Whatever December holiday you celebrate, leave the cooking to the experts.
We've got 20 restaurants in the Bay Area that will be serving decadent feasts for Hanukkah, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Whether you'd rather dress up and make it an event or order in for a cozy meal, you'll have plenty of choices.
Here are the best options for dining or takeout for Hanukkah, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day 2022.
Where to Eat out for Hanukkah in the Bay Area
Che Fico chef David Nayfeld is celebrating his Italian-Jewish heritage with a special Hanukkah takeout menu.
(Courtesy of @chefico)
Canela (+ Takeout)
Celebrate with Sephardic culinary traditions at Canela. The Spanish-toned four-course feast ($69/person) includes mixed veggie latkes, poached sea bass, and almond-olive-oil cake with Meyer lemon syrup. An optional fifth course—duck with onion and potatoes—is an extra $45. The menu will be on deck during Canela’s regular hours from December 18th through 23rd, or get it all to go from 3pm to 5pm on December 18th. // 2272 Market St. (Castro), canelasf.com
Che Fico (+ Christmas, Takeout only)
Che Fico nods to its Italian-Jewish heritage with not just two four-course Hanukkah to-go menus, but a la carte options (hello latkes with heirloom apple sauce and housemade sour cream), too. Their braised brisket dinner ($250) has noms for four including winter salad, sesame challah, a bottle of Lambrusco, and chocolate gelt. The vegetarian menu ($225) trades out meat for butternut squash lasagna. Order by December 13th for pick-up on the 18th. If you’re celebrating Christmas instead, check out their short rib or polenta fritti dinners, which can be ordered through December 18th and picked up on the 23rd. // 838 Divisadero (NoPa), chefico.com
Delfina (Takeout only)
Get your latke on with Delfina. Their award-winning latkes are already available for pre-order and pick up through December 31st. Get a dozen fried potato-and-onion patties ($38) or go bigger with a kit that includes a jar of conserva, creme fraiche, and more. Get the goods at any Deflina or Pizzeria Delfina in the Bay. // Various locations, pizzeriadelfina.com
Fiorella (+ Takeout)
Italian juggernaut Fiorella is paying homage to co-founder Boris Nemchenok's Jewish heritage with a special Hanukkah menu. From December 18 to 26, nosh on heirloom fried chicken, latkes, gravlax citrus and beet salad, chicken-matzo meatballs en brodo, and rice pudding with white wine poached fruit and walnuts at any of the restaurant's three SF locations (or take it to go). If you can make it to their Inner Sunset speakeasy Bar Nonnina, you'll be richly rewarded with five inspired cocktails including the Sufganiyot, a white Russian-like take on the traditional fried jelly donut. // 1240 9th Ave. (Inner Sunset), 2339 Clement St. (Outer Richmond), and 2238 Polk St. (Tenderloin), fiorella-sf.com
Grand Lake Kitchen
The delightful Oakland deli and restaurant is prepping platters ($80, serves two) to nosh on all Hanukkah long. Each comes with four latkes (plus applesauce and creme fraiche); braised beef brisket with mashed potatoes, broccoli rabe, horseradish, horseradish, and jus; and the sufganiyot-ish powder sugar mini-donuts with fruit dipping sauce. Order by December 11th for pickup at the Dimond location on December 18th from noon to 8pm. // 2042 Macarthur Blvd. (Oakland), grandlakekitchen.com
Pomella
Kick off eight days of celebration with a ceremonial menorah lighting at Pomella. Chef-owner Mica Talmor will be cooking up a holiday feast that will include classic fried favorites (latkes and sufganiyot), along with other California-Israeli delights. The meal begins at 6pm on December 18th. // 3770 Piedmont Ave. (Oakland), pomellaoakland.com
Wise Sons (Takeout only)
Wise Sons continues their total domination of all traditionally Jewish flavors with their Hanukkah menu. From December 18th through 24th, they’ll be frying up latkes, roasting brisket, and braiding challah for pickup or delivery. Order a la carte or make things easy by opting for a complete brisket dinner ($142) or roast chicken dinner ($105) for four. A pastry box for 12, which includes babka, rugelach and chocolate chip cookies, will soothe your sweet tooth. // Multiple locations in SF and Oakland, wisesonsdeli.com
Where to Eat on Christmas Eve in the Bay Area
Estiatorio Ornos
Celebrate Christmas Eve in Mediterranean style at Estiatorio Ornos. The four-course holiday meal ($165) gets decadent with winter fattoush topped with brown butter truffle vinaigrette, Liberty duck with honey glazed breast and baby root veggies and, for dessert, loukoumades made with Greek honey, cinnamon spice, and toasted sesame seeds. // 252 California St. (Financial District), michaelmina.net
Hopscotch
Dive deep into Hopscotch’s Feast of the Fishes on Christmas Eve. The four-course dinner ($95) revolves around chef Kyle Itani’s signature Japanese-American style with courses like butter poached lobster caesar with kakiage croutons, cioppino in dashi tomato broth, and donuts with butterscotch. An optional wine pairing will be available. // 1915 San Pablo Ave (Oakland), hopscotchoakland.com
La Societé
Say oui to a continental Christmas Eve at modern French brasserie, La Societé. Executive chef Alexandre Viriot’s four-course prix-fixe (from $128/person) will include caviar and Dungeness parfait, lobster and chestnut velouté, and a choice of steamed sablefish or roasted venison. For dessert, don’t miss the classic bûche de Nöel. The table is set from 5pm to 9:30pm on December 24th. // 50 Third St. (SoMa), lasocietecafe.com
Sula
Cavallo Point's elegant new restaurant Sula is putting together a Yuletide feast. The four-course prix-fixe affair ($115/adult, $35/kids 4-12) will include both traditional and not-so-traditional California fare including starters like peppered seared ahi and Dungeness crab bisque, mains like rack of lamb with potato celery root puree or duck breast with parsnip puree, and a choice of two desserts. Dinner is served between 2pm and 8pm. // 601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker (Sausalito), cavallopoint.com
Turntable at Lord Stanley
This December, the rotating kitchen at Polk Street’s Turntable at Lord Stanley hosts chef Maxime Pradié. On Christmas Eve, he’ll be cooking up a nine-course feast (from $150) of French-inspired eats including risotto with honeynut squash, chestnut, sage, and pecorino; trout with sorrel, mussels, spinach, and chanterelles; and veal stew with rice pilaf; open Christmas Eve from 4:30pm to 8:30pm. // 2065 Polk St. (Nob Hill), lordstanleysf.com
Villon (+ Christmas)
Villon is serving a multi-course prix fixe menu ($145) on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The surprise menu will feature traditional dishes kissed with executive chef Jason Fox's special touches. Both meals will be served between 4pm and 9pm and can be combined with optional wine pairings ($65). // Proper Hotel, 1100 Market St. (Civic Center), properhotel.com
Bay Area Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
The Morris is pre-smoking its famous duck for Christmas dinner to go.
(Courtesy of @themorris_sf)
The Butcher's Son (Takeout only)
Feast vegan-style with the Butcher's Son. The Berkeley plant-based deli's holiday meal ($75, serves 3-5) comes with your choice of ham, crispy-skin turkey or Impossible meatloaf; egg nog; chicken pot pie; and either classic or blackberry swirl cheesecake. Don't need the whole shmorgasboard? A la carte options are available, too. Order by December 16th for pick up December 17th through 24th. // 1954 University Ave. (Berkeley), thebutchersveganson.com
Why settle for a prix-fixe when you can eat absolutely everything at Cavallo Point's grand Christmas Day buffet. They'll have it all, from a holiday salad station to a seafood station to a station for carving prime rib and stuffed pork loin, plus classic sides, soups, and more than half a dozen desserts. Book one of two seatings, from noon to 2pm or from 3pm to 5pm. If you reserve in advance, it'll save you $20 on adult tickets ($149/person vs. $169/person at the door) which include complimentary valet parking and a glass of sparkling. Either way kids ages four to 12 are $65. // 601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker (Sausalito), cavallopoint.com
Café de la Presse (Takeout only)
Bring a taste of French elegance home for the holidays. Café de la Presse is doing meals for two ($150) featuring lobster bisque, a salad of smoked duck breast and truffle vinaigrette (with optional foie gras), and beef Wellington with pinot noir sauce and parsnip puree. Dessert is a melty, chocolate lava cake with a drizzling of raspberry sauce. Preorder by December 20th for pickup from 11am to 4pm on Christmas Eve. // 352 Grant Ave. (Union Square), cafedelapresse.com
We love the moody, lux vibes of The Cavalier in regular times with its dark wood finishes, marble tables and brass finishings, so when it gets decked out for the holidays it's all the better. Get ready for four courses ($125/person) of classic Christmas dishes includeing a quail egg dijonnaise amuse, your choice of appetizers like salmon crudo or wild mushroom and ricotta tart, five entree options, classic sides, and desserts like raspberry trifle and sticky toffee bread pudding with coffee ice cream. // 360 Jessie St. (SoMa), thecavaliersf.com
Greens (Takeout only)
Place an order in advance for a vegetarian spread that will light up your Christmas table. Greens’ a la carte to-go menu includes a Cobb salad with dijon shallot vinaigrette, roasted pumpkin, and toasted pecans; creamed kale with garlic and Grana Padano; portobello mushroom Wellington with porcini mushroom gravy; and desserts like classic apple crumb pie and glazed orange ginger cake. Pick up your order from 11:30am to 7pm on December 23rd or 11:30am to 2pm on December 24th. // 2 Marina Blvd., Bldg A (Marina), greensrestaurant.com
Maison Nico (Takeout only)
For Francophiles, no traditional Christmas would be complete without a bûche de Nöel, that fanciful Parisian pastry depicting a beautifully decorated branch. This year, Maison Nico debuts its version ($85), layered with chocolate, hazelnut, and bay leaf-infused white chocolate. At about 10-inches long, it will easily serve eight to 10 guests. When you place your order, you can also opt in for duck pithivier ($50) and a holiday pâté box ($55) complete with house-made pickles. Other pastries are also available. // 710 Montgomery St. (Jackson Square), maisonnico.com
The Morris (Takeout only)
Chef Gavin Schmidt is pre-smoking his signature duck ($45-$90) for you to roast at home. Pre-order half or whole birds plus root vegetables, charcuterie, a duck noodle soup kit, and chocolate pudding for dessert. Additional goodies including charred broccoli with grilled squid and New York strip steak with delicata squash and green peppercorn jus are also available. Pre-order by December 13th for pickup December 23rd and 24th. //2501 Mariposa St. (Potrero Hill), themorris-sf.com
