Eat, Drink & Be Merry! Christmas Eve Dining in OC

Christmas Eve is a popular night to dine out in Orange County, and it’s easy to find great restaurants open for dinner. Here’s a round-up of Christmas Eve dining options and even some take-out meals to make your holiday extra special.  

The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar — TUSTIN & NEWPORT BEACH 

Eat, Drink & Be Merry at The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar! The restaurant’s Tustin and Newport Beach locations will be offering Christmas Eve Dinner on Friday, December 24th with its full menu, as well as specials for the evening. To learn more, see menus and make your reservation, please call Tustin at (714) 258-7600 or Newport Beach at (949) 999-6622, or visit thewineryrestaurants.com. 

Driftwood Kitchen - LAGUNA BEACH
Join Driftwood Kitchen for an incredible seaside Christmas Eve Dinner, complete with fresh seafood, hand-shucked oysters and steaks! The restaurant’s classic California Coastal vibe with breathtaking oceanfront views are the perfect setting to enjoy Chef Rainer Schwarz’s celebrated menu, along with a few specials to entice. For reservations at Driftwood Kitchen, call 949.715.7700 or visit driftwoodkitchen.com.

The Deck on Laguna Beach - LAGUNA BEACH
The beautiful Pacific Ocean is the perfect backdrop to enjoy Christmas Eve. Guests can look forward to ocean-to-table favorites prepared by Chef Rainer Schwarz, hand-crafted cocktails and an unparalleled view of Laguna Beach. The Deck will be offering its entire menu, so you know there is something for everyone! To make reservations at The Deck, call 949.494.6700 or visit deckonlaguna.com.


Hendrix Restaurant & Bar — LAGUNA NIGUEL
Celebrate Christmas Eve with Hendrix’s menu of New American cuisine, which assimilates flavors from the melting pot of traditional American cooking techniques. Executive Chef Rainer Schwarz’s seasonal menu of fish, steaks and chops are complemented by a selection of rotisserie-cooked meats. Hendrix features a full bar with signature drinks, American craft beers, and an easy-to-navigate wine list. For reservations, please call 949.248.1912 or hendrixoc.com. *** Celebrate Christmas with a Hendrix feast to go! Take home Prime Rib, Rotisserie Chicken or Colorado Leg of Lamb, with delicious sides to complete your meal. Hendrix also offers cocktails and wines to go. Find the full menu and place orders online at hendrix2go.com.


Georgia’s Restaurant — ANAHEIM & LONG BEACH  
Christmas is all about spending time with family, so this year let Georgia’s lend a hand – their Soulful Sides are guaranteed to please! From Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens, and Yams, to traditional family favorites like Cornbread Stuffing and Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, they've got you covered. Order Nana Gretchen’s Whole Peach Cobbler and Sweet Potato Pie to finish your meal. Christmas Soulful Sides must be ordered by Wednesday, December 22 for pick up on Friday, December 24. Georgia’s will be open for dine-in service on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., so pop in for a Holiday Hurricane or Santa’s Sangria – both will have you feeling merry and bright! Georgia’s will be closed on Christmas Day. For more information or to order directly, please call Georgia’s Restaurant at the Anaheim Packing House at (714) 906-1900 or at the Long Beach Exchange at (562) 420-5637. georgias-restaurant.com

Knife Pleat — (South Coast Plaza) COSTA MESA  
Enjoy an elegant Christmas Dinner by Michelin-starred Chef Tony Esnault, who celebrates the magic of the season with a carefully curated 6-course Holiday Tasting Dinner. The exclusive menu and optional wine pairing will be offered from Tuesday, December 21 through Thursday, December 23. Seating is limited and the price per guest is $245 (does not include wine pairing, tax, and service charge). For more information, menu and reservations, please call 714-266-3388 or visit knifepleat.com.

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar — ORANGE Haven Craft Kitchen’s Chef Craig Brady simplifies holiday cooking by offering a ready-to-roast Prime Rib Dinner with all the trimmings. Add a 12-inch homemade Apple Tart and a one-liter bottle of Woodford Reserve (Haven Single Barrel Whiskey Selection Limited Edition), and you’ve got yourself a party. Priced at $300, Chef Brady’s Prime Rib Dinner To Go comes with complete roasting instructions and is meant to serve four guests. The dinners must be pre-ordered by noon on Monday, December 20 for pick up on Thursday, December 23 and Friday, December 24. Orders may be placed online. Haven Craft Kitchen will be open for dine-in service on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. For menus and reservations, visit havencraftkitchen.com.

Taco Rosa – IRVINE & NEWPORT BEACH
Celebrate the holidays with Chef Ivan Calderon’s hand-made Tamales, made with fresh, GMO-free masa and steamed in banana leaves. Choose from chicken, chile verde pork, red chile beef, and vegetarian – all available for $30 per dozen! All tamales are made with cheese, and each dozen comes with a quart of our homemade sauce. Tamales must be ordered 48 hours in advance for pick-up during normal business hours at Taco Rosa Newport Beach or Irvine. Taco Rosa restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day. For more information or to place orders, guests may call Taco Rosa Newport Beach at 949-720-0980 or Irvine at 714-505-6080 or visit tacorosa.com.

ADYA — ANAHEIM
Spice up your holiday tables with Chef Shachi Mehra’s Lamb Chops! ADYA offers ready-to-grill Lamb Chops for pre-order and pick-up at ADYA Anaheim. These meaty bites come marinated in Indian spices and are ready to grill or bake to your desired temperature! Ready-to-grill Lamb Chops are $40 for a rack (8 chops). These are limited in supply, so pre-order by Saturday, December 18 by emailing info@adyaoc.com. All orders may be picked up the week of December 20 at ADYA Anaheim. adyaoc.com

Fable & Spirit – NEWPORT BEACH  
Spend Christmas Eve at Fable & Spirit for a progressive, modern dining experience in a dynamic setting! Executive Chef David Shofner presents an innovative experience with a globally inspired menu that focuses on fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Dinner reservations will be taken until 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve (closed Christmas Day). For menu and reservations, please call 949-409-9913 and visit fableandspirit.com.

Dublin 4 Gastropub and Wineworks For Everyone – MISSION VIEJO
Enjoy a great meal with family and friends – and let Chef David Shofner handle the cooking! Dinner reservations will be taken until 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve (closed Christmas Day). For menu and reservations, please call 949-582-0026 and visit dublin4gastropub.com.

Sushi Roku — NEWPORT BEACH 
Spend Christmas Eve at Sushi Roku on Friday, December 24, when the Fashion Island restaurant will be offering its full menu that unites traditional Japanese cuisine and vibrant global flavors with the seasonal bounty our California landscape provides. Experience the finest, freshest fish from around the globe with the kind of artistry that can only be executed by a seasoned sushi chef to ensure an unparalleled sushi experience. Certified sake sommeliers and mixologists have crafted a diverse and exceptional beverage menu to complement the cuisine. Reservations can be made by calling 949-706-3622 or visiting sushiroku.com.