Tis the season to stress!
Wait… What?? December? When did this happen? That’s what we thought as well when we looked at the calendar yesterday. If yall are like us here at Emerald Destin, we are not ready. We freely admit it. During our meeting, we were discussing the most stressful part of the Christmas season. Most of us feel like it’s organizing Christmas lunch and/or dinner. So, we thought we could help out a bit with that part. We have a list of options for you that should take the crazy out of Christmas dining and let you focus more on what’s important – your family. All of the following have been verified and the information as of this post is correct and up to date.
The Henderson Beach Resort
If you missed the Thanksgiving Buffet at the Henderson Beach Resort, you do NOT want to miss Christmas. When we say they do holidays the best, THEY TRULY DO HOLIDAYS THE BEST.
Christmas Day Brunch
Enjoy the perfect Christmas day with your loved ones having brunch at Henderson Beach Resort. Even Jolly Ole St. Nick will be on hand to visit with the little ones from 10:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.! Menu items include, omelets, waffles, salads, seafood, a carving station and so much more. Click on the link below to see the full menu.
Adults $85.00 Children $28.00
Reservations are required. 850.424.4436
Christmas Dinner at the Emerald Grande
Everyone loves HarborWalk, but have you eaten at their signature dining room, the Grande Vista? The Grande Vista is located on the GV Level of the Emerald Grande. It overlooks HarborWalk with a beautiful view of the Harbor. If you haven’t experienced it yet, now is a perfect time!
From 11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. On Christmas day, guests at the Grande Vista will enjoy a delicious 3 course meal that includes a starter, a main and, dessert. Be sure to click on the menu link below to see the full menu.
$35.00 per person plus gratuity.
Reservations are highly recommended 850.424.0621
Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
These restaurants are open but may not be serving a special Christmas Day menu.
Margaritaville
Location : HarborWalk
Reservations not required. 850.460.7700
Cracker Barrel
Location : Emerald Coast Pkwy
Open until 2 P.M. Christmas Day. 850.269.3344
Christmas Dinner Order/Pick Up
Don’t feel like going out and fighting the crowds, but don’t really feel like cooking the whole meal either? Order from one of these businesses – pick up – take home. Then, on Christmas Day, you won’t even have to get out of your Christmas jammies. Throw it all in the oven for a quick and easy warm up!
Joris Specialty Meats & Gourmet
If you’re looking for amazing dishes to wow your family, this is the place. Joris Specialty Meats and Gourmet offers items like Turducken, deboned chicken (or turkey) stuffed with shrimp dressing, etouffee, crawfish dressing, and our favorite, boudin! They also have prime rib, hand cut steaks, chops and more. Take home sides include homemade dressing, gravy, green bean casserole, and their awesome mac and cheese. Make sure you call this in well ahead of time. They were super busy with Thanksgiving. Trust us when we say, you’ll be going back again and again! Call them at: 850.460.8885
Joris Specialty Meats and Gourmet is on the corner of Hwy. 98 and Gulf Shore Drive (where Hebert’s used to be).
Fresh Market
Fresh Market is the place for it all. Everything from hors d’oeuvres to the fabulous desserts, this is where you will find them all. Customers can choose from complete holiday meals or a la carte. Fresh Market offers spiral cut ham, turkey, standing rib roast and so much more. Their delicious sides include (but not limited too) mashed potatoes, oyster dressing, and creamed spinach. Decadent cheesecakes, Italian Rum Cake, and pumpkin pie are just some of the sweet endings to choose from.
Make sure you place your order early. Customers may schedule pick ups from December 21st – 24th. 850.650.0989
Whole Foods
Whole Foods is offering family meals for 4, 8 or 12 people. They also are offering an a la carte menu. Foods such as Beef Wellington, braised lamb shank, salmon, and crab cakes can be found on their menus right along with the traditional turkey, prime rib and ham. Meatless options are Five Cheese Lasagna and Chef Chloe Coscarelli’s Cremini Mushroom Roast (V).
Orders must be placed a minimum of 48 hours ahead of pick up – 850.269.7400
Whole Foods A la Carte Holiday Menu
Honey Baked Ham
Honey Baked Ham is synonymous with delicious take home and heat up for special occasions. Spiral cut, bone in ham, boneless ham and turkey, take your pick. Honey Baked “Heat and Serve Sides” gives customers loads of options, including brussel sprouts, broccoli, baked apples, cornbread stuffing, and 3 types of potatoes! For dessert, take home the perfect Red Velvet cake, a cheesecake sampler or Chocolate Rum Cake. Oh and those are just a tiny selection of what all is on offer here! Make sure to click on the menu link below to see all that Holiday Goodness Honey Baked Ham has to offer! Please call ahead and place your order: 850.650.2636
Winn Dixie
Winn Dixie offers a very simple method when it comes to ordering. Customers can print out and fill out the holiday order form. Choose either a turkey or ham dinner. Each dinner comes with giblet gravy, 12 count King’s Hawaiian rolls, cornbread dressing and sweet potato casserole. Substitutions are listed on the form. How much easier can it get, right? Make sure to click the link below and you’ll have Christmas sorted in a snap! All orders must be placed no less than 48 hours in advance.
Winn Dixie Holiday Meal Order Form
Publix
Butterball Turkey or Boarshead Ham? What will you choose to be the star of your Holiday table? Publix is almost as easy as Winn Dixie when it comes to ordering your meal. Publix Holiday meals serve 7-10 people. Turkey dinners come with dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, marshmallow delight, and cranberry orange relish. Ham dinners come with Sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole and marshmallow delight. Heating instructions are right on the order site so that way you can figure it all out before you order. 48 hour notice is required.
850.837.9094
Publix Fully Cooked Holiday Meals Menu
Cracker Barrel
Honestly, if you’re looking for the most home cooked meal without leaving your house, Cracker Barrel is your place to go. Choose between ham and prime rib and get all the trimmings and fixins you’re used to getting at Cracker Barrel – mac and cheese, dressing, gravy, rolls, mashed potatoes and more (see the menu link below). Be sure you scroll all the way down to see all the goodness they are serving up for your table! Get your order in soon. Pick-up starts on December 21st. 850.269.3344
Cracker Barrel Christmas Dinner to Go Menu
Christmas Eve Dinner
Lastly if you and your family are looking for a nice Christmas Eve Dinner out, we have two outstanding options. These restaurants happen to be two Destin favorites. Neither option will disappoint and will surely be the most perfect Christmas Eve Dinner for you and your loved ones.
The Henderson Christmas Eve Five Course Meal
Guests will enjoy a five course fine dining menu at Primrose, curated especially by Chef Palm. Click on the link below to see this delicious menu.
Adults $89.00 and Children $39.00.
Reservations are required. 850.424.4436
Christmas Eve Five Course Menu
Christmas Eve Dinner at Marina Cafe
The Marina Cafe is a Destin tradition for fine dining. Overlooking Destin Harbor, guests will dine from a special Christmas Eve dinner menu. Dinner seatings start at 3:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve. Don’t miss out on this festive evening and make your reservations soon! Click the link below for Marina Cafe’s Christmas Eve menu.
Reservations are required. 718.967.3077
Christmas Eve Menu – Marina Cafe
There are all sorts of delicious options to choose from here. We hope that something tickles your Holiday fancy. Whatever you do though, we hope that you get to spend your holidays with all of your family, friends and loved ones. Above everything else, that’s what it’s all about!
Ta-Ra!!
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