Christmas Day is a perfect time to gather cherished family around the table at a marvelous local eatery. There’s no need to worry about dishes and cooking with these outstanding restaurant options across NoVA.
Alexandria
Photo courtesy Ada’s on the River
Ada’s on the River
Unwind at Ada’s after a busy day of gift opening. For $79, guests can enjoy a three-course meal with options including beef tenderloin tartine, colossal crab cocktail, Chilean sea bass, and seared duck breast, elevated by delightful dessert options. 3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria
BARCA Pier & Wine Bar
Dine at this waterfront neighborhood restaurant for a Christmas to remember. Delight in Spanish-Mediterranean small plates, wine, sangria, and cocktails. Christmas specials include duck breast and crispy pork belly porchetta. 2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria
Chart House Restaurant
Enjoy a three-course dinner for $81 with a river view at this waterfront restaurant. Start with a soup or salad, choose between surf and turf, lobster tails, king salmon, and more for a main course, and finish off with a New York–style cheesecake or a mini lava cake. 1 Cameron St., Alexandria
Elaine’s
For a fresh and refreshing holiday dinner, try Mediterranean bites like hummus, fava bean dip, Egyptian roasted chicken, and steak skewers. Try the pistachio baklava cheesecake or the poached pair with mascarpone whipped cream to finish on a sweet note. 208 Queens St., Alexandria
Mia’s Italian Kitchen
Enjoy Italian American specialties like grilled stuffed calamari, lobster ravioli, braised lamb shank, shrimp Fra Diavolo bruschetta, and short rib lasagna. Vanilla and pumpkin panna cotta or cranberry cheesecake top off the meal beautifully. It runs $49 per guest. 100 King St., Alexandria
The Majestic Cafe
Visit this comfortable Old Town café on Christmas for a three-course meal, which includes choices of soups, salads, turkey, prime rib, lamb, and vegetarian options. The meal includes two choices of sides for the table, and don’t miss the included desserts, such as pumpkin cheesecake, cranberry crumb cake, and coconut cake. 911 King St., Alexandria
Photo courtesy Vola’s Dockside Grill
Vola’s Dockside Grill
This popular seafood spot is offering a three-course holiday menu with a starter, entrée, and dessert available from 11:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. For $49 per guest, dine on options including baked camembert, clams casino, prime rib, grilled branzino, and raspberry-chocolate mousse. 101 N. Union St., Alexandria
Arlington
Ambar
Ambar’s Clarendon location will be open for a next-level Balkan brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a menu featuring an all-you-can-eat array of mezze, soups, salads, sandwiches, egg dishes, pastries, and more. Some highlights: An almond and walnut crusted fried chicken sandwich, pulled pork benedict, and sujuk beef flatbread. Pricing runs $42.99 per person. 2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington
Mazaro
This Italian restaurant will be offering its regular menu on Christmas Day. Devour a wide selection of pizzas, pastas, salads, and entrées including veal piccata, salmon alla griglia, Cacio e Pepe, and pollo alla parmigiana. 2909 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Me Jana
Celebrate the holiday with a taste of traditional Lebanese cuisine at this family-owned spot. Along with several à la carte options like lamp chops and beef shawarma, Me Jana offers a prix fixe Lebanese Journey tasting menu with several starters, mains, and a dessert for $65 to $73 a person. 2300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Ashburn
Eddie Merlot’s
Open noon to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day, Eddie Merlot’s offers prime aged beef and seafood. Its curated holiday menu includes seasonal dishes like a seared elk chop, surf and turf, and lamb chops, paired with sommelier-selected holiday wine features. 20350 Minot Dr., Ashburn
Fairfax
NAJA Mediterranean
This Mediterranean spot recently opened in the Mosaic District, and it will be open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. Savor spreads, salads, wraps, kebabs, seafood, and more before indulging in a Dubai cake or baklava. 2911 District Ave., Unit 140, Fairfax
Photo courtesy Texas de Brazil
Texas de Brazil Fairfax
Enjoy all-you-can-eat grilled meat for lunch or dinner on Christmas Day. The regular menu will be available, which includes a chef-crafted salad bar and a variety of hot dishes. Bring the whole family for a satisfying feast. 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Ste. K240, Fairfax
McLean
J.Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks and Seafood
For over 20 years, J. Gilbert’s has been a McLean favorite for prime wood-fired steaks and seafood. Choose from an a la carte menu or prix fixe menu, and don’t skip out on the handcrafted martinis. It will be open from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. 6930 Old Dominion Dr., McLean
Reston and Tysons
Barrel & Bushel
Relax and enjoy comfort dishes like beef brisket sandwiches, wagyu beef Bolognese, fried chicken, and more at this Tyson’s American spot. Pair one of 34 whiskeys with dinner, or opt for a beer from 22 different drafts. 7901 Tysons One Pl., Tysons
Chima Tysons
This traditional Brazilian steakhouse in the heart of Tysons will be open for lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, with its regular menu in place. Enjoy all-you-can-eat dining from the impressive gourmet salad bar, as well as 15 grilled meats. The sumptuous offerings include top sirloin, filet, ribs, lamb, pork, chicken, sausage, and fish. 8010 Towers Crescent Dr., Tysons
Fogo de Chao
Drop by this Brazilian steakhouse for an over-the-top Christmas feast. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the massive meat-ery features an open-air grill with gaucho chefs demonstrating the culinary art of churrasco. Come hungry to this meat-lover’s extravaganza. 11915 Democracy Dr., Reston; 1775 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 50, Tysons
Photo by Ken Fletcher, courtesy Founding Farmers
Founding Farmers
Founding Farmers will offer a prix fixe menu this holiday season, priced at $45, $55, or $65 depending on your choice in entrée. Children 12 and under eat for $35 from the $45 entrée options. Choose from blue crab corn bisque, herb-crusted prime rib, glazed cedar-plank salmon, and butternut squash and mascarpone ravioli. 1904 Reston Metro Plz., Reston; 1800 Tysons Blvd., Tysons
The Simon
This new, upscale dining room inside the JW Marriot Hotel is offering an $85 grazing Christmas brunch and a four-course prix fixe dinner for $165. Graze from charcuterie, fruit, oatmeal, pastries, and more before ordering one of several brunch entrée options. For dinner, choose from dishes like foie gras terrine, pan-seared scallops, wine-braised short rib, and dry-aged duck breast. 11340 Reston Station Blvd., Reston
Woodbridge
Bistro L’Hermitage
For a Joyeux Noel, visit this cozy French bistro in the heart of Woodbridge. Pricing runs $99 per person for a decidedly French feast that will create wonderful holiday memories. Seatings for the three-course meal are available from noon to 7 p.m. 12724 Occoquan Rd., Woodbridge
Feature image courtesy Ambar
Dining and Cooking