Find out where to dine in San Diego on Christmas Eve and Christmas day in our 2017 Christmas Dining Guide.
Edited by Madelyn Harris
Addison
Dec. 24. Celebrate with a symphony of holiday-inspired flavors over seven unforgettable courses at Southern California’s only Five-Star/Five Diamond restaurant. 5-8:30 p.m. $275. 5200 Grand Del Mar Way. addisondelmar.com
Bencotto
Dec. 24. Skip the hassle of cooking on Christmas Eve and make your way to Bencotto in the heart of Little Italy. Known for producing over 400 pounds of pasta per week, this is the ideal location for an authentic Italian meal that will leave you in the holiday mood. A must-try is the new gnocchi ripiene al brasato—large gnocchi filled with braised beef. 750 W. Fir St. lovebencotto.com
Grant Grill
Dec. 24-25. Enjoy a festive multi-course dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, complete with dishes including New Zealand lamb loin, sauteed Chilean sea bass, speckled hen and roasted herb packed beef tenderloin. $97, additional $43 for wine pairings. 326 Broadway. grantgrill.com
The Hilton Garden Inn Del Mar
Dec. 24-31. The hotel’s Bistro 39 Restaurant & Bar offers a festive holiday prix-fixe menu from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve. The three-course dinner will feature options such as arugula and strawberry salad tossed in a pomegranate dressing, jumbo bacon-wrapped scallops drizzled with a honey-lime glaze and a decadent mocha mud pie filled with layers of coffee ice cream and chocolate cookie crust. $32 adults, $15 children. 3939 Ocean Bluff Ave. bistro39sandiego.com
Provisional Kitchen
Dec. 24-25. Celebrate Christmas with the ones you hold dear at Provisional Kitchen. The specialized holiday menu includes a fresh persimmon salad, warm butternut and ricotta ravioli, perfected dry aged prime rib, confit winter salmon and sizzling pan seared duck breast. Before setting out the milk and cookies, indulge in your own festive dessert, such as a decadent chocolate peppermint yule log, eggnog pot de crème or a refreshing Christmas gelato. $72 adults, $25 kids. 425 Fifth Ave. pendryhotels.com
TRUST Restaurant
Dec. 24. TRUST Restaurant serves up seasonable and shareable plates that will make you feel merry and bright. New seasonal dishes include the pork shoulder with kale and the bourbon custard served with vanilla oak sorbet, toffee, orange and cherry. Reservations are not required but are suggested. 3752 Park Blvd. trustrestaurantsd.com
Bahia Resort Hotel
Dec. 25. Celebrate Christmas Day with the Bahia’s holiday buffet. Enjoy views of Mission Bay from the Bahia’s ballroom while enjoying holidays flavors, including carving stations, main courses, sides, salads and desserts. Additional features include a children’s buffet, live piano entertainment throughout the afternoon, and a complimentary Christmas cruise across Mission Bay on a beautiful sternwheeler. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $54 adults, $25 children. 998 W. Mission Bay. bahiahotel.com
Cusp Dining & Drinks
Dec. 25. Enjoy a three-course meal prepared by chef Ingrid Funes, featuring dishes such as such as Duo of Duck—roasted duck breast, duck ravioli, caramelized cabbage, apple and sherry port reduction—and Lamb Rack with smoked mashed potatoes, duxelle mushroom and truffle sauce. Seasonal desserts round out this dinner out, including Apple Tart Tartin with vanilla bean ice cream. 3-8 p.m. $65 adults, $35 children. 7955 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla. cusprestaurant.com
Decoy Dockside
Dec. 23-25. Let Decoy do the cooking these season as the lakeside restaurant welcomes you to the table for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner and wine lovers will have the option to pair the meal with wine. 3-8 p.m. $60 adults, $30 kids. 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos. lakehousehotelandresort.com
An Italian Christmas at Giardino
Dec. 25. Try something new this Christmas and gather around the tables at Lemon Grove’s newest Italian restaurant, Giardino Neighborhood Cucina. Chef Marco Provino has created a three-course menu which includes items like Pear Salad, Lobster Ravioli, Veal Parmigiana and a slice of house panettone. $35. 8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove. giardinosd.com
JRDN
Dec. 25. Make your spirits bright after dining at JRDN, a contemporary steak and seafood restaurant positioned right on the Pacific Beach boardwalk. Bring your appetite and enjoy a three-course holiday meal prepared by executive chef David Warner while watching the sun set on the Pacific. $45 per person. 723 Felspar St. t23hotel.com
Loews Coronado Bay Resort
Dec. 25. Experience a special Christmas Day champagne brunch in Crown Landing featuring traditional brunch fare like Salt Creek mussels, snow crab claws, eggs benedict, brioche French toast and locally cured sausages; holiday classics like sourdough and chestnut stuffing and roasted acorn squash with cinnamon butter; omelet and carving stations and a holiday dessert bar paired perfectly with a wonderful mimosa bar. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $65. 4000 Loews Coronado Bay Rd. crownlanding.com
Osetra Seafood & Steaks
Dec. 25. Whether you’re dreaming of tasty holiday favorites or feeling thankful for fine and flavorful dishes, Osetra Seafood & Steaks has crafted two full three-course menus with entrees including the Chilean sea bass, lobster ravioli, New York steak, cioppino, and surf & turf, a filet with three jumbo shrimp in a truffle bordelaise sauce. 4-11 p.m. $49-$59. 904 5th Ave. osetraseafoodandsteaks.com
Pacific Beach Shore Club
Dec. 25. Celebrate Christmas at PB Shore Club. Don your best holiday onesie or Christmas pajamas on Christmas day for half-off all drinks, including beers, wine and cocktails. 5 p.m.- close. Free. 4343 Ocean Blvd. pbshoreclub.com
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Dec. 25. Delight in a festive Christmas Day brunch buffet at Rancho Bernardo Inn’s beautiful sun-draped Aragon Ballroom, complete with live music, a petting zoo and pony rides for the whole family to enjoy. Brunch will offer a variety of specialty stations from a seasonal salad bar to fresh seafood including chilled shrimp and crab legs, a hot carving station with prime meats, housemade desserts from pastry chef Margaret Nolan Carvallo and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $85 adults, $40 kids. 17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr. ranchobernardoinn.com
Tidal
Dec. 25. Celebrate the holiday by indulging in a three-course Christmas dinner created by chef Andrew Reyes. Festive dishes include chestnut veloute, sage and chestnut stuffed Cornish game hen, agave lavender pork belly, prime rib and more followed by desserts such as chef’s mint chocolate yule log or Santa’s milk and cookie. $70, optional wine pairings for $35. 1404 Vacation Rd. destinationhotels.com
The Westgate Christmas Day Holiday Buffet
Dec. 25. Eat, drink and be merry on Christmas Day and enjoy the Westgate’s award-winning buffet in the enchanting Le Fontainebleau Room. Guests can chose to add bottomless house wine or champagne to their meal. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $89, add $20 for wine or champagne. 1055 2nd Ave. westgatehotel.com
