Vancouver restaurants for a festive Christmas Day feast
What better present to give yourself for the 2015 holiday season than the promise of a stress-free Christmas meal? Forget about basting the turkey and browning the gravy; instead, treat your near and dear to a festive feast at one of these fine Vancouver restaurants. It’s time to eat, drink and be merry … and leave the dishes to someone else!
ARC RESTAURANT
900 Canada Place, Vancouver BC V6C 3L5Once you’ve opened the stockings and downed your first mimosa, head on over to Vancouver’s swank Fairmont Waterfront hotel for a delightful Christmas Day meal. Arc’s brunch buffet ($75) offers a satisfying smorgasbord of baked goodies, cheese and meat platters, seafood towers, carvery stations and desserts. Come dinnertime, executive chef Dana Hauser’s holiday banquet ($79) might convince you to retire your apron for good. Feast on roasted turkey or beef striploin accompanied by whipped potatoes, roasted squash, caramelized Brussels sprouts and other tasty trimmings. Top it all off with live music, stunning decorations and a panoramic waterfront view.
MARKET by Jean-Georges
1128 Georgia St W, Vancouver BC V6E 0A8A luxurious staycation at the Shangri-La might be out of your price range, but treating yourself to a Christmas Day feast at the hotel’s chic dining room is perhaps the next best thing. For the 2015 holiday season, MARKET is hosting a holiday brunch ($59) and an evening tasting menu ($98), both of which include a complimentary glass of bubbly. The multi-course dinner will wow with an array of seasonal delights – think heirloom tomato and burrata, seared scallops, fresh tagliatelle, and MARKET’s signature candy cane cheesecake. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day and a special appearance by Santa himself.
Yew Seafood + Bar
791 Georgia St W, Vancouver BC V6C 2T4Made-to-order Albacore tuna tacos might not scream “Christmas” to you, but Yew’s delicious seafood dishes will inspire you to start some new holiday traditions. The modern dining room at the Four Seasons Hotel is putting on an extravagant brunch buffet ($91) and a special evening meal ($95) – both of which are fantastic alternatives to do-it-yourself dining. The daytime spread is a feast for the eyes and stomach with charcuterie platters, carving stations, a raw bar and much more. With seafood options and traditional dishes alike, the three-course Christmas dinner is gourmet in its execution but nostalgic in its appeal.
Dockside Restaurant
1253 Johnston St, Vancouver BC V6H 3R9All-you-can-eat dining is on offer all day long at this beloved Granville Island brewpub. Dockside will be serving up indulgent buffet-style menus for brunch ($74.95) and dinner ($84.95) on Christmas Day, making it an ideal destination for large groups with big appetites. Start off your Christmas morning with heavenly pastries and savoury egg dishes, chilled seafood and an array of tempting desserts. If you visit for dinner, expect beautiful salads, numerous meat and seafood delights (turkey, salmon, cod, shellfish, ham, prime rib) and festive sweets. Dessert lovers of all ages will swoon over the orange-scented milk chocolate fountain.
Fairmont Vancouver Airport
Vancouver International Airport, RICHMOND BC V7B 0A6You won’t mind being stuck at the airport on Christmas Day if it means enjoying a spectacular Yuletide gala brunch ($99) at Globe@YVR. Located at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, this well-appointed restaurant beats an airport lounge any day of the week. Warm pastries, sweet and savoury brunch dishes, garden-fresh salads, live seafood and meat stations, sushi platters, tasty side dishes and nostalgic desserts are sure to make for a very special (not to mention decadent) Christmas morning. Seatings are between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. And we bet the kids will love watching the planes at the nearby airport runway.
Forage
1300 Robson St, Vancouver BC V6E 1C5If you’re all about seasonal vegetables, Ocean Wise seafood, and environmentally conscious business practices, Forage is an ideal spot to spend Christmas Day. Helmed by chef Chris Whittaker, this Robson Street restaurant is known for its sustainable farmhouse fare and ongoing commitment to supporting nearby farmers, fishers and community partners. This year, Forage will be serving a light early-morning breakfast menu, a more decadent a-la-carte holiday brunch, and a special prix-fixe holiday dinner with three seatings (4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 pm). The $50 family-style holiday feast is an affordable and delicious option for groups large and small.
Copper Chimney
567 Hornby St, Vancouver BC V6C 2E8Looking for classic Christmas fare with an exotic twist? Copper Chimney’s unique holiday menu is sure to delight. Vaulted ceilings, intricate wall murals and rich colours throughout the space make this impressive downtown dining room an enchanting venue for a one-of-a-kind festive meal. Christmas Day dinner (starting at $45) features cumin and coriander roasted turkey served with traditional fixings such as potatoes, roasted veggies and gravy. Guests also have the option to mix it up with additional Indian delicacies; dal maharani, paneer butter masala, coconut vegetable curry and palak paneer spinach are just a few of the dishes available.
Seasons in the Park Restaurant
33rd Avenue W, Vancouver BC V5Y 2M5Step away from the recipe book, pick up the phone and book a table for you and your loved ones at Seasons. Whether you’re looking for prime rib and Yorkshire pudding, oven-roasted turkey, seafood bouillabaisse or a whole lobster, this festive Christmas dinner ($75) has a little something for everyone – there’s even eggplant parmigiana for vegetarians. The multi-course meal also includes your choice of starter, a sorbet palate cleanser and three dessert selections: lemon pie, pumpkin cheesecake or chocolate cake. Nestled within the lush greenery of Queen Elizabeth Park, the views from this scenic dining room can’t be beat.
Araxi Restaurant & Bar
4222 Village Sq, Whistler BC V0N 1B4If you’re escaping to the mountains for the 2015 holiday season and are in need of a full-service Christmas dinner, look no further than Araxi. Arguably Whistler’s finest fine-dining destination, the sleek restaurant is conveniently located in the Village Square and is open on Christmas Day for lunch (from 12:00 to 2:00 pm) and a traditional holiday dinner starting at 5:00 pm. The lunch menu features farm-to-table dishes served a la carte while the evening feast includes all of your traditional Christmas dinner favourites: Fraser Valley turkey, herbed stuffing, locally sourced roasted veggies, savoury gravy and cranberry sauce.
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