When it comes to Christmas foods, there’s more to fawn over than gingerbread and stocking-stuffers. In fact, there’s a whole world of flavors to explore over the holiday that go well beyond the Americana template. From Filipino Christmas fare to Peruvian holiday specials, here are some outside-the-box Christmas eats to enjoy this season around Chicago.

There’s just something about the holiday hoopla that makes people want to spoil themselves a little bit and live luxuriously. The fact that white truffles are in season surely helps. Amidst the shopping and the parties, December is prime time for pampering, be it via freshly shaved white truffles, caviar, or foie gras. Here are some spots for eating lavishly in Chicago this month.

The best way to combat below-freezing temperatures in Chicago is with a piping hot, rich-as-fudge cup of hot chocolate. Fortunately, Chicago is a city brimming with decadent hot chocolate, from the traditional to the boozy to the outré (Chartreuse hot chocolate, anyone?).