Des Moines takes Christmas seriously, and its restaurants rise to the occasion. The metro’s dining scene has matured into something genuinely exciting: historic hotel dining rooms, chef-driven independents, beloved taverns, and suburban favorites that treat December 24 as a showcase night. For christmas eve dinner des moines 2026, the shortlist is strong, from a proper Midwestern Christmas supper in a landmark hotel to a festive Italian buffet in West Des Moines. December 24 falls on a Thursday in 2026, and the metro’s restaurants have an established pattern of opening for the holiday with special menus and hours. This guide walks you through the best options, with reservation tactics and backup plans for every scenario.
What distinguishes Des Moines on Christmas Eve is the blend of tradition and warmth. This is a city where the hotel dining room still matters, where a three-course Christmas supper feels like an event, and where neighborhood restaurants lean into the holidays with genuine enthusiasm. The metro spans Des Moines proper, West Des Moines, and suburbs like Ankeny, so geography is part of the strategy: pick a restaurant near the rest of your evening, whether that is a Christmas Eve service, a drive through a light display, or home.
The standing rule for every holiday guide applies here too: schedules change from year to year. A restaurant that served Christmas Eve dinner last season may adjust its hours, its menu, or its reservation policy. Check official listings and call ahead for 2026 holiday hours for every restaurant below, and confirm the details before December 24.
Landmark Hotel Dining: The Classic Des Moines Christmas Eve
Des Moines’ historic hotels host some of the city’s most memorable Christmas Eve meals. These are the reservations that feel like traditions.
Proudfoot & Bird at Hotel Fort Des Moines
Proudfoot & Bird inside the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines on Walnut Street is the metro’s signature Christmas Eve dinner. In past holiday seasons, the restaurant has served a three-course Proper Midwest Christmas Supper on December 24, with nostalgic-yet-refined dishes like a rustic charcuterie board, smoked prime rib au jus, and a playful cookies-and-milk dessert finish. The historic hotel setting, all elegance and warmth, makes the evening feel like an occasion from another era in the best way. This is a reservations-required dinner, and the Christmas Eve seating has been among the most sought-after in the metro. When you call, confirm the 2026 Christmas Eve menu and pricing, ask about the reservation and cancellation policy, and book the moment the holiday reservations open. For a classic, celebratory, deeply Des Moines Christmas Eve, this is the first call to make.
Mulberry Street Tavern at the Surety Hotel
Mulberry Street Tavern inside the Surety Hotel on Sixth Avenue offers a more relaxed but equally festive Christmas Eve. In past seasons, the tavern has served its regular dinner menu all day on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, alongside a premade Christmas dinner to-go featuring bourbon-brown sugar-glazed ham and holiday sides. The dual format is the appeal: dine in for a lively tavern evening, or order the to-go dinner and host the feast at home. The Surety’s downtown location and stylish setting make the dine-in option feel special without formality. Call ahead to confirm the 2026 holiday plans, ask about the to-go ordering deadline if that route appeals to you, and make a dinner reservation rather than walking in.
Oak Park’s Holiday Feast
Oak Park on Ingersoll Avenue has hosted a prepaid, multi-course Holiday Feast during the Christmas season in past years, an intimate event built around indulgent dishes from caviar to beef Wellington. While the feast has historically fallen just before Christmas Eve, it belongs in any Des Moines holiday dining guide because it captures the season’s celebratory spirit, and the restaurant is worth calling about for December 24 plans as well. The cozy solarium, the wine cellar, and the modern-elegant room make Oak Park one of the metro’s most atmospheric dining rooms. Holiday events here are prepaid with limited seating, so early booking is essential. Call to ask about the 2026 holiday schedule, the feast dates, and the reservation process.
Neighborhood Favorites Across the Metro
Beyond the hotels, the metro’s neighborhood restaurants offer Christmas Eve meals with local character and often easier reservations.
Opa Italian & Greek Dining
Opa in West Des Moines is the metro’s festive, family-friendly Christmas Eve workhorse. In past seasons, the restaurant has opened on Christmas Eve with daytime-to-evening hours, serving a holiday buffet with fried shrimp, manicotti, chicken piccata, lamb, pizza, and an all-you-can-eat dessert spread. The buffet format is ideal for families: everyone finds something, kids are happy, and the per-person pricing keeps a large-party bill predictable. West Des Moines families have made Opa a holiday tradition for good reason. Call ahead to confirm the 2026 Christmas Eve hours and pricing, ask about reservations for your party size, and consider an early seating to beat the peak crowd.
Mullets Uptown Ankeny: Christmas Eve Brunch
Mullets in Uptown Ankeny offers a Christmas Eve brunch that frees up the entire evening. In past seasons, the brunch has featured smoked ham, turkey, or prime rib with sides and dessert, available for dine-in or takeout through the early afternoon. The brunch-first strategy is one of the smartest Christmas Eve plays: a festive midday meal, then the evening belongs to family, church, or a quiet night at home. Ankeny’s Uptown setting adds small-town holiday charm. Brunch seatings are limited, so reservations are recommended. Call to confirm the 2026 schedule, ask about the menu, and check the takeout option if you prefer to eat at home.
Joe’s Crab Shack
Joe’s Crab Shack in West Des Moines offers the most relaxed Christmas Eve in the metro: seafood, buckets, and a party atmosphere. In past seasons, the restaurant has kept holiday hours on December 24, serving its full menu of crab, shrimp, and beachy favorites. It is not a white-tablecloth evening, and that is exactly the point: for families with kids, for groups that want fun over formality, or for anyone whose Christmas Eve needs to be easy, Joe’s delivers. The Jordan Creek area location pairs well with last-minute shopping or a movie. Confirm the 2026 holiday hours when you call, and consider a reservation for larger parties.
Either/Or
Either/Or on Grand Avenue is Des Moines’ festive cocktail destination, and while it is better known for drinks than dinner, it deserves a place in your Christmas Eve planning. In past Decembers, the restaurant has leaned into the holidays with seasonal cocktail programs and a celebratory atmosphere that makes it an ideal pre- or post-dinner stop. A Christmas Eve that starts with dinner at Proudfoot & Bird and ends with a holiday cocktail at Either/Or is a very good evening. Check the 2026 holiday hours and consider it the bookend to your dinner reservation.
At a Glance: Des Moines Christmas Eve Dinner Options
Compare the metro’s options side by side, choose your top two, and call them in order.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Vibe | Reservation Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proudfoot & Bird | Modern Midwestern | Historic, elegant, celebratory | Reservations required; book when the holiday book opens |
| Mulberry Street Tavern | American tavern | Stylish, lively, flexible | Reserve dinner; ask about the to-go order deadline |
| Oak Park | Modern American | Intimate, atmospheric, refined | Prepaid holiday events; book early, confirm 2026 dates |
| Opa Italian & Greek | Italian & Greek buffet | Festive, family-friendly, abundant | Confirm hours and pricing; early seating beats the crowd |
| Mullets (Ankeny) | American brunch | Small-town charm, relaxed | Brunch seatings limited; reserve or order takeout |
| Joe’s Crab Shack | Seafood | Fun, casual, easy | Confirm holiday hours; reserve for large parties |
| Either/Or | Cocktails & American | Festive, social, modern | Ideal pre/post-dinner stop; check holiday hours |
Here is a map of the Des Moines metro to help you plan your December 24 route.
In Pictures: A Des Moines Holiday Table
A Des Moines Christmas Eve looks like a glowing fireplace, a beautifully set table, and the golden warmth of a Midwestern dining room in December. The metro’s restaurants lean into the season with sincerity, and the image below captures the atmosphere.
When you are choosing between restaurants, look past the menu to the room: the fireplace, the candlelight, the sense that the restaurant is celebrating too. On Christmas Eve, that warmth is the point.
Watch: Christmas Dinner Recipes to Inspire Your Table
If you are weighing the dine-out versus cook-at-home decision, this collection of Christmas dinner recipes, from pork and chicken to fish and beef, is full of ideas for a home feast. It is also a useful reminder of what goes into a holiday meal, and why letting a restaurant kitchen handle it on December 24 is such an appealing option.
Your Des Moines Christmas Eve Playbook
For christmas eve dinner des moines 2026, the playbook is straightforward. Start calling in late November: Proudfoot & Bird’s Christmas supper and Oak Park’s holiday events reward the earliest callers, while Opa, Mullets, and the taverns offer more flexibility. On every call, ask the five questions: exact 2026 Christmas Eve hours, holiday menu or pricing, cancellation policy, table time limits, and large-party requirements. Think geographically: downtown for the hotel dinners, Ingersoll and Grand for the independents, West Des Moines for Opa and Joe’s, Ankeny for the brunch. December weather in Iowa is the wild card, so build travel time into the evening and keep a takeout backup warm: Mulberry Street’s to-go dinner, Mullets’ brunch takeout, or a grocery-store holiday spread. Reconfirm two or three days before December 24. With a reservation, a backup plan, and realistic drive times, Christmas Eve dinner in Des Moines is pure pleasure.
More Ways to Celebrate Across the Metro
Des Moines rewards diners who think beyond the dinner table. If your reservation is early, make an evening of it: downtown’s holiday lights, a stroll through the festively decorated streets, or a nightcap at a cocktail bar like Either/Or turns a meal into a full Christmas Eve. If your seating is late, reverse the plan: an afternoon drive through the metro’s best-lit neighborhoods, hot chocolate in hand, builds anticipation for the table.
Dessert is worth planning separately. The metro’s bakeries do exceptional holiday work, from pies to decorated cookies, and a pickup on the afternoon of December 24 means the night ends on a sweet note at home. Call ahead and pre-order: holiday items sell out, and the best shops close early on the 24th. For families with kids, the dessert run doubles as an activity, and it gives everyone something to look forward to after the restaurant.
Consider the Christmas morning handoff too. A Christmas Eve dinner that wraps at a reasonable hour, with the coffee maker prepped and stockings ready, sets up the 25th beautifully. Des Moines restaurants handle the celebration on the 24th; your job is to make the morning easy. And a final word on the people serving you: restaurant teams working Christmas Eve are spending the holiday away from their own families. Tip generously, thank your server by name, and if the evening was special, let a manager know. It is the kindest tradition of the night.
A Note on Holiday Menus, Pricing, and Large Parties
Christmas Eve menus in Des Moines come in three flavors, and knowing which one you are booking prevents surprises. Some restaurants serve their regular menu at regular prices. Others offer a special holiday menu with seasonal dishes at a modest premium. A few, typically the hotel dining rooms and chef-driven independents, serve a fixed prix-fixe with a set per-person price. None of these is better in the abstract; they simply suit different evenings and different budgets. The key is to ask which format applies when you call, get the per-person price, and ask how children are priced.
Large parties deserve special attention. A table of eight or more changes the economics for a restaurant: the table turns slowly, the kitchen fires many dishes at once, and the room commits significant staff. Expect questions about set menus, deposits, or automatic gratuities, and answer them cheerfully rather than defensively. These policies exist so the restaurant can say yes to your group with confidence. For the biggest gatherings, consider splitting across two adjacent tables or choosing a buffet-format restaurant like Opa, where large parties are the norm rather than the exception. And whatever the format, confirm the final headcount a few days before December 24: restaurants plan staffing and food orders around your number, and an accurate count is a courtesy they remember.
Is Christmas Eve dinner in Des Moines kid-friendly?
Absolutely, with the right room. Opa’s buffet, Joe’s Crab Shack, the Mullets brunch, and Mulberry Street’s tavern format all welcome families. Hotel dining rooms work for older kids who enjoy an occasion. Book an early seating, ask about children’s pricing, and keep the evening’s pace relaxed: a 5 p.m. dinner with kids beats a late one every time.
Should I tip extra on Christmas Eve in Des Moines?
Yes. The staff serving you on December 24 chose to work one of the most demanding nights of the year, often missing their own family celebrations. Generous tipping, a kind word, and patience during the busiest seatings are the right response. If your bill includes an automatic gratuity for a large party, consider adding to it for exceptional service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Des Moines restaurants are open on Christmas Eve?
In past holiday seasons, metro restaurants open on Christmas Eve have included Proudfoot & Bird at Hotel Fort Des Moines, Mulberry Street Tavern at the Surety Hotel, Oak Park’s holiday events, Opa Italian & Greek in West Des Moines, Mullets’ Christmas Eve brunch in Ankeny, Joe’s Crab Shack, and festive cocktail service at Either/Or. The lineup changes each year, so check official listings and call ahead for 2026 holiday hours to confirm each restaurant’s plans.
What is the most special Christmas Eve dinner in Des Moines?
Proudfoot & Bird’s three-course Christmas supper at the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines is the metro’s signature holiday dinner, with its nostalgic-yet-refined menu and landmark setting. Oak Park’s prepaid Holiday Feast is the most intimate and indulgent alternative. Both require early reservations.
Are there good Christmas Eve brunch options in Des Moines?
Yes. Mullets in Uptown Ankeny has served a Christmas Eve brunch with ham, turkey, or prime rib in past seasons, available for dine-in or takeout. The brunch-first strategy leaves your evening completely free, which many families prefer. Reserve early, since seatings are limited.
What are the best Christmas Eve takeout options in the Des Moines metro?
Mulberry Street Tavern has offered a premade Christmas dinner to-go in past seasons, and Mullets has offered brunch takeout. Local markets, delis, and caterers also do holiday spreads; order by the mid-December deadlines. Takeout is the ultimate backup plan and, for many families, the main plan.
How do I handle Iowa winter weather on Christmas Eve?
Build extra travel time into the evening, choose a restaurant near home or near the rest of your night’s plans, and keep a no-drive backup: takeout picked up earlier in the day or a home-cooked plan B. If weather forces a change, call the restaurant as early as possible; most are understanding about storms.
What should I ask when booking?
Ask for the exact 2026 Christmas Eve hours, the holiday menu and per-person pricing, the cancellation policy, any table time limit, and for large parties whether a deposit or set menu applies. Confirm parking, especially downtown, and ask about the bar for pre-dinner drinks.
Is downtown or the suburbs better for Christmas Eve dinner in Des Moines?
Both work; choose based on your evening. Downtown puts you near the historic hotel dining rooms, Proudfoot & Bird, Mulberry Street Tavern, and the cocktail bars, which suits a night-out feel. West Des Moines and Ankeny keep you close to home and offer strong options like Opa, Joe’s Crab Shack, and the Mullets brunch. In Iowa December weather, shorter drives are a genuine advantage, so weigh the forecast.
What is the dress code for Christmas Eve dinner in Des Moines?
Hotel dining rooms like Proudfoot & Bird and Oak Park lean dressy: blazers, dresses, and polished outfits fit the occasion. Taverns and casual spots are relaxed. When unsure, ask when you book, and remember that Christmas Eve is a night when dressing up is part of the fun.
Can I do Christmas Eve dinner with a large group in Des Moines?
Yes, but book early and ask about large-party policies. Hotel dining rooms handle groups best, Opa’s buffet format suits big families, and takeout spreads from places like Mulberry Street Tavern can feed a crowd at home. For parties of eight or more, expect questions about set menus or deposits: ask directly when you call.
Conclusion
Des Moines offers a Christmas Eve for every mood: the landmark supper at Proudfoot & Bird, the stylish tavern evening at Mulberry Street, the intimate feast at Oak Park, the family buffet at Opa, the relaxed brunch at Mullets, the easy seafood night at Joe’s, or a festive cocktail bookend at Either/Or. Book early, confirm the details, plan for the weather, and keep a backup warm. For more holiday ideas, explore DayZora’s Christmas collection, get crafty with our DIY Christmas wreath ideas, and check our guide on when to put up Christmas tree decorations. Merry Christmas Eve, Des Moines.
One last piece of advice: the best Christmas Eve dinner is the one you actually get to enjoy. A confirmed table at your second choice beats a waitlist at your first, an early seating beats a stressful late one, and a relaxed evening beats a perfect plan. Book early, confirm twice, allow time for the weather, tip generously, and let the metro’s restaurants do what they do best.
Start with Proudfoot & Bird or Mulberry Street if you want the classic evening, Opa or Mullets for family ease, and Either/Or for the perfect nightcap. Whatever you choose, Merry Christmas Eve.
Des Moines does the holidays with heart. Trust the plan, enjoy the people at your table, and let December 24 be delicious.
