Kitchener 
The holiday and Christmas planning is a bit easier with some of the top restaurants in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Whether you need a space for around 100 people, 10, or 2, the city has numerous fine dining options for a memorable and festive meal. This includes restaurants that offer private dining spaces in various sizes, or restaurants which simply provide a great atmosphere alongside delicious cuisine.
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The holidays are a time to celebrate, and there is no better way to celebrate than with local eats or treats, creative cocktails and beers, and the variety of cuisine types available in Kitchener-Waterloo. Be sure to make your reservations for small and large groups alike as soon as possible, as most restaurants in Kitchener-Waterloo book up quickly in November and December.
Charcoal Steakhouse
Kitchener’s Charcoal Steakhouse is a wonderful holiday meal option for small and large groups alike. Whether you need a holiday date night spot, a place for a family meal, drinks with friends, or for a full Christmas party, Charcoal Steakhouse have the space. Charcoal also provides a holiday feature menu for private dining events and Christmas parties! The regular or non-private reservations with Charcoal Steakhouse offer the option between a festive brunch, lunch, or dinner, along with kids’ menus and a gluten-free menu.
Include a Holiday Feature menu for private events
Where: 2980 King St E, Kitchener
How to book: fill out form
Elixir Bistro
Enjoy a hearty meal this Christmas season from Elixir Bistro while also enjoying flavours inspired by the best of French cuisine. This fine food is all available within Elixir’s warm, inviting, and casual atmosphere. Plus, all of the dishes at Elixir Bistro are made in-house to offer freshness with every order. Book a table for a memorable holiday dinner or inquire about Elixir’s ability to accommodate private dining. Elixir Bistro have also released their 2025 Prix Fixe Christmas Dinner menu!
Where: 693 Belmont Ave. W, Kitchener
How to book: fill out form
Wild Craft Grill & Long Bar
Dine within the spacious, merry, and bright atmosphere of Waterloo’s Wild Craft Grill & Long Bar for a regular reservation or a private holiday event! The Wild Craft Grill & Long Bar is open from early afternoon to late evening with a large menu of lunch and dinner items including a kids’ menu, as well as gluten friendly or plant based foods. And for groups of 10 people or more, the Wild Craft offer a variety of private and semi-private dining areas for rent.
Where: 425 King St. N, Waterloo
How to book: fill out form
Janet Lynn’s Bistro
The elegant private dining room on the second floor of Janet Lynn’s Bistro is a beautiful setting for a holiday dinner that will be accompanied by plates of beautiful cuisine. Janet Lynn’s Bistro also provide catering so no matter where you celebrate the holidays in Kitchener-Waterloo, their chefs are here to help. Those in search of a smaller table or regular reservations with Janet Lynn’s Bistro have the option between the dinner menu, served during the evenings of Monday-Saturday, or the lunch menu, served on weekday afternoons.
Where: 677 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener
How to book: email info@janetlynnsbistro.com
Del’s Italian Kitchen
There are a few ways to celebrate the holidays with your friends, family, or coworkers, and at Del’s Italian Kitchen. This includes private dining options like The Courtyard for 28 seated guests, or the Tavola Room for 18 seated guests. These stylish rooms are complete with décor that will transport you and your guests to an eatery in Italy, while Del’s Italian Kitchen provide beverage service options and menu customization options. The regular dining at Del’s Italian Kitchen is open for dinner service with kids’ options and a gluten-free menu.
Where: 2980 King St E
How to book: fill out form
The Grand Mehfil
The authentic North Indian cuisine of Kitchener’s The Grand Mehfil is available as regular dine-in menus, as catering services with the food truck option, or for private party bookings. Plus, a few menu items are also available for sale and to take home. Those who need to book The Grand Mehfil for a private event, like a Christmas party, will have their event within a grandly decorated hall with full buffet service.
Where: 1400 Weber St E Unit B2-4, Kitchener
How to book: call (519) 748-9999
Public Kitchen & Bar
The dining room of the Public Kitchen & Bar offers a home-like atmosphere for regular dining and private events. The intimate space is especially great for private holiday dinners as the Public Kitchen & Bar is decorated with festive pieces for the Christmas season. The simple but gourmet menu for regular meals (non-private) at Public Kitchen & Bar includes a wide range of tapas, and a special late-night menu. Those who book private dining will have the choice between a handful of sample menus.
Where: 300 Victoria St. N, Kitchener
How to book: fill out form
Solé
One of the biggest advantages of planning a holiday meal with friends/family at Sole in Uptown Waterloo is the restaurant’s menu variety. The Sole menus include options for brunch, lunch, dinner, and kids’ menus for these meals. Plus, there are a variety of plant-based or gluten-free options on the menus. Dine with Sole for a special holiday meal through the regular reservations or book the private dining spaces for a more intimate dinner, or for a larger group.
Where: 83 Erb St. W, Building Two, Waterloo
How to book: fill out form
The Bauer Kitchen
The Bauer Kitchen in Waterloo has non, semi and private dining spaces ready to accommodate your holiday plans. Bring the festive fun to The Bauer Kitchen for a private event and have the choice between arranging the area in a way that works for your number of guests. When it comes to the Bauer cuisine, regular reservations offer the choice between weekend brunch or the regular all-day menu of lunch and dinner items. These meals also include options for the little ones in your group.
Where: 187 King St S #102, Waterloo
How to book: fill out form
Loloan Lobby Bar
The Loloan Lobby Bar offer a few different ways to dine. They have a standard a la carte menu filled with the rich and vibrant flavours of Southeast Asian cuisine, as well as set menu meals. These include the Early Hummingbird Prix Fixe meal, and the Weekend Tasting menus. Pair any of these hearty meals with Loloan’s list of signature and classic cocktails.
Where: 14 Princess St. West
How to book: fill out form
Ennio’s Pasta House
There are two Ennio’s Pasta House locations in the Kitchener-Waterloo region (one restaurant in each) to make planning a holiday meal here a bit more convenient. Reserve a spot to indulge in Ennio’s lunch or dinner menus filled with items that easily pair with Ennio’s long list of wines. And while festive meals are possible in-house, Ennio’s Pasta house also offer full catering services to help with any needed Christmas party cuisine in Kitchener-Waterloo.
Where: 655 Fairway Rd. South, Kitchener
384 King St. North, Waterloo
How to book: Libro Waterloo; Libro Kitchener
Graffiti Market
The reservations at Graffiti Market accommodate up to 8 people to provide plenty of space for a memorable holiday gathering. The regular menu at Graffiti Market is available for dine-in or takeout, while the local restaurants are also equipped to cater your holiday parties! No matter the occasion or dining style, expect a great variety of gourmet pub snacks and entrees, as well as an array of Canadian beers.
Where: 137 Glasgow St suite 385, Kitchener
How to book: restaurant website
The Prohibition Warehouse
Book a spot for festive dining at The Prohibition Warehouse and take your pick from a few different special occasion nights like Trivia Tuesdays, or Wine Wednesdays. No matter when you visit the Warehouse, the menu will provide numerous options for comfort classics with The Prohibition Warehouse’s unique twist. Many of the menu items, like pizzas or appetizers, are also perfect for sharing among friends or family.
Where: 56 King St. N, Waterloo
How to book: walk-ins; reservations required for Tuesday Trivia
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217West Restaurant
The dinner and lunch menus, as well as the more intimate dining room of Kitchener’s 217West Restaurant, are perfect for those smaller holiday get togethers or a festive date night. The Italian eatery offers an array of classic authentic cuisine through pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, entrees, desserts, and more.
Where: 60 Charles St. W, Kitchener
How to book: call 519-954-8821
The Moose
This family-friendly spot on the southeast edge of Kitchener has a super-cozy and homey space for getting together over the holiday season. Open for lunch and dinner, The Moose, or Moose Winooski’s, provide options for kids as well as a gluten friendly menu. These elevated pub snacks and meals offer many ways to share with your group, or to indulge individually. This includes a delectable array of desserts.
Where: 20 Heldmann Rd., Kitchener
How to book: walk-ins
