28 Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2018
Whether you're sick of eating Christmas cookies or being in a confined space with your extended family, you're in luck: There are dozens of restaurants open on Christmas Day 2018.
Chains like Buca di Beppo, Denny's, IHOP, Starbucks, and Waffle House will be serving food and drinks on Dec. 25 — and they'll help you stay in the spirit with festive flavors, holiday menus, and special discounts. Looking for a drive-thru option? Fast food spots like Panda Express and McDonald's have Christmas Day hours this year, as well, so you can grab a snack in the car on the way to the in-laws'.
A few chain restaurants are closed in all locations on Christmas. For instance, Olive Garden is closed on Christmas, as is Chili's and Cracker Barrel. All Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Dec. 25 as well.
A word to the wise about restaurants that may be open on Christmas: In many cases, locations are owned and operated by franchisees, who decide if they want to be open on major holidays and set their own hours. That means you'll want to check your nearby restaurants' hours before you officially give up on thawing that Christmas ham.
Check out a list of restaurants open on Christmas Day 2018 below. (If you need to do some shopping rather than dining out today, check out our roundup of stores open on Christmas.) Happy holidays, and happy eating.
Applebee's
Applebee's says that some locations are open on Christmas, but each restaurant decides on its hours and if it will be open on major holidays. You can search Applebee's by location to see if any nearby are open today.
Benihana
A Benihana spokeswoman says its restaurants are open on Christmas, though hours vary by location.
Boston Market
Certain Boston Market locations are open on Christmas Day and serving a special menu that includes your choice of hand-carved ham, turkey breast or rotisserie chicken with sides like macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, and mashed potatoes. Individual meals start at $12.99.
Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo Italian restaurants open on Christmas Day 2018 at 11 a.m. Make a reservation for lunch or dinner, or try one of the chain's family meals (choices include baked ziti, rigatoni, and penne alla vodka).
Buffalo Wild Wings
A spokeswoman tells Money that franchises set their own hours, and that most company-owned Buffalo Wild Wings are closed on Christmas. However, some Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants in California and Washington are open, and the location in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is open from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Plus, Las Vegas locations are open all day and night.
Chart House
Stop by and enjoy seafood with a view at Chart House, which is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Chevy's
Get your red and green via salsa and guacamole at Chevy's locations on Dec. 25. Most locations are open from noon to 9 p.m. (check your nearby Chevy's hours here).
Country Buffet
Country Buffet locations will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day. Try their delicious meatloaf, fried chicken, honey cornbread or egg custard pie.
Del Frisco's
The steakhouse is ready to serve you from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. Try the prime rib.
Denny's
Denny's restaurants are open 24 hours a day, every day, including Christmas. Check out its Festive Flavors menu, which includes cinnamon roll pancakes and a pumpkin pie milkshake.
Dunkin'
Store hours vary by location for Dunkin' Donuts, which is in the middle of a rebrand dropping the "Donuts" from its name. A spokeswoman notes that many restaurants will be open, but customers should check the app for details.
Fogo de Chao
The Brazilian steakhouse is open to guests willing to pay dinner prices on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours may vary, but several Fogo de Chao locations are operating from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., so that's a good starting place.
Golden Corral
EatDrinkDeals reports that some Golden Corral locations will be operating on Dec. 25. Bring your family and try the restaurant's holiday menu, which features carved ham, homestyle cornbread stuffing, and coconut cake.
Hard Rock Cafe
Most Hard Rock Cafe locations are open on Christmas Day.
IHOP
A spokeswoman tells Money that IHOP restaurants "are typically open regular hours" and offering their normal menus on both Dec. 24 and 25. That said, all locations are owned and operated by franchisees, so customers should call ahead when possible.
Legal Sea Foods
Select Legal Sea Foods locations in Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia are open, with most serving seafood from about 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check your local restaurant for details.
Luby's
Luby's is offering a Christmas Day special where customers can get a $15.99 prime rib combo or $13.99 blackened chicken breast with bacon-wrapped shrimp meal.
Marie Callender's
Stop by Marie Callender's and dine in or take a meal home on Christmas Day. Participating locations will be serving $22.99 feasts that featuring ham, turkey, stroganoff, vegetable pasta, cajun salmon, and more.
McCormick & Schmick's
This seafood and steaks eatery is open on Christmas Day 2018, but reservations are recommended. Plan your McCormick and Schmick's meal in advance here.
McDonald's
According to the McDonald's FAQ, "only a handful" of locations are open on Dec. 25. Make sure you call your favorite location to check its hours before heading over.
Morton's Steakhouse
This restaurant, which brags it has "the best steak anywhere," will be up and running on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Contact your neighborhood Morton's Steakhouse location for hours.
Panda Express
Chomp down on Chinese food this Christmas. A spokeswoman confirms that most Panda Express restaurants will be open on Christmas Day, but their hours may vary. Call to check.
Ruth's Chris
Spend your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a nice steak at Ruth's Chris, which will be open and serving holiday surf and turf, a three-course menu and raspberry rosemary cocktails.
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Romano's Macaroni Grill will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 25 for you to eat margherita pizza, shrimp scampi, chicken Parmesan, and such.
Shoney's
Shoney's locations are open on Dec. 25 and serving a special Christmas Day feast. Prices and menu options vary by location.
Smith & Wollensky
This steakhouse is taking reservations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Customers can order off of the fall/winter dinner menu and enjoy seasonal specials. And don't forget to try Smith and Wollensky's featured holiday wines, which include Clos du Val Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Folktale Winery & Vineyards Pinot Noir.
Starbucks
Craving your Christmas caffeine fix? You're in luck. Delish reports that many Starbucks cafes will be open on Christmas Day. Hours vary, so call ahead.
Waffle House
Waffle House never closes (except in the face of danger), so it will be open on Dec. 25. It's even running a "Waffle Home for the Holidays" sweepstakes where customers can win a $500 gift card plus airline vouchers or other goodies.