Give yourself the gift of not cooking for Christmas: Book a table at these RI restaurants
Christmas falls on a Monday this year, a day when most restaurants are closed anyway. That creates some interesting scenarios for diners who wish to dine out for the holiday.
Your best bet is always to find a hotel restaurant as they are open for all holidays. Don't wait to reserve though as they are scooped up fast.
But there is another interesting thing happening and that is a few restaurants that don't normally open on Sunday, will host diners on Christmas Eve. I noticed Cafe Nuovo and Res American Bistro as two of them.
Other restaurants will open for brunch on Christmas Eve, giving diners a chance for an early meal. Maybe that's the best for families and friends with children who want to be home to await Santa's arrival.
There is a nice surprise that the Italian tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes will be offered at sister restaurants Providence Oyster Bar on Federal Hill in Providence and East Greenwich. You can try it with an Asian twist at Yagi Noodles in Newport. All are serving on Christmas Eve, the traditional night for it.
Look over the list, set your plans and make a reservation so you won't be disappointed.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Avvio Ristorante
90 Hillside Road, Cranston, (401) 942-2900, avvioristorante.com, serves 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve and at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Bellini Providence
50 Westminster St., Providence, at The Beatrice, (401) 443-2960, bellinirestaurant.com/providence, will be open regular hours both Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Casino Café & Grille
Bally's Tiverton Casino, 777 Tiverton Casino Blvd., Tiverton, (401) 816-6165, casinos.ballys.com, will be open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from noon to 8 p.m. Prime Rib Dinner ($49) and Baked Stuffed Shrimp ($39) are on the menu which begins Dec. 23. Reservations recommended but not required.
The Chanler at Cliff Walk
117 Memorial Blvd., Newport, (401) 847-2244, thechanler.com, offers two seatings at Cara at 5 and 8 p.m. with an 8-course blind tasting menu ($225) and in the Chanler Cafe with seatings from 5 to 8 p.m. with a fixed price, 4-course menu ($120). On Christmas Day, seatings are available from 3 to 7:45 p.m. with a fixed-price 4-course menu ($165) with live music.
DeWolf Tavern
259 Thames St., Bristol, (401) 254-2005, dewolftavern.com, reservations are required for dining on Christmas Eve from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and from 1 to 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Castle Hill Inn
590 Ocean Drive, Newport, (401) 849-3800, castlehillinn.com, serves a four-course dinner ($125) on Christmas Eve from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and on Christmas Day from noon to 8 p.m. For reservations, email dining@castlehillinn.com and include your full name, phone number, number of guests and any dietary restrictions.
Clark Cooke House
24 Bannister's Wharf, Newport, (401) 849-2900, clarkecooke.com, offers a Christmas menu on Christmas Eve (opening at 11 a.m.) and Christmas Day when they open at 5 p.m.
One Bellevue at the Hotel Viking
One Bellevue Ave., Newport, (401) 847-3300, hotelviking.com, will serve a holiday meal of three courses ($79) at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Preserve Sporting Club's Double Barrel Steak
Double Barrel Steak, The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences, 87 Kingstown Road, Richmond, (401) 539-4653, will seat diners on Christmas Eve and Christmas for their regular hours of 8 to 11:30 a.m. for breakfast; 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for lunch; and 4:30 to 9 p.m. for dinner. Call for availability.
Wicked Good Bar & Grill
At Bally's Twin River Lincoln, 100 Twin River Road, Lincoln, casinos.ballys.com will be open for dinner noon to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve and noon to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. A Prime Rib ($46) and Cranberry Pork Loin ($35) are on the menu which begins Dec. 22. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Open Christmas Eve only
Andino's
171 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 453-3164, andinosprovidence.com, is open Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Cafe Nuovo
1 Citizens Plaza, (401) 421-2525, cafenuovo.com, will open from 2 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Capital Grille
10 Memorial Blvd., (401) 521-5600, thecapitalgrille.com, will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Capriccio
2 Pine St., Providence, (401) 421-1320, capriccios.com, will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Chapel Grille
3000 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston, (401) 944-4900, chapelgrilleri.com, will serve from 2 to 8 p.m. Christmas Eve with a special menu.
Circe Restaurant & Bar
50 Weybosset St., Providence, (401) 437-8991, circerestaurantbar.com, is open for brunch on Christmas Eve.
Elizabeth of Portofino’s
897 Post Road, Warwick, (401) 461-8920, elizabethportofino.com, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. serving their regular menu and specials.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
One West Exchange St., (401) 533-9000, flemingssteakhouse.com, serves from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. for lunch on Fridays in December only, serving a special two-course menu in addition to the dinner menu.
Hemenway's
121 South Main St., Providence, (401) 351-8570, hemenwaysrestaurant.com, will be open from noon to 8 p.m.
Iron Works Tavern
697 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, (401) 739-5111, theironworkstavern.com, will open at 11 a.m. and the last seating is at 4 p.m.
Matunuck Oyster Bar
629 Succotash Road, Wakefield, (401) 783-4202, rhodyoysters.com, will be open Christmas Eve.
Legal Sea Foods
175 Hillside Road, at Garden City, Cranston, (401) 732-3663, legalseafoods.com, will be open Christmas Eve.
Mill’s Tavern
101 North Main St., Providence, (401) 272-3331, millstavernrestaurant.com, serves from 12:30 to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Entree specials includeSurf & Turf featuring Wagyu steak and King Crab; Veal Cutlet rolled with King Crab; and Coq au Vin.
Providence Oyster Bar
283 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 272-8866, providenceoysterbar.com, will serve brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and have dinner service with the Feast of the Seven Fishes from 2:30 to 9 p.m.
Providence Oyster Bar - East Greenwich
5707 Post Road, East Greenwich, (401) 715-2526, providenceoysterbar.com, will serve brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and have dinner service with the Feast of the Seven Fishes from 2:30 to 9 p.m.
Federal Taphouse and Kitchen
279 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 454-8881, federaltandk.com, will serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and have dinner service with the Feast of the Seven Fishes from 2:30 to 9 p.m.
Red Stripe
465 Angell St., Providence, (401) 437-6950, redstriperestaurants.com, will be open from noon to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Get into the spirit: Get into the holiday spirit with our guide to Christmas in Rhode Island
Res American Bistro
123 Empire St., Providence, (401) 272-3965, respvd.com, has seatings from 2 to 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Trinity Brewhouse
186 Fountain St, Providence, (401) 453-2337, trinitybrewhouse.com, is open noon to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Twin Oaks
100 Sabra St., Cranston, (401) 781-9693, twinoaksrest.com, will serve from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Yagi Noodles
20 Long Wharf Mall, Newport, (401) 324-5098, yaginoodles.com, offers a Feast of the Fishes dinner on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The dinner will also be offered from Tuesday, Dec. 20 to Saturday, Dec. 31. It is served family style ($65 a person), featuring all local seafood.
To take out
Sweet Berry Farm
915 Mitchell's Lane, Middletown, (401) 847-3912, offers a Christmas Dinner ready to heat and eat. Menu items include homestyle holiday dishes and desserts prepared in their farm kitchen. All items come ready to simply heat and eat. Allow three-day notice for all orders and the last day to order is Dec. 17. View the menu online at Sweet Berry Farm.
Basil & Bunny
500 Wood St., Unit 214, Bristol, (401) 490-1918, is a plant-based restaurant offering a Christmas menu to go. Menu items include a plant-based charcuterie board, sourdough stuffing, baked mac 'n cheese, holiday pie and more. Must pick-up on Friday, Dec. 23 from noon to 9 p.m. only. The deadline to order is Dec. 20. View the menu online at basilandbunny.square.site.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Restaurants open on Christmas, Christmas Eve in RI: book now
