Jingle All the Way: Where to Eat Christmas Dinner and Avoid the Hassle of Cooking

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 for 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).

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

Sexy Santa is Back at Tribe Solana
Start your healthy eating early this year with Tribe's Solana's first ever Christmas dinner. The team has prepared plenty of options, including freshly-pressed juices and a dinner comprised of either a main dish or three courses. On top of all that, get into the jolly spirit with a live band and be sure not to leave kids at home as Tribe has prepared a special menu just for the small ones. Dec 23, 7-9pm. RMB 98-398. Tribe Solana
 

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
 

Delivery from Lily's American Diner
Lily's will serve their traditional Christmas dinner at all three locations this holiday season and anyone looking to stay in can order roasted US imported turkeys for delivery for RMB 139/kg or honey glazed hams for 169/kg. On top of that, sides are available for RMB 30 per person (includes homemade stuffing, mashed potato, sweet potato, vegetables, cranberry sauce and gravy). Vegetarian options are also available. Dec 23-25. RMB 199, RMB 159 (children). Lily's American Diner
 

A Very Annie's Christmas
Celebrate Christmas Eve at Annie’s this year with an a la carte menu stacked with all of the Italian favorite’s signature dishes. There’ll also be a suped-up dessert list, including a creamy tiramisu, homemade gelato, as well as fresh Panettone. Best yet, all sweet, sparkling, and rosé wines are 15 percent off throughout December. Dec 24, 11am-10pm. Annie's
 

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
 

Q Mex Christmas Dinner
Q Mex has prepared a special three-course dinner this Christmas to keep you warm and happy, including two separate set courses: one for Q Mex Bar & Grill and one for Q Mex Taqueria. Dishes include seabass pozole, roasted turkey, Christmas carnitas tamale, tres leches cake. To lubricate the occasion, they'll also have special cranberry margaritas (RMB 60) and Christmas shots (six for RMB 60). Dec 24-25, 5pm-2am. Q Mex
 

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 (call for a list of vegetarian-friendly options). Expect plenty of strong flavors and spices. Dec 24-25, 11am-3pm and 6-10.30pm. RMB 248, RMB 198 (with reservation). Caravan
 

Holiday Lunch and Dinner at The Local
Trust The Local to have all the options you ever wanted. Yes, their single meals are on hand if all of your friends have left town but you still want to go solo 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. Throughout December, 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 fo tortelloni, smoked salmon, and grilled eel. 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 Set Menu at the Rug
The Rug's new winter menu is in and with it comes with 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
 

French Christmas at InfraRouge
As this is their first Christmas in Beijing, InfraRouge plans to make it a memorable one. From Boudeuse oysters to Boston lobsters, InfraRouge's Chef Bourenane has prepared a traditional seafood feast alongside elements of Asian culinary philosophy and fine presentation to ensure that you leave having had a Christmas like no other before. Dec 24-25, 11.30am-11pm. Call for prices. InfraRouge
 

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! So what could be better 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 seafood lovers, there can be no better gift these holidays 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 to a good start. Dec 24, 6.30-11pm. RMB 198-398. Sanlitun venue TBA (location will be revealed after successful registration)

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Images courtesy of the organizers