Under the Mistletoe cocktail. Image credit: Mastro’s
Christmas is just eight days away. Whether you’re looking to savor Peking Duck in an iconic red trolley car, dine at a century-old steakhouse, nibble while taking in gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, or experience a Michelin-starred meal, see below for a list of a few of our favorite Yuletide options.
Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills is a premier dining destination featuring white-glove service and live music, along with Japanese A5 Wagyu, Kobe beef, seafood towers, and much more. Mastro’s will be open on Christmas Eve from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Christmas Day from 2 to 9 p.m., serving the aforementioned dishes, along with caviar, Rabbi’s Daughter Bone-In Kosher Ribeye, luscious desserts, and their festive holiday cocktail, Under the Mistletoe. More info
Tucked into Burbank’s chic Hotel Amarano, FYC Bar & Kitchen is a hidden gem offering a three-course Christmas dinner for just $70 per person. Start with Butternut Squash Soup or Radicchio Cup Mushroom Salad; Apple Wood Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon with jumbo prawns, mashed potatoes, baby carrots & Brussels sprouts or Pistachio-Crusted Roasted Sea Bass with mashed potatoes, baby carrots & brussels sprouts – and desserts such as Chocolate Lava Cake, New York Cheesecake, Apple Tarte Tatin or Crème Brûlée – along with coffee or tea. More info
Open since 1939, West Hollywood’s iconic Formosa Cafe is open this Christmas Day and is offering a unique dine-in special: a whole Peking Duck served with Bao Buns, plum sauce, scallions, cucumbers, spicy mustard, and chives. The meal serves 2 to 4 and is $125. You can make a reservation on Open Table.
Celebrate Christmas right next to Santa Monica Beach at Shutters on the Beach. Enjoy a special menu for brunch and dinner at 1 Pico, the resort’s signature dining spot. The three-course prix-fixe brunch menu features dishes like Maine Lobster, Iberico Biscuit Benedict, Salmon Crudo, and more. The three-course Christmas Eve dinner features appetizers like Maine Scallops or Rustic Porcini Mushroom Soup, and entrees like Chilean Sea Bass, Prime Beef Filet, and more. Christmas Day dinner features starters like Amberjack Crudo and Butternut Squash Soup, and mains like Lobster Bolognese, Wagyu Short Rib, and more. More info
Celebrate Christmas Eve at Michelin-starred Kali. High-end yet approachable, Kali is located on Melrose, bordering Larchmont Village and Hollywood. Merging French and California techniques with top-quality local produce. Kali’s three-course prix-fixe Christmas Eve dinner, $165 per person, features Chicken Liver Mousse, Pickled Sablefish, Creamed Polenta, and Smoked Beetroot Salad; Bone-In Pork Chop with Spiced Apples, Stripped Bass with Cioppino Tomatoes, Roasted Tahitian Squash, and more; and finishes with Eggnog Gelato with Candy Cane Crumble and Cardamom Bitter Chocolate Truffles. Reservations can be made here.
Image credit: Formosa Cafe.
Burbank’s Castaway restaurant features stunning views of Downtown LA and the San Fernando Valley. A favorite for decades — particularly since its $10 million overhaul a while back — Castaway is now as noted for its food as for its views. Castaway’s elaborate four-course Christmas Day brunch begins with oysters, shrimp, and salmon tartare. Other options include Icelandic Salmon, Prime Rib or Lobster Benedict, and Nutella French Toast. Brunch is $105 for adults and $35 for children. A la carte dinner offerings are also available on Christmas Day. Learn more here.
Lumiere, the French brasserie at Fairmont Century Plaza, is open for dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Lumiere‘s elegant four-course Christmas meals, $125 per person, begin with a complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne, followed by an amuse bouche, a starter, a decadent dish like Lobster Thermidor or Slow-Braised Beef Cheek, and a special dessert. Reservations can be made here.
Delightful Mexican restaurant The Hideaway is open for brunch on Christmas Day. Tucked away beneath Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, The Hideaway features hues of pinks and greens, a four-sided fireplace, Cabo-esque vibes, and fun, diverse Mexican cuisine and cocktails. At Christmas Day brunch, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., savor dishes like Lobster Frittata, Chilaquiles with chicken or steak, Caldo Siete Mares, Belgian Waffles, and more. More info
Michelin-recommended, CUT by Wolfgang Puck features exquisite steaks and seafood. Located within the famed Beverly Wilshire Hotel, this contemporary steakhouse is open for Christmas Eve dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. CUT‘s special four-course, prix-fixe menu includes an amuse bouche, choice of an appetizer, entree, and dessert, plus tasty sides to share with your entire party. Reservations can be made here.
The beautiful Maybourne Hotel, located in Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle, is open for brunch on Christmas Day, and for dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Day brunch, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature shareable plates, roasted turkey, grilled seafood, crisp salads, and more. Dinner, served from 5 to 9 p.m., is an elegant, four-course affair. More info
THE Blvd., located at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, is open on Christmas Eve from 5 to 9:30 p.m., with live music from 6 to 9 p.m. The meal begins with smoked chicken broth, salad of poached pear, or tuna tartare. Then savor either maple-spiced glazed duck breast, Wagyu NY striploin, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, or Ora King Salmon. Complete your meal with Yule Log or Christmas Wreath (gingerbread, apple, brown butter, vanilla fluff, and pecans). For reservations, click here.
Image courtesy of The Maybourne, Beverly Hills.
THE Blvd. is also open on Christmas Day Live from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with live music from noon to 3 p.m. The three-course Christmas Day dinner includes celery root and vanilla soup with poached shrimp, a persimmon and cranberry salad, or citrus-cured Hamachi with yuzu broth. Proceed to your choice of glazed Cornish hen, beef wellington, beet and goat cheese tart, or miso-glazed sea bass. For dessert, select apple crumble cheesecake or Mont Blanc with smoked cream and rum chestnut. You can make a reservation here.
Three of the restaurants at the beloved Italian marketplace Eataly — Capri, Terra, and La Pizza and La Pasta — will be open on Christmas Day with special 3-course menus! The special menu at La Pizza and La Pasta is just $55 per person (kids are free on Christmas Day!) and includes an antipasto, a main dish, and panettone with homemade chocolate or mascarpone sauce. You can find more info here.
Over a century old, Tam O’Shanter is one of LA’s oldest and most beloved restaurants. A standout due to its Storybook Architecture, Scottish tartans throughout, and legendary status as one of Walt Disney’s favorite restaurants, the Atwater Village dining destination is open on Christmas Eve from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The limited holiday menu features dishes such as classic roasted turkey dinner with all the trimmings, pan-seared Scottish salmon, filet mignon, and more. Whiskey lovers will want to explore the Tam’s renowned whiskey selection. Christmas carolers will perform all day on Christmas Eve! More info
Skip cooking this Christmas and indulge in a decadent omakase meal at Nobu in West Hollywood this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Menu highlights include Toro Tartare with Kumomoto Oyster, White Fish Tiradito, Wagyu Short Ribs, and Apple Miso Butterscotch Bread Pudding. More info
An LA dining legend since its inception in 1938, Lawry’s The Prime Rib is open to holiday diners on Christmas Eve. Elegant and festive, Lawry’s will serve guests from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from a specially curated menu including roasted prime rib served tableside from silver carts, salmon Rockefeller, roasted Chilean sea bass, roasted butternut squash soup, and more. Find more info here
Open since 1964, all Black Angus Steakhouse locations are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Among the dishes available: Grilled Porterhouse, Crab Cakes, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and more. More info
Both locations of A.O.C. — West Hollywood and Brentwood — are open on Christmas Eve this year, serving Suzanne Goin’s regular menu, along with festive specials, including the famed Lucques Braised Beef Shortrib, Caviar and a celebratory seafood tray. More information
