The season is here and you can feel it in the crisp air along the Deschutes and the twinkle lights that creep earlier into the afternoon. Bend becomes a swirl of visiting family, friend reunions and the familiar question that floats through every living room this time of year. Where should we eat? And if we stay in what do we cook?
This year why not make it easy! Whether that means letting someone else do the heavy lifting in an inviting restaurant dining room along the river or greeting your guests at home with something delicious before sending everyone out on the town, we’ve got you covered either way.
A handful of local favorites keep their doors open on Dec. 25 for anyone who wants a holiday meal without managing oven logistics or tracking down a missing roasting pan. These are the spots that make the day feel special with menus that lean into comfort, celebration and the kind of hospitality that lets you simply enjoy being together.
Set right along the Deschutes, Currents at the Riverhouse feels tailor made for a holiday meal. The dining room stretches wide with big windows that frame the river in winter. Their Christmas dinner keeps things seasonal and warm with dishes like slow-smoked prime rib and ham with red eye gravy. Classic sides such as buttery mashed potatoes, rich gravy and yam puree are also on this year’s Christmas dinner menu. Make your reservations through the Riverhouse website or by calling the restaurant directly. If you are entertaining a larger family group you will want to call ahead to arrange seating.
Anthony’s at The Old Mill District brings its Pacific Northwest seafood focus to the holiday table with a Christmas menu in addition to its regular offerings. Think wild king salmon, local oysters and Dungeness crab as well as other seasonal favorites. The dining room looks over the river trail and the lights of the Old Mill, which adds a festive backdrop for any holiday gathering. There will also be hearty sides and desserts that lean classic and cozy. Reservations can be made on Anthony’s website or through standard booking apps. Christmas Day tends to sell out so grab your time slot sooner rather than later.
Pine Tavern is Bend history wrapped in a warm downtown dining room. The Christmas dinner menu sticks to tradition with roasted turkey or prime rib, dressing, vegetables, salads and pies. If you have relatives visiting from out of town this is the place to give them a little taste of Bend nostalgia right down to the gigantic old ponderosa trees growing through the dining room floor. Call directly for reservations or book through its website. Seating fills fast on Christmas Day and the restaurant has a loyal following of locals who return each year.
Of course, sometimes the holiday celebration begins long before dinner. Maybe you want to start the evening at home with a snack and a toast before heading out into town. Or maybe you have a full house of sleepers who will wake up hungry the morning after and you want to have an easy breakfast ready to go.
Here are two recipes that strike that perfect balance. Simple enough for a busy week yet special enough to feel like the holidays.
Cheese Wafers for Pre-Dinner Snacking
These little savory wafers are the kind of thing you can make ahead and forget about until guests arrive. They are crisp, salty and melt in your mouth. You can pair them with champagne before heading to dinner or serve them with a bowl of soup if you are keeping things simple at home. The perfect hors d’oeuvre or accompaniment to any soup or salad. These wafers can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a month. You can use any type of hard dry cheese such as cheddar, parmesan, asiago, pecorino or Manchego.
Makes about two dozen
1 to 2 cups grated cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
Sprinkle a couple tablespoons of cheese to form three inch rounds onto baking sheet. Keep cheese disks about one inch apart. Make as many rounds as desired.
Bake until cheese is melted golden brown and stops bubbling.
Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet until hardened.
Set them out with olives, nuts or a festive drink.
Orange Cardamom Pancakes for the Morning Crowd
When the house wakes up slowly and slippers shuffle into the kitchen these pancakes are the warm welcome everyone needs. The orange and cardamom bring a bright holiday aroma to the air and the batter comes together in minutes. They are tender, fragrant and ready for maple syrup or a spoonful of jam.
Serves 4 to 6
3 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
One half teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
2 eggs
2 ½ cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1 stick butter, melted plus more for greasing griddle
Maple syrup for serving
Orange marmalade or blueberry jam for serving
Whisk dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, extract, zest and butter to dry ingredients. Mix well to combine. Add more milk a tablespoon at a time if you want thinner pancakes.
Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add butter for greasing. Working in batches, cook pancakes using about one third cup batter for each. Cook until bubbly on top and golden brown underneath, one to two minutes, then flip and cook until golden on the other side. Repeat until all are done, adding more butter as needed.
Keep pancakes warm on a plate covered with foil or on a baking sheet in a warm oven until serving. Drizzle with syrup and top with butter, jam or marmalade as desired.
Whether it’s a festive dinner out or pancakes in pajamas, here’s to good food and good company – Happy Holidays!
Currents at the Riverhouse
3075 N. Business 97, Bend
541-389-8810
riverhouse.com/events/christmas-dinner-at-currents/ /
Anthony’s at The Old Mill District
475 Southwest Powerhouse Drive, Bend
541-389-8998
anthonys.com/restaurant/anthonys-at-the-old-mill-district/
Pine Tavern Restaurant & Bar
967 NW Brooks Street, Bend
541-382-5581
pinetavern.com/index.html
This article appears in the Source December 4, 2025.
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