Are you wondering where to have your Christmas dinner this year? Maybe you’d rather skip cooking and doing dishes and enjoy a meal at your favorite restaurant. This post will detail all the great spots you can dine at for your Christmas celebration in San Diego.
Note: This list is a work in progress, so if I’m missing San Diego restaurants with Christmas or New Year’s offerings, please leave a comment or email me. We’ve also left some placeholders for restaurants that offered popular Christmas dinners last year. The prices below do not include tax, service fees, or gratuities.
Herb & Wood
This popular Little Italy restaurant will serve up a quintessential Christmas Eve experience this year. Chef Aidan Owens’ four-course festive meal starts with a choice of a refreshing Scallop Crudo, a Caesar Salad, or Beef Tartare. This is followed by Wild Boar Sausage, Creamy Mushrooms, Whole Tiger Prawns or Pork Belly.
The unique entree options include Prime Rib or Lamb Crowns, Quail, Scallops or an Eggplant main. And if that wasn’t enough, a decadent Date Cake with black walnut ice cream or Cheesecake Mousse will complete the feast.
- Location: 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
- Dates: Christmas Eve, December 24
- Times: 3 p.m.–8 p.m.
- Price: $89 per adult, $38 per child
- Reservation Page: Herb & Wood Reservations
Herb & Sea
The sister restaurant to Herb & Wood in north county San Diego, Herb & Sea is one of Encinita’s best eateries. Unlike last year, this Christmas, they’re serving the exact same Christmas Eve dinner as Herb & Wood (details above), which makes sense!
- Location: 131 W D St, Encinitas, CA 92024
- Dates: Christmas Eve, December 24
- Times: 3 p.m.–8 p.m.
- Price: $89 per adult, $38 per child
- Reservation Page: Herb & Sea Reservations
Animae
This world-class steak house and brainchild of celebrity chef Brian Malarkey is serving up a Christmas Eve feast this year. The three-course Kamayan-style dinner is inspired by Chef Tara Monsod’s Filipino-American heritage and is served as a communal feast for each table that will be covered in traditional banana leaves.
Guests can look forward to starting with a sweet cheddar butter dish called Ube Pandesal and a coconut Kinlaw dish. The second course consists of dishes of Pork Tomahawak Tocino, Short Rib Bistek, Whole Fish and Grilled Prawns, all served alongside steamed bok choy, salad, fruit and rice.
The sumptuous meal will be concluded with a coconut mousse and Ube Profiteroles.
- Location: 969 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101
- Dates: Christmas Eve, December 24
- Times: 3 p.m.–8 p.m.
- Price: $110 per adult, $42 per child
- Animae Reservations
Fogo de Chao
If you’ve never experienced the culinary wonder that is Fogo de Chao, then Christmas dinner is the time to do it! Inspired by the tastes of southern Brazil, diners this Christmas can feast on steak, chicken, lamb, pork, seafood, and more.
For a holiday celebration at home, Fogo de Chao also offers filet mignon and roasted turkey, along with sides to go.
- Location: 668 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
- Dates: Christmas Day, December 25
- Times: 11 a.m.–9p.m.
- Price: TBD
- Fogo de Chao Reservations
Osteria Panevino
The oldest restaurant in the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is also one of the best Italian restaurants in San Diego, and the Tuscan-themed restaurant is offering a special Christmas dinner (menu to come!) that will make any Italian Nonna (grandmother) proud.
- Location: 722 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
- Dates: Christmas Day, December 25
- Osteria Panevino Reservations
Hotel del Coronado Crown & Coronet Ballroom
You can dine in The Del’s newly restored Crown and Coronet rooms on both Christmas Eve or Christmas Day this year. This year’s Lights, Camera, Holiday! theme for the winter holiday season will see the whole resort resplendent in the glitz and glamor of Old Hollywood.
On Christmas Eve, you can indulge in The Del’s lavish holiday buffet in the Crown and Coronet rooms. The sumptuous menu includes a chilled seafood display, a poke station, a cheese &charcuterie station, a carving station, a huge array of desserts, and much more.
- December 24
- $185 per person (increasing to $205 from December 9), $100 per child ages 5-12, young children 4 and under are free with a paid adult
- A glass of champagne is included for all guests 21 and over
- Reservations are recommended, and the buffet begins at 2 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m.
On Christmas Day, a special holiday brunch buffet will be served there also from at 10 a.m – 3 p.m. The menu is similar to the Christmas Eve buffet but with lots of delicious breakfast options added.
- December 25
- $185 per person (the price increases to $205 on December 9)
- $100 per child aged 5-12 / children 4 and under are free with a paid adult
- A glass of champagne is included for all guests 21 and over
- Reservations are recommended
While at The Del, you will be surrounded by thousands of sparkling lights on the property, as well as Christmas trees, garlands, and holiday decor that will surely delight guests of all ages. Make reservations ASAP.
Enjoy your San Diego Christmas Day dinner or brunch and spend the night! At the time of this writing, there are still rooms available. Read my full Hotel del Coronado review. Through me, you have access to the following:
Sign in or create a free Virtuoso account to see the discounted rate! When booking on Virtuoso.com use the number of adults traveling to get the correct rates. Kids may otherwise be priced as adults. We will add them after we follow up to collect your arrival details. If you see multiple rates for the same room type, choose the lowest rate. Check the status of ocean swimming in front of Coronado Lifeguard Tower as it changes. This is the testing station in front of Hotel del Coronado.
Arlo Restaurant
San Diego’s destination eatery inside Town & Country Resort, Arlo, will offer a special Christmas menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
On December 24, guests can choose from a prix fixe menu or a la carte fall menu items to ring in the holiday. The prix fixe menu features festive creations, including seared scallops, chestnut stuffed jidori chicken, butternut squash velouté, and eggnog brûlée.
The Christmas Day celebration includes a holiday buffet meal while you enjoy live music. Menu options include Baked Brie en Croute followed by Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, but there’s much more. You can view the whole menu on their website.
Location: 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108
Dates:
- Christmas Eve, December 24
- Christmas Day, December 25
Times:
- Christmas Eve Dinner: 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
- Christmas Day Buffet: 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
Price:
- Christmas Eve Prix Fixe: $80 per person
- Christmas Day Buffet: $90 per adult, $38 per child
Reservation Page: Arlo Reservations
Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa
Rancho Valencia will welcome guests with the ultimate Christmas Feast on Christmas Day.
The hotel’s Pony Room will host a festive buffet featuring a seafood station, carvery station, and all the traditional Christmas dishes. Live music, seasonal sweets, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, caroling, and horse-drawn carriage rides will accompany your magical Christmas celebration.
- Location: 5921 Valencia Cir, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
- December 25
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- $235 per person / $95 per child aged 4-11 / children 3 and under are free
- Reservations are required (858) 759-6246
- Get information online
The hotel also offers a fantastic pickup option for those who fancy a feast at home without all the work! Their Christmas To Go package includes everything for the big day you can think of, and you need to choose a pick-up slot before December 24th.
You can also stay overnight with our benefits!
When booking on Virtuoso.com use only the number of adults traveling to get the correct rates. Kids may otherwise be priced as adults. We will add them after we follow up to collect your arrival details.
Avant at Rancho Bernardo Inn
For an elegant Christmas Day dinner (which, for some, is the only way to do it), Avant will knock your socks off with its four-course tasting menu or a la carte entrees. Plan to be impressed by your dinner’s beautiful presentation and plating, an art form Chef Jimenez is known for.
Australian Wagyu Prime Rib, 14 Day Dry Aged Duck, and Alaskan halibut are all on the menu, as are Pecan Cheesecake and Gingerbread Feuilletine to round off the festive feast.
For an elegant Christmas Day dinner, Avant offers a four-course tasting menu with options like Australian Wagyu Prime Rib and Alaskan halibut.
- Location: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr, San Diego, CA 92128
- Date: Christmas Day, December 25
- Time: 4 p.m.–8 p.m.
- Price: $125 per adult, $65 per child
- Avant Reservations
Earlier in the day, the hotel will be hosting a Christmas Day buffet. Featuring salads, seafood dishes, a carving station, a waffle bar, a large array of entrees, plus a huge dessert display, the meal is all-inclusive, so your cocktails, beer, wine, and sodas are in all the one price of $135 per adult and $55 per child.
Roy’s Waterfront Dining
If you can’t be in Hawaii for Christmas, you can dine like you are! Roy’s is a Hawaiian fusion restaurant offering Christmas dinner. Choose from their signature dishes or holiday specials like filet mignon and tempura lobster tail. A children’s menu is also available.
- Location: 333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
- Date: Christmas Day, December 25
- Roy’s Reservations
Pacifica Del Mar
Combine an award-winning menu with unparalleled ocean views, and you have a winning formula in Pacifica Del Mar. While they don’t have a specific Christmas menu, they’d like everyone to know that they’re open for dinner. You can’t go wrong with the New England clam chowder, blackened fish tacos, or crab cakes.
Sunset at this restaurant is a super popular time for dining among locals and tourists alike, so consider yourself lucky if you can snag a table during that time.
Combine award-winning cuisine with ocean views for a memorable holiday meal.
- Location: 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
- Date: Christmas Day, December 25
- Pacifica Del Mar Reservations
Vintana Wine + Dine
Perched on the top level of the Centre at Lexus Escondido, Vintana Wine + Dine brings delicious California cuisine to Escondido in a posh and hip setting. You can view their festive menu of salmon, seabass, lamb, and other favorites online.
- Location: 1205 Auto Park Way, Escondido, CA 92029
- Date: Christmas Day, December 25
- Price: $74.95 per adult, $19.95 per child
- Vintana Reservations
Adelaide at L’Auberge Del Mar
Gorgeous ocean views, impeccable service, and the freshest, ocean forward entrees welcome you at Adelaide. This elegant restaurant at the upscale and charming L’Auberge boutique hotel offers lunch and dinner on Christmas Day this year.
Gorgeous ocean views and fresh, ocean-forward entrees await at this elegant restaurant.
- Location: 1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
- Date: Christmas Day, December 25
- Times: Lunch Buffet: 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Dinner: 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
- Adelaide Reservations
Stay overnight at L’Auberge Del Mar with extra benefits.
*When searching rates, do not input children ages 17 and under as they will be priced as adults. I’m notified when you book and will add them after I contact you about your reservation.
Covewood at San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Who says Christmas has to be stuffy and formal? Not Covewood! Barefoot chic is the vibe here, so feel free to walk in straight from playing on the bay for a casual but delectable dinner.
Their special Christmas menu is still to be announced, but after dinner, you can be sure to take an idyllic walk along the bay…still barefoot, of course.
Spending the night at San Diego Mission Bay Resort is also fun.
Mediterranean Room at la Valencia Hotel
“San Diego’s Hottest New Restaurants”, “11 Great Patios with a View”, and “Reader’s Best Choice Restaurants” are all titles that Mediterranean Room holds, so why not have Christmas brunch here?
Dine in style at this award-winning restaurant known for its stunning views and exceptional cuisine.
Christmas Eve Dining
- Date: December 24
- Time: 3 p.m.–8 p.m.
Christmas Brunch
- Date: December 25
- Time: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Dinner Service: Standard dinner menu served 4 p.m.–close
- Mediterranean Room Reservations
You can also spend the night at La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla
The Marine Room Restaurant
Christmas Day on the Surf is made possible at the Marine Room. The menu is still to come, but you can be sure it will be as spectacular as the crashing waves outside, which delight customers during high tide.
The only thing that matches the food here is the ocean views, so make sure to soak in both this Christmas. The Marine Room is adjacent to La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.
- Dates: December 24 (Christmas Eve) & December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m.
- Price: $165 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity)
- The Marine Room Christmas Dining Reservations
The Shores Restaurant
The casual counterpart to The Marine Room, The Shores Restaurant inside of the La Jolla Shores Hotel ensures stunning ocean views with your Christmas feast. They are offering two options this festive season:
Christmas Eve: A 3-course festive menu showcasing seasonal ingredients and coastal-inspired flavors.
Christmas Day: A lavish buffet with an array of festive dishes, from traditional holiday favorites to fresh coastal dishes.
- Location: 8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Dates:
- Christmas Eve: December 24, 4 p.m.–9 p.m.
- Christmas Day: December 25, 3 p.m.–7 p.m.
- Price:
- Christmas Eve: $52 per person
- Christmas Day: $89 per adult, $45 per child
- Reservations
Vistal Bar + Restaurant at the InterContinental
This bayfront restaurant at InterContinental San Diego will not disappoint you this Christmas with its menu. Details are still to come but you can be assured of gorgeous views, and more than likely a beautiful sunset, as you dine at Vistal.
Opt for a wine pairing and sip it slowly while enjoying the harbor views.
- Location: 901 Bayfront Ct, San Diego, CA 92101
- Date: Christmas Day, December 25
- Vistal Reservations
Saltwater
Legend has it that San Diego’s best seafood is in the Gaslamp District, and Saltwater is out to claim that it IS the best.
They certainly have some of the freshest catches in the city, with much of their seafood on ice displays for patrons to choose from.
Pick out your fish, weigh it, and let their chefs work their magic. An exclusive three-course Christmas Day dinner (menu not set yet) is also available.
- Location: 565 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
- Date: Christmas Day, December 25
- Saltwater Reservations
Huntress
If a swanky steak dinner is on your Christmas wish list, Huntress is where you want to be. Not only will Christmas dinner feature their usual dinner menu but also Chef’s holiday favorites like Beef Wellington, Short Ribs, and Bone Marrow Agnolotti.
Top it off with sticky toffee pudding and check out their Japanese whisky collection — one of the state’s largest!
- Location: 376 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
- Dates: December 24 (Christmas Eve) & December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: December 24: 5 p.m.–9 p.m.; December 25: 4 p.m.–8 p.m.
- Huntress Reservations
Fort Oak
This Mission Hills eatery will be serving special Tipsy and Toasty holiday lunches from December 14–23. Expect cozy hearth grilled dishes alongside festive cocktails and bubbles.
- Location: 1011 Fort Stockton Drive, San Diego, CA 92103
- Dates: December 14–23
- Time: Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Fort Oak Holiday Lunch Reservations
JRDN
The popular beachfront restaurant at Tower23 Hotel will serve a three-course menu prepared by its new Executive Chef, Jerry Ranson.
- Location: 723 Felspar Street, San Diego, CA 92109
- Date: December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: 2 p.m.–7 p.m.
- Price: $69–$89 per person
- Reservation Method: Call 858-270-2323
George’s at the Cove
One of my favorite La Jolla restaurants is serving a three-course prix fixe Christmas Day dinner served in the indoor lower-level dining room, so you can enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of the La Jolla coastline. A children’s a la carte menu also is available for those 12 and under.
The dinner, from Chef/Partner Trey Foshee and Executive Chef Masa Kojima, will include first-course options of tuna crudo, persimmon salad, and beef carpaccio, while second-course options are New York steak, smoked duck breast, salmon, and wild mushroom and truffle lasagna. Pastry Chef Anna Adams provides the dessert course.
- Location: 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Date: December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: 3 p.m.–7:45 p.m.
- Price: $105 per person
- George’s at the Cove Reservations
You can also opt for lunch service on George’s rooftop Ocean Terrace as an alternative, which will be served from 11 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.
Lionfish
Everyone’s favorite restaurant at Pendry San Diego continues their tradition of offering a Christmas feast with an innovative twist on Christmas Eve for 2024.
This year, they are serving the Holiday Large Cast Iron dish, which features half a roasted duck, duck confit stuffing, harvest mashed potatoes, and butter biscuits.
- Location: 435 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
- Date: December 24 (Christmas Eve)
- Time: 5 p.m.–9 p.m. (last seating at 8 p.m.)
- Price: $75
- Lionfish Reservations
Hotel Indigo San Diego/Table 509
Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, Hotel Indigo’s Table 509 restaurant is serving a festive Christmas brunch on Christmas Day.
The menu will include sweet and savory options, including pecan pancakes, French toast with berry compote, and short rib hash, accompanied by sides including scrambled eggs, Applewood chicken sausage, rosemary breakfast potatoes, and mixed green salad with roasted shallot vinaigrette. All topped off with delicious desserts, including tres leches and tiramisu.
- Location: 509 9th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
- Date: December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Table 509 Reservations
Scuderie Italia
This charming Italian ristorante in Pacific Beach will celebrate Christmas with the following festive favorites: ‘Pizza al Frutti di Mare’, a festive pizza topped with clams, mussels, and shrimp; ‘Tortellini Natalizi, a pasta filled with mortadella and Parmigiano sautéed with ham and peas in a light creamy sauce; ‘Stinco di Agnello’, decadent lamb shanks braised in red wine with fresh rosemary, garlic, and tomatoes served on a bed of lentils; and the traditional Pandora with eggnog cream.
- Location: 1525 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109
- Dates: December 24 (Christmas Eve) & December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: 4 p.m.–10 p.m.
- Scuderie Italia Reservations
Slowly Restaurant & Lounge
Pacific Beach’s newest culinary destination will bring fresh flavors to Christmas with its Mediterranean beef cheek sopes, grilled chicken kebobs with Za’atar-miso sauce, and eggnog flan. Meanwhile, Slowly’s bar will create two cocktails for the holiday: the Cinnamon Snap Martin and the Jack Frost.
- Location: 910 Grand Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109
- Dates: December 24 (Christmas Eve) & December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: 4 p.m.–10 p.m.
- Slowly Restaurant Reservations
The Smoking Gun
For something different, head to this popular Gaslamp bar and eatery, which has been creating a Christmas tradition of its own by offering a Chinese Dinner Menu every year.
Fill your belly first and then head to the restaurant’s full-size arcade for some friendly competition with friends or family afterward.
Last Christmas, they served up dishes like beef broccoli, honey walnut shrimp, wagyu beef brisket cumin soup, and smoking gun fried rice, and you can expect more of the same this festive season.
- Location: 555 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101
- Date: December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: From 5 p.m.
- The Smoking Gun Reservations
RustiCucina
Craving hearty Sicilian flavors, emphasizing farm-to-neighborhood flavors? RustiCucina in University Heights is open for dinner service on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Their specially-crafted menu can be enjoyed prix fixe or a la carte. Menu items include Short Ribs with mashed potatoes, Salmone al Pistacchio, Pumpkin Soup, Crispy Burrata, and Limoncello Cake.
- Location: 3797 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103
- Dates: December 24 (Christmas Eve) & December 25 (Christmas Day)
- Time: 4 p.m.–9 p.m.
- Price: Prix fixe at $55 per person
- RustiCucina Reservations
Where will you go for Christmas dinner in San Diego in 2024?
Katie Dillon
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