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Looking for other fun things to do in Philadelphia for the holidays? Visit our guide to Philadelphia’s must-see holiday attractions!
The holidays are a magical time in Philadelphia, with twinkly lights, outdoor markets, and plenty of soul-satisfying food and drinks.
This Christmas, keep the celebration going with a restaurant reservation for the whole family — no fuss or cleanup required.
Read on for some of the best spreads in town, including Seven Fishes seafood feasts, Christmas Eve buffets and luxe prix-fixe splurges.
From 5-10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, this Ardmore restaurant serves a Feast of the Seven Fishes plus dessert. The Italian-inspired meal is $85 per person, and reservations are required.
Where: The Bercy, 7 E. Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Center City serves a three-course seafood spread of oysters, clams and shrimp; squid ink spaghettini; and seared halibut with crab risotto for $75 per person.
Where: Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse, 111 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA
The annual Feast of the Seven Fishes at Ellen Yin’s Old City stalwart takes place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The $99-per-person menu (a $55 wine pairing is available) features oysters, geoduck, Dungeness crab roll, razor clams, English sole, sturgeon and tyee king salmon.
Where: Fork, 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
This bi-level Rittenhouse Italian spot goes all out with Seven Fishes of Napoli every night from December 16-24. The menu features classics like fritto misto and baccala (salt cod).
Where: Gran Caffe L'Aquila, 1716 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
This Feast of the Seven Fishes menu on East Passyunk is accompanied by complimentary red and white wine and after-dinner cordials. Seatings are at 3 and 7 p.m., and the meal costs $65 per person.
Where: Mamma Maria Ristorante Italiano, 1637 E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
From noon to 8 p.m., the Newtown Square Italian kitchen turns out an a-la-carte Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner.
Where: Teca Newtown Square, 191 S. Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, PA
Jose Garces’s Spanish spot goes traditional this year with a $65 three-course prime rib roast on Christmas Eve with a bone marrow starter and cookies with spiced cocoa for dessert. Seatings are at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Amada, 217-219 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
The lobby restaurant at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel offers a three-course spread with optional wine pairing, featuring delicacies such as beet-cured hamachi, filet mignon and a chocolate-mint yule log. Available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the meal costs $65 per person, plus $35 more for the wine pairing; kids are $22. Seatings can be reserved from 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: Bank & Bourbon, 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
A four-course banquet at Old City’s colonial-era eatery includes selections like lobster bisque, veal and herb sausage, herb-crusted prime rib and honey-roasted duck. Vegetarian and gluten-free items are available. The meal costs $75.95 for adults and $35.95 for kids 12 and younger.
Where: City Tavern, 138 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
From 5:30-10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Jean-Georges at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia in the Comcast Technology Center offers a $148, seven-course prix-fixe menu (children under 12 are $74). Highlights include ossetra caviar and yellowfin tuna, risotto with peekytoe crab, crispy skin black sea bass, Maine lobster and marinated charred duck breast, plus desserts.
Where: Jean-Georges Philadelphia, 1 N. 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA
For Christmas Eve, Lacroix at The Rittenhouse presents an elegant tasting menu that includes delicacies like bay scallops with baked potato consommé and green apple; venison with foie gras, chestnut and cranberry; and chestnut cremeux. The indulgent meal costs $135 per person, and guests can add an optional wine pairing. On Christmas Day, the restaurant’s legendary — and definitely holiday-worthy! — brunch buffet is served from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. for $105 per person.
Where: Lacroix Restaurant at The Rittenhouse, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA
The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menu at the Sofitel Philadelphia is offered from 5-10 p.m. and costs $45 per person. Dishes include smoked salmon rilletes, crispy duck confit and black forest yule log.
Where: Liberté Urban Chic Lounge, 120 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Chef Mackenson Horebe’s five-course Christmas Day dinner ($65 per person) includes cauliflower curry, Chilean sea bass, candy beet salad and Christmas cookies from 4-9 p.m.
Where: Square 1682, 121 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Christmas Eve menu at The Bellevue Hotel is $68 per person for an amuse-bouche of potato pancake with crème fraîche and caviar followed by three courses, including filet mignon and bouche de Noel.
Where: XIX (Nineteen) Restaurant, 200 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
From 4 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, diners can create memories at one of the city’s more fascinating restaurant settings. The recently renovated Penn’s Landing culinary fixture — which is also the world’s oldest and largest four-masted tall ship — serves a festive three-course holiday dinner for $70 per person.
Where: Moshulu, 401 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Carnivores find special Christmas joy at Chima Steakhouse with all-you-can-eat portions of 16 different cuts of meat, along with plenty of appetizers and sides. The eatery is open from 4 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and from noon until 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Where: Chima Steakhouse, 1901 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
There’s no choosing between ham or turkey at this Brazilian grill, where all fire-roasted meats, seasonal beef, vegetables, sides and sweet potato casserole are included in the buffet, available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where: Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, 1337 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
The Spirit of Philadelphia treats holiday-goers to a classic buffet on the Delaware River with holiday music, games, dancing and festive decor. The Jingle Bell Rock Dinner Cruise and starts at $79.90 per person, with drinks available at the cash bar.
Where: Spirit of Philadelphia, 123 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, this spacious Center City pub offers a menu of comfort food classics in casual digs. Look for mac and cheese, a fried chicken cutlet sandwich, apple-cider-glazed pork chop with sweet potato mash and a porterhouse for two. Dessert options include apple pie a la mode and whiskey cake.
Where: Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room, 1213 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
In addition to serving its regular dinner menu from noon to 8 p.m, this University City restaurant offers a featured cocktail called Loves Me Not ($14), made with cranberry gin, St. Germain, orange liqueur, pomegranate and cranberry.
Where: CO-OP Restaurant & Lounge, 20 S. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
This University City spot is open all day and night (11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for dim sum favorites and specials like Norwegian whole king crab for six to 12 people.
Where: Dim Sum House by Jane G's, 3939 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Jean-Georges’s sleek lounge atop the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia offers holiday specials throughout the day on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Dishes include grilled lamb chops with broccoli rabe and smoked chili glaze.
Where: JG Skyhigh, 1 N. 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Overlooking bedecked Rittenhouse Square, Parc Restaurant celebrates the season in style. With an abundance of twinkling lights and holiday greenery and a menu of French bistro classics, it’s one of the best spots for holiday people-watching in the city.
Where: Parc, 227 S. 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Red Owl Tavern hosts its fourth annual Chinatown pop-up on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a dinner inspired by A Christmas Story, complete with a leg lamp for photo ops. Menu highlights include duck confit steam buns and Peking duck.
Where: Red Owl Tavern, 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Chef Greg Vernick’s new seafood spot in the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia serves up an a-la-carte menu with seasonal additions on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where: Vernick Fish, 1 N. 19th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Urban Farmer at The Logan, Philadelphia’s Hotel serves up a special menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with dishes like foie gras torchon, pepper-crusted venison loin and spiked egg nog Alaska.
Where: Urban Farmer Philadelphia, 1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia) and overnight hotel accommodations.