When we think about the holidays, one thing always comes to mind: food.

While it's true that most places close down around December 25, you don't have to find a way to feed your family and friends alone. We found several local restaurants that are ready to serve up takeout and even host on the big day.

Dine in

Have a holly jolly holiday with a drink in-hand at The Driskill bar. | Photo courtesy The Driskill

The Driskill Bar | Now-Wednesday, Dec. 25
Stop by this bar (where President LBJ and Lady Bird had their first date), which will serve upscale bites and festive cocktails made with eggnog, gold leaf, candy canes, and pecans. Psst — the bar will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

El Raval | Tuesday, Dec. 24
This restaurant's special “Nochebuena” menu will have you eating tapas, including oysters, Iberico ham croquettes, uni torrija, Catalan seafood-saffron stew, petit fours, and more. Make a reservation — the meal runs $95 per person with an optional $45 wine pairing.

Laurel at Hotel Viata | Wednesday, Dec. 25
Sit down for Christmas brunch with the family from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Expect some brunch classics, a carving station, and tons of holiday desserts. Make a reservation — tickets are $95 for adults with an option for bottomless bubbles.

The Tradition | Tuesday, Dec. 24-Wednesday, Dec. 25
Dig into a three-course prix fixe menu with options like cider + onion soup, a seafood feast, and gingerbread cake with eggnog ice cream for $65 per person. Or, you can bring the kids on Sunday, Dec. 22 for a brunch with Santa.

We don't know about you, but our ideal holiday includes a hotpot meal. | Photo by Dani Parsons

Soupleaf Hot Pot | Wednesday, Dec. 25
Walk in from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. or reserve a table for an all-you-can-eat hot pot dinner on Christmas Day.

Takeout

Aba Chef CJ Jacobson's take on Hanukkah fare includes these Brussels sprout latkes paired with applesauce. | Photo by Samantha Brauer

Aba
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas (or just love Mediterranean food), Aba has your holiday covered. Get some potato-Brussels sprout latkes and shawarma-spiced brisket confit for Hanukkah or whipped feta and sticky date cake for Christmas. Order by 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23 for Christmas Eve takeout, and the specials will be available for dine-in on Thursday, Dec. 26.

Black Gold
Bring the meats to the function with brisket + pulled pork tamales, a whole smoked turkey, brisket, or a rack of ribs. Plus, don't miss sides like the white gold mac and cheese or potato salad. Place orders to preorders@blackgoldatx.com by Friday, Dec. 20 for pickup at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Fresa’s
Take home tamales (chicken tinga, black bean + cheese, or Guajillo pork shoulder) by the dozen for the holiday season, and don't skip the kale pomegranate salad and Mexican wedding cookies. Place orders online a day in advance for pickup Sunday, Dec. 22-Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Choose your favorite flavor of tamales from Fresa's and don't forget to bring home some queso. | Photo courtesy Fresa's

JewBoy Burgers
Let this iconic burger restaurant handle the latkes for you this year. Available in green chile cheddar or onion + garlic, JewBoy's latkes are $25 per dozen, come with all the sauces (including apple sauce), and can be delivered or picked up.

Tare Austin
Celebrate the holidays in style with a caviar box from this MICHELIN Recommended restaurant. Boxes contain Black River Royale Oscietra Caviar, blinis, blue potato chips, salsa macha crème fraiche, and more for $150-$510. Place an order for pickup Monday, Dec. 23-Tuesday, Dec. 24.

TLC
Give the gift of full bellies this Christmas with this dinner package — which feeds 8-10 people for $299 — including applewood smoked bone-in ham, rosemary fingerling potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, a hot cocoa kit, and more. Place an order by Monday, Dec. 23 for pickup on Christmas Eve.

Zoé Tong
This restaurant's holiday meal package is inspired by the Chinese takeout in "A Christmas Story." Grab a package of barbecue Char Siu glazed ham, scallion swirls, Hong Kong green bean casserole, cold sesame noodles, and silver needle jasmine tea. Order by Friday, Dec. 20 for pickup on Monday, Dec. 23 + Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Where do you like to get holiday takeout? Let us know.