The holidays are heating up in San Diego, and the city’s food scene is serving cheer by the plateful. From festive prix-fixe dinners and creative cocktails to playful promotions and opportunities to give back, this season is full of flavors, fun, and local holiday spirit. Here’s your guide to what’s happening around town.
City Tacos is celebrating Ugly Christmas Sweater Day on Friday, Dec. 19. Guests who wear their most outrageous holiday sweaters at any of the six San Diego locations and tag @citytacossd on social media could win one of five $50 gift cards, adding a little playful cheer to your lunch or dinner plans.
Over in La Mesa Village, Tour de Tapas is offering a chance to win your meal on the house during lunch service Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Guests roll a single die, and if they roll a one, their meal is comped—minus tax and gratuity—bringing a fun twist to your midday fare. Alcohol is not included in the dice game, ensuring compliance with ABC laws.
PRK 101 in Carlsbad Village is shaking up the holidays with a variety of creative cocktails crafted by Beverage Director Rob McShea, including Festive Hearts, Front Porch Ember, Spurs & Spice, Santa’s Got a Brand New Pear, and Feliz Navidad. The 8,000-square-foot restaurant with a large outdoor courtyard also features plenty of screens for college bowl and NFL game viewing.
Ox Coffee in Mission Valley is adjusting holiday hours to keep caffeine flowing, with early openings on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, plus a special nitro coffee release, the Brown Sugar Baby, available starting January 1 through January 17.
For fight fans, The Smoking Gun is hosting the Paul vs. Joshua boxing match on Friday, Dec. 19, with full sound on every TV, early seating, and a lively watch-party atmosphere.
On the same day, Sandbar in Mission Beach will show the college football playoffs, starting with Oklahoma versus Alabama, paired with happy hour specials like $4 street tacos and $8 Sandbargaritas.
Seaport Village’s Quiero Restaurants is serving tacos and other Mexican favorites on December 21 for the 55th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, where diners can enjoy views of the boats passing by from the second-floor patio.
Beer enthusiasts can raise a glass to history as Karl Strauss Brewing Co. re-releases its original Amber Lager, the first beer brewed in San Diego after Prohibition. Available on draft at all four brewpubs, this classic is pouring through March or April, and is a nod to the city’s craft brewing legacy.
For those seeking a more refined holiday dining experience, Juniper & Ivy in Little Italy is offering a four-course Christmas Eve prix-fixe dinner, led by Chef de Cuisine Alex Penkin, with hyper-local seasonal ingredients in innovative dishes like Hokkaido scallop, wagyu filet, and Peppermint Brownie Yodel for dessert.
Solana Beach’s Lana restaurant is embracing vintage California Christmas vibes with a three-course menu on Christmas Eve, including pumpkin risotto, braised turkey and black truffle pot pie, and seasonal cocktails like the Quincy Jones and You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out.
Rustic Root, with locations in Downtown and Solana Beach, is offering chef-curated holiday specials on Christmas Day, as well as a Christmas Family Meal for four to enjoy at home, featuring honey-baked ham, mac and cheese, roasted garlic smashed potatoes, and cheddar chili corn bread.
Huntress in Downtown is highlighting festive dishes, including Beef Wellington, lobster risotto, and caviar deviled eggs for Christmas Day, letting diners mix in selections from their full dinner menu for a decadent holiday experience.
Vistal at the InterContinental San Diego is offering three-course specials on Christmas Eve and Day, from duck confit carnitas to prime ribeye and chocolate rocher, all with breathtaking waterfront views.
Gelson’s Markets is bringing its gourmet flair beyond Southern California for the first time with the launch of curated artisanal cheese boxes, now available for nationwide delivery. Cheese lovers across the country can enjoy Gelson’s carefully selected assortment of cheeses and accompaniments, delivered fresh to their door.
The launch features three collections: California Dreaming, celebrating the Golden State’s best cheeses; American Artisan, highlighting standout cheesemakers from across the U.S.; and Epicurean, featuring globally inspired cheeses and pairings. Each box is assembled under the guidance of Lisa Ali, Gelson’s Cheese and Specialty Foods Expert, an American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional and Certified Salumiere Professional with over 25 years of experience.
Priced from $99 to $119, these curated boxes come with free FedEx Standard Overnight shipping anywhere in the continental U.S., making them ideal for gifting, entertaining, or at-home indulgence. Orders can be placed at Gelson’s Artisanal Cheese Boxes.
Finally, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank will host a Senior Food Program distribution on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, providing groceries to income-qualifying adults ages 60 and over. Media are welcome to capture the event and interview staff to showcase the impact of these essential programs during the holiday season.
From playful promotions to elegant holiday feasts and meaningful ways to give back, San Diego is serving up a season full of flavor and cheer. Make your plans, gather your friends and family, and celebrate the holidays one bite at a time.
Got any food news? Chef appointments, a new location? Menu? Drop me a line at DebbieS@timesofsandiego.com to possibly be featured in an upcoming Eat Beat column.
