In Dallas, the window of Christmas holiday dining is wide. It could start in early December with a preliminary holiday tea. Or maybe a brunch with Santa.

This list is about dining out on Christmas Eve, the night before, whether for a chance to catch your breath, or an opportunity to start the holiday early. In 2023, Xmas Eve falls on a Sunday, providing the perfect opportunity for brunch. In Dallas, you never pass on brunch.

(And if you're looking for places to eat on Christmas Day itself, that list is here. Our New Year's Eve list is here, and New Year's Day is here.)

Here's the Dallas restaurants that'll be open on Christmas Eve in 2023:

Blue Mesa. Brunch with ginger chipotle glazed ham, prime rib, red chile salmon, red & sweet potatoes, broccolini, poblano mac & cheese, Chimayo corn chicken, black bean Adobe Pie, blue corn cheese enchiladas, and a build-your-own street taco station. Breakfast items feature made-to-order omelets, huevos rancheros, Belgian waffles with berries or fried chicken, biscuits & gravy. Sweets station includes bite-size sweets, mini flans, banana pudding, fruit cobbler, and bread pudding with cajeta sauce. 9 am-4 pm. $35, or $10 for 12 and under. Addison 972-934-0165, Fort Worth 817-332-6372, Plano 214-387-4407.

Coupes. Dallas wine bar is not hosting an official holiday event but it is hosting its weekly Sunday afternoon brunch with its chicken caesar salad, crab croquettes, breakfast pie gratin, French Toast bananas foster, caviar, cocktails, and plenty of bubbly. 12-4 pm. 214-434-1347.

Eddie V's. Open with regular menu from 12-9 pm. Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano.

Elm & Good. Restaurant at the Kimpton Pittman features Christmas Eve dinner plated specials 5-10 pm. 469-498-2500.

Fearing’s. 3-course brunch at Ritz-Carlton Dallas includes starter, main course, and dessert trio with choices from filet mignon, sea bass, or lamb osso bucco. $185, $90 for vegetarian, $50 for 12 and under. 5-9 pm. 214-922-4848.

Ferah Tex- Med Kitchen. Brunch buffet features prime rib carving station plus chicken, mashed potatoes, cast iron vegetables, Greek salad, assorted meze dips, pita, breakfast Danish & croissants, fruit, scrambled eggs, sausage & bacon, dessert bar. 11 am-3 pm. Regular lunch/dinner menu is available at 3 pm. $32, or $13 for 12 and under. Christmas Eve dinner with 12-oz Prime rib, mashed potatoes, asparagus. 3-9 pm. $38. Garland 972-496-0201.

The Finch. 3-course meal with salad, choice of prime rib or ham with sweet potato casserole, and choice of chocolate cake or coconut pudding. $55, plus $25 for optional wine pairing. 11 am-10 pm. 469-893-0990.

Hall Arts Hotel. Christmas Eve jazz brunch features a 3-course menu with baked acorn squash fondue, sturgeon or peppercorn filet mignon, and red velvet cake with currants and white chocolate sauce. $85. A la carte menu also available. 5-10 pm. 214-953-1717.

Haywire. Signature Hill country brunch includes the ranch hand breakfast, biscuits & gravy, or chicken fried steak. Prices a la carte. 10 am-2 pm. Reserve at haywirerestaurant.com or call Plano 972-781-9473 or Uptown 469-501-5522.

Isabelle’s. Hotel Swexan eatery will be open 7 am-11 pm, with a brunch from 7 am-4 pm, plus a caviar tasting menu for $105 with caviar French toast, crab tart, crab fritter, 40-day dry aged steak tartare, and sweet corn custard. Reserve online. 469-405-1911.

Knife Dallas Christmas Eve special is a Prime rib in two cuts: 14 ounces or 16 ounces. 5-10 pm. Regular menu also served. 214-443-9339.

Knife Steakhouse Plano. Christmas Eve special is a Prime rib in two cuts: 14 ounces or 16 ounces. 5-10 pm. Regular menu also served. Additionally, the restaurant will feature special dishes such as the 44 Farms Prime Rib offered in two cuts: 14 ounces and 16 ounces, and the 120 day dry aged Tajima Wagyu Ribeye. 5 -10 pm. 214-299-5943.

Maggiano’s. 3-course holiday menu features refined Italian classics with choices from salads, 14 starters, 10+ pastas, and 11 entrees ranging from stuffed mushrooms, Italian sausage & peppers, lobster fondue, branzino crab Imperial, beef tenderloin medallions, 4-cheese ravioli, NY Strip with garlic mashed potatoes, and chocolate profiteroles with peppermint ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream. $46 or $18 for 12 and under. 11 am-6:30 pm. Dallas 214-360-9061, Plano 972-781-0776.

Mansion on Turtle Creek. 4-course menu include choices from winter salad, lobster spaghetti with black truffle, Miyazaki A5 Wagyu striploin glazed in ponzu sauce, and chocolate peppermint yule log. 5:30-9:30 pm. $160, or $75 for 12 and under. 214-559-2100.

McRae’s American Bistro & Cocktails. East dallas restaurant will celebrate Christmas Eve two ways: brunch from 11 am-2 pm, and a 4-course dinner from 4-8:30 pm, featuring choices from Southern deviled eggs, tenderloin crostinis, tomato soup, Granny Smith salad, cream leek blue cheese chicken, almond-crusted salmon, filet mignon, flourless chocolate espresso cake, or bourbon pecan pie. 214-792-9944.

Mercat Bistro. Brunch with a special Christmas-themed ambiance. 10 am-3 pm. 214-953-0917.

Mexican Bar Co. Plano restaurant will be open for brunch and dinner, plus a special 5-course shared menu for two featuring tocino guacamole, quesa birrias, chile en nogada, 18 oz. ribeye, and Atole Azul y Buñuelos. (This special menu is also available on Saturday, December 23.) $100. 972-972-4466.

Oceanaire Seafood Room. Full menu with seafood, oysters, raw bar, sushi, chowder. 12-9 pm. 972-759-2277.

Pappas Bros. Serving full dinner menu with steak, seafood, salads. 5-9 pm. 214-366-2000.

La Parisienne. 4-course menu includes butternut squash soup, mushroom Boursin soup, Caesar salad, artichoke asparagus salad, chicken breast roulade, steak au poivre, scallop pasta, Rocher praline, and Napoleon. $75. Plus regular brunch menu 9 am-3 pm, and dinner menu 3-8 pm. 469-200-5411.

Pearl. Sushi and holiday cocktails with a Japanese twist. 5-10 pm. 972-803-6686.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille. 3-course menu with soup or salad, Prime rib, and sides. $79. 5:30-10 pm. 214-855-5151.

The Porch. Open for brunch and lunch with the last seating at 4 pm. 214-828-2916.

The Pyramid. Restaurant at the Fairmont Dallas will serve a special Christmas Eve brunch featuring gingerbread spiced doughnuts with Bavarian cream, chestnut bisque with mushrooms Bananas Foster French toast with caramel sauce, red velvet waffle & fried chicken, Smoked Prime Rib with truffle mashed potatoes, and citrus Peppermint Chocolate Mousse with orange gelee and raspberries. Prices a la carte. 11 am-2 pm. 214-720-5249.

Republic Texas Tavern. Special Christmas Eve menu features Texas chowda ($14), brisket bites ($16), lobster ravioli ($27), sea bass Milanaise ($32), bacon-wrapped Petite filet ($37), and smoked prime rib ($45). Reservations start at 4 pm. 972-385-6004.

Saint Ann. Brunch with Santa includes brunch plus photo with Santa. 10 am-3 pm. $55, or $35 doe 12 and under. 214-782-9807.

Starship Bagel. Artisan bagel shop will be open at both locations in Lewisville and downtown Dallas on Christmas Eve, from 7 am-1 pm, with bagels, coffee, and bagel sandwiches including cucumber, lox, and avocado with tomato, cucumber, red onion, and sprouts.

Stillwell’s. Hotel Swexan restaurant will feature a Beef Wellington special, wrapped in puff pastry, filled with a spinach and mushroom duxelle, accompanied by carrots, potato puree, and bone marrow bordelaise sauce. $98. 5-9 pm. 469-405-1911.

Table 13. 4-course meal includes choices from deviled eggs, bacon-wrapped dates, house salad, lobster bisque, tenderloin lobster Oscar, filet with shrimp, sea bass, Prime ribeye, lemon caper chicken, pecan-crusted salmon, candy cane cheesecake or chocolate cake. $99. 5-10 pm. 972-789-9558.

Urban Seafood Co. Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes Wine Dinner featuring seven courses paired with seven wines. $125. 5:30 pm. 214-251-8771.

Villa Azur. Christmas Eve dinner includes a 3-course chef's menu featuring oysters, bison filet with mushroom casserole, and La Buche de Villa - dulce de leche, passion fruit lime, and vanilla mousse. 5 pm-12 am. 214-389-2602.

Whistle Britches. Brunch menu includes chicken & waffles, chicken fried steak, and cream corn skillet cornbread. 10 am-4 pm. 214-299-5971.