Maybe your family is all out of town. Maybe your family sucks. Maybe you just don't feel like cooking. We won't judge!
There are plenty of reasons to eat out on Christmas Day. Fortunately there are nearly as many dining options in St. Louis as there are reasons to go there — from a fancy hotel brunch to a stack of pancakes at a 24-hour diner, there's a little bit of something for everyone on this list.
Here are 10 places to keep your belly full on December 25.
1. Morton's the Steakhouse
7822 Bonhomme Avenue, Clayton
The high-end Clayton steakhouse is open 2 to 9 p.m. Christmas Day. Reservations are recommended.
2. Cielo
999 N. 2nd Street, Downtown
The restaurant at the Four Seasons in downtown St. Louis has killer views, some of the best Italian food in town and Christmas Day hours from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
3. Porter's Steakhouse
1000 Eastport Plaza Drive, Collinsville, IL
A great choice in the Metro East is this beloved steakhouse. Porter's is open Christmas Day from noon to 3 p.m. Reservations recommended.
4. Blueberry Hill
6504 Delmar, University City
This Delmar Loop institution is the perfect solution for those who spend the morning with their families — but find their irritation rising as the day goes on. They're open from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. — because nobody should have to work on the Saturday after Christmas.
5. Eclipse at the Moonrise
6177 Delmar, St. Louis
The hotel restaurant at the stylish Moonrise Hotel is a less-stuffy alternative to the fancy hotels downtown and in Clayton. A three-course dinner, served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., features either lamb shank, snapper or a veggie "non-meatloaf" as your main dish, along with dessert and a mixed greens salad. Reservations recommended; food is still available after 8 p.m., albeit selections from Eclipse's normal menu.
6. Chase Park Plaza
232 N. Kingshighway, Central West End
The grand dame of the city's hotels, the Chase Park Plaza, is offering a Christmas brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An expanded version of the hotel's extensive Sunday brunch spread, the buffet will cost $72 for adults and $33 for children.
7. Ritz-Carlton
100 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton
Brunch will be served in the restaurant of this venerable Clayton hotel from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adults pay $89; children, $44.50. A raw bar, sushi, sashimi, a carving station, dim sum and a waffle station are all on offer.
8. Uncle Bill's Pancake House
3427 S. Kingshighway, South City
Uncle Bill's never closes, and Christmas Day will be no exception. No, it's not fancy, but it's also not expensive — and when you're in the mood for a giant plate of bacon, eggs and pancakes, Uncle Bill's never disappoints.
9. Pere Marquette Lodge
13653 Lodge Boulevard, Grafton, IL
The rustic lodge just off the Great River Road is featuring a Christmas Feast from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults pay $26.95; kids are $9.95. Large parties should call 618-786-2331 ext 502 for reservations.
10. House of Wong
19 N. Bemiston Road, Clayton
Because what would Christmas be like without Chinese food? Numerous local Chinese establishments open on this day, but we really like House of Wong in Clayton. They're open 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Happy holidays!
Editor's note: A previous version of this story contained inaccurate information about pricing on the Chase Park Plaza brunch. We regret the error.
