Food is a key ingredient to a happy holiday season.

Local restaurants are offering some special events to get diners in the spirit, and others are going to be open for service on Christmas Eve and Christmas. Check back as we update this list, and let us know if we need to add a restaurant: email aballard@gannett.com.

A taste of the holidays

Better Basket

This downtown grocery store is hosting a Christmas celebration with hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and more family fun. It's 2-6 p.m. Dec. 11. Details: 910-399-7539, http://shopbetterbasket.com, 143 N Front St. in Wilmington.

Blockade Runner Beach Resort

This family owned Wrightsville Beach hotel is continuing a 15-year tradition with an an event brought to you by Opera House Theatre Company. Holiday Cabaret: Hark! The Herald Angels Swing is Dec. 17 and 18. Overnight packages are available through the hotel, and dinner-and-show tickets through Opera House. Details: 866-884-5781, www.Blockade-Runner.com, 275 Waynick Blvd in Wrightsville Beach.

Feast OIB

This new restaurant in Ocean Isle Beach is hosting a celebratory candle-lit dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 22. You can text 631-879-3562 to reserve your space and a deposit is required. Details: 910-579-3663, www.facebook.com/FeastOIB, 125 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach.

Michael’s Seafood

This Carolina Beach favorite is hosting Brunch with Santa 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, with specials and their regular menu. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Details: 910-458-7761, www.mikescfood.com, 1206 N Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach.

True Blue Butcher & Table

This restaurant and butchery near Landfall in Wilmington is now accepting preorders for holiday meals, which includes phone and in-person orders for their signature rib roasts. This year, they are combining pick up with a party. Dec. 23 is their busiest day, and now those who stop by can have a cider, enjoy a festive atmosphere, and maybe win a prize. Details: 910-679-4473, wearetrueblue.com, 1125 Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington.

Order ahead for Christmas

Bridgewater Wines + Dines

Order a prime rib dinner for the holiday that also includes jumbo shrimp cocktail, side dishes and dessert. Orders must be in by Dec. 20 for pick up on Dec. 24 at the Leland location. Details: 910-408 1900, https://www.bridgewaterwines.com, 1132-5 New Pointe Blvd. in Leland.

Background: 4 things to know about the new Bridgewater Wines + Dines in Porters Neck

Gourmet to Go & Catered Affairs

This Southport business always has a lot to offer for the holidays. This time, it's a variety of holiday meal packages, from crab cakes to glazed ham with sides that can be ordered per person. You can also add a la carte appetizers and cookie trays. They must be placed and paid for by Dec. 19 for pick up/delivery on Dec. 23 or 24. Details: 910-505-9336, https://gourmettogosouthport.com, 105 W. St. George St. in Southport.

NOMA Restaurant and Wine Market

You can order food for any Christmas celebration, from breakfast to appetizers to dinner at this Porters Neck spot. Orders need to be placed by the Dec. 18, and picked up on the Dec. 23 or 24. Details: 910-686-9343, https://noma8207.com, 8207 Market St. in Porters Neck.

Sea Witch Café & Tiki Bar

This Carolina Beach restaurant is is accepting orders through Sunday, Dec. 19 (as supplies last) for holiday dinners that include an 8-to-9-pound ham with a pineapple glaze, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac-and-cheese, dinner rolls and banana pudding. Each package feeds about 6 people, but you can add more to your order. Pick up is Dec. 23. Details: 910-707-0533, https://seawitchtikibar.com, 227 Carolina Beach Ave N. in Carolina Beach.

More: SeaWitch Tiki Bar has been serving Carolina Beach since 1995

Spoonfed Kitchen & Bakeshop

This caterer and café has a menu of breakfast, appetizers, casseroles, sandwiches, snacks and entrees available for pick up on Dec. 24. Order by Dec. 19. Details: 910-679-8881, spoonfedkitchen.com, 1930 Eastwood Road near Wrightsville Beach.

The Purple Onion Café

This restaurant in Shallotte is continuing its Holiday Reheat & Serve menu for Christmas. Order by Dec. 21 for pickup on Dec. 24. Options include a “Table for 8” package, a dozen or so sides, 7-layer cakes, pies, and cheesecakes. Details: 910-755-6642 ext. 2, www.purpleonioncafe.com, 4647 Main St. in Shallotte.

Open Christmas Eve

3315 Cut & Pour

This new Wilmington steak house is open on Dec. 24, and so is its sister restaurant Grand Cru Food & Wine in Lumina Station near Wrightsville Beach. Details: 910-399-3969, www.3315cutandpour.com, 3315 Masonboro Loop Road in Wilmington.

Café Chinois

Check out Asian fare on the pre-holiday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Details: www.cafe-chinois.com, 3710 S. College Road in Wilmington.

More: New dining space reflects the culture and heritage of longtime Wilmington restaurateur

Caprice Bistro

Have a French meal at this downtown Wilmington favorite. They are hosting three seatings on Christmas Eve at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Details: 910-815-0810, capricebistro.com, 10 Market St. in Wilmington.

Lake Park Steakhouse

This Carolina Beach restaurant is accepting reservations for dining from 4:30-9 p.m. Dec. 24. Details: 910-707-0996, https://lakeparksteakhouse.com,12 S. Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach.

Oceanic

This classic Wrightsville Beach restaurant on the water is accepting reservations for Christmas Eve. They’ll be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. with the dinner menu, as well as holiday features of shrimp cocktail and specials like pan-seared grouper and grilled filet mignon. Details: 910-256-5551, www.oceanicrestaurant.com, 703 S. Lumina Ave. in Wrightsville Beach.

PinPoint Restaurant

In downtown Wilmington, here's another option for dining out on Dec. 24. The restaurant will be open 5:30-9:30 p.m. and are accepting reservation. Details: 910-769-2972, pinpointrestaurant.com, 114 Market St. in Wilmington.

Ports of Call

In Southport, this restaurant has become well-known for its holiday meals. On Christmas Eve, there's a four course menu that offers two choices for appetizer, soup or salad, entrée and dessert. Details: 910-457-4544, www.portsofcallbistro.com, 116 N. Howe St. in Southport.

Seven Mile Post

This Ogden-area pub is hosting a “Christmas Eve Chinese Takeout Dinner” with local food, and the movie “A Christmas Story” playing on a loop. It takes place 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Details: 910-821-0036, http://sevenmilepost.com, 7219 Market St. in Wilmington.

Three10

This new spot in the Brooklyn Arts District is offering a family-style meal on Christmas Eve with a choice of roast duck or whole fish, with creamed collards, yams and bread for dine-in service. Reservations and deposit required. Details: 910.399.5428, three10wilmington.com, 1022 N. Fourth St. in Wilmington.

More: More restaurants set to boost Wilmington's Brooklyn Arts District

Umaii Thai Restaurant

This Asian spot in Porters Neck is open on Dec. 24 for lunch and dinner, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5-9 p.m. Details: 910-821-8474, umaiiportersneck.com, 8209 Market St. in Wilmington.

Open Christmas

Indochine

This popular Wilmington restaurant will be open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 24, and for dinner service from 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 25. Details: 910-251-9229, indochinewilmington.com, 7 Wayne Drive in Wilmington.

Nori Asian Fusion & Sushi Bar

At the Pointe at Barclay, this Asian restaurant will be open normal business hours, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., on Dec. 24 and 25. You can also order ahead online. Details: 910-765-1888, norisushinc.com, 1412 Barclay Pointe Blvd. in Wilmington.

The Harp

Stopping by this Irish restaurant on Christmas Day has become a holiday tradition for many locals. This year, they'll be open noon to 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Details: 910-763-1607, harpwilmington.com, 1423 S 3rd St. in Wilmington.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Which restaurants are open on Christmas Day in Wilmington NC?