Need somewhere to dine on Christmas Day? Take the stress out of the holiday with our globally inspired guide to the best restaurants in San Antonio to eat, drink, and be merry.
20nine Restaurant & Wine Bar
If you are looking to dine in an intimate setting for Christmas, this restaurant and wine bar is for you. It will serve a prix fixe holiday three-course meal for $35 per person. Options for the main course are glazed ham with herb stuffing, braised short ribs with butternut squash, or seared mahimahi with mashed potatoes. And of course, its extensive (and exquisite) wine selection will be available as well. 1 to 8 pm.
Boudro's Texas Bistro
This delightful bistro is the perfect spot along the River Walk to spend Christmas Day. It will have a prix fixe Christmas menu with a main course of wood-grilled prime rib, potato gratin, cherry tomato confit, broccolini, and a red wine demi-glace. If you are a fan of its famous table-side guacamole or prickly pear margarita, do not worry: Boudro's will offer its regular menu selections as well. 11 am to 11 pm.
Earl Abel’s Restaurant
For traditional American fare, there is no better place than Earl Abel’s. This San Antonio classic has been serving up Southern comfort food for years, which makes it a great option for a holiday meal. This Christmas, the restaurant will offer up homey favorites such as ham steak with bourbon raisin sauce and mashed potatoes; roasted turkey with cornbread dressing and cranberry orange relish; pot roast with mashed potatoes; and obviously its most famous dish, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. For those in the market for liquid cheer, it also serves wassail and mimosas the entire day. 11 am to 3 pm.
Fogo De Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
The holiday season is partially about overindulgence — a relish in excess if you will. In this sense, Fogo De Chão is the quintessential holiday dining because indulgence is always part of the experience. In addition to its everyday selections like the all-you-can-eat table-side churrasco and decadent Market Table option of Brazilian side dishes and appetizers, the restaurant will also offer seasonal roast beef, New York strip steak, and sweet potato casserole. Fogo's usual dinner price of $49.95 per person will be charged all day. Noon to 8 pm.
Frederick's Bistro
This bistro is a divine fusion of French, Asian, and Southwestern cuisine. It will offer fine dining options from its usual menu, which includes everything from brie and goat cheese pastry puffs to veal scallopini. They also offer an excellent wine selection. Its locations in Shavano Park and on Broadway will both be open. 5 to 9 pm.
Las Canarias Restaurant
Located within the Omni La Mansión del Rio on the River Walk, this restaurant is the pinnacle of fine dining. Its three levels of romantic and serene ambiance are made for a special holiday meal. Las Canarias will offer an all-day Christmas brunch for $71.95 per person, great for any group looking for varied dining options. The buffet will have breakfast favorites such as omelets and a carving station with prime rib, roasted turkey, and bone-in ham. 10 am to 6 pm.
Las Ramblas Restaurant
Hotel Contessa's Las Ramblas is also offering a brunch for $62 per person. Patrons will be able to sit on its River Walk patio or indoors. For breakfast there will be an omelet station, house-made bacon cheddar biscuits, and apple pecan pancakes. The lunch and dinner entrees include beef short ribs, grilled salmon, carved leg of lamb, turkey, and prime rib. If all those options are not enough to satiate you, the desserts are apple cranberry cobbler, peppermint bark bread pudding, chocolate chip cookies, banana cream pie, New York-style cheesecake, carrot cake, double chocolate brownies, and flan. 11 am to 2:30 pm.
Morton's The Steakhouse
Morton's offers superb cuts of steak and other classic steakhouse selections. For Christmas, it will serve its normal menu. Guests can enjoy bacon-wrapped scallops, tuna tartare, bisques, and baked potatoes. For those looking for something other than beef, Morton’s also offers many poultry and seafood options like its renowned Shrimp Alexander and chicken bianco. 2 to 9 pm.
Oro Restaurant and Bar
This downtown restaurant inside the Emily Morgan Hotel prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients, produce, and livestock. Central Texas cuisine is the inspiration for the entire menu, and the restaurant boasts views of the Alamo. If you are looking for pre- or post-meal drinks, the lounge at Oro serves beautiful, artisanal cocktails. 5 to 11 pm.
Paesanos
All three locations of Paesanos will open on Christmas Day, but encourages diners to make reservations. Its Italian and Mediterranean dishes are always impeccable and well prepared. Peasanos will serve its regular menu, which means guests can look forward to favorites like the wood-fired pizzas and chicken cacciatore. The cocktails are also a highlight like the cucumber martini and sangria rossa. Lincoln Heights, 2 pm to late night; 1604 and River Walk, 4 pm to late night.
Sichuan House
Why not use Christmas Day to try one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city? Sichuan House will offer its full menu. Its plates of traditional Chinese food are always plentiful and served family style, ideal for the holidays. Guests rave about the authentic Sichuan cuisine, as well as the more Americanized Chinese dishes. The restaurant suggests you make a reservation in advance since it tends to be booked during dinnertime. 11 am to 9 pm.
Spice Fine Indian Cuisine
Spice unequivocally offers the best Indian buffet in the city. If you are looking for spice and full-bodied flavor in a Christmas meal, Spice is your best option. During lunch, it will serve a buffet with Indian classics such as tandoori chicken, palak paneer, goat curry, and chicken biryani. During dinner the restaurant is a la carte and offers many of those same selections. 11 am to 3 pm; 5 to 11 pm.
Sushishima Japanese Restaurant
Sushishima has some of the best sushi and Japanese cuisine in San Antonio and luckily it is open for business on Christmas Day. The restaurant will offer its full menu, so guests can enjoy great sushi rolls, sashimi, hibachi, and tempura. 3 to 10 pm.
Sustenio
Spend your Christmas in style at one of San Antonio's most trendy and acclaimed restaurants — Sustenio, located at the Éilan Hotel. It will offer a special Christmas dinner menu for $65 per person. There is a starter choice of roasted pickle-beet salad, mussels, scallops, or quail, and the entree choices are prime rib, rack of lamb, or roasted ham. Dessert options are spiced cheesecake or pumpkin bread pudding. If this spot seems like your ideal choice, hurry and make a reservation soon because the restaurant has limited seating left. 5:30 to 10 pm.
Tang Street Chinese Restaurant
Tang Street in Hollywood Park will be open regular hours on Christmas Day. It offers various lunch specials and Chinese favorites such as hot pots, pot stickers, and fried buns. This restaurant is also BYOB, so you can freely bring your own alcoholic beverage and toast to the Christmas spirit. 11 am to 9:30 pm.
Zinc Bistro and Bar
Zinc prides itself on elegant dishes with a modern Texas twist. Diners can enjoy great views from the River Walk in this European-style bistro and wine bar. Zinc will offer its regular dinner selections as well as a special Christmas menu for only $25 per person. Dinner includes French onion soup with black winter truffle gratin crostini; dry-aged duck breast with carnaroli rice risotto, grilled asparagus, and sour cherry demi-glace; and brioche bread pudding with salted caramel and toffee ice cream. 3 pm to midnight.
Zocca Cuisine d’Italia
For $43 per person, guests can enjoy a full day brunch buffet within the Westin Riverwalk Hotel. There will be breakfast standards like omelets and pastries and holiday classics like ham and roast beef. Zocca is also offering a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day. A Christmas prix fixe four-course dinner for $47 per person includes a main entree of prime rib with Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes. 10 am to 9 pm.
---
Want more great stories like these delivered to your inbox daily? Then sign up for our emails.
Enjoy a prix fixe dinner featuring prime rib at Zocca Cuisine d'Italia.
Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panaderia.
Courtesy photo