Jingle All the Way: The Best Christmas Dinners
Christmas holidays might just be the most complicated time of year; the pleasure of gift giving and eating copious amounts of chocolate and meat comes with the pain of an empty wallet and the sadness of washing dishes. Who needs that in their lives?
Luckily for us big city dwellers, we don't have to sweat through making dinner our five friends and their 10 +1s, worrying that someone will drink too much and smash your prized Qing vase replica or that you'll be washing up until Easter. That's because the abundance of Christmas dinner options in Beijing is simply overwhelming and if we tried to include every single one on this list, you would be scrolling until the holidays are over (do that here: thebeijinger.com/events/christmas).
One great thing about abundance is that every taste is catered for. So dig in and find your meat mountain, rustic mashed potato, country Italian, or herbivore dinner of choice. Below are your best bets for restaurant, hotel, and delivery options arranged in order of price.
Restaurants and Bars
Christmas Eve's Party at Home Plate
From the poster alone, you can tell they're keeping it simple over at Home Plate. If you're not looking for a suit-and-tie kind of Christmas but instead want to wear some fat stains down your shirt as a souvenir, Home Pate is hosting a buffet party with plenty of meats and various mulled alcohols. This is as cheap as they go for Christmas meals, proving once again that Home Plate is the only friend you need when the purse strings are tight. Dec 24, 7-9pm. RMB 138. Home Plate
Christmas Dinner at Root Pop
Root Pop has already rocked everyone's world with their mouthwatering vegan food but now the Shuangjing plant-based diet-advocating restaurant opens its doors for a special Christmas dinner. Comprised of starters, mains, and desserts (who can ever say no to cheesecake?), Root Pop may just turn some unbelievers with their 100 percent vegan spread. Dec 24/25 (reservation only). RMB 188. Root Pop
Bethlehem Christmas Feast at Caravan
If turkey and mashed potatoes are not your yam, use Christmas as an excuse to explore and expand your palate. This year, Caravan hosts a Christmas dinner with dishes that may have even been around when lil' BJ was born. Starting with a shared mezze of everyone's favorite dips and bits it then continues with a fragrant leg of lamb and lentil soup. Expect plenty of strong flavors and spices. Dec 24-25. 11am-3pm and 6-10:30pm. Price with reservation- RMB 198 (RMB 248 otherwise), drinks not included. Vegetarian-friendly, reserve and call ahead for possible options instead of lamb leg.
Holiday Lunch and Dinner at The Local
Trust The Local to have all the options you ever wanted, and with their single meals are even on hand if all of your friends have left town but you still want to devour the Christmas spirit. Dinners for six are available throughout December and individual Christmas meals will be served on Dec 24 (12-3pm and 6-8pm) and Dec 25 (6-8pm). The menu features Christmas classics: glazed carrots, turkey, sage stuffing, roasted broccoli, macaroni and cheese, among others. RMB 238 (vegetarian), RMB 338 (turkey dinner). The Local
Christmas Dinner at Mercante
Italians sure know how to do Christmas so if you're looking for a heartwarming Italian meal, head into the hutongs for what Mercante's serving up. Limited seating will mean a cozy atmosphere as you enjoy your five-course Christmas d'abbondanza (roughly translated as Christmas abundance). The menu will change depending on whether you're attending Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner and will feature the likes of tortelloni, smoked salmon, and grilled eel etc. and each dish is offered with a master-paired glass of wine. Dec 24-25, 6-10.30pm. RMB 350 (add a wine pairing for RMB 250). Mercante
Holiday's Set Menu at the Rug
The Rug's new winter menu is in and with it comes a set meal for holidays. Grab your significant other (we're really hoping bae makes it into the dictionary this year) or a significant friend and enjoy their meal for two. Build your meal from a range of options, including foie gras, Boston Lobster with herbs, red velvet yogurt cake, and mussel stew. Yum and yum! Dec 23-24 and Dec 30-31 (reservation required). RMB 799 or RMB 1199 (luxury set) for two. The Rug
Eve at Opera Bombana
If you've been an exceptionally good kid this year and deserve a serious treat, this is it. Christmas just so happens to overlap with truffle season and Opera Bombana is using the occasion to throw a truly seasonal feast. How does Normandy blue lobster carpaccio or black truffle gelato sound? Nothing's too good for you. There's also a wine pairing available to make it that extra special. Dec 24 (limited seating). RMB 1,988 (add a wine pairing for RMB 688). Opera Bombana
Hotels
A Jolly Good Christmas at Hotel Jen
Arguably the most affordable hotel Christmas set, Hotel Jen offers a four-course set meal, with a happy hour on beers (buy-one-get-one-free) between 11am-7pm as well as a visit from Santa Claus. No more questions needed. There'll also be a live band and DJ tunes throughout, so the whole family should be thoroughly entertained/sloshed. Dec 23-25 (lunch and dinner, reservations for groups of 6-plus). RMB 198. Hotel Jen
Christmas Eve at Kerry's Kitchen
'Tis the season for health-threatening overeating and what better way than to head to the nearest hotel Christmas buffet! Kerry's Kitchen is throwing a mingle and nibble ball for all this Christmas Eve, with jazzy Christmas carols on hand to spark your holiday mood. Dec 24, 5.30-10pm. RMB 488 (RMB 688 with drinks). Kerry's Kitchen
Sumptuous Christmas at Shangri-La Hotel
A slightly different take on Christmas turkey comes in the form of sashimi, tempura, and sake at Shangri-La this year. For the seafood lovers, there can be no better gift this holiday than a set meal but you might want to call them up as dinner varies between buffet and a set meal with or without free-flow drinks. There'll also be a lucky draw. Dec 23-24. RMB 688-2,388. Shangri-La Hotel
Others
Christmas at the Brickyard Retreat Center (Mutianyu Great Wall)
When escaping the house doesn't feel like a far-enough getaway, try leaving Beijing instead. The Brickyard Retreat is hosting a Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings this year, and whether you want to stay for the weekend or just stop by for dinner, everyone is welcome. They're also offering a special package for two, with full transportation from downtown Beijing, Christmas dinner, breakfast, an overnight stay, and a jacuzzi to soak all your sorrows away. Dec 24. RMB 268, RMB 138 (children and students). Brickyard Retreat
Christmas Eve Speed Dating at the Secret Location
This one is for the books. If you're in desperate need to find romance in 2017 and particularly urgent during the holiday season, maybe this speed dating event is exactly what you need! Plenty of the details make us squint with suspicion but, hey, better low expectations and a nice surprise, right? To get you in the mood, your hot date menu this year includes a luxurious fried egg and chicken soup, which doesn't quite scream "fancy." At least you'll have an ice-breaker to get you off on a good start. Dec 24 6.30-11pm. RMB 198-398. Sanlitun venue TBA ((location will be revealed after successful registration)
Images courtesy of the organizers
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