Even with most local restaurants closed, it’s still possible to dine out on Christmas. Several spots around town are open will welcome diners on Dec. 25, and even more are open Christmas Eve.
To save you the effort, we called restaurants across town to figure out who’s serving what. Not in the mood to go out, but still don’t want to cook? We’ve also put together a list of options for take-home dinners and desserts.
Christmas Eve
The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive is a classic for upscale Christmas Eve lunches and dinners. The restaurant is serving its dinner menu all day, plus a few seasonal specials. (Advance reservations are highly recommended.)
As far as brunch goes, Otherlands Beer is kicking off Christmas with a special meal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 24. The Birch Door will operate during its normal hours, and Keenan’s at the Pier is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Down by the marina, Lombardi’s is serving a regular menu plus holiday specials, though it plans to close early. The Loft is serving its normal menu and will close around 6 p.m. Anthony’s at Squalicum Harbor will keep regular hours on Christmas Eve, and Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill will close around 8 p.m.
As tradition demands, Skylarks Hidden Cafe has Christmas Eve jazz from 7–9 p.m. from jazz/funk/soul/pop collective The Problem.
Five Columns Greek Restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rock & Rye Oyster House also plans to serve its usual menu until at least 9 p.m. And if you find yourself in Mount Vernon, Shawn O’Donnell’s will serve a special Christmas Eve menu, though details have not been announced as of press time.
Bry’s Filipino Cuisine is cooking up a special Christmas Eve menu, though specifics have not yet been announced. Check its Facebook page for updates, or call 360-223-1022 to make a reservation.
A few other spots around Bellingham plan to operate with reduced hours on Christmas Eve: Black Sheep will likely be open until around 4 p.m. and Scotty Brown’s until about 3 p.m. That’s What I Like! Island Grill is open until 6 p.m.
And if it’s beer you’re after, Boundary Bay Brewery is dishing out brews and pub food from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Kulshan is pouring beer until 5 p.m. at its K2 location. Terramar Brewstillery in Edison is open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., though the kitchen is closed.
Packers Bar + Grill at scenic Semiahmoo Resort is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and serving a three-course Christmas meal in addition to their regular menu. It’s priced at $68 and includes dishes like carved filet mignon, salad, sides and dessert. Seatings for the three-course meal run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both Dec. 24 and 25.
Finding food on Christmas Day can be tricky, but hotels — see below — are often a safe bet.
Christmas Day
There’s a special Christmas buffet happening at The Lighthouse Bar & Grill at Hotel Bellwether on Dec. 24. Seatings are from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the meal is priced at $75 for kids under 10 and $125 for adults. (This buffet is also a great excuse to wander through the Bellwether’s Holiday Trees Celebration, an annual fundraiser benefiting Skookum Kids.)
Northwater Restaurant at the Holiday Inn and Suites is serving food from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Keenan’s at the Pier will serve breakfast from 7–11 a.m., and B-Town Kitchen and Raw Bar at the Four Points by Sheraton is also open Christmas Day (call ahead for hours).
If you’re looking for something to do after dinner, McKay’s Taphouse and Pizzeria is a Christmas mainstay, and 1-Up Lounge in Fairhaven will welcome customers Dec. 25. If all else fails, there’s always The Waterfront, aka Bellingham’s most iconic dive bar.
Take-home options
Want to have Christmas dinner at home, but leave the cooking to someone else? The Skagit Table has you covered. The Mount Vernon grab-and-go/catering shop even saves you from guesswork by pricing meals per person. Menus aren’t yet announced as of press time; check theskagittable.com for updates.
Penny Farthing is offering 12-inch charcuterie boards for $70 and a take-home Christmas dinner for $300. The dinner serves eight and includes an 8-pound New York strip loin, green beans, cheesy scalloped potatoes, salad and brioche rolls. Orders must be received by noon Sunday, Dec. 22.
Old World Deli is doing a Christmas porchetta stuffed with pancetta, rosemary, garlic, fennel, white wine and chilis. It’s priced at $60 and serves six people.
Safeway accepts orders for take-home Christmas dinner, with meat options including home-style turkey and prime rib. They also have charcuterie boards, sides like mashed potatoes and, obviously, Christmas cookies.
The Community Food Co-op isn’t doing pre-cooked Christmas dinners this year; however, they are offering a selection of handcrafted holiday desserts. This year’s lineup includes a Buche de Noel (Yule Log) and tiramisu cake plus gluten-free, sugar-free and/or vegan options.
Finally, Pure Bliss Desserts has enough Christmas-themed goodies to satisfy even the fiercest sweet tooth. Options range from eggnog or peppermint swirl cheesecakes to a chocolate hazelnut orange torte, shortbread or gingerbread cookies, and even a specialty vegan box. Make sure to get your pre-order in by Saturday, Dec. 21.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
