Whether you’re looking for some holiday cheer or a break from end-of-year deadlines, you’ll find menus and drinks to help keep everything merry and cheerful.
There’s everything from celebratory sips to family-friendly events to annual luxury indulgence. Here’s a selection of what’s available in local restaurants, pubs and pubs until the New Year.
Child-friendly celebrations
After your favorite dishes at Jack’s Family Restaurant in Waterloo, finish your meal with a candy cane-inspired latte or hot chocolate, or enjoy a slice of caramel-drizzled eggnog cheesecake.
Meanwhile, Kitchener’s Moose Winooski’s is adding a few turkey favorites to its menu.
“We have our turkey sandwich, which is always delicious,” said Joe Siaset, manager at Moose Winooski’s. “We also have our turkey dinner, which consists of hand-cut turkey breast on a bed of mashed potatoes with some vegetables, cranberries and not forgetting the gravy.”
And if your little ones want to ring in an (early) New Year on the 31st, the Moose is hosting a balloon drop.
You can also find a children’s countdown with a ginger ale toast at Borealis in Kitchener and Guelph, as well as Guelph’s The Wooly Pub.
Christmas spirits and cocktails
At Charcoal Group’s Del’s, Martini’s and Charcoal Steakhouse in Kitchener, enjoy a By The Fire Old Fashioned, a smoked cocktail made with Hennessy’s VS and toasted marshmallow syrup. For a non-alcoholic option, try the Cookies and Cream Cold Brew.
At Guelph’s Atmosphere Café, the Terry’s Old Fashioned will remind you of the classic chocolate and orange treat. Their Atmosphere Hot Toddy, made with whiskey, cognac, homemade cinnamon pear syrup and (most importantly) butter will help you ward off the cold.
There’s a cranberry cinnamon champagne punch bowl at the Babylon Sisters in Uptown Waterloo and a cinnamon tequila cocktail at Baby it’s Cold Outside. If you prefer to eat zero percent, there is the cranberry cinnamon spritz.
No turkey talk
Odd Duck in downtown Kitchener offers tamari-marinated sablefish and Partridge, Pear, and a Tree (roasted partridge, pear, and birch salt), as well as a Trust Us tasting menu.
Del’s offers confit duck ravioli on pureed butternut squash, rosso risotto with braised beef, and a festive porchetta with pan-seared gnocchi.
Charcoal Steakhouse’s Blue Moon menu, meanwhile, includes confit double duck legs, sea bass in warm tomato broth and beef Wellington.
To go with their crangria, Scran and Dram in New Hamburg has festive fries with candied cranberries and pralines, as well as pot roast.
If you’re looking for Christmas sweets, head to The Danish Place in Puslinch for homemade kringle and kransekage (a cake made from stacked, baked marzipan rings).
Christmas dinner
If you plan to leave the cooking to the chefs, be sure to check the restaurant’s website and social media for hours, deadlines, and dining options.
At Guelph’s Park Eatery, you can pick up your Christmas Eve specialty turkey dinner, packaged to reheat at home or “hot and ready.”
Danish Place family catering is offering turkey and Flæskesteg (roast pork with cracklings) dinners for pick-up until the 24th.
If you prefer to dine in on Christmas Day, Waterloo’s Proof Kitchen and Lounge offers a traditional dinner with all the trimmings, including turkey or falafel.
“The plate literally replaces your turkey with falafel,” explained Proof chef Ryan Reid. “You still get exactly the same dinner. And you won’t look out of place having this for dinner.”
Ring in the New Year
To celebrate the winter solstice, The Danish Place is planning a buffet-style dinner with Flæskesteg and a selection of Danish dishes for dessert.
If you’re looking to ring in 2025, Miijidaa in Guelph and both Borealis locations are offering their regular menu with some chef-designed specials.
Odd Duck will have two seating options, with a four-course prix fixe menu with optional wine, cocktail or mocktail pairing.
And Golf’s Steakhouse in Kitchener will continue its 30-year tradition of New Year’s Eve dinner and dancing with a full prime rib menu, late-night buffet and champagne service.
