30 Small Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas For Your Restaurant

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for consumers and restaurant owners like you.

This is the perfect time to showcase the most strategic marketing campaigns and even big or small Christmas dinner menu ideas to compete with the tight market.

According to the National Restaurant Association (NRA), more than 77% of customers rely on restaurant menus for their holiday meals.

But, of course, a restaurant that offers a lackluster menu won’t make the cut. 

Customers will definitely skip your brand and opt for those with a festive and Christmas-centric menu offering instead.

And don’t worry if you don’t know what dish to highlight on your menu. We’ve sifted through classic dinner items that your customers will surely patronize.

Even better, we also provided you with a simple pro-tip on how you can seamlessly update your menu this Christmas with a QR code menu software. Read on to know more.

What are 3 food items to have on your traditional Christmas dinner menu?

Coming up with unique menu offerings for the approaching Christmas holiday becomes a focal point for the restaurant industry as it is one of the restaurant marketing ideas for December. 

However, offering popular traditional Christmas dinner menu dishes still guarantees a good business profit despite tight holiday competition.

You can highlight at least three classics during the holidays to strategically cater to the widespread demand for a traditional yet gourmet-style Christmas dinner.

Roast turkey

A staple of Christmas tables, roast turkey emerges as the star of this holiday.

You can glaze it with berries to evoke that familiar flavor profile that resonates with holiday nostalgia.

Including this on your Christmas menu positions your restaurant as a go-to destination for those seeking a homey dinner away from home.

Baked ham 

Baked ham, with its aroma and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, earns its place as a Christmas dinner favorite.

Sweetened to perfection, this festive delight embodies the heartiness of the season, offering a contrast to the traditional turkey, making it a beloved choice at Christmas tables.

Christmas pudding

Completing the Christmas dinner must-haves, Christmas pudding stands as the sweet crescendo—a rich and spiced dessert that encapsulates the essence of the yuletide season.

Laden with dried fruits, nuts, and warming spices, this decadent treat brings just the perfect conclusion to the holiday banquet.

30 small Christmas dinner menu ideas

These are all the traditional Christmas food items and meat ideas for dinner you’ll find in every home, but better. Some are gourmet, while others are revamped into fusion dishes.

Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Glaze

A classic Christmas centerpiece, the succulent roasted turkey is generously glazed with tangy cranberry sauce, leaving a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.

You can serve this with herb-infused stuffing and pan drippings gravy.

Pomegranate-Glazed Ham

Boost your restaurant’s holiday tables with Pomegranate-Glazed Ham, a masterpiece of juicy ham adorned with a glossy, sweet, and tangy pomegranate glaze.

The festive burst of flavors and tender texture make this dish a delightful alternative to the traditional Christmas ham.

Roasted Chestnut Soup with Crispy Sage

Indulge your customers in the rich, nutty flavor of roasted chestnuts blended into a velvety soup topped with crispy sage leaves for a delightful crunch.

This comforting starter captures the essence of the holiday season, stimulating warmth and tradition in every spoonful.

Citrus-Herb Roasted Salmon

Bring a burst of freshness to the holiday table with luscious salmon seasoned with zesty citrus and aromatic herbs.

This dish adds a touch of elegance to the menu and provides a lighter option for those seeking a break from the usual hearty fare.

Maple-glazed Brussels sprouts with Candied Pecans

Transform Brussels sprouts into a crowd-pleasing side dish by drizzling them with a sweet and savory maple glaze and topping them with crunchy candied pecans.

This menu item strikes the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a standout accompaniment to any Christmas feast.

Cranberry Orange-Glazed Ham

Infuse the holiday ham with a tangy twist by coating it with a combination of cranberry and orange.

The result is a flavorful ham that effortlessly takes center stage, offering a festive alternative to the traditional turkey.

Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Elevate the humble mashed potato to a luxurious level by infusing it with the earthy aroma of truffles.

Silky and indulgent, this side dish adds a touch of sophistication to your easy Christmas dinner menu spread, leaving diners with a truly memorable experience.

Apple-Cranberry Stuffed Pork Loin

Impress your patrons with a juicy pork loin stuffed with a delightful mixture of apples and cranberries.

This creates a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors, making it a potential holiday favorite.

Gingerbread Spiced Carrot Soup

Warm the soul with a comforting bowl of gingerbread spiced carrot soup featuring a medley of aromatic spices and a hint of sweetness.

This unique and flavorful soup serves as a delightful appetizer, setting the tone for a festive and heartwarming Christmas dinner.

Cranberry Brie Bites

Delight your guests with the perfect pairing of tart cranberries and creamy Brie cheese encased in a flaky pastry.

These elegant bites are visually appealing and burst with contrasting flavors, making them a must-have addition to any holiday celebration.

Peppermint Chocolate Cheesecake

Conclude the Christmas feast on a sweet note with a decadent peppermint chocolate cheesecake.

The coolness of peppermint complements the rich chocolate, creating a dessert that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Cider-Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables

Bring your seasonal root vegetables to new heights by roasting them with a sweet and zesty cider glaze.

The result is a medley of caramelized flavors and vibrant colors, providing a festive and hearty side dish that’s perfect for sharing.

Peking Duck with Hoisin Sauce

Create restaurant menu ideas that embrace tradition and culture, but with enhanced culinary finesse.

You can bring an exotic twist to Christmas with Peking Duck, offering crispy skin and succulent meat paired with the bold flavors of hoisin sauce.

Vegetarian Wellington

This is the ultimate alternative to beef Wellington, especially if you have customers who’d like to enjoy dining with guilt-free goodness.

A well-prepared vegetarian Wellington introduces seasonal vegetables and a good mix of savory flavors to the holiday plate.

Salmon en Croute with Dill Sauce

This elegant dish is an easy way to impress your customers this Christmas. 

With its flaky pastry, melt-in-your-mouth salmon, and refreshing dill sauce, there’s no way diners will ever say No to this.

Beef Wellington

A classic choice for a reason, beef Wellington combines tender beef filets, mushroom duxelles, and puff pastry for a show-stopping centerpiece.

Vegetarian Nut Roast

This is a loaf of flavorful vegetarian nut roast packed with assorted nuts, lentils, and vegetables, providing a satisfying centerpiece for the festive table.

Scallops with Garlic and Parmesan Cream Sauce

Seared scallops bathed in a rich and savory garlic Parmesan cream sauce deliver a luxurious seafood option with bold flavors, perfect for any holiday.

Mushroom and Chestnut Pâté

This sophisticated and vegetarian-friendly appetizer is the best menu item you could offer customers seeking a gourmet experience.

It’s made with earthy mushrooms and the nutty richness of chestnuts that oozes with a velvety texture to your mouth.

Grilled Swordfish Steaks with Lemon Herb Butter

Imagine thick swordfish steaks, kissed by the grill and adorned with zesty lemon herb butter. 

It's a maritime symphony that brings the essence of the ocean to your holiday table.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Cranberries

These vibrant gems are filled with a festive stuffing of quinoa, cranberries, and savory spices. A wholesome and visually stunning option for the discerning palate.

Vegetarian Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Excquisite portobello mushrooms filled with a palatable stuffing of vegetables and herbs appeal to the growing demand for vegetarian options.

Cranberry-Glazed Cornish Hens

These individually glazed delights promise a succulent and tangy experience, bringing a touch of holiday magic to your plate.

You can highlight this on your food or drink menu with the perfect pair of wine.

Vegetable Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce

Indulge in comfort and flavor with a house-made vegetable lasagna. Layers of lasagna noodles and colorful vegetables swim in a creamy bechamel sauce. 

A hearty, vegetarian option that satisfies the soul and one of the perfect Christmas dinner ideas for a small family, friends, and acquaintances.

Smoked Salmon Platter

Sliced smoked salmon adorned with capers, red onions, and cream cheese invites you to experience the epitome of sophistication. Shareable and delightful, it's the perfect start to your celebration.

Grilled Lamb Chops with Rosemary Mint Sauce

Step into a world of savory delight with grilled lamb chops. 

These succulent chops, perfectly grilled and accompanied by a fragrant rosemary mint sauce, promise a symphony of flavors that'll make your taste buds sing.

Seafood Paella

Turn Christmas dinners into a communal celebration with seafood paella.

A vibrant and flavorful rice dish packed with an array of seafood, saffron, and aromatic spices. It’s a visual spectacle and a feast for the senses.

Lobster Thermidor

Imagine lobster meat baked into perfection in a creamy, brandy-infused sauce, crowned with a golden layer of melted cheese.

It’s the epitome of opulence for your holiday indulgence.

Prime Rib Roast with Horseradish Cream

Prime rib is a luxurious and indulgent choice, perfect for special Christmas dinner menu course ideas.

You can enhance the flavors with horseradish cream and season it to perfection.

Butternut Squash Ravioli

A house-made ravioli filled with butternut squash and sage is a comforting and appetizing vegetarian option, ideal for a festive atmosphere.

Customizing small Christmas dinner menu ideas with restaurant software

This is where you’ll learn how to customize and update your menu this Christmas with minimal effort.

The trick? Use MENU TIGER.

Though you might think this is just one of those restaurant software that is only good for a season, you’ll have to think again.

MENU TIGER is an all-rounder interactive software that you can use all year round depending on the subscription plan of your choice.

Here are what you’ll get if you get this for your restaurant business:

Streamlined restaurant operations

Say goodbye to printing costs, laborious updates, and environmental waste associated with traditional menus. 

All you’ll have to worry about is how to customize a menu QR code, which isn’t really that big of a problem.

With digital QR menu software, instant updates and modifications become a breeze. 

Whether introducing seasonal specials or adjusting prices,  MENU TIGER allows for swift and seamless changes, ensuring your patrons are always presented with the latest offerings.

Contactless dining experience

Different QR code menu ideas and features offer a contactless solution, allowing patrons to access your menu instantly with a simple scan using their smartphones. 

This minimizes physical contact and fosters a sense of security among your guests, showcasing your commitment to their well-being.

Dynamic multimedia integration

Engage your customers with enticing food visuals, chef interviews, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your culinary expertise. 

This interactive approach adds a layer of entertainment and creates a memorable and immersive dining experience that sets your restaurant apart.

Data-driven insights

Food menu QR code software provides valuable insights into customer preferences, popular dishes, and peak dining hours. 

Armed with this knowledge, you can tailor your menu, marketing strategies, and operational timings to maximize customer satisfaction and optimize revenue.

Enhanced marketing opportunities

Link your codes to promotions, loyalty programs, or social media platforms, allowing you to connect directly with your audience. 

Encourage diners to follow, share, and engage, turning a simple menu scan into an opportunity to build a loyal online community around your brand.

Cost-effective and eco-friendly

Embracing a QR code for food menu isn't just a tech-savvy move, it's also a sustainable one. 

Reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for paper menus, printing, and disposal. 

Not only does this contribute to environmental conservation, but it also positions your restaurant as a socially responsible establishment.

Gear up your restaurant this Christmas with MENU TIGER’s interactive restaurant menu software

This holiday season, enhance your restaurant’s Christmas dining experience with MENU TIGER’s QR code menu software, the ultimate solution for effortless menu creation, customization, and updates.

As you delve into those 30 small Christmas dinner menu ideas, consider the simplicity and efficiency MENU TIGER brings to the table.

Seamlessly integrate delectable dishes into your menu and let the software ensure your offerings stay up-to-date.

Create your account today and set your restaurant up for a smooth Christmas campaign.

FAQs