Either/Or has indoor and outdoor dining on their covered patio, plus five fire pits and a children’s playscape, so it can handle your family gathering. Just plan ahead, because they don’t take reservations. Photo: Either/Or
Writer: Hailey Allen
Maybe you’re cooking a big Christmas dinner or Kwanzaa feast this year and need to cover a few meals before the big one. Maybe you’re done celebrating (and done cooking), and just want to know where you can get a bite to eat on a federal holiday. If you’re stuck, these restaurants are open and ready to serve.
Angry Goldfish will once again be open on Christmas Day, serving hearty sandwiches, smoked brisket, pot roast and mac and cheese.
Either/Or and Lua Brewing will be open for brunch 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Both are fun spots to bring visiting family and can help you avoid cooking a dozen omelets on your own. And if the in-laws are more stressful than the Griswolds, might we suggest some Climbing Kites seltzer?
Fresko, open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, is a good place for any friends or family with dietary restrictions. The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, plus other items that are easily modifiable.
Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar in the beautifully restored Hotel Fort Des Moines offers coffee and pastries for hotel guests and others starting at 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve, followed by breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come Christmas Day, you can also snag brunch from 7-11 a.m.
Panka Peruvian Restaurant is hosting a special feast from 11 a.m. to midnight on Christmas Day, so you and your family can enjoy Peruvian ceviche and other Latin flavors. We recommend the lomo saltado, a classic dish made with beef and potatoes.
Paws & Pints will be festive for your furry friends, too! Beyond its regular boarding services for those traveling sans Fido over the holidays, the place will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Christmas Eve and noon to 5 p.m. Christmas Day. Take your dog (or your aunt’s yappy puppy) for a bit of fresh air and exercise in over 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor dog park space. They have a heated patio space and delicious food for humans.
The Royal Mile offers an English-style breakfast or lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Or stop in Dec. 26 for Boxing Day and football — ahem, soccer — if you’d like to observe the Commonwealth holiday.
And while it’s not quite a restaurant, Flix Brewhouse will be showing movies Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. If you’re craving some buttery popcorn and a reprieve from extended family small talk, this could be your best bet.
One final tip: Remember to be courteous if you choose to eat out on a holiday. The staff may be sacrificing their own family time to serve yours at the restaurant, and Santa is still watching, so be nice!
