The 2012 Christmas Guide: Dining Out

You're still working off the turkey weight from a few weeks ago, but you're gonna have to take a break from your P90X training for another round of holiday gorging. We've rounded up a huge selection of feasts all around town for both Christmas Eve and Day. There's everything from turkey and roasts to Italian, French, Chinese and other international eats. You can even celebrate at the Great Wall.

Make your reservations as soon as humanly possible, and look for our companion blog with take-home options and insane splash-out galas.

In all our scouring (in case you can't tell, we've been quite comprehensive), we haven't come across any alternative celebrations (Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, anyone?). So if you know of any, please let us know in the comments below.

CHRISTMAS EVE ONLY

A Very SALT Christmas Eve
Have a jolly time with five courses of their contemporary take on traditional dishes, like roast turkey with almond-date rice and turkey-truffle jus. Add RMB 300 for free-flow drinks. RMB 488. 6-10.30pm. SALT (6437 8457)

BLD Christmas Eve Dinner
Roast turkey, ham, rabbit and seafood as well as a wok station, with Christmas pudding, gingerbread men and chocolate fountain to finish. RMB 888+15%. 6-10pm. BLD, Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel (5863 8223)

Buon Natale
Five courses of hearty Tuscan fare with sparkling Prosecco and a Christmas surprise from the chef. RMB 888+15%. Daccapo, The Regent (8522 1789)

Christmas Eve at the Great Wall
Spiced cider, roasted chestnuts and a family-style dinner including roast goose and Christmas trifle, with caroling (and hot chocolate and cookies) to follow. Shuttle bus available for an extra RMB 120. RMB 240. 7pm-late. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu (6162 6506)

Christmas at LPG
Five courses for a Christmas eve of classic French food. RMB 388. Le Petit Gourmand (6417 6095)

Christmas Eve at Fratelli Fresh
Celebrate Italian-style with a seven-course dinner of caviar, oysters and pan-roasted wagyu. RMB 788+15%. Fratelli Fresh, Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel (5863 8203)

Christmas Eve Dinner at Angus Grill
A four-course set dinner with a glass of sparkling wine. RMB 388+15%. Angus Grill, Crowne Plaza Beijing (5911 9965)

Christmas Eve Buffet at Beijing Bistro
Seafood, roast turkey and free-flow champagne and French wine. RMB 498. 6-10pm. Beijing Bistro, Beijing Marriott Northeast (5927 8888)

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner
A seafood feast with free-flowing house and mulled wine. Live band and lucky draw, too. RMB 688. Renaissance Cafe, Renaissance Beijing Chaoyang (6468 9999 ext 3121)

Christmas Eve Dinner at Café Noir
Turkey, ham, Christmas puddings and a chance to win an iPad mini. What more could you ask? RMB 788. 6-9.30pm. Cafe Noir, Traders Upper East Hotel (5907 8416)

Christmas Eve Dinner at Chef Too
Choose a traditional turkey and ham dinner (RMB 288), filet mignon (RMB 368) or lobster in saffron cream (RMB 388), followed by dessert. All prices +15%. Chef Too (6591 8676)

Christmas Eve Dinner at Heritage
Splash out at the Sofitel’s new French restaurant. Five courses with a welcome glass of champagne, plus live classical music. RMB 2,688 (for two). Heritage, Sofitel Wanda Beijing (8599 6666 ext 6528)

Christmas Eve Dinner at One East
Five-course dinner in their cozy American homestyle dining room. RMB 688+15% (+RMB 298 for wine pairing). One East, Hilton Beijing (5865 5030)

Christmas Eve Dinner at Swissotel
Festive holiday dinner with a children's choir singing carols as you dine. Reserve by calling or email restaurant.beijing@swissotel.com. RMB 388+15%. Cafe Swiss, Swissotel (6553 2288 ext 2127)

Christmas Eve Dinner at Vasco's
A festive buffet with free-flowing champagne and live jazz, with a chance to win a stay in the Hilton Wangfujing’s presidential suite. RMB 788+15%. 6-11pm. Vasco’s, Hilton Beijing Wangfujing (5812 8888)

Christmas Eve Dinner at VIC Restaurant
Festive buffet with seafood plus Asian and international options. Wines and beer flow freely and you start with a flute of champagne. One of the more reasonably-priced hotel offerings (yes, trust us). VIC, Sofitel Wanda Beijing (8599 6666 ext 6521)

Christmas Eve Dinner at Qi
It’s Christmas in Beijing – go Chinese with braised mushrooms with sea whelk, wok-fried diced beef and cod fish. RMB 888+15%. 5.30-10pm. Qi, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street (6601 6666)

Christmas Eve Dinner Dance
The Beijing Caledonian Society is having an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet at Sino-Chu Wine Bar. French onion soup, grilled salmon, king prawns, lamb chops, apple pie and a glass of red wine. Dancing will follow. RSVP to hngigroup@gmail.com or by text to 186 0013 9050. RMB 265. 7pm. Sino-Chu Wine Bar (8532 2418)

Christmas Eve Set Dinner at CRU Steakhouse
Oyster, lobster and freshly roasted turkey alongside CRU’s signature steaks. Price TBD. 6-10.30pm. CRU Steakhouse, JW Marriott (5908 8530)

Christmas Family Dinner Buffet
Ample Christmas eats accompanied by live piano and a gift from Santa. Pay RMB 50
extra for free-flow beer and house wines. RMB 388. Essence, Crowne Plaza Beijing
(5911 9910)

Feast Christmas Dinner Buffet
Free-flow champagne, wines and more with a festive buffet spread. RMB 688. 6.30-10.30pm. Feast, Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel (5798 8989)

Jingle Bell Rock! Christmas Eve at pentalounge
The hip new hotel is serving up Christmas with a carving station and other international treats for a steal. RMB 288. pentalounge, pentahotel (6708 1188)

Modo Christmas Eve
Four courses with your choice of tortellini, saffron risotto glazed cod or tenderloin for your main. RMB 350. Modo (6415 7207)

Mosto Christmas Eve
Four courses of Mosto’s comforting contemporary cuisine, with asparagus ravioli, their much-loved beef tenderloin and a chocolate soufflé with Sichuan peppercorn ice cream. RMB 490. Mosto (5208 6030)

Scarlett Christmas Eve
Five courses including pan-seared foie gras, roasted snow fish and an oxtail parmentier with fresh truffles. Plus chances to win a night stay at the hotel, a RMB 500 dining voucher or bottle of bubbly. RMB 298. 7pm. Scarlett, Hotel G (6552 2880)

Seafood Extravaganza
If you think birds are for the birds, celebrate with delights of the sea instead. Extra RMB 170 gets you beer, wine and sparkling wine. RMB 588+15%. Cafe 99, The Regent (8522 1888 ext 3823)

White Christmas Gala
Enjoy a seafood buffet at the City Wall Bistro or Hawka, or sit down for a Christmas set menu at Provincia. RMB 668+15%. 6-8.30pm. Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall (5811 8888)

CHRISTMAS EVE & DAY

Dec 24-25
Blue Frog Christmas
Three-course dinner and two drinks available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (at all three locations), with a special gift if you reserve early. RMB 328. Blue Frog (8426 0017)

Brussels Christmas Roast turkey, ham and a buffet of sides, plus dessert and Christmas cookies. First seating 6.30-7pm, second seating 8-8.30pm. Call Kenn Bermel (134 8880 4794) to reserve. RMB 198 (pre-sale until Dec 20), RMB 268 (at the door). Brussels (6591 9525)

Christmas at Capital M
M’s award-winning food, mulled wine and hot apple cider with Christmas carols by the International Festival Chorus. Dinner on Christmas Eve (carols at 8.30pm), lunch and dinner on Christmas Day (carols at 1.30pm). RMB 588. Capital M (6702 2727)

Christmas at Feast
A special menu of suckling pig, turkey and Christmas pudding, available for dinner on Christmas Eve (5-10.30pm) and lunch on Christmas Day (11.30am- 3pm). RMB 328+15%. Feast, EAST Beijing (8414 9820)

Christmas at Maison Boulud
Five French courses at one of Beijing’s best restaurants. RMB 688+15%. Maison Boulud (6559 9200)

Christmas Bento Box and Set Dinner at Nobu
For lunch, enjoy a selection of sashimi with tempura, roast chicken and soft-shell crab maki (RMB 260+15%). A set dinner is also available with sashimi, King crab salad, slow-cooked short ribs and their signature black cod (RMB 688+15%). Nobu (5969 6988)

Christmas Menu at The Bookworm
Roast turkey with pigs in blankets or honey roast salmon with new potatoes, including starters, dessert and a glass of sparkling wine. Available for dinner on Christmas Eve (6-11pm) and for lunch on Christmas Day (noon-4pm). RMB 200. The Bookworm (6586 9507)

Migas Christmas Menu
A feast of Armagnac-marinated ham, warm salad of Iberian prawns, stuffed turkey and more. Available for dinner on Christmas Eve or lunch on Christmas Day. RMB 288. Migas (5208 6061)

Dec 24-26
Back Alley Bistro
Order appetizer, entrée and dessert from a set menu of chef Jeffery Powell’s great Californian fare. Special tap beers and wine specials on offer, too, though not included in price of set dinner. A la carte also available. RMB 298. Back Alley Bistro (6417 5430)

Tim’s Christmas
Classic American-style dinner: roast beef, honey-baked ham, candied yams and more. RMB 188. 5pm. Tim’s Texas BBQ (6591 9161)

CHRISTMAS DAY ONLY

A Very SALT Christmas Day
Gather friends and family for turkey, venison, Waldorf salad and Zacapa Rum 23 pudding. Two courses: RMB 268, RMB 488 (with drinks); three courses: RMB 308, RMB 548 (3 courses + free-flow drinks). SALT (6437 8457)

Aroma Christmas Lunch Buffet
Serving all of your favorites on Christmas Day. Includes free-flow soda, beer, wine and champagne. RMB 518+15%. 11am-2- pm. Aroma, Ritz-Carlton Beijing (5908 8161)

Barolo Christmas Set Lunch
Five-course Italian set lunch, plus one glass of champagne upon arrival. RMB 688+15%. 11am-2pm. Barolo, Ritz-Carlton Beijing (5908 8151)

Christmas Brunch
Fresh oysters, Alaskan king crab, traditional roast turkey and a spread of sweets for Christmas morning. RMB 346+15%. 11.30am-2.30pm. Greenfish, Ritz-Carlton Financial Street (6601 6666 ext 6255)

Christmas Buffet
The Christmas buffet at Beijing Bistro offers seafood & roast turkey with the free-flow Champagne and French wine. RMB 298. 6-10pm. Beijing Marriott Northeast, (5927 8888)

Christmas Day at the Great Wall
Live jazz in the afternoon with a country buffet available throughout, including carved roast beef, homemade bread and Christmas cake. Shuttle available for an extra RMB 80. RMB 240. 11am-8pm. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu (6162 6506)

Christmas Day Brunch
An international take on Christmas brunch with a large selection of holiday sweets for dessert. RMB 288+15%. Time TBD. Grand Millennium (8587 6888)

Christmas Day Brunch
A Christmas-themed buffet spread complete with Santa’s corner and special giveaways. Price TBD. 11.30am-3.30pm. Asia Bistro, JW Marriott Hotel (5908 8511)

Christmas Day Brunch at Scene a Café
Traditional offerings (carved ham, roast beef and turkey) alongside international specialties (parma ham, Moroccan lamb leg and Singaporean chilli crab). RMB 388+15%. 11.30am-2.30pm. Scene a Cafe, China World Hotel (6505 2266 ext 35)

Christmas Day Family Brunch
Fresh seafood, free-flow Veuve Clicquot and Santa himself ensures fun for all the family. 11.30am-3pm. RMB 588, RMB 488 (without champagne) plus 15%. Garden Court, St. Regis Beijing (6460 6688)

Christmas Day Lunch
Three courses with turkey carved tableside. RMB 288+15% (+RMB 198 for free-flow wine and beer, +RMB 248 for free-flow champagne). One East, Hilton Beijing (5865 5030)

Christmas Day Unlimited Bubbalicious
The option of celebrating all throughout the day with unlimited Bubbalicious buffet. RMB 558-628+15%. 11.30am-2.30pm, 3-6pm. Seasonal Tastes, Westin Beijing Chaoyang (5922 8888)

Modo Christmas Lunch
They’ll be serving their usual set lunch with an option to add free-flow wines for RMB 120. RMB 80 (2 courses), RMB 95 (3 courses). Modo (6415 7207)

Mosto Christmas Lunch
Three courses with free-flowing sparkling wines, bellinis and mimosas for an extra RMB 158. RMB 168. Mosto (5208 6030)

Photos: Courtesy of venues