California, Christmas travel, Food, San Francisco, USA

15 Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in San Francisco – Perfect for Christmas Day dinner!

October 24, 2022

Are you looking for the perfect restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco? If so, keep reading!

If you’re looking for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco, then hopefully this list will give you plenty of inspiration for where to eat your Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

We’ve included lots of options in our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco, so there’s something for everyone and every taste!

To ensure you’ve got the perfect Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco lined up!

Whether you’re looking for something traditionally Christmassy, or something a little unique – this list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco, should have something for you!

Top tip! San Francisco is pretty busy during Christmas, so be sure to book your Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco ahead if you can!

Whilst some of these restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco may not require a booking, most will!

So, let’s get into it!

Reminder: Whilst we try to be as accurate as possible, we are human! Some restaurants will change their opening hours for holidays with little notice. We will check sites like Open Table to verify, but we always recommend checking and reserving yourself ahead of the day!


Here are our top choices for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco, for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco!


Zingari Ristorante & Jazz Room

Zingari Ristorante & Jazz Room is one of the most popular restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco (and it’s easy to see why!).

As one of the bougier restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco, you can expect to pay slightly more for a meal here than you typically would for Italian food.

However, we promise that the rooftop views and awesome décor are well worth it. 

Service starts at 12pm and ends at 9.45pm on Christmas day, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the festivities at Zingari if you choose to book this place for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Although there are a la carte options available, we highly recommend sticking to the three-course menu.

For $90 per person, it’s not cheap, but not out of reach for most either! It’s another great choice for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco.

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Image credit: https://www.instagram.com/zingarisf/

Mastro’s Steakhouse

Next on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco, it’s Mastro’s Steakhouse.

If you’re on the hunt for classic steak and seafood at Christmas this year, you can’t do better than Mastro’s Steakhouse for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Recognized for their incredible service, live entertainment, and elegant décor, this is one of the restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco that’s a guaranteed winner.

With shrimp cocktail, wagyu chops and amazing Chilean sea bass on the menu, you’ll be spoiled for choice for this Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco! 

Before you get too excited, we thought we’d warn you that there is a dress code at Mastro’s.

Therefore, don’t expect to be seated if you rock up in your reindeer pajamas. Just keep things smart and you’ll be fine! 

Read more about San Francisco: 20 amazing dessert places in San Francisco!

Image credit: https://www.instagram.com/mastrosofficial/

Luce

The next place on our list of the top 15 restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco?

It’s Luce! This award-winning eatery serves up contemporary American food with an international twist. It’s a great place for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

So, expect to find dishes like blue fin tuna, wild Alaskan halibut, and pistachio crusted duck on the chef’s tasting menu. The menu isn’t enormous, but we always feel a concise menu means quality over quantity! 

If you’re partial to a drink or two, we recommend perusing Luce’s drinks menu.

Featuring top-class wines, beers, and cocktails, you’re sure to find something that you love. It’s a great pick for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco.

Read more about San Francisco food: Top 15 upscale restaurants in San Francisco 

Image credit: https://www.lucewinerestaurant.com/

Diya

Diya has been one of the top restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco for years.

Not only is it ideally located on Mason Street, but it serves up some of the best Indian and Nepalese food in the city.

Having over 20 years of experience in the industry, this restaurant promises you’ll have an incredible time in its care, and it’s an ideal place for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

The food here speaks for itself, but another reason for this being one of the best restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco is their local approach.

Always seeking to source their ingredients from local farmers’ markets, you know you’ll be getting the freshest possible food here. 

Rejoice all! We think you’ll love this place for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco.

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Image credit: https://diyasf.com/

Cocotte

Cocotte is our next suggestion for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco for a great choice for Christmas dinner in San Francisco.

If you’re looking for amazing food and a sprinkling of wonderful jazz music, then you’ll adore the vibe at Cocotte.

This place is minimalistic and modern but feels like a cut above the competition with its gorgeous, heated patio and classy décor. 

. If you’re looking for amazing food and a sprinkling of wonderful jazz music, then you’ll adore the vibe at Cocotte.

This place is minimalistic and modern but feels like a cut above the competition with its gorgeous, heated patio and classy décor. 

In terms of food, you can expect classic French cuisine like filet mignon and Coq au Vin to feature on the menu.

If you fancy a sweet treat to cleanse your palette from all the savory goodness, then try the famous banana crème brulee or delicious apple tarte tatin to finish.

Both equally delicious, there are truly no wrong choices here, it’s a great pick for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco.

Read more about San Francisco food: 15 restaurants open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco


Villon

Villon is next on our list of restaurants serving up Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Serving up stylish American fare, Villon is one of the fanciest restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco.

Seriously, we’re not joking – the kitchen is run by Executive Chef Jason Fox who just so happens to have a Michelin star! 

There are several highlights at Villon, but the Mussels and Chorizo dish is a particular crowd-pleaser. This place is a really modern choice for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

With a vibrant cocktail menu and incredible atmosphere, this is one of the restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco that’s sure to impress. 

Image credit: https://www.properhotel.com/san-francisco/restaurants-bars/villon/

SPQR

SPQR is another great pick for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco, and it’s a perfect pick for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Another incredible Michelin star restaurant that we love is SPQR.

Ideal for the festive season with its cozy and casual vibe, this is one of the restaurants open on Christmas in San Francisco that will remind you of chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

A gorgeous, cosy vibe for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Let the incredible chef shower you with chicory Caesar salads, Yukon Gold potato and cream gratinate, and delicious herbed NY strip. Of course, we don’t recommend literal showering, but you get the gist! 

Featuring star ingredients and always immaculately presented, the dishes at SPQR will take your breath away this Christmas. It’s definitely one of the best restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco.

Read more about San Francisco restaurants: Top 12 restaurants for Christmas Eve dinner in San Francisco

Image credit: https://www.spqrsf.com/

Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco: Poesia

If you love Italian food, then you’ll love our next recommendation for restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco.

Poesia is the pinnacle of fine dining in the city, so you better turn up wearing your festive best!

Although this place is undeniably posh, the owner of Poesia aims to have his guests feeling as welcome as possible. Injecting color and vibrancy into both his décor and food, restauranteur Francesco offers only the best.

This place won’t disappoint for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Simply order, relax, and prepare to feel right at home. It’s a great choice for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco.

Read more about San Francisco: 30 things to do in Union Square, San Francisco


Benihana

Switch things up this Christmas with some fresh sushi and steak at Benihana!

Known as one of the best restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco, this Hibachi chain will see you wined and dined to your heart’s content. Another great place for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Like many Japanese steakhouses, you’ll be seated at a communal Hibachi grill table where you’ll see the chefs working their magic in real time. 

Whether you fancy classic teppanyaki or want to feast on sushi, this is one of the restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco that will cater to your every whim – we promise! 


Acquerello

Next up on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco, it’s Acquerello.

Italian restaurants are all the rage in San Francisco and are a perfect pick for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

So, perhaps unsurprising that we’ve got another excellent recommendation to share with you!

This is one of the best restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco that’s all about fine dining, so if you’re fancying lobster maccheroni, aged prime rib, or the bougiest Caesar salad you’ve ever seen, then this is an excellent place to visit on Christmas day.

You will certainly need to book in advance to stand a chance of being seated, so don’t sleep on calling Acquerello for a reservation. 

This is a great place for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Image credit: https://www.acquerellosf.com/

The Garden Court

The Garden Court is one of the most stunning restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco, and it’s next on our list for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

This place draws in visitors from all over the world!

Located in the Palace Hotel, this luxurious restaurant provides the perfect backdrop for Christmas snapshots with its stained-glass dome and marble columns.

Although you won’t find huge portions here, the delicate plates are certainly worth trying. 

We think you’ll love this place if you’re looking for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco.


Bistro Boudin

Are you on the hunt for restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco that are on the casual side?

If so, you’ll love Bistro Boudin. It’s another great place for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Located right on the waterfront, this wonderful restaurant offers diners traditional American cuisine, regional wines, and awesome service.

Although the views here are spectacular, it’s the food that keeps diners coming back.

The oyster bar and fresh pizzas are only a fraction of the dishes available for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco, meaning there’s something on the menu at Bistro Boudin for every palette. 

Bistro Boudin is another great pick for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco.

Image credit: https://www.bistroboudin.com/

Franciscan Crab Restaurant

Sensational views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge await you at the Franciscan Crab Restaurant, which makes it a top choice for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

Known as one of the best restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco, this reasonably priced restaurant is ideal for families on a budget. 

Offering Dungeness Crab, fresh oysters, and steamed mussels to its hungry diners, this foodie haven is ideal for seafood fans. 

This is a great choice for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco

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Scopo Divino

Next on our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco, it’s Scopo Divino.

Those hanging around Lower Pac Heights this Christmas absolutely need to check out Scopo Divino. Although this spot is technically an upscale wine bar, it also happens to serve up amazing New American bites.

We don’t necessarily recommend this as one of the restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco to visit if you’re looking for a full meal, but the combination of cocktails and light bites is perfect for an after-lunch soiree or Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco. 

Should you need a meal at home though, we’re happy to say that this is one of the restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco that offers a whole roasted duck for Christmas!

Paired with fingerling potatoes and other incredible sides, you can grab this amazing feast to-go and save yourself the hassle of cooking this year.

It’s a perfect place for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.


Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco: BAIA

If you’re plant-based and are looking for viable restaurants open on Christmas day in San Francisco, then you need to check out BAIA.

It’s a great place for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco.

This trendy eatery has the most elevated plant-based Italian menu that we’ve ever seen, and even meat lovers are sure to appreciate the nuances seen in the dishes available here. 

Among the top picks at BAIA are lasagna, risotto al funghi, and ravioli.

However, if you’re craving a sweet treat to round off your Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco, why not give the chocolate torta or tiramisu a whirl?

Both are fully plant-based (believe it or not!) and are as decadent and creamy as the real deal. This is a perfect choice for restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco!

Image credit: https://www.baiasf.com/

Hopefully this list of restaurants open on Christmas Day in San Francisco has given you plenty of ideas for Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco!

San Francisco is a great city to celebrate Christmas, and we hope you’ve found the perfect place to eat Christmas Day dinner in San Francisco from our list of suggestions!

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