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Support your favorite downtown Evanston restaurants, bakeries, cafes and other retailers this holiday season by shopping locally for holiday sweets, meals to-go, beer and wine and other specialty items. Skip the cooking and dine out on Christmas and New Year’s Eve or order a delicious, prepared meal, extraordinary dessert and holiday beverages to enjoy in your home.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve Dine-in or Meals-to-Go
Alcove Evanston | 1625 Maple Ave.
Alcove is hosting Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners featuring a special menu and exclusive wine pairings. Leave the cooking to Chef Elio Romero!
The Barn Steakhouse | 1016 Church St. (rear)
Make it a date night or get friends together for a cozy evening at The Barn Steakhouse offering regular dinner with specials including Fruit de Mare Tower, Black-Truffled Gratin Potato and Australian Wagyu Strip Steak (14 oz).
Cupitol | 812 Grove St.
Get your coffee, breakfast, brunch or lunch fix at Cupitol offering their regular menu on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve Day.
Five & Dime | 1026 Davis St.
Celebrate the new year with friends and family at Five & Dime! Open at 4:30 p.m. and also available for private events.
Found Kitchen + Social House | 1631 Chicago Ave.
Book a table for New Year’s Eve to enjoy regular dinner service with festive a la carte specials by Chef Debbie Gold including Black Truffle Risotto with Gold, Lobster Chowder and Slagel Farm Dry Aged Steak. Open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Koi Evanston | 624 Davis St.
Dine in or carry out Chinese food (no sushi or dim sum brunch) from Koi on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pre-order is required, no same day orders.
Prairie Moon | 1635 Chicago Ave.
Prairie Moon is offering special holiday dinners throughout December and an extra special dinner for New Year’s Eve featuring a salad nicoise, Maine lobster tails, petite filets and much more. This dinner will be available Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. Click to view the menu. Open until 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Reservations encouraged at 847-864-8328.
Smylie Brothers | 1615 Oak Ave.
Gif the gift of craft beer this holiday season! Purchase a howler, growler or four-pack of beer or bottles of wine to go.
Taco Diablo | 1026 Davis St.
Start the year with friends and family with tacos, enchiladas and margaritas, why not! Open daily at 11:30 a.m. Save the date for a Taco & Tequila Tuesday on Jan. 4. Info here.
Terra & Vine | 1701 Maple Ave.
Celebrate Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with a multi-course dinner to go. All meals come cold, fully cooked, and ready to heat with warming instructions. Add additional appetizers, pastas, sides and wine. Order by Dec. 21 for Christmas Eve and order by Dec. 28 for New Year’s Eve. Order here.
Sweets & Desserts
Bennison’s Bakery | 1000 Davis St.
Delight yourself, family and friends to traditional holiday treats ranging from Gingerbread homes or DIY kits, Weihnachtsstollen (German dessert), snowman cupcakes, Croquembouche (French dessert), Buche de Noel, a variety of cookies and much more.
Cinnaholic Evanston | 1596 Sherman Ave.
Roll into the New Year with a Cinnaholic Wreath Cake. It’s a cake made of cinnamon rolls folded into a wreath shape with your choice of frosting and up to three toppings. You can order prepared or with frosting and toppings on the side to make at home!
Coldstone Evanston | 1611 Sherman Ave.
It’s never too cold for ice cream! Try a new holiday flavor including Deck the Halls with Fudge and Sprinkles, Cake Batter Moose Tracks and Germanchokolatekake! And don’t forget about the special holiday ice cream cakes.
Kilwins Evanston | 1724 Sherman Ave.
From the seasonal peppermint bark and Christmas-themed chocolates to the varieties of fudge and hot chocolate kits, you can find an assortment of gifts at Kilwins. Stop in or order online for pick-up.
Patisserie Coralie | 600 Davis St.
Celebrate Christmas and the new year with traditional French sweets! The Buche de Noel is offered in two flavors – chocolate and white chocolate berries. The Galette des Rois will be available Wednesday, Dec. 29 through Sunday, Jan. 16.
Other Holiday Specials
Graduate Evanston | 1625 Hinman Ave.
Ring in 2022 at Graduate Evanston. This holiday package includes 15% off your stay, plus a $25 credit to The Graduate Homestead Room, the cozy new dining destination serving up delicious American comfort food and John Hughes-inspired drinks. Book with code NYE. Stay dates from Dec. 26 to Jan. 8.
Vinic Wine | 1509 Chicago Ave.
Stock up on wines, craft beer, spirits and bubbly at this carefully curated wine shop! Enjoy a glass of wine while you shop and get expert advice on food pairings and gift ideas.
Looking for other gift ideas? Visit downtownevanston.org/holidayshopping for a guide to local shops in downtown Evanston.
For additional information and photos, please contact Laura Brown at lbrown@downtownevanston.org.