Updated for 2023
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.
Featured Restaurant for Christmas Dinner 2023
Swiss Chalet at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel
2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067
The Swiss Chalet Dining Pop-Up Returns to Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel. Transport yourself to the Alps at our Après-Ski dining experience. Enjoy hearty Alpine favorites and delightful winter cocktails in our beautifully built wood chalets. Featuring cozy décor and all of the delicious tidings of an idyllic winter getaway! Open for a limited run from November 15 – December 31. View our menu and book your chalet here.
The Fairmont Century Plaza is an advertising partner.
Restaurants Serving Christmas Dinner in Los Angeles — updated for 2023
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 full bar.
Related: Things to do on Christmas Day in Los Angeles
Terranea Resort
100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
mar’sel Christmas Holiday Dinners at Terranea
Sunday, December 24, and Monday, December 25, from 5 to 9 p.m.
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining at Terranea Resort’s signature Four Star Forbes Travel Guide restaurant, mar’sel is offering a fabulous four-course gourmet feast. Including an Amuse Bouche of Blinis with caviar and crème fraiche, Grilled Persimmon served with burrata cheese, pistachio, frisée, balsamic glaze and mint, Lobster Bisque, crab and tomato bruschetta and basil, Tagliolini Sea Urchin with prawns, lemon zest and parsley, Braised Veal Cheeks with truffled mashed potato, mushroom and gremolata is served.
To complete this delicious celebratory meal is Yule Log with chocolate mousse roulade, chocolate sponge cake, cinnamon meringue and berry compote. $185 for adults, $82 for children (five to 12) exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations required.
catalina kitchen Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Brunch at Terranea
Sunday, December 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday, December 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
These special holiday brunches feature a Raw Bar, assorted breakfast pastries, build-your-own salad and seasonal salads, an antipasto platter, a crepe station with sweet and savory crepes, and a pancake bar. Holiday Entrees offer Caramelized Apple French Toast, Crawfish, Shrimp and Bay Scallop Etouffee, Korean BBQ Ribs, and Chicken Saltimbocca.
From the Carving Board, guests may choose Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Grilled Tomahawk Steak, Rack of Lamb, Whole Roasted Chicken or Andouille, Bratwurst, and Italian Sausage. For the sweet ending, there’s the visit to the Pastry and Dessert Station filled with tempting pastries and holiday treats.
Christmas Eve Brunch: $119 for adults, $45 for children (five to 12), and $20 for toddlers (two to four) exclusive of tax and gratuity. Christmas Day Brunch: $125 for adults, $53 for children (five to 12), and $20 for toddlers (two to four) exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner at catalina kitchen at Terranea
Sunday, December 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. and Monday, December 25, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Enjoy menu items like the festive Raw Bar, an Antipasto Platter, and Seasonal Salads, Entrees include Pan Seared Duck Breast with parsnip puree, Brussels sprouts and balsamic reduction, Pulled Pork Macaroni and Cheese, Seafood Jambalaya, Lobster Ravioli and Grilled Pork Chop with roasted winter vegetables.
From the Carving Board, guests enjoy Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Buttermilk Brined Turkey Breast, Cajun Spiced Tri Tip, and an Assortment of Sausages. From the Stone Oven, there are three pizzas – Pineapple and Ham, Chicken Alfredo, and Three Cheese. The luscious Chef’s inspired and seasonal Desserts abound: Pecan Bourbon Pie, Apple Cranberry Pie, Pumpkin Pear Pecan Pie, Gingerbread Bundt Cake, Apple Dried Fruit Strudel, Ginger Crème Brûlée, Winter Berry Fruit Tart, and more.
Christmas Eve Dinner: $119 for adults, $45 for children (five to 12), $20 for toddlers (two to four) exclusive of tax and gratuity Christmas Day Dinner: $125 for adults, $53 for children (five to 12), $20 for toddlers (two to four) exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Café Sierra
555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Los Angeles, CA 91608
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can enjoy an absolute feast at Café Sierra in LA as well as live holiday entertainment. They will be open for brunch from 11 a.m. – 2:00 pm. and dinner will be served from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The dinner menu will include an unlimited amount of king crab legs and whole Maine lobsters. There will be other seafood dishes available as well, including several sushi options, and you can choose delicious starters like New England clam chowder, smoked salmon, and autumn pear salad. For the main course, you can order filet mignon, roasted duck, Korean BBQ ribs, and more.
There’s a specialty menu with additional food choices like curry lamb chops, fried calamari, and sweet & sour chicken, to name just a few. And don’t forget to leave room for one of their dessert options like ice cream, cake, pie, or the chocolate fountain!
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. Menu highlights for Christmas Eve will include California quail, winter truffle risotto, Wagyu beef filet, and pear chocolate cake. For Christmas, some of the offerings include Christmas bread, jumbo shrimp cocktail Mexican style, Ora king salmon pave, and white forest cake.
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
One Ritz-Carlton Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629
- Christmas Day Holiday Buffet: Monday, December 25th, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Treat the family to a delicious holiday buffet.
- RAYA Christmas Day: Monday, December 25th, 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 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 frisee salad. Your choice of entrées includes roasted prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, and red wine jus or one of three other options — all with a variety of delicious accompanying side dishes. And finish up with a choice of dessert: Zinc bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake, or chocolate-gingerbread Christmas tree cookies. Price – $85 per adult and $35 per child.
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.
Sea Level Restaurant & Lounge Annual Christmas Feast
Shade Hotel, 655 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Sea Level Restaurant & Lounge will be throwing their annual Christmas Feast on December 24 from 4pm – 9pm and December 25 from 2pm – 8pm. Guests can enjoy a festive 4-course prix fixe meal including their choice of soup or salad, choice of Grilled Tiger Prawns, Ora King Salmon with Crispy Skin, Short Rib White Polenta Truffled Mushroom Ragu or Roasted Prime Rib and choice of dessert for a joyous dining experience overlooking the water. $85 per adults and $45 for children ages 10 and under. Reservations required and now open on Resy.
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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