These Rochester area eateries will be open for dinner on Christmas Eve 2017. Tracy Schuhmacher
This story has been updated as restaurants have announced their plans for the holiday.
If you want to go out to a restaurant on Christmas Eve or on Christmas, it's time to do your research and make reservations. Many restaurants will close both days — and those that remain open will do a brisk business.
Whereas some spots make a tradition of being open for other holidays, Christmas Eve and Day are more variable, depending on the days of the week on which they fall. Because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, many restaurants are serving brunch rather than the dinners served in years past.
One thing to count on: Chinese restaurants will be open, and most area hotel restaurants will serve at least one holiday meal.
Here are some varied choices for Dec. 24 and 25:
Christmas Eve
Atlas Eats, 2185 N. Clinton Ave., Irondequoit, will serve breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon, and its gift certificates will be available for sale. (585) 544-1300.
Bar Louie in Greece and Henrietta will be open from 11 a.m. to midnight. 98 Greece Ridge Center Drive (The Mall at Greece Ridge) in Greece, (585) 797-1054; and 935 Jefferson Road in Henrietta, (585) 417-3610.
Bazil, 1384 Empire Blvd. in Penfield, will serve a traditional Sunday brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $24.95 for adults; $12.95 for ages five to 12 and $5.95 for children under five. Dinner will be served from 4 to 8 p.m. (585) 697-2006.
Black & Blue, a swanky steakhouse at 3349 Monroe Ave. in Pittsford Plaza, will serve its full menu and holiday specials from 3 to 9 p.m. (585) 421-8111.
Blossom Road Pub, a casual neighborhood pub at 198 N. Winton Road, will be open 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. (the kitchen closes at 1 a.m.). (585) 363-5831.
Char Steak & Lounge at the Strathallan, 550 East Ave., will serve breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m.; à la carte brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and its full dinner menu from 4 to 8 p.m. Reservations for dinner are recommended. (585) 461-5010.
D & R Depot, 63 Lake St., Le Roy, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check out the upside-down Christmas tree and enter the contest for counting the number of angels in its decorations.
del Lago Resort & Casino, 1133 State Route 414, Tyre, Seneca County, will serve holiday menus at all of its restaurants. Portico by Fabio Viviani will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Farmers Market Buffet will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Vine will be open 4 p.m. to midnight. Sociale Café and Bar, in the hotel, will be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests of all ages may dine at The Sociale Café and Bar, but diners must be 21 and older to visit the other restaurants. Call (315) 946-1780 for Portico reservations or (315) 946-1777 for Sociale reservations.
Edgar's Steakhouse at the beautiful Belhurst Castle, 4069 West Lake Road in Geneva, will serve dinner from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Choose from the regular menu or a four-course prime rib prix fixe meal. Reservations required. (315) 781-0201, ext. 3.
Erie Grill, an upscale restaurant in The Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Rochester Hotel & Spa, 41 N Main St., Pittsford, will serve breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. (585) 419-3032.
Farmer's Creekside Tavern & Inn, a beautifully restored historic building at 1 Main St., Le Roy, Genesee County, will have seatings from 1 to 6:30 p.m. It will offer a special menu; among the choices will be prime rib and ham dinners. (585) 768-6007.
Gigi's Italian Kitchen, 2256 Hudson Ave. (across from Titus Avenue) in Irondequoit, will serve a special Christmas brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (585) 544-5440.
Grappa, the Italian spot adjoining the Hilton Garden Inn at 30 Celebration Drive in College Town, will serve its regular menu and a special Christmas Eve menu from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (585) 445-5770.
The Hideaway, previously called Hogans Hideaway, 197 Park Ave., will serve its full brunch and dinner menu from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (585) 434-0511.
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Horizons Restaurant at Woodcliff Hotel and Spa, 199 Woodcliff Drive in Perinton, will offer a grand buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a cost of $46 for adults and $23 for children. Dinner, served from 5:30 to 9 p.m., will be a four-course plated meal that includes soup, salad, entrée and dessert. The holiday offerings at Woodcliff book up early; call (585) 248-4825 for reservations.
Joe Bean, a spacious coffee shop at 1344 University Ave., will serve a special holiday brunch menu from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas Eve. (585) 319-5279.
Jojo Bistro and Wine Bar, a popular place at 60 N. Main St., Pittsford, will serve its full menu plus holiday features from 4 to 9 p.m. Christmas Eve. (585) 385-3108.
Nucci's Italian Seafood & Steak House, 807 Ridge Road in Webster, will serve its regular menu and specials from 3 to 8 p.m. (585) 347-4961.
Panzari's Italian Bistro, 321 Exchange Blvd. in Rochester, will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. (585) 546-7990.
Perlo’s, an Italian restaurant at 202 N. Washington St. in East Rochester, will serve its full menu of Italian fare, as well as additional fish entrees, from 3 until about 10 p.m. — “until our customers are done.” (585) 248-5060.
Playhouse Swillburger, 820 S. Clinton Ave., will serve its burgers, fries and tots from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve. (585) 442-2442.
Roam Cafe, a cozy eatery at 262 Park Ave., will serve its regular menu and specials on Christmas Eve from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Christmas Eve. (585) 360-4165.
The Shore Restaurant at Canandaigua's Inn on the Lake, 770 S. Main St., will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (585) 394-7800.
The Street, Craft Kitchen and Bar, the more casual restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 125 E. Main St., will be open 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Christmas Eve. It will serve its regular menu, which focuses on international street food. (585) 546-1234.
TRATA, The Restaurant at The Armory, 145 Culver Road, will serve its full menu as well as holiday features from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (585) 270-5460.
Village Bakery & Cafe locations will be open for breakfast and lunch on Christmas Eve. It also will have pies and dinner rolls available for pre-order to pick up that day. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 5 State St., Pittsford, and at the Culver Road Armory, 145 Culver Road. And for last-minute shoppers, the location at Eastview Mall in Victor will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Christmas Day
Bar Louie in Greece and Henrietta will be open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Christmas Day. 98 Greece Ridge Center Drive (The Mall at Greece Ridge) in Greece; (585) 797-1054. 935 Jefferson Road in Henrietta. (585) 417-3610.
Blossom Road Pub, 198 N. Winton Road, will be open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. (the kitchen closes at 1 a.m.). (585) 363-5831.
Char Steak & Lounge at the Strathallan, 550 East Ave., will serve breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. (585) 461-5010.
Chinese restaurants: It's a famous fact that many Jewish people visit Chinese restaurants on Christmas Day, so it's a good bet that your favorite Chinese or Asian restaurants will be open. It's best to call to double-check hours.
del Lago Resort & Casino, 1133 State Route 414, Tyre, Seneca County, will serve holiday menus at all of its restaurants. Portico by Fabio Viviani will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Farmers Market Buffet will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Vine will be open 4 p.m. to midnight. Sociale Café and Bar, in the hotel, will be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests of all ages may dine at The Sociale Café and Bar, but diners must be 21 and older to visit the other restaurants. Call (315) 946-1780 for Portico reservations or (315) 946-1777 for Sociale reservations.
Edgar's Steakhouse at Belhurst Castle, 4069 West Lake Road in Geneva, will serve a dinner buffet from 5 to 7 p.m. Carving stations will include a roasted New York strip loin and mustard rosemary crusted lamb roast. (315) 781-0201, ext. 3.
Grappa, 30 Celebration Drive in College Town, will serve breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. (585) 445-5770.
Horizons Restaurant at Woodcliff Hotel and Spa, 199 Woodcliff Drive in Perinton, will offer a grand buffet with seatings at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. at a cost of $46 for adults and $23 for children. Dinner, with seatings at 5 and 7:30 p.m., will be from a special holiday menu. The holiday offerings at Woodcliff book up early; call (585) 248-4825 for reservations.
The Shore Restaurant at Canandaigua's Inn on the Lake, 770 S. Main St., will serve its regular menu from noon to 6 p.m. (585) 394-7800.
The Street, Craft Kitchen and Bar, the more casual restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Rochester, 125 E. Main St., will be open 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will feature a holiday buffet from 2 to 7 p.m. for $17.95 per person.
Are you a restaurant that is open Christmas Eve or Day? Email your information to TRACYS@Gannett.com and she will consider it for the online version of this story.