Sometimes, the best Christmas presents are restaurants open on Christmas Day. Leave the oven turned off and create a new Christmas tradition by dining in or taking out at one of the many highly regarded and scrumptious establishments in Los Angeles.
Sit back in holiday splendor and spend more quality time with your family while you leave your Christmas dinner to the professionals in the kitchen. Extra spare time might even appear on the Christmas clock since you won't need to prepare your mise en place, so embark on an exciting adventure after opening gifts from Santa and explore LA's fun things to do on Christmas Day.
From the best holiday lights in Los Angeles to free LA holiday and Christmas events, we've got loads of other ideas for yuletide fun this holiday season in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families.
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Delicious DTLA Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
1. The Palm — DTLA
Prime rib is a classic Christmas dinner, and The Palm has you covered for dine-in. The menu is centered around the prime rib and includes delicious side dishes like lobster gnocchi and jumbo-grilled asparagus.
2. Caldo Verde — DTLA
For a unique Christmas dinner, try Caldo Verde's California spin on Portuguese cuisine. Located at the LA Proper Hotel, Caldo Verde offers a prix fixe menu on Christmas featuring veal cutlets or a suckling pig, plus desserts paired with seasonal sides and wines. The dessert extravaganza will delight kids.
Canter's Deli is open night and day. Photo by David Liu, Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
Top Hollywood Restaurants Open on Christmas
3. Canter's Deli — West Hollywood
If you're craving a dozen bagels and someone to make you a pastrami sandwich, then you're bound to find something delectable on the very extensive Canter's menu. Canter's is open 24 hours on Christmas Day, so no matter when you want a nosh, it's here for you.
4. Palms Thai — Hollywood
Thai Elvis has left the building, but you don’t need to! Palm’s Thai has takeout and delivery for their expansive menu, which includes everything from kid-friendly Pad Thai to items from their “Wild Things Menu,” like Wild Boar in Curry, Frog with Green Peppercorns, or Spicy Chicken Feet Salad. Get a jump on your New Year’s resolution to be a little more adventurous!
5. The Hard Rock Cafe — Hollywood
Who says Christmas has to be fussy? Have a burger and kick back with a side of rock 'n roll after a chaotic morning of unwrapping presents. It's what your kids really want to eat, anyway.
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Order up an assortment of dishes that please even picky kids. Photo courtesy of Hummus Bar & Grill
Venture to a Valley Restaurant Open on Christmas Day
6. Hummus Bar & Grill — Tarzana
Sometimes, you just want something simple for Christmas dinner, and that's where Hummus Bar & Grill is perfect. This Israeli-inspired restaurant features entrees like kebabs, shawarma, skewers, and sides you'd expect, like falafel, baba ganoush, and hummus, of course. The restaurant is open for dine-in on Christmas, as well as takeout and delivery.
7. Castaway — Burbank
Burbank's Castaway has a Christmas special on December 24 and 25, with a four-course brunch from 11am to 3pm on Christmas Eve and 10:30am to 3:30pm on Christmas. There is an a la carte dinner menu with specials from 4-9pm on December 23 and Christmas Eve, and 4:30-9pm on Christmas. This hilltop restaurant offers more than just an incredible view of the Valley — its steak-forward menu is beloved by locals.
8. Odyssey — Granada Hills
Another hilltop Valley restaurant is Odyssey in Granada Hills. Much like Castaway, which is owned by the same restaurant group, Odyssey offers a holiday brunch. The four-course brunch is from 10:30am to 2pm on Christmas Eve and 9:30am to 3:30pm on Christmas. There is an a la carte dinner menu with specials from 5-8pm on Christmas Eve and 4:30-9pm on Christmas.
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How about a Fred Flintstone-sized rib for Christmas? Photo courtesy of STK Restaurant
Favorite Westside Restaurants Open on Christmas
9. STK Steakhouse Restaurant — Westwood
Whether you have a hankering for a porterhouse steak, turkey, lobster ravioli, or king salmon, this restaurant has high-end cuisine for parents and mac n cheese for the kids. If your young diner is a more adventurous eater, order them the lobster mac 'n cheese, which is as delicious as it sounds.
10. Calabra Restaurant & Bar — Santa Monica
How about a rooftop Christmas feast? Take in the views at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel and enjoy a delectable dinner featuring items like baked local halibut, lamb shank, and seared manouri cheese.
11. Whiskey Red's — Marina Del Rey
Why not take advantage of California's incredible weather and enjoy Christmas brunch on the water? Whiskey Red's in Marina Del Rey has a four-course brunch on Christmas in addition to an a la carte dinner menu.
12. Lillie's — Culver City
Lillie's in downtown Culver City at The Culver Hotel offers Christmas Eve and Christmas Day specials from 4pm-8pm each night. Christmas Eve dinner revolves around prime rib, while on Christmas Day, the multi-course meal with seasonal specials.
Family-Friendly Orange County Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
13. McCormick & Schmick's — Anaheim
If Santa catches a tailwind, you might spot him stopping off here to pick up some oysters; decadent seafood is plentiful on the holiday menu here. This year, the restaurant will offer a prix fixe menu on Christmas and Christmas Eve, which includes your choice of salmon, striped bass, lobster, or filet mignon.
14. Saddle Ranch Chop House — Orange & West Hollywood
There’s surf, turf, salads, wraps, and a simply stellar kids' menu. Choose from small plates to more substantial steaks and specialties.
Restaurants Open on Christmas with Multiple Locations
15. Buca di Beppo — Multiple locations
Mangia, Mangia! Buca di Beppo’s crowd-pleasing family-style Italian dinners are a sure bet on Christmas Day.
16. Gaucho Grill — Downey, West Covina, Buena Park & Pasadena
Try something that’s (perhaps) a little different: Argentinian food. Gaucho Grill serves it up with chicken, steak, fish, morcillas, and mollejas. Complement your meal with a glass of boutique Argentine wine. Christmas Day is a busy one at most Gaucho Grill locations, so make your reservations early!
17. Chart House Restaurant — Redondo Beach & Dana Point
Steaks, seafood, and ocean views—what could be better? Take a walk on the beach to work up an appetite before dining in or picking up your order. Yum!
18. Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse — Beverly Hills, Downtown LA, Pasadena, & Irvine
Try Brazilian seafood, steaks, and more; all locations are open on Christmas Day. If you'd rather enjoy their delicious Brazilian fare from the comfort of your home, the restaurants offer takeout or delivery available for preorder.
19. Ruth’s Chris Steak House — Woodland Hills & Marina Del Rey; Pasadena, Irvine & Anaheim
Order surf, turf, or a combination from the decadent menu. Or, place an order for pick up. The dine-in menu on Christmas is prix fixe with your choice of starter, steak & shrimp, or surf & turf as the entree, sides, and dessert.
20. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ — Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, & Burbank
Here, you can cook your own food to perfection without any shopping, prep, or cleanup! Choose from the Yakiniku Holiday Magic menus, which serve two to 12 people.
21. Morton's The Steakhouse — Burbank, Beverly Hills, Downtown, Anaheim, & Santa Ana
Why not have a decadent Christmas dinner? You deserve it. Chateaubriand and a winter salad are on Morton's Christmas menu, along with sides like baked corn souffle, sour cream mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. For dessert? You'll have to make the tough choice between White Chocolate & Pecan Bread Pudding or Bruléed Cheesecake with Dark Cherry Compote. If the Christmas meal doesn't strike your fancy, the full dinner menu will still be offered.
Happy Holidays—We hope you have yourself a merry little Christmas!
Originally published December 11, 2013. Updated by Matt Matasci