Best restaurants for Christmas Eve, Christmas dining in Palm Beach County
Yes, it's the holidays, and yes you're full of holiday cheer. But if, between work and holiday shopping (and stressing), you're already exhausted and you'd rather let someone else do the cooking this Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or both we have good news: Plenty of places in Palm Beach County stand ready to help you out.
In addition to giving you a break, the beauty of going out to a restaurant or ordering in on the holiday is that you don't have to be confined to the traditional menu boundaries if you don't want to be.
Don't want ham or turkey? No worries, you can dine on steaks, prime rib, lobster ravioli, every type of seafood and pretty much whatever your heart desires.
Here are some restaurants for a great meal and some holiday cheer, listed from north to south:
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Beacon, Jupiter
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Beacon will offer specials including the escargot appetizer ($24) and their peppercorn prime rib entrée featuring horseradish cream, roasted garlic whipped potatoes, and au jus($68). For dessert indulge in the 'Santa's Hat.' No fabric here, instead, red velvet cake in the shape of old St. Nick’s iconic hat, with cream cheese mousse and fresh raspberries ($20).
Information: 1107 Love St., Jupiter. thebeaconjupiter; 561-532-3280
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Lucky Shuck, Jupiter
Get in the holiday spirit at Lucky Shuck with their holiday special, charred 20-ounce cowboy ribeye ($65). Served with a bourbon green peppercorn sauce, loaded mashed potatoes, and charred broccolini, it will keep you fueled for every holiday festivity.
Information: 1107 Love St., Jupiter. luckyshuckjupiter.com; 561-532-3331
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E.R. Bradley's Saloon, West Palm Beach
This West Palm Beach, waterfront landmark will offer three options for Christmas dinner this year. There will the classic oven roasted turkey dinner with giblet gravy, chorizo stuffing, brown butter mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and fresh cranberry sauce ($34); a whole steamed, two-pound lobster with sautéed broccolini, garlic and herb smashed fingerling potatoes with drawn butter and lemon ($57); and New Zealand baby lamb chops with mint jelly, vegetable medley, cous cous salad, mint chimichurri sauce and lemon zest ($42). Dinner begins at 2 p.m. Christmas day and Chambah steel drummer will perform from 1 to 4 p.m.
Information: 104 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; erbradleys.com
Leila, West Palm Beach
Known for delicious, authentically-prepared Middle Eastern food, Leila's will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 4:30 to 9 p.m. The menu will include favorites such as an Australian leg of lamb infused with garlic and olive oil, seared on a hot grill, finished in the oven, and then served with succulent rice and a medley of roasted vegetables. Or The Leila Grill combination for two, served family-style with one skewer each of the following entrees: shish tawook (marinated chicken), lamb kebab, and kraidis (shrimp). Pair your entrées with muhammara, a Middle Eastern red pepper and walnut spread, and Leila’s house-made velvety hummus, perfectly seasoned with garlic, lemon, and sesame tahini. Enjoy live entertainment with belly dancing performances both evenings. Visit website for prices.
Information: 120 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; leilawpb.com
Tropical Smokehouse, West Palm Beach
This meal comes ready to heat and serve, so clever cooks have the option to claim the food as their own or give kudos to James Beard Nominee chef Rick Mace. The Tropical Smokehouse Christmas Ham Dinner (serves 6 to 8 ) is $175 and comes with a Duroc pit smoked holiday ham, sweet corn pudding, white cheddar mac & cheese, Kai Kai Farm bean salad with green, yellow and roma beans, cherry tomatoes and sweet onion dressing, Tropical’s cranberry BBQ sauce and Caribbean rum cake. Feeling extra festive? Add a pit smoked turkey breast ($70) or half and whole briskets ($95 and $165 respectively). All items are available while supplies last and Friday, Dec. 22 is the last day for orders. Pickup is Saturday, Dec. 23 and Sunday, Dec. 24 between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tropical Smokehouse will be closed on Christmas Day.
Information: 3815 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; eattropical.com
The Wine Room Kitchen & Bar, Delray Beach
This Delray Beach hot spot will offer its special Feast of the Seven Fishes at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Executive chef Blake Malatesta has prepared a multi-course seafood symphony and wine specialist Jim Hepple has curated an exquisite flight of wines to perfectly complement each bite. It starts with fresh seafood antipasti with conch fritters, baked oysters, deviled crab, salmon napoleon and much more. The next course includes crispy Fritto Misto (lightly fried rich and buttery barramundi fish) served with a southern crabcake, squash blossom, grilled lemon, and roasted garlic remoulade. Finally, indulge in chef Blake’s main course, spicy seafood gnocchi fra diavolo. Dinner is $110 per person, and dinner with wine flight is $175 per person. Seats must be purchased in advance.
Information: 411 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; thewineroomonline.com
The Atlantic Grille, Delray Beach
Executive chef Glenn Rogers will present a myriad of holiday specials and a regular dinner menu from noon to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas specials will include a spinach and watercress salad for $18; winter kale soup for $14; crab-stuffed snapper for $48 and roast prime rib of beef for $56. For dessert there will be yule log Christmas tree, with chocolate cake, vanilla cream and mini gingerbread people for $16; and the raspberry linzer tart for $14. In addition, to make the occasion extra festive, there will be a Christmas caroling performance on Christmas Eve from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Information: 1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; seagatedelray.com
Ben's Kosher Deli, Boca Raton
A staple for over 50 years, Ben's will be offering two special catering packages for the holidays.
The Holiday Season Dinner for 12 features a choice of 5 pounds of baked brisket with gravy, or whole roasted 18-pound turkey with stuffing or 5 pounds of sliced prime rib with natural gravy. Sides (pick two) include homemade mashed potatoes, broccoli almondine, string beans almondine or pasta & spinach. Accompaniments include 18 dinner rolls, relish bowl, one quart cranberry/pineapple compote and one quart coleslaw. $329.88.
The Party Platter for 10 features four dozen assorted hors d'oeuvres, mix 'n match mini-knishes and franks-in-jackets. The NY Delicatessen Your Way (choose 1) includes a choice of 3.5 pound cold cut platter with rye bread, 11 overstuffed sandwiches, a 4-foot long party hero or 11 wraps. Fresh-cut coleslaw, homemade potato salad and relish tray included. $199.00.
Information: 9942 Clint Moore Road, Boca Raton; bensdeli
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Meat Market, Boca Raton
At Meat Market, "Where Christmas cheer meets culinary excellence," there will be festivities both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Both days will feature a brunch at 11 a.m. and dinner starting at 5 p.m. Both will have several holiday specials in addition to their regular menu. The venue will be decorated for the holidays and will be serving a special libation, the "mistletoe magic." It has a mix of vodka, cranberries, and white cranberry juice, accented with orange, rosewater, and a hint of lemon.
Information: 2000 NW 19th St., Boca Raton; meatmarket.net
Duffy's Sports Grill
Santa himself will be visiting Duffy's locations across South Florida this holiday season. He's timing it for Wednesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. during Duffy's Kids Eat Free period. He'll make stops at several Duffy's each Wednesday and be in a prominent spot in each Duffy's dining room so kids can visit him for photos. He'll also be handing out 'Nice List' certificates, candy canes and more.
Information: Multiple locations in Palm Beach County from Jupiter down to Boca Raton; for Santa times, locations visit duffysmvp.com/dinner-with-santa
Miller's Ale House
With multiple locations in Palm Beach County, Miller's will offer a new holiday menu that will include entrees such as surf & turf (6-ounce grilled Choice sirloin paired with snow crab legs and two sides for $24.99), parmesan-crusted strip steak (12-ounce Choice steak grilled with parmesan and toasted with a breadcrumb topping along with two sides for $28.99), steak & lobster ravioli (served with choice of filet mignon or Choice sirloin and two sides starting at $21.99), lobster ravioli (served on garlic spinach and topped with parmesan and breadcrumbs for $19.99), mountain melt madness (jumbo soft pretzel, fries, beer cheese, and Miller’s world-famous zingers tossed in buffalo sauce and topped with cheese, bacon, green onion, and mozzarella sticks for $24.99). Miller's also has new holiday dessert and beverage offerings.
Information: Multiple locations in Palm Beach County from Jupiter down to Boca Raton; millersalehouse.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best Christmas restaurants for dinner in West Palm; Jupiter; Boca
