Keep holiday stress low and make life easier during Christmas by making plans to eat out at one of the Madison-area restaurants open on Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 25.
Or if going out sounds like too much work, pre-order a take-and-bake meal from one of the local kitchens with options to suit all kinds of needs.
Days and hours listed were verified at the time of publishing, but all information is subject to change at the restaurant’s discretion. Note that many Madison-area restaurants are normally closed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays as part of regular schedules. Best practice is to plan ahead, be patient and anticipate longer than usual wait times. Be kind to the staff and make sure to tip well. This is by no means an exhaustive list.
In addition to local spots, a number of chain restaurants are open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It’s a good idea to check with the location of any place you hope to visit to verify its holiday hours.
Restaurants open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are at the top of this list, followed by those only open for Christmas Eve and those only open on Christmas. Take-and-bake options are at the bottom of the list.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Chicken tikka masala, a traditional chicken and creamy tomato dish with rice, is served at Swad.
RUTHIE HAUGE
Swad
6007 Monona Drive, Monona
Find an entire menu page dedicated to tandoor-oven baked breads at this suburban Indian restaurant. If that wasn’t enough, there are pages of vegetarian options starting with appetizers and following through each specialty. It has chicken, lamb, beef, goat and seafood curries, rice dishes, house specialities and more entrees that come from the tandoor oven. Open both days 11:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m -9 p.m.
Parkway Family Restaurant
1221 Ann St.
This area classic for more than 30 years prides itself on being open over the holidays and welcoming customers in as part of the family. With a wide menu covering breakfast, lunch and dinner, senior specials, and a mix of diner classics like chicken fried steak and house specialities like stir fry and smothered chopped steak, Parkway will satisfy a lot of different appetites. Open both days 5 a.m.-7 p.m.
Marcus Movie Theaters
Several locations: Palace Cinema, 2830 Hoepker Road, Sun Prairie; Point Cinema, 7825 Big Sky Drive
Kick back in the signature DreamLoungers with concessions, share a pizza from Zaffiro’s or get bar bites from Take Five Lounge to make it a dinner and show holiday. Absolutely no one will judge you for making popcorn your entire meal. Movies and showtimes vary by location.
Tully’s II Food & Spirits in Monona is decorated for the holiday season in 2023.
RUTHIE HAUGE
Tully’s II Food & Spirits
6401 Monona Drive, Monona
Another place that prides itself on being there for customers no matter the day, Tully’s is open 365 days a year. With a massive menu of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and even breakfast, a meal here goes beyond standard pub fare. Open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. on Christmas Eve and 10 a.m.-2 a.m. on Christmas Day.
Headquarters Bar & Restaurant
101 Concord Drive, Oregon
Mac and cheese bowls and smokehouse sandwiches join a robust burger, pizza and sandwich menu to make this a casual but delicious option over Christmas. The kitchen will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. both days with the bar remaining open later at the bartender’s discretion.
World Buffet
499 D’onofrio Drive
Featuring a buffet of more than 250 fresh items, including sushi joins a Mongolian grill, noodle bar and unique holiday dishes like lobster, crawfish, Dungeness crab, beef steak, salmon and more, World Buffet should satisfy all kinds of food cravings and offers a low-key way to indulge in a great meal for the holidays. Open 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. both days.
Gus’s Diner
630 N. Westmount Drive, Sun Prairie (this location only)
The Sun Prairie location of this throwback ’50s diner is open both days serving up its tried-and-true classic favorites, including omelets, eggs Benedict, burgers, meatloaf, fried chicken and spaghetti. Make the meal more decadent with a thick and flavorful shake and follow up with a brownie or pie. Open 6 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.
Christmas Eve Only
Cento is decorated for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in 2023.
RUTHIE HAUGE
Cento
122 W. Mifflin St.
Enjoy the warming comfort of scratch Italian cuisine at this downtown restaurant that will be serving a special menu and wine pairings. The à la carte menu has options like bacon-wrapped scallops, gnocchi al tartufo, shrimp mafaldine, braised short ribs, beef Wellington, roasted duck and a dessert list that will make you want to eat your sweets first. Seatings start at 4 p.m. and end at 8:45 p.m. Reservations are required along with a $25 deposit credited to the final bill.
Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company
Several locations: 123 E. Doty St.; 876 Jupiter Drive; 357 Price Place; 2980 Cahill Main, Fitchburg
Every location of this local craft brewery and brew pub will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s a distinct Wisconsin-influence on standard pub food here, such as cheese curds and brat burgers, and plenty of specialty beer to pair with it.
Haus stickers are filled with the customer’s choice of pork, chicken or vegetables at Dumpling Haus at Hilldale Shopping Center.
RUTHIE HAUGE
Dumpling Haus
540 N. Midvale Blvd.
Another great option for sharing, Dumpling Haus makes steamed and pan-fried options, bao, cream cheese wontons and soup dumplings, as well as noodle and soup dishes. Order a wide array of dishes with company that doesn’t mind sharing food and have a feast. It will be open 11 a.m.-7:45 p.m.
D’Vino
116 King St.
The rare place normally closed on Tuesdays but has adjusted its schedule to open on Christmas Eve, D’Vino will have holiday special dishes and wine pairings alongside Italian small plates. Open 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Reservations are expected to fill up.
Mishqui Cocina Peruana
4604 Monona Drive, Monona, and 1901 Cayuga St., Middleton
Both locations of Mishqui, a local Peruvian restaurant, will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. According to owner Cynthia Garcia, Mishqui serves “scratch Peruvian cuisine” including gluten-free and vegan offerings. On the menu: beef tenderloin, seafood, rotisserie chicken, fried rice, pasta and house-made desserts.
Monty’s Blue Plate Diner
2089 Atwood Ave.
Monty’s is never a bad idea. The decadent and delicious dishes are a treat all year but feel that much more like a splurge when enjoyed around Christmas. Plan ahead and order from the bakery to have items to enjoy on Christmas morning. Open 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Johnny Delmonico’s
130 S. Pinckney St.
In addition to the full regular menu, this steakhouse has an extra-special Christmas Eve menu featuring three different types of tartare, a 30-ounce Porterhouse dinner for two, Scottish salmon, and many other surf and turf options. Several vegetarian options appear on the menu, as well. Open 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Reservations encouraged.
Lucille is decorated for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in 2023.
RUTHIE HAUGE
Lucille
101 King St.
The annual “Miracle on King Street” has returned in all its fun and funky, Christmas-themed pop-up glory. Holiday cocktails with names like “Crooked Antler” and “Christmapolitan” get customers in the holiday spirit. Craft beer, wine or one of the signature mixed drinks are available to sip while sharing snacks and pizza. Open 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
Café Hollander
701 Hilldale Way
Start the holidays off on the right foot with brunch featuring Danish oliebollen or a smørrebrød (a Danish open-faced sandwich), Belgian waffle or cinnamon streusel French toast. Burgers, omelets, benedicts and more should satisfy all kinds of tastes. Add a Bloody Mary, bier-mosa or boozy coffee for a little extra holiday cheer. Open for brunch 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Christmas Day Only
Maharani Indian Restaurant
380 W. Washington Ave.
A great option for vegetarians, Maharani works well for a bigger group or people willing to order several items for the table to share. The food here is warm and comforting, particularly during Wisconsin’s cold winter. Diners won’t go wrong with anything from the charcoal clay tandoor oven. The combination dinners for two offer the opportunity to sample a wide variety of dishes. Open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Ru Yi Hand Pulled Noodle
334 State St.
Ru Yi will serve up the hand-pulled noodle dishes that have made it a campus staple. The toothsome, delicious noodles come in more than a dozen hot and cold preparations. Round out the meal with dumplings and bao. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Feil’s Supper Club
N8743 WI-73, Randolph
Madisonians up for a drive can make reservations for the Christmas Day buffet at this supper club about 40 miles northeast of the city. Known for its mix of classic supper club and Old World German classics, Feil’s will have brown sugar-glazed ham, rosemary-roasted pork loin, German apple stuffing, maple pecan squash and more. The meal includes soup and salad bar and bread, as well as pumpkin spice cake with brandied cream cheese frosting and is $23.50 for adults. Reservations are highly recommended. Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Take and bake meals
Bar Corallini is decked out in holiday decor in 2023.
RUTHIE HAUGE
Bar Corallini
2004 Atwood Ave.
Pre-order a take-and-bake lasagna that feeds 6-8 featuring house-made pasta, ragù alla Bolognese, house-made mozzarella, ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, meatballs, braised San Marzano tomatoes, basil, Pecorino Romano and smoked mozzarella. Add a salad or antipasti to complete the meal. Orders accepted until Dec. 17 for pick-up on Dec. 21-22.
Heritage Tavern
131 E. Mifflin St.
Use the interest form to inquire about the four-course meal that just needs to be reheated. The meal features a juniper and roasted mushroom-coated ribeye with Bordeaux braise beef short ribs for the main, roasted beet and pickled pear salad, horseradish potato gratin and more, plus a ginger molasses cake and the option to add on brioche dinner rolls or deviled eggs. $85 per person with a gluten-free option available.
Co-owner of Cassoulet Nancy Olsen assembles vegetable pizzas for pick-up at her Sun Prairie shop.
RUTHIE HAUGE
Cassoulet
1112 N. Bristol St., Sun Prairie
A trusted place for frozen meals year round, Cassoulet offers a long list of take-and-bake options starting at $6 a serving for ham or roast turkey. With the ability to order as many servings as needed, this is a great option for people who fall outside the “serves 4-6” standard for many meal options. Appetizers include deviled eggs, veggie pizza and several dips. Sides include honey cinnamon squash, cheesy potatoes and buttermilk biscuits, and desserts like ready-to-bake cookies. Plan ahead and order a quiche, scones, breakfast sandwiches and more for a yummy Christmas morning treat. Order by Dec. 18 for pick-up 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Dec. 24.
Melly Mell’s Soul Food
Melly Mell’s food always has the feel of eating in a busy family kitchen and at the holidays. The Holiday Comfort meal of beef roast or turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, bacon-wrapped asparagus and dinner rolls hits all the right notes. The Holiday Brisket Dinner comes with candied yams, green beans and cornbread. Each option is $65 for two people, $95 for five people and $130 for 10 people. Vegetarians aren’t left out with a warm and filling bake of red and yellow potatoes, yellow squash and zucchini served with black-eyed peas, vegetarian collard greens and cornbread. The meal is $45 for two, $70 for five and $100 for 10 people. Dessert can be added à la carte. Melly Mell’s may be able to accommodate orders for different quantities. Customers shouldn’t be shy about asking. Orders must be in by Dec. 19 for pick-up Dec. 23-24 from FEED Kitchens at 1219 N. Sherman Ave. Delivery may be available within 10 miles of FEED Kitchens for $20.
A customer orders pizza at Branch + Daughter, located at 6601 Traveler Trail in Windsor.
RUTHIE HAUGE
Branch + Daughter
6601 Traveler Trail, Windsor
Get a full heat-and-eat meal from this specialty market and deli. Dinner is $80 per person for a minimum of two people and features New York striploin with a red wine Bordelaise sauce, pan-roasted winter vegetables with citrus and salt flakes, herb risotto with truffle and wild mushrooms and Dauphinoise potatoes with Emmental cheese, as well as rolls with garlic herb butter and assorted holiday petit fours. Pick-up is Dec. 23 or Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Ollie’s
2951 Triverton Pike Drive, Fitchburg
Featuring ham, turkey or seitan, Ollie’s ready-to-heat dinner can be ordered for two or as a meal for 4-6 people. The meal can be ordered fully vegan or gluten-free. Meals are $110 for two and $275 for 4-6 people. Meals include a roasted beet, Montrachet cheese and Beluga lentil salad, butternut squash soup, mashed potatoes and gravy, pecan green beans, maple-glazed carrots, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese. Pies can be added for $20. Pick-up is 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 24.
Beef Butter BBQ
3001 N. Sherman Ave.
In addition to its regular menu of melt-in-your-mouth smoked meats, Beef Butter BBQ will have doubled-smoked ham, smoked prime rib and smoked turkey. Order ahead on its website for pick-up 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 24.