Unless you are spending the Christmas season in Italy, we can’t think of a better place to celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes than here on the North Shore. Combine the freshest seafood around with a slate of talented chefs who are devoted to all things local, and it’s a recipe for an indulgent meal. Historically a Christmas Eve celebration, the Italian-American tradition involves seven different seafood dishes and stems from the Southern Italian celebration La Vigilia. The Roman Catholic custom of abstaining from meat on the day before a feast means seafood on the day before Christmas.
From acclaimed chef-driven menus to a classic Italian feast available to go, read on for the top options North of Boston this holiday season.
Row 34, Burlington | Dec. 14, 18
Chef Jeremy Sewall literally wrote the book on seafood — more than one, in fact — so these annual feasts are always evenings to remember. You’ll find the feast on two days in mid-December at the Burlington location, along with dates at their Cambridge, Portsmouth, and Kenmore Square locations. one. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on, enjoy a reception with a complimentary welcome beverage followed by a seated multi-course seafood dinner with wine pairings. Make sure to book a reservation in advance at the link below, as seating is limited.
Details: $175 per person. Book reservations here.
Brine, Newburyport | Dec. 17
Enjoy a coastal chic feast with an optional Italian wine pairing at this Spanish-Italian-inflected temple to fresh fish in all its forms, from crudo and marinated crab to lobster soup and grilled swordfish. The feast kicks off at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17. Reserve your seat ASAP — seating is limited at this popular annual event.
Details: $95. For reservations, visit brineoyster.com.
Tuscan Brands, Newburyport, and beyond | Dec. 24
All the Tuscan Brand locations proximal to the North Shore — Tuscan Sea Grill in Newburyport, Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, NH, and Toscana Chophouse in Portsmouth, NH — are doing a prix fixe Feast of the Seven Fishes menu. Available only on December 24, the five-course menu (the same across all locations) may include fish dishes like zuppa di pesce, calamari linguini, and crab-stuffed sole, along with a seasonal peppermint gelato for dessert and optional wine pairings.
Details: $100 dinner + optional wine pairing. Book reservations here.
Ristorante Lucia, Winchester | Dec. 24
Are you all about the classics? Lucia’s for you. Owned by the Frattaroli family for 44 years, this Winchester institution brings the time-honored traditions and cuisine from Sulmona, Italy, where the Frattarolis have their roots. Available on Christmas Eve only, this year’s Seven Fishes menu is a la carte and includes traditional Italian seafood dishes like shrimp arancini, seafood risotto, lobster cannelloni, and swordfish alla puttanesca, along with desserts like panettone bread pudding. Spend Christmas Eve in their festive dining room, or bring the feast home with you — takeout pre-orders can be placed through December 22.
Details: To make a reservation or place an order, visit luciaw.in/christmas-eve-feast.
Sogno, Woburn | Dec. 24
On Christmas Eve only, from 11:30 a.m. til 9 p.m., Sogno in Woburn serves a Feast of the Seven Fishes prix fixe alongside its regular menu of elevated Italian favorites. Highlights include a chilled seafood platter, baccalà alla napoletana (Neapolitan-style cod), and spaghetti with mussels, clams, and lobster. The prix fixe goes for $125 per person and is available to all Christmas Eve diners, and more info can be found here.
Details: $125 per person. Book Christmas Eve reservations here.
Davio’s Lynnfield | Dec. 24
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse holds their Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, too. Reserve a spot any time between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. to feast on their prix fixe menu including Bucatini, Nantucket Bay Scallops, Lemon, Basil Vermentino, Spicy Crumbs, and Oysters Rockefeller. The regular dinner menu will also be available.
Details: $85 per person, excluding drinks, tax, and gratuity. Make reservations here.