Christmas Dinner in San Francisco

Where to Grab a Traditional and Non-Traditional Meal with Family

You will find plenty of options for Christmas Dinner in San Francisco. My recommendations include everything from traditional meals to those serving off their regular menu.

Since this holiday is always extra busy, I recommend booking your table early.

In addition to my recommendations, you will also find some other fun things to do with your entire family all day long.

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Christmas Brunch & Lunch Ideas

Many restaurants are still finalizing their menus, so I'll add more as they are annouced. Here are just a few to get you started.

Cliff House: Three options
- The Bistro: Walk in only, no reservations, 8:30am to 1:30pm, serving breakfast and lunch
- Sutro's: Christmas menu from 11am to 9:30pm, call for reservations at 415-386-3330
- Terrance Room: Champagne brunch, call for reservations 415-386-3330
Fairmont Hotel: Two options for Christmas Brunch, contact them at 415-772-5144 for reservations
- Crown Room, seatings at 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm, $155 for adults and $89 for children under 12
- Laurel Court, buffet from 11am to 8pm, $99 for adults, $59 for children under 12

Christmas Dinner in San Francisco

There are dozens of restaurants open for Christmas Dinner in San Francisco. These are a few of my top picks this holiday season.

ANZU: Christmas Day buffet, 2pm to 8:30pm, turkey, duck, salmon, salads, and all the fixings

Big 4 at The Scarlet Huntington: 4pm to 8pm, $145 per person, $72.50 for kids under 12

Biscuits & Blues: A non-traditional dinner with Southern dishes, shows at 7pm and 9:30pm (Gospel Christmas with John Lee Hooker Jr)

Cafe de la Presse: Open for dinner from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, special Christmas Dinner in San Francisco, 3-course prix fixe with options including Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Baked Alaskan Halibut, and Rack of Lamb, $95 per person, call (415) 398-2680 to book a table

Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse: Feast with steak, bone-in cuts, and exclusive holiday recipes, dinner prices all day

Park Chalet Coastal Beer Garden: Open all day for lunch and dinner, visit their site for reservations

Ruth's Chris Steak House: Steakhouse on Van Ness, serving from 12pm to 8pm on Christmas Day

Zingari Ristorante: 3 course menu for $75 per person, serving from 3pm to 10pm, children's menu available too

Make sure you book a table as soon as possible, as restaurants fill up quickly. The easiest way to book your table is through OpenTable.com.

Half-Priced Christmas Day Tours & Activities

Make sure to explore the city either before or after your Christmas Dinner in San Francisco. Here are a few options that are available at up to 50% off that day.

Muir Woods Expedition: Leave SF at 7:40am on Christmas morning for a walk through Muir Woods Park, this half-day tour offers a ride to and from Muir Woods as well as a few other stops along the way, find discounted tickets on Goldstar

Hop On Hop Off Tour: 24-Hour Tour around SF with stops at all major attractions, many are open on Christmas Day so you can spend your time exploring, find discounts on Goldstar

Other Christmas Day Tours

Though some attractions may be closed on Christmas Day, you can still do plenty of exploring by taking a tour. Pick from several different San Francisco adventures offered that day. Just imagine, your holiday will be especially memorable if you cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, take a cruise out on the beautiful bay waters, or soar over the city in a helicopter.

Golden Gate Bridge Biking Tour: Starts at 10am, check ticket availability

Golden Gate Bay Cruise: 60-minute cruise around the bay, leaves several times on Christmas Day from Fisherman's Wharf, check ticket availability

Helicopter Tour with Lunch in Sausalito: 20-minute flight over SF and the Bay with a 3-course Italian lunch in Sausalito, check ticket availability

Attractions Open on Christmas Day

Though December 25 is a federal holiday, many attractions are still open on Christmas Day, so do not hesitate to get out and see the sights! You can take a stroll in the lovely SF Botanical Gardens or the Japanese Tea Garden. You can also tour the Golden Gate Bridge, visit Pier 39 or the SF Zoo.

Other options include a chance to wander around the open attractions like crooked Lombard Street, the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square, or the Palace of Fine Arts. Make sure to click the link below to confirm any special holiday schedules for an attraction you are interested in before making plans.

>> See the full list of attractions that are open or closed for Christmas

Christmas in San Francisco

Christmas in SF Christmas is a lovely time to be in San Francisco, as nothing closes due to snow; rather, it is usually sunny but crisp out, and perfect for a stroll around town. Take in the holiday decorations as you explore the Mission district's murals or the shops at Pier 39. Up until Christmas Eve, you could also catch a holiday show like The Nutcracker ballet, A Christmas Carol, or Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris.

Click below for many more ideas on where to eat and what tours to take.

>> More ideas for how to spend Christmas in San Francisco

Christmas Eve Dinner

Christmas Eve Dinner Now that you've seen my recommendations for Christmas dinner in San Francisco, check out another set of restaurants and special menus that will be offered the day before.

Many folks are busy doing Christmas shopping up until December 24, so it's a nice treat to take a break and go out for a Christmas Eve dinner. Many stores and restaurants will still be open until the last minute, so you have a great variety to choose from.

>> More ideas for Christmas Eve Dinner