SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — If spending Christmas in the kitchen isn’t topping your holiday list, below is a list of restaurants that can offer reprieve.
Multiple eateries are open both Christmas Eve and Day in the southeastern North Carolina region — and will fill all palates, from Southern cooking to Italian, Asian to French, fondue to seafood.
Diners should call ahead in the event reservations are accepted. Happy holidays!
To add to the list, email info@portcitydaily.com.
Christmas Eve
Bdobo Mongolian Grill
Made-to-order noodle and rice dishes, with choice of vegetables, proteins and sauces to pile on. Open Christmas Eve, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the restaurant is located at 419 S. College Road Ste. 35, 910-790-3800.
Big Thai
The Landfall Shopping Center restaurant (1319 Military Cutoff Road) will be open Christmas Eve, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., serving from its normal menu. It will close on Christmas Day.
Bluewater Waterfront Grill
With panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Bluewater will serve its full menu on Christmas Eve, featuring local seafood dishes, sandwiches and other entrees. Open Christmas Eve 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Located at 4 Marina St., 910-256-8500.
Caprice Bristo
Downtown’s iconic French restaurant is well-known for its prix-fixe Christmas Eve dinner. It’s $70 and includes choice of appetizer (petite charcuterie, escargot, soup or salad), followed by entree (duck duet, waterzooi, salmon en croute) and finished off by a triplet of desserts. The restaurant opens at 5 p.m., located at 10 Market St., 910-815-0810.
Ciana Ristorante Italiano
Located in a strip mall near Target, Ciana is once again hosting its traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes and has Italian options available for Christmas Eve dinner. Seven Fishes is $87 and includes seven courses, each featuring seafood (except for dessert). For those who aren’t seafood lovers, Italian dishes like lasagne, baked penne, chicken or veal marsala, and others are available for standard restaurant pricing. The restaurant opens at 4 p.m., located at 4724 New Centre Drive Ste. 3, 910-399-5620.
Double Happiness
Well-known for its authentic Chinese cuisine, including homemade tofu and dim sum, the 4403 Wrightsville Ave. location (910-313-1088) will be open for dine-in and takeout on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. Its 7122 Market St. in Ogden (910-686-1988) is closed to the public for a private party.
Hibachi Grill Buffet
Open Christmas Eve, Hibachi Grill Buffet has more than 200 items on multiple bars, including Chinese food, sushi, Japanese hibachi and seafood — even other cuisine, such as Mexican and Italian. The lunch buffet, priced $9 to $15, is open from 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., with dinner costing $16 to $25 and open 3:15 p.m. to close. Hibachi Grill Buffet is located at 1039 S College Rd., Unit 102, 910-392-6788.
Indochine / Indochine Express
Open Christmas Eve, Indochine will have a full menu for diners to order from — sushi, curries, fried rice and noodles. Christmas Eve hours for Indochine on Wayne Drive is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner. Indochine Express locations in Leland, Southport, Oleander Drive and Monkey Junction are also open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Kipo’s Hellenic Cuisine
Kipo’s — from well-known Raleigh restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias — will be open on Christmas Eve. The Mediterranean-inspired menu will be served and there will be special features. The restaurant opens from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., located at 1900 Eastwood Road, 910-492-2893.
Little Dipper
For a communal affair, consider fondue for Christmas Eve. Downtown’s Little Dipper will open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aside from its normal offerings, the restaurant also has a special fondue menu for the season, such as its Yuletide Blend (various cheeses, rosemary, cranberries, white wine) or Wonderland White Chocolate (white chocolate, eggnog, peppermint schnapps, crushed candy cane). Located at 138 S. Front St., 910-251-0433
Michael’s Seafood
Open Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Michael’s Seafood will serve its full menu and specials. The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day.
Nikki Hibachi Steak House and Sushi Bar
Serving Japanese-style hibachi, teriyaki dishes and a menu of sushi, Nikki’s Hibachi Steak House near Wrightsville Beach will be open on both Christmas Eve 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. See the full menu here. The restaurant is located at 1055 Military Cutoff Road Ste 100, 910-509-8998.
Nori Sushi
Now with two locations open to serve diners — in Barclay Pointe off 17th Street and the newest spot at Marsh Oak Commons on Market Street near Porters Neck — this Asian eatery serves a fusion of flavors — Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines, poke, noodles and curries, plus sushi, sashimi and specialty rolls. Nori will open Christmas Eve, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Located at 7972 Market St., #300 and 1412 Barclay Pointe Blvd., #1006, 910-821-0055.
Oceanic
Open Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Oceanic will have special chef features, including seared sea scallops or cornmeal-crusted oysters, filet Mignon or lobster risotto, and tuxedo chocolate-covered strawberries to finish. Prices range from $10 to $46 and the restaurant is located at 703 S. Lumina Ave., 910-256-5551.
Puffy’s Magic Dragon
Located in Carolina Beach, Puffy’s Magic Dragon, in the former Ida Thai location, will be open on Christmas Eve from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Offered will be half-priced items at the bar plus $10 off hibachi entrees. The restaurant is located at 304 Lake Park Blvd., 910-368-1032.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Aside from serving a special holiday lunch menu — featuring steak sandwiches and salads, lobster bisque and spicy salmon and crispy shrimp — the downtown steak house will be open on Christmas Eve from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are accepted here and the restaurant is located at 244 N. Water St., 910-343-1818.
Solstice Kitchen and Cocktails
This Wrightsville Beach eatery, located inside the Holiday Inn resort, will open on Christmas Eve from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (bar closes at 10 p.m.). The menu includes breakfast items and for lunch and dinner wings, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, seafood and more. Located at 1706 N. Lumina Ave., 910-344-6802.
Steam Restaurant and Bar
Located in downtown’s Embassy Suites, Steam will open Christmas Eve from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. It’s $129 a couple and the menu is a four-course meal, with dessert to share. Located at 9 Estell Lee Pl., 910-726-9226.
Szechuan 132
The University Commons’ Chinese restaurant will open on Christmas Eve, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The menu includes traditional cuisine and the restaurant is located at 419 S College Road Ste 41, 910-799-1426.
three10
Brooklyn Art District’s seafood restaurant is accepting reservations until 9:30 p.m. Known for its fresh catch, three10 has a raw bar, as well as one-of-a-kind home-cooked Southern classics, such as shrimp and grits and blackened grouper. There are other protein or vegetarian options as well, along with craft cocktails, a hand-selected wine list and desserts. Located in a renovated craftsman style home at 1022 North Fourth St., reservations accepted here.
Uncle Lim’s Kitchen
Located in the Food Lion shopping center at the corner of Independence Boulevard and Carolina Beach Road, Uncle Lim’s will offer Chinese takeout and delivery from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The restaurant has a full menu of classic Chinese dishes, as well as a Southeast Asian menu featuring items like Pad Thai and and basil chicken. Located at 3905 Independence Blvd., 910-313-6858.
Yoshi
Serving poke bowls, teriyaki chicken, steak stir-fried noodles, and tons of sushi, Yoshi Sushi Bar will open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Located at 260 Racine Drive, 910-799-6799.
Christmas Day
Bdobo Mongolian Grill
Made-to-order noodle and rice dishes, with choice of vegetables, proteins and sauces to pile on. Open Christmas Day, noon to 9 p.m. (or earlier, depending if it’s busy), the restaurant is located at 419 S. College Road Ste. 35, 910-790-3800.
The Dive
The Carolina Beach bar, known for its burgers, is opening Christmas Eve, noon to 10 p.m., and will open again on Christmas Day at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open serving a limited menu. The bar is located at 6-C North Lake Park Blvd., 910-458-8282.
The Harp
South Third Street’s authentic Irish pub will open its doors for a Christmas buffet from noon to 6 p.m. Served will be all the traditional holiday proteins and fixin’s. The price is $29.99 and The Harp is located at 1423 S. Third St., 910-763-1607.
Hibachi Grill Buffet
Open Christmas Day, Hibachi Grill Buffet has more than 200 items on multiple bars, including Chinese food, sushi, Japanese hibachi and seafood — even other cuisine, such as Mexican and Italian. The lunch buffet, priced $9 to $15, is open from 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., with dinner costing $16 to $25 and open 3:15 p.m. to close. Hibachi Grill Buffet is located at 1039 S College Road, Unit 102, 910-392-6788.
Indochine / Indochine Express, Oleander Drive
Indochine will have a full menu for diners to order from — sushi, curries, fried rice and noodles. On Christmas Day it’s serving dinner, dine-in only, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Takeout and delivery can be ordered from the Indochine Express on Oleander Drive; all other Indochine Expresses will be closed on Dec. 25.
Joe’s Oasis
Opening at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day, Joe’s Oasis (6400 Carolina Beach Road) is known for its homemade pierogi — and it’s taking orders by the dozen to be placed by Friday, Dec. 20. On Christmas Day, it will serve from its regular menu.
Nikki Hibachi Steak House and Sushi Bar
Serving Japanese-style hibachi, teriyaki dishes and a menu of sushi, Nikki’s Hibachi Steak House near Wrightsville Beach will be open on Christmas Day, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. See the full menu here. The restaurant is located at 1055 Military Cutoff Road, Ste 100, 910-509-8998.
Nori Sushi
Now with two locations open to serve diners — in Barclay Pointe off 17th Street and the newest spot at Marsh Oak Commons on Market Street near Porters Neck — this Asian eatery serves a fusion of flavors — Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines, poke, noodles and curries, plus sushi, sashimi and specialty rolls. Nori will open Christmas Day, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Located at 7972 Market St., #300 and 1412 Barclay Pointe Blvd., #1006, 910-821-0055.
Solstice Kitchen and Cocktails
This Wrightsville Beach eatery, located inside the Holiday Inn resort, will be open until 5 p.m. available for breakfast, lunch and an early dinner, with a menu including wings, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, seafood and more. Located at 1706 N. Lumina Ave., 910-344-6802.
Uncle Lim’s Kitchen
Located in the Food Lion shopping center at the corner of Independence Boulevard and Carolina Beach Road, Uncle Lim’s will offer Chinese takeout and delivery from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day as well. The restaurant has a full menu of classic Chinese dishes, as well as a Southeast Asian menu featuring items like Pad Thai and and basil chicken. Located at 3905 Independence Blvd., 910-313-6858.
Yoshi
Serving poke bowls, teriyaki chicken, steak stir-fried noodles, and tons of sushi, Yoshi Sushi Bar will open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day. Located at 260 Racine Drive, 910-799-6799.
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