Updated for 2024
Christmas means family. And families must eat. But if you’d rather not spend hours in the kitchen, there are plenty of restaurants all around Los Angeles that will be open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day that make lovely settings for memorable family holiday meals.
These restaurants will also make your Christmas dinner special, with some serving prix fixe meals, or offering seasonal cocktails to start your holiday off with a bang! And don’t forget to tip well, because the bottom line is, you won’t have to do dishes either, and that’s always worth a lot in our book!
If you’re searching for tamales for your Christmas meal, be sure to read our article on where to find the Best Tamales in Los Angeles.
Check out our list of places to get Christmas Dinner To Go this year and our awesome list of Things To Do on Christmas Day in Los Angeles.
Restaurants Serving Christmas Dinner in Los Angeles 2024
Christmas Day Buffet at catalina kitchen
Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Wednesday, December 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m., catalina kitchen presents a festive Christmas feast beginning with an elegant Raw Bar featuring Tiger Shrimp Cocktail, Fresh Oysters, Peruvian Scallops, Steamed King Crab Legs, Tuna Tataki, and Smoked Trout, along with Caviar Blinis. The Carving Station offers Roasted Prime Rib, Rack of Lamb, Honey-Glazed Ham, Roast Turkey Breast with cranberry sauce, and Roast Porchetta. Special holiday salads include Poached Pear and Gorgonzola with candied pecans, Truffle Caesar, and Grilled Peach and Burrata. Entrees range from Seared Scallops and Grilled Sea Bass to Lobster Ravioli, Filet Mignon, and Roasted Duck Breast. Desserts include Brown Sugar Pudding, Peppermint Brownies, Yule Logs, and Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake. Two festive cocktails, Blue Christmas and Winter Wonderland, will also be available. $150 for adults, $70 for kids (five to 12), complimentary for kids (two to four), exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations required.
mar’sel Christmas Dinners
Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, from 5 to 9 p.m., Chef Fabio Ugoletti pleases with a superb five-course gourmet holiday meal at a fanciful Four-Star Forbes Travel Guide restaurant – all set against a stunning oceanfront panoramic background. The Chef’s Five-Course Tasting Menu served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner will start with Seared Scallop, persimmon carpaccio, watercress, orange segments, and caviar. The second course is Lobster Bisque with poached oyster, broccoli florets, and crème fraîche and the next is Tagliolini Pasta accompanied by mushroom ragu, braised leeks, and black truffle. The fourth course delights with Veal Cheeks & Saffron Risotto with sauteed Brussels sprouts, kale, and gremolata. A delightful Rum Baba with Chantilly cream, exotic fruits, and chocolate sorbet ends this sumptuous feast. Special fine wines and holiday-themed cocktails will be available. mar’sel’s customary á la carte menu will also be available. $195 for adults, $85 for kids exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Related: Things to do on Christmas Day in Los Angeles
Genghis Cohen
740 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Christmas is Genghis Cohen’s biggest day of the year (it’s their Super Bowl, and it’s been reported in the past that they do more than 600 covers which roughly translates to some 800 egg rolls, 1,500 dumplings, and 500 quarts of soup), and this year dining in at the iconic LA restaurant is back. To-go orders are available on Tock. Additionally, they’ll be rolling out some special holiday cocktails to join their list of beer, natural wine, and a full bar.
The Belvedere
The Peninsula Hotels
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212
The Belvedere will be hosting a special Christmas Eve meal from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and on Christmas Day the meal will be offered from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Prix Fixe menu highlights for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will include duck leg confit, slow braised short rib, Santa’s milk and cookies, and Naturally Peninsula plant-based dishes. For Christmas, some of the offerings include Christmas bread, jumbo shrimp cocktail Mexican style, cider-brined turkey breast with all the fixings, and s’mores pie.
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
One Ritz-Carlton Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629
- Christmas Day Holiday Buffet: Wednesday, December 25th, 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Treat the family to a delicious holiday buffet.
- RAYA Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25th, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Celebrate with a three-course holiday menu.
zinc@shade at Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach
1221 N. Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Enjoy dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach. The menu includes starters of a dinner roll, amuse-bouche, and winter rainbow panzanella salad. Your choice of entrées includes roasted prime rib, creamy mashed potatoes, Romanesco florets, and roasted black pepper sause or one of three other options — all with a variety of delicious accompanying side dishes. And finish up with a choice of dessert: eggnog bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake, or Christmas assorted cake pops. Price — $95 per adult and $35 per child aged 10 and under. Reservations are required and are now open.
Sea Level Restaurant & Lounge Annual Christmas Feast
Shade Hotel, 655 North Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Sea Level Restaurant & Lounge will be throwing its annual Christmas Feast on December 24 from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. and December 25 from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. Guests can enjoy a festive 3-course prix fixe meal including starters of a dinner roll, amuse-bouche, and winter rainbow panzanella salad. Entrée choices include pan fry branzino, garlic herb prime rib, goldbelly honey-glazed ham, or polenta with wild mushroom ragu — all with accompanying sides. There are even three delicious dessert options for a joyous dining experience overlooking the water. $95 per adult and $35 for children ages 10 and under. Reservations are required and are now open.
Lumière
Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067
At the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, you can enjoy a special holiday meal on Christmas Eve from 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The menu will include “timeless French traditions with seasonal flavors” including wine pairings or cocktails to perfect each course. For Christmas day, from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., you can enjoy a prox-fixe menu of four courses including a glass of champagne to toast the holiday. Meal options include dishes like lobster thermidor or slow-braised beef cheek. Price: $125.00 per person, $65.00 for kids.
Corteza
The Ritz-Carlton, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90015
You can relax and eat a Christmas meal with a view and you won’t have to slave away in the kitchen first. Set on the 24th floor of the Ritz-Carlton in Los Angeles, Corteza is offering a three-course prix fixe Christmas menu. The first course includes, Parker rolls with cultured butter and castelfranco radicchio with roasted butternut squashed, shaved apple, pickled shallot, and Meyer lemon + pecorino dressing. The second course features prime bone-in ribeye with red wine sauce, whipped potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, and heirloom roasted carrots with an upgrade option of adding half a lobster. For the third course you can indulge in chocolate yule log with chocolate coffee, vanilla bean anglaise, and meringue. Meal price: $105 per person; wine pairing: $40 per person.
1 Pico
Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405
On Christmas Eve from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Christmas Day from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. you can eat at 1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach and leave the clean-up to them. On Christmas Eve they will serve a three-course Prix Fixe menu including appetizers like Rustic Porcini Mushroom Soup or Maine Scallops. Entrees are Organic Turkey, Chilean Sea Bass, and more. Save room for dessert because you can choose from Panettone Tiramisu, Blackberry Tart, or Chocolate Yule Log. Christmas Day Brunch or Dinner will also be a three-course Prix Fixe menu with mouth-watering dishes for everyone to enjoy!
Du-par’s
Original Farmer’s Market
6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Dine in at Du-par’s on Christmas Day, skip the cooking and clean-up at your own house, and spend more time enjoying the holiday. They will serve bourbon and brown sugar honey glazed ham with pineapple chutney and several side dishes or roasted turkey with all the trimmings. They’ll even have pie for dessert!
Whiskey Red’s
13813 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Enjoy a delicious Christmas meal with a view at Whiskey Red’s this year. They will serve a four-course brunch including choices like fried chicken and waffles or french toast. They’ll be open on Christmas Day from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Make your reservations online. Price: $70 for adults, $35 for children.
The Following Restaurants have not yet updated their information for 2024 — stay tuned
Sugar Palm
Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Swap the snow for the sand at Sugar Palm for a quintessentially coastal Christmas. A three-course prix fixe menu ($145 per guest or $100 for the vegan entrée) will be served under the palms at the restaurant, from 4 – 10 p.m. on December 24th and 25th. You’ll choose from menu items like: Roasted Honeynut Squash, Crab Cake Chowder, Winter Quinoa Salad, Cornish Game Hen, Diver Scallop, Osso Buco, and Vegan Al Pastor Tamale, accompanied by Creamed Corn, Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, or Roasted Garlic Potatoes. Dessert options are Cranberry Crumble, Banana Bombolini, or Vegan Kataifi Nest.
Christmas Dinner at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
44-400 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, CA 92210-9971
Merry CAVA Christmas
Monday, December 25, from 4 to 9 p.m.
With spectacular vistas of the Santa Rosa Mountains, local families and friends and destination holiday travelers will enjoy a most delicious, bountiful buffet at Renaissance Esmeralda’s signature restaurant, CAVA. Stations include charcuterie, seafood, pasta, soup and salad, entrees (such as Garlic Studded Prime Rib; Honey Glazed Ham; Herb Roasted Turkey with date stuffing and sage gravy; Vegetable Wellington made with puff pastry, mushroom duxelles, asparagus, peppers, spinach, pepper coulis), sides and of course, desserts. See their website for full menu details. Reservations available at (760) 836-1276. Cost is $99 per adult; $40 per child (ages six to 12); complimentary for ages five and under.
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