Holiday Party Venues, Private Dining Rooms and Caterers in San Diego

Party planning season is upon us! Whether you’re looking for room for 50 for a company party, a festive private dining room for an intimate gathering of family and friends, or a caterer to bring restaurant quality cuisine to you, the spots below have options for celebrations of all types, complete with the food, drinks, and top-notch service needed to create a truly magical celebration.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Rare Society

With five distinct locations, Rare Society’s opulent yet comfortable spaces offer a variety of options to host your next event. Indulge in the epitome of holiday extravagance at Rare Society Solana Beach's new private dining room, perfect for those seeking to host an elegant and sophisticated dinner party. With seating for up to 24 guests, this exclusive space offers a lavish setting to savor wood-grilled steakhouse classics, sip on the finest wines, and delight in delectable desserts, making your holiday gathering truly exceptional.

Photo Credit: Haley Hill

Cardellino

Showcasing the ideals that have made TRUST Restaurant Group an icon in the city - Chef Brad Wise’s Mission Hills establishment, Cardellino, is the perfect spot for a lively yet intimate outing with friends and family abundant with Italian-ish chophouse fare. Cardellino’s cinematic ambiance sets the stage for the perfect celebration of food and wine. For groups, reserve their private dining room, a secluded dining space boasting one, long 18-seat communal table to enjoy an entrancing evening or leisurely lunch with a custom menu, wine pairings, cocktails and dessert.

Photo Credit: James Tran

Herb & Wood

Herb & Wood serves as the archetype for San Diego’s dining scene, embodying the city’s unpretentious yet vibrant charm, making it the perfect place to gather to enjoy the best parts of the holidays: incredible food and convivial company. Delivering a unique sense of comfortability and intimacy in a 231-person seated restaurant, Herb & Wood offers several private dining room options including Herberts, an elegant space with barrel-vaulted ceilings and soaring windows with a private entrance and bar (seats 80, 100 reception). The Lavender Lounge is a cozy covered indoor-outdoor space with a two-sided fireplace, and the perfect ambiance for a smaller gathering (capacity 40). The Patio is a covered outdoor secret garden-like courtyard with French Quarter style, iron trellises and an inviting two-sided fireplace (seats 60). The Gallery boasts a built-in stage for anything from live music to film screenings or meetings (seats 125, 150 reception).

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Marisi 

For a romantic private dining experience, book your holiday gatherings at Marisi, La Jolla’s go-to for freshmade pasta and hearth cooking. The elegant restaurant offers various pre-fixed, multi course menus (at $60, $75 and $105 per person) featuring their most popular dishes from across Italy, with options for additional wine pairings. Depending on the number of guests, Marisi welcomes parties up to 24 to gather in their private dining room, affectionately called the Lemon Room, and the whole restaurant is available for buyout for parties up to 100. To reserve a space, complete the inquiry form found here.

Photo Credit: Dustin Bailey

Puesto Mission Valley & Puesto at the Headquarters

Puesto, San Diego’s group of family-friendly and family operated Mexican restaurants, is the ideal venue for gathering large groups of loved ones for celebrations. With their centrally-located outposts in Downtown San Diego and Mission Valley and tasty menu filled with shareable dishes, Puesto makes holiday party planning easy. Puesto at the Headquarters, located near Seaport Village includes three semi-private indoor dining rooms and two patios, which can be combined to accommodate from 12 to 200 seated diners. Chor Boogie Main Dining Room, capacity 52 standing 75. The Loft capacity 30, standing 35. La Terrazza Patio capacity seated 100, standing 200. Courtyard Patio capacity seated 60, standing 80. Puesto Mission Valley offers three private dining accommodations: The Tequila Cellar capacity 42, standing 50, The Raicilla Room capacity 32, standing 45, The Main Patio capacity 68 standing 100 and The Outdoor Patio capacity 50, standing 60. Reservations for up to ten can be made via OpenTable. For larger groups, call (619) 233-8880 or fill out their online form.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

The Lafayette Hotel

Looking to send off 2023 in style? Book your end of year party at the newly renovated Lafayette Hotel in North Park. The iconic property on El Cajon Blvd, originally built in 1946, has been fully revamped and reimagined into a round-the-clock adult playground. In addition to the 139 guest rooms, the 2.5 acre property offers numerous food and beverage concepts including a low-lit Mezcal bar with interiors compiled from a decommissioned church and a 1940’s-inspired 24/7 diner, a gorgeous olympic-sized swimming pool with private cabanas, and the freshly restored venue The Mississippi Room which was the location for the famous “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” scene in the film Top Gun! For party planners looking to pull off the ultimate night to remember, reserve a corner of this magical historical venue. Event bookings can be submitted online here.  

Photo Credit: Diana Rose

Garibaldi

InterContinental San Diego’s rooftop restaurant Garibaldi offers unique private event spaces, adaptable for both corporate and social groups. Both the open air terrace and indoor dining room boast sweeping views of the San Diego waterfront and are available for private groups or full buyouts, offering Southern Italian-inspired pre-set or buffet menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With unmatched views anywhere in San Diego, Garibaldi creates a memorable backdrop for events and celebrations. 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Belmont Park

Belmont Park 

Elevate your holiday gatherings to new heights this holiday season at Belmont Park’s Coaster Terrace! Nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and the iconic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, the 4000 square foot rooftop space offers a unique indoor/outdoor setting perfect for any holiday gathering. Whether you’re planning an intimate get-together with close friends and family or a holiday extravaganza with up to 300 guests, this versatile space can accommodate any needs. Banquet rounds, linens (32 colors to choose from), 24” belly bars or cocktail tables and white banquet chairs are included when you book the space. The Coaster Terrace guarantees an exclusive, VIP experience with easy access to the park’s thrilling rides, games and attractions so each guest can enjoy all that the park has to offer. Book the space now by emailing events@belmontpark.com.

Photo Credit: James Tran

WNDR Museum 

Take your holiday parties to a new level of wonder by booking a venue space at WNDR Museum San Diego! With a unique blend of art and technology, WNDR Museum offers an immersive and interactive experience that makes for the perfect venue to make your holiday celebration truly magical. The museum offers flexible options for private events of all types, including using the exclusive lounge space for up to 50 guests or a full museum buyout with up to 600 guests. Food and beverage add-ons are available if you’re looking to have passed appetizers, grazing tables or an open bar at your holiday party. For full buyouts, additional add-ons such as the photo booth, gift boxes, customized screening in the immersive theater, custom window displays and more are also available. Book your holiday party now by emailing sandiego@wndrmuseum.com. 

Photo Credit: Let’s Frolic Together

Communal

With two private event spaces in Oceanside and North Park, Communal is the perfect location for your holiday events. Each location is uniquely designed with the surrounding neighborhood in mind. Both spaces allow for indoor and outdoor options with a catering menu that features wine, beer and wine-based cocktails along with a sound system and a/v equipment, plus anything else you should need for the perfect celebration. “The Annex” is located behind Communal’s retail suite at the Tremont Collective in Oceanside, a community of like-minded businesses. The space comes beautifully furnished and styled with options to accommodate up to 95 people seated and 160 standing. “Haven” is Communal’s newest space located in the heart of North Park featuring unique plants, specialty market goods, natural wine, and two curated event spaces that can accommodate up to 40 people seated and 65 people standing.

Photo Credit: Valentina Socci

Cucina Migrante

A true farm-to-fork experience, Cucina Migrante cooking classes are a surefire way to impress your guests this holiday season. The intimate classes are truly interactive; guests will don an apron and the Cucina Migrante team will spontaneously tailor the entire experience to what is in season and the preferences and budget of the client. The chefs and guests will create and enjoy the meal together in an intimate atmosphere where conversation and laughter abounds. From vegan and seafood to traditional Italian, the Cucina Migrante Chefs are ready to make you fall in love with cooking! For those looking to bring a taste of this experience to their own home, Cucine Migrante offers custom private dinners featuring custom menus and drinks prepared by Sicilian and Italian chefs, along with at-home catering featuring the freshest, local seasonal ingredients.

Photo Credit: Haley Hill

Ranch 45

In addition to their private dining room, Ranch 45 has a robust catering menu to be the hostess with the mostess. Celebrate with something classic like hamburgers and hotdogs; elevate your party with a crowd-pleasing and flavorful custom Taco Bar; or bring in the Pitmaster for a 30ft smoker to make all your BBQ dreams come true served with hearty sides, Chef DuVal’s housemade BBQ sauce, and dinner rolls. You can also shop from their in-house Butcher Case stocked with all your grilling essentials from spices and sauces to meats exclusively from Brandt Beef.

Photo Credit: Shannon Partrick

Working Class

Working Class, the full-service catering operation from award-winning chef Phillip Esteban, offers a wide range of tasty meals for all your holiday party needs. From hearty Roast Chicken served with potatoes, gravy and seasonal vegetables to Carne Asada Tacos with all the fixings, Working Class brings a warm welcoming atmosphere to any event. They also offer beverages, special freshly baked desserts and breakfast options with an option for additional coffee service upon request. Simplify your holiday party hosting with the help of Working Class!