We love an all-out Christmas feast, especially one that you don’t have to dirty the pots and pans for. We’d rather leave that to the professionals. The hardest part? Choosing which restaurant in San Diego to choose on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Do you want rich, buttery lobster or mom-approved lasagna for dinner? Looking for a night on the town or something quality to bring back home? However you prefer to throw down this holiday, here are 30 San Diego restaurants serving Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners or are open on December 25 this year.
Christmas Dinner Specials | Christmas Buffets | More Restaurants and Takeout
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos | Herb & Wood
Christmas Dinner Specials in San Diego
Animae
This Christmas Eve, it’s all in the family with chef Tara Monsod’s shared Kamayan-style feast at Animae. The traditional Filipino meal consists of three courses, featuring decadent dishes like ube pandesal with sweet cheddar butter, lechon kawali and corned beef fried rice.
Price: $110 for adults | $42 for children
Hours: Dec. 24 | 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Address: 969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Roy’s
Dine harborside this Christmas at Roy’s San Diego at the Marriott Marquis with its three-course holiday menu. Indulge in classics like the 8 oz. filet mignon or the tempura lobster tail. Don’t forget to try this season’s festively tropical cocktail, the Ruby Christmas.
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Address: 333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Solare
Join Solare in Point Loma for a special Christmas Eve dinner on Wednesday, December 24 featuring a prix fixe, four-course dinner. The menu will include special Italian holiday dishes. Check their website for more details.
Price: $68+ per person | Holiday kids menu will be available
Hours: Dec. 24 | 12:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Address: 2820 Roosevelt Rd, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Valle
Enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner in Oceanside at Michelin-starred Valle by chef Roberto Alcocer in Oceanside. With ocean views and festive décor, this Oceanside restaurant will be offering a selection of contemporary Mexican cuisine with optional wine pairings for a holiday treat.
Price: $220+ per person
Hours: Dec. 24 and 25 | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Address: 222 N Pacific St, Oceanside
Reservations: Tock
The Grill at Torrey Pines
Make this holiday deluxe at The Grill at Torrey Pines with its special chimney-smoked prime rib dinner completed with warm hot chocolate and marshmallow fluff. This seasonal special will be offered in addition to the restaurant’s regular menu on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Price: $95 for prime rib special
Hours: Dec. 24, 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Dec. 25, 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Address: 11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla
Reservations: OpenTable
Mister A’s
Dine in style at Bankers Hill’s crown jewel this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with its decadent three-course menu. Start off with French onion soup or Maine lobster twice baked potato before diving into main course options such as lamb osso bucco or the 12 oz. Australian Wagyu ribeye. Additional sides include sweet potato mousseline and black trumpet mushrooms will also be available for separate purchase. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
Price: Dec. 24, $125 per person | Dec. 25, $115 per person
Hours: Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Dec. 25, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Address: 2550 Fifth Ave 12th floor, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Herb & Wood
On Christmas Eve, Herb & Wood helmed by chef Aidan Owens will be serving a four-course family-style dinner. The menu features Mediterranean and SoCal-inspired flavors with dishes like venison tartare, lamb lollipops, and seared duck in a red wine gastrique. For dessert, choose between date cake with black walnut ice cream, toffee sauce, and candied walnuts or hazelnut and chocolate tiramisu with vanilla anglaise and candied chestnuts.
Price: $92 per adult | $37 per child
Hours: Dec. 24 | 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Address: 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Lilian’s in Rancho Santa Fe
Lilian’s in Rancho Santa Fe will host a three-course dinner this Christmas, complete with two special plated options. Choose between two menu options. The Prime Rib Extravaganza features prime rib with a rich porcini jus, creamy horseradish potato puree, and chimichurri asparagus. The Symphony of Flavors with Bone-In Pork Chop comes with a hot honey glaze, thumbelina carrots, beet puree, and pickled grapes.
Price: $175 per person
Hours: Dec. 24, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Dec. 25, 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Address: 5951 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe
Reservations: SevenRooms
Provisional Kitchen at the Pendry
Christmas in the Gaslamp feels like our own little slice of a “winter in the big city” Hallmark movie, and Provisional Kitchen at the Pendry is serving up plenty of these vibes this holiday. Christmas Day is chock-full of family fun, starting with a prix fixe brunch that includes carving and dessert stations, a chocolate fountain and bottomless bubbles. Later into the evening, a special three-course dinner will be offered featuring delectable options like burrata al tartufo, roasted duck breast, and sticky toffee pudding.
Price: $85 per adult, $32 per child for brunch buffet | $95 per adult, $35 per child for dinner
Hours: Dec. 25 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. for brunch, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. for dinner
Address: 550 J St, San Diego
Reservations: The Pendry
Marine Room
Christmas at one of San Diego’s icons in the sky just feels right. This year, the Marine Room will be serving a four-course prix fixe dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Call for details.
Price: $165 per adult | $65 per child
Hours: Dec. 24 and 25 | 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Address: 1904 Spindrift Dr, La Jolla
Reservations: OpenTable
Elementa at Pala
For a more playful Christmas experience, visit Elementa at Pala Casino Resort & Spa for a three-course prix fixe dinner inspired by Southern California’s natural landscape. The menu will feature dishes such as chestnut and fig leaf soup, beef tenderloin Wellington, and for dessert, the winter woodland, made with dark chocolate and passion fruit. Afterwards, try you luck on the casino floor and wish for a little Christmas magic.
Price: $110 per person
Hours: Dec. 25 | 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Address: 11154 CA-76, Pala
Reservations: SevenRooms
A.R. Valentien
Spend this holiday at A.R. Valentien overlooking the picturesque Torrey Pines Golf Course on Christmas Day. The three-course menu highlights the flavors of the season with dishes like chimney-roasted pork loin, porcini and chestnut soup, and Anson Mills polenta. Want the taste of the holidays in the comfort of your own home? The restaurant will also have Christmas dinner to-go, which includes starters, entrees, sides, and desserts.
Price: $165 per adult, $65 per child for prix fixe | $95 per person for to-go special
Hours: Dec. 25 | 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Address: 11480 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla
Reservations: OpenTable
Bonne Vie
Downtown’s newest brasserie Bonne Vie, located inside the Westgate Hotel, will offer a special Christmas meal this year, curated by chef Fabrice Handel. The menu includes Cape Grim beef tenderloin with truffle potato puree, charred Brussels sprouts, and red wine demi-glace. Bonne Vie will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Price: $64 for holiday special
Hours: Dec. 24 and 25 | 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Address: 1055 Second Ave, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Grant Grill
The Grant Grill inside the U.S. Grant is offering a deluxe four-course prix fixe dinner this December 24 & 25. Chef Mark Kropczynsky and mixologist Rex Yuasa curated a special holiday menu accompanied by seasonal cocktails.
Price: $135 per person
Hours: Dec. 24 and 25 | 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Address: 326 Broadway, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Giardino
Giardino in Lemon Grove is serving up a three-course dinner with crowd-pleasers like spaghetti di mare, steak siciliano, and butternut squash ravioli. Finish off the meal with a decadent tiramisu or caramel cheesecake.
Price: $55 per person
Hours: Dec. 25 | 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Address: 8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove
Reservations: OpenTable
Courtesy of Hotel del Coronado
Christmas Dinner Buffets in San Diego
Hotel del Coronado
Dine with a piece of history at Hotel del Coronado’s Christmas Eve dinner buffet, hosted in the Crown and Coronet rooms. The menu features traditional favorites from roasted turkey, coastal seafood, sushi, and decadent desserts, and more. The next day, the Del’s Christmas Day Brunch will boast carved classics, turkey and Scottish salmon, build-your-won omelets, fresh pastries, build-your-own omelets, carved classics like turkey and more.
Price: $230 per adult | $122 per child ages 5-12
Hours: Dec. 24 | 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Address: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado
Reservations: Hotel Del Coronado
Pony Room
Rancho Valencia’s Pony Room will host its grand Christmas Day buffet, complete with live music and activities for the whole family. Traditional holiday favorites will be available at the restaurant’s assortment of stations. The Pony Room will also offer the Rancho To-Go Christmas feast, available with selection of game, steaks, seafood, and sides.
Price: $245+ per adult | $95+ per child ages 4-11 | Free for children 3 and under
Hours: Dec. 25 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: 5921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe
Reservations: Call (858) 759-6246
Treo
Haven’t gotten around to visiting South Bay’s new Gaylord Pacific Resort? Visit for a multi-course dinner this Christmas at the resort’s on-site restaurant Treo. This prix fixe menu will offer dishes like Dungeness crab brandade, Chilean seabass and prime hanger steak. A buffet will also be available, featuring a variety of sweet and savory stations plus a build-your-own sweet potato bar.
Price: $95 per person for prix fixe | $75 per adult, $42 per child ages 3-11 for buffet
Hours: Dec. 25 | 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Address: 1000 H Street, Chula Vista
Reservations: OpenTable
ARLO
Town and Country Resort in Mission Valley will be serving a Christmas Eve buffet at ARLO, its contemporary American restaurant. Guests can enjoy starters, entrees, sides, and desserts including crispy skin salmon, rosemary crusted prime rib, chermoula crusted rack of lamb, Brussels sprouts, maple sweet potatoes, and buche del noel cookies.
Price: $95 per adult | $40 per child 12 and under
Hours: Dec. 24 | 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Address: 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Courtesy of Moe’s Steakhouse
San Diego Restaurants & Takeout Dinners on Christmas
The Wise Ox
Available for pick-up December 22–24, the Wise Ox is offering a prime rib dinner kit complete with au jus, beef butter, horseradish cream, and prime rib dry rub.
Price: $40 for prime rib roast kit
Hours: Pickup from Dec. 22 – Dec. 24 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Address: 2855 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego
The Noble Chef
In the mood for Cantonese? The Noble Chef will be open on Christmas Day, offering its full menu including faves like its honey roast BBQ pork, Peking duck. Order a la carte or opt for one of its family meals that serve up to 10 people.
Hours: Dec. 25 | 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Address: 6159 Balboa Ave, San Diego
Choi’s
Voted San Diego’s best Korean restaurant, Choi’s by Jiwoo Choi will be open on Christmas Day serving up Korean-American fare. Menu items include bulgogi birria mulita, charred gochujan octopus, ssamjan babaghanoush, Grandma’s Pork Belly Bossam, and a Very Ordinary Wellington, made with Australian Wagyu, gochujang, soy duxelles, and gamtae.
Hours: Dec. 25 | 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Address: 100 Park Plz #161, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
D.Z. Akin’s
While closed Christmas Day, D.Z. Akin’s will offer a special holiday takeout menu laden with deli favorites and roasts. With a small feast feeding about 6 to 8 people and a large feast feeding 10 to 12, you’ll be sure to keep everyone happy with a menu complete with pies, potatoes and your choice of a roast turkey or apricot glazed ham.
Price: $199 for the small feast, $319 for the large feast
Hours: Dec. 24 | 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Address: 6930 Alvarado Rd, San Diego
Moe’s Steakhouse
On Christmas Day, Moe’s is offering an in-house special which includes Korobuta pork porchetta, Anson Mills polenta and charred romanesco. Want to stay in as long as possible? Order the to-go Christmas feast, decked out with a short rib roast, whipped potatoes, and pumpkin pie, made to serve four.
Price: $75 for in-house Christmas special | $195 for to-go Christmas feast
Hours: Dec. 25 | 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Address: 3768 Mission Blvd, San Diego
Reservations: Moe’s Mission Beach
Mastro’s Ocean Club
At Mastro’s Ocean Club, diners can spend this Christmas with a fine steak and a grand view of the Embarcadero. This holiday, the menu will feature seasonal items like a cinnamon and pecan butter cake. For those who’d prefer to drink their calories, speciality cocktail Under the Mistletoe will also be available.
Hours: Dec. 24, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Dec. 25, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Address: 901 Bayfront Ct Suite 105, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Ciccia Osteria
Helmed by chef Mario Cassineri, Barrio Logan‘s Ciccia Osteria will be dishing up Italian fare this holiday including its extensive vegan and gluten-free menus. Born and raised in Milan, chef Cassineri brings together his family recipes with a modern twist to put his own spin on each handcrafted dish.
Hours: Dec. 24 and 25 | 4:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Address: 2233 Logan Ave, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable
Stake Chophouse
Treat yourself to a deluxe steakhouse experience at Coronado’s Stake Chophouse. Indulge in classics like a chilled wedge salad or French onion soup, paired with your steak cut of choice. For wine lovers, Stake’s program has been recognized by Wine Spectators Best of Award of Excellence for 10 years in a row, so you’re sure to find a new favorite.
Hours: Dec. 25 | 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Address: 1309 Orange Ave, Coronado
Reservations: OpenTable
Shakespeare Pub & Grille
https://sandiegomagazine.com/things-to-do/how-to-make-friends-san-diego/Open at 5 p.m. on Christmas Day, Shakespeare Pub will be serving its full menu of British fare and menu and 20 craft beers on tap. Whether you chow down on bangers and mash or fish and chips, grab a stein of Guinness, make some friends, and cheers to a year well lived.
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Hours: Dec. 25 | 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Address: 3701 India St, San Diego
Dumpling Inn
Since the mid-90s, Dumpling Inn in Kearny Mesa has been serving San Diegans visiting the Convoy District. On Christmas Day, indulge in everything form pork and shrimp wontons to hot & sour soup, kung pao chicken, deluxe fried rice, and all dumplings you can handle.
Hours: Dec. 25 | 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Address: 4625 Convoy St, San Diego
Rumorosa
Rumorosa at the Sheraton San Diego Cali-Baja restaurant perched on the waterfront at the Sheraton San Diego Resort on Harbor Island. The menu—led by Executive Chef Cesar Oceguera, a San Diego native whose culinary roots span both sides of the border—showcases locally inspired dishes ranging from fresh seafood and street-style tacos to innovative all-day classics reimagined with seasonal produce and bold Latin accents. Rumorosa is open all day on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Hours: Dec. 24 and 25 | 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Address: 1380 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego
Reservations: OpenTable