Beauty + Fashion
Ashley Joy Parker
Where To Dine & Drink In LA This Christmas
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
- December 21, 2023
Sip, Savor & Celebrate The Holidays.….
Cooking for the holidays can be frightful, but dining out is so delightful. Whether you are spending the yuletide season with family, friends or rolling solo, LA is stacked with dining destinations eager to share their merry menus with festive foodies and jolly imbibers.
So this year, skip the headache of your kitchen and head out to one of these beloved LA restaurants on Christmas Eve. (Some are even open on Christmas Day). The best part? No clean up required. Now that’s a true Christmas miracle.
Related | Festive AF: Holiday Bars In LA
TWELVE TWELVE – SANTA MONICA
Celebrate the twelve days of Christmas all rolled into one festive Christmas Eve at Twelve Twelve Santa Monica. New Executive Chef Oliver Malmsten is cooking up a festive feast this Christmas Eve that will leave Santa wanting more featuring Crostinis, Beef Tartare, Oysters Rockefeller, Italian Meatballs, Seafood Spaghetti di Gragnano, Wild Boar Tagliatelle, and Bistecca Alla Ribeye. Santa’s elves love their sweets so dessert will be the perfect present, including Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding, Cannoli Siciliani and Chocolate Lava Cake.
Twelve Twelve’s menu is meant to pair perfectly with a bottle of wine from their award-winning wine list, and full cocktail list, where dining at Twelve Twelve Santa Monica on Christmas Eve is sure to become a special new tradition for the entire family.
Twelve Twelve Santa Monica will be open for Christmas Eve Dinner, Sunday Dec. 24, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm; Twelve Twelve Santa Monica will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25.
1212 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica
@1212santamonica
Reservations: HERE
HANK’S – PALISADES VILLAGE
Ho ho ho and head to Hank’s at Palisades Village this Christmas Eve and celebrate during the day while enjoying a very happy holiday brunch or join Santa and sit and savor Executive Chef Isaias Peña’s signature menu, including his award-winning Hank’s Single and Double Diamond Burger, sandwiches, signature dishes, sides and desserts. Then on Christmas Day, indulge in Hank’s Christmas Brunch, including Chef Peña’s small plates, signature brunch dishes, desserts and more. Guests can also toast to enjoying some good holiday cheer with a complimentary egg nog, one (two, or three) Hank’s cocktails, Coravin poured wines, draft or bottled beers, boozy shakes or floats to make sure all spirits are bright this season.
Hank’s Palisades will be open on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
1033 N. Swarthmore Avenue, Pacific Palisades
@hankspalisades
Reservations HERE
MI PIACE – PASADENA
Celebrate Christmas Eve with a big Italian family feast at Mi Piace. Executive Chef Gil Saulnier is preparing Christmas specials this Christmas Eve featuring Italian treats to satisfy everyone, including Santa. Guests can enjoy Mi Piace’s signature menu with items such as the Ravioli con Salsiccia with sautéed mild Italian sausage, wilted broccolini, sundried tomatoes, sliced garlic and white wine finished with Pecorino cheese; Grilled Double Lamb Chops prepared with a Port wine demi-glace and roasted Yukon potatoes, or the decadent Spaghetti Aragosta comprised of sautéed diced lobster tail tossed with spaghetti in a San Marzano smokey chipotle cream sauce.
Even those on Santa’s naughty list can indulge in Mi Piace’s decadent desserts which are a big part of Mi Piace’s Christmas Eve celebration, so do not miss any delectable delights such as the Midnight Fantasy, a chocolate cake with Swiss bittersweet chocolate fudge and raspberry purée, Tiramisu, or New York Cheesecake with a creamy graham cracker crust and fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Accompany your Christmas Eve gathering by pairing these delicious dishes with any one of Mi Piace’s award-winning wines and handcrafted cocktails from the Mi Piace Lounge.
Mi Piace will be open on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; Mi Piace will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25
25 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena
@mipiacepasadena
Reservations HERE
PALM RESTAURANT– DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Palm Restaurant LA Downtown is hands-down one of the most iconic dining destinations in all of Los Angeles, and in the spirit of traditions, will be serving up its famed steak and lobster dishes on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In addition to the restaurant’s full menu, Palm will offer a selection of specialties such as Queen and King-Cut Prime Ribs, Stuffed Lobster Tail and the Ultimate Land & Sea dish. On Christmas Day, patrons can also indulge in the three-course Winter Lobster Special, which includes a starter choice of The Palm Caesar, Mixed Green Salad, Lobster Bisque or Chef’s Soup of the Day followed by Jumbo Nova Scotia Lobster entree and finally, the choice of dessert, including the House-Made Tiramisu Dessert and Junior’s Cheesecake.
Behind the bar, Palm mixologists will be serving up its festive holiday cocktail, the Cranberry Rita—made with Patrón Silver Tequila, cranberry juice, monin spiced brown sugar and lime juice—offered now until Dec. 31.
The Palm will be open on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 from 2 pm to 9 pm and Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25 from 11;30 am to 9 pm
1100 Flower Street, Los Angeles
@palmrestaurant
Reservations HERE
DRAGO CENTRO – DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
‘Tis the Season in Downtown Los Angeles this Christmas Eve as owner and Executive Chef Celestino Drago is celebrating Cena di Natale 2023 at Drago Centro by offering a limited version of his signature dinner menu and preparing a very special The Feast of the Seven Fishes Tasting Menu ($130 per person / minimum two orders per table). Chef Celestino Drago aims to please this Christmas Eve as his celebratory menu features Carpaccio di Langostino Profumato Agli Agrumi, langostino carpaccio, citrus, and micro greens, Polpo in Padella, Panelle al Nero di Seppia, Purée di Ceci al Finocchietto, octopus, squid ink panelle, and garbanzo bean purée, Togliolini al Ragu di Cozze e Vongole e Fiori di Zucca, tagliolini, mussels and clam ragu, and courgetti flowers, Risotto con Barbabietole Rosse, Capesante e Crema di Basilico, risotto, red beets, jumbo scallops, and basil cream, Filetto di Branzino con Cioppino di Granchio, fillet of branzino and crab fish stew.
For dessert, guests will enjoy their very own choice from Drago Centro’s dessert menu and for those who are not driving the sleigh, Chef Celestino Drago will be offering a thoughtfully curated optional wine pairing, Specialty cocktails, wines by the glass, and wines by the bottle from Drago Centro’s award-winning wine list. So Come, All Ye Faithful and let Drago Centro create a joyful and triumphant Christmas Eve just for you.
Drago Centro will be open on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Drago Centro will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25
525 South Flower Street, Los Angeles
@dragocentro
Reservations HERE
ARTH BAR + KITCHEN – CULVER CITY
Sugar and spice make everything nice this Christmas Eve at Arth Bar + Kitchen. With its contemporary atmosphere, eclectic menu featuring small plates, tandoor starters, entrées, handcrafted tandoor breads, accompaniments, rice, and desserts. Arth Bar + Kitchen will also be offering their full list of cocktails and their special Old Monk’s Manhattan made of Old Monk Spiced Indian Rum, banana liqueur, cinnamon infused vermouth, vanilla liqueur, walnut bitters, garnished with a torched cinnamon stick making this a perfect holiday season sipper.
Arth Bar + Kitchen will be open on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm; Arth Bar + Kitchen will be closed for Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25
9531 Culver Boulevard, Culver City
@arthbarandkitchen
Reservations HERE
QUE PADRE – PACIFIC PALISADES
Feliz Navidad and it’s time to celebrate at Qué Padre at Palisades Village. Executive Chef Isaias Peña is offering up his signature menu, featuring appetizers, tacos, burritos & bowls quesadillas, kids combo, sides, and churros, along with Qué Padre’s cocktail & margarita menu also featuring a premier tequila and mezcal list and flights to enjoy with your loved ones and make Christmas Eve one merry night.
Qué Padre will be open on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm; Qué Padre will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25
5225 Palisades Village Lane, Pacific Palisades
@quepadretacos
MASTRO’S – BEVERLY HILLS & DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Steakhouses don’t get much swankier than Mastro’s so if you ended up on Santa’s Nice List this year, treat yourself to a delicious and decadent outing at either the restaurant’s Beverly Hills or downtown Los Angeles location. Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, guests can enjoy the full Mastro’s menu, which includes sophisticated starters like Jumbo Crab Cakes and Roasted Bone Marrow and wow-worthy entrees like Rack Of Lamb and Herb Roasted Branzino. But nothing compares to Mastro’s steak selection, ranging from American Wagyu Tomahawk Chop from Snake River Farms to 100% Tajima Cattle Kobe Beef to a classic Porterhouse and more.
Not to be missed, the Mastro’s bar team have created a special holiday cocktail for the month of December called the Under The Mistletoe. The fun festive sipper is made with Remy 1738 Cognac, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, pomegranate syrup, raspberries and rosemary needles and is available through NYE.
Mastro’s will be open for Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 from 3 pm to 10 pm and Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25 from 2 pm to 9 pm
246 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills
1200 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
@mastrosofficial
Beverly Hills Reservations HERE
DTLA Reservations HERE
CELESTINO RISTORANTE – PASADENA
Deck the halls with a delectably delightful Italian Christmas Eve Dinner at Celestino Ristorante in Pasadena, prepared by owner and Executive Chef Calogero Drago. The special Christmas Eve dinner menu features his new seasonal specials and classics alike, such as his Mushroom Soufflé, Ravioli filled with Duck, Mushrooms & Porcini Blueberry Sauce, Pumpkin Tortellini, Sautéed Branzino, Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops, and Grilled T-Bone Steak. Due to popular demand, Chef Drago will also be featuring a Feast of the Seven Fishes Prix-Fixe á la carte menu on Christmas Eve for those that love this famous tradition. For something sweet, save room and share a Panna Cotta with vanilla beans and fresh strawberries or for something even more decadent, guests can indulge in the Flourless Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice cream.
Celestino Ristorante will be open for Dinner on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Celestino Ristorante will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25
141 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena
@celestinoristorante
Reservations HERE
GEORGIA’S RESTAURANT – ANAHEIM, LONG BEACH EXCHANGE & EASTVALE
What better way to celebrate the love and warmth that Christmas Eve brings than with Southern soul food at family-owned Georgia’s Restaurant. With three locations, the charismatic husband and wife duo behind this establishment, Nika Shoemaker-Machado and Marlon Machado have something for every member of the family to enjoy this Christmas Eve with savory dishes, such as their famous Fried Chicken cooked in a Brazilian buttermilk brine and seasoned crispy cornmeal crust; St. Louis BBQ Ribs, a half-rack of slow roasted pork ribs in Georgia’s Restaurant signature house-made BBQ sauce, or opt for Nana’s signature Gretchen’s Jambalaya cooked to order with shrimp, andouille sausage and chicken, served over pasta or rice.
‘Tis the season to have fun, so savor any of these dishes with a Seasonal Sangria, Red Wine and White Wine by the glass or the bottle and add a delectable soulful side to share, such as the Collard Greens, Baked Beans, Mac & Cheese, and Nana Gretchen’s famous Cornbread, served with house-made honey butter. For the perfect sweet ending this Christmas Eve guests can enjoy Nana Gretchen’s “soul-delicious” desserts, such as the Peach Cobbler, Sweet Potato Pie, Lemon Cake, or Pound Cake with a side of house-made à la Mode upon request.
All three Georgia’s Restaurant locations will be open on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; All three Georgia’s Restaurant locations will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25
440 South Anaheim Boulevard, 209A, Anaheim
4104 McGowen Street, Suite 155, Long Beach
12303 Limonite Avenue, 740, Eastvale
@georgiassoul
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