Skip the Cooking and Cleaning—Here’s Where to Dine This Christmas!
If you’re a last-minute Lucy when it comes to planning a Christmas spread, don’t fret! Some of Newport Beach’s best restaurants are cheffing up for you this year. And with options to dine on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you’re sure to find the perfect feast that meets your family’s needs. So before you create a mile-long grocery list and try to cook everything yourself, check out these eight delicious holiday menus! Leave the cooking to the pros this season—it’s what they do best.
Christmas Eve Dining
Situated steps from the Newport Pier, 21 Oceanfront remains a top spot for elegant Christmas Eve dining in Newport Beach. This year’s Christmas Eve Dinner (served from 4-9 p.m.) will offer a decadent three-course menu for $130 per person. Choose from starters like Lobster Bisque and Bacon-Wrapped Dates, followed by mains such as Grilled Rack of New Zealand Lamb, Bone-In Pork Chop or Diver Scallops. End on a sweet note with desserts like Pumpkin Cheesecake or a White Chocolate-Filled Éclair. There will also be a children’s menu available for $30 per child!
Eager to skip the holiday hassle this year? Five Crowns in Corona del Mar invites you to enjoy an elegant Christmas Eve Dinner featuring a menu full of festive favorites. Start with options like Lobster Bisque or Caesar Salad, followed by mains such as Prime Rib, Roasted Duck Breast with cranberry port reduction or Chilean Sea Bass with hazelnut brown butter. Pair your meal with classic sides, including Creamed Corn, Mashed Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts, and finish with indulgent desserts like Whiskey Caramel Bread Pudding or Crème Brûlée.
Avoid the Christmas Eve kitchen rush and treat your family to a delightful three-course meal at Rothschild’s Restaurant in Corona del Mar! This authentic Italian eatery, a local favorite since 1997, is offering a Christmas Eve Menu featuring your choice of starter, entrée and dessert.
Start with options like the hearty Ribollita soup or the crisp Arugula Salad with pecorino and pickled radish. For entrées, savor dishes such as the rich Lobster Ravioli with smoked paprika cream sauce, the tender Sangiovese Braised Short Rib or the Grilled Chilean Sea Bass Piccata with capers and chablis. And when your sweet tooth kicks in, dig into decadent creations like Tiramisu, Pumpkin Cheesecake or Rothschild’s signature Ice Cream Pie.
Christmas Day Dinner
Celebrate Christmas in style at The Mayor’s Table with a festive four-course Christmas Dinner in Newport Beach accompanied by live music. For $89 per adult and $40 per child 12 and under (children 6 and under eat free), guests can enjoy a meal crafted to delight at the beautiful Lido House hotel.
Start with the playful Ugly Sweater amuse-bouche before choosing between appetizers like Roasted Pear Salad or Creamy Baked Feta. For your entrée, select from Japanese Kurobuta Ham, Niman Flat Iron or vegetarian-friendly Cauliflower Steak, all served with sides of Layered Sweet & Golden Potatoes and Roasted Maple Bourbon Root Vegetables.
This year, Balboa Bay Resort is making things merry by serving both a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day brunch! From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 25, you and your family can enjoy a decadent brunch buffet in the beautiful indoor-outdoor Lighthouse Room. Unlimited sparkling wine and mimosas are included, along with complimentary valet parking. Tickets start at $145 for adults and $75 for children—don’t miss out on this festive seaside celebration!
A destination for luxury seekers, families and everyone in between, The Resort at Pelican Hill is a pristine retreat perched on 504 acres of stunning coastline. In addition to a calendar packed with holiday happenings, the property is also making things extra merry this season with a Christmas Day feast in both The Great Room and its signature restaurant, Pelican Grill. Sit down and enjoy a gourmet meal anytime between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., where there will be everything from omelets and fresh seafood to charcuterie stations and even a caviar trolley!
VEA Newport Beach’s signature VIEW Restaurant & Lounge invites guests to enjoy a festive three-course prix fixe Christmas dinner menu this Christmas Day. Available from 3 to 10 p.m., the menu has been expertly crafted by Executive Chef Andrew Arndt and is priced at $125 per person. Start with a choice of Potato Leek Soup or Belgian Endive Caesar. For the main course, guests can select between the Koji Crusted Ribeye, the Miso Chilean Seabass or the Charred Romanesco. Finish your holiday meal with desserts like the festive Eggnog Tart or the decadent Dark Chocolate Mousse Bomb. Reservations for this special holiday dining experience can be made via OpenTable. Note: Reservations can also be made to enjoy this spread on Christmas Eve!
Christmas Brunch
Looking to switch things up this Christmas? Climb aboard and enjoy a decadent brunch on the water with City Cruises! This vessel/event company is hosting a festive Christmas Day Premier Brunch Cruise, which includes a 2-hour cruise on Newport Harbor, a delicious holiday brunch buffet, live entertainment, full bar service and stunning bay views. Other highlights of this on-the-water excursion include unlimited mimosas, a carving station and a dessert station.
Viamara at Pendry Newport Beach
This holiday season, let the magic of Christmas morning unfold at Viamara, where a sumptuous buffet brunch awaits. Indulge in festive favorites, sip on Christmas cocktails and soak in the sounds of live jazz performances playing your favorite holiday classics. Hosted within the exclusive Elwood Club, this special Christmas Day dining experience is available to resort guests from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required at least 48 hours in advance and can be secured using your last name and confirmation number at checkout. Celebrate the season in luxury at this one-of-a-kind holiday event!
