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
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 seared scallops, crispy shrimp, rack of lamb, stuffed halibut, and the mighty prime rib, elevated by delightful dessert options. Children’s three-course meals run $29 and offer salmon, filet mignon, mac and cheese, and more. 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 lamb chops and salted persimmons wrapped in dry, cured ham. 2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria
Mia’s Italian Kitchen
Enjoy Italian American specialties like crispy scallops stuffed with squash blossom, lobster ravioli, braised lamb shank, shrimp fra diavola bruschetta, and veal chop parmigiana. Cannoli 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 $79, three-course meal, which includes choices of soups, salads, turkey, prime rib, salmon, lamb, and vegetarian options. Don’t miss the included desserts, such as apple pie, chocolate-hazelnut torte, and coconut cake. Kids dine for $29 per person. 911 King St., Alexandria
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 p.m. For $49 per guest, dine on options including Spanish prawn gumbo, beef Wellington, scallop ceviche, Chilean sea bass, and pumpkin crème brûlée. 101 North Union St., Alexandria
Arlington
Ambar
Ambar’s Clarendon location will be open for a next-level Balkan brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 4 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, prosciutto benedict, and sudzuk 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 chop Milanese, salmon alla griglia, branzino, and steak of the day. 2909 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 an-seared elk chop, surf & turf, and lamb chops, paired with sommelier-selected holiday wine features. 20350 Minot Dr, Ashburn
Fairfax
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
Middleburg
Conservatory at Goodstone
Take a journey to Middleburg’s Goodstone Inn for a relaxing holiday lunch celebration in a gorgeous setting. Indulge in a delectable four-course meal, which includes ceviche, lobster, beef tenderloin, and a traditional bûche de Noël. Meals run $150 per person and seatings are available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 3620 Snake Hill Rd., Middleburg
Reston and 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
Founding Farmers
Founding Farmers offers all-day buffets for hungry diners on Christmas Day. A brunch buffet, chock-full of everything under the sun, will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s $55 per adult, $22 for children ages 7 to 12, and free for kids under age 6. The same pricing goes for the dinner buffet, which runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1904 Reston Metro Plz., Reston; 1800 Tysons Blvd., 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
Woodbridge
Bistro L’Hermitage
For a Joyeux Noel, visit this cozy French bistro in the heart of Woodbridge. Pricing runs $89 per person for a decidedly French feast that will create wonderful holiday memories. Seatings for the three-course meal are available from noon to 6 p.m. 12724 Occoquan Rd., Woodbridge
Feature image courtesy Goodstone Inn
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