If the cooler weather and twinkling lights around town are any indications, it’s time to start planning your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feasts.
Treat your ‘elf to a day free of cooking with these take-home and dine-in options. You’ll find the likes of hefty feasts, upscale dinners, brunch banquets, and classic cuisine.
Pay close attention to the dates because some of these dinners are happening before others. Also, we’ll be updating this list as we get closer to Christmas Day.
Casino Del Sol
5655 W Valencia Rd.
“The Holidays are right around the corner and if the thought of hosting a family feast is a stressful one, leave the work and entertaining to us! Celebrate Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve at Casino Del Sol with these amazing holiday dining specials.”
They’re hosting holiday specials at PY Steakhouse, Festa International Buffet, Moby’s, and Sunflower Café (check ’em out here).
The Coronet
198 W. Cushing St.
The downtown restaurant is open on Christmas Eve with “Bubbies Chinese Xmas Eve Specials” as well as on Christmas. The regular menu will be available on Wednesday, December 25.
Dante’s Fire
2526 E. Grant Rd.
The midtown restaurant is hosting a special Christmas Eve dinner — call (520) 382-9255 to make reservations.
Dream Dinners
3682 W. Orange Grove Rd. #132
“Let us help make your Christmas morning extra special — and effortless! Our Holiday Breakfast Bundle has everything you need for a cozy, delicious Christmas morning:
- Breakfast Bacon Frittata
- Country Potato Bake
- Your choice of French Toast Bake
“Pre-order your bundle today and enjoy a stress-free breakfast filled with flavor and time for what matters most—making memories with your loved ones.”
El Conquistador
1803 E. Prince Rd.
Here is the resort’s Christmas day schedule:
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Christmas Day Brunch featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus.
- (Turquoise) Ticket Required.
- Call 520-544-1255 to book.
- 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Santa’s Obstacle Course Bounce House
- 5 p.m.
- Snowfall (Colibri Patio)
- 5:30 p/m. – 6:30 p.m.
- S’mores available for purchase
Learn more about the restort’s month-long Holiday Extravaganza.
Feast
3719 E. Speedway Blvd.
Place your Christmas order by Thursday, December 19 (by 8 p.m.) and they’ll have it ready and waiting for you with reheating instructions on Tuesday, December 24. Call them at (520) 326-9363 to place your order.
- Duck terrine with pistachios and dried cranberries – $25.00/ half pound (serves 4-6 as an appetizer)
- Whole baby brie with cranberry-apple chutney, wrapped in puff pastry – $24.00
- Roasted beets, walnuts, grapes, rosemary and Bleu cheese – $7.00/half pint $12.50/ pint
- Mashed Potatoes – $6.50/half pint $11.00/pint
- Green beans with garlic and almonds – $6.50/serving
- Half a duck, brined and roasted. Served with rosemary-fig glaze – $40.00
- Individual Beef Wellington~ Medallion of beef tenderloin, truffled liver mousse and mushroom duxelles, wrapped in puff pastry. One entrée serving – $50.00
- Gingerbread cake with orange cream cheese frosting and candied pistachios – $9.00/ slice $60.00/whole cake
Ghini’s French Caffe
1803 E. Prince Rd.
Ghini’s is offering a few holiday specials throughout December. Check ’em out before they’re gone!
- Mexican Chocolate French Toast – buttered, drizzled with Mexican chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and Mexican cocoa
- Noel Burger – Bordeaux Gruyere burger Layered with fine herb aioli, balsamic cranberry glaze, and herb drizzle
- Scratch-made Eggnog – Finished with whipped cream and one shake of nutmeg
Gourmet Girls
5845 N. Oracle Rd.
Get your holiday cupcake orders in ASAP!
Govindas Natural Foods Buffet
711 E. Blacklidge Dr.
Govinda’s is open on Wednesday, December 25 from noon – 5 p.m. and will be serving the menu above.
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort
5491 N. Hacienda Del Sol Rd.
“Join us on Sunday, December 22nd and enjoy a sumptuous holiday buffet crafted for everyone. Whether you are celebrating a holiday or just want to spend time with family, you’re sure to find great food and even better company. Happy Holidays! $70 Per Adult | $35 Kids 6 – 12 | 5 & Under Free.”
Hotel Congress/Cup Cafe
311 E. Congress St.
“The Cup is now accepting reservations for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Christmas dinner. Full menu coming soon, so keep an eye out for delicious holiday specials! Call The Cup today to secure your table (520-622-8848), as Christmas reservations always fill up quickly.”
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
7000 N. Resort Dr.
- Festive Brunch | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- “Join us for a special edition of our Blues, Brews & BBQ Bunch on Christmas Day featuring a holiday-inspired brunch buffet, local draft beers, mimosas and live music.”
- Make a reservation.
- Dinner + Live Music at Flying V | 4 – 9 p.m.
- “Treat your loved ones to a three-course prix-fixe menu, or order your favorite dish à la carte this Christmas Day at our signature restaurant.”
- Make a reservation.
Nadine’s Bakery
4553 E. Broadway Blvd.
“This month’s featured cake flavors are… Peppermint Tres Leches and Eggnog Tres Leches! They are available for order in our full-size cakes or periodically in slices in-store only. Give us a call (520-326-0735) to place your orders for these seasonal treats!”
Omni Tucson National Resort
2727 W Club Dr.
The resort has multiple Christmas-themed experiences including a Holiday Brunch Market with Santa (December 14), Breakfast with Santa (December 21), and a Christmas Day Holiday Brunch (December 21). Here are more details on each event.
Pinnacle Peak at Trail Dust Town
6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
The restaurant has one more Santa dinner this year on Sunday, December 15. Reserve your spot today by calling 520-296-0911 after 4 p.m.
Pita Jungle
7090 N. Oracle Rd. # 128
“Pita Jungle is giving the gift of sweetness this year with the return of their Baklawa Box! Perfect for your next holiday party, this classic Mediterranean dessert is made in-house with crunchy layers of phyllo dough covered in topped with honey and pistachios. For $20, the assorted Baklawa Box is available online and in store and is available through the holidays.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
15000 N. Secret Springs Dr.
- Christmas Day Brunch (December 25): Reserve your spot for the resort’s inaugural Christmas Day Brunch, featuring live-action stations and seasonal favorites at Core Kitchen & Wine Bar.
- Guests can enjoy classic dishes like buttermilk waffles, home-style breakfast potatoes, honey-baked ham, and pepper-crusted dry-aged prime rib alongside a selection of seafood, caviar and stations for benedicts, omelets, and more.
- Brunch is $155 per adult and $75 per child (ages 2-12).
- Full menu linked here.
- Christmas Day Four-Course Dinner (December 25): Chef Dyson presents a decadent four-course tasting menu at Core Kitchen & Wine Bar, combining holiday flavors with a modern culinary touch.
- Menu highlights include roasted chestnut and parsnip bisque, Hokkaido scallop crudo, Niman Ranch beef tenderloin, charred silver snapper bouillabaisse and spiced yule log.
- Dinner is $175 per adult and $80 per child (ages 2-12).
- Full menu linked here.
Rosebud Bakery
844 S. Sixth Ave.
“Preorder Deadline: Wednesday, December 19 at 5 p.m. Pick-up: Monday, December 23 from 2 – 5 p.m. Espresso bar will be open!”
Thunder Bacon Burger Co.
33 N. Sixth Ave.
“The wait is over. The December Burger of the Month is here! The Heatmiser! Green chili and apple bacon jam, goat cheese, honey whiskey peanut butter sauce, and two smash patty on cinnamon waffle buns. Available for dine-in only.”
Warfuel Kitchen
Online Ordering
“Spread holiday cheer this year with tamales made from scratch by our WFK team of chefs! Purchase a dozen or half dozen, available in Green Chile Chicken and Birria. The preorder deadline is December 16th and orders can be picked up December 21st from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Limited quantity available.”
The Westin La Paloma
3800 E. Sunrise Dr.
The resort is hosting a Christmas Day Brunch (December 25), Christmas Eve Dinner (December 24), and Breakfast with Santa (December 14). Check ’em out here.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
