The fantasy of hosting a fabulous Christmas feast is shattered by the limitations of the average San Francisco apartment: as many people live with cramped kitchens, unreliable ovens, and dining rooms that were converted to bedrooms in the 1980s, a restaurant Christmas looks better and better. That’s why Eater SF has created this list of the best 23 restaurants in the Bay Area that will open be on Christmas Day, including spots in San Francisco, the East Bay, and Silicon Valley. Of course, nearly all Chinese restaurants stay open on the holiday, but you don’t need us to tell you that.
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The 23 Best Bay Area Restaurants That Are Open on Christmas Day
These are the best restaurants to help you ring in the holiday

Akemi Japanese Restaurant
Cover your table in gyoza, tempura, sushi, grilled meats, ramen, and other Japanese dishes this Christmas. Akemi will be serving its usual a la carte menu for a no-stress affair. Details: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 to 9:30 p.m. Reserve here.
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Saul's Restaurant & Deli
Christmas day at Saul’s is a bustling, lively event — a mix between a jam session, a holiday bash, and a regular old day at the deli. Dance to the brassy tunes of a ten-piece Klezmer band, chat with the eclectic crowd, and of course, eat plenty of latkes, pastrami, and challah French toast. Details: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Zino
Zino, the Mediterranean restaurant inside Hotel Shattuck Plaza, will be open for dinner (regular menu), and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will serve a massive Christmas brunch buffet. Think oysters, charcuterie, cheese, hand-carved prime rib, lobster mac and cheese, and more. Oh, and bottomless mimosas. Details: It costs $79 for adults and $35 for kids 12 and under (plus a 20 percent mandatory tip). Reservations are recommended and can be made here.
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Bistro Boudin
You’ll find Bistro Boudin’s normal menu on Christmas Day, including loads of Dungeness crab dishes, like Dungeness crab mac and cheese and tamale-like crab avocado rolls. Details: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Fior D'Italia
Opt for Italian this Christmas at Fior D’Italia, where you can feast on Northern Italian specialties like pumpkin stuffed ravioli, tagliatelle alla bolognese, and a rack of lamb dusted with rosemary essence. Details: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Reserve here.
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Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse
Eat all the grilled meats you can handle on Christmas — Oakland’s Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse is offering its usual churrasco experience for lunch and dinner. Details: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 to 9:30 p.m. Reserve here.
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Yank Sing
Yank Sing will be serving its usual medley of dim sum specialties from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day, which means there will be plenty of steamed dumplings, tender pork buns, and xiao long bao for the whole family. Details: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Big 4
The Huntington Hotel’s Big 4 restaurant promises a prix-fixe Christmas menu that includes locally sourced seasonal ingredients as well as holiday nap inducers like black truffle risotto and an 8 oz. filet mignon. Details: Dinner is $140 per person, the menu is here, and reservations are required, and can be made by calling 415-771-1140.
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Café de la Presse
French staple Cafe de la Presse is offering a $95 five-course meal, starting with lobster bisque and winding down with a chocolate buche de noel. Details: Served from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended, and the full menu is here.
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Zingari
This Christmas, Zingari will be serving a three-course menu for $85, full of Italian specialties like osso bucco, grilled filet mignon, and crab agnolotti. Vegan, gluten-free, and children’s menus are available, too. Details: 1 to 10 p.m. Full menu here.
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MKT Restaurant and Bar
Expect a three-course feast with special holiday dishes at MKT Restaurant and Bar, the Four Seasons’ elegant steak and seafood restaurant. Details: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. with reservations here.
Fang
Upscale House of Nanking spinoff Fang will be serving its usual menu all Christmas Day long, including its traditional wok entrees, soups, and signature cocktails. Details: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., reserve here.
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Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
Nothing says festive like endless grilled meats carved table side, the highlight of a massive churrasco feast at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse. The San Jose location is also open. Details: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
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Sutro's
Sutro's window-filled dining room in the Cliff House looks over the Pacific Ocean, making for one of the best views you can hope for on Christmas Day. Sutro's will be serving a special menu for lunch and dinner, and while reservations are recommended, tables are reserved for walk-in customers who are willing to wait. Details: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., menu here.
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Tuba Restaurant
Dolmas, dips, kabobs, and other Turkish delights will make for a casual but abundant spread this Christmas at the Mission’s Tuba. Details: 5 to 10 p.m. Reserve here.
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Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
Two Wise Sons locations will stay open this Christmas, which means they’ll cook up breakfast for the entire family (so you don’t have to). Swing by in the early a.m. to pick up baked goods, deli treats, and of course, bagels. Details: Wise Sons at 3150 24th St. will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., while its location at the Contemporary Jewish Museum will open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
Downtown San Mateo’s Japanese barbecue spot will be grilling up meats all day. Details: 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Reserve here.
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British Bankers Club
For Christmas, Menlo Park’s tavern-plus-oyster-bar British Bankers Club will offer a yet-to-be-announced prix-fixe menu for lunch and dinner. Details: Noon to 9 p.m. Reserve here.
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Bevri
The Bay Area’s only Georgian restaurant will be open on Christmas, serving its usual menu of khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), khinkali (soup dumplings), and kebabs. Details: Open 5 to 10 p.m. Reserve here.
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Reposado
This sit-down Mexican restaurant is offering a special Christmas menu of small plates, entrees, and dessert. Details: Noon to 9 p.m. Menu here, reserve here.
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Madera
Find a four-course, family-style meal at Michelin-starred Madera for Christmas day or night. Details: It costs $165 for adults and $80 for children ages 12 and under. Reservations available from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Scratch
Scratch is serving a menu of American classics, and also boasts a lengthy wine list. Details: Noon to 9 p.m. Reserve here.
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Fairmont San Jose
Head to the hotel’s grand Imperial Ballroom for a lavish buffet including brunch favorites, Italian dishes, and more typical Christmas fare like roasted turkey and herb-crusted prime rib. Details: Tickets cost $125 per adults, with reservations made on a per-table basis.
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