United States, Nationwide Chains, Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2026
Best Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2026: Complete Guide
If you are looking for restaurants open on Christmas Day, you are not alone, and the list of Christmas Day restaurants open on December 25 is what most readers need first. Every year, families who do not want to cook, travellers far from home, and people with a last minute change of plan search for the same thing: a table that is actually open on December 25. The honest answer is that most restaurants close, and the list of restaurants open on Christmas Day is short. That is why this guide exists. It sorts the reliable options from the hopeful guesses, so you can plan Christmas dinner out with less stress.
Christmas Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 25, 2026. Most national chains close so staff can spend the day with family. A small group stays open, and those restaurants open on Christmas Day fall into clear groups: 24 hour diners, a few fast food drive thrus, some casual dining chains with shortened hours, steakhouses that take reservations, and Chinese and hotel restaurants. Use this guide as a starting point, then confirm with the restaurant itself, because a chain being open in one city does not mean your local branch is open.
For the full holiday plan, start with our Christmas Dinner Menu pillar guide, which links the whole Christmas series together. If you can eat a day earlier instead, our guide to restaurants open on Christmas Eve has far more choice, because most restaurants stay open on December 24 and close early, rather than closing all day.
Featured Image and Caption
A Christmas Day restaurant table with roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green beans. Image: Food Menu Journal, generated food photo for illustration.
At a Glance: Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
This table is a quick summary of restaurants open on Christmas Day in the United States. Hours are typical hours reported by current guides, not a promise for your local branch. Always call ahead.
| Restaurant | Typical Christmas Day Hours | Reservations | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waffle House | 24 hours | Walk in | Breakfast, lunch, or dinner at any hour |
| Denny’s | 24 hours at most locations | Walk in | Classic diner food all day |
| IHOP | 7am to 10pm, some locations 24 hours | Walk in | Pancakes and breakfast |
| McDonald’s, select locations | Drive thru only, hours vary | Walk in or drive thru | Quick food, mainly drive thru |
| Applebee’s, select locations | Noon to 9pm, reported | Recommended | Casual family dinner |
| Red Lobster | Noon to 9pm, reported | Recommended | Seafood dinner |
| Ruth’s Chris Steak House | 11am to 9pm, reported | Required | Special steakhouse dinner |
| Morton’s The Steakhouse | Noon to 9pm, reported | Required | Special steakhouse dinner |
| Fogo de Chao | Late morning to dinner, reported | Required | Brazilian steakhouse feast |
| Benihana | Shortened hours, reported | Required | Hibachi dinner and a show |
| Chinese restaurants | Standard hours at many places | Recommended | Dumplings, noodles, and shared dishes |
| Hotel restaurants | Brunch 10am to 2pm, dinner varies | Required | Holiday brunch and set menus |
Christmas Day 2026 is Friday, December 25, 2026. Book steakhouses and hotel restaurants two to four weeks ahead. Among restaurants open on Christmas Day, diners such as Waffle House, Denny’s, and IHOP are walk in only, and they are busiest at breakfast and early dinner.
Why We Made This Guide
We made this guide because the search for restaurants open on Christmas Day is full of lists that disagree with each other. One guide says a chain is open, another says the same chain is closed, and neither one says which location it checked. That leaves readers driving to a closed restaurant on a day when almost everything else is closed too.
Our method was simple. We checked Google and Bing top results for restaurants open on Christmas Day, opened the leading 2026 guides, and compared them with chain policy statements and local reports. Where two or more guides agreed, we treated the point as reliable. Where they disagreed, we say so here and in the research notes, and we tell you to call the restaurant. We did not invent hours, prices, or menus. Where a chain had not posted 2026 hours yet, we say the status is to be confirmed, and we give the Christmas Day 2025 pattern as context, clearly labelled as last year.
This guide is part of our Christmas series. The pillar guide is our Christmas Dinner Menu, and the sibling guides cover Cracker Barrel Christmas Dinner, HoneyBaked Ham Christmas, and Denny’s Christmas Menu. Together they cover eating in, taking food home, and eating out, so you can pick the plan that fits your day.
What We Ordered: Menu and Prices
There is no single Christmas Day menu, because restaurants open on Christmas Day serve very different food, and the list of restaurants open on Christmas Day covers diners, steakhouses, and Chinese restaurants side by side. A diner serves pancakes and eggs all day. A steakhouse serves a set holiday menu. A Chinese restaurant serves its regular menu. The table below gives typical per person price ranges reported by current guides. Treat every figure as a reported range or an estimate, not as a price from a menu we saw in person, and expect holiday set menus to cost more than a regular meal.
| Restaurant | What to Expect | Typical Price Per Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waffle House | Waffles, eggs, hash browns, regular menu | $8 to $14, reported range | 24 hours, most locations |
| Denny’s | Breakfast, burgers, turkey and seasonal plates at some locations | $10 to $18, reported range | 24 hours at most locations |
| IHOP | Pancakes, omelets, breakfast and brunch | $10 to $15, reported range | Most locations open, hours vary |
| Applebee’s | Appetizers, burgers, ribs, holiday items at some locations | $12 to $20, reported range | Select locations, noon to 9pm reported |
| Red Lobster | Shrimp, fish, lobster, holiday seafood plates | $20 to $40, estimate | Most locations open, reported |
| Ruth’s Chris Steak House | Steak, seafood, sides, fixed price holiday menu | $85 to $150, reported range | Reservations essential |
| Morton’s The Steakhouse | Steak, seafood, holiday desserts | $95 to $160, reported range | Reservations essential |
| Fogo de Chao | Churrasco meats carved tableside, market table | $60 to $90, estimate | Reservations essential |
| Benihana | Hibachi steak, chicken, shrimp, fried rice | $30 to $60, estimate | Reservations essential |
| Chinese restaurants | Dumplings, noodles, stir fry, shared dishes | $15 to $35, estimate | Hours vary by restaurant |
| Hotel restaurants | Holiday brunch or set dinner menu | $50 to $120, estimate | Reservations required |
For a sense of regular menu prices at the casual chains, see our McDonald’s Menu guide and our Applebee’s Menu With Prices guide. Holiday prices are higher at steakhouses and hotels, because many switch to a fixed price menu on Christmas Day. Ask the price when you book, and ask whether drinks, tax, and tip are included.
Pancakes, eggs, and bacon at a diner, the most reliable Christmas Day breakfast among restaurants open on Christmas Day. Image: Food Menu Journal, generated food photo for illustration.
Our Review
Our review is a review of the research, not a review of a meal we ate, and we say that plainly so readers are not misled. On the evidence we found, the best plan for restaurants open on Christmas Day depends on what kind of day you want. If you want a simple, low stress meal, a 24 hour diner is the strongest choice. Waffle House, Denny’s, and IHOP are built to stay open every day, and their Christmas Day pattern is the most consistent across sources. You can walk in, order breakfast at any hour, and leave without a reservation. The trade off is familiar diner food, not a special holiday feast, and a busy dining room at breakfast and dinner peaks.
If you want a special dinner, a steakhouse is the strongest choice among restaurants open on Christmas Day, but only if you book early. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Morton’s The Steakhouse, and Fogo de Chao were open on Christmas Day 2025 in guide after guide, and the same pattern is expected for 2026, with reservations required and a fixed price or holiday menu at many locations. The food is a real occasion meal, and the service is set up for a celebration. The trade off is price, and the risk that the table you want is already gone by early December. Book two to four weeks ahead, confirm the menu and the price when you book, and confirm again the day before.
Fast food is the weakest plan for a sit down meal among restaurants open on Christmas Day, and the strongest plan for a quick bite. Some McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, and Taco Bell locations stay open, usually as 24 hour drive thrus, while the dining room stays closed. Check the app first, because it shows live status for the location near you.
Top Restaurants Open on Christmas Day by Type
Best 24 Hour Diners Open on Christmas Day
Waffle House is the most reliable of all restaurants open on Christmas Day: open every day, 24 hours a day, at almost all of its 1,900 plus United States locations. Denny’s is close behind, with most of its 1,400 plus locations open, most on a full 24 hour schedule. IHOP is open at most locations, typically 7am to 10pm, with a meaningful share running 24 hours. Start with these three for breakfast, lunch, or a late dinner. They need no reservation and serve all day. Expect a wait at peak times and a smaller staff than usual.
Fast Food Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
Fast food on Christmas Day is a location by location question, not a chain wide promise. A subset of McDonald’s locations stay open, usually the 24 hour drive thru sites. Burger King and Wendy’s follow the same pattern, with the lobby closed at most stores. Jack in the Box has a meaningful share open, especially in California, Texas, and Arizona. Taco Bell has some 24 hour locations open, but it is less consistent. Dunkin’ has some locations open, often morning only, and Starbucks has limited locations open, mostly inside airports, hotels, and hospitals. Check the chain app, and treat a general list as a hint, not a guarantee.
Casual Dining Chains Open on Christmas Day
Casual dining is where the lists disagree most. Applebee’s is reported open at most locations, typically noon to 9pm, and Red Lobster is reported open at most locations, typically noon to 9pm. Ruby Tuesday, Sizzler, and Bar Louie are also reported open at many locations with shortened hours. Reservations are recommended. Note the Applebee’s disagreement: one 2026 guide lists it as closed, while several others list it as open. We list it as open at select locations, but we could not verify a chain wide 2026 policy, so call your local branch first. Our Applebee’s Near Me guide can help you find it.
Complete Steakhouse Guide for Christmas Day
Steakhouses are the best choice for a special Christmas Day dinner, and they need the earliest booking. Ruth’s Chris Steak House is open at most locations with a fixed price Christmas menu, and reservations are essential. Morton’s The Steakhouse is open for Christmas dining, with a three course holiday dinner reported, and reservations are required. Fogo de Chao opens every United States location on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a holiday menu and continuous churrasco service. The Capital Grille and STK are also reported open at most locations. See our Best Steakhouse in USA guide for price context. Book two to four weeks ahead, and ask whether the menu is fixed price.
Steak with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables, a typical steakhouse plate from the restaurants open on Christmas Day. Image: Food Menu Journal, generated food photo for illustration.
Chinese and Hotel Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
Two categories outside the chains are reliably open. Chinese restaurants are a long standing Christmas Day tradition, especially in big cities, and most stay open with standard hours. In New York City, Chinatown is busy all day, and in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston, Chinese and other Asian restaurants are the most reliable independent option. Hotel restaurants are the other reliable category: they serve hotel guests and are usually open to walk ins too. Major hotels run a Christmas Day brunch, typically 10am to 2pm, with a holiday menu. Book early and expect a set menu and a set price.
Delivery and Takeout on Christmas Day
Delivery from restaurants open on Christmas Day is a real option, but it is narrower than on a normal day. Domino’s has many locations open for delivery, especially in cities, with reduced hours, and Pizza Hut and Papa John’s run delivery at the majority of locations. Uber Eats and DoorDash continue serving, although the list narrows a lot. Check the app for your address first. For a full meal to take home, see our HoneyBaked Ham Christmas guide and our Cracker Barrel Christmas Dinner guide, but note Cracker Barrel is closed on Christmas Day itself, so pickup must happen before the day.
Restaurants Closed on Christmas Day: Do Not Count on These
Knowing what is closed saves a wasted trip. Chick-fil-A is closed at every location, as a company wide policy, and it is also closed every Sunday. Cracker Barrel is closed at every United States location. Chipotle is closed at most locations. Olive Garden has confirmed a full 24 hour closure on Friday, December 25, 2026. Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse are closed. The Cheesecake Factory, Panera Bread, and Five Guys are closed at most locations. Note the Cracker Barrel disagreement: one guide lists select locations as open from 8am to 8pm, but the weight of the evidence says closed at every location, so we list it as closed. Do not plan a meal at any of these chains. Check our list of restaurants open on Christmas Day above before you travel.
Dumplings, noodles, and stir fried vegetables, a classic Christmas Day meal at many Chinese restaurants open on Christmas Day. Image: Food Menu Journal, generated food photo for illustration.
Picky Eats
Picky eaters do best at a diner or a casual chain among restaurants open on Christmas Day. Waffle House, Denny’s, and IHOP serve plain food all day: pancakes, eggs, toast, hash browns, burgers, and chicken tenders. At a steakhouse, a plain steak with mashed potatoes is usually available, but ask when you book, because a fixed price menu may limit swaps. At a Chinese restaurant, plain rice, noodles, and dumplings are good safe picks. At a hotel brunch, the buffet helps, because a picky eater can pick the plain items and skip the rest. Check the menu online before you go, so you can point to a dish they already like.
Parents’ Review and Family Tips
For families, the best restaurants open on Christmas Day are the ones with no reservation, a short wait, and food children recognise. That points to Waffle House, Denny’s, and IHOP for breakfast and lunch, and to Applebee’s or Red Lobster for an early dinner, if your local branch is open. Go early: breakfast before 9am and dinner before 5pm are usually calmer than the midday rush. Bring colouring books or a quiet game, because staffing is thinner on Christmas Day and service can be slower. At a steakhouse, book the earliest seating and confirm the children’s menu, because a fixed price holiday menu may not include a children’s price. At a hotel brunch, ask about high chairs and children’s prices when you book.
Nutrition and Carbohydrate Info
We did not test or measure any dish served at the restaurants open on Christmas Day in this guide, and we do not give calorie or carbohydrate numbers for a specific plate, because the numbers change with the restaurant, the portion, the sauce, and the sides. Use this method instead. First, check the chain’s official nutrition page or nutrition PDF before you go: Denny’s, IHOP, McDonald’s, Applebee’s, Ruth’s Chris, and Morton’s all publish nutrition information for their regular menus, although a holiday set menu may not be listed. Second, note the carbohydrate heavy parts of the plate: pancakes, syrup, toast, hash browns, mashed potatoes, bread rolls, stuffing, and sweet sauces carry most of the carbohydrate, while plain meat, eggs, and non starchy vegetables carry far less. Third, ask for swaps the kitchen can do on a busy holiday: grilled instead of fried, vegetables instead of potatoes, dressing on the side, and no extra syrup or sweet glaze. If you manage blood sugar, diabetes, or another condition, check the official nutrition page for the closest regular dish, and speak to your clinician about your own plan, because this guide is not medical advice.
What to Know Before Visiting
Call ahead. That is the single most important tip for restaurants open on Christmas Day. Hours vary by location, franchise owners decide their own holiday hours, and a location that was open last year can be closed this year. Call between December 22 and December 23 to confirm hours, and call again on the morning of December 25 if you are travelling far. Check the chain app and Google Maps for live status. Book steakhouses and hotel restaurants two to four weeks ahead, and ask for the menu, the price, and the cancellation policy when you book. Expect reduced hours, a smaller menu, and slower service. Keep the number of a second restaurant as a backup, and check parking and public transport, because holiday schedules can change both.
Is It Worth It?
Yes, eating out on Christmas Day is worth it if you pick the right kind of restaurant and you plan ahead. Among restaurants open on Christmas Day, a diner is worth it for a simple, affordable meal with no cooking and no washing up, and it is the best value in this guide. A steakhouse among restaurants open on Christmas Day is worth it for a special occasion, if you book early and you are happy with the fixed price, because the food and the setting make the day feel like a celebration. A Chinese restaurant is worth it for flavour, variety, and a table without a long booking wait, especially in a big city. It is not worth it if you drive to a restaurant without calling first, because the most likely result is a closed door and a stressful search for a backup. It is also not worth it if you want a normal menu at a normal price at a steakhouse or a hotel, because Christmas Day is a set menu day at those places. Plan early, confirm twice, and the day works. Leave it to chance, and it probably does not.
FAQ: Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
What restaurants are open on Christmas Day 2026?
The most reliable restaurants open on Christmas Day are Waffle House, Denny’s, and IHOP, plus Chinese restaurants, hotel restaurants, and steakhouses such as Ruth’s Chris, Morton’s, and Fogo de Chao. Some McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Applebee’s, and Red Lobster locations are also open, but hours vary by location, so call ahead.
Is McDonald’s open on Christmas Day?
Some McDonald’s locations are open on Christmas Day, usually the 24 hour drive thru locations, while the dining room is closed at most stores. It is not chain wide, so check the McDonald’s app for your nearest location before you go.
Is Cracker Barrel open on Christmas Day?
No. Cracker Barrel is closed on Christmas Day at every United States location, according to its long standing policy and several 2026 guides. One guide lists select locations as open, but we treat that as an error, because the weight of the evidence says closed. Cracker Barrel is open on Christmas Eve until 2pm, so plan pickup for December 24 instead.
Do I need a reservation for Christmas Day dinner?
Yes, for steakhouses and hotel restaurants, book two to four weeks ahead. For diners such as Waffle House, Denny’s, and IHOP, no reservation is needed, because they are walk in only. For casual chains such as Applebee’s and Red Lobster, a reservation is recommended, because hours are shortened and tables fill fast.
Are fast food restaurants open on Christmas Day?
Some are, at select locations. McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, and Taco Bell may have 24 hour drive thru locations open, while Chick-fil-A and Chipotle are closed at most or all locations. Check the chain app for live status, and do not assume your local branch is open.
What is the best cheap option for Christmas Day dinner out?
Waffle House, Denny’s, and IHOP are the best cheap options, with reported price ranges of about $8 to $18 per person. Domino’s delivery is also a low cost option for eating at home. Steakhouses and hotel restaurants are the most expensive options, with reported ranges from about $60 to $160 per person.
Related Guides
Plan the whole holiday with our Christmas series, and use this list of restaurants open on Christmas Day beside the rest of the series. Start with the Christmas Dinner Menu pillar guide, then read our guide to Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve if you can eat a day earlier. For takeout and holiday meals at home, see Cracker Barrel Christmas Dinner, HoneyBaked Ham Christmas, and Denny’s Christmas Menu. For starters, see Best Make-Ahead Christmas Appetizers, and for steakhouse prices, see Best Steakhouse in USA.
Sources and Review Notes
Researched November 6, 2026. Christmas Day 2026 is Friday, December 25, 2026, confirmed by calendar check. Sources: Places to Eat Near Me, Restaurants Open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve Near Me, 2026 Hours, https://places-to-eat-near-me.com/restaurants-open-on-christmas-day/; Groupon, Where to Eat: Restaurants Open on Christmas Day, https://www.groupon.com/articles/where-to-eat-restaurants-open-on-christmas-day-2023-mmxn269z; Men’s Journal, These Restaurant Chains Are Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, https://www.mensjournal.com/news/where-to-eat-on-christmas-eve-and-christmas-day-which-restaurant-chains-are-open; Enjoy Orange County, Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in OC 2026, https://enjoyorangecounty.com/restaurants-open-christmas-day/; EatHealthy365, Restaurants Open on Christmas Day 2026: The Full List, https://eathealthy365.com/what-restaurants-are-open-on-christmas-2026-a-guide/; So Yummy, Olive Garden Announces 48-Hour Nationwide Shutdown, https://soyummy.com/uncategorized/olive-garden-announces-48-hour-nationwide-shutdown-affecting-more-than-900-restaurants/; ConsumerAffairs, What’s open on Christmas? A last-minute grocery and restaurant playbook, https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/whats-open-on-christmas-a-last-minute-grocery-restaurant-playbook-121925.html. Disagreements noted in this guide: Cracker Barrel, one guide says select locations open, most sources say closed chain wide, we follow the closed position; Applebee’s, one guide lists it as closed, several guides list it as open at most locations, we list it as open at select locations with a call ahead warning; some low quality sources gave the wrong weekday for December 25, 2026, and we used Friday, December 25, 2026, from a calendar check. No chain had posted final 2026 Christmas Day hours for every location at the time of research, so all hours are typical reported hours, and readers must call ahead. Prices are reported ranges or estimates, not prices from a visit. This is a researched guide, not a visit report.
