Christmas Day can be spent in so many ways—there are gifts to unwrap, kids to entertain, basketball to watch, snowballs to chuck, and boozy vegan eggnog to sip leisurely by a roaring fire. Cooking isn’t a top priority for many, and yet food is an extremely important element of the celebratory day. Whether that’s Christmas brunch or dinner, we demand a feast … most just don’t want to spend all day preparing it.
Cue the professionals. From gooey vegan cinnamon rolls to an impressive plant-based roast, these restaurants have your holiday covered.
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1 The Herbivorous Butcher
Minneapolis, MN
Stock up on vegan mini hams, pot roasts, pork chops, butternut squash sausages, and much more from this Minneapolis plant-based butcher, all of which are perfect for the holiday table. Just make sure to order soon, as some of the festive classics are running low and many are out of stock already. Go, go, go!
FIND IT HERE
Café Gratitude
2 Café Gratitude
Multiple locations
This year, Café Gratitude’s showstopping holiday mains include a meaty seitan-based Herbed Holiday Roast and a Savory Mushroom Wellington. Of course, a holiday feast is not complete without an array of delicious sides. Choose from mouthwatering options like Cauliflower Mashed Potato, Truffled Porcini Gravy, and Butternut Brioche.
FIND IT HERE
Green New American
3 Green New American
Phoenix and Tempe, AZ
Think of this spread as Thanksgiving, take two. Green New American’s annual holiday dinner to-go includes all the classics including a seitan-based turkey breast with gravy, cranberry-studded stuffing, roasted garlic smashed potatoes, paprika-spiced sweet corn, fried Brussels sprouts, bread rolls, and a winter berry cobbler. Other pies (pumpkin, pecan, and apple), a cookie platter, a yule log, vegan chicken parm, and a four-serving tray of vegan mac and cheese are also available. There’s even a gluten-free holiday meal, too. Pick-up is between 11 am and 8 pm on December 23.
FIND IT HERE
Follow Your Heart
4 Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe
Canoga Park, CA
Christmas pre-orders are now open at Follow Your Heart. Options include a complete family-size Christmas dinner, an Oven-Roasted Rosemary-Base Vegan Turkey, and a Gluten-free Harvest Loaf. For dessert, there’s a selection of pies on offer, including strawberry rhubarb, cherry, and the classic apple. Just make sure to get your order in before December 19.
FIND IT HERE
Cinnaholic
5 Cinnaholic
Multiple locations
Are cinnamon rolls breakfast or dessert? On Christmas, they can be both. This vegan cinnamon roll franchise has plenty of holiday treats, including a Nutcracker Sweet Roll, Cinnabites, and an Oh Fudge Roll, which comes complete with chocolate frosting, fudge cookie dough, chocolate bark, chocolate sauce, and sprinkles. The chain does not provide a cutoff order date, but it’s best to place your order sooner than later.
FIND IT HERE
Rebel Cheese
6 Rebel Cheese
Austin, TX
Even if you have the main course covered, let someone else arrange the vegan cheese board. Rebel Cheese’s curated boards are immaculate and party-ready. Its Holiday Deluxe Box and Holiday Cheese Box are already sold out, but the New Year’s Eve Box and the December Fromagier are still up for grabs. The latter includes a Port Wine Cheese Ball, Truffle Brie, Tomato Herb Fromage, Parmesan, Savory Chevre, and Gjetost.
Find it here
The Plot
7 The Plot
Oceanside, CA
This farm-to-table restaurant does everything right. It’s animal-free, organic, and local when possible, and many of its ingredients are sourced from its own urban garden situated amongst the gorgeous outdoor dining area. While closed for Christmas, this husband-and-wife-owned business is offering an individual holiday meal for pickup on December 24. The multi-course meal includes all the classics with a The Plot twist including a warm squash salad, garlic herb mashed potatoes, a meatless loaf with gravy, kimchi stuffing, and more.
FIND IT HERE
Nibel
8 Nibel
Los Angeles, CA
If you’re in Los Angeles, impress your guests with a charcuterie board from Nibel this holiday season. Laden with delicious plant-based meats and cheeses, the brand’s delicious boards will make a stunning asset to your festive spread. Find out more about how to order on its Instagram page.
Find it here
Lucky Catsu
9 Lucky Catsu
Los Angeles, CA
This Hawaiian BBQ ghost kitchen is serving an extensive holiday catering menu this year. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, check out the menu, which includes dishes like Island Fried Chicken, Crispy Shrimp, Spam Musubis, and so much more. All vegan, of course.
Find it here
Whole Foods Market
10 Whole Foods Market
Nationwide
Whole Foods is offering up another chance to try its versatile vegan holiday options for Christmas. Unlike previous years, the nationwide grocer isn’t offering a pre-set vegan meal this holiday season. However, with a decent number of plant-based à la carte entrées and sides, you can build your own holiday spread. Choose between items such as Mushroom and Root Vegetable en Croute, Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Green Beans, Roasted Butternut Squash With Cranberries and Sage, Cider-Glazed Brussels Sprouts With Pepitas, Garlic Roasted Fingerlings, and more. Order by December 22 to secure your holiday favorites.
FIND IT HERE
Planta
11 Planta
Multiple locations
Plant-based restaurant chain Planta is serving up a Holiday Dinner Bundle filled with delicious festive options for your Christmas banquet. There’s the multi-course Holiday Feast, which comes with a roasted steak tenderloin, for example. But you can also select choices a la carte, including cauliflower soup, creamed spinach, and sticky toffee pudding. Order for pick up on either December 23 or December 24.
Find it here
Pura Vita
12 Pura Vita
West Hollywood and Redondo Beach, CA
Both of Pura Vita’s locations are offering holiday catering this year. You can opt for the half-size option (which serves four to six) or the full-size (which serves eight to 12), and all orders must be in by December 20. Choose from tasty Italian-inspired dishes like Baked Pasta Alfredo, Baked Ziti, apple pie, and Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes.
Find it here
Maciel’s Vegan Butcher
13 Maciel’s Vegan Butcher
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles plant-based butcher Maciel’s is the perfect place to head to stock up for your holiday meaty mains. This year, it’s offering braised short ribs with creamy mashed potatoes and garlic green beans on its holiday menu, as well as a charcuterie board complete with salami, vegan cheese, fig jam, smoked almonds, gherkins, and a mushroom-walnut pâté. The deadline for orders is December 20 and pick up is on December 24.
Find it here
Veggie Grill by Next Level
14Veggie Grill by Next Level
Multiple locations
Popular plant-based chain Veggie Grill by Next Level is usually associated with options like vegan tenders, burgers, and fries, but this holiday season, it’s offering a hearty feast through the end of December. Options include its Holiday Harvest Wellington, Green Bean Almondine with Herbed Butter, Baked Mac and Cheese with Parmesan Crumb Crust, Garlic Mashed Potatoes With Creamy Thyme Gravy, and more.
Find it here
@elcocinerorestaurant | Instagram
15El Cocinero
Van Nuys, CA
This beloved, all-vegan Mexican restaurant is bringing back its Christmas tamales for the 2024 holiday season. Choose between Jackfruit Salsa Verde and Jackfruit Red Salsa, available by the dozen and half dozen. El Cocinero’s signature vegan meat trays are also available, just be sure to order by December 20.
Find it here
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
