Holiday Dining: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Miami
The holiday weeks are upon us and all of our favorite Miami and Miami Beach restaurants are open and many are serving Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for both residents and visitors. “Deck the Halls with your ugly sweater, or best sparkly attire and grab friends and family and pick from the many MIAbites curated options for holiday events and dining.
Events and Special Offerings:
American Social- 690 SW 1st Ct, Miami, FL 33130
After the year we’ve all had, it’s safe to start celebrating the holidays a little earlier this year, and American Social is kicking off the holiday season with a party we can all get behind. On Thursday, December 16, dust off your ugliest sweater for American Social’s annual Ugly Sweater Party. Guests can pull up dressed in their ugliest sweaters for a chance to win a $150 AmSo gift card.
Miracle in Miami- Gramps Wynwood and Doral Yard
Miracle in Miami by DRINK Miami® is back to spread the non-stop holiday cheer with Miracle at Gramps (176 NW 24th St) and Miracle at The Doral Yard (8455 NW 53rd St). Get in the holiday spirit at Miracle in Miami pop-up bars starting Friday, November 26th through Sunday, December 26th. The month-long kitschy, fun Christmas bar has returned with all your favorite decorations, dancing Santa’s, cocktails and Mariah Carey on repeat.
PLANTA
Vegan Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner to go. Make cooking easy this year with PLANTA’s Christmas bundle, available by nationwide shipping only. Featuring Christmas classics with a plant-based spin like the mushroom wellington, gravy, potatoes and sweets like gingerbread cookies and apple crumble. The perfect Christmas dinner for both vegans and non-vegans, feeding up to 4 people. The last day to order is December 16 and all orders will be delivered on Christmas Eve. Feeds up to 4 people for $190
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Juvia- 1111 Lincoln Road. Miami Beach, Fl 33139
Juvia is the stunning 10,000 square foot restaurant and lounge on the rooftop of the Herzog & de Meuron designed building on South Beach. Boasting unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean and South Beach’s famed Art Deco District, the international cuisine and ambiance at Juvia is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas Eve.
KYU-251 NW 25th St, Miami, FL 33127
Since 2016, KYU has been a staple of Miami’s creative and eclectic Wynwood neighborhood. KYU remains true to its original Japanese yakiniku wood-fired grilling methods and will be open to the public on Christmas Eve to enjoy its Asian inspired cuisine for the holidays. The last seating for Christmas Eve dinner is 9:30 p.m.
Le Zoo- Bal Harbour Shops
Stephen Starr’s Le Zoo in Bal Harbour is ready for Christmas! The food at Le Zoo draws inspiration from the beloved sidewalk cafes of Paris and the shores of St. Tropez alike, is built around French cheese, elegant fruits de mer and crowd-pleasing bistro classics, a culinary approach rooted in tradition.
Makoto- Bal Harbour Shops
Skip the standard takeout experience and head to Makoto for Christmas! The Asian-inspired hotspot, recently named one of Miami’s best restaurants, is offering their regular menu a la carte and a Christmas special; unique Peking Salmon with Red Miso Hoisin, Fermented Chili Sauce and Pancakes.
Ariete-3540 Main Highway, Coconut Grove. (954) 765-3030
This Christmas, head to Ariete for an extraordinary dining experience curated by James Beard Awards Best Chef: South 2020 semifinalist Chef Michael Beltran. Priced at $75 per person (excluding tax + gratuity), Ariete’s festive feast features a variety of sumptuous offerings certain to please the entire family. Dishes include black truffle stuffed Green Circle chicken; pork collar ham; yucca served with Calabrian mojo and mustard creme fraiche. Christmas Dinner is served on Saturday, December 25 from 6PM-10PM. The eatery will be closed during Brunch.
Boia De- 5205 Northeast Second Avenue. Miami, FL- (305) 967-8866
The beloved restaurant from chef couple Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, semifinalists for Best Chef: South in the 2020 James Beard Awards, will be hosting a special Christmas Day brunch in collaboration with El Bagel. Brunch will be offered from 11AM until 3PM inside the restaurant with a limited number of outdoor tables. Outdoors, there will also be space for guests to hang out and enjoy some bubbly and mini bagels with spreads.
Chug’s Diner 3444 Main Highway , Coconut Grove, FL. (786) 353-2940
Set your alarms early on Christmas Day and head to the newly reopened Chug’s Diner, located in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood. Chef Michael Beltran’s upscale yet approachable Cuban-American diner will open on Saturday, December 25 from 8AM - 3PM. Diners can belly up to the ventanita for a cortadito, croquetas and delicious seasonal pastelitos from Pastelito Papi, or enjoy a sit-down meal out on the patio, at the counter or in the dining room. The full a la carte menu will be available with favorites like the cast iron pancake; lechon hash with mojo onions and fried egg; and the wildly popular frita.
La Cocina Coctelería- 1000 East 16 Street in Hialeah. (305) 887-8863
The mischievous elves at Kush Hospitality Group (KHG) are back for the annual Noche Noche Buena charity celebration held at La Cocina Cocteleria. The event is taking place on Thursday, December 23, KHG’s super-Hialeah watering hole in the Leah Arts District, the night before the night before Christmas eve. The festive evening, kicking off at 6PM, will feature everything that makes Christmas in Miami unlike any other In the spirit of giving, the event will include a partnership with local non-profit Shoes for Streets (@shoesforstreets), which will be collecting new and used shoes for the homeless. Anyone donating will receive a raffle ticket for a variety of prizes. The night will end with a complimentary shot of Kush’s signature coquito.
CAFÉ LA TROVA- 971 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33130. 786-615-4379
Celebrate Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) at Chef Michy’s Little Havana hotspot. Enjoy a prix fixe menu ($85 per person ++), plus a la carte menu items, including signature empanadas and croquetas. Also, Master Cantinero Julio Cabrera will be serving up a special signature Cuban Egg Nog throughout the month of December.
COTE Miami- 3900 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, 33137. 305-434-4668
In addition to COTE Miami’s dinner menu, guests will have an opportunity to experience the Christmas Feast ($142 per person ++) on Christmas Eve (closed on Christmas Day)-a thoughtfully priced offering that provides guests with a tour of COTE’s finest plates featuring seven selected cuts of COTE’s most notable USDA Prime and American Wagyu Beef.
Fiola Miami-1500 San Ignacio Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33146. 305-912-2639
Located in Coral Gables, Fiola Miami is Fabio Trabocchi’s first restaurant venture outside of Washington D.C. and marks Michelin-starred Fiola’s second location. With Miami-native, Executive Chef Daniel Ganem at the helm, the restaurant serves contemporary takes on classic Italian cuisine. For Christmas Eve, enjoy a special Feast of the Seven Fishes-an Italian inspired holiday dinner with five-courses plus dessert ($165 per person On Christmas Day their a la carte menu will be available plus specials.
LEKU- 1100 NW 23rd Street, Miami 33127. 786-464-0615
Celebrate your Christmas Eve at LEKU located within the Rubell Museum where one can enjoy the pleasures of eating in Spain’s enchanting Côte Basque in Miami! Featuring innovative cuisine without losing sight of its Basque roots.
TUR Kitchen- 259 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134. 786-483-8014
Enjoy dinner with the entire family on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) and Christmas Day with TUR’s new Winter menu and featured specials from 6 pm-11 pm on both days. In addition to a la carte items Chef Christian Chirino will be offering a seven-course Tasting Menu ($145 per person ++) with the option to add on a Sommelier Wine Pairing ($95).
Please Note: All of the hotels also are offering both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners or brunch, so if that is your preference, make sure you call ahead to check offerings and seatings and make reservations. Our highly-rated choices for hotel dining include:
1 Hotel South Beach
Fontainebleau
Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove
Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale
St Regis Bal Harbour
The Setai
Four Seasons Brickell
Four Seasons Surfside
Intercontinental Miami
Mandarin Oriental
Information provided by various sources and subject to change. Please call to confirm details and make reservations as necessary.