by Erin Ratigan, Fort Worth Report
December 17, 2025
Not sure what’s for dinner on Christmas Eve? Me neither. At my house, we usually spend Dec. 24 preparing dishes we’ll eat the next day. By the time the cooking is done, nobody wants to be in the kitchen — or even look at the stove.
For everyone out there like me who can’t stand putting effort into Christmas Eve dinner, I’ve put together several spots around Tarrant County where you can dine out. I’ve also included a bonus — a Dec. 21 holiday brunch. And yes, three of these spots are in The Shops at Clearfork, an especially bright and cheery environment during the holiday season.
Christmas Eve dinner at Farena
The Mediterranean restaurant based in the Loews Arlington Hotel, Farena will serve Christmas Eve dinner 5-10 p.m., and according to a PR email, the featured dish is swordfish alla pizzaiola. The eatery is also dishing out Ōra King salmon, seared New England scallop saltimbocca and lumache rigate. Pricing is a la carte.
Their regular menus range from brunch, lunch and dinner to desserts, cocktails, beer and wine — by the glass or bottle. The lumache rigate appears on their usual lunch and dinner menus for $24 and has stracciatella and guanciale with a spicy vodka sauce and olive oil.
888 Nolan Ryan Expressway, Arlington; 800-235-6397
Holiday takeout all month long at B&B Butchers
B&B Butchers is serving during regular hours Dec. 24, but those wanting to dive into the Yuletide spirit any day of the week can also order from their monthlong holiday takeout menu.
Give them 48 hours notice and they’ll prepare a variety of dishes, such as mains of beef Wellington, filet mignon, prime rib, smoked ham and pork crown roast, according to a PR email. Mini crab cakes, caprese skewers, pigs in a blanket, bacon and mini beef Wellington hors d’oeuvres are also on the table.
Their half-sheet sides are whipped potatoes, creamed spinach, mac and cheese and Brussels sprouts that serve up to 10 people, and their apple crisp and pecan pies are $35 each.
Foodies can visit OpenTable or call 817-737-5212 for reservations. For holiday takeout, call 817-731-5360.
5212 Marathon Ave., Fort Worth; 817-737-5212
Foodies will find a multicourse dinner 4-9 p.m. Dec. 24 at Crú Wine Bar & Bistro. The $60 prix fixe menu offers appetizers, mains and desserts. Those wanting to get creative may also customize the meal and dine a la carte. A PR email described the menu as a “blend of elevated comfort and holiday warmth, guiding you through three-courses for an ideal holiday evening.”
Goat cheese beignets, lobster bisque and black truffle tortellini are some of the starters, which range from $14-$19, while surf and turf entrees range from filet mignon to cast iron-seared deep sea scallops with spinach Parmesan risotto. Custard lovers will note the creme brulee and New York cheesecake among the sweets, listed beside a chocolate lava cake with whipped cream and berries.
Reservations can be made online.
5188 Marathon Ave., Fort Worth; 817-737-9463
Spiced winter cocktail at Fixe Southern House
Along with their regular menu items, Fixe Southern House is serving a winter cocktail called Winter Provisions, which they describe on their social media as “a spicy take” on a New York sour. According to a reel posted on the restaurant’s Instagram, Winter Provisions features Milam & Greene bourbon, St. Elizabeth allspice dram, spiced honey syrup, lemon juice and a pinot noir float with cassis liqueur.
Entrees include Texas red fish with gold rice grits, sweet corn chow chow, and benne seed furikake; boneless prime rib-eye, cornbread and Gouda fondue; and a vegetarian option of toasted farro, sweet corn, Brussels sprouts, maitakes, sweet potatoes, roasted peppers and pecan romesco.
Their sides and appetizers offer an interesting combination of flavors, as crab hush puppies, deviled eggs and barbecue beans contrast the distinctly brunchy offerings of grits; a sweet and savory cinnamon roll; and biscuits with whipped butter, fruit preserves and Texas honey.
Fixe Southern House is open regular hours Christmas Eve. Reservations are available through OpenTable.
5282 Marathon Ave., Fort Worth; 682-707-3965
Christmas brunch at The Bearded Lady Dec. 21
If you’re looking for something to do a bit earlier, The Bearded Lady’s annual Christmas brunch is back 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 21, serving food and drink specials and a visit from the Grinch. Diners can also bring their dogs to snap pictures with Santa Claus. Staff posted on Facebook that Christmas brunch is one of The Bearded Lady’s “most loved events of the year.”
Some of the limited-time bites making an appearance are gingerbread pancakes and their Texas Snow Bowl, which combines queso tots, bacon, fried egg, jalapenos, avocado creme and queso fresco with cilantro. Meanwhile, a holiday hash brings together sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, dried cranberry, pecans, sage and breakfast sausage under a Parmesan sauce with hot honey drizzle.
Naturally, there are Christmasy beverages, too. Peppermint and cranberry flavors appear among the drink specials, namely in their Mistletoe Mimosa, North Pole Cold Brew and Rumple Sleigh shot. For the rest of the month, customers can try their cocktail of the month, the Sugar Cookie Martini. They describe the taste on their social media page as sweet, creamy and sure to bring the holiday spirit. “Think dessert-in-a-glass meets Christmas magic.” Other festive, boozy drinks on the menu include egg nog, hot chocolate, the Winter-ita and mulled wine.
If it’s comfort food you’re after, they’ve also added beer-battered cod fish and chips to the menu, as well as reviving their Fancy Grilled Cheese. The latter features a blend of brie, white and yellow cheddars and a bowl of tomato basil soup.
300 S. Main St., Fort Worth; 817-349-9832
We’d love to hear from you! Send your restaurant tips and hot takes to erin.ratigan@fortworthreport.org.
Erin Ratigan is a freelance journalist and writer specializing in narrative news features. You can find her on X @erinratigan.
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