Wilmington-area restaurants open for Christmas and Christmas Eve

There’s no one right way to celebrate the holidays, for people or for restaurants. Some businesses are closed for Christmas to give their staff some time off, others want to be open to serve those who are looking for a good meal. Here’s a look at some of those eateries that will be open on Dec. 24 and 25 in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.

If you’re looking for order-ahead options, you might want to check out our list of places that offered pick-up over Thanksgiving. We will also be updating this list. Let us know if there's a restaurant we should add by emailing aballard@gannett.com.

Open Christmas Eve

Amelia's Grill: In Ocean Isle Beach, this restaurant is preparing a Christmas Eve Brunch and will be open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1564 Market Place Blvd. Details: www.ameliasoib.com.

Aromas of Peru: Get your Peruvian chicken and more until 5 p.m. Dec. 24 at 417 College Road in Wilmington. Details: 910-769-1939.

Bluewater Waterfront Grill: Have a holiday eve on the water at 4 Marina St., Wrightsville Beach. They’re open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. with their full dinner menu and special, chef-curated features. Details: www.bluewaterdining.com.

Burgaw Brewing: In what they are anticipating will be an annual tradition, the owners of this Pender County brewpub are hosting a brunch with a special menu 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 24. It’s at 103 S Wright St., Burgaw. Details: www.burgawbrewing.com.

Caprice Bistro: Holiday regulars always make this restaurant a part of their Christmas Eve tradition. Reservations recommended for the eatery at 10 Market St. Details: capricebistro.com.

Casey's Buffet: Named one of the most popular buffets in America, this one will be open on Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's at 5559 Oleander Dr. in Wilmington. Details: www.caseysbuffet.com.

Ciana Ristorante Italiano: This restaurant at 4724 New Centre Drive in Wilmington is hosting a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Dec. 24. Reservations are required and it will be available for seatings between 4 and 7 p.m. Details: 910-399-5620 or https://cianarestaurant.com.

D's Italian Restaurant: In Brunswick County, this restaurant will be open Christmas Eve at 2831 Midway Road S.E. in Bolivia. Details: www.dsitalianrestaurant.com.

Double Happiness: The 4403 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington location will be open for regular dine in and take out service and it is take-out only at 7122 Market St. in Ogden. Details: chinesedoublehappiness.com..

Girls with Dough: This restaurant at 204 Arcadian Row in Wilmington’s Riverlights community will be open on Dec. 24. Details: girlswithdough.com.

Fizzy Jane’s: In Southport, there’s a special Christmas Eve Brunch planned 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at this spot at 614 W. West St. Details: 910-363-5060.

Fork N Cork: At 122 Market St. in downtown Wilmington, this restaurant is accepting tables until 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Details: www.theforkncork.com.

Henry's: This Wilmington favorite at 2508 Independence Blvd. is open Dec. 24 with a special menu that includes prime rib and rotisserie chicken. Details: www.henrysrestaurant.com.

JohnnyLukes KitchenBar: This popular restaurant will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve at 500 Market St. in Wilmington. Details: www.johnnylukeskb.com.

Kornerstone Bistro: In the Porters Neck area, this restaurant will be open and serving at 8262 Market St. in Wilmington. Details: www.kornerstonebistro.com.

Little Dipper Fondue: You can get in some holiday dipping 4-9 p.m. Dec. 24 at 138 S Front St, Wilmington. Details: www.littledipperfondue.com.

Michael's Seafood: At 1206 N. Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach, this restaurant started their "12 Days of Giving" with a variety of specials on Dec. 12. It ends with a menu of chef's specials for brunch and dinner on Dec. 24. They're open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Details: https://mikescfood.com.

Nineteen Restaurant: In Hampstead at the Olde Pointe Golf Course has a restaurant that's open to the public and often hosts special events for holidays. On Dec. 24, they're open at 513 Country Club Drive for Christmas Eve Brunch 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Details: www.oldepointgolf.com/restaurant.

Oceanic: With an ocean view at 703 S. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach, this restaurant is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. with their full dinner menu and special, chef-curated features. Details: www.oceanicrestaurant.com.

Platypus & Gnome: Although in a new location at 7205 Wrightsville Ave. near Wrightsville Beach, this restaurant is still planning its sixth annual Christmas Eve Extravaganza & Hoopla. Look for special dishes and treats, drinks, holiday cheer and a singalong. Reservations are limited. Details: https://platypusandgnome.com.

Ports of Call Bistro: This restaurant is hosting another of its popular prix-fixe dinners. There are seatings from noon to 6 p.m. for the four-course Christmas Eve Meal, which includes a choice of two appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts. It's at 116 N Howe St, Southport. Details: https://portsofcallbistro.com.

Rooster & The Crow: This spot will be open for brunch on Dec. 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 225 S. Water St. in downtown Wilmington. Details: www.roosterandthecrow.com.

Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill: This spot on the water at 4907 Fish Factory Road in Southport will be open 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Christmas Eve. Details: www.rustyhooksdockside.com.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: In downtown Wilmington, this restaurant is open Christmas Eve and is also offering take-home packages. It’s at 301 N. Water St. Details: ruthschris-wilmington.com.

Seabird: In downtown Wilmington, this restaurant will be serving both a pre-fixe and an a la carte menu of their annual Feast of the Seven Fishes on Dec. 24. Details: www.seabirdnc.com.

Steam Restaurant & Bar: at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Wilmington, this eatery is offering a Christmas Eve dinner experience with seatings from 1 to 8 p.m. Details: https://steamrestaurantilm.com.

Szechuan 132: This Chinese restaurant is celebrating 35 years in Wilmington. They'll be open on Dec. 24 at 419 College Road. Details: www.szechuan-132.com.

Wing & Fish Company: The last seating is at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 24 at this restaurant at 4764 Main St. in Shallotte. Details: www.wingandfishco.com.

YoSake: This downtown sushi lounge on the second floor at 33 S Front St. in Wilmington will be open Dec. 24. Details: www.yosake.com.

Open Christmas Day

Fun Bowl: Both locations of this Asian ramen and poke restaurant are open on Christmas Day at 24 N Front St. in downtown Wilmington and 1705 Eastwood Road in the Landfall area. Details: funbowlpoke.com.

The Harp: This restaurant at 1423 S. Third St. has a long history of hosting a gathering on Dec. 25, usually a holiday buffet. It'll be open this year, too. Details: harpwilmington.com.

The Husk: In downtown Wilmington, you can find this neighborhood bar and pub open every day, including Christmas. It's at 31 S. Front St. Details: www.huskdowntown.com.

Indochine: This popular restaurant is open for dine in at 7 Wayne Drive 5-9 p.m. on Christmas Day. The Express location at 3608 Oleander Drive is also open that day for takeout. Café Chinois and the other Express locations in Leland, Monkey Junction and Southport are open on Christmas Eve, but closed Dec. 25. Details: www.indochinewilmington.com.

Joe's Oasis: This restaurant and bar at 6400 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington is open regular hours on Dec. 24 with a late-night menu available after 10 p.m. They also open on Christmas Day at 4 p.m. Details: www.joesoasis.com.

Nikki’s: The locations of this Asian eatery in Wilmington and Carolina Beach are all scheduled to be open on Christmas Day. Details: https://nikkisgourmetandsushibar.com, https://nikkiscarolinabeach.com, https://nikkiscarolinabeach.com.

Nori Asian Fusion & Sushi Bar: At the Pointe at Barclay, this Asian restaurant will be open at 1412 Barclay Pointe Blvd. in Wilmington. Reservations are recommended, although walk ins are also accepted. Details: norisushinc.com.

Solstice Kitchen and Cocktails: Inside the Lumina on Wrightsville Beach Holiday Inn resort, this restaurant is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Dec. 24, hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m., with the bar closing at 10 p.m. On Dec. 25, the restaurant is open for breakfast 7-11 a.m. and the bar is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. with take-out orders available. It's at 1706 N. Lumina Ave., Wrightsville Beach. Details: www.solsticewrightsvillebeach.com.

Southport Gourmet and Sushi Bar: In Southport, check out this spot for a holiday meal on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at 1643 N. Howe St. Details: https://southportgourmetandsushibar.com.

Uncle Lim’s Kitchen: This popular Asian restaurant at 3905 Independence Blvd. in Wilmington will be open both Dec. 24 and 25. Details: www.facebook.com/UncleLimsKitchens.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington NC restaurants open for Christmas and Christmas Eve