Christmas Eve Dinner in San Francisco 2017

Traditional & Non-Traditional Options All Around Town

You will find a variety of options for Christmas Eve dinner in San Francisco in 2017. A few dozen restaurants are offering special meals for the holiday. Others are open and allow you to order off their regular menu.

You will find some of my top picks below. You will also find some other great ideas for an unforgettable day in SF.

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Christmas Eve Dinner in San Francisco

Here are a few of the best places to find Christmas Eve Dinner in San Francisco.

ANZU: Choose from 4 different entrees including turkey, braised short ribs, vegetarian eggplant, and butter poached lobster risotto, seating from 5:30pm to 9pm

Beach Chalet: Open for lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve, visit their site for reservations

Biscuits & Blues: Open Christmas Eve for dinner and a show (7pm and 9:30pm featuring Gospel Christmas with John Lee Hooker Jr.)

Cafe de la Presse: Open for Christmas Eve dinner from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, 3-course meal for $95 per person, main dishes include a selection from rack of lamb, alaskan halibut, and grilled beef tenderloin, reservations at (415) 398-2680

Cliff House: Three dining options
1. The Bistro: Open for walk in only for Brunch/Breakfast from 8:30am to 3:30pm, Dinner from 4:15pm to 9:30pm
2. Sutro's at the Cliff House: Open by reservation for lunch from 11am to 3:30pm and dinner from 5pm to 9:30pm
3. Terrace Room Champagne Brunch: 10am to 4pm with two hour seatings at 10am, 12pm and 2pm, reservations only
4. Visit their site to book your table

Cocotte: Prix fixe menu

Crown Room at the Fairmont in Nob Hill: Seatings at 3:30pm & 6pm, $119 for adults and $69 for kids under 12

Luce, Interncontinental: 3-course prix fixe from 5pm to 9pm

Michael Mina: 3-course prix fixe with choices for $135

Ruth's Chris Steak House: Open from 2pm to 9pm, located on Van Ness

The Big 4 at The Scarlet Huntington: Prix fix menu, seating from 4pm to 10pm, $145 for adults and $72.50 for kids under 12

Zingari Ristorante: 3-course meal for $75 per person, 3pm to 10pm, special children's menu is also available

Secure your spot early, by booking a table on OpenTable.com.

All Shows on Christmas Eve

There are a few additional great shows this year that you can enjoy either before or after your Christmas Eve dinner in San Francisco. They include shows such as Aladdin and SF Ballet's The Nutcracker.

Best Places to Stay

There are more than 300 hotels in San Francisco. You will also find plenty of apartment rental options. If you are still looking to book your stay for Christmas Eve, check out these pages to learn more about where to stay, to find the best deals, and where you can find recent guest reviews to ensure the one you select is right for you.

Fisherman's Wharf Hotel Recommendations | Where to Stay in Union Square

Not sure which district is right for you? Check out my page that explains the pros and cons of staying in each district.

More Fun Things to Do on Christmas in SF

Christmas SF Christmas is a very special time for many folks around the world, and spending it in San Francisco can make it so much more memorable. Although several attractions are closed on December 25, you'll still find plenty to do.

You can sightsee on a fun tour of the Golden Gate Bridge or cruise the SF Bay, take a stroll in the one-of-a-kind Botanical Garden, share a nice meal at one of the city's best restaurants, and much more.

>> Fun ideas for spending Christmas in SF

Where to See Christmas Lights

Union Square At this time of year, San Francisco always comes aglow with warm, colorful Christmas lights and other decorations. Whether you're surrounded by downtown buildings, in the residential neighborhoods, or by the waterfront, you can't help but notice the holiday cheer everywhere around you.

However, there are a few places in particular whose displays are especially worth visiting, including Pier 39, Union Square, the SF Zoo, local favorite Tom & Jerry's, City Hall, and many others.

>> Insider tips for viewing SF's best holiday decorations

What Closes Early

Aquarium SF While many San Francisco attractions will be closed on Christmas Day, most will be open on Christmas Eve, but some with shorter hours than usual. Several museums, like the Exploratorium and the Aquarium by the Bay, close a few hours early. (Many stores, on the other hand, stay open later on this day for last-minute shoppers.)

Other attractions, like Lombard Street and the Palace of Fine Arts, are of course open to the public all day everyday, so you can enjoy them at your leisure. Be sure to check the holiday schedule before you make your plans!

>> Get the Christmas Eve and Day schedule for ALL the major attractions

Things to Do on New Year's Eve

NYE If you'll be sticking around to ring in the new year in San Francisco, you'll be thrilled by all your fun options for NYE. You could head to the Embarcadero to watch the annual fireworks display over the bay, dance the night away at one of the many 21+ clubs or party boats, go out to an elegant dinner, or enjoy a comedy show, among other things.