Top Restaurants for Holiday Dining in Los Angeles 2017
Fiona Chandra
Whatever you’re celebrating this holiday season, there are so many excellent meals in Los Angeles to choose from that you will be decadently spoiled for choice. So finish wrapping those presents, get dolled up and have a great time as you enjoy the flavors of the winter season.
Waldorf Astoria and Jean-Georges |Through Dec. 24
The holiday season starts early at the Waldorf Astoria with their traditional afternoon tea getting a holiday makeover. Nutcracker Tea features holiday ingredients and is served everyday until the Dec. 24 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., making it the perfect place to shun those mid-afternoon hunger pangs. For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Waldorf Astoria’s Jean-Georges restaurant will be serving a three-course prix-fixe dinner featuring wagyu beef carpaccio with black truffle fritters, spice crusted venison and more.
The Peninsula and The Belvedere | Dec. 1 – Dec. 30
Another great afternoon tea to try on for size this holiday season is the Festive Tea in the Living Room at The Peninsula, which is being served throughout the month of December. There is also a Christmas Eve brunch and dinner on the menu at The Belvedere restaurant The brunch includes oysters on the half shell and lobster waffles with free-flowing Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne whereas the Christmas Eve dinner is a four-course menu of chilled lobster, beef wellington with truffles, and more. The Christmas Day dinner is a festive meal with all the trimmings, served family-style that added a touch of authenticity and will also include free-flowing Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne.
AKASHA |Dec. 12 – Dec. 20
If you fancy a meal to celebrate Hanukkah, then AKASHA is the obvious choice. Their holiday dinner, entitled “Vodka & Latkes” is inspired by traditional Jewish foods, with a boozy twist. From Dec. 12 through Dec. 20, visitors to AKASHA can try the delectable Yukon Gold potato latkes with various toppings. Other traditional dishes served include chopped Mary’s chicken liver and brisket. There will also be a handful of holiday cocktails designed by mixologist Clare Ward, including one fittingly called “The Dreidel.”
Polo Lounge at Beverly Hills Hotel | Dec. 12 – Dec. 25
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, then the Polo Lounge at Beverly Hills Hotel might just be the ticket. A three-course dinner is being served on Christmas Eve and three-course brunch and three-course dinner is being served on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. But, if you can’t wait that long, then head there earlier in the month to sample one of the souffles from the 12 Days of Souffles, a series of desserts that are on the menu from Dec. 12- Dec. 23. You can check out the menu for the daily festive dessert here.
EP + LP |Dec. 24
For those looking for entertainment along with their Christmas meal, check out EP + LP and the attached Melrose Rooftop Cinema, where you can catch a festive movie while enjoying some seasonal delights. The EP restaurant serves excellent contemporary Asian cuisine and diners can enjoy a special three-course dinner before the movie. After dinner you can head to LP, the rooftop bar for some after movie refreshments. On Christmas Eve, Melrose Rooftop Cinema will be screening Nightmare Before Christmas.
Melisse | Dec. 24
For a truly special holiday meal, try dining at the globally acclaimed Melisse restaurant, arguably one of the best restaurants in LA. For the festive season, they have designed a mouth watering tasting meal that will be served on Christmas Eve for $175. The decadent meal starts with Maine lobster, or foie gras, followed by black bass or black truffle risotto, followed by entrees of filet of beef or lamb.
Providence |Dec. 24
Another option for those looking for holiday-themed fine dining is Providence in Los Angeles. On Christmas Eve, L.A.’s finest seafood restaurant will once again serve their annual Feast of the Seven Fishes which will blow all other fish meals out of the water. The meal costs $150 or $210 with an excellent wine pairing and includes lobster, calamari alla Bolognese, amberjack crudo.
Redbird | Dec. 24
Other restaurants also serving incredible holiday meals on Christmas Eve include Redbird in downtown, where you can enjoy comfort food classics like turkey with all the trimmings, and cottage pie. Redbird also offers great alternatives for non-meat eaters and vegetarians, their nontraditional roasted tofu is the plant-based dish of the holidays.
Union Pasadena | Dec. 24
Union Pasadena is a great place to go for the Italian-American traditional holiday dinner, Feast of 7 Fishes with dishes that include uni risotto and saffron gnocchetti sardi with scallops. The festive meal will take place on Christmas eve and costs $125 per person with an optional and affordable $40 wine pairing.
Spago | Dec. 24
Chef Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant, Spago, also has a Christmas Eve dinner on December 24, featuring live carolers. The singers will serenade your Christmas Eve meal, making for a truly special Christmas eve celebration. The entire experience costs $155 per guest
1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach | Dec. 24 + Dec. 25
If you want to spend your holiday just steps from the ocean 1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach is doing Christmas Eve dinner that offers choices such as chestnut soup, slow baked pear with champagne, roasted langoustine and features filet mignon or pheasant as the main course. Finish your meal the classic way with a chocolate yule log. Christmas Day will feature a brunch and dinner. The brunch options include Maine lobster benedict and duck prosciutto scrambled egg toast while the dinner is a three-course prix-fixe menu with Maine lobster chowder, tagliatelle with black truffles and grilled prime beef tenderloin.
Culina at Four Seasons Beverly Hills | Dec. 24 + Dec. 25
Culina at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills will be serving a four-course prix-fixe Christmas Eve dinner between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. for $95 per person with an optional $40 wine pairing. On Christmas Day Culina will offer a Christmas brunch including seafood such as oysters on the half shell and Alaskan King crab along with a dessert station featuring doughnuts, Christmas Stolen and gingerbread cookies.
The Royce Steakhouse and Huntington Ballroom at The Langham Pasadena | Dec. 24 + Dec. 25
The Royce Steakhouse at Langham Pasadena will be serving a three-course prix-fixe dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The $135 menu includes wagyu beef carpaccio, beef wellington, and holiday desserts like eggnog creme brulee. Diners can opt for a wine pairing for an additional $45. The Huntington Ballroom will be serving a Christmas brunch buffet for $108 per person featuring assorted caviar, crab claws, traditional seafood paella and a lavish dessert station.
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel Air | Dec. 24 + Dec. 25
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel Air will be serving a three-course menu on Christmas Eve and a four-course dinner on Christmas Day complete with a dessert feast. There will also be an a la carte brunch on Christmas Day with black truffle omelet, deviled eggs with caviar and more. If you want to start getting festive earlier in the month the hotel will also be holding a Gingerbread Masterclass between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Dec. 13, where participants can try their hand at making elaborate gingerbread houses.
Georgie | Dec. 25
Christmas is a day of celebration and indulgence, and what better way to celebrate than to indulge in a buffet at The Beverly Hills Montage Hotel. Georgie at The Montage has a Christmas Day buffet with offerings from oysters, snow crab claws, pastrami spiced prime rib, and Christmas ham with a rosemary and honey glaze.