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A huge Christmas lit up at night in Campus Martius Park is surrounded by people.

A Guide to Last-Minute Christmas Reservations in Metro Detroit

From steakhouses to Chinese restaurants, these spots are certified open for the holidays

by Brenna Houck Updated Dec 13, 2019, 9:46am EST

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by Brenna Houck Updated Dec 13, 2019, 9:46am EST

1 comment / new

Michelle and Chris Gerard

Still in need of a reservation for Christmas dinner? You probably should have started looking weeks ago, but fear not! In this guide, find a solid list of options for dining on December 24 and December 25. Very few restaurants are open for the holidays, with lots of independently-owned restaurants giving staff a well-deserved vacation. What's left are quite a few hotel eateries for a simple reason: guests are looking for a place to eat.

With such a limited supply of seats, these restaurants are booking up fast so don't wait too long. Make a reservation in advance. The last thing anyone wants is to show up hungry with the family in tow only to be turned away at the door.

Have other Christmas dining suggestions? Share them in the comments or send us a message at the tipline.

Next Read: The 2019 Eater Detroit Holiday Gift Guide

Read More

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

LC'S Asian Kitchen

This Madison Heights mainstay is open for lunch and dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Plan on the regular menu of Chinese-American dishes with some Thai options thrown in such as spicy Sichuan chicken, Mongolian beef, and pad thai.

29070 N Campbell Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071

Visit Website

Hong Hua Fine Chinese Dining

Upscale Farmington Chinese restaurant Hong Hua is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The regular menu will be available featuring specialties like Peking duck sliced tableside, Sichuan shrimp, and whole lobster.

Open in Google Maps

27925 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington, MI 48334

Visit Website

The Apparatus Room

The Detroit Foundation Hotel’s stunning in-house restaurant will be open for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The restaurant will be serving its regular breakfast and brunch menus between 6:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. A prix fixe-only dinner will be available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. The cost is $85 for adults and $35 for children. Reservations are available by phone or on OpenTable and credit cards are required to hold seats for dinner.

Detroit Foundation Hotel, 250 W Larned St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

Brazilian barbecue chain Fogo de Chão in Troy specializes in rodízio-style dining in which customers pay a fixed price and service staff circulate past tables offering different selections of grilled meats. The restaurant is currently accepting reservations between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.

301 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Wolfgang Puck Steak

There are a handful of seatings left at Wolfgang Puck Steak on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a high-end steakhouse located inside the MGM Grand Detroit. The menu features options like shrimp cocktail, seafood platters, and American wagyu filet mignon.

1777 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Where to Eat on Thanksgiving in Detroit

Iridescence

This glitzy restaurant offers spectacular views overlooking Detroit’s downtown and riverfront. It also happens to be open on Christmas Day for diners looking to treat themselves to a high-end holiday meal.

Open in Google Maps

2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Where to Eat on Thanksgiving in Detroit

Garrido's Bistro & Pastry

Venezuelan restaurant Garrido’s is hosting two dinner seatings on Christmas Eve beginning at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. respectively. Customers can choose from the traditional menu or seafood menu. Each includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert. There’s a tie and jacket requirement, although holiday sweaters are welcome. Kids must be 12 years or older to attend. The price ranges from $45 to $55 not including tax, gratuity, or drinks.

19605 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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San Morello

Pick up a ticket for a Christmas Eve dinner at San Morello. The restaurant is hosting a Feast of the Seven Fishes from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring optional prix fixe Italian dishes. The cost is $85 per person excluding tax, gratuity, and drinks.

1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

The Troy outpost of Italian chain Eddie V’s is serving a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve from noon to 10 p.m. Expect options like seafood towers, stone crab claws, Nantucket Bay scallops, and more.

2100 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Capital Grille

Also near the Somerset Collection in Troy (for last-minute holiday shoppers), Capital Grille is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The menu will feature specials such as filet mignon with two lobster tails and Beaujolais sauce for $96.

2800 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

Visit Website

Social Kitchen and Bar

Social Kitchen and Bar in Birmingham is open on Christmas Eve and accepting reservations. Expect options like hummus with spiced lamb, caesar salad, brick chicken, and more. The restaurant will be decked out in tacky seasonal decor.

225 E Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Ale Mary's Beer Hall

Ale Mary’s Beer Hall is accepting reservations on Christmas Eve. The pub is currently decorated for the season with drink specials and Christmas cookies. It’s also known for serving vegan comfort food.

316 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Visit Website

Also featured in:

El Barzon

Fine dining classic El Barzon is serving Christmas Eve dinner and still has plenty of reservations open. Customers can take their pick from a variety of Italian and Mexican entrees all made well, plus a quality selection of wines.

3710 Junction Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Cafe Cortina

High-end Italian restaurant Cafe Cortina still has a few reservations open for Christmas Eve dinner. Look out for options like potato gnocchi with sage and porcini mushrooms, cheese ravioli, and stuffed quail.

30715 W 10 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Highlands

The Renaissance Center’s new steakhouse Highlands is still taking a handful of early evening reservations for Christmas Eve. Eat dry-aged beef with a view of the river.

400 Renaissance Center Floor 72, Detroit, MI 48243

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Detroit Vegan Soul

Detroit Vegan Soul in Grandmont Rosedale and West Village are accepting reservations for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Expect options like candied yams, mashed potatoes, and seitan pepper steak.

Open in Google Maps

19614 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48223

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Antihero

Ferndale’s trendy izakaya-style restaurant is closing up for Christmas Eve and will reopen on Christmas Day for dinner with options like ramen, kimchi carbonara, and fried chicken buns.

231 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Roast

Celebrity chef Michael Symon’s downtown Detroit favorite Roast is closed for Christmas Eve, but will reopen its doors for dinner on Christmas Day. The menu includes options like roasted marrow, lamb ragu, and dry-aged ribeye.

1128 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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LC'S Asian Kitchen

29070 N Campbell Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071

This Madison Heights mainstay is open for lunch and dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Plan on the regular menu of Chinese-American dishes with some Thai options thrown in such as spicy Sichuan chicken, Mongolian beef, and pad thai.

29070 N Campbell Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071

Visit Website

Hong Hua Fine Chinese Dining

27925 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington, MI 48334

Upscale Farmington Chinese restaurant Hong Hua is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The regular menu will be available featuring specialties like Peking duck sliced tableside, Sichuan shrimp, and whole lobster.

Open in Google Maps

27925 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington, MI 48334

Visit Website

The Apparatus Room

Detroit Foundation Hotel, 250 W Larned St, Detroit, MI 48226

The Detroit Foundation Hotel’s stunning in-house restaurant will be open for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The restaurant will be serving its regular breakfast and brunch menus between 6:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. A prix fixe-only dinner will be available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. The cost is $85 for adults and $35 for children. Reservations are available by phone or on OpenTable and credit cards are required to hold seats for dinner.

Detroit Foundation Hotel, 250 W Larned St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

301 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

Brazilian barbecue chain Fogo de Chão in Troy specializes in rodízio-style dining in which customers pay a fixed price and service staff circulate past tables offering different selections of grilled meats. The restaurant is currently accepting reservations between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.

301 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

Visit Website

Wolfgang Puck Steak

1777 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

There are a handful of seatings left at Wolfgang Puck Steak on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a high-end steakhouse located inside the MGM Grand Detroit. The menu features options like shrimp cocktail, seafood platters, and American wagyu filet mignon.

1777 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Iridescence

2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

This glitzy restaurant offers spectacular views overlooking Detroit’s downtown and riverfront. It also happens to be open on Christmas Day for diners looking to treat themselves to a high-end holiday meal.

Open in Google Maps

2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Visit Website

Garrido's Bistro & Pastry

19605 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Venezuelan restaurant Garrido’s is hosting two dinner seatings on Christmas Eve beginning at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. respectively. Customers can choose from the traditional menu or seafood menu. Each includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert. There’s a tie and jacket requirement, although holiday sweaters are welcome. Kids must be 12 years or older to attend. The price ranges from $45 to $55 not including tax, gratuity, or drinks.

19605 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Visit Website

San Morello

1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Pick up a ticket for a Christmas Eve dinner at San Morello. The restaurant is hosting a Feast of the Seven Fishes from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring optional prix fixe Italian dishes. The cost is $85 per person excluding tax, gratuity, and drinks.

1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

2100 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

The Troy outpost of Italian chain Eddie V’s is serving a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve from noon to 10 p.m. Expect options like seafood towers, stone crab claws, Nantucket Bay scallops, and more.

2100 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

Visit Website

The Capital Grille

2800 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

Also near the Somerset Collection in Troy (for last-minute holiday shoppers), Capital Grille is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The menu will feature specials such as filet mignon with two lobster tails and Beaujolais sauce for $96.

2800 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084

Visit Website

Social Kitchen and Bar

225 E Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009

Social Kitchen and Bar in Birmingham is open on Christmas Eve and accepting reservations. Expect options like hummus with spiced lamb, caesar salad, brick chicken, and more. The restaurant will be decked out in tacky seasonal decor.

225 E Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009

Visit Website

Ale Mary's Beer Hall

316 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Ale Mary’s Beer Hall is accepting reservations on Christmas Eve. The pub is currently decorated for the season with drink specials and Christmas cookies. It’s also known for serving vegan comfort food.

316 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067

Visit Website

El Barzon

3710 Junction Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

Fine dining classic El Barzon is serving Christmas Eve dinner and still has plenty of reservations open. Customers can take their pick from a variety of Italian and Mexican entrees all made well, plus a quality selection of wines.

3710 Junction Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

Visit Website

Cafe Cortina

30715 W 10 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336

High-end Italian restaurant Cafe Cortina still has a few reservations open for Christmas Eve dinner. Look out for options like potato gnocchi with sage and porcini mushrooms, cheese ravioli, and stuffed quail.

30715 W 10 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336

Visit Website

Highlands

400 Renaissance Center Floor 72, Detroit, MI 48243

The Renaissance Center’s new steakhouse Highlands is still taking a handful of early evening reservations for Christmas Eve. Eat dry-aged beef with a view of the river.

400 Renaissance Center Floor 72, Detroit, MI 48243

Visit Website

Related Maps

Detroit Vegan Soul

19614 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48223

Detroit Vegan Soul in Grandmont Rosedale and West Village are accepting reservations for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Expect options like candied yams, mashed potatoes, and seitan pepper steak.

Open in Google Maps

19614 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48223

Visit Website

Antihero

231 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Ferndale’s trendy izakaya-style restaurant is closing up for Christmas Eve and will reopen on Christmas Day for dinner with options like ramen, kimchi carbonara, and fried chicken buns.

231 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Visit Website

Roast

1128 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Celebrity chef Michael Symon’s downtown Detroit favorite Roast is closed for Christmas Eve, but will reopen its doors for dinner on Christmas Day. The menu includes options like roasted marrow, lamb ragu, and dry-aged ribeye.

1128 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Related Maps