Click here for holiday dining in California 2023.
The best memories are made gathered around the table. Celebrate the season with the help of these California Christmas dining experiences (for dine-in and to-go).
The Marine Room
La Jolla
Whether you’re seeking snow or sand, The Marine Room offers a Southern California Christmas right on the surf. On Christmas Day, the renowned restaurant invites guests to celebrate the season with a fabulous four-course prix-fixe meal. The delicious dinner will start things off with mushroom cappuccino shooters, followed by a choice of charred broccolini, bib lettuce, lobster roulade, gin-cured salmon or signature Maine lobster bisque. From there, main course offerings include Cabrillas sea bass, Sonoma lamb, Creekstone Farms filet and Wagyu prime rib. And it wouldn’t be dinner without dessert. To make the experience even sweeter, The Marine Room will wow you with The Christmas Trilogy, a specialty dessert featuring eggnog crème brûlée, gingerbread, yule log cake and candied cranberries. The dinner is priced at $150 per person and will be served from 12 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 25. For more information, visit marineroom.com.
Navio
San Francisco
On Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay visitors can create new holiday memories at Navio while indulging in Chef de Cuisine Francisco Simón’s festive brunch menu–surrounded by ocean vistas. Brunch is priced at $249 per guest. Then, from 5 to 9 p.m. Chef Simón will present a seven-course Chef’s Tasting Menu, featuring creative seasonal dishes as well as traditional holiday fare. The menu includes striped sea bass, a 14-day dry-aged tenderloin and much more. The Chef’s Tasting Menu is priced at $249 per guest. A three-course menu option is also available on Dec. 25 at $175 per guest. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
Greens Restaurant
San Francisco
The esteemed pioneer of vegetarian cuisine in San Francisco has unveiled its highly anticipated holiday celebration calendar, which features everything from Christmas-inspired cookies and cocktails to full holiday feasts. For starters, the beloved cookies will get you into the spirit of giving for just $16 per dozen. The cookie choices include everything from gingerbread, coconut macaroons and peppermint crinkles to pignoli, cranberry pistachio and Green’s classic date bars. In addition, the Christmas to-go menu is perfect to bring home for everyone to enjoy. Guests can look forward to a plethora of festive dishes such as Christmas cobb salad with Dijon-shallot vinaigrette and portobello mushroom wellington with porcini mushroom gravy. But don’t forget dessert! This year, your California Christmas dining experience can’t be complete without a classic apple crumb pie. For more information, visit greensrestaurant.com.
Over The Top Holiday Lounge
San Diego
As the name suggests, the Over The Top Holiday Lounge at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego will be overflowing with Christmas joy through Dec. 28. The property’s cherished Top of The Hyatt will be totally transformed into a holiday pop-up experience. Perched 40 floors above the Pacific at the tallest waterfront hotel on the West Coast, guests can celebrate the season with Christmas-y cocktails and warm apple crisp with an almond-pretzel crumble. Some of the featured festive drinks include the Classy Grinch, made with vanilla vodka, crème de cacao, candy canes and a chocolate drizzle, and the Let it Snow, a mix of Tito’s vodka, white chocolate liquor, eggnog and graham cracker crumbles. But if you’re feeling creative, be sure to build your own cozy cabin cocoa, with plenty of add-in options from Screwball Whiskey to an ever-classic blend of Baileys and whipped cream. Like being in a snow globe, the Over The Top Holiday Lounge will bring a snowy winter wonderland to sunny San Diego. For more information, visit topofthehyatt.com.
Ranch 45
Solana Beach
Take the stress out of your holidays and let Ranch 45 prepare your Christmas dinner by taking advantage of their fully customizable takeout menu. Choose from a variety of festive main course options to completely personalize your holiday feast. Begin your California Christmas dining experience with a gluten-free whole smoked Cornish game hen, smoked turkey legs or herb-crusted prime rib. At the same time, guests can also indulge in specialty sides, soups and salads like olive oil smashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, honey-thyme-roasted rainbow carrots and green bean almondine. Finally, enjoy pecan pie, gluten-free apple crisp, pumpkin cheesecake or house-made assorted Christmas cookies for dessert to finish off your holiday food coma. So, if you’re thinking of hosting this holiday season, be sure to turn to Ranch 45 for a feast that everyone will be grateful for. For more information, visit ranch45.com.
Herb & Wood
San Diego
Make this Christmas Eve one to remember by dining at San Diego’s cherished Herb & Wood, a cozy yet refined restaurant that makes you feel at home. First things first, standout entrees include a prime filet with pink peppercorn cognac demi, roasted mushroom and whipped potatoes, a halibut with brown butter hollandaise and roasted delicata squash and a roasted honey nut squash with parsnip puree, brown butter and grape relish. On the side, there will be asparagus, roasted carrots and rolls. If you’re feeling adventurous, definitely try out one of Chef Carlos Anthony’s more creative dishes, like the poached persimmon with arugula, burrata, almond and ginger vinaigrette, or the famous pork belly served with butternut squash puree, brown butter and walnut gremolata. No matter what you decide on, make sure to complete your courses with a fruity lemon tart with toasted meringue, winter citrus and tangerine ice cream or a chocolatey tiramisu with mascarpone, espresso and dark chocolate ice cream. Priced at $92 per adult and $37 per child, be sure to make a reservation to enjoy this California Christmas dining experience while you still can. For more information, visit herbandwood.com.
Urban Plates
Del Mar, La Jolla, Carlsbad
There’s no place like home for the holidays. Those who prefer to spend the holidays in the comfort of their home will appreciate Urban Plates’ craveable, made-from-scratch catering options. With so much to choose from, whether guests are gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, there is something for every diner at any type of celebration. For starters, large plate options include grilled grass-fed steak, garden meatloaf, honey mustard salmon and cage-free grilled chicken. Also, some scrumptious sides will help jazz up your plate; from roasted Brussels sprouts with turkey bacon to roasted rainbow carrots and golden beets, the plating possibilities are endless. Or, more casual holiday parties can also consider the choice of the sandwich platter, which includes Urban Plates’ favorites like the cage-free chicken club and the grilled portobello mushroom sandwich. For more information, visit urbanplates.com.
Gelson’s
Del Mar, Pacific Beach, Carlsbad
This year, Gelson’s is bringing perfectly prepackaged meals, including plant-based alternatives, to Christmas dinner tables with all of the comfort and coziness of home-cooked meals. In order to create a festive feast, Gelson’s culinary experts rely on top-quality products and preparation to take the hassle out of your holidays. The renowned prime rib dinner will be accompanied by mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, roasted Brussels sprouts, cornbread stuffing, mushroom peppercorn gravy, horseradish sauce, and, of course, butterflake dinner rolls. Guests will also have the option to choose other main course dishes, like a spiral-cut glazed ham or a hazelnut cranberry roast, as a plant-based alternative, and pair them with a la carte sides of their choice. And for your sweet tooth, this California Christmas dining experience will be topped off with house-baked apple pie and New York-style cheesecake. For more information, visit gelsons.com.
Herb & Sea
Encinitas
Have yourself a traditional California Christmas Eve at Herb & Sea, the beloved neighborhood eatery in Encinitas. Herb & Sea’s Christmas Eve menu will be bursting with fresh and vibrant tastes from both coasts while serving diners a three-course meal made with local ingredients and herbaceous accents. Begin your culinary adventure with flavorful appetizers like endive salad or steelhead crudo before digging into main dishes like pistachio-crusted lamb or veggie paella. In addition, meals will be perfectly paired with family-style sides of ratatouille, green beans and fluffy rolls. Then, conclude your California Christmas dining experience with a chocolate mousse bar or a slice of citrus cheesecake. Christmas Eve reservations will be available from 3 to 8 p.m., priced at $87 per adult and $38 per child. For more information, visit herbandsea.com.
The Shores Restaurant
La Jolla
There’s something special about a seaside Christmas. This year, The Shores Restaurant will have you feeling holly jolly with the help of oceanfront dining accompanied by a prix-fixe menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Your evening of dining will begin with the choice of baja mussels, spinach and artichoke dip bruschetta or arugula beet salad. As for the main course, guests have the option of tequila-citrus chicken, chili-rubbed ribeye or swordfish. In addition, it’s never a bad idea to sip on seasonal Mexican hot chocolate to make your meal even more merry. Finally, the evening will end on a sweet note with dessert choices of churros with ice cream, coconut flan or coffee mud pie. Or, if you’re more of a breakfast person, The Shores Restaurant will also be hosting a holiday brunch with a charcuterie station, a fresh seafood bar and plenty of pastries. The dinner is priced at $75 per person, and the brunch is priced at $72 per person. For more information, visit theshoresrestaurant.com.
Tangerine Room
Anaheim
Tangerine Room at Westin Anaheim is hosting Christmas carolers Dec. 22 to Dec. 24, with complimentary hot cocoa and Christmas cookies, followed by a festive buffet on Christmas Day from 12:30 to 7 p.m. During the buffet, guests can dig into carving stations, seafood displays, a sweets table and much more for a memorable holiday repast, alongside live music. The brunch is priced at $85 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under. For more information, visit www.tangerineroom.com.
20|Twenty
Carlsbad
During this magical time of year, 20|Twenty decorates its tables with ribeye roasts and lights up its palm trees with wonderful white lights. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, dinner will be served, with a perfectly cooked prime ribeye roast serving as the main attraction. However, the locally grown ingredients will also shine through in the first course selection of a compressed pear salad or lobster bisque. Then, for the main course, guests can decide between the classic prime ribeye roast, pan-roasted Chilean sea bass, or winter squash wild mushroom quinoa. Last but certainly not least, the meal will conclude with a festive yule log served with decadent chocolate sauce. On Christmas Eve, this California Christmas dining experience will feature a three-course meal priced at $105 per person. On Christmas Day, the menu will feature the prime ribeye roast special for $75 per person. For more information, visit 20twentygrill.com.
ROOH San Francisco
San Francisco
Chef Pujan Sarkar of ROOH San Francisco has curated a special Tasting Menu for Christmas Eve. Holiday guests can enjoy a five-course meal, only available on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Options will include Tandoori Cornish Hen, Laal Mass Lamb Chops, Butternut Mawa Kofta and much more. The holiday menu is $125. Guests can make reservations by clicking the “Christmas Eve Five Course” option (dine indoors or on the patio) at www.exploretock.com/roohsf/.
ROOH Palo Alto
Palo Alto
ROOH Palo Alto dishes up a special holiday menu from Dec. 24 to Dec. 31 (Note: ROOH Palo Alto will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.) Diners can enjoy Dahi Puri, Malai Chicken Tikka, sea bass roast and many other limited-edition dishes for the holidays. For more information, visit www.roohrestaurants.com/palo-alto.
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco’s The Lounge
San Francisco
Celebrate Christmas in The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco’s The Lounge, featuring a prime rib plate with Yukon gold potato purée, roasted wild mushrooms, creamed spinach, Yorkshire pudding and creamy horseradish. The Christmas Day prime rib plate is $70 and will be available Dec. 25 from 11:30 a.m. 10 p.m. For reservations, contact 415.296.7465. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen
Fullerton
Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen has introduced a menu of limited-time Christmas specials featuring elevated Asian dishes over the holidays. In addition to the Fullerton restaurant’s regular, 100 percent Halal menu of traditional favorites, Khan Saab is offering four Asian specials from Dec. 23 to Dec. 25, including chicken lo mein, chow mein and sweet and chili tiger shrimp. For more information, visit www.khansaaboc.com.