The Best Restaurants to Celebrate Christmas and Christmas Eve in San Diego
If you’re still figuring out what to do for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas, you’ve come to the right place! Whether a family is coming to town or you plan to celebrate with just a couple of people, gathering around a table with loved ones to enjoy a delicious holiday meal is a must. We’ve done the hard work for you and have rounded up some of our favorite San Diego restaurants offering Christmas and Christmas Eve meals that will bring holiday joy to everyone. Happy holidays!
Photo Credit: James Tran
Animae
Dress to impress and spend your Christmas Eve at San Diego’s captivatingly elegant Animae, where “Art Deco Meets Enchanted Forest” and Chef Tara Monsod spotlights Filipino flavors with a refinement that includes a Wagyu steak program and dishes from across Asia. The meal will feature four courses highlighting many of Animae’s beloved dishes alongside new dishes fit for the occasion and specials like Ube Pan de Sal with cheddar cheese and butter. Enjoy light dishes like Hamachi Crudo and Som Tom Salad alongside Filipino favorites like Chicken Congee and Animae’s beloved Shrimp Toast. Complete the evening with a Filet or Kare Kare Short Rib before indulging in Pastry Chef Laura Warren’s decadent Mostra Coffee Chocolate Mousse Bar with Taiyaki or Pear and Hojicha Roll Cake. Book your reservation from 3pm to 8pm via OpenTable to experience a Christmas Eve dinner that won’t soon be forgotten.
Photo Courtesy of Vistal
Vistal
Vistal, the InterContinental San Diego’s signature restaurant, invites San Diego to join them for festive meals on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Enjoy the holiday with friends and family inside Vistal’s dining room, or gather round the fire pits on the terrace for a cozy meal overlooking the waterfront. Priced at $75 per adult, Vistal’s three course Christmas Dinner includes a choice of starter, such as Chestnut & Sunchoke Bisque or Warm Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese, as well as entree options like Campbell River Salmon, with cannellini beans ragù, maitake, arugula, romanesco, peppadew aioli, or Kurobuta Pork Shank with kabocha squash risotto, sage, pepita crumbs, parmigiano reggiano, asparagus and smoked tomato-mustard braising jus. For dessert, choices include Chocolate Mousse Cake or White Chocolate-Peppermint Crème Brulée. Complement the meal with thoughtfully selected wine pairings for an additional $25, or choose a signature cocktail from Vistal’s new seasonal menu, such as the festive Abuelita, with Casa Noble Añejo, Tanteo Chipotle Tequila, hot chocolate and cinnamon all served hot in a Vistal holiday mug and topped with flambéed marshmallows. Reservations for Vistal’s Christmas and Christemas Eve dinners can be made via Resy.
Photo Courtesy of Zama
Zama
Have yourself an Amazonian Christmas at Gaslamp’s newest restaurant, Zama. Curated for guests looking to experience a variety of flavors, signs and sounds this holiday season, Zama’s menu focuses on Latin American cuisine with an Asian infusion offering their full menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Beloved dishes include Salmon with broiled passion fruit glazed, mashed yuca and broccolini, Aguachile made with shrimp, avocado cream, jalapeno and corn chips and traditional Japanese hand-rolled sushi like Wagyu Maki made with beef tartare, avocado, wagyu strips and shaved truffles and Zama Crudo made with sea bass, salmon, scallops, garlic, olive oil, sesame seeds, sweet soy sauce and chives. Zama will be open from 5pm to 11pm on Christmas Eve and 5pm to 10pm on Christmas Day. Reservations can be made here.
Photo Courtesy of Herb & Wood
Herb & Wood
Dine out at a restaurant that feels like home this Christmas Eve, San Diego’s beloved Herb & Wood. Offering a four course meal, guests have the option to choose between standout entrees including a Prime Filet with pink peppercorn cognac demi, roasted, mushroom and whipped potatoes, Halibut with brown butter hollandaise and roasted delicata squash or Roasted Honey Nut Squash with parsnip puree, brown butter and grape relish. Stay true to tradition with family style sides like Asparagus, Roasted Carrots and Parker House Rolls or try Chef Carlos Anthony’s creative bites like the Hamachi with pomegranate ponzu, Asian pear and opal basil, Poached Persimmon with arugula, burrata, almond and ginger vinaigrette or the famous Pork Belly served with butternut squash puree, brown butter and walnut gremolata. Conclude your Christmas Eve dinner 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 made by Executive Pastry Chef Laura Warren. Priced at $92 per adult and $37 per child, reservations for this indulgent and herbaceous feast are available via Herb & Wood’s website.
Photo Credit: James Tran
Herb & Sea
Spend a quintessential San Diego Christmas Eve at Encinitas’ favorite neighborhood restaurant, Herb & Sea. Mirroring its classic menu, Herb & Sea’s Christmas Eve menu will celebrate simple, clean and bright flavors from both coasts, offering guests a locally-sourced and herbaceous three course feast. Start with flavorful appetizers like Endive Salad or Steelhead Crudo before enjoying a balanced spread of main dishes like Pistachio Crusted Lamb or Veggie Paella to be paired with family-style sides like Ratatouille, Green Beans, and Parker House Rolls. End the meal with a choice of Chocolate Mousse Bar or Citrus Cheesecake. Book your reservation via Herb & Sea’s website to celebrate this Christmas Eve in classic San Diego style; seatings are available from 3pm to 8pm, priced at $87 per adult, $38 per child.
