You’re still on time to look for a place to have a delicious Christmas dinner. There are still local restaurants that have availability for holiday dining. We’ve made a shortlist that will give you ideas. Get a table ASAP!
Addis NOLA
Christmas Eve
This Christmas Eve from 5 PM – 10 PM, Addis NOLA will host Christmas Across the Continent – an array of specialties showcasing the cuisine of African countries. In addition to the regular a la carte dinner menu, guests can enjoy dishes such as Egusi Soup – a staple of Nigeria featuring meat, seafood, kale spinach, scotch bonnet pepper, and ground melon seeds which give a nice creamy and nutty flavor, Chicken Muamba – the national dish of Angola featuring a combination of chicken, peri-peri, and peanut butter; Shrimp Kitfo – a creative twist on the typical dish from the Gurage region of Ethiopia with chopped shrimp, mitmita (spiced chile blend) and herbs, served with flash fried injera; and Jollof Rice – a dish native to Senegal featuring a colorful and flavorful mix of rice, onions, tomato and fish, best compared to New Orleans jambalaya. Diners can wash it all down with libations like the Ethiopian Martini and house-made Tej (honey wine) and of course enjoy fresh Ethiopian coffee from the bean roasting ritual on the new restaurant’s Coffee Ceremony Stage. Addis NOLA will be closed on Christmas Day and December 26th.
Tujague’s
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
On Saturday, December 24th, from 5 PM – 9:30 PM, Tujague’s will feature a four-course menu ($64 per person plus tax and gratuity). Start with a choice of Oyster Pan Roast, Shrimp & Goat Cheese Crepes, or Gorgonzola Pecan Salad, followed by Gumbo du Jour. Entrees include a choice of Pan Roasted Gulf Fish Bienville, Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop, Pan Roasted Maple Leaf Duck, and Grilled Petite Filet Mignon. Diners can end the meal on a sweet note with a choice of Crème Brûlèe or Apple Spice Cake.
On Sunday, December 25th, from 11 AM – 9 PM, Tujague’s will feature a very special Christmas Day holiday meal. Priced at $67 per person (plus tax and gratuity), the meal begins with Oyster Eggplant Soup followed by a Roasted Beet Salad. For the main course, guests can choose from Roasted Maple Leaf Duck Leg, Pan Seared Pork Tournedos, Gulf Fish Almandine, and Grilled Petite Filet Mignon and finish with a delectable Southern Sweet Potato Bread Pudding.
Jack Rose
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
This holiday season, step into one of New Orleans’ liveliest eateries, Jack Rose. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, locals and visitors alike are invited to experience a festive holiday meal, with various offerings combining seasonal and Cajun flavors. Thoughtfully crafted by Chef/Owner Brian Landry, the four-course prix-fixe menu ($71-$90, depending on the main course) is available on both days and will feature starters such as Crab Cannelloni, Royal Red Shrimp and Prosciutto, Pork Belly, Lamb Meatballs, or Spiced Root Vegetable Latkes; second-course selections include Duck Gumbo, Apple & Walnut Wedge Salad, Autumn Pumpkin Bisque, or Kale Caesar; main course choices include Redfish Milanese, Flounder En Papillote, Bone in Ribeye, Seared Scallops, Kabocha Squash Casarecce, and Spiced Duck Breast. Dessert selections include the signature Mile High Pie; Goat Cheesecake; Pecan Tart; and White Chocolate Bread Pudding. Jack Rose will be open on Christmas Eve from 5 PM – 9 PM and Christmas Day from 11 AM – 7 PM.
Compère Lapin
Christmas Day
Chef Nina Compton’s award-winning flagship restaurant Compère Lapin will offer a festive menu on Christmas Day from Noon – 4 PM. Priced at $85 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, the prix-fixe menu includes seasonal offerings such as Warm Winter Vegetables with Satsuma Vinaigrette, Family-Style Jerk Pork with Collards Greens, Black Eye Peas and Sweet Potato Gratin and Milk Punch Panna Cotta with Black Cake and Sorrel.
Commons Club
Commons Club, the social epicenter of the Virgin Hotels New Orleans, is inviting diners to indulge in Christmas Eve & Christmas Day brunch and dinner specials from Executive Chef Alex Harrell. In addition to the regular a la carte menu, holiday specials include:
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Brunch 9 AM – 2 PM
- Smoked salmon toast – wheat toast, smoked salmon pate, cucumber, dill, lemon
- Winter squash hummus – winter squash hummus, roasted carrots, toasted pepitas, Arugula pistou
- Oscar Frittata – Louisiana Blue crab, asparagus, roasted fingerling, sun-dried tomato, herbs, lemon garlic aioli
- Short Rib Debris & Cornbread Waffle – Braised short rib, demi, cornbread waffle, pickled vegetables, horseradish crema
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Dinner 5 PM – 10 PM
- Classic New Orleans Turtle Soup
- Steamed Clams and Chorizo
- Smoked Potato Croquettes – trout roe, fennel pollen, crème fraiche, chives
- Slow Cooked Beef Short Rib – field peas, charred onions, grilled radicchio, tomato chutney
- Prime Rib – creamed greens Duchess potato, black truffle jus
- Roasted Acorn Squash – local tofu, quinoa, dates, arugula pesto
- Confit Duck Leg – black garlic, roasted cauliflower, pomegranate
- Pan Roasted Scallops – smoked grapes, celery root puree, caramelized carrot, root vegetables
- Black Cardamom Rice Pudding – sour cherries, buckwheat crumble
Featured image from Toups’ Meatery by Denny Culbert.