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Food at Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant. — Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant is just one of many San Francisco restaurants keeping Christmas Day merry.

The 16 Finest San Francisco Restaurants Open on Christmas Day

These are the best restaurants to help you ring in the holiday

by Paolo Bicchieri and Eater Staff Updated Dec 12, 2023, 1:10pm PST

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Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant is just one of many San Francisco restaurants keeping Christmas Day merry.

| Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant

by Paolo Bicchieri and Eater Staff Updated Dec 12, 2023, 1:10pm PST

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa — perhaps making Sandra Lee’s infamous cake — finding restaurants open on December 25 is just plain critical. There are those hoping to avoid cooking at home, perhaps dodging a Feast of the Seven Fishes fiasco a la The Bear. There are also those looking to enjoy their time off from work, hoping to hit a part of San Francisco they’ve yet to culinarily explore. All of these 16 restaurants are open on Christmas Day and, while many are also open on Christmas Eve, that’s just not what we’re talking about here: We’re talking about eating your weight in dim sum, Dungeness crab, pupusas, and so much more.

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Fog Harbor Fish House

Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day, this Pier 39 seafood restaurant is here to keep the views and food flowing. There’s all kinds of decadent seafood for sale, of course, but seasonal drinks are on the menu, too, such as a sugar cookie martini and cranberry bramble.

39 Pier (at The Embarcadero), San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

A crab.

Also featured in:

Cassava

In its new-ish North Beach home, fine dining favorite Cassava will keep the doors open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day with a limited supper menu featuring duck leg confit and smoked salmon. It’s $85 per guest and reservations can be made through OpenTable.

401 Columbus Ave San Francisco CA 94133

Visit Website

Also featured in:

House of Nanking

This is the kind of San Francisco institution so beloved it earned itself a TV show on the Food Network. The restaurant is open for its typical hours on Christmas Day which means pork confit eggrolls, baby pea shoot salads, kung pao shrimp, and so much more for all those looking to head out rather than cook at home.

919 Kearny St (btwn Jackson St. & Pacific Ave.), San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

A person outside.

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Hang Ah Tea Room

This is as old school a San Francisco Chinese restaurant as they come. SFGATE found it the oldest dim sum parlor in the country at 103 years in service. Drop by on Christmas if you can find a seat, as the parlor fills up quick for those pan-friend dumplings.

1 Pagoda Pl (at Sacramento St), San Francisco, CA 94108

Visit Website

Food at Hang Ah Tea Room.

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Yank Sing

Yank Sing will be serving its usual medley of dim sum specialties from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day, which means there will be plenty of steamed dumplings, tender pork buns, and xiao long bao for the whole family.

101 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105

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Also featured in:

The Post Room at Beacon Grand

New to the Beacon Grand hotel is Mediteranean restaurant the Post Room. From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Day the restaurant will serve a lunchtime feast starting at $130 per adult and $85 per child; Expect bottomless mimosas and champagne alongside items like prime rib and duck confit chicory salad. Reservations are required and can be made in advance online.

450 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

A drink.

Zingari

This Christmas, Zingari will be serving a four-course menu for $105, full of Italian specialties like osso bucco, grilled herbed lamb chops, and crab agnolotti. Service starts at noon and runs until 10 p.m. with wine, holiday-themed cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks, plus beer and cider.

Open in Google Maps

501 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Presidio Kebabs & Gyro

From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Sacramento Street go-to for rich meat gyro and crunchy falafel will keep the Christmas meals coming. Fans of seafood such as swordfish kebabs and vegetarian options including dolmas and baba ghanoush will have a merry time here.

3277 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

Meat at Presidio Kebabs & Gyro.

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

Nothing says festive like endless grilled meats carved table side, the highlight of a massive churrasco feast at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse. The San Jose and Emeryville locations are also open.

201 3rd St #100, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Brenda's French Soul Food

This Polk Street favorite will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving classic brunch items alongside Dungeness crab dishes and a holiday ham dinner, too. That ham dinner is available for takeout, too, for anyone hoping to take the fun home.

652 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Food at Brenda’s.

Also featured in:

Villon

There’s a holiday prix fixe menu at Villon this year, with chef Jason Fox keeping things merry on Christmas Day from 4 to 9 p.m. The four-course meal starts at $145, with a $65 menu for those 12 and under, and reservations can be made through OpenTable.

1100 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Food and drink at Villon.

Dragon Beaux

From the same Ng brothers behind Daly City’s legendary Koi Palace comes this Richmond District dumpling destination. The restaurant’s hours remain unchanged for Christmas Day, which means it’s as good a time as any for colorful xiao long bao and lovely chicken feet.

5700 Geary Blvd (at 21st Ave), San Francisco, CA 94121

Visit Website

Dragon Beaux

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Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen

Two Wise Sons locations will stay open this Christmas, the 24th Street outpost and the Oakland shop, which means they’ll cook up breakfast for the entire family (so you don’t have to). Swing by in the early a.m. to pick up baked goods, deli treats, and of course, bagels.

3150 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Elements Wise Sons

Also featured in:

Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant

More than 30 years on San Francisco’s west side hasn’t dinged the phenomenal fare at Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant. Sure, it’s the only destination for halal-friendly Chinese food in the city. But heading here on Christmas Day is also smart since the well-spiced cumin lamb and sugary warm mochi feel like it was made by an old friend, just for you.

3132 Vicente St (at 43rd Ave), San Francisco, CA 94116

Visit Website

Food at Old Mandarin.

Also featured in:

Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant

As this classic Bayview Chinese restaurant ramps up its offerings — including vegan dim sum — the San Bruno Avenue restaurant will keep its doors open on Christmas like it’s any other day. Open since 1995, fans keep coming back for rich siu mai and seafood congee.

Open in Google Maps

2626 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco, California 94134

Visit Website

Food at Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant.

Also featured in:

15 Bountiful Restaurants for Vegetarians in San Francisco

Pupusería Metapán

A favorite for those in the Excelsior, this Salvadoran bakery brings tamales and pupusas to the holidays by staying open all throughout the season. Don’t sleep on the simple yet decadent fare, such as the revuelta pupusa, a combo of beans, cheese, and pork.

4769 Mission St (btw Leo St & Russia Ave), San Francisco, CA 94112

Visit Website

Pupusas revueltas on a paper plate at Pupuseria Metapan

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Where to Eat and Drink in the Excelsior District

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Fog Harbor Fish House

39 Pier (at The Embarcadero), San Francisco, CA 94133

Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day, this Pier 39 seafood restaurant is here to keep the views and food flowing. There’s all kinds of decadent seafood for sale, of course, but seasonal drinks are on the menu, too, such as a sugar cookie martini and cranberry bramble.

39 Pier (at The Embarcadero), San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

A crab.

Cassava

401 Columbus Ave San Francisco CA 94133

In its new-ish North Beach home, fine dining favorite Cassava will keep the doors open from 2 to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day with a limited supper menu featuring duck leg confit and smoked salmon. It’s $85 per guest and reservations can be made through OpenTable.

401 Columbus Ave San Francisco CA 94133

Visit Website

House of Nanking

919 Kearny St (btwn Jackson St. & Pacific Ave.), San Francisco, CA 94133

This is the kind of San Francisco institution so beloved it earned itself a TV show on the Food Network. The restaurant is open for its typical hours on Christmas Day which means pork confit eggrolls, baby pea shoot salads, kung pao shrimp, and so much more for all those looking to head out rather than cook at home.

919 Kearny St (btwn Jackson St. & Pacific Ave.), San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

A person outside.

Hang Ah Tea Room

1 Pagoda Pl (at Sacramento St), San Francisco, CA 94108

This is as old school a San Francisco Chinese restaurant as they come. SFGATE found it the oldest dim sum parlor in the country at 103 years in service. Drop by on Christmas if you can find a seat, as the parlor fills up quick for those pan-friend dumplings.

1 Pagoda Pl (at Sacramento St), San Francisco, CA 94108

Visit Website

Food at Hang Ah Tea Room.

Yank Sing

101 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Yank Sing will be serving its usual medley of dim sum specialties from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day, which means there will be plenty of steamed dumplings, tender pork buns, and xiao long bao for the whole family.

101 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

The Post Room at Beacon Grand

450 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

New to the Beacon Grand hotel is Mediteranean restaurant the Post Room. From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Day the restaurant will serve a lunchtime feast starting at $130 per adult and $85 per child; Expect bottomless mimosas and champagne alongside items like prime rib and duck confit chicory salad. Reservations are required and can be made in advance online.

450 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

A drink.

Zingari

501 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102

This Christmas, Zingari will be serving a four-course menu for $105, full of Italian specialties like osso bucco, grilled herbed lamb chops, and crab agnolotti. Service starts at noon and runs until 10 p.m. with wine, holiday-themed cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks, plus beer and cider.

Open in Google Maps

501 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Presidio Kebabs & Gyro

3277 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94115

From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Sacramento Street go-to for rich meat gyro and crunchy falafel will keep the Christmas meals coming. Fans of seafood such as swordfish kebabs and vegetarian options including dolmas and baba ghanoush will have a merry time here.

3277 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

Meat at Presidio Kebabs & Gyro.

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

201 3rd St #100, San Francisco, CA 94103

Nothing says festive like endless grilled meats carved table side, the highlight of a massive churrasco feast at Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse. The San Jose and Emeryville locations are also open.

201 3rd St #100, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

Brenda's French Soul Food

652 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

This Polk Street favorite will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving classic brunch items alongside Dungeness crab dishes and a holiday ham dinner, too. That ham dinner is available for takeout, too, for anyone hoping to take the fun home.

652 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Food at Brenda’s.

Villon

1100 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

There’s a holiday prix fixe menu at Villon this year, with chef Jason Fox keeping things merry on Christmas Day from 4 to 9 p.m. The four-course meal starts at $145, with a $65 menu for those 12 and under, and reservations can be made through OpenTable.

1100 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Food and drink at Villon.

Dragon Beaux

5700 Geary Blvd (at 21st Ave), San Francisco, CA 94121

From the same Ng brothers behind Daly City’s legendary Koi Palace comes this Richmond District dumpling destination. The restaurant’s hours remain unchanged for Christmas Day, which means it’s as good a time as any for colorful xiao long bao and lovely chicken feet.

5700 Geary Blvd (at 21st Ave), San Francisco, CA 94121

Visit Website

Dragon Beaux

Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen

3150 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Two Wise Sons locations will stay open this Christmas, the 24th Street outpost and the Oakland shop, which means they’ll cook up breakfast for the entire family (so you don’t have to). Swing by in the early a.m. to pick up baked goods, deli treats, and of course, bagels.

3150 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Elements Wise Sons

Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant

3132 Vicente St (at 43rd Ave), San Francisco, CA 94116

More than 30 years on San Francisco’s west side hasn’t dinged the phenomenal fare at Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant. Sure, it’s the only destination for halal-friendly Chinese food in the city. But heading here on Christmas Day is also smart since the well-spiced cumin lamb and sugary warm mochi feel like it was made by an old friend, just for you.

3132 Vicente St (at 43rd Ave), San Francisco, CA 94116

Visit Website

Food at Old Mandarin.

Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant

2626 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco, California 94134

As this classic Bayview Chinese restaurant ramps up its offerings — including vegan dim sum — the San Bruno Avenue restaurant will keep its doors open on Christmas like it’s any other day. Open since 1995, fans keep coming back for rich siu mai and seafood congee.

Open in Google Maps

2626 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco, California 94134

Visit Website

Food at Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant.

Related Maps

Pupusería Metapán

4769 Mission St (btw Leo St & Russia Ave), San Francisco, CA 94112

A favorite for those in the Excelsior, this Salvadoran bakery brings tamales and pupusas to the holidays by staying open all throughout the season. Don’t sleep on the simple yet decadent fare, such as the revuelta pupusa, a combo of beans, cheese, and pork.

4769 Mission St (btw Leo St & Russia Ave), San Francisco, CA 94112

Visit Website

Pupusas revueltas on a paper plate at Pupuseria Metapan

Related Maps