Christmas dinners and takeout: Here are Seacoast restaurants offering holiday meals
Looking for options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner on the Seacoast?
If you don’t want to cook that holiday dinner, here's a list of dine-in and takeout options for Christmas, which I will update as we stroll toward Dec. 25. If you have anything to add to this list, do email me at RachelForrest1@gmail.com.
And restaurateurs, if I didn’t see any info for this year on your website or social media, I left it out until I can get info so do send it along. I will add you to the list, which includes Seacoast New Hampshire and southern York County, Maine, restaurants. Have a happy holiday!
SEACOAST NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Roundabout Diner, Portsmouth
Pickup meals on Dec. 24 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Appetizers include shrimp cocktail and bacon-wrapped scallops and entrees include prime rib and bacon wrapped pork loin with black forest cake for dessert. Order a la carte or family dinners that serve 5 to 6 ($160 for prime rib or $98 for pork). Do keep them in mind for pies, too. Roundaboutdiner.com
Tuscan Market, Portsmouth
Holiday options for takeout include a whole roasted turkey dinner, which feeds 6 to 8 people and includes sides and wine. Other options are standing rib roast and a Leoncini ham dinner. You can also get everything a la carte and there’s a large list of sides to choose from. tuscanbrands.com
The Library Restaurant, Portsmouth
The Library is open on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day and open on New Year's Eve. They will serve their entire regular menu with all those great steaks, seafood and sides and offer takeout as well as dine in. They have a special reserved parking spot right in front of the building for takeout customers. libraryrestaurant.com
The Carriage House, Rye
Dine in by the beach during their early Christmas Eve dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Closed on Christmas Day. The regular menu includes pork schnitzel with spaetzle and brick chicken. carriagehouserye.com
Gravy, Somersworth
Chef Mark Segal has a Christmas package available for pickup on Christmas Eve day. Order by 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20. The family meal feeds 6 to 8 people, costs $149 plus tax and includes smoked country ham, Welsh beer and cheddar gravy, bourbon raisin sauce, D’s buttermilk biscuits, creamy smashed red potatoes, gooey mac ‘n’ cheese, creamed kale, green bean casserole, ginger glazed carrots and chocolate banana marshmallow bread pudding. Find out more at gravynh.com or facebook.com/gravynh
SALT Kitchen + Bar, New Castle
Christmas Day buffet in the Wentworth Ballroom is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s $74.95 per person, plus tax and tip and $26.95 for kids under 12. Christmas Day Dinner at SALT Kitchen + Bar is from 1 to 9 p.m. Three courses with a choice in each course is $64.95 per person plus tax and tip and $26.95 for kids under 12. saltkitchenandbar.com/christmas
How to make the best latkes: Food writer Rachel Forrest's favorite recipes
Ciao Trattoria and Wine Bar, Durham
Order Christmas Eve family meals by Dec. 17. Closed for indoor dining on Christmas Eve and Day. The family meal feeds up to four and costs $100. Apps include frisee salad and braised lentils with smoked potatoes and mushroom jus to which you can add pork belly for $10 and you choose one entree (chicken parm, roasted delicata squash or slow roasted prime rib for $20 more). Sides include whipped potatoes, roasted cauliflower and house rosemary focaccia, then dessert of chestnut tart or housemade panettone with rum poached fruit ($10 extra). Go to ciaodurham.com to order.
Revolution Taproom & Grill, Rochester
Open Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a big German pretzel, truffle fries, juicy burgers and creative flatbreads. And the beer, wine and cocktails to pair with it all. revolutiontaproomandgrill.com.
Jumpin' Jay's Fish Cafe, Portsmouth
Open Christmas Eve from 5 to 8 p.m. Start with oysters and shrimp cocktail, go on to haddock piccata or the catch of the day. Try the holiday sangria with Chianti, winter spices, brandy, fruit juice and bourbon. jumpinjays.com/
Clark's American Bistro, Durham
Open 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. It’s Family Friday so kids under 10 eat free Santa may stop by for a visit around 2 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. clarksamericanbistro.com
IKKO Japanese Sushi & Steakhouse, Dover and Portsmouth
Open Christmas Eve until 9:30 p.m. and Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. They have special holiday rolls. More info at ikkodover.com or ikkoportsmouth.com
The Beach Plum, Portsmouth, Epping and Salem
The Beach Plum, with year-round locations in Portsmouth and Epping, is serving delicious lobster rolls, chowders, fried seafood, wraps, salads, burgers, 78 flavors of ice cream and much more. They have free delivery within 5 miles of each location and offer catering. They are open until 6 p.m. on Dec. 24, closed on Dec. 25 and open at 11 a.m. on Dec. 26. Grab their gift cards which include a 25% bonus gift card free. Buy $40 and get $10 free or buy $100 and get $25 free. lobsterrolls.com
Pink Bamboo Hot Pot Cafe, Portsmouth
Open on Christmas Eve and Day for takeout and delivery. pinkbamboocafe.com
Jade Palace, Stratham
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for dining in and takeout facebook.com/jadepalace.stratham
Ways to help in your community: Food, toys and donations needed
Epoch Gastropub at the Exeter Inn, Exeter
Enjoy dinner on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 3 to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve menu is $55 and includes three courses. Visit epochrestaurant.com.
The Galley Hatch, Hampton
The in-house menu for Christmas Eve includes apps like scallop wrapped in bacon with a maple syrup drizzle and stuffed mushrooms, entrees like prime rib, baked stuffed shrimp and chicken cordon bleu. Their new website is live for brunch and bakery orders including Christmas cookies and cakes. Closed Christmas Day. Visit galleyhatch.com/ and https://www.galleyhatchmarket.com/
Sister spot Popovers on the Square's online ordering is up and running for tasty baked treats. Order by Dec. 17 for pick up by Dec. 24.
Clipper Tavern, Portsmouth
Open 365 days a year so you can dine in or take out. Reservations are required for dining and the bar is open until closing time where walk-ins are welcome with COVID-19 regulations being followed. Table service is limited to a 90-minute timeframe. Visit clippertavernportsmouth.com.
The Wilder, Portsmouth
Open on Christmas Eve from 3:30 p.m.to 1 a.m. so stop in for dinner and drinks or for an espresso martini after your meal at home. Closed Christmas Day but open on New Year's Eve with a bash that includes a special tapas menu along with the regular menu and a midnight toast. wilderportsmouth.com
Ron’s Landing, Hampton Beach
Open for dinner Christmas Eve. Menu items include French onion soup, baked stuffed haddock and filet mignon with crab cake. ronslanding.com
Moxy, STREET, Luigi's, The Franklin, Portsmouth
All of the chef Matt Louis-owned or co-owned restaurants are open on Christmas Eve, but not Christmas Day. More info at moxyrestaurant.com, franklinrestaurant.com, streetfood360.com, luigisportsmouth.com
CR’s the Restaurant, Hampton
CR’s is now accepting holiday reservations for dining in on Christmas Eve from 4 to 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve dinner is from 5 to 9:30 p.m. crstherestaurant.com
'Now I have a chance': Thai street food coming to new Kittery eatery, with a mom's touch
Victoria's Kitchen, Hampton
Find full holiday dinners to go for 3 to 4 people or 6 to 8 people at various price points. Choices include turkey dinner, roasted spiral ham or herb-rubbed beef tenderloin. They have oodles of side and appetizer options as well as sweet treats. thevictoriainn.com/victorias-kitchen-cafe-catering-meals-to-go/
Bob’s Broiled Chicken, Portsmouth
Bob’s is open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a nice afternoon dinner. Order Christmas pies for the NH Food Bank, too. bobschicken.com
Bridge Street Bistrot, Portsmouth
Offering an exciting takeout catering menu with hot and cold hors d’ouevres and appetizer platters. Also available are entrees like cassoulet and coq au vin and sides like Stephan’s potato pancakes. bridgestreetbistrot.com
Sofia on Lafayette, Hampton
The holiday catering menu includes pans that feed 6 to 8 people. Order by Dec. 20 for pick up by Dec. 24. Orders will be heat up only, not already hot on that day. Choices include Lasagna, stuffed shells, chicken Marsala and so many more Italian specialties. See the full menu here. Sofia on Lafayette is located at 822 Lafayette Road, 926-7426. Visit sofiaonlafayette.com.
SOUTHERN YORK COUNTY, MAINE:
Ore Nell’s Barbeque, Kittery, Maine
This year’s Christmas package is $159.99 plus tax and feeds 4 to 6. Order by Dec.16 and pick up on Dec. 23 for heat at home or on Dec.24 hot for enjoying on Christmas Eve. Dishes include oak smoked turkey, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, maple Brussels sprouts, potato leek soup and so much more. orenellsbbq.com/christmas-package-2021
Clay Hill Farm, Ogunquit, Maine
Open Christmas Day from 1 to 5 p.m. with private igloos available to rent. The special prix fixe menu includes a choice of starters like five onion soup or baked brie en croute, entrees like roast half duckling or rack of lamb and dessert. Also open New Year’s Eve for dinner from 4 p.m. and a live band from 7 p.m. clayhillfarm.com
Shearwater at the Stage Neck Inn, York Harbor, Maine
Enjoy a prix fixe Christmas dinner from 1 to 4 p.m. at $109.95 per person plus tax and 20% service charge. Choose from items in four courses like seafood chowder, lobster cake, roasted partridge or sliced tenderloin and stuffed lobster tail and delicious desserts. In-house guests get a complimentary soup and sandwich bar from 7 to 9 p.m. Visit stageneckinn.com.
Holiday happenings in the Hampton area: Lobster trap tree lighting, Christmas parade and more
The Tiller at Cliff House Maine, Cape Neddick, Maine
Christmas Eve they will offer a traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes menu and on Christmas Day they are serving brunch and dinner holiday specials in addition to the winter menu. Brunch specials include duck Benedict and dinner specials include deviled eggs with pork belly and 45 day aged prime rib and fig bread pudding. cliffhousemaine.com/dining/tiller-restaurant
The Catered Event, South Berwick, Maine
Holiday take-home meals for Christmas feed 4 to 6 people for $125. It includes a choice of pork or beef Wellington pie, salad, sides and dessert. Order by Dec. 19. cateredevent.yolasite.com.
The White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection, Kennebunk, Maine
This iconic and newly renovated White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection property in Kennebunk is serving Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feasts at Little Barn and White Barn Inn Restaurant. Christmas Eve is a four-course menu for $135 per person, expertly prepared by chef Matthew Padilla. On Christmas Day, chef Matt will serve a decadent, three-course Christmas meal from noon to 8 p.m. in White Barn Inn Restaurant and Little Barn for $125 per person. aubergeresorts.com/whitebarninn/dine/
INGREDIENTS, TREATS PIES AND WINE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE:
South Street and Vine, Portsmouth
This neighborhood wine shop offers recommendations for which wines to pair with whatever is on your holiday table so stop in for their great list and pick up some bottles. Find cheeses and charcuterie, too. Visit southstreetandvine.com.
Three River Farmers Alliance
Enjoy an entirely local holiday by ordering boxes from this collaborative farm. They have a Veggie Box along with all of the other produce and meats they carry regularly. Delivery or you can pick up. threeriverfa.com
Beach Pea Baking Co., Kittery, Maine
The holiday menu includes salted caramel cheesecake, vegan peppermint cheesecake, winter chocolate tart and more. Call (207) 439-3555 or email beachpeabaking@gmail.com to place an order. beachpeabaking.com
Ceres Street Bakery, Portsmouth
Holiday specials include fruit cake, stöllen, Christmas bread and all manner of tarts and pies.ceresbakery.com/sweets/holiday-specials.
Harvey’s Bakery, Dover
Order by Dec. 18 for gingerbread cookies, stöllen, cookie trays and shortbread. Also dinner and sandwich rolls and take and bake casseroles with choices like Shepherd’s pie and Pam’s turkey casserole. harveysbakery.com
Duston’s Bakery and Deli, Dover
Order platters for breakfast, brunch or dinner, including Canadian pork pies and full meals. Learn more at dustonsmarket.com/deli-bakery-general-order-form.
Rachel Forrest is a former restaurant owner, reviewer and Seacoast resident, who now lives in Belize.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast NH and Maine restaurants: Places serving Christmas dinner
