For most of the year, the formal dining room may serve as a workstation, homework hub, or paraphernalia depository. Or it may sit simply gathering dust—in a section of the house most often frequented by the cat.

Some formal dining rooms have even ceased to exist and given way to “dining areas,” part of a much larger, open space known as the ever-popular great room.

But during the holidays, at least for a meal or two, the dining room has its moment in the spotlight.

With so much focus on eating together and making merriment this time of year, we decided to show you five fabulous dining rooms fit for a royal feast. Some will make your mouth water. Others will make your eyes pop. All will intrigue, in one way or another.

Bon appetit!

1. 814 Toulon Dr, Pacific Palisades, CA

Price: $23,995,000
Wine and dine: Think of the time you’d save schlepping down to the wine cellar when you have an entire wine wall just a few feet away. Also, no need to shout down to the other end of the table—you can fit two dining tables in this one enormous space. (We’ve already figured out where the kids’ table will go.)

When the weather is lovely, there’s also a fabulous covered, outdoor dining room that can easily accommodate a dozen guests in this chic and modern home. Decisions, decisions.

These uniquely laid-out dining rooms come in the Palisades Riviera’s “Flight House,” so named because of its butterfly roof. The 8,008-square-foot mansion features a relatively paltry three bedrooms and 3.5 baths, which means most of the rooms are enormous.

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2. 296 E Avenida Granada, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Price: $850,000
Midcentury mealtime: Not all formal dining rooms have to be so, well, formal. Just take a look at this funky space in the midcentury mecca of Palm Springs. Think of the Instagram opportunities!

Built in 1963, this three-bedroom condo has been updated with modern features. The owner, who is an interior designer, has also refreshed and enhanced the style with vibrant ’60s details.

We also love the brightly hued backyard and the mountain views visible through all those windows and sliders.

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3. 527 Whitaker Rd, Shelby, NC

Price: $5,900,000
Feast your eyes: Some formal dining rooms completely embody the term “formal.” And we’ll be honest—your impression of this dining area will depend on how you feel about gold chandeliers, lots of scrollwork, mixed patterns, and bold color combinations. This maximalist space is for formal dining at its fanciest.

Truly regal meals can be prepared by a French chef on the double La Cornue range in this 9,657-square-foot mansion. It was built in 2002 to resemble a French country estate and brims with hand-painted murals and fleur-de-lis images on ceilings and walls throughout.

The four-bedroom mansion sits on almost 50 acres of countryside marked by rolling lawns, green pastures, and verdant woodlands. A slate roof, turrets, and copper details outside, plus antique stone floors, European antiques, and custom tiles complete this chic chateau.

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4. 295 Cobble Creek Rd, Bozeman, MT

Price: $39,950,000
Elegant eats: It’s hard to believe this sophisticated dining room is part of a sprawling, 22,470-square-foot ranch out in the Wild West.

Beyond the elegant and modern decor, luxe amenities in this six-bedroom home include a home theater, wine lounge, game room, gym, and indoor basketball court. There’s even a pizza oven in the huge kitchen—for when you tire of turkey.

Named Aquarius for the constellation, this 23.5-acre estate in Big Sky Country includes a 3-acre pond with a sandy beach, waterfalls and a dock, plus frontage on Bozeman and Limestone Creeks.

And although there’s plenty of room for them in this huge home, your stable of horses can eat and sleep in the barn or simply graze in green pastures.

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5. 3716 N White Chapel Blvd, Southlake, TX

Price: $5,000,000
Palatial palate: We’re not sure whether we want to eat in this dining room or roller-skate in it. The cavernous space can accommodate an army of servants to serve a truly posh dinner.

A regal mix of castle and cathedral, this eight-bedroom palace offers grand-scale features throughout. They include eight fancy fireplaces, a plush home theater, an elegant wine room, and a master suite with a two-story closet.

Plus, as with any proper castle, there are secret rooms and passageways. You can invite the entire kingdom here for the holidays and manage to avoid most of them. Cheers to that!

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