Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner on the North Oregon Coast and Manzanita Area

Looking for a wonderful Christmas Eve or Christmas Dinner Near Manzanita, Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Tillamook, and Pacific City?

Both readers of our blog and visitors to our beachfront Manzanita Vacation Rental website frequently contact me to find out where to find the perfect holiday dinner on the North Oregon Coast and Manzanita area.

While we're all dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, it's important to check with the businesses regarding closures or other mandated restrictions. With our Oregon Coast restaurants, there is still outdoor dining to be found and take out too.

Manzanita restaurants are following suit, so give them a call before planning your Oregon Coast Christmas celebration!

Please note that most restaurants report if business is slow, they will close early in respect for their employees, so calling in advance is a safe bet.

As usual, we have the insider's scoop for you. Below you'll find the restaurants open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, in addition to some of the local events (found at the end of this post) - follow along!

As many of your know, we have a special fondness for our three Village area, comprising Manzanita to the west, Wheeler to the east, and Nehalem in the middle.

We were thrilled to find one of our very favorite restaurant in Wheeler, Rising Star Cafe, planned to be open on Christmas Eve ! What a wonderful holiday gift!

Are you a fan of Rising Star Cafe? If not, definitely add "dinner at Rising Star Cafe" on your To Do list - or your Wish List to Santa!

Owners Pepi Gabor and Ron Minschwaner make an awesome duo, with Ron in the kitchen and Pepi crafting luscious desserts and making sure all guests are as happy as Nehalem Bay clams.

As they write on their Mission Statement found on their website, they strive to create a restaurant that is an extension of [our] home: both in hospitality and quality. We proudly source from local farms and when possible, use organic ingredients. We are chameleons, in that we reinvent on a daily basis, keeping the meals you receive here the freshest and of the highest quality.

Happily, we think they've exceeded their goals! And they're open on Christmas Eve. How lucky can we get?

December 24th, Christmas Eve: Festive Dinner, two seatings, 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Reservations required.

Just to give you an idea how wonderful the food is at Rising Star Cafe, here's a peek into one of their wonderful dinner offerings on a recent winter menu:

Black Cod – king of comfort black cod is sautéed with soy mirin & lime sauce, a touch of sesame seeds and satsuma oranges, served with creamy mashed potatoes, and sautéed fresh veggies. Roasted Pumpkin Risotto –– creamy, comfy roasted pumpkin risotto with braised vegetables and vegetable stew, comes with local greens and roasted sweet potato wedges. Alaskan King Salmon - best of the west, Alaskan, sublime w/Willamette Valley pinot noir & red grape reduction (includes a bit of Vermont maple & fresh lime juice) served w/creamy mashed potatoes, sautéed local vegetables & citrus beurre blanc Braised Angus Rib Eye Steak – rib eye steak cooked your way, served with fire roasted vegetables, savory bread pudding, and black angus beef bone broth demi-glace and sautéed fresh vegetables.

If that's not enough to convince you, Sunset Magazine named Rising Star Cafe among the Best Road Food Stops for Food Lovers, aptly describing the experience as ...makes all the miles worthwhile. Ron and Pepi offer outstanding local seafood (and a full bar!).

Health Conscious Travel wrote all it takes is one great chef and you’re set, and he’s here in Wheeler, having relocated from top restaurants in various coastal settings, including Cape Cod. Both nights we ate there, the tiny dining room was packed with diners who couldn’t stop commenting on the freshness and creativity of the dishes.

Be sure to make your reservations early -- they fill up quickly! 503-368-3990 Note: cash or checks only.

Manzanita Beach Life Note: We regularly check with these restaurants, but sometimes hours are changed. Be sure to call ahead so you're not disappointed.

Also open for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinners in the Manzanita area are:

Bread and Ocean: Open Christmas Eve until 2:00 pm. 503-368-5823
El Trio Loco: Open Christmas Eve until 7:00 pm 503-368-8746
Manzanita Lighthouse Pub & Grub: Open Christmas Eve until 2:30 am. 503-368-4990

Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Pacific City:

Pelican Pub and Brewing: December 24th, open until 11:00 pm. December 25th, open 12 - 6, reservations only. 503-965-7007

Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Tillamook:

Dennys: 24/7, they're always open! 503-815-8061
Chinese Garden: Open both Christmas Eve and Christmas, depending on business. Call for hours. 503-815-8382
Rodeo Steakhouse and Grill: Open December 24th until 5:00 pm. 503-842-8288

The following Garibaldi restaurant is open Christmas Eve:

Ghost Hole Public House: Open Christmas Eve until 2:00 pm. 503-322-2733

Cannon Beach Restaurants Open Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Cannon Beach:

Bill's Tavern: Open Christmas Eve until 10:00 pm. 503-436-2202
Cannon Beach Cafe at Cannon Beach Hotel: Open Christmas Eve 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm. 503-436-1392
Ecola Seafoods Restaurant & Market: Open Christmas Eve until 6:00 pm. 503-436-9130
EVOO Cannon Beach: December 24th, Feast of Seven Fishes, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Their special event continues Chef Neroni’s family tradition on the Italian side–to feast upon seven different varieties of seafood, thus avoiding meat the night before Christmas. Reservations Required. 877-436-3866
Morris' Fireside Restaurant: Early closing on Christmas Eve. Call for hours. 503-436-2917
Pelican Pub & Brewing: Open Christmas Eve until 11:00 pm. 503-908-3377
Pig 'n Pancake: Open Christmas Eve until 3:00 pm. 503-436-2851
Stephanie Inn: Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Call to be added to wait list. 855-977-2444
Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge: Open Christmas Eve until 8:00 pm. Open Christmas Day until 8:00 pm. Call for reservations. 503-436-1108

Hwy 26 to the Oregon Coast

Camp 18 Restaurant, Elsie: Open Christmas Eve until 1:00 pm. 503-755-1818

Seaside Restaurants Open Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

In Seaside you'll find the following restaurants open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

Bella Ristorante: Open Christmas Eve until 4:00 pm. 503-738-6203
Dooger's Seafood & Grill: Open Christmas Eve until 3:00 pm. 503-738-3773
New Garden Asian Cuisine: Open until 9:00 pm. 503-738-9639
Maggie's on the Prom: Open Christmas Eve until 7:30 pm. 503-738-6403
McKeown's Restaurant & Bar: Open Christmas Eve until 8:00 pm. 503-738-5232
Pig 'n Pancake: Open Christmas Eve until 3:00 pm. 503-738-7243
Yellow Curry Cozy Thai: Open Christmas Eve until 9:00 pm. Call regarding Christmas Day hours. 503-739-7272
Tora Sushi: Might be open depending on business. Call for hours. 503-738-5226

Gearhart Restaurants Open Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

In Gearhart you'll find the following open for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

McMenamins Sand Trap Restaurant and Pub: Open Christmas Eve 7:00 am - 1:00 am, Christmas Day 7:00 am - 11:00 pm. Serving from their regular menu. 503-717-8150

Astoria Restaurants Open Christmas Eve / Christmas Day

You'll find the follow Astoria Restaurants open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

Astoria Coffeehouse & Bistro: Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until 11:00 pm. 503-325-1787
Astoria's Portway Tavern: Open Christmas Eve until 1:00 pm. 503-325-2651
Baked Alaska: Open Christmas Eve until 8:00 pm. 503-325-7414
Bridgewater Bistro: Open Christmas Eve until 9:00 pm. Call for reservations. 503-325-6777
Buoy 9 Restaurant, Hammond: Open Christmas Eve until 9:00 pm. 503-861-2962
Carruthers: Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until 11:00 pm. 503-975-5305
Dooger's Seafood & Grill: Open Christmas Eve until 3:00 pm. 503-861-2839
El Tapatio: Open until 8:30 pm Christmas Eve. 503-325-1248
Fulio's Pastaria and Steakhouse: Open Christmas Eve until 10:00 pm. 503-325-9001
Pig 'n Pancake: Open Christmas Eve until 3:00 pm. 503-325-3144
Rogue Ales Public House: Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day until 9:00 pm. 503-468-0923
T Paul's Supper Club and Urban Cafe: Open Christmas Eve until 10:00 pm. 503-325-2545
Silver Salmon Grille: Open Christmas Eve until 8:00 pm. 503-338-6640
Street 14 Cafe: Open until 2:00 pm on Christmas Eve. 503-325-5511
Tora Sushi: Might be open depending on business. Call for hours. 503-325-2586