What Restaurants Are Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Putting together a special Christmas dinner is a holiday tradition many people look forward to — but it’s not for everybody. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are having smaller gatherings, if they’re gathering at all, and most restaurants are offering takeout instead of dining in. Thankfully there are plenty of restaurants open for to-go meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some will have special multicourse Christmas meals and others even offer catering. The choice is yours, just remember to preorder or make a reservation for restaurants that are safely dining in.
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More than just traditional roast turkey and prime rib, restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day offer a variety of cuisine types. If you need a break from meal prep and cooking for your holiday feast, the following restaurants are open for takeout and delivery on Christmas Eve.
Last updated: Dec. 24, 2020
What Restaurants Are Open on Christmas Eve?
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar: Some restaurants open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bahama Breeze: Restaurants open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bakers Square: Restaurants open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Benihana: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Many restaurants are takeout only during the pandemic.
Black Angus Steakhouse: Open 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. for lunch and dinner.
Bob Evans: Restaurants open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for all day meals.
Boston Market: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but holiday hours may vary by location.
Buca di Beppo: Most restaurants open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. though hours may vary by location.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chart House: Open for lunch and dinner, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Chick-fil-A: Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast and lunch.
Claim Jumper: Some locations open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cracker Barrel: Some locations will be open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call ahead.
Denny’s: All restaurants open 24/7, though some locations may only offer takeout or delivery.
Fogo De Chão: Most locations open for takeout and delivery only from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
IHOP: Some 24-hour locations open, other locations open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Legal Sea Foods: Some locations are closed, so call ahead. Others may be open noon to 9 p.m.
Marie Callender’s: Most locations will be open Christmas Eve though reduced hours may apply.
Morton’s The Steakhouse: Select locations will open for Christmas Eve dinner 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Olive Garden: Some locations are open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Best to call ahead.
Pizza Hut: Hours vary by location. Some locations may have reduced hours. Call ahead.
Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses: Open 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Smith & Wollensky: Open Christmas Eve 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Waffle House: All locations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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What Restaurants Are Open on Christmas Day?
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar: Select restaurants will be open noon to 8 p.m. depending on the state
Bakers Square: Bakers Squares will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner on Christmas day.
Benihana: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Many restaurants are takeout only.
Buca di Beppo: Most restaurants open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., though hours may vary by location.
Chart House: Most locations will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., but some may close earlier. Call ahead.
Denny’s: All restaurants open 24/7, though some locations may only offer takeout or delivery.
Fogo De Chão: Most locations open for takeout and delivery only from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
IHOP: Some 24-hour locations open, other locations open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Marie Callender’s: Most locations open on Christmas Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., though hours may vary.
McDonald’s: Only a handful of locations are open on Christmas day, possibly with reduced hours.
Morton’s The Steakhouse: Select locations will open for Christmas lunch and dinner, noon to 9 p.m.
Ruth Chris Steak Houses: Open Christmas Day, location hours vary on demand.
Smith & Wollensky: Locations open on Christmas Day for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Starbucks: Most Starbucks locations will be open, but hours vary by location.
Waffle House: All locations are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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Dining Out or Takeout for Christmas
There are many reasons to dine or order out for Christmas if you can do so safely. Maybe you’re in the mood for a change of pace, such as Japanese food or Italian. Or maybe you’re away from home. Like banks and retailers, not all restaurants open on Christmas. Luckily, there will be few dining options open to cater to your meal preferences. Locations and hours are limited, so it’s best to call ahead and make a reservation or order your meal to-go before the holiday rush.
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Cynthia Bowman contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Restaurants Are Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
