The holidays are upon us and celebration is one of our thoughts in the forefront for the majority of us. This of course, again for the majority, would be Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.
I have limited this article to options available Christmas Day for a number of reasons. For the most part, a vast majority of area restaurants will be open Christmas Eve. If you feel compelled to dine out that night, just pick up the phone and call. Chances are your favorite restaurant will be open.
The real challenge then is to find somewhere to celebrate on Christmas Day as probably over 90% or more of area restaurants are closed.
Here are some dining choices for you that I think you will find varied and interesting.
This is a legend for some of the restaurant’s attributes:
CC-Takes all major credit cards
VP-Valet parking
KM-Kids’ menu
RR-Reservations required
Lee County:
Tanglewood at the Coconut Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa:
Tanglewood will be having its annual Christmas Day brunch from 12:30 to 8 PM. I have never eaten here, but it generally gets very good reviews. There will be salad, seafood, Asian including ramen, carving and dessert stations. Cost is $79.00 for adults, $38.00 for ages 5 to 12 and is complimentary for those under 5.
5001 Coconut Rd.
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
(239)444-1234
Tanglewood Restaurant Web Site
CC; VP; No KM; RR
Summerlin Jakes
Summerlin Jakes will be having their annual Christmas Day brunch. I have sampled some of Chef de Cusine Richard Howz’s fare and it was exceptional. I have no reason to believe it would be any different for this brunch. Brunch will be served from Eleven to 8 PM There will be multiple stations for salads, vegetables, meat, fowl, seafood and dessert. There is also an augmented brunch menu included from Eleven to 1 PM for eggs, bacon sausage, pancakes and other breakfast treats.
Cost is $37.95 for adults and $12.95 for ages 5-12. Those under 5 are complimentary.
Summerlin Jakes
17501 Harbour Point Dr.
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239)466-5377
Summerlin Jakes Christmas Day Menu
CC; No VP; No KM; RR
Bayfront Bistro
Bayfront Bistro will be having a special Christmas menu from 1 to 8 P.M. They’re located on Fort Myers Beach and have a lovely location overlooking Estero bay. I have dined here before. The food is very good in addition to the restaurants’ ambiance.
Bayfront Bistro Christmas Menu
4761 Estero Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239)463-3663
CC; No VP; KM; RR
Flipper’s On the Bay
Flipper’s On the Bay is a great restaurant located at Lover’s Key Resort, located directly on Estero Bay. They will be serving their regular menu from 7:30 in the morning to 10 PM. I have been here before and the food is very good with an equally good location and view.
8771 Estero Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239)765-1025
CC; VP; KM; No RR
Ginger Bistro
Ginger Bistro will be serving Dim Sum from 11:30 to 3 P.M. Their regular menu in addition to a few Christmas Day specials will also be available from 11 to 9:30 P.M. I have been here before and the food is good.
4650 Cleveland Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239)689-3113
CC; No VP; No KM; No RR
Taqueria San Julian (Ft. Myers)
Taqueria San Julian is a taco shop serving tacos, quesadillas and tostadas. Their fare is simple but fantastic and it’s the real deal. They are open 10-4PM Christmas Day. They have locations in Lee, Hendry and Collier counties. Highly recommended.
Taqueria San Julian Fort Myers Facebook Page
11601 S. Cleveland Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239)936-0037
CC; No VP; NO KM; No RR
Collier County:
Baleen
Baleen is a beach front restaurant that is in La Playa Beach and Golf Resort. Every year the have a very special Christmas day buffet that is just fantastic. Their carving station will include tenderloin steak and guava-glazed turkey. A seafood display, pasta station, hot buffet, pasta salad, vegetable and dessert station complete their offerings served from Noon -9 PM.
I have been here before, and though on a upper price point, worth every penny. Christmas Day buffet is priced at $105.00 per person. Ages 4-12 are charged $25.00 while those under 4 are complimentary. Weather permitting, be sure to request an outdoor beachfront table.
9891 Gulf Shore Dr.
Naples, FL, 34108
(239)598-5707
CC; VP; No KM; RR
HB’s on the Gulf
HB’s on the Gulf is a beach front restaurant in the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. They will be open for lunch Christmas Day from 11:30 to 2:30 P.M. and dinner from 5-10 PM offering items from their standard menu. I have dined here many times and it’s always very pleasant with great outdoor seating and good food.
851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N.
Naples, FL, 34102
(239)435-4347
CC; VP; KM; No RR
Sale e Pepe
Sale e Pepe is a restaurant serving Italian cuisine in the Marco Beach Ocean Resort. They will be serving a 4 course prix fixe dinner Christmas day from 5-10 P.M. The restaurant generally gets very good reviews for their food and the views of the Gulf of Mexico. Dinner is priced at $79.00. Ages 12 and under are priced at $39.50.
480 S. Collier Blvd.
Marco Island, FL 34145
(239)393-1600
CC; VP; KM; RR
1500 South
1500 South, owned by two time James Beard award winning chef Art Smith, will be serving a buffet Christmas Day from 12-7 P.M. Their 23 item buffet includes a salad and starter, carving, hot buffet, seafood display and a dessert station. I have eaten here before, and the food is exceptional. I have no doubt the offerings served this day will be no different under the mastery of Chef de Cuisine Dagan Stocks. The buffet is $75.00 for adults. Ages 4-12 are $25.00 and 3 and under are free.
1500 5th Ave. S.
Naples, FL 34102
(239)774-1500
CC; No VP; No KM; RR
Garibaldi
Garibaldi is a restaurant serving the cuisine of central Mexico. They will be open from 9 in the morning to 11 PM serving from their regular menu. Their selection of Mexican bakery items is extensive and will be serving gorditas, tostadas, mole and other Mexican dishes. As Christmas Day is on a Sunday this year, they will also be serving posole and menudo among other Sunday specials. I have dined here multiple times. The food is exceptional and very reasonably priced.
11510 Tamiami Tr. E.
Naples, FL 34113
(239)775-1511
CC; No VP; KM, No RR
Ridgway Bar and Grill
Ridgway Bar and Grill serves a number of dining options Christmas Day from Noon-9:30 PM. There will be a la carte offerings in addition to a 3 course inclusive prime rib and turkey dinner available. I have dined here before. The food is very good and the dining experience pleasant. With this venue’s excellent location, you can always go for an after dinner walk on Naples Pier.
Ridgeway Bar and Grill Website
254 13th Ave. S.
Naples, FL 34102
(239)262-5500
CC; No VP; No KM; RR
Bayside Seafood Grill and Bar
Bayside Seafood Bar and Grill is serving from a special a la carte menu Christmas Day from Noon-8 PM. I have eaten here before. The food is very good and the views (especially from the roof) of Naples Bay are exceptional.
Bayside Seafood Grill and Bar Website
4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N.
Naples, FL 34103
(239)649-5552
CC; VP; No KM; RR
Taqueria San Julian (Naples)
Taqueria San Julian is a taco shop serving tacos, quesadillas and tostadas. Their fare is simple but fantastic and is the real deal. They are open 10-4 PM Christmas day. They have locations in Lee, Hendry and Collier counties. Highly recommended.
Taqueria San Julian Naples Facebook Page
2575 Bayshore Rd.
Naples, FL 34112
(239)775-6480
CC; No VP; NO KM; No RR
Zen Asian BBQ
This is one of, it not the best Asian restaurant in the area. They will be open regular hours from 11:30 in the morning to Midnight. They will be offering their regular menu, and there are some amazing items on it. I have eaten here many times. The food is exceptional and Zen Asain BBQ will not disappoint.
CC; No VP; No KM; No RR
