Looking to simplify the holidays this year? Ordering a holiday meal to go can provide more time with your family and less time in the kitchen. It also supports the local restaurant industry. Check out some of the restaurants around town offering special meals for holiday and Christmas dinner pickup. From Hanukkah brunch to Christmas dinner, you can find a ready-made meal to celebrate around Indy. As holiday hours vary, be sure to check out restaurant websites or call to order in advance.
Where to Order Holiday and Christmas Dinner Pickup Near Indy
Trade in days’ worth of meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking for a quick stop at a local restaurant or caterer. These meals are so delicious, you won’t even miss the homemade versions!
Aspasia
This dedicated gluten-free bake shop recently opened its flagship store in Zionsville. Aspasia has a variety of gluten-free holiday brunch offerings such as a savory breakfast casserole, french toast casserole, assorted Danish tray, cinnamon rolls with buttercream icing, scones, and coffee cake. Sides for Christmas include bread pudding, stuffing, dinner rolls, and Hawaiian rolls. Aspasia has a variety of dessert options that are not to be missed: pumpkin pie bars, pecan pie bars, cranberry bars, assorted cupcakes, cookies, and brownies.
Egg-free and dairy-free options are available upon request. The deadline for Christmas dinner pickup and other holiday orders is December 21. Please see the Aspasia website for ordering information.
Books, Bourbon & Bacon
For a French-inspired winter menu, check out the offerings of Chef Joseph Adamje AJ Feeney-Ruiz. Inspired by his time living and working in Paris, the Frenchie Winter Market at Books, Bourbon & Bacon features sweets, a baked Brie waffle, raclette tots, and house poutines.
This local food truck also features delicious sandwich options including a Grilled Croque Monsieur/Madame/Monte Cristo with BB&B Brioche topped with Gruyère cheese, Black Forest ham, bechamel sauce, and house-made buckwheat honey and bourbon mustard. You can opt to top it with a fried egg, make it a Monte Cristo, SPAM Monsieur, Mock Monsieur, or a Croque Adam (BB&B bacon steak).
Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Follow the Books, Bourbon & Bacon mobile kitchen on social media @booksbourbonbacon to find its next stop, and stay tuned for pick-up and delivery options at the prep kitchen near 52nd and Keystone.
The Bountiful Board
If you want an expertly arranged charcuterie board to impress your guests, The Bountiful Board has you covered. This locally-owned business makes customizable and unique boards featuring meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts, veggies, olives, pickles, chocolates, and desserts. Winter selections include a holiday tray, a Christmas wreath, and a Christmas tree. The deadline for orders is December 21. Pick up in Westfield by December 23.
Chef Karyn
Chef Karyn is a local chef who dishes up Hoosier favorites and adds twists to the classics. She offers weekly ready-made meals and sides in addition to catering orders. Her holiday meal serves six. For the main dish, you can select carved brown sugar and spiced glazed ham or carved tender beef roast with au jus. Sides include creamy buttermilk mashed potatoes with rich brown gravy, homemade green beans with bacon, maple bourbon glazed carrots, and chocolate chip cheesecake.
Additions to the meal include cheesy hashbrown casserole, creamy macaroni and cheese, sweet dinner rolls, and Chef Karyn’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies. Chef Karyn is also offering a Fully Cooked Breakfast Bundle and a Fully Cooked Snack Bundle. Her Christmas dinner pickup location is in Sheridan, Indiana.
Hollyhock Hill
An annual holiday tradition for many families, Hollyhock Hill has been serving homestyle cooking in Indiana for over 90 years. A classic meal from Hollyhock features family-style fried chicken, biscuits, whipped potatoes, gravy, sweet corn, and green beans. Other entree options include pork chops, tenderloin, filet, salmon, and pasta. The carryout menu is available online with Christmas dinner pickup and delivery available.
Illinois Street Food Emporium
A Butler Tarkington neighborhood staple since 1979, the Illinois Street Food Emporium offers a variety of brunch dishes, appetizer platters, box lunches, catered entrees, and tasty desserts. Please refer to the Illinois Street Food Emporium website for hours and ordering information.
Market Wagon
One of my family’s favorite ways to support local shops and farms is Market Wagon. Featuring the offerings of a farmers market, you have the option to pick up at local spots for free or order home delivery for a fee. Several vendors offer ready-made meal options that arrive ready to heat. Other shops and farms feature sides, fresh produce, and homemade dessert. Options are also available for those with allergies.
Pots & Pans Pie Co.
From savory to sweet, Pots & Pans Pie Company of Indianapolis features a wide variety of pies for dinner and dessert. Sizes range from mini to nine-inch pies. December options include chicken, beef & mushroom, biscuits & gravy, broccoli cheddar, chicken masala, green chili, and Thai chicken curry pot pies. Kids and adults alike would enjoy dessert pies like apple crumble, hot cocoa cream, maple pecan, eggnog icebox, and sugar creme brulee pie. Orders can be placed online and picked up the next day. The Pots & Pans Pie Co. website lists holiday hours as well as current pies.
Shapiro’s Deli
Searching for latkes and rugelach for your Hanukkah celebration? Look no further than Shapiro’s Deli in downtown Indianapolis. An Indy staple for over 100 years, four generations of the Sharpiro family have served favorites to the community. Choose from classics like matzo ball soup, NY style bagels, towering sandwiches, and delicious desserts. Online orders can be placed through their website.
Whole Foods
Have a family member with food allergies? Whole Foods may be a good holiday meal option, as the store provides for dietary needs such as dairy-free and gluten-free. A variety of selections include holiday feast packages, surf and turf packages, lox and bagel platters, and a la carte items. You can place your order online and then pick it up at one of the Whole Foods locations in Indianapolis or Carmel.
Options include paleo, vegan, and organic. Appetizers, soups, and desserts round out the offerings. Orders must be made a minimum of 24 hours ahead of your pickup date and time for Holiday Selections and 48 hours for Everyday Selections.
101 Beer Kitchen
The 101 Beer Kitchen in Fishers and Carmel will be providing several holiday pre-order options. Selections include a full meal that serves six, appetizers, breakfast, and a la carte items. The full meal will include braised short ribs with natural gravy, yukon gold & Boursin cheese mashed potatoes, winter greens salad, rolls, and a gingerbread cheesecake. Breakfast options are ham and Swiss strata and blueberry cream cheese french toast casserole. The deadline to order is December 16. Christmas dinner pickup is available at locations in Fishers and Carmel.
9th Street Bistro
Located in Noblesville, the 9th Street Bistro offers a variety of holiday favorites made from fresh, local ingredients. For those with allergies or food preferences, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are available.
Appetizers include shrimp cocktail served with horseradish cocktail sauce, brie en croute, rosemary lamb meatballs, and blue crab dip. Main dishes include house-smoked ham, sliced and served with brown sugar and cherry glaze, as well as slow-roasted and sliced roast beef, served with au jus and horseradish. Dessert options include dark chocolate and peppermint torte, classic sugar cream pie, and figgy toffee cake. The deadline for holiday orders is December 18.
Support a local restaurant and give yourself the gift of time with Christmas dinner pickup. Remember to place your order early, as many places have deadlines for holiday orders. Bon appetit!
If your plans suddenly change or you burnt the entrée, these restaurants are scheduled to be open on Christmas Day to serve you. IHOP, Denny’s, and Ruth’s Chris are always on standby, ready to seat you if all else fails.
Looking for things to do with friends and family this holiday season? Find Christmas fun around Indianapolis.
Make this year the best winter break ever!
