• Posted byby Elle-Rose
  • Updated:
  • 8 minute read

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

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

To ensure you’ve got the perfect Christmas Day dining plans lined up, I’ve included plenty of ideas and inspiration in this list. You’ll find lots of different cuisines, and budgets too!

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!

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

Zingari Ristorante & Jazz Room

  • Website: https://www.zingari.com/
  • Address: ​501 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
  • Phone: +1 415 885 8850
  • Type of cuisine: Italian food

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 on this list, 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! 

Read more about San Francisco: 35 romantic date ideas in San Francisco

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

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 its 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

  • Website: https://www.lucewinerestaurant.com/
  • Address: 888 Howard Street #3011, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
  • Phone: (415) 616-6566
  • Type of cuisine: American and international food

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.

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

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

Diya

  • Website: https://diyasf.com/
  • Address: 25 Mason St. San Francisco, CA, 94102, United States
  • Phone: 415-644-8776
  • Type of cuisine: Indian food

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.

Their local approach also makes this place special. Always seeking to source their ingredients from local farmers’ markets, you know you’ll be getting the freshest possible food here. 

Read more about San Francisco: 16 of the best Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints

Image credit: https://diyasf.com/

Cocotte

  • Website: https://www.cocottesf.com/
  • Address: 1521 Hyde Street, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
  • Phone: (415) 292-4415
  • Type of cuisine: French food

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.

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

  • Website: https://www.spqrsf.com/
  • Address: 1911 FILLMORE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115, United States
  • Phone: (415) 771-7779
  • Type of cuisine: Italian food and wine bar

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.

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

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

Poesia

  • Website: https://www.poesiasf.com/
  • Address: 4072 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
  • Phone: (415) 252-9325
  • Type of cuisine: Italian food

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.

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!

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 that will cater to your every whim – we promise! 

Acquerello

  • Website: https://www.acquerellosf.com/
  • Address: 1722 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
  • Phone: 415-567-5432
  • Type of cuisine: Italian food

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 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, 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. 

Bistro Boudin

  • Website: https://www.bistroboudin.com/
  • Address: 160 Jefferson Street, Second Floor, San Francisco California 94133, United States
  • Phone: 415.351.5561
  • Type of cuisine: American food

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. 

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. 

Read more: Where are the best late-night restaurants in San Francisco?

BAIA

  • Website: https://www.baiasf.com/
  • Address: 300 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
  • Phone: (415) 861-0625
  • Type of cuisine: Italian food

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. 

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