We’re almost to the end of 2020 and Christmas is almost upon us. But with the pandemic affecting all of us, gatherings need to be smaller and safer.
If you’d like to eat out in a small group, or order for take-out to have at home, here are our picks for enjoying your Christmas dinner.
Please note: all take-out orders need to be pre-ordered for pick-up before the holiday, and many have deadlines as noted. Due to limited seating, reservations are recommended for in-person dining. Prices do not include taxes or gratuity.
THE BOHEME AT THE GRAND BOHEMIAN (ORLANDO)
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, enjoy a three-course menu for $59 per adult/$30 child age 6-12, featuring entree choice of Colorado Lamb Chops, Sea Scallops, Beef Tenderloin, or Chilean Sea Bass.
Also offering a Christmas Day Jazz Brunch served family-style for $84 adults/$44 kids age 6-12. Highlights include a carving station, made-to-order omelettes, crepe station, and seafood station.
Menu and reservations at kesslercollection.com/boheme-restaurant.
CAFE TU TU TANGO (I-DRIVE/ORLANDO)
From December 24th through the 31st, enjoy a 3-course menu for only $39 offering dishes like Chorizo Sliders, Pork Belly Gua Bao, Pibil Style Cauliflower Tacos, and Eggnog Cheesecake Bites. A la carte menu is also available. For menu and reservations, visit cafetututango.com.
CHRISTINI’S ITALIANO RISTORANTE (DR PHILLIPS/ORLANDO)
Offering a special Costate di Agnello (Roasted Colorado Rack of Lamb Sardinian Style served with Potato Pave & Mint Lamb Reduction) for $67.50 per person. Make reservations at christinis.com.
DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAKHOUSE (I-DRIVE/ORLANDO)
For dine-in, enjoy Prime Rib (served with Au Jus and Horseradish Cream): 16oz starting at $48 or 20oz starting at $58. Also offering a Prime Rib Dinner to-go with sides and dessert. Orders must be placed by Wednesday, December 23.
Menus and reservations/ordering at delfriscos.com.
EDDIE V’S (DR PHILLIPS/ORLANDO)
Offering a Four-Course To-Go Christmas dinner (For 2: $150/For 4-6: $250) including a choice of two entrees – Herb-roasted tenderloin or Chilean Sea Bass, plus sides, dessert, and Christmas Eve cookies for “Santa”. Order for pick-up Dec 23 or 24.
Dine-in with full menu also available. Menus and reservations/ordering at eddiev.com.
HAMILTON’S KITCHEN AT THE ALFOND INN (WINTER PARK)
Enjoy an a la carte holiday menu featuring dishes like 12oz prime rib ($35) and Traditional Turkey Dinner ($28). Menu at The Alfond’s Facebook page. Call (407) 998-8090 for reservations.
KNIFE & SPOON AT RITZ-CARLTON ORLANDO GRANDE LAKES (ORLANDO)
Offering a four-course menu for dining in. Entree choices include Maple glazed spiced roasted Ham or Dry Aged Prime Rib (add $15 to get both). Vegetarian entree option available. Call 407-393-4034 for reservations.
Also offering a To-Go menu ($450; Serves 4-6) featuring an entree of Knife & Spoon 60-Day Aged Prime Rib. Upgrade with Winter Black Truffle or a bottle of wine for additional fee. Call the above number to order by Wednesday, December 23, for pick-up between 10am–3pm on Christmas Day.
Menus at GrandeLakes.com. Read our dining review.
MARLOW’S TAVERN (VARIOUS LOCATIONS)
Offering a Christmas brunch To-Go with choice of two entrees for $120 (feeds 5-6), or Christmas dinner for 5-6 with choice of four entrees starting at $150, for take home at Marlow’s Lee Vista, Oviedo, and Waterford Lakes locations.
Menus and order form at marlowstavern.com.
MIA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN (I-DRIVE/ORLANDO)
Mia’s is offering a Christmas to-go package for $119 for a serving of 4, or $69 for 2. The To-Go package includes 5 dishes served cold with reheating instructions, with options like the Pane Al Formaggio, Braised Short Italian Rib Lasagna, and Classic Tiramisu. Pre-orders can be made directly online at MiasItalian.com by December 21 or by phone at 407.601.7130. Orders will be available for pickup on December 24 or December 25th from 12-6 pm.
Guests can also choose to dine-in for Christmas, with a 3-course Prix Fixe meal for $29 per person, featuring starters like Kabucha Squash Risotto or Venetian-Style Clams, a choice of 2 entrees- Tuscan Seafood Stew or Smoked Beer Braised Short Ribs, and a choice between two decadent desserts, DarkChocolate Cake or Cranberry Pecan Pie. A la carte menu is also available. Reservations at above link.
THE OSPREY (BALDWIN PARK/ORLANDO)
Offering Holiday Seafood Platters to-go. $58.58 for two or $105.44 for four. Available for order and pick-up through December 24. Menu and online ordering at theospreyorlando.com.
PADDLEFISH (DISNEY SPRINGS)
The restaurant will serve a special “Santa’s Got a Brand New Crab” Boil, filled with snow crab and Dungeness clusters ($45) on Christmas Day. Call 407-934-8888 for reservations, or visit paddlefishrestaurant.com.
THE RAVENOUS PIG (WINTER PARK)
Offering an a la carte Christmas Dinner To-Go, featuring Grass-fed Prime Rib Roast ($155; serves 4-6), Housemade Ham ($50; serves 6-8), sides and dessert. Supplies are limited so order ASAP for pick-up December 24. Menu and ordering at link above.
REEL FISH COASTAL KITCHEN + BAR (WINTER PARK)
They will be hosting their 4th Annual “Feast of the Seven Fishes” with a Florida-style twist on December 24. The special seven-course prix fixe seafood menu will feature all-inclusive wine pairings by Inception Wines of Santa Barbara CA, and will be presented by the winemaker, Jonathan Hirsh. Reservations at reelfishcoastal.com.
RODIZIO GRILL (POINTE ORLANDO/ORLANDO)
This Brazilian steakhouse is open Christmas Eve with an expanded menu featuring Chef’s Specials and more, making this a great choice for carnivores. $42.99 per adult/$12.99 kids age 7-11/$7.99 kids age 3-6. Menu and reservations at rodiziogrill.com.
ROSEN PLAZA (I-DRIVE/ORLANDO)
Offering a Christmas Day Brunch for dine-in. $39.95 per adult includes bottomless champagne mimosas and self-parking. Kids ages 4-11 are $18.95. Menu and reservations at rosenplaza.com.
ROSEN SHINGLE CREEK (ORLANDO)
Offering a Christmas Day Brunch for dine-in. $59.95 per adult includes bottomless champagne mimosas and self-parking. Kids ages 4-11 are $24.95, and there’s a 25% discount for FL residents w/valid I.D. Call (407) 996.3663 for reservations. Menu available at rosenshinglecreek.com.
SEAR + SEA AT JW MARRIOTT ORLANDO BONNET CREEK (WALT DISNEY WORLD)
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day enjoy a menu featuring select sharables for the table including organic truffle chicken, whole local seafood catches and a grilled doublebone tomahawk steak with seasonal flavored accompaniments. Regular a la carte menu offered upon request. Call 407-919-6300 or visit opentable.com for reservations.
SEASONS 52 (ALTAMONTE SPRINGS; DR PHILLIPS/ORLANDO)
Order a Holiday Green Box To-Go at both locations for $165 (serves 4-6). Entree is Kona Crusted Wood-Grilled Tenderloin, plus sides, salad, and six mini-indulgence desserts. Menu and ordering at seasons52.com.
SLATE (DR PHILLIPS/ORLANDO)
Enjoy a three-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dine-in menu for $50 per person. Menu and reservations at slateorlando.com.
Also offering to-go menu for four for $145. Must pick up Dec 23 or 24. Menu at link above. Vegetarian entree choice. Call 407-500-7528 to order.
SOCO (THORNTON PARK/ORLANDO)
Offering a Christmas Eve dinner To-Go featuring choice of Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs, Cinnamon-Honey Basted Ham, or Brined and Roasted Turkey Breast, plus sides and choice of dessert. $90 for two or $180 for four. Call 407-849-1800 to order by December 20 for pick-up December 24. Menu at Soco’s Facebook page. Guests who ordered the Thanksgiving to-go menu will get $5 off the Christmas to-go menu.
TAPA TORO (I-DRIVE/ORLANDO)
Serving Christmas Eve or Christmas Day family-style dinner for four or more for $45 per person featuring Seafood Paella, plus hot and cold tapas. Full menu also available.
Or enjoy Bottomless Christmas Day Brunch for $39 per adult/$15 kids under 10 from 10:30am to 3pm.
Or order a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Family Paella meal-to-go featuring choice of paella, tapas, salad, dessert, and 1/2 gallon of sangria for $149 for pick up on either day.
Menus and reservations at tapatoro.restaurant.
TAVERNA OPA (I-DRIVE/ORLANDO)
Enjoy a greek-style Christmas Eve or Christmas Day family-style three-course menu for $30 per person (4 guest minimum). Menu and reservations at opaorlando.com.
TERRALINA CRAFTED ITALIAN (DISNEY SPRINGS)
Enjoy Braised Lamb Ragu with Calabrian chili’s and golden raisins tossed with homemade tagliatelle for $32 per person. Those 21+ can enjoy the seasonal cocktail, Santa’s Spice Martini (Bacardi Oakheart Rum, lemon juice, simple syrup, muddled strawberry), for $14. Socially distant seating. Call 407-934-8888 for reservations, or visit terralinacrafteditalian.com.
T-REX CAFE (DISNEY SPRINGS)
A good option if you’ve got fussy kids or light eaters, the dino-themed restaurant is offering a traditional Christmas dinner plate of roasted sliced turkey, baked ham, sides, dinner rolls, and dessert. $29.99 for adults/$12.99 kids. Menu and reservations at trexcafe.com or call 407-828-8739.
UNRESERVED AT JW MARRIOTT ORLANDO BONNET CREEK (WALT DISNEY WORLD)
Serving a Christmas Day Dinner Buffet with a fish and prime meat carving station, raw bar, and seasonal pastries perfect for the day. $75 per person / $35 per child age 4-12. Explore a selection of a la carte cocktail specials too, with the Corey James Duo setting the mood with live yuletide music. Call 407-919-6300 for reservations.
VILLA DE FLORA AT GAYLORD PALMS RESORT (KISSIMMEE)
Offering a Christmas Day multi-station buffet featuring holiday classics and seasonal food stations inspired by cuisine from Spain, Italy, France, and more. $80 per adult/$40 children ages 4-12. Price includes self-parking. Those 21+ can add unlimited house wine and champagne for $25 per person. Menu and reservations at GaylordPalms.com.
WINE BAR GEORGE (DISNEY SPRINGS)
Serving special a la carte Christmas Day dishes of Filet Mignon ($46), Chilean Sea Bass ($36), and White Chocolate Cheesecake ($8), alongside select items from the regular menu.
Menu and reservations at winebargeorge.com.
Other options open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for dining include the resort restaurants at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
Wherever, and however, you choose to celebrate Christmas this year, please be safe and keep it a small intimate gathering. There will be time for big gatherings, hopefully next year, once we get past this pandemic.
If I missed a dinner offering, let me know in comments, so other readers can check it out.
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