5 Christmas Eve Dinners in Orange County: A Culinary Journey of Festive Delights
Lisa Mailhot | December 19, 2023
Buyers
Lisa Mailhot | December 19, 2023
Buyers
The holiday season brings the joy of togetherness and celebration, but it can also bring the stress of planning and preparing the perfect Christmas Eve dinner. If you'd rather skip the endless hours in the kitchen and enjoy a relaxing, refined meal, Orange County has you covered. In this blog, we'll take you on a culinary journey to discover five exceptional Christmas Eve dinner options that will make your holiday season truly special.
1. Chaak: A Taste of Yucatan
Located in Tustin, Chaak is renowned for its Yucatan-style cuisine, and this Christmas Eve, they have something extraordinary in store for you. Among their menu highlights is the Tamal Colado, made with guajillo-braised beef, camote pipian rojo, maitake mushrooms, and pearl onions. It's the perfect way to satisfy your tamale craving this holiday season. You can also indulge in dishes like pork belly confit tacos, prime rib steak, and grilled quail with charred cabbage and mole blanco. Treat yourself to an unforgettable Christmas Eve at Chaak.
2. The Cellar: An Underground Gem
Escape into the enchanting world of The Cellar, a Fullerton staple with a 55-year legacy. Designed by Gene White, a former Disney designer, this underground restaurant offers a cozy and elegant ambiance. Their three-course Christmas Eve dinner includes delectable options like escargot, goose terrine tart, ribeye with mashed potatoes, chocolate souffle, and more. Make your Christmas Eve memorable at The Cellar inside the Villa Del Sol.
3. Marché Moderne: A Taste of France
Marché Moderne in Newport Beach's Crystal Cove is an acclaimed French bistro that promises a memorable Christmas Eve experience. Indulge in a four-course menu featuring dishes like winter squash soup, black truffle scallop quenelle, Alaskan king crab, and a delightful Napoleon a la banana cream pie. Complete your evening with wine pairings and savor the finest French cuisine in a picturesque setting.
4. Tavern at the Mission: Comforting Winter Fare
For a heartwarming Christmas Eve dinner, head to Tavern at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano. Chef David Wilhelm has prepared a prix-fixe menu with comforting winter dishes such as Maine lobster bisque, prime rib, short rib stroganoff, and more. Adults can enjoy the special menu, while kids have their own delightful options. Share the warmth of the holiday season with a memorable meal at Tavern at the Mission.
5. Top of the V: Spanish Flair
Embrace the Spanish spirit this Christmas Eve at Top of the V in Anaheim. Executive Chef Nathaniel McCoy has crafted a three-course Spanish feast, featuring lamb shank croquetas, ribeye steak, duck breast, and the trending burnt Basque cheesecake. Don't miss the dulce de leche bread pudding for dessert. Experience the flavors of Spain in a stunning rooftop setting.
This Christmas Eve, let someone else do the cooking while you enjoy a stress-free and delightful dining experience at one of Orange County's finest restaurants. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a memorable evening filled with festive flavors and warm ambiance. If you're ready to move to Orange County and experience these culinary delights year-round, let's connect.
Reference:
Homebuilder sentiment remains low as reliance on price cuts grows, but optimism is building with the potential for a Federal Reserve rate cut. Mortgage rates have alre… Read more
Mortgage applications just hit a three-year high as rates dip to their lowest since October 2024. Learn why this could be a window of opportunity for both buyers and s… Read more
The U.S. rental market is heating up again, with asking rents climbing at the fastest pace since 2022. Limited new apartment construction and strong demand are fueling… Read more
A new Redfin analysis shows the U.S. homeowner population ticked down 0.1% year over year in Q2 2025 while renter households jumped 2.6%. Prices remain high, mortgage … Read more
Pending home sales are climbing for the second month in a row, while mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level in 10 months. More affordable listings are hitti… Read more
New-home sales slowed in July 2025 as affordability challenges weighed heavily on buyers, despite builder incentives and discounts. With prices dropping below existing… Read more
Nearly half of U.S. workers are reconsidering big financial moves like purchasing a home because of concerns over job stability, according to a new Redfin survey. Whil… Read more
July 2025 housing starts data shows single-family construction climbing in the South while slowing in other parts of the country. For Orange County buyers and sellers,… Read more
Apartment-building permits slowed across the U.S. this past year, signaling tighter future rental supply even as demand firms back up. Here’s what the national trend—a… Read more
Let's find a time that suits you best to chat about your goals, show you how we work, and figure out how we can help you the most
Get In Touch With Lisa
Broker Associate
949-877-7087
124 Tustin Ave Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92663
