When it comes to the holiday season, there is a ton to worry about. You stress about finding the perfect gift, making sure Santa gets the kiddos Christmas letters; the last thing you want to worry about is finding the perfect recipe. Let us handle the food.

Holiday Beverages

When the holiday chill hits the air, our favorite place to enjoy a hot drink is a local coffee shop. RAIL Coffee Room in Centralia is just the place for those looking for the next best thing after pumpkin spice season has ended. RAIL offers a diverse drink menu that changes with the seasons, but our favorite time of year at RAIL is around the holidays. Their Grinch frappe is enough to put anyone in the holiday spirit.

If you’re like me and love a snowy night, then you’ll have to try a bottle of Cameo Vineyard’s “Let it Snow.” Give the bottle a shake to witness a blizzard in a bottle. This semi-sweet white wine is made in Greenup and flies off the shelves, so make sure to grab a bottle while you still can.

For those who prefer beer to wine, White Rooster Farmhouse Brewery in Sparta is the place to check out. This small-batch brewery experiments with different flavors and usually offers a holiday-inspired beer around Christmastime. Be sure to keep up to date with all that they are brewing on their Facebook page.

Sweet Treats

If you’re in Nashville, you have to visit the Bakery Nook & Bistro. While you’re there browsing the baked goods they offer, and trust me the options are limitless, grab a bite to eat. You won’t be disappointed.

Start your morning of Christmas shopping out right by stopping by Farmhouse Bakery in Salem to grab a donut (or two) and some coffee. While you’re there, check out their display of locally-sourced items for the perfect stocking stuffer.

What do Thanksgiving and the Fillin’ Station in Toledo have in common? If you said delicious pies, you’re right! Each day they offer a variety of baked goods, but their pies are what they’re famous for. Their pies are both sold by the slice and whole.

Charcuterie Boards

Marcoot Jersey Creamery in Greenville is a seventh-generation Jersey dairy farm that offers artisan cheeses, prime cuts of beef, and more! They will do the hard work for you with their “Marcooterie Board Cheese Gift Box” which consists of two of their artisan cheeses, one of their fresh cheese curds, one box of crackers, and an 8 oz roll of Volpi salami.

Covered in Chocolate in Breese is your one stop shop for all things grazing. Their catering menu is out of this world. Not only do they offer your go-to meats and cheeses, they have a variety of fruits and veggies and any dessert you could possibly imagine. Even better, they offer a full range of breakfast items.

Not only does Boarding House Bistro in O’Fallon have delicious custom-made cocktails, but they also offer personalized charcuterie boards. Better yet, you can order a board for any event. They offer seven different options based on party size. Each board gives you the chance to customize meat and cheese options to suit your preferences. 

Holiday Party Apps

Foxy in McLeansboro has you covered when it comes to hot wings. They offer a party pack of 80 boneless wings, 10 sides, and whatever sauce you want out of their wide variety. While you’re at it, take a look at their different appetizers and grab two for $12 or 3 for $15.

Lotawata Creek in Fairview Heights is known for their gigantic portions, but their appetizers are my favorite part of the dining experience. They offer your standard items like onion rings, fried pickles, and mozzarella sticks, but my personal favorite is the fried macaroni and cheese balls. They are out of this world!

If you’re looking to level up your appetizer game, head over to The Fainting Goat in Pocahontas and order the Wonton Nachos. This app is unlike any other that we’ve ever had. Don’t believe me? Try them out for yourselves. Pro tip: Ask for the teriyaki chicken on top.

This article comes from the 2022 edition of the Holiday Tourism Times. To request your free guide to seasonal fun, visit our Tourism Times page.