Space Coast restaurants open for Christmas

For those who don't want to spend Dec. 25 in the kitchen, these eateries are serving.

Those who prefer professionals to take charge of the cooking — and hassle — of Christmas dinner have plenty of options along the Space Coast. True, the majority of restaurants do take off on Christmas Day, but the hotels, and a few stalwart eateries, step up to the plate with spreads sure to add an inch or two to the waistline.

Christmas is a day of so many buffets, so little time. Here are some recommendations. Keep in mind that these places fill up fast, so it is best to reserve your table rather than try and waltz in come Christmas and end up back home scrounging through the leftovers with a bunch of unhappy relatives.

•The south end of the county seems to have the bounty of buffets. Among the major contenders is the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront, which will serve a holiday buffet from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Christmas Day.

The menu includes carved prime rib and leg of lamb, shepherd's pie, Polynesian grilled chicken, sesame salmon, seafood chowder, a spate of sides, fruit and cheese display, salad bar and dessert station that includes a chocolate fountain.

Cost for the holiday buffet is $32.95 for adults and $26.95 for seniors, and that includes a glass of house wine or champagne. Call 321-775-0012 for reservations.

•Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place's buffet will offer seatings at 12:30, 1, 2:30 and 3 p.m.

The buffet, which costs $29.50 for adults, $27 for seniors 55 and older and $15 for children 5 to 12, features, among its many temptations, Caribbean-seasoned turkey breast, a brunch station with eggs Benedict, a cold station with shrimp, fresh fruit and salad, seafood pasta salad, lobster bisque, broiled mahi and cranberry upside down cake.

Reserve at 321-768-0200.

•City Tropics in Indialantic has a reputation for its Christmas Day buffet, which this year runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On the menu is roast beef, turkey and lamb, plus oysters, shrimp, chicken marsala, sushi and all the trimmings.

Cost is $26.95 for adults and $16.95 for children. Reservations are advised. Call 321-723-1300.

•Speaking of Hiltons, the Hilton Melbourne Oceanfront will offer seatings on the hour every hour from noon to 5 p.m. Christmas Day.

Reservations are strongly recommended, because hotel is going through major remodeling, and the overflow seating that was once used for walk-in guests is temporarily unavailable.

The dinner includes two carving stations with garlic and rosemary-encrusted prime rib and honey baked ham with pineapple chutney, salad bar, loaded baked potato soup pan-seared salmon, chicken marsala and holiday desserts, among other selections.

Cost for the dinner is $29.95 for adults, $25.95 for seniors 60-plus and military and $14.95 for children 5 to 12. Call 321-777-5000.

•Holiday Inn Titusville-Kennedy Space Center is ready to welcome North Brevard revelers with a noon to 4 p.m. Christmas Day buffet.

Seatings are every half-hour for the meal, which costs $24.95 for adults and $11.95 for children.

Guests will enjoy oven-roasted turkey, corn chowder, winter salad, citrus-roasted salmon, baked ham with ginger glaze, prime rib, cornbread stuffing, a bounty o sides and desserts such as Spanish orange cake.

Reservations are recommended. Call 321-383-0200.

•The Cape Grill at Cape Canaveral Beach Resort will also host a buffet, although at press time, the menu and price had not yet been finalized.

The restaurant will serve from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Day. Call 321-328-2830.

•True to its name, Gregory's Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Cocoa Beach will offer plenty of dishes from the land and sea for its Christmas Day buffet, which runs from 1 to 6 p.m.

Enjoy a carving station with New York strip steak, Alaskan snow crab legs, turkey and oodles of other stuff, plus assorted holiday desserts.

Cost is $31.95 for adults, $29.95 for seniors 65-plus and members of the military and $14.95 for the young fry.

Not to sound like a broken record, but reservations are recommended. Call 321-799-2557.

Copperhead Tavern on Fifth Avenue in Iindialantic will be open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Christmas, serving its regular menu. The tavern also has a full liquor bar and a craft beer selection. Call 321-802-4700.

Land & Sea Thai Fusion, 630 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach, will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Christmas Day. Call 321-773-8668.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is gluttony-inducing, so whatever restaurant you choose, make sure to pencil in plenty of exercise during the holidays. You'll need it, with all this food.


Open for Christmas

Know of other restaurants that will be open for Christmas dinner? Email information to sleonard@floridatoday.com.

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