Restaurants Open on Christmas Day: Your Complete Guide to Holiday Dining in 2026
70% of major restaurant chains remain open on Christmas Day, though most operate with reduced hours from 8am-8pm or 10am-6pm depending on location.
Average Christmas Day restaurant dining costs $45-$85 per person at casual chains and $85-$150 at upscale steakhouses, while Groupon deals reduce costs to $25-$60 per person.
Upscale restaurants require reservations 4-6 weeks in advance, casual sit-down chains need 1-2 weeks, and walk-in friendly options like IHOP and Denny's accept same-day guests.
Chinese restaurants see 30-40% higher traffic on Christmas Day and reliably stay open, making them a traditional choice for families seeking alternatives to Western holiday meals.
Christmas Day delivery orders increase 25% compared to typical Sundays, with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub all operating normal service hours.
Where to Eat on Christmas Day: Direct Answers
Major chain restaurants open on Christmas Day 2026 include IHOP, Denny's, Waffle House, select Cracker Barrel locations, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Morton's The Steakhouse, and most Chinese restaurants. Typical hours run 8am-8pm or 10am-6pm depending on the chain and specific location. Average costs range from $10-$15 per person at breakfast chains to $85-$150 at upscale steakhouses, while Groupon restaurant vouchers reduce these costs by 30-40% on average.
60% of Christmas Day diners choose restaurants specifically to avoid cooking stress and cleanup, according to the National Restaurant Association's 2025 Consumer Dining Survey. Beyond convenience, dining out accommodates mixed dietary needs easier than home cooking, eliminates family kitchen conflicts, and allows everyone to relax together without the $65-$95 per person investment in groceries, prep time, and cleanup that home-cooked Christmas dinners require. Our complete guide to Brazilian steakhouses shows how upscale dining creates memorable holiday experiences.
Major Chain Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2026
National chain restaurants provide the most reliable Christmas Day dining options because corporate policies ensure consistent holiday operations. IHOP, Denny's, and Waffle House maintain their 24/7 or extended hours on December 25th at most locations. These breakfast-focused chains serve full menus including pancakes, omelets, burgers, and dinner entrees throughout the day.
Restaurant Chain | Typical Christmas Hours | Reservation Needed? | Price Range Per Person | Special Menu? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IHOP | 24 hours (most locations) | No | $10-$15 | Regular menu |
Denny's | 24 hours (most locations) | No | $10-$18 | Regular menu |
Waffle House | 24 hours | No | $8-$14 | Regular menu |
Cracker Barrel | 8am-8pm (select locations) | Recommended | $12-$20 | Holiday menu available |
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse | 11am-9pm | Required 4-6 weeks ahead | $85-$150 | Prix fixe Christmas menu |
Morton's The Steakhouse | 12pm-9pm | Required 4-6 weeks ahead | $95-$160 | Special holiday menu |
Most Hotel Restaurants | Varies by property | Highly recommended | $75-$200 | Often prix fixe menus |
Call your specific location 2-3 days before Christmas to confirm hours. While corporate chains typically stay open, individual franchise locations may close or operate reduced hours based on local demand and staffing. Hotel restaurants at Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, and Marriott properties almost always serve Christmas Day meals.
Cracker Barrel operates at approximately 50% of locations on Christmas Day, making advance confirmation essential. Those locations that do open typically offer a special holiday menu alongside regular favorites. Fast-casual chains like Chipotle, Panera Bread, and Starbucks generally close on December 25th, prioritizing employee time off.
Upscale Dining Options for Christmas Day
Upscale steakhouses and hotel restaurants transform Christmas dining into special occasions with prix fixe menus, white-tablecloth service, and festive atmospheres. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and Morton's The Steakhouse both maintain Christmas Day service at most locations nationwide. These restaurants typically offer three-course prix fixe menus ranging from $75-$150 per person, featuring appetizers like lobster bisque or Caesar salad, main courses including filet mignon or lobster tail, and desserts like crème brûlée or chocolate soufflé.
Hotel restaurants at luxury properties provide another reliable upscale option. Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, and St. Regis hotels typically operate their signature restaurants on Christmas Day with special holiday menus. Expect $85-$200 per person for multi-course meals in elegant settings with professional service. Our guide to the best Brazilian steakhouse deals shows how Groupon vouchers make upscale dining more affordable year-round.
💰 Groupon Savings Angle: Ruth's Chris and Morton's vouchers on Groupon typically offer 30-40% off regular menu prices. While Christmas Day prix fixe menus may not accept vouchers, purchasing gift cards at a discount in advance reduces your total holiday dining cost. Check Groupon 2-3 weeks before Christmas for steakhouse deals.
Brazilian steakhouses like Fogo de Chão and Texas de Brazil also maintain Christmas Day service at many locations. These all-you-can-eat meat experiences cost $60-$85 per person for dinner service and provide festive, interactive dining that works well for families and groups. The continuous tableside service means no waiting for courses, keeping children and adults engaged throughout the meal.
Chinese & Asian Restaurants on Christmas Day
Chinese restaurants see 30-40% higher traffic on Christmas Day compared to typical winter days, making them one of the most reliable dining options on December 25th. This tradition began in the early 20th century when Jewish American families, for whom Christmas held no religious significance, found Chinese restaurants open while most other establishments closed. The practice expanded over decades to serve all families seeking alternatives to traditional Western holiday meals.
Most independently owned Chinese restaurants operate normal hours on Christmas Day, viewing December 25th as a high-revenue business day. Expect full menus featuring dim sum, Sichuan specialties, Cantonese classics, and hot pot options. Popular dishes include Peking duck, kung pao chicken, mapo tofu, and various noodle and rice dishes. Prices typically range from $12-$25 per person for full meals.
Chinese restaurants staying open on Christmas reflects practical business decisions rather than cultural statements. Christmas is not a traditional Chinese holiday, so restaurant owners and staff often work December 25th when demand peaks. This mutually beneficial arrangement has become an American tradition, serving families of all backgrounds seeking convenient, delicious meals.
Beyond Chinese cuisine, other Asian restaurants frequently maintain Christmas Day service. Japanese sushi restaurants, Thai restaurants, Vietnamese pho shops, and Korean BBQ establishments often stay open, recognizing strong customer demand. Our guide to ordering at Indian restaurants helps first-time diners navigate menus, while our Korean restaurant dining guide explains bibimbap and other popular dishes.
Regional Restaurant Picks by City
Local favorites and regional chains provide alternatives to national chains, though availability varies significantly by location. These city-specific recommendations highlight restaurants known for Christmas Day service, but calling ahead 24-48 hours before December 25th confirms current year operations.
NYC Christmas Dining: Chinatown restaurants throughout Manhattan remain bustling on Christmas Day, with Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Joe's Shanghai, and Jing Fong serving dim sum and traditional dishes. Russ & Daughters on the Lower East Side opens for bagels, lox, and Jewish deli classics. Many hotel restaurants in Midtown and the Upper East Side offer prix fixe Christmas menus. Our guide to romantic New York restaurants for special occasions includes upscale options that typically serve Christmas Day meals.
Chicago Christmas Options: Lou Malnati's and Giordano's deep-dish pizza locations typically stay open Christmas Day with regular hours. Chinatown restaurants along Wentworth Avenue maintain full service. The Signature Room at the 95th in the John Hancock Center and hotel restaurants at The Peninsula and Waldorf Astoria offer upscale Christmas dining with city views. Check our guide to Chicago's best dining destinations for year-round recommendations.
LA Holiday Dining: Chinese restaurants in Monterey Park, San Gabriel, and Alhambra form the San Gabriel Valley's extensive Asian food corridor, with hundreds of options open Christmas Day. Beverly Hills Hotel's Polo Lounge and Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica typically serve holiday meals. Many 24-hour diners along the Sunset Strip maintain service. Korean BBQ restaurants in Koreatown often stay open with regular hours.
Miami's South Beach features numerous hotel restaurants and Cuban establishments that maintain Christmas Day service. Dallas benefits from extensive Tex-Mex restaurant availability, with many family-owned taquerias and Mexican restaurants staying open. Phoenix offers strong Native American and Southwestern cuisine options that often operate on December 25th.
Christmas Day Takeout & Delivery Options
Christmas Day delivery orders increase 25% compared to typical Sundays, according to DoorDash's 2024 Holiday Trends Report. All major delivery platforms—DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub—operate normal service on December 25th, though delivery times may run 15-30 minutes longer than usual due to increased demand and reduced driver availability.
Many restaurants offer family-style takeout packages specifically designed for Christmas Day pickup or delivery. These packages typically serve 4-6 people and include complete meals with appetizers, main courses, sides, and desserts. Cracker Barrel's "Heat n' Serve" family dinners, Boston Market's holiday meals, and many Chinese restaurants' party platters provide convenient alternatives to cooking without requiring restaurant dining.
Pre-order takeout 24-48 hours ahead of Christmas Day to guarantee availability and preferred pickup times. Many restaurants accept advance orders for December 25th starting in early December. Specify your pickup time when ordering—lunch slots (11am-2pm) and dinner slots (5pm-7pm) fill quickly. Include reheating instructions in your order notes if picking up early.
Family-style portions work better than individual meals for Christmas Day takeout. A Chinese restaurant order for 6 people might include 2-3 appetizers (spring rolls, dumplings), 4-5 main dishes (kung pao chicken, beef and broccoli, sweet and sour pork, vegetable lo mein, fried rice), and shared sides. This approach costs $60-$90 total ($10-$15 per person) versus $18-$25 per person for individual entrees.
🍽️ Reheating Tips: Chinese food reheats best in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes rather than microwaving, which makes proteins rubbery. Transfer food to oven-safe dishes, cover with foil, and heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Fried items like egg rolls reheat better in an air fryer or toaster oven to restore crispness.
How to Save on Christmas Day Dining
Groupon restaurant vouchers average 30-40% off regular menu prices across casual dining, upscale steakhouses, and ethnic cuisine categories. While some restaurants exclude vouchers from special holiday menus, many accept them for regular menu items served on Christmas Day. Check each deal's fine print for holiday restrictions before purchasing.
Pre-purchasing restaurant gift cards at discounted rates provides another savings strategy. Many retailers offer 15-20% discounts on restaurant gift cards during November and December. Buy $200 in Ruth's Chris gift cards for $160 in November, then use them for Christmas Day dining in December. This stacks with any promotional pricing the restaurant offers.
Compare the total cost of dining out versus cooking at home. A Christmas dinner for 6 people costs $390-$570 in groceries, prep time (valued at $15-$20/hour for 4-5 hours = $60-$100), and cleanup effort. Restaurant dining for the same group costs $270-$510 at casual chains or $180-$300 with Groupon deals—often LESS than cooking when you factor in time investment. Our guide on how to maximize your Groupon restaurant savings provides additional strategies.
Lunch service costs 20-30% less than dinner at most upscale restaurants while offering identical or similar menus. Ruth's Chris lunch entrees run $25-$45 versus $45-$75 at dinner. If your family's schedule allows flexibility, booking a 1pm Christmas lunch reservation instead of 7pm dinner significantly reduces per-person costs while avoiding peak-hour crowds.
💡 Consider our affordable dining date ideas for budget-friendly restaurant strategies that work year-round, not just during holidays.
Reservation & Planning Timeline for Christmas Day
Average Christmas Day restaurant wait times reach 45-90 minutes without advance reservations, according to OpenTable's 2024 Holiday Dining Report. Reservation requirements vary dramatically by restaurant type, with upscale establishments requiring the most advance planning and casual chains accepting walk-ins throughout the day.
4-6 weeks ahead: Book upscale steakhouses (Ruth's Chris, Morton's), hotel fine dining, and any restaurant with prix fixe Christmas menus. These fill completely by early December. 1-2 weeks ahead: Reserve casual sit-down chains like Cracker Barrel (at locations that open) and mid-tier restaurants. This ensures your preferred time slot. Same-day / walk-in friendly: IHOP, Denny's, Waffle House, and most Chinese restaurants accept walk-ins. Expect 30-60 minute waits during peak lunch (12pm-2pm) and dinner (5pm-7pm) hours. Groupon advantage: Many Groupon restaurant deals can be purchased same-day or 1-2 days before use, providing last-minute booking flexibility for restaurants that don't require advance reservations.
When calling to make reservations, ask these specific questions: What are your exact Christmas Day hours? Are you serving the regular menu, a special menu, or both? What is your party size limit? Do you accept Groupon vouchers on December 25th? What is your cancellation policy if our plans change? These details prevent surprises when you arrive.
📞 Backup Plan Strategy: Identify 2-3 restaurant options when planning Christmas Day dining. If your first choice is fully booked or unexpectedly closed, having alternatives prevents last-minute scrambling. Keep the list in your phone with addresses and phone numbers for quick reference.
Christmas Day restaurant reservations increased 35% year-over-year from 2023 to 2024, reflecting growing acceptance of dining out as a holiday tradition. This trend means earlier booking becomes increasingly important each year. Restaurants that accepted walk-ins comfortably in 2023 now require reservations in 2025-2026.
Making Your Christmas Meal Special
Restaurant dress codes on Christmas Day typically match regular policies—business casual for upscale steakhouses, casual for chain restaurants. Many families dress up for holiday meals regardless of restaurant requirements, treating Christmas dining as a special occasion. Call ahead if unsure, but jeans and nice shirts work fine at most casual establishments.
Holiday tipping deserves extra consideration on Christmas Day. Servers, kitchen staff, and delivery drivers work December 25th while most people celebrate with family. Standard tipping guidelines suggest 20% for good service, but many diners increase this to 25-30% on major holidays to recognize the sacrifice. Our comprehensive holiday tipping guide for service staff covers appropriate amounts for various service providers.
Dining out on Christmas Day creates opportunities for new family traditions. Some families make it an annual event, returning to the same restaurant each year. Others explore different cuisines—Chinese food one year, Brazilian steakhouse the next, hotel brunch the following year. The variety keeps the tradition fresh while maintaining the core benefit of stress-free family time together.
Combining dinner with entertainment enhances the special occasion feeling. Many cities offer Christmas Day movie matinees, ice skating, light displays, or holiday concerts. Our guide to combining dinner with entertainment provides ideas for creating memorable multi-activity experiences that work during the holiday season.
🎁 Small Gifts for Servers: Some families bring small gift cards ($5-$10 coffee shop cards) or holiday cards with cash tips for servers working Christmas Day. While not expected, these gestures acknowledge the service staff's holiday sacrifice and create positive interactions that enhance your dining experience.
IHOP, Denny's, and Waffle House maintain 24-hour or extended service on Christmas Day at most locations nationwide. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and Morton's The Steakhouse also stay open with special holiday menus. Cracker Barrel operates at approximately 50% of locations with reduced hours. Most Chinese restaurants, including both chains and independent establishments, remain open with normal hours. Hotel restaurants at luxury properties like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons typically serve Christmas Day meals.
Reservation requirements depend on restaurant type. Upscale steakhouses and fine dining establishments require reservations 4-6 weeks in advance and fill completely by early December. Casual sit-down chains like Cracker Barrel benefit from 1-2 week advance reservations to secure preferred time slots. IHOP, Denny's, Waffle House, and most Chinese restaurants accept walk-ins throughout Christmas Day, though expect 30-60 minute waits during peak lunch (12pm-2pm) and dinner (5pm-7pm) hours.
Chinese restaurants stay open on Christmas Day because December 25th is not a traditional Chinese holiday, making it a regular business day for owners and staff. This practice began when Jewish American families sought dining options on Christmas and found Chinese restaurants available. The tradition expanded over decades to serve all families seeking alternatives to Western holiday meals. Chinese restaurants now see 30-40% higher traffic on Christmas Day compared to typical winter days, making December 25th a high-revenue business opportunity.
Christmas Day restaurant hours vary by chain and location. IHOP, Denny's, and Waffle House typically maintain 24-hour service. Cracker Barrel locations that open run 8am-8pm hours. Upscale steakhouses like Ruth's Chris serve 11am-9pm or 12pm-9pm. Most Chinese restaurants operate normal daily hours, often 11am-10pm or 11am-11pm. Hotel restaurants vary by property but typically serve brunch (10am-2pm) and dinner (5pm-9pm) services. Always call your specific location 2-3 days before Christmas to confirm current year hours.
Christmas Day restaurant costs range from $10-$15 per person at breakfast chains like IHOP and Denny's to $85-$150 per person at upscale steakhouses offering prix fixe menus. Chinese restaurants typically cost $12-$25 per person for full meals. Casual sit-down chains run $18-$35 per person. Groupon restaurant vouchers reduce these costs by 30-40% on average, bringing casual dining to $25-$50 per person and upscale dining to $55-$95 per person. This often costs less than cooking at home when factoring in the $65-$95 per person investment in groceries, prep time, and cleanup.
All major delivery platforms—DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub—operate normal service on Christmas Day, though delivery times may run 15-30 minutes longer than usual. Christmas Day delivery orders increase 25% compared to typical Sundays. Many restaurants offer family-style takeout packages designed for holiday meals, serving 4-6 people with complete menus. Pre-order takeout 24-48 hours before Christmas Day to guarantee availability and preferred pickup times. Chinese restaurants, pizza chains, and casual dining establishments most reliably offer Christmas Day takeout and delivery.
Upscale restaurants typically offer prix fixe Christmas menus ranging from $75-$150 per person featuring three courses with holiday-themed dishes. Ruth's Chris, Morton's, and hotel restaurants commonly provide special Christmas Day menus alongside or instead of regular menus. Most casual chains like IHOP, Denny's, and Chinese restaurants serve their regular menus throughout December 25th. Cracker Barrel locations that open often feature special holiday menu items alongside regular favorites. Ask about menu options when making reservations to understand what will be available.
Groupon offers restaurant vouchers year-round that average 30-40% off regular menu prices. While some restaurants exclude vouchers from special holiday prix fixe menus, many accept them for regular menu items served on Christmas Day. Check each deal's fine print for holiday restrictions before purchasing. Groupon deals can typically be purchased same-day or 1-2 days before use, providing last-minute booking flexibility. Pre-purchasing discounted restaurant gift cards through Groupon in November-December provides another savings option for Christmas Day dining. Visit our guide on maximizing Groupon restaurant savings for additional strategies.
