While the holiday season is all about giving, you can treat yourself to dinner out on Dec. 25 at these Long Island restaurants that are serving on Christmas Day. Reservations are recommended.
Eric’s Italian Bistro
70 E. Old Country Rd., Mineola
This Italian eatery will open early, at noon, for Dec. 25 patrons with a $69.95 three-course prix fixe menu. Choose from starter options such as butternut squash bisque soup or meatballs made with veal, pork, beef served with marinara. Main courses include standout lasagna, sirloin steak and several other entrees, with an individual dessert sampler plate. More info: 516-280-5675, ericsbistro.com
American Beauty in the Park
1026 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park
This bistro will serve Christmas Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. followed by dinner from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Owner Maria Cassano said she’s featuring a mussels pot (from $19) as a wink to the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes among other seafood specials. Holiday-inspired cocktails include a s’mores espresso martini ($16) and Christmas mule ($16). For dessert, guests can enjoy a Rudolph ice cream float ($12). More info: 516-541-1075, americanbeautyrestaurants.com
Limani
1043 Northern Blvd., Roslyn
This Mediterranean restaurant in Roslyn caters to seafood-lovers with its a la carte menu from noon to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 25. Choose from dishes like garides sagnaki ($47), six sautéed jumbo shrimp served in a tomato and feta sauce. There’s also lamb chops ($58), a half bone-in chicken breast marinated and grilled with rosemary and thyme, plus filet mignon ($63). More info: 516-869-8989, limani.com/roslyn
The Pantry
525 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre
The a la carte menu at this all-day brunch spot will be available on Dec. 25, with service from 8 a.m. through 10 p.m. with dishes such as a mussels pot ($19) and baby rack lamb ribs ($55). More info: 516-766-8848, eatatpantry.com
Branzino’s
315 Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station; 240 Fort Salonga Rd., Northport
This modern Italian restaurant’s two locations will both be open and seating from noon to 7 p.m. on Christmas Day, with reservations required. In Huntington Station, Branzino’s will serve specials including crabmeat-stuffed mushrooms drizzled with limoncello cream sauce ($28) and spicy alla vodka veal chop ($65) topped with fresh burrata and crumbled sausage. More info: 631-944-3141, 631-355-7075,branzinos.com
Saffire
6330 Jericho Tpke., Commack
Spice up your holiday at this high-end Indian restaurant. It’s open for lunch from noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 25 and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Apps from its ala carte menu include paani Puri ($12), sweet or spicy semolina balls stuffed with potato, chickpea and lentils. There’s a chicken tandoori kebab ($26) and a vegetarian option of yellow daal tadka or yellow lentils with garlic, cumin and chilies ($18). More info: 631-486-2808, saffireli.com
Black Pearl Seafood Chophouse
25 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson
This elegant eatery will have a buffet on Christmas Day from noon to 5 p.m. At $89 a person ($29 ages 3-12), start with fruit, muffins, scones and pastries followed by smashed potatoes, sautéed broccolini and baby carrots, and chicken Francese. A carving station will include roasted strip steak with a bourbon demi-glaze, and baked ham with brown sugar glaze. For pastas, there’s spaghetti Bolognese or rigatoni with Alfredo sauce. A separate kids’ buffet includes mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers and French fries. More info: 631-676-7025, blackpearlportjeff.com
Bistro 72
1830 W Main St., Riverhead
Bistro 72, inside Riverhead’s Hotel Indigo will be open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. offering a prix fixe menu for $65 a person ($35 ages 12 and younger). Starters include French onion soup or a salad made with arugula cranberries, almonds, red onions, goat cheese and sherry vinaigrette. Then comes honey-glazed ham served with potatoes and sautéed string beans or burrata ravioli. At dessert: An apple tart served with vanilla ice cream. More info: 631-369-3325, bistro-72.com
Melissa Azofeifa is a restaurants reporter with Newsday’s FeedMe team. Having grown up on Long Island, she loves talking about food and its impact on culture. A graduate of Stony Brook University, she joined Newsday in the fall of 2024.
