Tis' the season! 

Regardless of faith, creed, or background, it's hard not to appreciate the central reason behind the holiday season: reflecting and making memories with friends, family, and loved ones—preferably with good food and drinks! If you know anything about us, you'll know we're pretty serious about that good food and drinks part. After all, what's the point of going Christmas crazy if there's not a delicious dinner waiting at the end of the day in order to make all of the holiday stress worthwhile?

That said, doing the usual rotation of Christmas foods can get a little tiring after a while—especially if you're still munching on leftovers from Thanksgiving! Dishes like honey glazed ham and mashed potatoes are super tasty, but why not mix things up a bit this year? Here are five restaurants we recommend checking out if you want a change of pace from the usual Christmas fare, but still want an awesome, holiday-worthy meal. 

*QUICK DISCLAIMER: This isn't a list of restaurants that are running attractive Christmas meal deals. In fact, some of these restaurants may not be open on Christmas proper. Instead, think of this as a handy go-to dining guide when you want to take a break from the bustle of the holidays and kick back with some of the best dining Denver has to offer.

Daughter Thai

If Thai food isn't already one of your go-to's for holiday dining, that's likely because you haven't visited Daughter Thai yet. This Thai-fusion restaurant offers a dining experience that's equal parts cozy and extravagant—with plenty of spice to go around! Daughter Thai prides itself on being the perfect location for first dates, and a lot of that warm ambiance makes it a welcome December destination as well. Make sure to dine in their outdoor greenhouse seating for an extra serving of their intimate atmosphere. If nothing else, visiting this restaurant during the holidays is also a perfect opportunity to scope out your Valentine's Day dining.

The Piper Inn

It's hard to describe The Piper Inn in a single sentence, but here goes: This improbably placed biker bar in uptown Aurora offers some of the best Mandarin and Cantonese food in the area, along with a menu full of bar-food classics. We're going to guess that it's unlike any of your other holiday haunts, which makes it the perfect place for some decompression dining during December. As an added bonus, The Piper Inn is frequented by people of all walks of life, meaning you can always get some quality people-watching in with your meal! 

Edgewater Public Market

The Edgewater Marketplace isn't a single destination, but rather a collection of diverse restaurant concepts, many of which got their start as food trucks! This high-end cafeteria offers authentic Greek, Ethiopian, and Venezulaian food, along with plenty of indulgent Americana classics. As an added bonus, you can enjoy your meal on the marketplace's rooftop seating, which also comes with a full bar. That's before you get to the desserts too, which include some of the best ice cream in the city! This marketplace also features a collection of charming shops as well, meaning you can also knock off some Christmas shopping during your visit. 

Avelina

If you want to make an especially good impression on visiting family or friends, then bring them to Avelina. Helmed by award-winning executive chef Joshua Oakley, this is one of those top-notch restaurants that elevates food from a product to an experience. One visit to Avelina is a crash course in all the best Denver's food scene has to offer, and that's before you even get to the dessert menu! We recommend ordering the Chef Entrust when you visit. Although the price tag is a bit hefty, it's an opportunity to try all of the highlights on the menu, which effectively means you'll be trying several of the best meals available in Denver. 

Watercourse

If you're entertaining any vegan or vegetarian visitors, then Watercourse is the perfect place for a holiday dinner. This restaurant offers a plant-based menu that's able to accommodate a wide variety of dietary considerations—and it's delicious to boot! If you're dealing with any fussy family members, then a single trip to Watercourse is enough to win you some precious peace. Make sure to try their seitan buffalo wings! 

What are some of your favorite places to eat over the holidays? Sound off in the comments!