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Published: Dec 24, 2017 5 min read
Santa Claus
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What restaurants are open on Christmas Day 2017? We've done the searching for anyone looking for a quick bite, a holiday dinner, or anything in between on Dec. 25.

There are plenty of diner chains (think: Denny's, IHOP, Waffle House) open for Christmas on Monday, and a number of fast-food restaurants will also be serving food Christmas Day, as well. Buffets and sit-down options are available as well, including chains like Buca di Beppo, Chart House, Romano's Macaroni Grill, and HomeTown Buffet. This is all in addition to local independent restaurants open Christmas Day near your neck of the woods.

In many cases, the operating hours of franchised restaurants like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Burger King are set by the local owner and vary for major holidays. In other words, not all are open on Christmas Day, so you should call or check the hours online for your nearest location.

Restaurants open on Christmas Day 2017

Benihana: Most locations are open on Christmas Day and available for reservations online.

Boston Market: Boston Market published a list of locations open on Christmas, and there are dozens of options nationally—more than 40 in New York state alone.

Buca di Beppo: Buca restaurants are open on Christmas for dining in, and Christmas family meals are also available to-go.

Buffalo Wild Wings: Most locations are open on Christmas Day, although some may have limited hours.

Chart House: Most locations are open on Christmas Day, and reservations are encouraged.

Denny's: Not only are locations open on Christmas, but Denny's says that December 25 is routinely the busiest day of the year at its restaurants.

Fogo de Chao: Locations of this Brazilian steakhouse chain are open around the country on Christmas Day.

HomeTown Buffet: HomeTown Buffet restaurants are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day, as are its sibling brands Old Country Buffet and Ryan's.

Huddle House: Locations are typically open on Christmas and business is busy.

IHOP: Most IHOPs will be open on Christmas, though some may have reduced holiday hours.

Legal Sea Foods: Most locations are open on Christmas, and reservations are encouraged.

Luby's: Locations are open on Monday, Dec. 25 and serving a Christmas Day $15.99 prime rib special, with two sides and bread included.

McCormick & Schmick's: Operating hours vary by location, but most are open and available for reservations on Christmas Day.

Morton's Steakhouse: All locations are open and available for reservations on Christmas Day.

Panda Express: Chinese food is a tradition for some families on Christmas Day, and most Panda Express locations are open.

Ruth's Chris: Most locations are open starting at noon on Christmas Day and serving the full menu.

Romano's Macaroni Grill: Locations are open from noon to 8 p.m. on Christmas.

Shoney's: Locations are generally open on December 25 and are serving a special Christmas buffet.

Waffle House: Every Waffle House location is open 24/7, 365 days a year, and that, of course ,includes Christmas Day.

Restaurants that may be closed on Christmas Day

Applebee's: Select locations are open on Christmas Day. Check locally to see operating hours.

Burger King: Some Burger King locations will be open on Christmas.

Dunkin' Donuts: A representative told Money that some Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins locations are open on Christmas, but that hours vary on locations and customers should reach out to stores to see if and when they're open.

McDonald's: A corporate representative for McDonald's says 90% of its U.S. locations are owned and operated by local franchisees and they set their own operating hours. Bottom line: Some will be open on Christmas Day, and some will be closed.

Perkin's Restaurants: Each franchise decides on its operating hours, and some will be open on Christmas.

Starbucks: Many Starbucks coffee shops are open on Christmas, but select locations are closed and some stores may have limited hours. Starbucks says to check your nearest location for store hours.

TGI Fridays: A representative told Money that individual TGI Fridays locations set their own hours, but that some are open on Christmas.

Village Inn: Some locations are open on Christmas Day, and the ones that are open generally have limited holiday hours.