14 options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals in San Diego County

Christmas dining doesn’t have to feature the same predictable lineup of dishes straight out of a Hallmark movie.

San Diego County’s restaurants are stepping up with options such as corned beef fried rice, spiny lobster al ajillo, mussels with chorizo and truffle and mushroom rigatoni to make the season bright and delicious.

These are just a few of the options available for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals and holiday take out in 2025. Reservations are encouraged where available.

Christmas Eve

Ambrosio15: Known for its delicious pizza, Ambrosio15 is serving up an Italian menu for Christmas Eve. Start with an Italian seafood salad, followed by a lobster pasta with champagne sauce and a swordfish dish served also with mussels, tomatoes and basil. For dessert, the meal will be topped off with sweetbread and mascarpone, along with espresso or hot cocoa. 926 Turquoise St. Suite H, San Diego. $89 per person. ambrogiopacificbeach.com

Animae: Try a Filipino-style feast for Christmas Eve at Animae. This will include ube pandesal, kinilaw and hamachi for a shared starter. The second course will feature cucumber and green papaya salad, corned beef fried rice, lumpia, whole fried snapper, ginataang shrimp, lechon kawali and grilled short rib bistek. Guests will share chocolate and ginger profiteroles as well as an ube and coconut tart for dessert. 3 to 8 p.m. 969 Pacific Highway, San Diego. $110 per adult, $42 per child. 619-432-1225, animaesd.com/christmas-eve

Beginner’s Diner: The Lafayette Hotel is decked out in holiday magic, and even its diner is getting in on the holiday spirit. For $42, the Beginner’s Diner is serving a holiday plate with a confit turkey drumstick, pancetta green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cornbread and mac and cheese. 4 to 11 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. lafayettehotelsd.com

Callie: A restaurant of many accolades, Callie will start its Christmas Eve guests with a range of spreads, bread and other starters such as spiny lobster al ajillo. The main event will be white truffle gnocchi, cacio e pepe risotto and slow-roasted prime rib. Not to forget dessert, a butterscotch budino will be served and guests will be given “cookies for Santa” to take home. 5 to 9 p.m. 1195 Island Ave., San Diego. $110 for adults, $50 for children. 619-255-9696, calliesd.com

City Cruises: Here are some options to get out on the water for the holiday. On Christmas Eve, a brunch cruise will include cocktails and bottomless mimosas. On Christmas Day, birria-style chicken, a French toast bake and a kids station are on the menu, along with a visit from Santa. There are also options for dinner cruises on both days. 11 a.m. boarding times. $128 Christmas Eve. $142 Christmas Day. Pier 1 Hornblower Landing, 1800 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. 619-333-7192, cityexperiences.com/san-diego/city-cruises

Growlers Sports Bar & Tap Room: Inside the Gaylord Pacific Resort, Growlers is serving a taproom meal for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The double stack turkey smashburger with roasted poblano, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, onions and tomato jam will be served for $29. For dessert, guests can order a Christmas yule log. Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center, 1000 H. St., Chula Vista. marriott.com/en-us/dining/restaurant-bar/sange-gaylord-pacific-resort-and-convention-center

Piper: At the The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa, the restaurant Piper will serve a seafood buffet. Guests can also expect family favorites and chef-designed dishes and desserts. 2 to 8 p.m. Piper, The Seabird. $125 per adult, $55 per child age 6-12, free for kids ages 5 and younger. 760-512-3816, piperoceanside.com/event/savor-the-season

Serẽa: Here’s where to find seafood with a Spanish twist for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Serẽa will serve a range of a la carte options, such as mussels with Spanish chorizo, harissa butter, garlic shallots and sourdough for $32 and roasted lamb leg with soft pita and roasted garlic and yogurt for $62. For a sweet tooth option, strawberry bûche de noël will be served for $19. The restaurant’s full menu will also be available. Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. SereaSanDiego.com.

The Westgate Hotel: Those looking for an activity to do with friends or family before dinner can go to the Grinch’s Tea. There will be themed entertainment and photo opportunities in addition to a tea, sandwich and dessert offering. Adults will receive a glass of champagne and children will be given a gift to take home. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Versailles Ballroom, Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., San Diego. $65 for adults, $40 for children. westgatehotel.com

Christmas Day

Canvas Cafe & Lounge: Christmas Day can include a three-course meal, or individual orders, inside the Carté Hotel. First, a carmelized onion soup ($19) will be served. Second course is a surf-and-turf entree ($68). Finally, the meal will end with a s’mores dessert ($14). Call 619-546-9600 for a reservation. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carté Hotel, 401 West Ash St., San Diego. cartehotel.com/dining/canvas-cafe-and-lounge

El Torito: San Diegans can indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet on Christmas Day. The lineup will include tri-tip and a ham carving station, as well as Mexican entrees, menudo and pozole, a taco bar, bottomless mimosas and a dessert station. To top it off, guests can order bloody marys, micheladas, draft beers and house margaritas for $6. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. El Torito, 5024 Baltimore Drive, La Mesa. $44 for adults, $15 for kids. 619-698-7404, eltorito.com/open-christmas

Shores Restaurant: A holiday buffet at this seaside hotel will feature a lineup of classic dishes and coastal-inspired menu items. Noon to 7 p.m. Shores Restaurant, La Jolla Shores Hotel, 8110 Camino Del Oro, La Jolla. $95 per adult, $45 per person. 855-923-8058, ljshoreshotel.com/upcoming-happenings/

Take out

Monello: Available all month, including on Christmas Eve, this takeout series has three options for order. La Dolce Vita serves four to six ($180) or eight to 12 people ($320) with a salumi e formaggi board, creamy beef ragu, caprese salad, bread and mini cannolis. The Parma will serve four to six guests ($200) or eight to 12 ($360) with polpette, truffle and mushroom rigatoni, caesar salad and bread and mini cannolis. Bel Pease comes with meatballs, pizza margherita, penne with beef ragu, caprese salad and bread and mini cannolis for four to six people ($225) or eight to 12 ($380). Open Christmas Eve 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monello, 750 W. Fir St., San Diego. 619-501-0030, LoveMonello.com

Urban Plates: Family-style take away meals are available for pick up on Dec. 23 or Dec. 24, but must be pre-ordered by Dec. 21. A holiday strip loin roast meal for six to eight people includes mashed potatoes, two sides and bread for $239. A three-course family meal, which serves four, includes the options of chicken ($89), salmon ($99) or steak ($99) as well as salad, two sides and cookies for dessert. Located in Carlsbad, Del Mar, La Jolla and Mission Valley. urbanplates.com/location