Christmas 2025 Dining Guide for La Crosse

Finding an open restaurant on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day requires planning in the La Crosse area—but more than 30 establishments will welcome diners this holiday season, ranging from upscale hotel dining to neighborhood bars serving their famous comfort food. The Charmant Hotel offers the area's only confirmed fine dining Christmas experience with a special prix fixe menu, while Chinese restaurants like Great Wall and Super Buffet continue the beloved tradition of serving Christmas Day crowds. Most local bars and grills open mid-day on December 25, making them ideal for a casual holiday meal after gifts are unwrapped.

This guide organizes verified 2025 holiday hours from the WXOW Christmas dining guide published December 23, 2025, supplemented by restaurant websites and customer reviews. Since hours can change, calling ahead remains strongly recommended.

Fine dining and hotel restaurants

The Charmant Hotel stands alone as La Crosse's confirmed upscale Christmas dining destination. This Michelin Key 2024 boutique hotel occupies a stunning 1898 candy factory building downtown, featuring exposed brick and French-inspired American cuisine.

Detail Information Address 101 State Street, La Crosse Phone (608) 519-8800 Christmas Eve Brunch 7am–1pm, Dinner 4–9pm (Special Menu) Christmas Day Brunch 7am–1pm, Dinner 4–9pm (Special Menu) Price Range $$$ — Entrées $25–$62 Reservations Strongly recommended via OpenTable

The Christmas menu features courses including tuna tartare, diver scallop, sea bream, lamb, and dark chocolate dessert. Signature items like Shakshuka ($14), Beef Short Rib ($42), and Ribeye ($59) represent the regular menu's quality. Note: A 20% service charge applies to parties of 8 or more.

Three Rivers River View Restaurant & Bar offers a more casual hotel-adjacent option at 111 Front Street South. Christmas Eve hours run 6:30am–8pm, with Christmas Day limited to breakfast only from 6:30am–11am—perfect for families wanting a morning meal before heading home.

Chinese restaurants keep the tradition alive

Following the decades-old tradition of Chinese restaurants serving Christmas Day crowds, several La Crosse-area options will be operating.

Great Wall Restaurant at 322 Main Street downtown has served La Crosse since February 2000 and is confirmed open Christmas Day. Customer reviews note "they were hauling it on Christmas Day"—expect longer wait times during peak hours. This isn't a buffet; all dishes are cooked to order, with generous portions of General Tso's Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and highly-rated steamed dumplings. Phone: (608) 784-5777. Online ordering available with $3–$10 discount codes. Delivery reaches La Crosse, Onalaska, and La Crescent.

Super Buffet at 206 Copeland Avenue is confirmed open Christmas Eve per the WXOW guide, with reports of an 11am buffet on Christmas Day (verify by calling). This family-owned all-you-can-eat operation has run since 2007, offering everything from sushi to General Tso's to an ice cream dessert bar—all made in-house. Budget-friendly at under $15 per person. Phone: (608) 782-8889. Note: Closed Mondays regularly.

China Star at 4202 Mormon Coulee Road operates seven days weekly and is worth calling for Christmas hours: (608) 788-3088.

Bars and grills confirmed open Christmas Eve

The WXOW 2025 holiday guide confirms these establishments for December 24:

Neuie's Vogue Bar and Grill (1820 George Street, North Side) serves as a La Crosse institution known for its signature Flash Burger—seared patty with mixed hashbrowns, mushrooms, and jalapeños. Bar opens 10am–2am with kitchen running 11am–9:30pm. Daily specials, broasted chicken, and Friday fish fry round out the menu. Phone: (608) 781-3860.

Mirage Sports Bar (3511 Mormon Coulee Road) offers full menu starting at 11am on Christmas Eve. This nearly 30-year-old establishment features wood-fired pizzas (Saturdays 11am–7pm), wings, cheese curds, and 20+ TVs for sports viewing. Indoor/outdoor patio seating available. Phone: (608) 788-7465.

Bodega Brew Pub (122 4th Street South, downtown) is confirmed open Christmas Eve and likely Christmas Day based on past years. Reviews confirm "Stopped in on Christmas Day about noon... the place just got busier as the day went on." This historic brew pub offers 400+ bottled beers including 70 Belgians, plus made-from-scratch food featuring authentic Cubanos, Reubens, and a famous Kimchi Reuben. Past years featured a $15 holiday meal. Phone: (608) 782-0677.

Recovery Room Sports Pub and Grill (901 7th Street South) operates 11am–5pm Christmas Eve. A solid sports bar option.

Adams St Pub (1200 11th Street South) is confirmed open both days—call for specific hours.

Christmas Day options by opening time

Morning and brunch (before noon)

Restaurant Location Hours Type Phone The Charmant 101 State St, La Crosse 7am–1pm brunch Fine dining (608) 519-8800 Three Rivers 111 Front St S 6:30–11am breakfast only Casual — Sparta Family Restaurant 741 Avon Rd, Sparta 6am–3pm Family dining — The Beach Club Holmen 7am–noon Bar —

La Crosse Family Restaurant (2120 Rose Street) reportedly opens 6am–2pm Christmas Day, though this needs verification. Known for giant portions of all-day breakfast at budget prices—steak and eggs runs $11.99. Phone: (608) 519-1450.

Midday openings (noon–2pm)

Smokey's Bar & Grill in Holmen (112 Mill Street) reportedly opens at noon and closes around 7pm Christmas Day. This dive bar atmosphere offers burgers, prime rib sandwiches (Friday special), wings, and pizza. Pool tables, karaoke, and live music round out the entertainment. Phone: (608) 526-4984.

Coulee Golf Bowl in Onalaska (100 Green Coulee Road) operates 11am–5pm—a unique option combining food with bowling.

Pizza Ranch (3130 Chestnut Place, La Crosse) runs 11am–4pm for pizza buffet lovers.

Features in Holmen (504 N Holmen Drive) serves 11am–3pm.

Afternoon openings (3pm and later)

Helm Bar (108 3rd Street North, downtown La Crosse) opens at 3pm Christmas Day.

Robins Nest Bar & Grill on French Island (328 Goddard Street) reportedly opens at 3pm. Known for the Nest Burger featuring bacon, egg, and hashbrowns, plus live music and free popcorn. Phone: (608) 784-4847.

All Star Lanes & Banquets (4735 Mormon Coulee Road) reportedly opens at 3pm—combining bowling, billiards, and excellent pizza in one venue. Phone: (608) 788-7827.

Angry's Way Out in Onalaska (N5914 County Road ZZ) opens at 2pm.

Japanese and Asian alternatives

Shogun Sushi and Hibachi in Onalaska (1227 Crossing Meadows Drive) is likely open both days based on 2023 customer confirmation: "We arrived at our hotel on Christmas day, and as I suspected, most every restaurant was closed... We found Shogun, and what a find it was!" The hibachi section was reportedly busy. This upscale Japanese spot offers tableside hibachi entertainment, extensive sushi selection, and teriyaki dishes. Typical hibachi dinner runs $20–$35 per person. Phone: (608) 779-1188—reservations recommended for hibachi seating.

Tokyo Fusion (212 Main Street, La Crosse) serves Japanese, Chinese, and sushi—call for Christmas hours.

Mimi's Kitchen (40 Copeland Ave Suite 104) offers Thai, Vietnamese, and Laotian cuisine including pho. Regular hours exclude Sundays, so Christmas availability is uncertain. Phone: (608) 519-1342.

Outside La Crosse proper

The FOB Irish Pub in Melrose (406 N Washington Street, about 25 miles from La Crosse) reportedly opens at 11am Christmas Day with kitchen running 11am–9pm. Their specialty is wood-fired thin-crust pizza—the pulled pork with jalapeños gets consistent praise. Irish pub atmosphere with Taco Tuesday specials. Phone: (608) 396-3020.

Stockyards Bar & Grill in Dodge (N20281 County Road J) offers Christmas Eve 11am–7pm and Christmas Day bar 4pm–8pm.

Muddy Waters Bar in Trempealeau (11377 Main Street) opens 10am to close both days.

Brightspot Bar and Grill in De Soto (120 N Mill Park Drive) runs 7am–6pm.

Augie's Bar & Grill in Bangor stays open "all day" featuring Tom and Jerrys plus pizza.

What about chain restaurants?

Applebee's/IHOP (combined location at 9364 Highway 16, Onalaska) typically operates with reduced holiday hours—verify with (608) 781-8570).

Fast food most likely open: McDonald's (multiple locations, hours vary), Wendy's (9346 State Road 16, Onalaska), and Burger King locations typically operate Christmas Day with modified hours.

Confirmed closed Christmas Day: Chick-fil-A, Culver's, Cracker Barrel (closes 2pm Christmas Eve), Olive Garden.

Establishments requiring verification

Several restaurants mentioned in local Facebook discussions lack confirmed 2025 hours:

• Mike's Logan Bar (1400 Caledonia Street) — Called "The Cheers of La Crosse" for its friendly atmosphere and owner Mike Brown's excellent cooking, especially Friday fish fry. Regular hours run 8am–2:30am. Phone: (608) 782-4076)

• Snuffy's Bar (1903 West Ave South) — Neighborhood bar with made-to-order pizza and highly-rated pork egg rolls. Phone: (608) 519-5888)

Important clarifications

Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville operates seasonally April through October only—it is closed for Christmas despite appearing in some listings.

Ritz On The River is located in Chippewa Falls (90 miles north), NOT La Crosse. No establishment by this name currently operates in the La Crosse area.

Planning recommendations

For guaranteed Christmas dining, book The Charmant via OpenTable immediately—it's the area's only confirmed fine dining option with published holiday hours and a special menu.

Chinese restaurants will be busiest between 5pm–8pm Christmas Day—consider ordering takeout early or dining at off-peak hours.

Most neighborhood bars and grills announce final Christmas hours on Facebook one to two weeks before the holiday—checking individual Facebook pages provides the most current information.

When calling to verify hours, also ask whether they're serving regular menu, limited menu, or holiday specials, and whether reservations or walk-ins are preferred.

Meal Time Best Bets Early breakfast The Charmant (7am), Sparta Family Restaurant (6am) Brunch The Charmant, Three Rivers, Hungry Peddler (7am–2pm) Casual lunch Smokey's (noon), Super Buffet (11am), Pizza Ranch (11am–4pm) Afternoon drinks & food Helm Bar, Robins Nest, All Star Lanes (all 3pm) Dinner Great Wall, Shogun, The Charmant (4–9pm), The FOB

The La Crosse area offers more Christmas dining options than many assume—with advance planning and a few phone calls, families can find everything from elegant prix fixe dining to familiar bar food served by friendly neighbors who've chosen to welcome the community on Christmas.