Don’t Feel Like Cooking for Christmas? These San Diego Restaurants Have You Covered!

Serẽa

Serẽa is offering an array of elevated à la carte selections on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alongside their full menu.

The holiday additions include mussels with Spanish chorizo, garlic shallots, harissa butter, and sourdough for $32; roasted lamb leg with ras el hanout, soft pita, roasted garlic, and ras yogurt for $62; and a Strawberry Bûche De Noël featuring moist vanilla cake with berries topped with white chocolate cream for $19.

The à la carte format means you can build your own holiday meal rather than being locked into a fixed menu, which is nice if your group has different appetites or preferences. It’s a great coastal option that brings some Mediterranean and North African flavors to the traditional Christmas dining experience.

📆 December 24 and December 25
📍 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado
ℹ️ More info here

Communion

Communion in Mission Hills is offering sweeping views from their perch while you gather with loved ones on Christmas Eve. They’re serving a 3-course menu starting at $85 alongside their à la carte dinner menu, featuring dishes like Chateaubriand, Brown Butter Scallops, Roasted Lamb Rack, and Valrhona Chocolate Pavé.

The fact that both the preset and à la carte menus are available gives you options depending on whether your group wants the full three-course experience or prefers to mix and match. The Mission Hills location with those views makes it feel special without having to leave the neighborhood.

Lana

Lana, Solana Beach’s newest restaurant gem, is offering a three-course Christmas Eve menu for $85+ per person and $25+ for kids with vintage-inspired California Christmas vibes and festive coastal decor.

Start with Pumpkin Risotto featuring spiced pepitas, pomegranate, and fresh herbs, or Winter Chopped Salad with roasted squash, Pink Lady apples, honey roasted pecans, feta, and apple cider vinaigrette.

For the main course, choose from Wood Fired Pacific Swordfish with parmesan polenta, baby zucchini, tomato, olive relish, and chives; Braised Turkey and Black Truffle Pot Pie with winter vegetables, fingerling potatoes, sage, and puff pastry; Snake River Farms Skirt Steak with grilled broccolini, potato puree, tarragon butter, and mushroom sauce; or Delicate Duchesse featuring delicata squash, sweet potato, crispy yams, vegan butter, and mustard greens.

Desserts include Brioche Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with salted caramel and chocolate ice cream, Meyer Lemon Pie with whipped cream and hazelnut crust, or Seasonal Sorbet with fresh berries.

Holiday drink specials like the Quincy Jones, You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out, and Say It’s Carol Singers complement the ingredient-driven coastal cuisine.

📆 Christmas Eve
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

The Marine Room

The Marine Room in La Jolla Shores is celebrating the holidays with a luxurious four-course prix fixe menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at this iconic San Diego oceanfront destination. The thoughtfully crafted menu features some of the restaurant’s signature dishes while celebrating seasonality and sustainability.

At $165 per person and $65 per child (excluding tax and gratuity), it’s positioned as a premium oceanfront option for those who want Christmas dinner to feel like a true special occasion.

The Marine Room’s location right on the water gives you those dramatic wave views that make the experience about more than just the food – it’s one of those spots where the setting is half the appeal.

📆 December 24 – 25, 4:30 PM – 9 PM
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

George’s at the Cove

George’s at the Cove is rolling out a three-course prix fixe dinner in their lower-level dining room this Christmas Day.

For $110 per person, you can mix and match from a thoughtfully curated menu that spans hamachi crudo and beef carpaccio for starters, followed by mains like filet mignon with smoked blue cheese butter, braised lamb with saffron couscous, or perfectly seared scallops.

Dessert brings the holiday vibes with options like a cranberry almond tart or hot chocolate semifreddo, complete with toasted marshmallow.

The restaurant also offers an à la carte menu for kids 12 and under, making it a solid choice for families looking to celebrate together without the cleanup.

📆 December 25, 2 PM – 8:30 PM
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Valle

Valle is celebrating the season with a special holiday tasting menu by Chef Roberto Alcocer that leans into local ingredients, coastal influences, and the comforting flavors of winter through Mexican contemporary cuisine.

Chef Alcocer and the Valle team have put together a seasonally inspired multi-course menu designed for gathering around the table, with optional wine pairings to complement each course.

The experience takes place in Valle’s MICHELIN-starred dining room with ocean views in Oceanside, creating that combination of refined dining and coastal California atmosphere.

At $220 plus tax and gratuity per person, it’s positioned as a premium celebration for those who want Christmas to feel like a true culinary event.

📆 December 24 and December 25
📍 222 North Pacific Street, Oceanside
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Juniper & Ivy

Juniper & Ivy is offering a refined Christmas dining experience with a curated four-course prix fixe dinner featuring hyper-local ingredients that celebrate the region’s winter bounty.

Led by Chef de Cuisine Alex Penkin, the vanguard Little Italy restaurant presents a festive, multi-course holiday menu designed to make this year’s celebration unforgettable and indulgent.

Start with small bites like Kumiai Oysters, Kanpachi Crudo, Cali Duck, or Winter Pears before moving to second-course options, including Hokkaido Scallop, Foraged Mushroom Agnolotti, PNW Salmon, and Butternut Squash. Main courses feature Lamb Saddle, Line Caught Swordfish, Wagyu Filet, and Pumpkin Risotto.

Dessert reimagines holiday favorites with innovative, whimsical twists like Peppermint Brownie Yodel, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and Cranberry Lime Sorbet served with Gingerbread Cookies.

Known for avant-garde dishes and Michelin-recommended cuisine, Juniper & Ivy offers culinary excellence in a sophisticated yet playful ambiance.

📆 Christmas Day
ℹ️ More info here

Cellar Hand

Cellar Hand is celebrating the season with two distinct events – a Feast of Seven Fishes and a Brunch Takeover with Michi Michi Baking Collective.

Feast of Seven Fishes

The Feast of Seven Fishes brings a relaxed take on the classic Italian American holiday tradition with a 5-course prix fixe showcasing hyper-local seafood and peak winter produce alongside California wines.

The menu opens with canapes like Seaweed Arancini and Mackerel Tartare, then moves through Marinated Calamari Salad, Grilled Oysters with nduja cream and caviar, and Fideua Stew (a traditional Spanish seafood noodle dish).

The main course features Swordfish with broccoli rabe and white bean stew, finishing with housemade Budino for dessert at $85 per person.

Brunch Takeover

Keeping the holiday spirit alive into Christmas weekend, the Brunch Takeover showcases Michi Michi’s famous cinnamon rolls while supplies last, alongside special babkas from Cellar Hand baker Stu McCoy, including Dark Chocolate Babka with vanilla labne and burnt pita sugar.

The full brunch menu will be available, plus mimosas, cocktails, and Coffee & Tea Collective’s curated program. Book early for Michi Michi’s sought-after baked goods before they sell out.

📆 Feast of Seven Fishes: Saturday, December 20 | Brunch Takeover: Saturday, December 27
🎟️ Make your reservation here
ℹ️ More info here

Rustic Root

Rustic Root has decked the halls from top to bottom this holiday season with special photo stations, a “Letters to Santa” station where one lucky guest will win what they asked for, and hourly snow on the downtown rooftop.

The restaurant is serving food and drink specials, including complimentary hot chocolate for children, three seasonal specialty cocktails, and late-night Happy Hour specials on drinks on Fridays and Saturdays.

If you’re looking for coastal Christmas charm, Rustic Root Solana Beach is also fully decked out in festive decor and serving up a lineup of cozy holiday cocktails.

Both locations are going all in on the holiday atmosphere, making them solid options whether you’re downtown or up the coast.

📆 Throughout December | Rooftop snow: nightly starting at 6 PM and every hour after | Late-night Happy Hour: Fridays and Saturdays, 10 PM – 1:30 AM
ℹ️ More info here

Piper

The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa’s Piper is hosting a coastal Christmas celebration with their Savor the Season Buffet. You’re looking at an abundant selection of fresh seafood, chef-driven seasonal dishes, and classic holiday favorites, all served with ocean views and that effortless coastal style Oceanside does so well.

At $125 per adult and $55 per child ages 6-12, it’s positioned as an upscale option for families and groups who want Christmas dinner handled for them in a resort setting.

The buffet format means everyone can find something they actually want to eat rather than being stuck with a fixed menu, which is always a win when you’re dealing with multiple generations at the table.

📆 December 25, 2 PM – 8 PM
📍 101 Mission Ave, Oceanside
🎟️ Book a table here
ℹ️ More info here

Huntress

Huntress is celebrating the magic of Christmas with decadent specials alongside their full dinner menu in downtown San Diego.

The holiday highlights include Beef Wellington made with mushroom duxelle, prosciutto, and port wine demi; Maine Lobster Risotto featuring carnaroli rice, saffron, preserved lemon, and pecorino romano; and Caviar Deviled Eggs with crème fraîche, chives, and Siberian caviar.

You can pair these festive additions with your favorites from Huntress’ full menu of unexpected twists on classic cuts, seafood, and house-made pastas. The modern steakhouse setting brings some sophistication to Christmas dinner without feeling stuffy about it.

📆 December 25, 4 PM – 8 PM
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Glass Box

Glass Box in Del Mar is serving a six-course prix fixe Christmas menu for $85 per person.

The lineup features Ahi Tartare Crispy Rice with truffle soy glaze, Lobster Dumplings in ginger broth, Hamachi Crudo with citrus ponzu, Seared Japanese Snapper with yuzu miso glaze, and Korean-Style Filet Mignon with charred Chinese broccoli and potato puree.

The menu wraps up with Matcha Cheesecake topped with white chocolate crumble and raspberry coulis.

You can upgrade the experience with optional add-ons like sake or wine pairing, a three-drink cocktail flight, oyster and uni amuse upgrade, or a dessert sake flight. It’s a solid coastal option if you want to shake up the traditional Christmas dinner with something more Asian-inspired. Reservations are highly recommended.

📆 December 24 – 25
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Cork & Craft

Cork & Craft in Rancho Bernardo is offering a four-course Christmas Eve Dinner for $75 per person that gives you plenty of options at each stage.

Start with Spiced Butternut Squash Soup or Salsa Verde Clam Chowder, then move on to starters like Roasted Beet, Butternut Squash & Apple Salad, Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip with garlic-herb crostini, or Caesar Salad.

The main course brings 12oz Prime Rib with butternut squash puree and roasted baby carrots, Duck Leg Confit with creamy boursin polenta and swiss chard, or Pan-Seared Seabass over ancient grains and parsnip purée.

Dessert offers Iced Pumpkin Swirl Loaf Cake, Crème Brûlée Filled Donut, or Butter Toffee Cake with cookies and cream ice cream.

The choice at every course means everyone at the table can get exactly what they want.

📆 December 24
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Vistal

Vistal, the stunning bar and restaurant overlooking San Diego Bay at the InterContinental San Diego, is offering three courses of flavorful specials on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alongside their full menu.

Start with Duck Confit Carnitas featuring spiced chochoyote dumplings, kabocha, pepitas, mole verde, and petite red cress. The main course brings a 16oz Prime Ribeye with mille-feuilles potatoes, roasted tomatoes, green peppercorn sauce, and crispy shallots – with the option to add half spiny lobster tail with herb butter for the ultimate Surf ‘N Turf.

End with sweet and decadent Chocolate Rocher featuring hazelnut-chocolate mousse and Grand Marnier chocolate sauce. You can enjoy à la carte or bundle all three together for $90 total. The waterfront views give you something spectacular to look at while you eat, making it worth the downtown location.

📆 December 24 and December 25
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Giardino

Giardino, the popular East County Italian restaurant, is staying open throughout the holidays with celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve brings their à la carte menu featuring holiday dishes and drinks during regular hours.

Christmas Day offers two options: a brunch buffet with breakfast classics and Giardino favorites, or a 3-course preset menu with holiday specials and Italian classics for dinner. Both the brunch and dinner run $55 for adults and $25 for kids under 12.

It’s a solid Lemon Grove option if you’re looking to celebrate the holidays without driving into the city, and the multiple service options give you flexibility depending on when your family wants to eat.

📆 Christmas Eve: regular hours | Christmas Day Brunch: 10 AM – 2 PM | Christmas Day Dinner: 3 PM – 8 PM
📍 8131 Broadway, Lemon Grove
🎟️ Reserve your spot here
ℹ️ More info here

Roman Wolves

Roman Wolves in Little Italy is celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a festive menu featuring Roman classics and holiday-inspired dishes. You can enjoy the full à la carte menu or opt for a $60 prix fixe Christmas menu available both days.

The holiday offerings include antipasti like Supplì (smoked mozzarella rice balls mixed in a tomato base) and Mozzarella in Carrozza served over pesto roasted heirloom tomato sauce.

Entrées range from traditional Roman pastas like Spaghetti Carbonara and Pappardelle Ragu di Roma to seasonal dishes including Salmon Frascati served over Cacio e Pepe risotto and Pollo Romana (Mary’s chicken in caper butter lemon sauce).

Classic Italian desserts like house-made Cannoli or Tiramisu round out the meal.

The option to go à la carte or stick with the prix fixe gives you flexibility depending on how hungry your group is and whether everyone wants the full experience.

📆 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
📍 1980 Kettner Blvd, Suite 10, Little Italy
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

The Shores Restaurant

The Shores Restaurant is hosting a seaside Christmas with a holiday buffet featuring coastal-inspired favorites and classic seasonal fare. You can enjoy a relaxed SoCal ambiance while savoring dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, all perfectly paired with hand-selected craft cocktails.

You can choose to dine indoors or on the oceanfront patio just feet from the sand – both offer uninterrupted coastal views and an inviting atmosphere for families and friends to gather. The La Jolla location gives you that beachside Christmas vibe that feels more authentic to how we actually experience the holidays in San Diego.

À la carte breakfast will also be available earlier in the day if you want to start Christmas morning by the ocean.

📆 Christmas Day Buffet: December 25, 12 PM – 7 PM | À la carte breakfast: 7 AM – 10 AM
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

The Landing

The Landing, the lively lobby bar at the hotel, is serving two Christmas dinner specials that run through early January.

There’s a Ribeye Steak with rosemary demi-glace, Boursin whipped potatoes, green beans, and wild mushrooms for $58, plus Chilean Sea Bass with herb butter sauce, smashed fingerling potatoes, and charred broccolini spears for $56.

They’re also doing build-your-own Old Fashioneds featuring rare whiskeys alongside a curated selection of high-end wines and seasonal cocktails.

📆 December 24 – January 4
🎟️ Make reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Old Hickory Steakhouse

Old Hickory Steakhouse at Gaylord Pacific Resort is serving a three-course Christmas menu with wine pairings that takes the holiday dining experience up several notches.

Appetizer choices include Santa Hoja Tamale with smoked queso and honeynut, Partridge & Pear with clove-spiced quail and Comice pear, or Pepper & Mint featuring spiny lobster salad with habanada coulis.

For the main course, there’s Dry-Aged Pacifico Bass with saffron velouté and forest mushrooms, Christmas Goose Cassoulet with confit leg and roasted breast, or Filet Mignon with saffron potato and brown-butter oxtail sauce.

Between courses, an Orange Crush Palate Cleanser with Grand Marnier and passion fruit meringues sets you up for dessert – either Chocolate Peppermint with chocolate cremieux and peppermint whip, or Snowball Fight with chiffon cake, bergamot, and earl grey.

The pricing is $185 with wine pairings included.

📆 December 24 – 25
🎟️ Make reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Growlers Sports Bar & Tap Room

Growlers Sports Bar & Tap Room at Gaylord Pacific Resort is keeping things casual on Christmas with two features that don’t require you to commit to a full multi-course meal.

There’s a Double Stack Turkey Smashburger loaded with roasted poblano, pepper jack cheese, brûléed onion, bibb lettuce, and tomato jam for $29, plus a Christmas Yule Log with chocolate jaconde, vanilla buttercream, and cherry jam for $14.

It’s a solid option if you want something festive without the formality of a traditional Christmas dinner, or if you’re just looking for a place to watch sports and grab a decent burger on the holiday. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

📆 December 24 – 25
📍 1000 H Street, Chula Vista
ℹ️ More info here

North Italia

North Italia is serving a $25 Holiday Lunch Prix Fixe where you can order a small plate and entrée duo. Available daily, the menu features standouts from North’s latest seasonal menu like Sunday Night Lasagna and Arancini, plus exclusive dishes like Chicken Parmigiana Verde, Bruschetta Duo, and Brussels Sprout & Medjool Pizza.

At $25 for two courses, it’s a great deal if you’re looking for a proper sit-down lunch during the holiday shopping or workday rush. It’s the kind of meal that feels special without taking up your entire afternoon.

📆 Now through December 23 | Open – 4 PM daily
🎟️ Book here
ℹ️ More info here

Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse

Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse is keeping things festive and stress-free this holiday season with its signature rodizio experience at $77 per person.

You’re looking at 18 selections from the grill, carved tableside by gaucho chefs, plus a gourmet salad bar with over 45 items and signature sides like garlic mashed potatoes and caramelized bananas.

The endless tableside service features their signature picanha, tender filet mignon, and the showstopping 24-karat Golden Steak, making it one of those interactive dining experiences that feels celebratory without being stuffy.

The expansive dining rooms and event spaces work well for large family gatherings, and they’ve got handcrafted cocktails, curated wines, and desserts to round out the meal.

📆 December 24: 12 PM – 9 PM | December 25: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Canvas Cafe & Lounge

Canvas Cafe & Lounge at Carté Hotel San Diego Downtown is kicking off its first holiday season in Little Italy with a cozy coastal festive menu.

Enjoy a three-course coastal menu with Caramelized Vidalia Onion Soup featuring sweet onions, aged local Gruyère, and toasted sourdough from a neighborhood bakery.

The Coastal Surf-and-Turf entrée delivers 6-ounce grass-fed filet mignon, garlic-herb Pacific shrimp, butter-whipped potato purée, seasonal farmers’ vegetables, and truffle cabernet reduction, followed by Wood-Fired Chocolate Tart S’mores for dessert.

The fact that it’s their first holiday season means they’re putting extra effort into making it memorable.

📆 December 25, 7 AM – 3 PM
🎟️ Book a table here
ℹ️ More info here

24 Suns

24 Suns is opening its doors for a once-a-year Christmas Eve celebration shaped by the season’s shift toward stillness.

Chefs Nicholas Webber and Jacob Jordan are presenting a special tasting menu and an optional family-style dinner inspired by Chinese agricultural rhythms and the richness of Southern California’s winter market.

Think tender poultry, bright citrus, hand-pleated dumplings, and slow-cooked dishes meant to anchor a cold night – served in an intimate dining room that feels like a neighborhood gathering place.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Tasting Menu features 12 courses including Shrimp Toast, Oysters & Gooseberry, Bird’s Nest with Smoked Swordfish, Scallop & Pork Siu Mai with Habanada, Tiger Salad with Shrimp and Cilantro, Black Truffle Yuba, Claypot Chili Eggplant with Chinese Doughnut, Fujian Stuffed Chicken Wing with Chanterelle and Crab, Smoked Short Rib Lanzhou Soup, Coffee & Smoke Break with Duck, Black Sesame Budino, and Red Bean Cookie.

📆 December 24
ℹ️ More info here

Little Fawn

Little Fawn, tucked inside the historic Fin Hotel in Oceanside, is staying open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a festive California-Mediterranean menu by Chef Seth Tuma that’s soulful, seasonal, and rooted in warm hospitality.

The winter table is shaped by California produce and Chef Seth’s intuitive style – bright, citrus-kissed starters, slow-cooked comforts, and a finale of pistachio cheesecake that feels like pure nostalgia. Expect dishes like caramelized leeks with preserved lemon labne or duck leg confit brushed with charred orange miso – familiar flavors with quiet twists.

The intimate, design-forward neighborhood spot serves comforting, creative dishes perfect for groups and low-key holiday dinners. It’s the kind of place where mid-century charm meets California ingredients without trying too hard to be anything other than welcoming.

📆 December 24 – 25
ℹ️ More info here

Corkfire Kitchen

Corkfire Kitchen is serving up a festive Christmas Day experience with both brunch and dinner seatings. The star of the show is their holiday special: a 16-oz sea salt and roasted garlic crusted prime rib that comes with Stilton bleu cheese, pommes purée, smoked marrow au jus, leeks, citrus broccolini, and fresh grated horseradish crème fraîche.

It’s the kind of indulgent, chef-driven meal that makes staying local for the holidays feel like the right call. Whether you’re an early riser or prefer a leisurely afternoon feast, they’ve got seatings throughout the day to fit your holiday schedule.

📆 December 25, 7:30–10 AM & 12–6 PM
🎟️ Make your reservations here
ℹ️ More info here

Rancho Valencia

Rancho Valencia is hosting a Christmas Day feast at the Pony Room, featuring their signature grand holiday-inspired buffet with traditional trimmings, a seafood station, a carving station, and endless culinary creations.

The experience goes well beyond just the meal with live music, seasonal sweets, horse-drawn carriage rides, cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and festivities for children of all ages. At $245 per adult, $95 per child ages 4-11, and free for kids 3 and under, it’s positioned as a premium resort experience rather than just a restaurant meal.

The horse-drawn carriage rides and activities make it especially appealing if you’ve got kids and want to create those memorable holiday moments. It’s worth the drive to Rancho Santa Fe if you want Christmas to feel like a proper destination event.

📆 December 25, 10 AM – 4 PM
🎟️ Call to reserve: 858-759-6246
ℹ️ More info here

Estancia La Jolla

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is offering two distinct holiday dining experiences – an intimate fireside Christmas Eve dinner at The Frosty Saddle pop-up bar and a bountiful Christmas Day buffet in the Grande Room.

Christmas Eve Dinner at The Frosty Saddle

The Frosty Saddle, the winter wonderland pop-up bar transforming Mustangs & Burros this season, is hosting an intimate fireside prix fixe dinner crafted by Executive Chef Katie Weber.

The festive menu features seasonal highlights like California Littleneck Clam Chowder, Diver Scallops with Crispy Braised Pork Belly, Garlic & Herb Roasted Ribeye, and Mushroom Rotolo, followed by decadent desserts including Chocolate Ganache & Pecan Bar and Rum Raisin Bûche de Noël.

You can elevate the experience with signature holiday cocktails from The Frosty Saddle’s seasonal menu. At $95 per adult and $45 per child, it’s a solid La Jolla option for those who want Christmas Eve in a cozy, themed setting rather than a traditional restaurant atmosphere.

Christmas Day Buffet

Christmas Day brings a bountiful buffet in the Grande Room featuring fresh seafood like Local Baja Oysters, Gin & Beetroot Cured Salmon, and Poached Tiger Prawns; a carving station with Garlic & Herb Crusted New York Strip and Maple-Glazed Ham; antipastos such as Baked Herbed Ricotta and Wagyu Bresaola; entrees including Chicken Roulade and Herb Butter Roasted Sea Bass; and indulgent desserts like Nola Rose Chocolate, Apple Crumble, and Pumpkin Cheesecake.

The buffet format means everyone can find something they want. Starting at $120 per adult and $55 per child.

📆 Christmas Eve Dinner: December 24, 4 PM – 10 PM | Christmas Day Buffet: December 25, 12 PM – 5 PM
🎟️ Make your reservations here: Christmas Eve Dinner | Christmas Day Buffet
ℹ️ More info here

Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado is welcoming the holidays with splendid fanfare, bringing wintertime fun to sunny Southern California at one of San Diego’s most iconic historic hotels. The Del is known among locals and travelers alike for making the season feel magical, and this year is no exception.

Step into the beautifully restored Crown and Coronet rooms for a decadent buffet-style Christmas Eve dinner full of traditional favorites. We’re talking coastal seafood, sushi, roasted turkey, decadent desserts, and more – all served in those stunning historic rooms that make The Del feel extra special during the holidays.

Christmas Day brings an elegant buffet in the Crown Room decked with all the trimmings. You’ll find fresh pastries, build-your-own omelets, carved classics like turkey and Scottish salmon, and plenty more to indulge in while you gather around the table with those you love most.

The Crown Room setting alone makes this feel like a proper celebration.

📆 Christmas Eve Dinner: December 24 | Christmas Day Brunch: December 25
🎟️ Get your tickets: Christmas Eve | Christmas Day Brunch
ℹ️ More info here

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is offering special holiday dinners at Marina Kitchen Restaurant & Bar, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant overlooking San Diego Bay.

Christmas Eve brings warm hospitality, twinkling bay views, and chef-crafted dishes from seasonal starters to gourmet entrées. The à la carte menu includes holiday specials like Honey Bourbon Glazed Ham, Roasted Prime Rib, and Grilled Lobster Tail, with prices ranging from $20 to $60 per dish.

Christmas Day features a dinner buffet with an array of holiday favorites from savory mains to decadent sweets, plus fresh seafood selections including Baja Oysters & Shrimp Cocktail Tower, Braised Short Rib, and Honey Bourbon Salmon.

The buffet format means everyone can find something they want. Both evenings offer those bay views that make waterfront dining in San Diego worth it.

📆 Christmas Eve Dinner: December 24, seatings 5 PM – 7:30 PM | Christmas Day Dinner Buffet: December 25, seatings 4:30 PM – 7 PM
🎟️ Reserve here
ℹ️ More info here

Morena Provisions

Morena Provisions is taking the stress out of holiday hosting with chef-prepared meals and seasonal specialties. As the neighborhood extension of Urban Kitchen Group’s award-winning restaurants, they’re blending culinary craft with holiday spirit so you can focus on time together rather than time in the kitchen.

Hanukkah

Celebrate with a California-inspired take on tradition featuring Matzo Ball Soup, Tzimmes Beef Brisket, Honey-Glazed Herb Salmon, and Gold Finch’s signature Latkes. Desserts include Limoncello Mousse Tart, Burnt Basque Cheesecake, and Rugelach.

Christmas

Skip the prep with a festive feast featuring Beef Wellington with mushroom duxelles and bordelaise, Honey-Herb Roasted Salmon, and Roasted Chicken with lemon and fennel jus.

Sides include Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyère, Green Bean Casserole, and Gem Lettuce Salad. Desserts bring Bûche de Noël, Burnt Basque Cheesecake, or Santa’s Cookie Box.

📆 Hanukkah: Orders must be placed by December 10 for pick-up or delivery on December 13
📆 Christmas: Orders must be placed by December 19 for pick-up or delivery on December 24 from noon to 3 PM
📍 1122 Morena Blvd, San Diego
🎟️ Pre-order here
ℹ️ More info here

PRK 101

PRK 101 in Carlsbad Village is taking the stress out of holiday cooking with their Big Smoked Ham Spread, a complete Christmas dinner designed to feed 8-9 people.

For $275, you’ll get smoke-baked ham, green beans, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, southern gravy, baked beans, cranberry sauce, warm honey butter ciabatta rolls, and a key lime pie to finish things off. Want to go bigger? They’re offering extras like smoked duck leg, a full rack of ribs, tri tip, and pulled pork for an additional cost.

It’s the kind of setup that lets you show up to Christmas Day looking like you’ve got it all together without spending hours in the kitchen. Pickup is available on Christmas Eve.

📆 Orders must be placed by December 19; pickup available December 24
🎟️ Place your order here
ℹ️ More info here

Louisiana Purchase

Louisiana Purchase is bringing NOLA flavors to North Park with customizable holiday packs that put a Cajun spin on Christmas dinner.

Choose from options like two stuffed turkey legs, three pounds of prime rib, or a combo of stuffed turkey legs and a whole Cajun roasted chicken.

Each pack comes with your choice of two 32-oz sides from a lineup that includes brussels sprouts, collard greens, smoked gouda mac ‘n cheese, yams, oxtail dirty rice, and cornbread dressing, plus biscuits and cornbread to round things out.

They’re also offering Holiday Potions like Holiday Ponche Punch and Hurricane Pop Punch to keep the festive vibes going. It’s an easy way to shake up the traditional holiday spread without lifting a finger. Pickup is available on Christmas Eve.

📆 Orders must be placed by December 21; pickup available December 24, 3–6 PM
🎟️ Place your order here
ℹ️ More info here

North Italia

North Italia’s Holiday Lunch Prix Fixe is available for online ordering, giving you a small plate and entrée duo to enjoy at home or the office.

The menu features standouts from North’s latest seasonal menu like Sunday Night Lasagna and Arancini, plus exclusive dishes like Chicken Parmigiana Verde, Bruschetta Duo, and Brussels Sprout & Medjool Pizza.

It’s a convenient option when you’re pressed for time but still want something more substantial than your usual grab-and-go lunch. At $25 for two courses, it beats most takeout options.

📆 Now through December 23 | Open – 4 PM daily
🎟️ Order online here
ℹ️ More info here

Urban Plates

Urban Plates is making holiday planning effortless with family-style catering and ready-to-eat options available throughout Southern California.

The Holiday Strip Loin Roast Family Meal serves 6-8 for $239 and includes slow-roasted strip loin roast (free from added hormones and antibiotics), mashed potatoes and gravy, bordelaise sauce, creamy horseradish, your choice of two sides (Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Rainbow Carrots & Golden Beets, Herb Roasted Marble Potatoes, Macaroni & Cheese, or Garlic Parmesan Roasted Mushrooms), and sliced artisan bread.

For smaller gatherings, the Holiday 3-Course Family Meal serves 4 with your choice of Chicken ($89), Steak ($99), or Salmon ($99), including a starter salad, two family-style sides, and four cookies for dessert.

Everything comes freshly cooked and packaged hot for immediate enjoyment – just unwrap and serve.

Whole desserts including Apple Pie and Chocolate Vanilla Layer Cake are also available à la carte with 24-hour advance orders.

📆 Pre-order by December 21 for pick-up on December 23 or 24
🎟️ Order here
ℹ️ More info here