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Caviar panna cotta at Quince
Bonjwing Lee

Where to Dine on Christmas Eve in the Bay Area

There’s family-style, prix fixe, a la carte, dishes showered in truffles, and more to choose from

by Ellen Fort Updated
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Caviar panna cotta at Quince
| Bonjwing Lee
by Ellen Fort Updated

Restaurants around the Bay Area are preparing for cozy, luxurious Christmas Eve dinners. Save up energy for the following morning by leaving the cooking to someone else and dine on dishes like Dungeness crab, caviar, roast goose, and more. Feast of the Seven Fishes dinners can be found around town, or go big with dry-aged prime rib, and truffles.

It’s recommended to make a reservation or call ahead; these special dinners often book up at the last minute.

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Acacia House by Chris Cosentino

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Christmas Eve brings a special menu to Acacia House, featuring a $98 prix fixe from chef Chris Cosentino. Roasted monkfish, sea urchin spaghettini, and negroni sorbet are highlights; dishes will also be available a la carte. Reservations are available between 5:30 and 9 p.m.

1915 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-9004
(707) 963-9004
Bob McClenahan

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Copita

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It’s the annual 12 Days of Tamales at Copita from December 12th through December 23. Head over the bridge for chicken and salsa verde tamales with cream, queso fresco, and cilantro or cochinita pibil tamales; each day is different so check ahead. The menu is available at lunch and dinner: buy one tamale for $8, or get a to-go order of 12 for $72 to feed the whole crew. Reservations are available online here.

739 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 331-7400
(415) 331-7400
Copita
Eater Archives

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A16

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A16 is hosting its yearly Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner with a $105 prix fixe. Feast on a seafoood-focused, family-style menu, with optional wine pairings. There will be limited availability for walk-ins at the bar.

5356 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 768-8003
(510) 768-8003
A16 Rockridge A16 Rockridge/facebook

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Copper Spoon Cocktails & Kitchen

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One of the very few late night Christmas Eve options is found at this quirky Oakland spot, where food specials like whole Dungeness crab and festive cocktails like a pink peppercorn hot toddy can be consumed from 5:30 p.m.- midnight.

4031 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 879-7061
(510) 879-7061
Copper Spoon

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Perle Wine Bar

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Join chef Rob Lam for a four-course meal with such decadent options as oysters with uni, foie gras, and salmon eggs; beef and bone marrow tartare; and duck a l’orange. Despite all the choices, there is just one for dessert: buche de noel. It costs $89, excluding tip and tax.

2058 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 808-7767
(510) 808-7767
Perle/Facebook

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Maybeck's

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In addition to the full menu, the restaurant’s famous beef Wellington will be on the menu, accompanied by its excellent list of Champagne and sparkling wine.

3213 Scott St, San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 400-8500
(415) 400-8500

Also featured in:

La Folie

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Russian Hill’s classic french restaurant will serve a special menu for $210 per person. Choose from luxurious dishes like lobster risotto or scallops with celery root puree, and end with a chestnut and whiskey buche de noel.

2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 776-5577
(415) 776-5577
La Folie Lounge La Folie Lounge/Facebook

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Quince

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For the ultimate, three-Michelin-starred holiday dining experience, gourmands can shell out for Quince’s $335 per person Christmas Eve tasting menu ($295 optional wine pairing). Cannelloni of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar with celeriac, beetroot, and horseradish, and Christmas rib of Wagyu beef with short rib red wine “crèpe”, wild mushroom and salsify “frites” are just a few of the dishes on the menu. Reservations start at 5 p.m.

470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 775-8500
(415) 775-8500
Matt Morris

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Lungomare

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More Feast of the Seven Fishes can be found at Lungomare in Jack London Square. Scallop and clam risotto, cioppino, and more can be found on the special holiday menu. The prix fixe menu is $65 per person with optional $85 wine pairings, with some a la carte dishes available.

1 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 444-7171
(510) 444-7171
Lungomare

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Barbacco

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Christmas eve lunch and dinner will be available at Barbacco with rich pastas like tagliata with seared nY strip, and grilled king trumpet mushrooms. Reservations can be made online here.

220 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 955-1919
(415) 955-1919
Barbacco Barbacco/facebook

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Top of the Mark

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There’s nothing more festive than staring down at the twinkling lights of San Francisco. Top of the Mark will serve a dinner buffet with a menu inspired by SF neighborhoods. “Fisherman’s Wharf” will include selection of fresh seafood, caviar, and oysters, while filet mignon, dim sum, sushi,and more will round it out. The $145 per adult and $65 per child ages 4 – 12; seatings are between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and reservations are required.

999 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 392-3434
(415) 392-3434
Top of the Mark

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International Smoke

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Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s SoMa restaurant will offer a buffet style menu for $85 per person (regular menu will not be available). Feast on an oyster raw bar, or smoked prime rib, honey glazed ham, ribs and all the sides.

301 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-7474
(415) 543-7474
Patricia Chang

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Café de la Presse

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Take a break from last minute shopping and indulge in a four-course prixe fixe for $95. From 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. dine on turkey roulade with black truffle and dried fruit stuffing, beef wellington, and more.

352 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-2680
(415) 398-2680
Cafe de la Presse/Facebook

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Bluestem Brasserie

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Bluestem will be open on Christmas Eve with its full menu and special holiday additions. Aunt Chrystl’s Austrian Punsch and other festive cocktails will be available, as well as all manner of holiday desserts from consulting pastry chef Lori Baker. Reservations can be made online here.

1 Yerba Buena Ln, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 547-1111
(415) 547-1111

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Chili House SF

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Take a break from egg nog and rich holiday sweets with fiery chicken with explosive chili peppers or poached fish with flaming chili oil. Chili house is open on Christmas Eve, offering its tableside Peking duck service (which requires a reservation 24 hours in advance). Over in Chinatown, sister restaurant Z & Y will also be open.

726 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 387-2658
(415) 387-2658
Chili House Chili House/Facebook

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Fiorella

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Italian hotspot Fiorella will serve a few special a la carte dishes for Christmas Eve: baccala stew with nduja, tonno scottato with Marla Bakery bread, squid ink spaghetti with Dungeness crab, and wood-roasted whole snapper with broccoli rabe.

2339 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 340-3049
(415) 340-3049
Fiorella Grace Sager

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Villon

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Surround yourself with the eclectic style of the Proper Hotel and dine on four courses at Villon. The menu includes ceviche and fennel salad and chorizo chowder with crab noodles, among other things. Dinner will be $90 per person, with optional wine pairings for $40. Reservations can be made online beginning at 5:30pm.

1100 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(628) 895-2040
(628) 895-2040
Patricia Chang

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Cockscomb Restaurant

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Dine on a prix fixe, family-style menu for $85 per guest at chef Chris Cosentino’s meaty SoMa restaurant. Four courses include dishes like baked oysters, Dungeness crab fregola, porchetta, and wine-barrel-smoked Liberty duck. Check out the menu here.

564 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 974-0700
(415) 974-0700

Rich Table

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Rich Table isn’t offering a special holiday menu, but it will be open for dinner from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Luckily the menu is plenty festive already, with items like tajarin with Perigord black truffle, brown butter, and chestnuts, and excellent cocktails to match. RT Rotisserie will also be open for a more casual dinner.

199 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 355-9085
(415) 355-9085
Eater Archives

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Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant

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The restaurant will open at 11:00 a.m. for lunch, with the last seating at 8:00 p.m. A la carte menus will be served all day, in addition to an $85 per person four-course menu with festive items like grilled beef and bone marrow bearnaise and smoked beat puree. A good option for out-of-towners; lunch will provide the best views though, as the sun sets early.

1000 Great Hwy, San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 386-8439
(415) 386-8439
Beach Chalet Beach Chalet/Facebook

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Canela Bistro & Wine Bar

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A special prix fixe menu will ring in the holiday with dishes like dry-aged prime rib with horseradish cream, and cracked crab with garlic, herbs, preserved lemon, and spices. The menu is $65 per person with optional wine pairings and a la carte dishes. The regular menu will also be available.

2272 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 552-3000
(415) 552-3000

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Locanda

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In keeping with Italian tradition, Locanda’s chef Melissa Reitz will serve an all-seafood dinner with a four-course, family-style meal. Dishes like sunchoke tortelli with Dungeness crab and wild nettles, and fantasia di pesce with grilled cod, manila and razor clams, Tomales mussels, gulf shrimp, smoky brodo, and pickled chili mayonnaise. Dinner is $150 per adult, $75 for children, and $72 for wine pairings (prices are all-inclusive of tax and gratuity).

557 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-6800
(415) 863-6800
Locanda

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Acacia House by Chris Cosentino

1915 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574

Christmas Eve brings a special menu to Acacia House, featuring a $98 prix fixe from chef Chris Cosentino. Roasted monkfish, sea urchin spaghettini, and negroni sorbet are highlights; dishes will also be available a la carte. Reservations are available between 5:30 and 9 p.m.

1915 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-9004
(707) 963-9004
Bob McClenahan

Copita

739 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965

It’s the annual 12 Days of Tamales at Copita from December 12th through December 23. Head over the bridge for chicken and salsa verde tamales with cream, queso fresco, and cilantro or cochinita pibil tamales; each day is different so check ahead. The menu is available at lunch and dinner: buy one tamale for $8, or get a to-go order of 12 for $72 to feed the whole crew. Reservations are available online here.

739 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 331-7400
(415) 331-7400
Copita
Eater Archives

A16

5356 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

A16 is hosting its yearly Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner with a $105 prix fixe. Feast on a seafoood-focused, family-style menu, with optional wine pairings. There will be limited availability for walk-ins at the bar.

5356 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 768-8003
(510) 768-8003
A16 Rockridge A16 Rockridge/facebook

Copper Spoon Cocktails & Kitchen

4031 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611

One of the very few late night Christmas Eve options is found at this quirky Oakland spot, where food specials like whole Dungeness crab and festive cocktails like a pink peppercorn hot toddy can be consumed from 5:30 p.m.- midnight.

4031 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 879-7061
(510) 879-7061
Copper Spoon

Perle Wine Bar

2058 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611

Join chef Rob Lam for a four-course meal with such decadent options as oysters with uni, foie gras, and salmon eggs; beef and bone marrow tartare; and duck a l’orange. Despite all the choices, there is just one for dessert: buche de noel. It costs $89, excluding tip and tax.

2058 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 808-7767
(510) 808-7767
Perle/Facebook

Maybeck's

3213 Scott St, San Francisco, CA 94123

In addition to the full menu, the restaurant’s famous beef Wellington will be on the menu, accompanied by its excellent list of Champagne and sparkling wine.

3213 Scott St, San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 400-8500
(415) 400-8500

La Folie

2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Russian Hill’s classic french restaurant will serve a special menu for $210 per person. Choose from luxurious dishes like lobster risotto or scallops with celery root puree, and end with a chestnut and whiskey buche de noel.

2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 776-5577
(415) 776-5577
La Folie Lounge La Folie Lounge/Facebook

Quince

470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

For the ultimate, three-Michelin-starred holiday dining experience, gourmands can shell out for Quince’s $335 per person Christmas Eve tasting menu ($295 optional wine pairing). Cannelloni of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar with celeriac, beetroot, and horseradish, and Christmas rib of Wagyu beef with short rib red wine “crèpe”, wild mushroom and salsify “frites” are just a few of the dishes on the menu. Reservations start at 5 p.m.

470 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 775-8500
(415) 775-8500
Matt Morris

Lungomare

1 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607

More Feast of the Seven Fishes can be found at Lungomare in Jack London Square. Scallop and clam risotto, cioppino, and more can be found on the special holiday menu. The prix fixe menu is $65 per person with optional $85 wine pairings, with some a la carte dishes available.

1 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 444-7171
(510) 444-7171
Lungomare

Barbacco

220 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Christmas eve lunch and dinner will be available at Barbacco with rich pastas like tagliata with seared nY strip, and grilled king trumpet mushrooms. Reservations can be made online here.

220 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 955-1919
(415) 955-1919
Barbacco Barbacco/facebook

Top of the Mark

999 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108

There’s nothing more festive than staring down at the twinkling lights of San Francisco. Top of the Mark will serve a dinner buffet with a menu inspired by SF neighborhoods. “Fisherman’s Wharf” will include selection of fresh seafood, caviar, and oysters, while filet mignon, dim sum, sushi,and more will round it out. The $145 per adult and $65 per child ages 4 – 12; seatings are between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and reservations are required.

999 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 392-3434
(415) 392-3434
Top of the Mark

International Smoke

301 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s SoMa restaurant will offer a buffet style menu for $85 per person (regular menu will not be available). Feast on an oyster raw bar, or smoked prime rib, honey glazed ham, ribs and all the sides.

301 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 543-7474
(415) 543-7474
Patricia Chang

Café de la Presse

352 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108

Take a break from last minute shopping and indulge in a four-course prixe fixe for $95. From 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. dine on turkey roulade with black truffle and dried fruit stuffing, beef wellington, and more.

352 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-2680
(415) 398-2680
Cafe de la Presse/Facebook

Bluestem Brasserie

1 Yerba Buena Ln, San Francisco, CA 94103

Bluestem will be open on Christmas Eve with its full menu and special holiday additions. Aunt Chrystl’s Austrian Punsch and other festive cocktails will be available, as well as all manner of holiday desserts from consulting pastry chef Lori Baker. Reservations can be made online here.