Many national chains keep restaurants open on Christmas Day, but hours are limited and locations vary by franchise, so checking ahead is essential. This guide highlights sit‑down spots, fast food, coffee shops, and delivery options that typically operate on December 25, plus major chains that stay closed.
Sit‑down restaurants open on Christmas Day
If you want a dine‑in meal, these chains are among the most likely restaurants open on Christmas Day, though not every location participates and hours may be shortened:
- Denny’s – Traditionally open 24/7, including Christmas, with regular menu plus seasonal items in many locations.
- Waffle House – Famous for never closing, most units operate normal hours on Christmas.
- IHOP – Many locations open on Christmas morning and into the afternoon or evening; hours are set locally.
- Applebee’s and Buffalo Wild Wings – Certain locations are operational, particularly in high-traffic commercial zones or adjacent to hotels, frequently offering limited menus.
- Golden Corral, Perkins, Huddle House, Dave & Buster’s, Red Lobster – A number of establishments are available for holiday service, typically with adjusted hours (for instance, from midday to evening only).
Because these full‑service restaurants open on Christmas Day are usually franchise‑run, use each brand’s online locator or call your local store to confirm exact hours and whether reservations are required.
Fast food restaurants open on Christmas Day
Quick‑service chains are popular restaurants open on Christmas Day for travelers and people grabbing something simple. Opening is usually decided by individual franchise owners, so availability will differ by city:
- McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s – Many locations on major roads, in travel hubs, and inside Walmart or big-box stores will open with limited hours.
- Arby’s, Jack in the Box, Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s, Sonic, Subway, Jimmy John’s, Popeyes – A portion of stores typically operate on Christmas, often shorter daytime windows rather than late-night service.
Plan on drive‑thru and takeout being the primary options, and expect skeleton crews and reduced menus at the restaurants open on Christmas Day in this category.
Coffee, bakeries and delivery on Christmas
For caffeine or pastries, some coffee and bakery chains join the list of restaurants open on Christmas Day, usually on a shortened schedule:
- Starbucks – Many stores, especially those in city centers, hospital zones, and travel corridors, open for a portion of Christmas Day with limited hours and staff.
- Dunkin’ – Select franchises open Christmas morning or mid‑day depending on local demand.
- Paris Baguette and similar bakery‑cafés – Some high‑traffic sites operate on holiday hours.
Delivery apps such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Instacart usually run on Christmas, but what you can order is tied directly to which restaurants open on Christmas Day in your area. Even with fewer open kitchens, Christmas is often one of the busiest delivery days on a per‑restaurant basis.
Chain restaurants closed on Christmas Day
Knowing what isn’t open matters just as much as finding restaurants open on Christmas Day. Many major brands choose to close nationwide so employees can spend time with family. These commonly include:
- Taco Bell and Chick‑fil‑A – Corporate policy keeps all U.S. locations closed on December 25.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill – Stores shut down entirely on Christmas Day.
- Olive Garden and other Darden concepts (like LongHorn Steakhouse) – Typically closed for the holiday.
- Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel – Traditionally closed on Christmas Day, though they may offer heat‑and‑serve holiday meals for pickup before the 25th.
Large retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco also close on Christmas, which reduces the number of in‑store fast food counters available even if the brand itself allows holiday opening.
How to locate restaurants that are open on Christmas Day in your vicinity
To quickly confirm restaurants open on Christmas Day in your city:
- Use each chain’s official store locator and look for holiday hours notices.
- Check OpenTable or similar reservation platforms for sit‑down holiday seatings.
- Search delivery apps on the morning of December 25 to see which places are actively accepting orders.
- Call local, independent Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, and hotel restaurants—many of these are reliably open and can be less crowded than national chains.
Because Christmas operations are highly local, always double‑check before you head out. With a bit of planning, you can still find restaurants open on Christmas Day for everything from a full turkey plate to a quick coffee and breakfast sandwich.