Sure, a bevy of tourist traps will remain open for Christmas Eve (e.g., Benihana, Cioppino's on the Wharf, Stinking Rose, et al.), but other places that won't offend your tissue-tender gastronomical sensibilities are as well. Noted eateries from Hogs & Rocks to Flour + Water to A!6 will be able to fill your gut prior to Santa's arrival. For those of you who have yet to seal your Christmas Eve plans (some of us come from families who placed greater importance on Christmas Eve dinner than Christmas Day dinner; we fall into the former category), here's a list of places you might enjoy.
Remember to call these places in advance in case they close early or whatnot. OK? OK. Also, you can place a reservation, or find out more, at OpenTable.
1300 on Fillmore
A16 (Marina / Presidio | Italian)
Ajanta Restaurant (Berkeley | Indian)
Ame (SOMA | Contemporary American)
Americano Restaurant - Hotel Vitale (Financial District / Embarcadero | Italian)
Baker and Banker (Pacific Heights | American)
Bella Trattoria Italiana (Richmond District | Italian)
Bisou (Castro | French)
Bistro Jeanty (Yountville | French)
Bluestem Brasserie (Downtown / Union Square | American)
Bobo's (Marina / Presidio | Steak)
Bob's Steak & Chop House - San Francisco (Embarcadero | Steakhouse)
Burritt Room & Tavern - Mystic Hotel (Downtown / Union Square | American)
Cafe Des Amis (Marina / Presidio | French)
Caffe Delucchi (North Beach | Italian)
Campton Place (Downtown / Union Square | Californian)
Central Kitchen (Mission | Contemporary American)
Cetrella (Half Moon Bay | Mediterranean)
Chez Papa Resto at Mint Plaza (SOMA | Contemporary French)
Chouquet's (Pacific Heights | French)
Cocotte - FKA Hyde Street Bistro (Russian Hill | French)
Cole's Chop House (Napa | Steak)
Colosseo (North Beach | Italian)
Cotogna (Financial District / Embarcadero | Italian)
Farina (Mission | Italian)
First Crush Restaurant Wine Bar & Lounge (Downtown / Union Square | Californian)
Flour + Water (Mission | Italian)
Fringale (SOMA | French)
The Grill at Meadowood (St. Helena | Californian)
Hayes Street Grill (Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness | Seafood)
Hogs & Rocks (Seafood | Mission)
Incontro (Danville | Italian)
Keiko à Nob Hill (Nob Hill | French)
La Folie (Russian Hill | French)
Le Central (Downtown / Union Square | French)
Luce (SOMA | Contemporary American)
Marlowe (Awesome | SOMA)
The Matterhorn Swiss Restaurant (Pacific Heights | Fondue)
McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant (Fisherman's Wharf | Seafood)
Michael Mina (Financial District / Embarcadero | Contemporary American)
Navio at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay (Half Moon Bay | American)
Nombe (Mission | Japanese)
The Old Clam House (Mission Bay / South Beach | Seafood)
Parallel 37 (Nob Hill | American)
Poggio (Sausalito | Italian)
Prospect (Financial District / Embarcadero | Contemporary American)
Quattro Restaurant and Bar - Four Seasons Hotel (Palo Alto | Italian)
Quince - San Francisco (Financial District / Embarcadero | Italian)
Revival Bar+Kitchen (Berkeley | Californian)
RN74 (SOMA | Contemporary French)
Rocco's Cafe (SOMA | Italian)
Salute E Vita Ristorante (Richmond | Italian)
Toast (Oakland | Californian)
Trace (SOMA | Contemporary American)
[via OpenTable]
