Opening on Christmas day is a tradition that has been going strong for 39 years now, and though Le Bordelais won’t be able to welcome diners indoors, it’s French menu remains within reach. There’s everything from smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail to steak frites and and fish and chips, available from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

If an expansive spread of grilled fish and garlicky crustaceans conjures the holidays for you and yours, this Côte-Vertu area Greek haunt may be a shoe-in. Pad your seafood picks with a selection of cold and hot appetizers — there are enough to fill all the empty spots at the table.

Squint a little, and this three-storey-high orange sphere may just look like a Christmas ornament tossed aside the Décarie. Stop buy to pick up a poutine or burger, but it’s the Julep’s eponymous drink, part-way between an orange juice and a milkshake, that’ll make the trek worth it.

This Côte-des-Neiges deli had been open since 1942 and is still within the family, making it one of Montreal’s most iconic. Stop by between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas day for some of its famed marbled beef on rye, along with some matzo ball soup, potato knishes, blintzes, and a sweet or two.

Several of Park-Ex’s Indian restaurants will be open for takeout and delivery on Christmas day. Still haven’t sworn your allegiance to particular one? Chand Palace’s creamy North Indian curries, including its lamb tikka masala and veggie korma, are worth a try. Round out the order with a biryani and mango lassi.

This Rosemont mainstay is perhaps best known for its warm and cozy ambience, achieved with live musical performances, weekend belly dancing, a bring-your-own-wine allowance, and lantern lighting. But, throughout the pandemic, it has been channeling that energy into its cooking. Opt for one its briks (filo pastry pockets stuffed with meats, veggies, cheeses ,and eggs) to start, a fragrant tagine or couscous for a main, and some traditional Tunisian pastries for dessert.

From the same people behind Aliments Yasolo grocery store next door is this Afro-Québécois restaurant, which — lucky for Saint-Henri — will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on December 25. on the menu is a special holiday offering: a whole charcoal-grilled chicken marinated for 24 hours in jerk seasoning, served with attiéké (fermented cassava) riz collé (rice with kidney beans), alloco (fried plantains), and a selection of homemade sauces.

For another standout option in Saint-Henri, there’s Le Kioko, staying open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day, and throughout the holidays in general. There’s no going wrong with one of their platters, and the addition of some of their special rolls, like neighbourhood namesake, the “sud-ouest,” with salmon tartar, tobiko, shrimp tempura, fried onions, avocado, spicy mayo and shallots.

Another spot that makes it possible to enjoy a feast on Christmas Day without having to worry about any pre-planning (or cooking). While Le Taj, a staple in Montreal since the 80s, has had to abandon its lunchtime buffets for the time being, it’s still open every day of the week, including Christmas Day, from 5 to 10 p.m. for takeout and delivery of its wide range of meat and vegetarian dishes. Be sure to add some of Le Taj’s delicious samosas and pakoras to your order.

Leave the cooking to the team at Khyber Pass, the Plateau’s beloved Afghan BYOB, where you’ll find hefty servings of meat (the lamb is a crowd favourite), rice and other Afghan dishes. Following a brief closure, the Duluth spot has reopened for takeout and delivery, and will serve customers throughout the holidays.

Pointe-Saint-Charles Haitian restaurant Cantine Burgz will be open on Christmas day, offering its same pared-down menu of griot (spiced and fried pork cubes), vegetables and beef, chicken, and a vegetarian option. All come with a side or rice, plantains, salad, and pikliz, and won’t set you back more than $13.

One of Chinatown’s best pho spots, Pho Bac will remain open this Christmas. Hot tip: Get some Vietnamese iced coffee to go, too.

If you see dim sum in your Christmas future, place an order at Restaurant Impérial — one of the city’s best spots for dim sum, and one that has effectively embraced red zone restrictions with free delivery on orders over $50; a great reason to place yours directly with the restaurant, although delivery is also available on most major platforms. Fill your table with lotus leaf-wrapped sticky rice with chicken, pork, shrimp and mushrooms, dumplings (especially the har gow), bao, and more from Impérial’s extensive takeout menu featuring over 20 dim sum dishes.