Where To Dine This Holiday Season

Now that your holiday shopping is almost complete, it is time to start making plans for where to eat! Check out the list of places around UTC that will be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Be sure to call ahead to make your reservations. 

Apollonia Mediterranean Grill 

Opa! Feast on flaming cheese saganaki and grass-fed lamb chops while sipping on hand-crafted cocktails this holiday season. The locally-owned eatery is open Christmas Eve from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm and New Year’s Eve from 11:30 am to 10 pm.

Bento Asian Kitchen

If you’re in the mood for Asian food this holiday season, head to Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi. Savor a variety of bento boxes, noodle bowls, rice bowls, fresh sushi or feed the fam with the 4-bowl meal deal. Open Christmas Eve from 11 am to 6 pm, Christmas Day from 5 to 9 pm and New Year’s Eve from 11 am to 10 pm. 

California Pizza Kitchen

Pizza lovers, unite! Bring the family to enjoy hand-tossed pizzas and other creative California cuisine from 11 am to 7 pm on Christmas Eve and 11 am to 9 pm on New Year’s Eve. 

The Capital Grille

Wine, dine and dazzle this holiday season at The Capital Grille, known for its dry aged steaks, fresh seafood and award-winning wine list. The full menu will be available on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve from 11:30 am to 10 pm.

Cheesecake Factory 

With over 250 menu items, Cheesecake Factory has something for everyone, even the pickiest eaters in your family. Stop by for a huge variety of dishes and desserts from 11 am to 11 pm on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Ford’s Garage

Rev your engines and head to Ford’s Garage for classic burgers and over 100 craft beers. There is something for everyone at Ford’s, and they will be serving it all on Christmas Eve from 11 am to 8 pm and New Year’s Eve from 12 pm to 9 pm.

Georgie’s UTC

The posh all-day café will be serving Christmas Eve lunch from 10 am to 3 pm, dinner service from 5 to 9 pm and late-night drinks until 1 am. Ring in 2023 with a delicious brunch from 10 am to 2:30 pm or dinner service from 4 to 10:30 pm, featuring a special three-course prix fixe menu that includes a choice of appetizer, salad, beef or seafood entrée and two sides for $110 per person. Swing by the connecting Bar George for a 1920s party and dance the night away until 3 am!

Glory Days

Calling all football fans! Catch all the gameday action on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve while enjoying a menu of award-winning burgers, famous glory wings, specialty sweets and so much more! Open both days from 11 am to 10 pm.

Jeni’s Ice Cream

Don’t miss Jeni’s seasonal ice cream flavors before they melt away quicker than Frosty the Snowman! Satisfy your sweet tooth on Christmas Eve from 12 to 6 pm and New Year’s Eve from 12 to 9 pm.

Kona Grill 

Eat, drink and be merry at Kona Grill. Gift yourself a night out on Christmas Eve or enjoy a Christmas Day dinner from 10 am to 10 pm, featuring prime rib, ham and turkey specials. Get in the holiday spirit with specialty cocktails like the holiday margarita and cranberry citrus paloma. For New Years, ring in 2023 with special menu items, a DJ, champagne toast at midnight and more festive fun, plus there’s a New Year’s Day Recovery Brunch happening on January 1.

Mademoiselle Paris

You can’t have a holiday dinner without dessert. Open from 7:45 am to 5 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, this French bistro is offering its regular menu plus some holiday desserts to enjoy there or take to go, including Buche de Noel, tiramisu sponge cake with mascarpone cream, choco and raspberry sponge cake with chocolate mousse and red velvet sponge cake with cream cheese frosting.

Norman Love Confections

Looking for a last-minute gift? You can’t go wrong with chocolate! Sweeten their holiday season with signature chocolates and gourmet treats. The chocolate salon is open Christmas Eve from 10 am to 9 pm and New Year’s Eve from 11 am to 6 pm.

Popstroke

Popstroke offers fun for the whole family every day of the year, and the holidays are no exception. The golf destination is open for golf-only fun on Christmas Eve from 10 am – 10 pm and the full golf and dining experience on New Year’s Eve from 11:30 am – 10 pm.

Post Kitchen + Bar

Looking to try something new? Check out the latest restaurant to join UTC’s dining scene and enjoy raw bar specialties, flavorful salads, homemade pastas, fresh fish, aged prime steaks, and an extensive wine and craft cocktails list. Open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 am to 9 pm and New Year’s Eve from 11:30 am to 10 pm.

Rusty Bucket

Celebrate the new year with your little firecrackers! Head to Rusty Bucket for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve dinner and enjoy a complimentary kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. Dine-in only. Open 11 am to 10 pm.

Seasons 52

Celebrate the season with a fresh, seasonal menu and 52 wines by the glass. Indulge in premium flatbreads, fresh-made soups, salads and entrees, like filet mignon with Maine lobster tail, cedar plank-roasted salmon and Kona-crusted lamb. The restaurant is open on Christmas Eve until 9 pm and on New Year’s Eve until 11 pm.

Selva Grill

Food Network named Selva one of the Top Places to Eat for its killer mojitos, fresh ceviches and South-Beach-meets-Sarasota vibe. With its modern, colorful interior, you can celebrate the holiday season in style and dine on delicious Nuevo Latino dishes from 12 pm to 11 pm on Christmas Eve and 12 pm to 1 am on New Year’s Eve. Check back for the special New Year’s Eve menu!