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Photo: Pracna on Main, St. Anthony Main Website

Where to Eat on Christmas Eve & Day in Minneapolis

by Claire Stanford
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by Claire Stanford
Photo: Pracna on Main, St. Anthony Main Website

Ready or not, Christmas is two weeks away (assuming that whole Mayan prophecy thing doesn't pan out). Perhaps you have grand plans to cook a Christmas goose, but if not, there are plenty of local restaurants that will be open and ready to serve you on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, whether you desire the more traditional route of prime rib and popovers, the super-traditional route of traditional English pudding and mincemeat pies, or something a little different—Indian, Chinese, or BBQ. Here, we've mapped a bakers' dozen options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining.


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Merlin's Rest

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3601 E Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 216-2419
(612) 216-2419
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Popular Longfellow neighborhood pub Merlin's Rest will be open from 4 pm to 2 am on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving the regular menu (and mulled wine!). And on the 25th, there will also be live music, traditional English pudding, and mincemeat pies.

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2. Gandhi Mahal

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3009 27th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 729-5222
(612) 729-5222
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This Longfellow standby is open every day of the year, including regular hours on the 24th and the 25th (11:30 am to 3 pm for lunch and 5 pm to 10 pm for dinner). They'll be serving the regular menu with some specials. Reservations are recommended for large parties (6 or more).

3. Szechuan Spice

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3016 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 353-4281
(612) 353-4281
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No Christmas dining guide would be complete without a Chinese restaurant, but Szechuan Spice would earn its place regardless for its Beef Big Bowl alone. It's open 11 am to 10 pm both days for delivery, take-out, and dine-in.

4. Rudolphs Bar-B-Que

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1933 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 871-8969
(612) 871-8969
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This Uptown BBQ staple has one of its busiest nights of the year on Christmas Eve, when it's serving up its trademark ribs and sides until 9 pm. The bar is open until 10 pm, for those of you who need a little break from the fam. Reservations recommended for Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.

5. The Normandy Kitchen

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405 S 8th St
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 455-1204
(612) 455-1204
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Get your supper-club classics at Normandy Kitchen, which will be serving up its regular menu (think: veal meatloaf, deviled eggs, shrimp toasts) from 7 am to 11 pm on the 24th and 5 pm to 11 pm on the 25th.

6. Manny's Steakhouse

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825 Marquette Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-9900
(612) 339-9900
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If all you want for Christmas is a nice rib-eye steak, then Manny's is the place for you. The downtown steakhouse is open until 9 pm on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving its normal menu. Reservations recommended.

7. Basil's

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710 Marquette Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 376-7404
(612) 376-7404
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Want someone else to make you breakfast after opening presents? Basil's is open from 7:30 am to 1 pm on Christmas Day, serving up a family style brunch that includes dishes like caramel pecan rolls and deep-dish onion bacon quiche. Basil's will also be open Christmas Eve Day until 2 pm. Reservations recommended for Christmas Day Brunch.

8. D'Amico Kitchen

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901 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
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D'Amico Kitchen will be open both the 24th and 25th for breakfast (6:30-11 am), lunch (11 am - 2 pm), and dinner (starts at 5 pm, last reservation at 7:15 pm). It will be serving the regular menu with some specials. Reservations recommended.

9. FireLake Restaurant

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31 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 216-3473
(612) 216-3473
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The classic downtown holiday destination will be open on both Christmas Eve (4-8 pm) and Christmas Day (6-11 am for breakfast and 11 am - 8 pm for lunch and dinner). They'll be serving the entire regular menu plus prime rib and popovers. Reservations recommended.

10. Cosmos Restaurant

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601 1st Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 312-1168
(612) 312-1168
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Cosmos will be open regular hours (6:30 am - 10 pm) with the regular menu on Christmas Eve. On the 25th, it's open 11 am to 8 pm with a special three-course menu ($45/person) featuring dishes like sweet potato soup with pink peppercorn crème fraiche and seared yellowfin tuna. Reservations recommended.

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11. Copper Pot Indian Grill

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10 S. 5th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 331-6677
(612) 331-6677
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Copper Pot Indian Grill will be open regular hours both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and dinner from 5 pm to 10 pm). Christmas Day will bring a special Indian menu, as well as the regular menu. Reservations recommended.

12. Nicollet Island Inn

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95 Merriam St
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 331-1800
(612) 331-1800
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Nicollet Island Inn will be open on Christmas Eve for dinner with its regular menu (5:30-9 pm). On Christmas Day, it will serve a special three-course menu ($70/person) with choices including lobster bisque and seafood mixed grill (10:30 am - 8 pm). Reservations recommended.

13. Pracna On Main

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117 Main St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-3200
(612) 379-3200
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Get a little classic Minneapolis on your holiday at the oldest restaurant on the oldest street in the city. Pracna on Main will be serving its regular menu from noon to 4 pm on the 24th and noon to midnight on the 25th. Reservations recommended.

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1. Merlin's Rest

3601 E Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Popular Longfellow neighborhood pub Merlin's Rest will be open from 4 pm to 2 am on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving the regular menu (and mulled wine!). And on the 25th, there will also be live music, traditional English pudding, and mincemeat pies.
3601 E Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 216-2419
Visit Website

2. Gandhi Mahal

3009 27th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406
This Longfellow standby is open every day of the year, including regular hours on the 24th and the 25th (11:30 am to 3 pm for lunch and 5 pm to 10 pm for dinner). They'll be serving the regular menu with some specials. Reservations are recommended for large parties (6 or more).
3009 27th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 729-5222
Visit Website

3. Szechuan Spice

3016 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408
No Christmas dining guide would be complete without a Chinese restaurant, but Szechuan Spice would earn its place regardless for its Beef Big Bowl alone. It's open 11 am to 10 pm both days for delivery, take-out, and dine-in.
3016 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 353-4281
Visit Website

4. Rudolphs Bar-B-Que

1933 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55403
This Uptown BBQ staple has one of its busiest nights of the year on Christmas Eve, when it's serving up its trademark ribs and sides until 9 pm. The bar is open until 10 pm, for those of you who need a little break from the fam. Reservations recommended for Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day.
1933 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 871-8969
Visit Website

5. The Normandy Kitchen

405 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Get your supper-club classics at Normandy Kitchen, which will be serving up its regular menu (think: veal meatloaf, deviled eggs, shrimp toasts) from 7 am to 11 pm on the 24th and 5 pm to 11 pm on the 25th.
405 S 8th St
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 455-1204
Visit Website

6. Manny's Steakhouse

825 Marquette Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55402
If all you want for Christmas is a nice rib-eye steak, then Manny's is the place for you. The downtown steakhouse is open until 9 pm on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving its normal menu. Reservations recommended.
825 Marquette Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-9900
Visit Website

7. Basil's

710 Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Want someone else to make you breakfast after opening presents? Basil's is open from 7:30 am to 1 pm on Christmas Day, serving up a family style brunch that includes dishes like caramel pecan rolls and deep-dish onion bacon quiche. Basil's will also be open Christmas Eve Day until 2 pm. Reservations recommended for Christmas Day Brunch.
710 Marquette Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 376-7404
Visit Website

8. D'Amico Kitchen

901 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
D'Amico Kitchen will be open both the 24th and 25th for breakfast (6:30-11 am), lunch (11 am - 2 pm), and dinner (starts at 5 pm, last reservation at 7:15 pm). It will be serving the regular menu with some specials. Reservations recommended.
901 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Visit Website

9. FireLake Restaurant

31 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
The classic downtown holiday destination will be open on both Christmas Eve (4-8 pm) and Christmas Day (6-11 am for breakfast and 11 am - 8 pm for lunch and dinner). They'll be serving the entire regular menu plus prime rib and popovers. Reservations recommended.
31 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 216-3473
Visit Website

10. Cosmos Restaurant

601 1st Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Cosmos will be open regular hours (6:30 am - 10 pm) with the regular menu on Christmas Eve. On the 25th, it's open 11 am to 8 pm with a special three-course menu ($45/person) featuring dishes like sweet potato soup with pink peppercorn crème fraiche and seared yellowfin tuna. Reservations recommended.
601 1st Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 312-1168
Visit Website

11. Copper Pot Indian Grill

10 S. 5th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Copper Pot Indian Grill will be open regular hours both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and dinner from 5 pm to 10 pm). Christmas Day will bring a special Indian menu, as well as the regular menu. Reservations recommended.
10 S. 5th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 331-6677
Visit Website

12. Nicollet Island Inn

95 Merriam St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Nicollet Island Inn will be open on Christmas Eve for dinner with its regular menu (5:30-9 pm). On Christmas Day, it will serve a special three-course menu ($70/person) with choices including lobster bisque and seafood mixed grill (10:30 am - 8 pm). Reservations recommended.
95 Merriam St
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 331-1800
Visit Website

13. Pracna On Main

117 Main St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Get a little classic Minneapolis on your holiday at the oldest restaurant on the oldest street in the city. Pracna on Main will be serving its regular menu from noon to 4 pm on the 24th and noon to midnight on the 25th. Reservations recommended.
117 Main St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 379-3200
Visit Website

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