Maybe you are far from family this Christmas, or maybe you’ve had enough of yours. Or, perhaps you and your family are simply looking to start a new tradition, one that involves less cooking and more dining, less cleaning and more cocktails. Whatever the case, we’ve compiled our list of Houston’s best restaurants for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining.

Christmas Eve Dining

a’Bouzy, 2300 Westheimer: Make this Christmas Eve a boozy one. This French-American Montrose bistro with an extensive wine list is open for Christmas Eve brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 3 to 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling (713) 722-6899.

Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd: This cozy gem from the acclaimed H Town Restaurant Group is open for Christmas Eve Dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. It’s offering a three-course holiday menu for $55 per adult and $15 per child. Appetizer options include mushroom soup with blue cheese toast or Lobster Risotto with lobster tomato broth and lobster tail. Diners can choose from several entrées, including roasted tenderloin with creamy mashed potatoes and red wine reduction, or lamb shank with couscous and pan jus. Dessert choices are chocolate tart with raspberry marmalade and pistachio cream or sticky toffee pudding with toffee ice cream and hazelnut croquant. Supper will include complimentary eggnog and live music by Bob Chadwick. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling (713) 521-2239. Backstreet Cafe is closed on Christmas Day.

Caracol, 2200 Post Oak: Enjoy a cena de Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve Dinner, at Tracy Vaught’s and chef Hugo Ortega’s Post Oak Mexican seafood restaurant. Caracol is open on December 24 for regular dinner service from 5  to 9 p.m., including a full bar, wine-list and live music by Ikaru. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling (713) 622-9996. Caracol is closed on Christmas Day.

Doris Metropolitan, 2815 South Shepherd: Looking for a fine-dining experience to escape the holiday traditions? This Montrose steakhouse and butchery is open for dinner service on December 24 from 5 to 9 p.m., serving its full menu of in-house dry-aged beef, other fine meats and Middle East-inspired cuisine. Reservations can be made by calling (713) 485-0466.

Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101 Uptown Park: This French eatery in Uptown Park is open on Christmas Eve for regular lunch service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for Christmas Eve dinner serving a three-course, prix-fixe menu, $82 for adults and $28 per child (ages 10 and under). Hors d’oeuvres options include foie gras au torchon with dried prune mousseline and homemade toasted brioche, and tartare de thon a l’avocate with yellowfin tuna, yuzu avocado mousseline and ginger-olive oil soy sauce. Entrée choices include Noisettes de Chevreuil “Au Poivre Rose”, venison medallions with braised savoy cabbage and red wine pear, and risotto de legumes d’hiver, winter vegetable risotto with aged Parmesan and truffle mascarpone. Dessert will be a buche de Noël, pistachio sponge cake with white chocolate ganache, raspberry and blackberry gels and raspberry sorbet. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made online or by calling (832) 668-5808.

Hamsa, 5555 Morningside: For a truly unique dining experience this Christmas Eve, try this recently opened Rice Village Israeli restaurant from the owners of Doris Metropolitan. Hasma will be open for regular business hours for both lunch and dinner (11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), serving its full menu of inspired Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine. Reservations can be made on Resy, or by calling (281) 612-3515.

Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer: Join Hugo’s for a special buffet de Noche Buena (Christmas Eve buffet) from 5 to 9 p.m. The cost is $55 per person plus beverages, tax and gratuity. There will be live guitar music by Viento, as well as a full bar and wine list. Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling (713) 524-7744. Hugo’s will be closed on Christmas Day.

Kenny & Ziggy’s, 1743 Post Oak: This beloved, New York-style deli is open on Christmas Eve until 8 p.m., serving a classic menu of sky-scraping sandwiches, deli staples and Eastern European entrées. The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day.

Kin Dee, 1533 North Shepherd: This Heights Thai eatery is offering a special holiday menu on Christmas Eve. Highlights include appetizers such as Thai flower dumplings and money bags with deep-fried minced chicken and shrimp. Mains include roasted duck breast panang ($25) served with white rice, pad Thai featuring stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp or chicken and tamarind sauce wrapped in a Thai omelette, and a new dish created by chef Miranda Loetkhamfu, tiger cry salad (yum nue, $25) featuring sliced steak with shallots, green onion and roasted rice. Desserts include mango sticky rice and layered pandan cake with young coconut. Kin Dee is open from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.

Local Table, multiple locations: All locations of this modern eatery are open for brunch on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by for brunch staples, vegan selections, full bar and patio seating.

Ouisie’s Table, 3939 San Felipe: This River Oaks Southern kitchen is serving an à la carte feast this Christmas Eve from 5. to 10 p.m. The holiday menu features some guest favorites, as well as a number of holiday specials and a dessert cart. Starter choices include lobster bisque and crispy crab cakes. Mains include Herb Bone-In Ribeye, blackened scallops. and Horseradish-Crusted Scottish Salmon. Diners can round out their meal with desserts such as lemon meringue pie, British Christmas pudding and Almond Raspberry Swiss Roll. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling (713) 528-2264. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day.

Prego, 2520 Amherst: This cozy Rice Village trattoria will open from noon to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve for those craving the comfort of a neighborhood Italian lunch or dinner. The regular menu will be served, as well as holiday specials, including osso bucco with local mushroom risotto, Parmesan-crusted Gulf Red Snapper with jumbo lump crabmeat and veal chop Milanese. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling (713) 529-2420.

PUCCI Cafe, 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard: Stop into this Katy dog boutique and luxury café this Christmas Eve for those last-minute puppy gifts, and stay for a glass of wine or coffee while you’re there. PUCCI is open on Saturday, December 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella: Houston’s original lodge-style restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve for dinner service, serving the regular à la carte menu of wild game, seafood and fine meats. Reservations are available from 5 to 9 p.m. and can be made by calling (713) 861-8666.

Slowpokes, multiple locations: Whether you’re on your way to a family gathering, spending the day alone or need energy for hosting your loved ones this Christmas Eve, Slowpokes has your caffeine, local craft brew, and casual bistro needs covered. All locations of this Houston favorite will be open on Saturday, December 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 6401 Woodway and 1140 Eldridge: Both locations of Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen will be open on Christmas Eve. Woodway will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Eldridge will open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both locations are serving the regular lunch and dinner menus of Tex-Mex favorites, including traditional tamales and enchiladas, plus a full bar and available patio seating. Reservations are recommended. Call the Woodway location at (713) 334-7295 or the Eldridge location at (832) 230-3842.

Traveler’s Table, 520 Westheimer: Try a globally-inspired, non-traditional Christmas Eve dinner this year at Traveler’s Table. This Montrose restaurant is open from 5 to 11 p.m. and serving its regular dinner menu, along with specials, including Sweetbreads and Dirty Rice, Pistachio-Crusted Lamb Chops, Caribbean-Spiced Rum Cake, Fig and Walnut Old-Fashioned, European-Spiced Winter Wine and Spiked Holiday Eggnog. Go online for reservations.

Wild Oats, 2520 Airline: Stop by Underbelly Hospitality’s newest concept for a viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol this Christmas Eve. There will be two seatings starting at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., plus a holiday-themed menu just for the event with items like Al-Gonzo’s Texas Meat and Cheese Board, Kermit’s Hoppin’ John with crowder peas and Miss Figgy Bread Pudding. Seating is limited, so call (713) 393-7205 to reserve your spot.

Xochi, 1777 Walker: Join Xochi on Christmas Eve for an à la carte lunch or dinner buffet. Chef Hugo Ortega’s beloved Central Mexican eatery will be open for Christmas Eve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (à la carte menu), and for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. serving a Christmas Eve Buffet for $55 per adult and $15 per child, plus beverages, tax and gratuity. There will be live music from Media Luna, a full bar and patio seating. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (713) 400-3330.

Christmas Day Dining

Hamsa, 5555 Morningside: Hamsa will be open on Christmas Day as well as Christmas Eve. For those not observing the holiday, or those simply looking for a unique place to gather with family, Hamsa is a perfect option for a Christmas Day outing. Choose from an inspired menu of Israeli dishes, including a variety of salatim (small plates) to dip your freshly cooked pita and skewers. The majority of the menu is vegetarian-friendly. Reservations can be made on Resy, or by calling (281) 612-3515.

Kin Dee, 1533 North Shepherd: Kin Dee will be open on Christmas Day as well as Christmas Eve. Stop in on Christmas Day to enjoy the regular menu of Thai staples from chef Miranda Loetkhamfu. The restaurant will open at 11 a.m. on Christmas.

The Warwick, 5888 Westheimer: This upscale Galleria-area restaurant will be open on Christmas Day serving its newly launched brunch service. Choose from offerings like the Board Room Brunch Platter, featuring butter pecan waffles, candied bacon, sausage, four eggs cooked your way, croissants and more for $100 or the Martini Tree featuring six or 12 of a variety of martinis. Christmas Day brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Carlos Brandon