Where to eat Christmas Eve Dinner

Believe it or not, Christmas Eve is this Sunday! With the holidays being the craziest time of year, (between social events, the holiday rush at work and shopping) cooking a large meal on Christmas Eve isn’t for everyone.  Skip the added stress and leave the cooking to the professionals. From Asian fare to traditional prix fixe feasts, here are a few tasty options for dining out on Christmas Eve in Philadelphia.

The Little Lion
243 Chestnut St.
thelittlelionphilly.com

Enjoy a family style prix fixe dinner at The Little Lion in Old City. You get a choice of two entrees (prime rib, smoked ham, blackened catfish or kale pesto pasta), three sides (macaroni & cheese, charred brussel sprouts, roasted tomato soup, cheddar grits & greens, mashed potatoes & gravy, sweet potato hash, lion salad or kale caesar) and individually served desserts (chocolate mud jar, eggnog cheesecake, espresso crème brulee). The meal is just $45 per guest and only $20 for kids 12 and under. Dinner service begins at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Dim Sum House
3939 Chestnut St.
dimsum.house

Head uptown to University City for a Christmas Eve meal fit for a king — king crab, that is! Dim Sum House has special additions to their already delicious menu that include the Norwegian Whole King Crab that feeds six to 12 people. You can get it done three ways: ginger scallion steamed style (the only option that isn’t fried and breaded), minced pork with XO sauce or salt & pepper style. Not feeling the king crab? Other Christmas Eve options include ginger scallion lobster, striped bass or ginger scallion steamed whole fish tilapia. They stay open until 2 a.m., so if you’re running late doing Christmas shopping, you don’t need to skip dinner.

Jane G’s
1930 Chestnut St.
janegsrestaurant.com

A favorite of Samuel L. Jackson’s when he was in town filming “Glass,” Jane G’s serves up delicious Szechuan Chinese food in Rittenhouse Square. On Christmas Eve, specials include Peking duck (julienned scallions & cucumbers, Chinese bao, pancake and hoisin sauce) and philosopher’s chicken (dark meat chicken, sweet potatoes, potatoes and pepper stir fry. For dessert try the cinnamon corn huskers, which are fried, sugary cornmeal treats that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  Their full menu will also available along with bar service until 10 p.m.