Don’t want to spend December 25 in a sweltering kitchen, dirtying every casserole dish you own? Plan a visit to one of these area restaurants.
America Eats Tavern
1700 Tysons Blvd., McLean | (703) 744-3999
Located in The Ritz-Carlton at Tysons Corner, the Tavern is one of the newest ventures of James Beard award-winning chef Jose Andres. The restaurant will be open for brunch from 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. A buffet-style meal runs $65 per adult, $25 for children 10 and under, and includes dishes such as suckling pig jambalaya, fried chicken, shrimp ‘n’ grits, herb-roasted prime rib and more. Reservations accepted online or by phone.
McLean's Barrel & Bushel is among the restaurants that will be open Christmas day. Photo by Rassi Borneo/Timeline Media
Barrel & Bushel
7901 Tysons Corner Center, McLean | (703) 848-6340
Open Christmas day from 6:30 a.m.-1 a.m. In addition to their regular menu, Barrel & Bushel plans to offer a $35-$45 pre-fixe, three-course holiday menu. Start with a choice of deviled eggs, gem salad or roasted tomato soup, followed by a bone-in ribeye, “Maryland Style” cioppino or ham steak. Try a fudge brownie waffle, “Beeramisu” or fudge for dessert.
Essy’s Carriage House
4030 Lee Highway, Arlington | (703) 525-7899
Essy’s features French-style fare and stays open for most major holidays, including Christmas. The dining room will be open with limited seating from noon-9 p.m. A special dinner menu is set to include prime rib, roast turkey, braised lamb and filet mignon. Online reservations are full, but a few reservations are still available via phone.
Evo Bistro
1313 Old Chain Bridge Rd., McLean | (703) 288-4422
This wine-and-tapas spot in McLean will offer Christmas day diners a four-course menu for $49 per person ($75 with wine pairings) from 11:30 a.m.- close. Options include butternut-squash bisque, bouillabaisse, tuna au poivre, steak frites, grilled lamp chops and pear tart a la mode.
Legal Sea Foods
2001 International Drive, McLean | (703) 827-8900
2301 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington | (703) 415-1200
The Boston-based chain of seafood restaurants boasts open hours 365 days a year. Both the Tysons and Crystal City locations will be open from noon-9 p.m. on Christmas Day. Catching a flight from Reagan on Christmas? Their airport location will be open as well.
McCormick & Schmick’s
2010 Crystal Dr., Arlington | (703) 413-6400
8484 Westpark Drive, McLean | (703) 848-8000
This national steak- and seafood-focused chain will keep its Arlington and McLean locations opened over Christmas day, operating with their regular menu and hours, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations available online.
Me Jana
2300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington | (703) 465-4440
Gather the fam for a dinner of traditional Lebanese dishes at Arlington’s Me Jana, which will be open from 3-8 p.m. on Christmas Day. The restaurant’s full dinner menu will be available, including shawarma, falafel, braised lamb shank, kabobs and more.
Morton’s
1750 Crystal Drive, Arlington | (703) 418-1444
The Crystal City location of the national steakhouse chain Morton’s will be serving up steak and seafood from 2-9 p.m. on Christmas Day. Reservations available online.
Ruth’s Chris
2231 Crystal Drive, 11th Floor, Arlington | (703) 979-7275
Along with locations in Vienna and Fairfax, the Arlington location of Ruth’s Chris will be open Christmas Day from noon-8 p.m., serving a full menu. Reservations available online and by phone.
SER
1110 N. Glebe Road, Arlington | (703) 746-9822
For those who prefer their Christmas dinner with a side of sangria, Ballston’s SER will be serving supper from 5 p.m.-midnight on the 25th. Entrée options include roast suckling pig, roast quail, braised oxtail and paella. Reservations accepted.
Is your restaurant (or your favorite restaurant) open on Christmas and not on our list? Email emily.vanzandt@arlingtonmagazine.com and tell us about it.