Food Places Open on Christmas: 25+ Best Places to Eat in 2026
- Share This:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Christmas Day is one of those occasions when your usual dining plans may not work. Restaurant schedules change for the holiday, hours can be shorter, and two locations from the same chain may not even follow the same opening times.
A little checking beforehand can save you from arriving at a locked door. Below, you’ll find food places open on Christmas to consider, plus commonly closed restaurants and tips for confirming local holiday hours before you go.
1. 25+ Food Places Open on Christmas Day
Finding food places open on Christmas is possible, but Christmas Day hours are far less predictable than normal operating hours. Some chains traditionally keep many restaurants open, while others leave the decision to franchisees or individual locations.
What food places are open on Christmas Day? If you have this question, the table below gives you many chains worth checking based on recent Christmas Day operations.
2026 hours have not yet been announced for many brands, so “select locations” should not be read as a guarantee that your nearest restaurant will open. Recent Christmas reporting similarly shows that operating hours can vary widely by location.
| Restaurant | Christmas Day Status | Type | Hours Vary by Location? |
| Waffle House | Traditionally open | Diner | Usually open 24/7, but verify |
| Denny’s | Typically open | Diner | Yes |
| IHOP | Many locations open | Breakfast/Diner | Yes |
| McDonald’s | Select locations open | Fast food | Yes |
| Starbucks | Select locations open | Coffee/Cafe | Yes |
| Dunkin’ | Many locations open | Coffee/Fast food | Yes |
| Wendy’s | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Burger King | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Subway | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Arby’s | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Jack in the Box | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Sonic Drive-In | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Popeyes | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Carl’s Jr. | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Hardee’s | Select locations may open | Fast food | Yes |
| Domino’s | Select locations may open | Pizza | Yes |
| Papa Johns | Participating locations may open | Pizza | Yes |
| Applebee’s | Select locations may open | Casual dining | Yes |
| Buffalo Wild Wings | Select locations may open | Casual dining | Yes |
| Red Lobster | Has offered Christmas Day hours | Seafood | Yes |
| Golden Corral | Participating locations may open | Buffet | Yes |
| Perkins | Participating locations may open | Family dining | Yes |
| Huddle House | Many locations may open | Diner | Yes |
| Fogo de Chão | Has opened on Christmas Day | Steakhouse | Holiday hours apply |
| Hard Rock Cafe | Select locations may open | Casual dining | Yes |
| Dave & Buster’s | Select locations may open | Restaurant/Entertainment | Yes |
| Paris Baguette | Select locations may open | Bakery/Cafe | Yes |
Recent holiday schedules are useful for planning, but they are not confirmation of 2026 hours. For example, 2025 reporting listed Denny’s, IHOP, Waffle House, Red Lobster, Applebee’s and numerous fast-food chains among the options with at least some locations operating on December 25.
Christmas Eve is generally easier. If you’re looking for what food places are open on Christmas Eve, many restaurants that close entirely on December 25 still operate on December 24, often with shortened hours. Always check the specific location because closing times can be much earlier than usual.
2. Which Restaurants Are Usually Closed on Christmas Day?
Knowing what food places are open on Christmas is only half of the planning. Several major chains have historically closed on December 25, so they should not be your first choice unless the company announces a different 2026 schedule.
Recent Christmas Day closures have included:
- Chick-fil-A
- Chipotle
- Taco Bell
- Olive Garden
- Cracker Barrel
- Texas Roadhouse
- Outback Steakhouse
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill
- Chili’s
- Panera Bread
- Raising Cane’s
- Firehouse Subs
- CAVA
- Noodles & Company
Chick-fil-A is particularly clear about its holiday schedule. According to the chain’s official policy, U.S. restaurants are closed on Christmas Day, while Christmas Eve locations generally remain open but may operate with limited hours.
For that reason, do not assume a restaurant is among the food places open on Christmas simply because Google displays its normal weekly hours. Check the restaurant’s official locator or app again shortly before December 25 and confirm directly with the location when possible.
>>> Read more: EBT Christmas Gifts: What Christmas Gifts Are SNAP-Eligible?
3. How to Find Food Places Open Near You on Christmas
Because holiday schedules can change by city and individual restaurant, the safest way to find food places open on Christmas is to verify the specific location rather than relying on a chain’s usual hours.
Check the Restaurant’s Store Locator or App
Start with the restaurant’s official store locator or mobile app. Search by ZIP code or city and check whether Christmas Day hours are listed for the location you want to visit.
Check Local Holiday Hours Before Leaving
Even restaurants that normally operate late or 24 hours may reduce their hours on December 25. Recheck the listing on Christmas Day, especially if you found the hours several days earlier.
Call the Location Directly
When holiday hours are unclear, call the restaurant. This is particularly useful for franchised chains where individual owners may decide whether to open and when to close.
Check Delivery Apps for Restaurants Currently Taking Orders
Delivery apps can help identify nearby restaurants actively accepting orders. Keep in mind that a restaurant appearing in the app does not always mean delivery is immediately available, so check its current status and estimated delivery time before ordering.
>>> Read more: Free Fast Food Coupons: Proven Ways to Get the Best Meal Deals
4. Other Places Where You May Get Food on Christmas Day
National chains are not your only options. When nearby restaurants are closed, these types of businesses may give you a better chance of finding a meal:
- 24-hour diners: Diners that normally operate around the clock are among the first food places open on Christmas worth checking, although holiday staffing can still affect hours.
- Hotels and airport restaurants: Hotels continue serving travelers and guests over the holidays, while airports may keep selected dining outlets operating for holiday travel.
- Local Chinese and Asian restaurants: Independently owned Chinese and other Asian restaurants are commonly worth checking, but opening decisions vary by business.
- Convenience stores with prepared food: Some 24-hour convenience stores sell sandwiches, pizza, hot snacks, breakfast items, and other ready-to-eat foods.
- Restaurants offering Christmas menus or reservations: Some full-service restaurants open specifically for Christmas lunch or dinner with prix-fixe menus, buffets, or holiday specials. Reservations may be required.
Availability varies substantially by location, so treat these as places to check rather than guaranteed Christmas Day options.
5. Conclusion
Christmas is one of the favorite events in the USA, and eating out on December 25 is possible. But a little advance checking can save you from arriving at a locked door. Diners, selected fast-food locations, hotel restaurants, local independent businesses, and restaurants serving special holiday menus can all be worth checking.
- Share This:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
New on AirTalk Wireless
