Worth 817-877-3999.

Del Frisco's Grille. The Holly Jolly Feast for 3-4 people, served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, features winter greens, New England clam chowder, 40-oz prime rib roast, green beans, scalloped Yukon gold & sweet potato gratin, red velvet cheesecake with cream cheese frosting, or apple cobbler. $295 for 3-4 people. 12-8 pm. Plano 469-661-8012, Fort Worth 817-887-9900, Southlake 817-410-3777.

Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet. Exceptional family-owned Texas chain will be open for Christmas Day, offering their full Mediterranean buffet for holiday dining, featuring falafel, chicken & rice, hummus, grape leaves, Italian green beans with tomato, eggplant in pomegranate molasses, tabouli, kale Caesar, and more. $24. Served at all seven DFW locations: Allen, Richardson, Plano, Mesquite, Irving, Grapevine, and Fort Worth.

Dolce Riviera. Brunch buffet includes omelet bar, bruschetta bar, carving station, and dessert station. $95, or $35 for 12 and under. All reservations require a $50 deposit. 10 am-4 pm. 469-458-6623.

Eataly — La Pizza & La Pasta. Three-course Italian prix-fixe menu includes roasted beets with whipped ricotta & truffle honey, burrata with Tuscan tomato bread compote, mushroom lasagna, butternut squash gnocchi with black truffle, tagliatelle with Tuscan ragù, lobster linguine, insalata di mare, tagliolini with white truffle, and panettone. Starts at $55. 10:30 am-9 pm. (The market is open from 9 am-9 pm.) 469-759-2800.

Ebb & Flow. Plano restaurant is open with regular menu featuring toasted ravioli, Cubano egg rolls, salmon piccata, and a brown sugar soy-glazed porterhouse pork chop with mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach. 11 am-2 am. 972-483-2266.

Ellie's Dallas. Three-course prix fixe menu for dinner at Hall Arts Hotel features winter greens salad, chestnut gnocchi, choice of beef picanha or sea bass, and buche de noel sponge cake, plus a la carte selections and festive cocktails. $95. 5-9 pm. 972-629-0924.

Farena. Loews Arlington Hotel restaurant will serve its traditional dinner menu including Margherita pizza, chicken parmesan, Prime 10-oz filet mignon, plus chef Tony France's Christmas special herb-crusted Prime rib. Price a la carte. 5-10 pm. 682-318-2810.

Fearing's. Christmas brunch features seafood raw bar, kale & spinach sesame salad, fruit & berries, bagels & spreads, smoked salmon, and meat carving stations. Note: Only limited seats remain. $165. 11 am-3 pm. 214-922-4848.

Flix Brewhouse. Small theater chain with in-house restaurant and craft beer brewery will host their annual "Flixmas" event, featuring holiday classics including It's a Wonderful Life, with special themed menus, events, and prizes. 11:45 am-10 pm. Frisco 972-850-1300, Mansfield 682-877-8001.

Knife Italian. Ritz Carlton-Las Colinas restaurant is hosting a grand buffet inspired by the elegance of New York’s iconic Rainbow Room, with chef stations, live entertainment, and a Champagne and Bloody Mary bar. $159. 11 am-3 pm. 972-717-2420.

Kona Grill. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with special menu including 10-oz prime rib with half lobster tail & Yukon Gold mash; turkey breast with sage stuffing, green beans, & gravy; salmon stuffed with crab & brie; and pumpkin pie 10 am-10 pm. 214-369-7600.

Kyuramen. Japanese ramen spot in Frisco will serve its full menu plus a special "endless ramen" — unlimited noodle refills with any ramen order (dine-in only) — on Christmas Day, part of a limited-time promotion from December 22–28. If you leave any in the bowl, you pay an extra $2. 11 am-10 pm. 469-200-5252.

Le Bilboquet. Prix fixe menu offered on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day includes mushroom soup with black Périgord truffle, escargot in garlic butter, petite filet with spicy shrimp diablo and pommes purée, lobster risotto with Hackleback caviar, halibut with Dungeness crab, and choice of chocolate mousse or lemon tart. $125. 4:15-10 pm. Reservations on Resy.

Lombardi Cucina Italiana. Frisco restaurant will serve regular menu and chef specials including Feast of the Seven Fishes for two, halibut with cacio e pepe risotto, lobster ravioli, beef tenderloin with potato puree, Wagyu tomahawk ribeye, and salt-crusted whole branzino. Prices a la carte. 4-9 pm. 469-200-5677.

Maison Chinoise. Asian restaurant will serve regular menu with signatures like Peking duck plus chef specials including crab dumplings, dan dan noodles, pork belly char-siu puff, wok-seared filet mignon, and Shanghai tiramisu dome. Prices a la carte. 1-9 pm. 469-949-2991.

The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Rosewood Mansion restaurant features three-course prix-fixe dinner with tuna & salmon carpaccio, roasted chestnut velouté, endive celery salad, roasted cauliflower, baked salmon, tenderloin & short rib beef duo, potato puree, winter vegetables, vanilla cremeux, dark-chocolate mousse, or eggnog tiramisu. $165, plus $110 for wine pairing, or $70 for 12 and under. 11 am-7 pm. 214-559-2100.

Monarch. Three-course holiday menu served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day features prosciutto, focaccia with dip, squash caponata, radicchio watercress salad, tuna crudo with blood orange, beef tenderloin with horseradish crema, branzino with fennel confit, whipped potatoes, chestnut agnolotti, Brussels sprouts, orange chocolate cake, and gingerbread cookie. Extras include 45-day dry aged tomahawk ($210), Périgord black truffles ($45), alba white truffles ($80), Island Creek oysters ($24/$48) osetra caviar ($180). $175. 4–9 pm. Seating is limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged. 214-945-2222.

Montage. JW Marriott Dallas Arts District hotel restaurant is hosting holiday brunch including charcuterie station, rustic breads, oysters, yogurt parfait, avocado toast bites, mini lobster rolls, omelet station, crepe station, Parmesan wheel pasta station, salad bar, carving stations, sweet potato casserole, squash soup, and dessert station. $105, or $45 for 12 and under. 10:30 am-2 pm. 214-736-7760.

MiYa Chinese. East Dallas restaurant will be open and serving handmade dumplings, noodles, dim sum, crispy duck, and orange chicken. Prices are a la carte. 1-8 pm. 214-484-1175.

Nobu Dallas. Sushi restaurant will feature a special brunch buffet with an expansive selection of Japanese and Western dishes, sushi, salads, pastries, desserts, and chef stations, and carving station on display. Note, no à la carte menu will be available. $90. 11 am-2:30 pm. Reservations can be made via OpenTable. 214-252-7000.

Open Palette. Sheraton Hotel restaurant is offering a prix-fixe Christmas menu featuring choice of either holiday salad or lobster bisque, the pork chop, served with roasted butternut squash, sauteed green beans, and tangy pomegranate sauce. Dessert includes Open Palette’s Black Forest yule log. $65. 4-10 pm. 214-777-6574.

Palato Italian Kitchen and Lounge. Restaurant at Hall Park Hotel in Frisco is open for dinner ballroom with a full menu complemented by chef Eric Sakai’s holiday creations including mushroom tortellini en brodo, winter-spiced roasted lamb rack, pinenut-crusted halibut, and hazelnut pear cake. Reserve here. 5-10 pm. 469-922-2442.

Pyramid. Fairmont Hotel restaurant is hosting Christmas brunch featuring made-to-order omelets, Viennoiseries, avocado toast, lobster roll, smash burger, braised short rib, and smoked prime rib. Prices a la carte. 10 am-3 pm. 214-720-2020.

Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West. Holiday brunch features pepper-crusted roast beef, pesto chicken, truffle & English pea orzotto, 5-spice sweet potatoes, sesame Brussels sprouts, butternut squash bisque, pear pecan tart, bourbon cherry bread pudding. $45. 10 am-1 pm. 469-925-1800.

Reserve at the Highland. Three-course dinner served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day includes mushroom tart, lobster bisque, winter green & pear salad, maple-glazed duck breast with wild rice pilaf, halibut with parsnip puree, beef Wellington, eggnog creme brulee, or Yule log. $95, plus $5 for wine pairing. 5-9 pm. 214-443-9339.

Sadelle’s. Full regular menu will be available for Christmas, including eggs, caviar, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards. Prices a la carte. 9 am-6 pm. Highland Park 469-290-6009.

Saint Valentine. Old East Dallas pub will be open with steamed bun boxes by Rainbowcat, the resident pop-up by chef Misti Norris, available in four varieties: sausage, egg, & cheese; black curry; meatloaf & mashed potato; and spiced apple pie. $60 for two, served with sauce and fermented pickles. 5-12 pm.

Saltgrass Steakhouse. Reasonably priced steakhouse chain will be open on Christmas Day with a full menu of Angus beef steaks, seafood, desserts, and plus a featured special: center-cut top sirloin steak with grilled or fried shrimp. All locations in Bedford, The Colony, Denton, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Irving, Lewisville, Mansfield, McKinney, Mesquite, North Arlington, North Dallas, Plano, and Rockwall.

Sanjh Restaurant & Bar. Indian restaurant is hosting a Christmas buffet with live stations, made-to-order dosas, omelet station, and a roasted counter with turkey and assorted breads, plus desserts, stollen, and a chocolate and candy station. $65, or $32.50 for 12 and under. 11 am-3 pm. 972-239-1800.

SER Steak + Spirits. Holiday specials available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day include oysters Rockefeller, branzino, duck breast with duck confit, Akaushi prime rib, and a Santa's Gift Box dessert trio with dark chocolate gingerbread mousse, orange financier, baileys mascarpone. Regular dining menu also available. 3:30-10 pm. 214-761-7479.

Starship Bagel. Artisanal Dallas bagel chain will be open for Christmas at all three locations — Lewisville, North Dallas, and downtown Dallas. 7 am-1 pm.

Stillwell’s. Hotel Swexan steakhouse will offer a Christmas dinner including regular a la carte menu plus beef Wellington with potato puree, roasted carrots, and truffle bordelaise.classic. $95. 469-405-1911.

STK Steakhouse. Uptown steakhouse is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with regular menu plus holiday cocktails and features including turkey dinner with sage stuffing, parmesan-crusted Yukon mashed, sweet potatoes, and cranberry-orange chutney ($64; $29 for 12 and under), or prime rib with confit fingerling potatoes and green beans, $69. 11 am-10 pm. 972-842-9450.

Tantra Modern Indian Bistro. Fine-dining Indian restaurant in McKinney will be open with butter chicken, chili shrimp, kebabs, skewers, fried rice, naan, vegetable curry, and more, plus a full bar with beer, martinis, and margaritas. 11 am-11 pm. 972-363-7727.

12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse. AYCE fire-roasted picanha, filet mignon, ribs, lamb, and full salad bar. $66. 11 am-10 pm. 972-779-7012.

Wicked Butcher. Steakhouse is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with an à la carte special menu featuring butternut squash soup, white truffle caesar, seafood tower, steak tartare, duck à l ’orange with orange marmalade & parsnip purée, rigatoni Bolognese, ginger miso Chilean sea bass with basmati rice, rack of lamb, prime rib, dry-aged bone-in filet, corn crème brûlée, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato mash, robuchon mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, gnocchi with black truffle & butternut squash purée, Valrhona chocolate souffle, and chocolate tart. Christmas Day: 11 am-9 pm. Dallas 214-444-7740, Fort Worth 682-231-8214.

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