As the holiday season approaches, cities across the U.S. are chiming with the excitement of festive dining experiences and creative culinary offerings, all set to make your celebrations unforgettable. Whether you’re staying local or travelling, trust this guide to help you discover the best holiday events and seasonal menus in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Texas, New York City, and New Orleans. You’re very welcome!
SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco is full of festive cheer this holiday season, with its vibrant neighborhoods full of twinkling lights and iconic landmarks dressed for the season. The cool, crisp air is perfect for enjoying cozy dinners and lively celebrations, from seafood feasts to New Year’s Eve parties.
La Société
Celebrate Christmas Eve with an elegant three-course dinner at La Société. Guests can enjoy a seafood platter featuring oysters, mussels, poached shrimp, and crab salad as the first course. The second course offers a choice between Salmon Coulibiac or Beef Wellington, followed by a festive Bûche de Noël for dessert. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and reservations can be made here.
La Société is also hosting a special five-course New Year’s Eve menu for $95 per person. Highlights include Fennel Panna Cotta with California Caviar, Perigord Truffle Tagliatelle, and Grilled Flannery Ribeye with Sauce Bordelaise. Finish the night with a delicious Chocolate Soufflé Tart. Book your table here.
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Che Fico
Ring in the New Year at Che Fico with a four-course, family-style menu priced at $195 per person, with an optional $85 wine pairing. Prefer to celebrate at home? Che Fico offers New Year’s Eve take-home packages, including Ribeye Dinner, Truffle Tagliatelle, and a luxurious Caviar set for two, complete with a Mother of Pearl serving spoon. Call over your girlfriends and have a blast. Reservations for the dining experience are available here, while take-home packages can be ordered here.
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Bar Sprezzatura
Head to Bar Sprezzatura’s New Year’s Eve Bash for a more vibrant celebration. The event features a local DJ spinning from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., a photo booth, and a champagne toast at midnight. General admission is $75 per person, with table reservations starting at $175 for two guests. Details and reservations can be found here.
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LOS ANGELES
The City of Angels, combines holiday glam with laid-back charm, as palm trees are dressed up festive, and the city’s iconic spots are in seasonal decor. Whether you’re indulging in a meal or enjoying cocktails under the stars, LA offers a sunny twist on the holiday spirit.
Pasjoli
Pasjoli offers two unique dining options for New Year’s Eve. In the dining room, enjoy a multi-course menu with two seatings: an early option from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for $225 per person and a late seating from 9 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. for $275 per person. Highlights include Sea Urchin Éclair, Blue Crab with Caviar and Chips, and Prime Rib with Creamed Spinach. For a more casual celebration, the bar at Pasjoli offers a cocktail tasting menu for $65 per person, featuring flights of Martinis, Daiquiris, and Chartreuse cocktails. A la carte bar bites, such as Duck Skin Deviled Eggs and Steak Tartare with Black Truffle, round out the evening. Reservations can be made here.
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TEXAS
Holidays in Texas are a vibrant celebration of community and tradition, blending unique local flair with festive cheer. The season brings a mix of outdoor activities and cozy events that showcase the state’s warmth and holiday spirit.
Four Seasons Hotel Austin
The Four Seasons Hotel Austin transforms into a winter wonderland this season with its annual Ice Rodeo, running through January 5, 2025. Highlights include a 3,360-square-foot ice rink overlooking Lady Bird Lake, rink side cabins for up to six guests starting at $350 for two hours, and festive food trucks serving market-style eats. Guests can explore a candy shop, marvel at an elaborate gingerbread display supporting Dell Children’s Medical Center, and sip martinis at The Deck pop-up lounge or the Hidden Flask speakeasy. Seasonal spa treatments like the Fire and Ice Facial and Chocolate Winter Mint Body Experience offer perfect relaxation, while the Winter Escape package, starting at 20% off, adds extra charm with holiday amenities.
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MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts offers a true winter experience, with snowy landscapes and cozy vibes perfect for the holidays. The city’s charm shines even brighter with festive events and hearty dishes, creating the perfect atmosphere for the season.
Eat Greek
Eat Greek in Davis Square is bringing authentic Greek street food to your holiday celebrations with a festive catering menu perfect for gatherings of any size. Options include chicken and pork gyro trays (half $195, full $275), Horiatiki salad (half $60–$85, full $85–$130), and indulgent loukoumades platters. Sweet highlights feature the Traditional (Greek honey and cinnamon), Cookies N Cream (hazelnut praline and OREO cookies), and savoury Feta Lover (feta filled with honey and sesame). Order online to add a taste of Greece to your festivities!
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Dedham House of Pizza
Dedham House of Pizza, a Greek family-owned pizzeria in Dedham Square, has been serving the community for over 50 years and recently earned a spot on Pizza Today‘s 2024 pizzeria watchlist. Known for its New England Greek pan-style pizza made with fresh, in-house dough, DHOP also offers calzones, subs, salads, pasta, desserts, beer, and wine. This season, DHOP makes gifting easy with a 10% bonus on all gift card purchases through December 24. Looking ahead, their expanded catering menu for 2025 will feature exciting additions like a build-your-own Gyro Bar, Greek Lemon Potatoes, Baked Haddock, and chicken trays such as Rosemary Lemon Chicken and Chicken Marsala.
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Eva’s Little Kitchen
Eva’s Little Kitchen in Bedford, MA, blends a New York City bakery’s trendiness with the warmth of a Parisian boulangerie. Led by chef Eva Badra, a French Culinary Institute graduate with Michelin-star experience, the kitchen offers scratch-made pastries, prepared meals, catering, and custom cakes. This holiday season, Eva’s Little Kitchen offers a catering menu featuring Take-and-Bake Cinnamon Rolls, Honey & Herb Roasted Carrots, Rosemary Garlic Focaccia, Pomegranate Red Wine Braised Brisket, Mushroom or Bolognese Lasagna, and more.
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NEW YORK CITY
New York City is an electric hub of holiday excitement, with beautiful Christmas trees, ice skating rinks, and festive window displays lighting up iconic streets. The season is alive with a mix of celebrations and culinary delights, offering a true taste of winter magic in the Big Apple.
Tziki
Tziki, a new fast-casual Greek restaurant in Chelsea, offers expertly crafted dishes with high-quality ingredients inspired by traditional Greek street food. This holiday season, enjoy Tziki’s limited-time BOGO pita special that has been extended as a lunch special. For $11-14, you can get two pitas with your choice of Pork Gyro, Beef Kebab Souvlaki, Oyster Mushroom Souvlaki, Chicken Souvlaki, or Halloumi Souvlaki. Tziki also launched catering services for group meals, featuring items like pita trays, skewers, lamb chops, and Greek salad. The restaurant is now open on Sundays, extending its hours to Tuesday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. and more good news, they will also remain open on Christmas Eve so feel free to pop by.
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Conmigo NYC
Conmigo NYC, located in Yorkville and Carnegie Hill, offers a vibrant atmosphere with a menu led by Executive Chef John Cullen. The restaurant serves authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist, using local ingredients for dishes that stay true to their Mexican roots while embracing New York’s dining scene. With distinct bars, main dining rooms, and seasonal patios, Conmigo is a dynamic spot for lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, and weekend brunch.
On Christmas Eve, Conmigo will offer an à la carte menu from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Highlights include Red Oak Salad with pickled cabbage, Roasted Chicken marinated in achiote with black bean tamal, Torta de Jamon with queso Oaxaca, and seasonal sides like Roast Squash and Parsnip. Reservations are available on Resy.
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Urban Cove Society & Kitchen
Urban Cove Society & Kitchen, located within 33 Hotel, NYC, Seaport offers a vibrant setting with a distinct bar and 40-seat dining room for weekend brunch, Society Hour, and dinner. The menu blends modern American and global flavours, offering shareable plates and entrees inspired by New York City’s diverse cultures. This Christmas weekend, Urban Cove kicks off its Boozy Brunch on December 21st and 22nd (11 a.m.- 3 p.m.), with a $45 per person package that includes a continental pastry basket, bottomless brunch cocktails, and a holiday treat. On Christmas Day (6 pm-10 pm), enjoy a $75 Prix Fixe dinner featuring Roasted Prime ribs, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and Christmas Cookies. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
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NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans embraces the holiday season with its distinctive blend of jazz, lights, and Southern hospitality, where streets are alive with holiday parades and vibrant decorations. The city’s festive spirit flows through its cuisine and unique holiday traditions, creating a season full of warmth and celebration.
Chandelier Bar
Visit Chandelier Bar in Four Seasons New Orleans for their Spirited Tea, a festive twist on the traditional holiday tea. From November 29 to December 28, enjoy four signature cocktails like the Chai (featuring Park VS Cognac and chai-amari blend) Chamomile (a floral take on the French 75), Lapsang, which is a rich whiskey cocktail featuring smoked black tea (Michter’s Bourbon, lapsang souchong tea syrup, Abbot’s Bitters) and Hibiscus which is a more citrus-forward cocktail with a hint of heat (Mijenta Reposado Tequila, lime, hibiscus cordial, chamoy). You can pair these with tea-inspired bites from Alon Shaya, including Gougère with Raclette Fondue, Spicy Tuna Puri, Potato Pave with Beef Tartare and Baklava Stuffed Dates. Reservations ($65) are available here.
Miss River
Miss River hosts Beignets with Santa (yum) every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon starting November 30th. Adults can enjoy a two-course brunch with signature dishes like Crab-Stuffed Deviled Eggs and Shrimp & Grits, while children (12 and under) can enjoy their two-course meal and decorate beignets at the Beignet Bar. Tickets (adults – $105; children – $45) available here.
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Chef Alon Shaya’s Réveillon menu will be available throughout December, featuring Lady Nellie Oysters with Holy Trinity Mignonette, Carved Lacquered Duck with Slow Cooked Grits and Satsuma-Mustard Glaze, and Breaded Red Snapper with Citrus Hollandaise. Reserve your spot here. The New Year’s Eve prix-fixe menu includes Shrimp-Stuffed Crab Claws, a Louisiana Seafood Platter, Short Rib Daube En Croute, and Banana Pudding for Two. Reserve your spot here.
Live! by Loews – Arlington
Celebrate the holidays with unforgettable dining experiences. On Christmas Eve, Cut & Bourbon offers a festive dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., featuring holiday specials like Slow Roasted Prime Rib alongside menu favorites such as King Crab Legs, 28-Day Cowboy Ribeye, and Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass. Over at Farena, start your day with an Italian Continental Breakfast Buffet from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., or enjoy dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with options like Ora King Salmon, Berkshire Pork Chop, and the Christmas special, Whole Roasted Branzino.
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On Christmas Day, Cut & Bourbon serves up brunch from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with seasonal specials such as Beef Wellington and classics like True North Salmon and New York Strip. Farena continues the festive spirit with its breakfast buffet in the morning and dinner service in the evening, where you can enjoy traditional dishes like Veal Milanese and Prime 10 oz. Filet Mignon, as well as Chef Tony France’s Christmas special, Herb-Crusted Osso Buco. Whether you’re indulging in a hearty brunch or an elegant dinner, Live! by Loews has something for everyone this holiday season.
Some more festivities around the area include:
Ayu Bakehouse
Ayu Bakehouse is bringing back their iconic gingerbread house kits, Hot ‘Mallows, and Satsuma curd-filled Bayoule Log, available for nationwide shipping.
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Cure
Celebrate the holiday season with festive cocktails at Cure. They’ve introduced seasonal drinks namely Delta Eggnog, Grasshopper Blanco, Chanukah Cobbler, Sorel Toddy, and Holiday Boilermaker.
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Saba
Celebrate Hanukkah at Saba, with the L’Chaim Lounge offering festive cocktails and a Latke Board with labneh, apple butter, and pickled shallots. Drink specials include Jerry Seinfeld, Barbara Streisand, Ben Stiller, and Ruth Shaya, a non-alcoholic option.
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Copper Vine
Copper Vine will welcome fans for New Year’s Day service before the Sugar Bowl at the Super Dome. Reserve your spot here.
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Cooking instead? The Luxxemag got you covered.
Cooking Greek: A Classic Greek Cookbook for the At-Home Chef
A classic Greek Cookbook for the At-Home Chef offers 70 authentic Greek recipes created by Boston natives Chef Pemi Kanavos and Tanya Stamoulis. Perfect for all skill levels, the cookbook combines traditional flavours with simple instructions and beautiful full-page photos of each dish. Celebrate the season with standout recipes from Cooking Greek, including Pantzaria me Skordalia (Roasted Beets with Garlic Potato Dip), Fasolakia Ladera (Braised Green Beans), Giouvarlakia Avgolemono (Meatballs in Egg Lemon Sauce), and Kreatopita (Meat Pie). Sweet treats include Rizogalo (Oven Rice Pudding), Kourabiedes (Almond Shortbread Cookies), and Melomakarona (Honey Cookies). Available at a 10% holiday discount on Amazon for a limited time so snag it while you can.
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