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Here are the Tampa Bay restaurants open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

By CL Staff on Wed, Dec 12, 2018 at 4:20 pm

Wondering which Tampa Bay restaurants are open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day — or both? Follow this guide to more than 30 eateries that handle the cooking (before and after) so you don't have to. Bonus: There are a couple of one-off establishments hosting potluck-style gatherings to keep your holiday stress at a minimum.

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The Left Bank Bistro

1225 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg.
Grub on a four-course dinner from Kate Gorr, the French-inspired restaurant’s executive chef. Reservations are mandatory for the 5 and 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve seatings.
Photo via The Left Bank Bistro

The Queens Head

2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
The regular dinner menu mingles with traditional house-made ravioli, eggnog and peppermint cheesecake (um, yum). Reservations are appreciated.
Photo via James Ostrand

Fresh Harvest

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa.
The buffet on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day includes carving and grill stations, sushi, noodles, dim sum and a big dessert area with a milkshake bar. Seminole Wild Card members get $5 off with valid ID.
Photo via Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Birch & Vine

The Birchwood, 340 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg.
Brunch starts off the Christmas Eve merriment, followed by prix-fixe and limited menus till close.
Photo via The Birchwood

Caretta on the Gulf

Sandpearl Resort, 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach.
No need to stress about the cooking when this seasonally inspired haunt specializes in a generous brunch on the water.
Photo via Courtesy of Sandpearl Resort

Bon Appétit Restaurant

148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin.
The casual waterfront spot’s sophisticated digs present dinner on Christmas Eve, alongside a Christmas Day buffet and dinner.
Photo via Bon Appétit Restaurant

Columbia Restaurant

Various locations, Tampa Bay.
This historic dining destination serves the full dinner menu at five of its restaurants, plus two holiday features: lechon asado and roast turkey. Make reservations so you don’t miss out.
Photo via Columbia Restaurant

Safety Harbor Resort & Spa

105 N. Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor.
Brunch it up while taking your pick from a midday assortment of soups and salads, entrees and sweets.
Photo via David Warner

Castile

The Hotel Zamora, 3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.
Live music and a meet-and-greet sesh with Santa Claus accompany the four-course meal — full of Latin and Mediterranean influences. Call for reservations.
Photo via The Hotel Zamora

Osteria Bar + Kitchen

903 N. Franklin St., Tampa.
Order your indulgence of choice from the rustic-refined Italian restaurant’s regular bill of lunch and dinner items.
Photo via Osteria Tampa

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

4322 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa.
Christmas Eve brings a three-course, prix-fixe lineup to Fleming’s. Fireside Rye — a marriage of Knob Creek, fresh grapefruit juice and house-made chardonnay honey syrup — is the featured cocktail.
Photo via Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

The Rez Grill

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa.
The elevated American Grill spreads good cheer with brunch crowd-pleasers such as huevos rancheros and stuffed French toast. However, its lone Christmas feature, lamb chops, is also planned.
Photo via Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Paul’s Landing

The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.
For the holiday, this marina-front restaurant incorporates its modern take on Old Florida into the divine-sounding smoked prime rib with herb-roasted fingerling potato, grilled asparagus and smoked peppercorn demi.
Photo via The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Various locations, Tampa Bay.
Romano’s wants to be a part of your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day merriment.
Photo via Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Various locations, Tampa Bay.
A three-course seasonal menu, holiday surf and turf, and the raspberry-rosemary Cosmo are up for grabs.
Photo via Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Rise Kitchen & Bakery

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa.
Head here for the special of smoky butternut squash bisque, a traditional holiday spread and white chocolate peppermint bark cheesecake.
Photo via Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Hard Rock Cafe

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road, Tampa.
Expect brown sugar- and mustard-glazed ham with cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and Brussels sprouts as the special.
Photo via Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Noble Crust

Various locations, Tampa Bay.
All locations from this popular joint, where Italian cooking and Southern ingredients meet, churn out their full dinner menus.
Photo via Noble Crust

The Pearl

163 107th Ave., Treasure Island.
Chef Karim Chiadmi prepares a feast on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, showcasing lobster bites, Mediterranean pasta and rack of lamb, to name a few.
Photo via The Pearl Restaurant

TradeWinds Island Grand

5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.
Swap snow for sand by celebrating Christmas on the beach. Held in the Grand Palm Colonnade and Ballroom, the buffet highlights everything from breakfast to carved meats. Take your pick.
Photo via TradeWinds Island Resorts