Don't feel like cooking anything for Christmas this year? A number of Tampa Bay restaurants are keeping their doors open to spread holiday cheer to local diners — and serve up some dishes that just might start a new tradition for you and yours. Check out our working roundup.
All meals take place on Dec. 25 unless otherwise noted.
Bizou Brasserie Favorites, plus the Christmas Dinner Special to keep things interesting. A la carte selections are available during breakfast and brunch, as well as dinner service, when that featured dish — roasted pineapple/St. Augustine rum-glazed spiral ham with scallop potatoes and grilled asparagus — takes center stage. It's all offered on Christmas Eve and Day. Call for reservations. Christmas Dinner Special: $24. Dec. 24 & 25, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. 601 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-221-9555, bizoutampa.com.
Blue Harbour Now open at the Westin Tampa Waterside, the new hotel restaurant whips up its regular sea-inspired menu for lunch and dinner. The Gobbler — a fit-for-the-season sandwich with roasted turkey, Swiss, smoked bacon, alfalfa sprouts and cranberry aioli that's served on five-grain bread — is among executive chef Tony Van Hang's highlights. $9-$35. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 725 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, 813-240-5000, westintampawaterside.com.
Caretta on the Gulf Those seeking a Florida-style holiday should drop by this Sandpearl Resort favorite. Caretta is prepared to present a decadent brunch that includes omelet and waffle stations, sushi rolls, Cornish game hen, oysters and halibut. As for dinner, those items begin at 3:30 p.m. Camp Ridley provides fun-filled activities for the little ones, too. $64 for adults, $19 for kids under 12. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, 727-674-4171, sandpearl.com.
Columbia Restaurant Get in on this Tampa institution at the Ybor City or Clearwater Beach locations. Dishes made specially for the Christmas season — including lechon asado (slow-roasted pork marinated with sour orange juice, garlic, oregano and bay leaves) — are served alongside the Spanish restaurant's full spread of dinner eats. $22.95. 11 a.m. 2117 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-248-4961, columbiarestaurant.com.
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood Try your luck at the casino, then chow down on the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's a la carte deals — baked Brie en croute, grilled plums and greens, cabernet-braised lamb shank, and "candy cane" cheesecake (a mashup of red velvet and spearmint), to name a few. 4-9 p.m. 5223 Orient Road, Tampa, 813-627-7625, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
Élevage The Epicurean Hotel's on-site restaurant has a three-course menu in store for both Christmas Eve and Day. Some of the options are pâté grand-père, chestnut bisque, shrimp saltimbocca, filet mignon with black truffle potato purée, and salmon with cream cheese potato croquette. End the meal with a sweet finish like warm spice cake or vanilla bean flan. $52-$63. Dec. 24 & 25.1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-999-8726, elevagerestaurant.com.
Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe Indulge in the beloved soul food lineup at Ella's the day before Christmas. Classic foods such as fried chicken and waffles accompany the Kansas City-style barbecue (there's a Best of the Bay-winning vegan sandwich) and specialty cocktails. Soul Food Sundays are a big thing for this Seminole Heights hangout, so get here early for a seat. $6.50 & up. Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-234-1000, ellasfolkartcafe.com.
FarmTable Cucina Head over to the Sundial plaza for FarmTable Cucina's a la carte menu inside Locale Market. Or buy a ticket to the second-level restaurant's Feast of Seven Fishes, an Italian tradition (also hosted in the dining room) that features seven seafood-inspired dishes with dessert. Feast of Seven Fishes: Dec. 24, 4 p.m. $125, $180 with optional wine pairing. A la carte menu: Dec. 24, 5-11 p.m. 179 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-523-6297, farmtablecucina.com.
Hard Rock Cafe On Christmas Eve or Day, order the crispy roasted pork pernil from another Seminole Hard Rock hangout, but don't forget dessert. There's pumpkin cheesecake with cranberry sauce available, along with a liquid treat — the Mocha Bailey drink, which consists of Tia Maria, Baileys, dark crème de cacao, spiced brown sugar monin and whipped cream. Dec. 24 & 25. 5223 Orient Road, Tampa, 813-627-7625, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
Iberian Rooster The full brunch menu, but with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys. Reservations can be made in advance for this celebratory meal. Dec. 24, 11 a.m. 475 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-258-8753, iberianrooster.com.
Jackson's Bistro Bar & Sushi Enjoy Christmas dinner — with a view. This waterfront dining spot has two specials in the spotlight: roasted prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, asparagus and caramelized cipollini onion jus, plus Southern ham with braised collard greens, homestyle mac and mustard cola. $28-$38. 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, 813-277-0112, jacksonsbistro.com.
Maritana Grille A four-course, prix-fixe smorgasbord from the Don CeSar property's fine-dining eatery. One anticipated dish is seared Chilean sea bass with roasted sweet potato galette, crab croquette, haricot verts and butternut squash purée. Valet parking is included. $85, $110 with optional wine pairing. 3-10 p.m. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-1882, doncesar.com.
Pelagia Trattoria This seasonal menu allows guests to choose from several appetizers, entrees and desserts to customize their own three-course meal. Think roasted chestnut soup, braised lamb braciole, butternut squash risotto with seared scallops and shrimp, and eggnog gelato. For reservations, give the restaurant a call, or visit OpenTable. $49 for adults, $18 for kids 10 & under. Noon-9 p.m. 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, 813-313-3235, pelagiatrattoria.com.
Rise Kitchen & Bakery Served at this Seminole Hard Rock joint, all-day Christmas offers include a turkey dinner with cornbread stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, Brussels sprout gratin, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy, alongside a cedar planked salmon, northwest berry reduction, roasted potatoes and veggie medley. $16. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 5223 Orient Road, Tampa, 813-627-7625, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
Rusty Pelican A raw bar with oysters, crab legs and shrimp is planned during the Champagne buffet, as well as a carving station with roasted turkey, holiday ham and prime rib, down-home sides, and dessert. The on-site photo booth captures all the memories, and kiddos can even partake in craft baskets. $65 for adults, $25 for kids, free for kids 4 & under. 9 a.m.-noon. 2425 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, 813-281-1943, therustypelicantampa.com.
Sea-Guini Christmas-inspired items accompany the sophisticated Opal Sands Resort restaurant's regular lunch and dinner bill. Honey-glazed ham and bananas Foster French toast are on hand during brunch, while baked Brie, tenderloin roulade and chicken mousse-stuffed quail round out dinner. To snag a seat, call the concierge (at 727-450-6205) by noon Dec. 20. Brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m; dinner: 5-10 p.m. 430 S. Gulfview Blvd #100, Clearwater Beach, 727-450-6236, seaguini.com.
Sea Porch Cafe Inside the Don CeSar, the relaxed restaurant showcases an all-you-can-eat feast, brimming with selections like a raw bar, prime rib and ham, tuna tartare, melted-to-order raclette cheese, and a sundae bar. Of-age eaters are also treated to unlimited bubbly. Make reservations online, or call Sea Porch directly. $65 for adults, $26 for kids. 2-9:30 p.m. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-360-1884, doncesar.com.
Waterside Grill Taste buds are sure to be in the holiday spirit after this buffet at the downtown Tampa Marriott Waterside hotel. Expect a lineup of salads, pan-seared snapper, orange bourbon glazed ham, and a dessert station with sweets such as white chocolate cranberry cheesecake. Call to reserve a table, or do so through OpenTable. $40. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 700 S. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-221-4900, marriott.com.
This article appears in Dec 14-21, 2017.