For hundreds of years, people have gathered to celebrate mid-winter feasts. Ancient peoples dined on basics like nuts and berries. The Romans celebrated with mulled wine and pork. By the Middle Ages, banquets touted roasted boar and swan. In more modern times, turkey and goose, along with plum pudding, mince pies, eggnog, and gingerbread cookies, became winter holiday food staples.
Regardless of the size of your family and what you happen to celebrate, holiday gatherings mean, “What should we have for dinner?” So, what’s right for holiday fare in 2025? Holidays, like most other aspects of our lives, continue to change. LED displays have replaced blow-up Santas. Electric menorahs glow in lieu of wax candles. And that Charles Dickens goose in the oven has been replaced by takeout possibilities ranging from cold cut platters to vegan stuffing.
Locally, holiday food options are plentiful, and you don’t even have to cook! Let’s take a look at holiday spreads for your family that you can easily preorder for pickup or delivery.
From Soup to Nuts
Since many families have given up on the idea of slaving away in the kitchen, ordering full dinners is a phone call away. For example, Romanelli’s in Linwood offers a complete take-home dinner — from turkey and stuffing to pumpkin pie for dessert. Another takeout option to ease your holiday cooking woes is Shay’s at the Linwood Country Club — just call and order takeout options ranging from sandwiches to entrees — any day for lunch or dinner except on December 25th! If you want to create an appetizer table, The Roost at Harbor Pines offers several fun and easy bites, including Jalapeño Poppers, Garlic Pickle Flatbread, and Loaded Potato Skins.
If you prefer Italian fare, Barrels (Margate) can put on quite a pasta spread for 15 or more guests. For example, the Bronze package comes with salad, penne pasta, and a choice of an eggplant, chicken Marsala, or Norwegian salmon entree.
And speaking of Italian food, the Sicilian Feast of the Seven Fishes is a Christmas Eve tradition in many homes. It’s unlikely you will be able to call that item for takeout, so a hybrid version may do the job. Maria Bieibel, who “cheats a little,” explains her Seven Fishes solution, “ I used to copy it my way, but after a while it was too much work to make all seven fishes, so after I broil salmon with teriyaki and sesame seeds, and sauté breaded oysters in lemon and butter, I usually order a huge sushi boat from Yama in Ventnor and that takes care of the rest.”
Chanukah Must-Haves
Jewish families celebrating Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, expect oil-fried latkes (potato pancakes). Symbolically, these pancakes commemorate the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Holy Temple when there was only enough oil for one day. However, the days of grandmother (Bubbie) shredding pounds of potatoes and onions with a hand grater are no more. Today, a quick phone call to the Downbeach Deli in Margate gets you one to one hundred latkes, complete with sour cream and applesauce toppings. In addition to latkes, Downbeach will also make up your favorite deli trays, perfect for entertaining holiday guests.
Untraditional Tradition
Move over, meat and potatoes! As is the case year-round, people have developed a more international palate. The popularity of Asian, Indian, and Latin foods for holiday gatherings is not a surprise. Having 10 people over on Christmas Day? No worries. Find a Chinese restaurant open on the holiday and order whatever your family enjoys – egg rolls, wonton soup, and more. Imperial Garden in Atlantic City usually stays open, as does Tsui’s in Ventnor. Yes, a fortune cookie is just a phone call away!
Another idea for a local untraditional table — one that makes life and clean up super easy — is subs. If you order ahead of time, you can get trays of these stuffed sandwiches preordered for your guests. Subs with some side dishes, and voila, you have a holiday meal. Easy peasy!
For the Sweet Tooth
Gone are the days of the dreaded jellied fruit cake and figgy pudding. Today, holiday tables offer more of an international array. Sweet bread Panettone cake from Italy, a French Buche de Noel (AKA Chocolate Yule Log), and Israeli Sufganiya donuts – all international options to enhance your holiday table.
In addition, Christmas cookies are a must in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types — from Santas to Gingerbread men — store-bought cookies are very acceptable. There is no shame in not spending hours and hours in the kitchen covered in flour. Regardless of what the holiday celebration may be, chocolates are always a winner. Again, store-bought brands decorated in holiday wrappers work well to enhance any table or candy dish. Locally, Jagielky’s (in Margate and Ventnor) homemade chocolates and candy will please any sweet tooth.
Note: Wherever you order your holiday fare, make sure to check the restaurant’s schedule. Many places are closed on December 25th, and some close early on Christmas Eve. Plan ahead!
