As families prepare for the holidays, many choose to dine out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, taking advantage of seasonal menus at metro area restaurants.

From gourmet prix-fixe menus to brunch buffets filled with seasonal favorites, Denver, Boulder and Englewood eateries are ready to make holiday gatherings memorable.

Reservations are filling up quickly, so diners are encouraged to secure their spots soon.

(Note: This is not a comprehensive list, so check other restaurants in your area. Listed in alphabetical order.)

Ajax Downtown

Address: 1899 16th St. in Denver Website: ajaxrestaurant.com/holidays Hours: Christmas Day Menu: The three-course prix fixe menu on Christmas Day is $110 per adult. Starter options include Truffle Consommé, butter lettuce salad, roasted beets, Dungeness crab charwanmushi, or beef tartar; main dish options include lamb ragu, petit filet, mesquite-roasted grouper, smoked pastrami short rib, or squash lasagna; and dessert options include chocolate bourbon tart, carrot cake, or eggnog cheesecake. Reservations encouraged. Make them on the restaurant website.

The ART Hotel Denver

Address: 1201 N. Broadway in Denver Website: thearthotel.com Hours: 4 to 11 p.m. for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Christmas Day brunch. Menu: French onion soup with Gruyère and green onions; prime rib with creamy mashed potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, and au jus; and an apple tartlet. The brunch buffet features a carving station with strip loin and salmon en croûte, made-to-order omelets, hearty sides, sweet treats, and bottomless mimosas for adults.

The Bindery

Address: 1817 Central St. in Denver Website: thebinderydenver.com Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve for brunch. Closed Christmas Day.

Corinne

Address: 1455 California St. in Denver Website: corinnedenver.com/happenings Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve Menu: Buffet menu and limited menu available. Reservations encouraged via OpenTable.

Corrida

Address: 1023 Walnut St. #400 in Boulder Website: corridaboulder.com Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve Menu: Five-course Spanish-inspired tasting menu for $125, with optional $100 wine pairing. Reservations encouraged on OpenTable.

Devil’s Kitchen

Address: 840 Kennedy Ave. in Grand Junction Website: devilskitchenrestaurant.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Day Menu: The prix-fixe Christmas menu is $80 per person and includes butternut squash soup, herb-crusted prime rib with sides, and white chocolate banana bread pudding for dessert. Guests can dine in the main dining room or in snow globes on the patio. Make reservations on the restaurant website.

Ellyngton’s

Address: Inside The Brown Palace Hotel at 321 17th St. in Denver Website: brownpalace.com/dining/restaurants/ellyngtons Hours: Brunch buffet with Santa on Christmas Eve. Make reservations on OpenTable.

The Fort

Address: 19192 Colorado 8 in Morrison Website: TheFort.com Hours: Christmas Eve dinner Menu: Three-course prix fixe menu features The Fort’s signature dinner salad, served with a choice of house-made salad dressings and a basket of freshly baked dinner rolls. For the main course, choose from an eight-ounce ($58), 12-ounce ($68) or 16-ounce ($78), buffalo prime rib au jus, served with horseradish sauce, seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes, popovers and gravy and a peppermint negritta for dessert. Guests can also order à la carte from a limited menu of classic dishes, such as the game plate and buffalo tenderloin filet mignon. Reservations are encouraged and can be made at OpenTable.

Frasca Food and Wine

Address: 1738 Pearl St. in Boulder Website: frascafoodandwine.com Hours: Open at 4 p.m. for Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Menu: A six-course seafood tasting menu. Make reservations here.

Gattara

Address: Inside the Warwick Denver Hotel, 1776 Grant St. Website: gattararestaurant.com Hours: Dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Menu: Prix fixe menu of Italian seafood favorites with Tiramisu and banana pudding for dessert. Dishes are also available à la carte. Reservations encouraged on OpenTable.

Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek

Address: 245 Columbine St. in Denver Website: halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Christmas Day in the second-floor ballroom. Menu: Buffet for $30 per child (12 and under) or $95 per adult, including a glass of sparkling wine and discounted valet parking. Make reservations on OpenTable.

The Inverness Denver

Address: 200 Inverness Drive West in Englewood Website: hilton.com/en/hotels/denirhh-the-inverness-denver-a-hilton-golf-and-spa-resort Hours: Christmas Day brunch buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu: Seafood displays, carving-station classics like roasted prime rib with cabernet au jus and rosemary-glazed pit ham, made-to-order omelets, a vanilla bean waffle bar, and desserts including mini cheesecakes, pecan pie, and winter-spiced plum crumble, plus complimentary bottomless mimosas and mocktails. Make reservations (required) on OpenTable.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Address: Multiple locations Website: jaxfishhouse.com Hours: Feast of the Seven Fishes starting at 3 p.m. Christmas Eve Menu: Five-course dinner includes Fritto Misto, chopped salad, spaghetti al Scoglio, branzino, and chocolate mousse.

Jill’s Restaurant

Address: Inside St. Julien’s Hotel and Spa at 900 Walnut St. in Boulder Website: stjulien.com/boulder-colorado-restaurants">stjulien.com/boulder-colorado-restaurants Hours: Candlelight dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Make reservations on OpenTable. Menu: Choice of fennel and tomato bisque, Tuscan kale and beet salad, or burrata bruschetta; choice of wagyu beef short rib, blackened diver scallops, herb-crusted prime rib, or vegetable wellington; and eggnog cheesecake and chocolate-peppermint flourless cake. $109 for adults and $49 for children.

Kachina

Address: 1890 Wazee St. in Denver Website: kachinadenver.com/event/holiday-specials Hours: Christmas Eve Menu: Carne Asada Au Jus, a 12-ounce slow-roasted prime rib with an ancho-garlic crust, serrano-horseradish crema, charred winter vegetables, crispy fingerlings, and a jalapeño tallow beef jus. Priced at $65. Make reservations on OpenTable.

Osteria Alberico

Address: 3455 S. University Blvd. in Englewood Website: osteriaalberico.com Hours: Open at 4 p.m. for Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Make reservations on OpenTable. Menu: Seafood tasting menu with a la carte options.

Panzano

Address: 909 17th St. in Denver Website: panzano-denver.com Hours: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Menu: Five-course prix fixe dinner with Beet Caprese, Beef Tartare, Cannelloni, choice of Pesce Fresco Risotto or Colorado Lamb Rack, and an Éclair. Make reservations on OpenTable.

St. Julien’s Hotel and Spa in Boulder

Address: 900 Walnut St. in Boulder Website: stjulien.com Hours: Christmas Day brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the grand ballroom. Menu: Includes carved prime rib, honey-glazed ham, roasted winter vegetables, Verlasso salmon, an assortment of fresh seasonal salads and house-made pastries, yule logs, and more holiday confections. Prices $49 for children 5-12 and $109 for adults. Make reservations on OpenTable.

Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval

Address: Inside Hotel Clio at 150 Clayton Lane in Denver Website: torodenver.com Hours: 2 to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day Menu: Three-course meal for $75 includes roasted beet salad with goat cheese and a candied pistachio and balsamic vinaigrette, braised short rib served with fig demi-glace, and red wine-poached pear with cinnamon horchata ice cream. Reservations encouraged.

Wildflower Restaurant

Address: 3638 Navajo St. in Denver Website: wildflower-lohi.com Hours: Starting at 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. Make reservations on OpenTable. Menu: Holiday Prix-Fixe Dinner for $125, with available wine pairing.

Sara B. Hansen is a Denver-based freelance writer.