Are You Ready for Christmas? What Should Be on Your Holiday Menu in 2025

The holiday season is the most emotional time of the year—and one of the most strategic for restaurants. Some venues decide to close. Others stay open and embrace the opportunity to offer something special.

But let’s be honest: in 2025 guests today aren’t looking for excess or extravagance. They're looking for warmth, familiarity, and quality and fair prices. So, if you are open for the 2025 holidays, what is your strategy?

Reinvent Tradition—Don’t Erase It

For Italian diners, “comfort food” means tortellini in brodo, arrosto con patate, and panettone. These should not be replaced—but reimagined:

• Serve tortellini in brodo in smaller, elegant portions with clarified consommé and toasted breadcrumbs. Maybe, and only maybe, you could even venture a vegetarian version!

• Offer a modern arrosto with a lighter sauce, seasonal sides, and perhaps an unexpected ingedient that will make everybody say "wow".

• Give panettone a twist: panettone semifreddo, panettone tiramisù, filled with pistacchio sauce or served warm with zabaglione. And did you know that the largest Panettone consumer in the world is Perù? Yes, it was a surprise for us as well.

2. Think in Families, Not Just Plates

The holidays are all about connection. Build a menu that makes everyone at the table feel seen:

• Include smaller portions or simpler options for kids. This doesn't mean pasta al pomodoro and chicken nuggets: make an effort! be creative (and fun).

• Offer vegetarian, gluten-free, and non-alcoholic pairings by default.

• Consider family-style dishes or shared appetizers to create a sense of intimacy.

3. Forget Excess—Focus on Experience

The era of 10-course tasting menus with truffle, foie gras, and champagne is fading. These ingredients are available all year round—and they no longer feel special. Instead:

• Design a 3–5 course menu that’s balanced, celebratory, and digestible.

• Choose festive ingredients that are seasonal, colourful, and aromatic: citrus, chestnut, radicchio, pomegranate, herbs, roasted root vegetables.

• Avoid unnecessary complexity—warm, seasonal, honest cooking is what guests will appreciate.

4. Add a Gentle Touch of Surprise

You don’t need a gimmick—just a thoughtful detail:

• A small handwritten menu or welcome card

• A glass of mulled wine on arrival

• A final sweet gift to take home (mini panettone, homemade biscotti, or a chocolate truffle)

5. Be Honest About What Feels Right for Your Business

Not every restaurant needs to stay open during the holidays. If your guests are looking for a quiet Christmas at home, or if your staff needs rest, closing is a valid choice.

But if you stay open, make sure your offer is clear, warm, and aligned with your brand. No experiments, no stress. Just a well-executed celebration that your guests will thank you for.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve in 2025 don’t need to be louder. They need to be warmer. Whether you’re serving tortellini or panettone tiramisù, what your guests will remember is how your restaurant made them feel.

At We Are Food, we help restaurants create seasonal menus that respect tradition, attract the right clientele, and communicate their values. Let’s make this season memorable—for the right reasons.