Here's Where to Eat Out On Christmas Day

Chron food critic Michael Bauer dishes his best dinner alternatives.

If that Christmas ham doesn't go as planned, or you just feel like getting out of the house, several restaurants are staying open Christmas Day.   

More than 200 Bay Area restaurants are open for business despite the service industry's traditional day off on Christmas, according to venerable Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer, and the range of available options goes far beyond the traditional dish of Chinese food on December 25th (though that's for sure on the table).

Here's a selection from Bauer's top 20 places to dine out on Christmas Day (and he is, honestly, a big fan of Benihana):

Beso, the best tapas in the Castro District;

Cafe de la Presse, classic French in Union Square;

Crab House, holiday Dungeness on Pier 39;

Five, in the Hotel Shattuck in Berkeley;

Hot Box Grill, Sonoma;

La Rondalla, classic Mexican restaurant in the Mission;

Lure+Till in Palo Alto;

Plumed Horse, Saratoga;

Palio d'Asti, upscale Italian with a special Christmas menu;

Tai Pan, one of the Bay Area's very best Chinese restaurants (and Bauer says so).

1300 on Fillmore, soul food spot open from lunch on.

From mac and cheese to squab, plenty good can be had on Christmas Day for those who wish to dine out.

Denny's will be serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day long.

Applebee's and some Boston Markets will be open, but times and locations will vary, so call ahead before heading out.

Golden Corral and Ruby Tuesday restaurants will also be open on Christmas. And, if you need a caffeine fix, Starbucks is open for business as well.

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