The Feast of Seven Fishes

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a beloved Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition rooted in the Catholic practice of abstaining from meat before major holy days. While its exact origins are debated, many trace it back to Southern Italy, where seafood was abundant and festive meals were built around the day’s religious customs. Over time, Italian immigrants brought the celebration to the United States, evolving it into the elaborate and joyful seafood feast many families enjoy today. The number seven is often thought to symbolize the seven sacraments, the seven virtues, or simply a cultural preference—but no matter its origin, the meaning remains centered on family, faith, and heritage.

The feast typically features a wide array of seafood dishes, each served with its own regional flair. Classic selections include fried smelts, baccalà (salted cod), calamari, clams, mussels, and pasta with anchovies or crab. Some families stick closely to tradition, while others reinvent the menu each year, adding new recipes or modern twists.

Some of our favorites include, Crab Cake Stuffed Mushrooms, Smoked Salmon dip, Gulf Shrimp Cocktail, Haddock Carina, Halibut Picatta, Miso Marinated Sablefish, and Pan seared King Salmon. 

At its heart, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is more than a meal—it’s a celebration of togetherness, memories, and the joy of sharing time-honored dishes with the people you love.