Holiday News

Best Dallas restaurants for dining out on Christmas Eve in 2023

Where to dine on Christmas Eve.

Lake Lawn

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.

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Strawberry butter forever

Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon and Zodiac Room live on at NorthPark Dallas

Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.

Rendering of the new Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon at NorthPark.

The Neiman Marcus flagship store in downtown Dallas closed its doors for good on September 30, and some longtime customers were so bereft, they dressed in black and laid flowers at the food of the entrance. Many took to social media to share memories of shopping for bridal gowns, dining at The Zodiac Room, and visiting with Santa at Christmas time.

Now there's a ray of light for those mourning the loss: Some of the most most beloved "downtown Neiman's" traditions are getting a second life at NorthPark.

The day after the downtown closure, Neiman Marcus revealed that The Zodiac Room, Bridal Salon, and Santa would move to the NorthPark store.

According to a statement from parent company Exemplar Luxury Group, the additions are part of planned enhancements to the NorthPark store designed to build on Neiman Marcus' history while creating new experiences for customers.

“As we close an important chapter in our history, we do so with immense gratitude for the generations of associates and customers who made our Downtown store so special," the company says. "We are excited to enhance our NorthPark store by infusing new elements that celebrate our storied history, continuing to evolve the experience where our customers prefer to shop.”

Rendering of The Zodiac Room entrance at NorthPark.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.

The Zodiac Room popovers live on
One eagerly anticipated arrival is The Zodiac Room, which will open November 20 in the former NM Café space at NorthPark.

"The existing space will be transformed with key design elements from the Downtown Zodiac Room including the turquoise walls, plush banquets, and one-of-a-kind art," the company says.

The menu will be filled with the Zodiac's longtime favorites, including its signature chicken broth, popovers with strawberry butter, Stanley Marcus pot roast, and mandarin orange soufflé - alongside some newly created dishes.

The restaurant will serve a special holiday 2026 feast from November 20-January 2, giving Dallas diners a chance to continue a seasonal tradition that dates back decades. Reservations are now available through OpenTable. (Per a store representative, the restaurant is still listed as NM Cafe NorthPark in OpenTable and will change soon.)

Rendering of The Zodiac Room at NorthPark.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.

The Zodiac's move had been teased at the September 17 Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas Fashion Show and Luncheon, the final event held at the downtown store. Mary McGreevy, chief stores officer for Exemplar Luxury Group, told the audience, "As we look forward to our future and continuing our legacy of Neiman Marcus at NorthPark, we will celebrate more events, we will celebrate with elevated shopping experiences, and our newly reimagined Zodiac Room, which will be opening right before the holidays."

Now they confirm it will open the week before Thanksgiving.

Here comes the Bridal Salon
In white-hot bridal news, the Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon will also make the move to NorthPark, relocating to the lower level of the store and "offering an intimate space for one of life’s most meaningful experiences," Exemplar says in the statement.

"It was important for the company to continue this tradition as many customers have generations of family members that are Neiman’s brides," they say. "The company will continue to service existing brides with their alterations and fittings at the NorthPark store while the new space is under construction."

Neiman Marcus NorthPark Bridal Salon rendering.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.

It also fulfills a longtime need for a bridal salon at NorthPark Center in general.

The Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon is scheduled to open in early December. Customers can make new bridal salon appointments via their sales associate or by calling the store.

Santa Claus is coming to NorthPark
One downtown fixture will make the move in person (plug your ears, kids): Felix Estridge, the store's longtime Santa, will bring his Christmas cheer to NorthPark after Thanksgiving. According to the company, he'll continue traditions including photos with Santa and Breakfast with Santa, along with Storytime with Santa and Dine with Santa.

Tickets for the holiday events are now available online.

Neiman Marcus Santa Santa's ready to visit with kiddies at Neiman Marcus NorthPark.Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Downtown art will live on
The downtown store's art collection won't be kept entirely in Dallas.

According to Exemplar, historic art pieces from the flagship will find new homes throughout the Neiman Marcus portfolio, allowing customers around the country to experience pieces of the company's history.

The original Neiman Marcus opened in Dallas in 1914. After years of uncertainty surrounding the downtown location, the company announced in June 2026 that it would close the flagship and concentrate its Dallas presence at NorthPark.

The downtown store's September 30 closing ended a long saga over its future. Neiman Marcus had originally planned to close the location in 2025, then kept it open through the holiday season while exploring options for the store. Six months later, the closure was announced.

"For more than a century, this store has held a cherished place in our history and in the lives of our customers, helping shape Neiman Marcus into the iconic luxury retailer it is today," Exemplar says. "The spirit of innovation, exceptional service and deep customer relationships that defined our Downtown store will continue to guide us as we honor our rich heritage and embrace our bright future. Dallas remains an incredibly important market for the Neiman Marcus brand."

downtown dallas zodiac room bridal boutique northpark center shopping neiman marcus