Christmas is around the corner! If you don’t have plans yet, we’ve got you covered. Make your way to one of these stellar spots for a very happy holiday meal.
CJ’s Crab Shack
CJ’s Crab Shack will be open regular hours on Christmas Day, so whether you’re early to rise or plan on sleeping in, you’ll be okay. The Ocean Drive staple will be serving up all its crowd favorites including snow crab, Alaskan king crab, fried shrimp, grouper in a bag, and more. A full bar is also available, too, so make the most of your day off with Long Island Iced Teas, frozen vodka lemonades, and strawberry daiquiris.
Eva
Celebrate Christmas in the heart of Coconut Grove’s CocoWalk with a Mediterranean feast at Eva. On Christmas Day —Monday, December 25 —from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the casually sophisticated new Mediterranean restaurant is offering a spectacular Christmas Menu for $75++ per person; $45 per child under the age of 12.
The menu features several dips, including Spicy Feta and Hummus, as well as starting plates such as Arugula with figs, goat cheese, toasted walnuts and balsamic glaze, and Baked Eggplant prepared with garlic confit, feta cheese, and parsley. For the main course, guests can enjoy roast chicken served with chestnut stuffing and stewed green beans and roast lamb accompanied by lemon potatoes and tzatziki. The holiday feast concludes on a sweet note with a special Orange Pie with chocolate baklava and ice cream.
Eva is located at 3015 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
The Lobster Shack
A sibling to CJ’s Crab Shack, The Lobster Shack focuses on the other shellfish favorite: lobsta. With two outposts on Miami Beach, you’re never too far from tasty warm and chilled lobster rolls (plus many other highlights like fish tacos, seared tuna salad, baked oysters, clam chowder, and fish in a bag). There’s so much to try here that you might as well come for Christmas lunch AND dinner. The Lobster Shack also offers a kid’s menu, so all ages are welcome. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun.
The Lobster Shack has multiple locations on Miami Beach. For more information, visit their official website.
RED South Beach
RED South Beach will be open all day on Christmas Eve, starting with a holiday brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then dinner service until close. On Christmas Day, guests can expect chef Peter Vauthy to pull out all the stops with delicious holiday specials; doors open at 4 p.m. for dinner. No matter when you visit, there will be plenty of steak.
Paperfish Sushi
Both Paperfish Sushi locations will be open regular hours to satisfy any Christmas sushi cravings. The regular menu will be available, so you can order all your favorites like the salmon aburi, Hamachi yuzu, tropical yasai, and miso black cod. And yes, there will be happy hour too.
Strawberry Moon at the Goodtime Hotel
Strawberry Moon is the centerpiece of The Goodtime Hotel and offers an energetic gathering place for all guests, especially during the holiday season. The restaurant offers guests an indoor-outdoor experience where diners are bound to have a carefree good time from day to night.
Visitors can indulge in a curated holiday menu this Christmas Eve featuring Warm Moon Bread, Port Poached Pear Salad, Peppercorn Crusted Prime Rib, Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass, and more, plus a full array of specialty cocktails for the holiday. In addition to Christmas Eve dinner, Strawberry Moon will be open for a la carte brunch on Sunday, December 24th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Christmas Day, Strawberry Moon will also offer its a la carte dinner menu from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Strawberry Moon is located at 601 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
Tanuki
Both Tanuki locations will be open on Christmas Day, so swing by for spectacular Asian cuisine. At either location, you’ll find an abundance of nigiri, sashimi, maki, wok, and grilled specialties, including char siu pork ribs, scallop black truffle, black dragon rolls, and A5. Just an FYI: If you haven’t been to the River Landing location in a while, the restaurant recently received its liquor license, so expect way more drink choices.
Zaytinya
Experience the festive spirit at José Andrés’ newest South Beach restaurant, Zaytinya, with an exquisite holiday chef’s tasting experience. Starting with a Winter Squash Hommus ($12), the flavorful blend of winter squash, tahini, za’atar, and crispy pumpkin seeds will delight tastebuds. The Portakal Salatasi ($16) —a salad of Florida citrus, baby arugula, Feta, pine nuts, pomegranate, and orange flower water dressing —offers a fresh and citrusy starter.
For a memorable shared experience, savor the Bone-In Ribeye for two, seasoned with cumin, black pepper, fenugreek, and paprika, served with greens braised with pastirma for $95. For larger groups, the grandeur of the Lamb Shoulder for four awaits, offering a whole lamb shoulder smoked over cherry wood, accompanied by garlic toum, harissa, tzatziki, and lettuce leaves for $145. Available Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Zaytinya is located at 1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139. For more information, visit their official website.
