The song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” hits different this year, huh? The most festive season finds us all staying at home, under the tightest restrictions in months, and fixating on things a lot scarier than picking out the wrong gifts. Nonetheless, human beings need joy and tradition, and we’re here to help you make the best of things with a list of lovely Christmas meals available for pick-up and delivery in Los Angeles.
Ordering a special takeout meal from a local restaurant helps keep these beloved businesses afloat during a very difficult time, so while you’re enjoying something delicious, you’re also doing a tiny bit to make sure the vibrant Los Angeles we all know and love is still there for us when we’re all vaccinated and ready to return to the world.
Christmas Delivery and Takeout Meals
Beverly Hills
Available for pick-up on December 23 and 24, Luques is offering a variety of luxurious Christmas dinner options. Opt for a six-person package with multiple courses, or select your own favorites from an extensive a la carte menu that also includes tons of seasonal baked goods. Fans of the famous “Big Dave’s” egg nog served each winter at the now-shuttered Hungry Cat will be excited to know that Luques has borrowed the recipe and will be selling batches in liter-sized bottles.
San Marino
Charming San Marino restaurant and market Julienne has a variety of holiday meals covered, from a traditional dinner with prime rib and mashed potatoes to a brunch package with cranberry buckle and Christmas strata. A la carte selections run the gamut from mini beef Wellingtons and baked brie to entire trays of lasagna to creme brûlée bread pudding.
Santa Monica
Enjoy a luxurious, French-inspired Christmas delivery dinner including a rosemary leg of lamb, chicken with Champagne jus, sides, a traditional chocolate yule log cake, and even a sugar cookie decorating kit. Wines and cocktails are available to add. Pasjoli also offers a New Years Eve feast, and if you order both, they’ll throw in a little extra NYE surprise.
Culver City
In addition to the full a la carte menu, Ms. Chi Cafe is offering two family-style meal kits. Select a duck dinner, which includes half of a tea-smoked Mary’s Farm duck, along with a variety of other dishes, or a steak-and-broccoli-centered package. Both serve two to four.
Fairfax
A Hawaiian tiki pop-up might not be your first thought for a Christmas dinner, but Lost Cove’s “Holidays at the Cove” menu might change your mind. Options include a smoked turkey luau kit, complete with Kinds Hawaiian rolls for making sliders and Sichuan pickled pineapples, a whole pineapple-glazed ham, various pies, and more. And, of course, tropical-ish holiday cocktails. Vegan tiki nog in a souvenir Grinch mug, anyone?
Culver City
Akasha’s at-home offerings include a variety of comforting, family-style items, including eggplant parm, chicken pot pie, and butternut squash gratin. There are take-and-bake scones and biscuits for your Christmas morning, cocktails and wine, and an assortment of gift items to share.
Santa Monica
Wether your traditions lean toward a big dinner feast or more of a Christmas morning celebratory breakfast, Huckleberry Cafe has you covered. There are also plenty of sweets and treats, including kits to decorate your own holiday cookies or gingerbread houses.
Photo: Courtesy Guerrilla Tacos
Arts District
Guerrilla Tacos has taco and tamale kits that are sure to bring a little warmth to your holiday. Taco kits are available to customize from a selection of filling options; tamale kits include chicken, steak, sweet potato, and cheese (meat-only and veg-only options available), along with masa and 40 corn husks for building your own. Don’t forget the margarita kit to accompany.
Brentwood
Holiday dinner packages from Baltaire include prime rib, lobster bisque, heirloom carrots, whipped potatoes, and other elegant offerings. Wine director Matthew Arnall has assembled “mystery” bottle packages (at a discount) that are sure to delight.
Atwater Village
While it may not be the same experience as going to the Tam during a typical Christmas season, you can still keep the tradition alive by ordering one of their holiday feasts. All the old-fashioned classics are here; think turkey, prime rib, and plenty of whisky.
Century City
Fill your cart (online or physical) with Italian holiday items, panettoni (they have more than 30 varieties available), seasonal specials, and food gift baskets galore from Eataly’s holiday market. Full meals from the complex’s several restaurants are also available for pick-up and delivery, offering everything from pizza to caviar.
Santa Monica
Stop by the famed seaside resort to pick up a fancy holiday supper. Each person in your party can select their own choices from a set, three-course menu, which includes options like pumpkin soup with chestnuts and truffle creme, slow braised Wagyu beef short ribs, winter vegetable lasagna, and either apple pie or a chocolate yule log cake for dessert.
Other Holiday Treats
Inglewood, Downey, El Segundo, Century City
Maybe the Santa Claus that visits your house would prefer doughnuts to cookies this year. Randy’s is offering special “ugly sweater” doughnuts, decked out with cute frosting and sprinkles, throughout December. Jelly-filled “Hanukkah rounds,” based on traditional sufganiyot, are also available. Order ahead for takeout or delivery, or stop by the drive-thru.
Arts District, Studio City, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Culver City, Larchmont, Venice
Who says ice cream isn’t a Christmas treat? Available for delivery or pickup by the individual pint or multi-flavor pack, the always-creative Salt & Straw has rolled out a holiday lineup that includes special collaborations with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson–seasonally known as Dwanta Claus.
Downtown
Treat yourself to a box of pastry chef Heather Wong’s beautiful baked goods via her “holidaze” pop-up based out of DTLA’s Hotel Figueroa. Each box includes gingerbread cake bars, peppermint meringue-topped brownies, cinnamon-sugar doughnuts, and Belgian sea salt-chocolate chip cookies.
Sherman Oaks
Stunner bakery-cafe Josephine has an array of holiday desserts that would make a sugar plum fairy blush. Place an order 48 hours in advance and you could be indulging in three-layer gingerbread cake, poached pear-rosemary cake, holiday pavlovas, and other delights. Sampler boards, gift baskets, and a selection of quiches and breakfast pastries also available.
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