Holiday Eats & Treats in Austin: Places to Dine In & Take Out

Are you enchanted by the cozy atmosphere of Austin’s winter streets, adorned with appealing Christmas dining hot spots?

Nancy J. Hassler
11 Dec 2024

Austin's diverse dining scene becomes even more vibrant in winter as each establishment strives to immerse visitors in a festive atmosphere. Explore a collection of fascinating destinations showcasing various flavors and dishes from different backgrounds, along with entertainment and other highlights, to satisfy your "Christmas dinner restaurants near me" search.

Celebrate the Season With a Tex-Mex Feast at Chuy's

Founded over 40 years ago in Austin, Chuy's Holdings is a popular chain of Tex-Mex restaurants with numerous locations nationwide, dedicated to enhancing the festive mood in winter. Everyone can enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine from the exceptional collection during the holiday season, including Fairy Steak Enchiladas, Green Chile Fried Chicken, and Guacin' Bacon Bites.

The holiday 10% off gift card purchase of $100 or more will delight every Chuy's regular, whether they visit the restaurant in person at W. William Cannon Drive, Barton Springs Road, North Research Boulevard, and other locations or place an order online from home. Moreover, fantastic Meal Kits are filled with tacos, nachos, fajitas, enchiladas, and essential items for "easy and stress-free holiday hosting."

carve

CARVE American Grille: Where Every Bite is a Delight

A butcher shop evolved into a steakhouse restaurant in Lantana Place off Southwest Parkway, seasons its regular selection of yummies and highlights with festive promotions and specials. Celebrate Christmas Eve on Tuesday, December 24th, with a three-course prix fixe menu available from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dine-in options are priced at $69 per person for reservations at 5:30 p.m. or earlier, and $79 for those dining at 5:45 p.m. or later.

For guests who prefer to enjoy the culinary offerings at home, curbside pickup is offered for $69 per person from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Additionally, you can join CARVE American Grille for a New Year's Eve celebration on December 31st, featuring the same three-course menu served from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a slightly different pricing structure.

Make Memories at Caroline: One of the Most Joyful Places to Eat on Christmas

A shining example of Austin's dining scene, situated at the corner of Congress Avenue and 7th Street, has captured the hearts of both locals and tourists with its trio of lively spaces: a restaurant, coffee shop, and an upstairs area. Freshly baked treats and hand-selected coffee blends from Austin's legend, Little City Roasters, breakfast tacos, and classic or innovative dishes from the lunch and dinner menus are all made fresh daily and served with love.

Of course, Caroline won't miss the chance to delight us during the festive season. From November 20th to December 29th, the premier urban backyard party hosts the exciting Naughty or Nice Holiday Pop-Up Bar, featuring a specialty cocktail menu and a cozy new s'mores board. Gather your friends for a Polar Express Shotskii for four, and enjoy Rockin' Around the Rooftops, a holiday bar crawl running through December 25th.

corinne

Corrine's Christmas Celebration Features Festive Dishes and Live Entertainment

Nestled in the East César Chávez neighborhood, Corrine is a modern American fare restaurant "serving up feel-good food" in a comfortable, contemporary setting, complete with a spacious outdoor patio. The downtown dining hot spot opens its doors for everyone to join in the lively upcoming Christmas Eve and Day celebration party. While Corrine's daily selection of honest dishes includes delectable signature items, a curated wine program, and handcrafted cocktails, a Christmas Prime Rib Meal is available during lunch and dinner, along with other specialties for this most magical time of winter.

The favorite drop-in and takeaway establishment invites everyone to assemble with cherished ones on Christmas Eve to enjoy festive culinary delights while listening to live DJs on the patio and sipping holiday-themed cocktails. After gathering around the table, you can take dishes and beverages from the "hearty to healthy" food selection away or enjoy them immediately at home through contactless delivery.

Stella San Jac Awaits With Delicious Dishes and Warm Hospitality

Known for its lovingly crafted recipes and fresh spins on Southern traditions, Stella San Jac is "a lone star specialty" on East 5th Street. Its festive atmosphere reigns all year round, while a shiver of anticipation runs through the regulars waiting for the marvelous Christmas features.

Brightening spirits this December, Stella San Jac welcomes everyone to cozy up for its Bourbon & Homemade Biscuits pairings on Thursdays, a festive twist on the favorite Southern duo. Join a joyous Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner on December 24th and 25th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For around $36 per person, indulge in exceptional Christmas specials to make your holiday dining memorable.

jprime-steakhouse

Ring in the New Year with J-Prime Steakhouse's Exclusive Holiday Menu

A heart-of-downtown hot spot in Austin, located at the corner of Brazos Street and San Jacinto Boulevard, near 3rd Street, is another gem among places to eat on Christmas that blends steakhouse traditions with South American cuisine. On December 24th, J-Prime Steakhouse welcomes locals and visitors to its Christmas Eve dinner. For $129 per person, guests can enjoy a thoughtfully crafted four-course selection of diverse, delicious dishes topped with caviar as an amuse-bouche.

December 31st will be the continuation of the banquet! For the same price, everyone can try the New Year’s Eve menu, which features a variety of items. J-Prime Steakhouse pushes you to jump into winter with its Pie Crumbles dessert cocktail and other tempting seasonal novelties, while offering valet parking or home delivery as two convenient ways to enjoy them.

Savor the Season: Exceptional Meats and Holiday Delights at Salt & Time

An all-inclusive butcher shop, salumeria, and eatery on East 7th Street features fresh-cut meats sourced directly from Texas ranches, perfect for filling your festive table with delectable dishes. The butchery team, true masters of their craft, cuts, ages, cures, dries and smokes these delicious products using both traditional and innovative techniques to ensure exceptional quality. It caters to all tastes, offering classic cuts like Beef Ribeye as well as skin-on pork belly, and other unique selections.

During the holidays, especially at Christmas, Salt & Time offers a magical combination of flavors and coziness, showcasing delights like the Clausmopolitan and Sleigh All Day, as Santa arrives early to bring joy in glasses. Although the establishment no longer serves brunch, the diverse options, always-fresh meat specialties, and creative solutions for every culinary need continue to inspire.

aba

Culinary Magic is Everywhere at Aba This Christmas

Another hidden gem among places open for Christmas inspiration is located in the 2nd Building on Congress Ave, specializing in Mediterranean cuisine and making a few festive alterations to the food selection and exclusives. The uniqueness of the flavor combinations at Aba is due to Chef CJ Jacobson's lighter cooking style, which is influenced by Mediterranean culinary traditions.

The newly minted Dinner For Two To-Go celebrates Christmas Eve, featuring Grilled Chicken Kebab, Greek Village Salad, Whipped Feta, Wild Mushroom Hummus, Tamarind-Braised Short Rib, Sticky Date Cake, and Brussels Sprouts for about $125, plus applicable tax. All dishes are served cold with reheating notes and the Me Cocktail for Two offerings. The deadline for order placement is 10 a.m. on Monday, December 23rd, for pickup the following day. Moreover, there is a free $25 Holiday Bonus for every $100 in gift cards purchased through December 30th.

Walton's Fancy & Staple: Your Charming Destination for Holiday Treats

One of Austin's most beloved dining hotspots, with fresh-baked bread, Artisan sandwiches, and indulgent sweet treats as its culinary masterpieces, is nestled on the famous 6th Street in the Market District. Co-owned by Academy Award-winning actress and rom-com icon Sandra Bullock, Walton’s Fancy & Staple is a unique hybrid establishment that combines a store, bakery, specialty deli, and café, offering delicious Gourmet2Go options, complete floral services, catering, and event planning.

The restaurant is here to make Christmas extra special, with orders available for placement until December 20th, allowing experts to handle the cooking so more time can be spent enjoying the festivities with loved ones. The Holiday Menu features Brown Sugar & Mustard Glazed Ham as the centerpiece of the festive table, along with Brown Gravy, Scalloped Yukon Gold Potatoes, Traditional Creamed Corn, and other sides. For sweet treats, there are pies, Red Velvet Cheesecake with Oreo topping, and a Mini Pie Assortment, with pickup dates for orders from December 22nd to 24th.

tlc-austin

TLC Austin: A Top Choice for Christmas Dinner Restaurants Near Me

Welcoming guests for dine-in and takeout Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., the restaurant on Lamar Boulevard skillfully combines authentic American cuisine with Mediterranean notes using the freshest local and sustainable ingredients. On weekends, the operational hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. because "everybody needs some TLC."

From the end of November through New Year's Day, the eatery transforms into a Christmas paradise with the BEST-in-SNOW Takeover. While reservations are optional, the on-site team strongly recommends booking ahead to ensure you get the incredible festive experience. Highlights include holiday beverages, delicious treats, cocoa bombs, snow machines, carol karaoke, arcade games, greetings from Santa, and much more, inviting everyone to "let the Christmas extravaganza begin."

get-rewards

When the holidays are on the doorstep, dining hotspots refresh their regular menus, decorations, and entertainment with exciting new offerings that enchant everyone around. Numerous Austin restaurants open on Christmas offer a wide range of features and food selections to enhance your holiday feast with culinary masterpieces. Enjoy delicious meals and heartwarming experiences!

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