The Big List Of Places To Eat If You Don’t Feel Like Doing Christmas Cooking
The Christmas countdown is on! With all of the hustle of shopping, office parties, and visiting with family, sometimes getting out for a meal on Christmas Eve or Christmas day can be the most relaxing way to spend the holiday.
Lucky for you, some of the best restaurants – and their awesome crews – are putting in the work to give you a holiday feast you’ll love.
If you are looking for a reprieve from cooking, they have you covered!
Florent Restaurant & Lounge
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They will be celebrating the holidays all day from 11:00AM to 2:00AM. A full menu will be available in addition to a Christmas menu crafter by Chef Abe Botello.
The $28 holiday dinner will include:
Herb & Pepper Crusted Prime Rib with garlic mashed potatoes
Specialty cookies
Cardamom-honey infused milk for dessert
Novel black port wine or an exclusive menu of specialty festive cocktails
The Waterfront
They will be open on their regular hours from 6:00AM to close. Their kitchen will be open, offering their full menu for the holidays including their Mexican Brunch with items such as
Chilaquiles and Pazole.
Eastbound Bar & Grill
They will be celebrating the holidays from 6:00PM to close. A limited menu will be offered yet full of their Americana specialties. Adding to the excitement of the holidays, they will be hosting their 8th Annual Beer Pong Tournament starting at 7:00PM.
The Hills Pub
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The restaurant will be open from 5:00PM to close. Their kitchen will be closed but they will be offering free tamales for patrons in honor of the holiday season.
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas
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For those looking to skip the struggle of holiday cooking, Union will be open for brunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day starting at 9 a.m. and will offer dinner between 5-10 p.m. on both evenings.
The Union Ski Lodge Party will go from 9-11 p.m. Snag your ticket, grab your earmuffs, and don your finest retro jumpsuit for a festive Christmas party complete with endless House Beer lager until the keg is gone, tray passed appetizers a la 1970’s, and special holiday treats. Tickets are required upon entry, so be sure to get yours today!
Union Kitchen & Tap Gaslamp
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Head to Union Kitchen & Tap Gaslamp on Christmas Eve to catch the Seahawks vs. Cowboys game, and enjoy gameday specials including $3 Bud Light on draft, $4 Pacifico on draft, $9.95 Wings, and brunch until 2 p.m. Home of the Dallas Cowboys Fan Club, Union Gaslamp is the Christmas Eve destination for Cowboys fans to celebrate!
Pacific Beach AleHouse
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Pacific Beach AleHouse will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! The three-course pre-fixed menu will include a first course selection of Harvest Salad or Clam Chowder, followed by your choice of 10 oz Herb Roasted Prime Rib, prepared with cumin, mapled-glazed yams, roasted brussels sprouts, baby carrots and au jus, or Butternut Squash Tagliatelle, made with sage brown butter, goat cheese and toasted pepitas.
Dessert will include either Caramel Apple Cheesecake or Egg Nog Crème Brulee. reservations suggested for this one.
Breakfast Republic – Several Locations
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Throughout the month of December, all Breakfast Republic locations will be offering food and drink specials honed for the season! Try their Butter Pecan French Toast, made with brioche bread, creamy butter caramel filling and butter-glazed pecans, or their Honey-Glazed Ham Bennie, made with brown sugar honey glazed ham, poached eggs and cranberry hollandaise.
Pair these with a Frosted Mocha, made with espresso, Monin Frosted Mint, mocha mix and whipped cream, garnished with a sprinkle of mocha mix and a mint leaf, or a White Cranberry Mimosa, infused with white cranberry juice, Prosecco and garnished with a rosemary sprig and cranberry.
Fig Tree Café – Several Locations
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Head to Fig Tree Café for their new December drink specials, including a creamy
Eggnog Latte, infused with the classic vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg flavor notes characteristic of the seasonal beverage, and their December Bellini Mimosa Flight, a lineup of Lavender, Peach, Raspberry and Pomegranate mimosas that are perfectly suited to the holiday season.
Tajima – Several Locations
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In celebration of the holiday season, Tajima’s Mercury location will be offering $1 off craft cocktails and $1 off select craft beers from New English Brewing Co. and Stone Brewing Co. all December long!
Craft cocktails include their Black Vine, made with Tito’s vodka, Giffard Crème de Mure, yuzu juice and simple syrup, Tokyo Buck, crafted from Iwai whiskey, Giffard Crème de Fraise des Boise, ginger beer and fresh lemon juice, and Hare of the Dog, prepared with Suerte tequila reposado, ramen broth, tomato juice, yuzu juice and Sriracha, among others!
Primavera Ristorante
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Celebrate Christmas Eve with decadent prix fixe Italian feast, available exclusively on Sunday, Dec. 24. The Chocolate Peppermint Stick, created for the holiday, is made with white crème de cacao, peppermint schnapps, and cream.
Bleu Bohème
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Holiday cheer with a decadent Christmas Eve prix fixe menu available exclusively on Sunday, Dec. 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. Created by owner and executive chef, Ken Irvine, Bleu Bohème’s specialty three-course menu is priced at $59 per person. A festive cocktail will also be available for the celebration, priced at $12.
Decoy at Lakehouse Hotel & Resort
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Let us do the cooking this season as Decoy at Lakehouse Hotel & Resort welcomes you to our table Christmas Eve & Christmas Day for a festive feast! From serene lake views to cozy fireplaces, it’s #openseason at Decoy to celebrate the unexpected! We invite you to our peaceful lake side retreat to feast among the flora and fauna on a menu of new American cuisine inspired by the great outdoors and prepared by Chef David Warner. Grab a stool at our floating lakefront bar for a casual drink or sit down for a decadent meal among friends. However you choose to experience dockside dining, Decoy welcomes you
Ostera Seafood & Stakes
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Whether you’re dreaming of tasty holiday favorites or feeling thankful for fine and flavorful dishes, Osetra Seafood & Steaks’ Christmas Dinner menu is the perfect fit for you and your family to enjoy the memorable time together. For your choice of $49 or $59 per person, Osetra 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. This night will be both magical and delicious!
Chandler’s Oceanfront Dining
Serving both a brunch and dinner buffet. They bring out the cookies and the gingerbread and leave the snow far, far away. Treat your family to holiday brunch sure to put your taste buds in festive spirits.
Chandler’s
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Whether you’re headed to area festivities, family events, or your ocean-view room for a quiet evening in, holiday dining at Chandler’s makes everyone’s holiday more merry and bright.
The Westgate Hotel
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Discover even more magic this holiday season with family and friends at The Westgate Hotel in San Diego. The hotel’s halls will be decked with lights, tinsel, and other festive trimmings and provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable holiday.
The Westgate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining: Jingle and mingle while indulging in a four-course meal prepared by Executive Chef Fabrice Hardel in the charming Westgate Room. Dinner will be served starting at 5 p.m. on December 24 and at 11 a.m. on Christmas Day.
JRDN
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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 sunset on the Pacific
Bencotto
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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 feeling in the holiday mood. A must-try is the new Gnocchi ripiene al brasato AKA large gnocchi filled with braised beef. Bencotto will only be open on Christmas Eve, reservations are not required but are suggested.
Tryst Resturant
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TRUST Restaurant serves up seasonable and shareable plates that will make you feel merry & bright. New seasonal dishes include the Pork Shoulder with kale, rutebega, Tasso sauce, golden raisin, red beans and rice puff. Save room for dessert because you will want to devour the Bourbon Custard served with vanilla oak sorbet, toffee, orange and cherry. TRUST Restaurant will only be open on Christmas Eve.
Hundred Proof
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Hundred Proof is the ideal casual spot to gather with your friends and family this holiday season. Classic menu items include the Deviled Eggs with crispy chicken skin, pickled shallot, and chives. The Truffle Mushroom Mac N’ Cheese is the ultimate comfort dish with bone marrow, Gouda, and thyme. Don’t forget about the boozy signature milkshakes and try the New Mexican Hot Chocolate Milkshake with cinnamon, cayenne and churro bites on top. Hundred Proof will be open on Christmas Eve and seating is first come, first served. It is closed on Christmas Day.
Pacific Beach Shore Club
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Come celebrate Christmas at PB Shore Club from 5:00PM to close! Don your best holiday onesie or Christmas pajamas on Christmas day for half-off all drinks, including beers, wine and cocktails. Price: Free
No matter what you are looking for there is something for everyone on the list.
See you there!
