Need dining plans for Christmas? Here are some places to get a holiday meal

Whipping up a humongous meal isn’t everyone’s idea of a happy holiday.

That’s no reason to give up on having a feast, though.

Luckily, there are plenty of restaurants stepping up to do the cooking this Christmas.

So whether you’d rather dine out or chow down in the comfort of your own home, here are some options for taking the work out of the holiday.

Did we miss a restaurant? Send us an email at rballogg@bradenton.com and we’ll add it to the list.

Bob Evans

Bob Evans restaurants are open for dining in on Christmas Eve and offer pre-prepared meals that can be picked up or delivered before Christmas Day. The restaurant offers a complete holiday spread for a decent price. Options include a meal for four, eight or eight to 10 people.

Details: 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Christmas Eve. Closed Christmas Day. 4115 14th St. W., Bradenton and 7393 State Road 70, Bradenton.

Info: bobevans.com.

Boston Market

Boston Market offers full menus of holiday food that you can carry-out, order for delivery or enjoy at the restaurant. The Christmas Day dine-in menu offers individual meals or a “Feast for 3.” Offerings include carved ham, sliced turkey breast, rotisserie chicken, holiday sides, rolls and pies.

Details: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Christmas Eve. Noon-5 p.m. Christmas Day. 5002 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.

Info: bostonmarket.com.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Cracker Barrel stores are closed on Christmas Day, but “Heat n’ serve” and to-go meals can be ordered as soon as 24 hours in advance. The meal of cured ham, cornbread dressing, roasted gravy, cranberry dressing, yeast rolls, sides and pie serves up to 10 people.

You can dine-in on Christmas Eve until 2 p.m.

Details: 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Christmas Eve. Closed Christmas Day. 2203 Cortez Road W., Bradenton and 636 67th St. Circle E., Bradenton.

Info: crackerbarrel.com.

Denny’s

Denny’s is open 24/7, and the chain offers special menus for the holidays. The “Sweet Holiday Delights” menu features apple bourbon pancake or crepe breakfasts, cinnamon roll pancakes, turkey and dressing dinners, chicken or steak meals and pumpkin and pecan pie.

Details: Open 24/7. 610 44th Ave. W., Bradenton.

Info: dennys.com.

Eliza Ann’s Coastal Kitchen at Waterline Marina Resort and Beach Club

Eliza Ann’s Coastal Kitchen in Holmes Beach will offer a gourmet take on the Italian tradition, The Feast of the Seven Fishes, this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Offerings include small plates like fried calamari, parmesan yellowfin tuna crudo and sun-dried tomato tapenade; pasta plates like sea urchin bucatini carbonara, lobster and pancetta pastas; and a main plate option of Florida cacciucco (seafood stew) or grilled red snapper.

Details: Reservations recommended. Available 5-10 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 5325 Marina Dr., Holmes Beach.

Info: 941-238-6262. waterlineresort.com/events.

Golden Corral

Golden Corral will be open with the usual buffet offerings on Christmas Eve, and holiday to-go meals featuring turkey, fried chicken, prime rib and ham are also available.

Details: Open Christmas Eve. 5525 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton.

Info: goldencorral.com.

IHOP

IHOP restaurants offer a roasted turkey and stuffing entree on the menu, and they are open on Christmas Day. Also enjoy the limited-time holiday menu themed around “The Elf on the Shelf.”

Details: Open 24/7. 5427 14th St. W., Bradenton and 6320 State Road 64 E., Bradenton.

Info: ihop.com.

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus in Holmes Beach will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day serving traditional German fare and cheer. The menu includes many varieties of schnitzel as well as salad, meat entrees, a special roast duck plate and vegetarian options.

Enjoy your food with imported wine or German beer on draft.

The restaurant will also be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Details: 4:30-9 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Reservations recommended. 3246 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. 941-778-1320.

Info: schnitzel.house.

Mattison’s restaurants

All three Mattison’s locations will be open on Christmas Eve offering holiday dining.

Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille in Bradenton will offer a Christmas Eve dinner service and a Feast of the Seven Fishes inspired menu.

Appetizer choices include bruschetta, crab cakes, salads and shrimp cocktails. A wide array of entrees includes a wild mushroom pasta, fish and chips, rosemary honey-glazed salmon, lamb, duck, prime rib and ribeye plates.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes special is a four-course meal featuring shrimp and lobster bisque, fried calamari, a bountiful seafood pasta and espresso with biscotti for a sweet finish. The feast is $49 per person.

The Bradenton restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day, but Mattison’s Forty-One in Sarasota will be open from 2-8 p.m. with a special menu.

Details: Christmas dining offered from 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve. Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, 101 Riverwalk Blvd., Bradenton.

Info: 941-896-9660. mattisons.com.

Pier 22

Pier 22 Restaurant in downtown Bradenton will offer an elaborate holiday menu on Christmas Day.

Offerings include appetizers (scallops, crab cake, lamb lollipops, escargot) soups and salads, entrees (steak, prime rib, duck, seafood and more) and ten different desserts.

Details: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Christmas Day. 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton. Reservations recommended.

Info: pier22dining.com.

Starbucks

Starbucks coffee shops will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for all of your caffeine needs, and with the chain’s ever-expanding food offerings, it can be a good place to grab a quick bite.

Details: Hours vary by store.

Info: starbucks.com/store-locator.

Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar

Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar will host a “I Survived my Holiday Party” celebration will live music and a full menu of seafood, hamburgers, sandwiches, soup, salad and more.

Details: 3-9 p.m. Christmas Day. 7150 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Reservations available.

Info: facebook.com/TarponBayatRamadaWaterfront.

Waffle House

In an emergency, there’s always Waffle House. The restaurant does not offer a holiday menu, but all of your old favorites will be there. We recommend the pecan waffle.

Details: Open 24/7, 365. 2400 Cortez Road W., Bradenton and 603 67th St. Circle, Bradenton.

Info: wafflehouse.com.

This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 9:44 AM.