These Restaurants Will Be Open on Christmas Day

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Living on the Cheap.

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, diners can check a stress-free meal off their holiday wish list.

A number of restaurants will be open on Christmas Day 2023, including low-cost and moderately priced options.

As always, call ahead to confirm holiday hours, as some locations may opt to close on Christmas or limit their hours.

If you don’t feel like going out to eat, but you don’t want to cook, find out where you can order Christmas dinner to go.

Denny’s

Christmas is Denny’s busiest day of the year. Enjoy diner favorites the restaurant is known for, as well as seasonal or limited-time menu options.

Holiday hours may vary by location. Call ahead to confirm.

Dunkin’

Treat Santa to a cup of coffee and a donut! Dunkin’ will be open on Christmas Day.

Holiday hours will vary by location. Check the Dunkin’s app to find the status of the locations nearby.

IHOP

Enjoy the seasonal menu at IHOP on Christmas. IHOP is open all day on Dec. 25, and its 24-hour restaurants will keep to schedule. However, hours may vary at other locations. Call ahead to confirm.

McDonald’s

Celebrate Christmas with a Big Mac and fries at McDonald’s. Many of its restaurants will be closed. However, select locations will be open.

In addition, holiday hours will vary by location. Call ahead to confirm.

Panda Express

Enjoy a Christmas Day family feast of Chinese food. Many Panda Express locations will be open on Dec. 25.

However, holiday hours may vary by location. Call ahead to confirm.

Red Lobster

Catch lots of delicious seafood fare on Christmas Day! Sail over to select Red Lobster locations for dine-in and to-go orders.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Treat your family to a delicious steak and tasty sides. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse will be open on Christmas Day. Check out holiday hours by location here.

Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online.

Shari’s

Enjoy a feast of good diner food, including special holiday menu items alongside traditional favorites. Shari’s will be open all day on Dec. 25 for dine-in or take-out.

Holiday hours may vary by location. Call ahead to confirm.

Shoney’s

Enjoy good old comfort food on Dec. 25, including a special Christmas buffet. Most Shoney’s locations are open Dec. 25.

Holiday hours may vary by location. Call ahead to confirm.

Starbucks

Enjoy your favorite holiday beverage on Dec. 25. Most Starbucks cafes are open — with the exception of those located within grocery stores and other retailers.

However, holiday hours will vary by location. Check the Starbucks app to find the status of the locations nearby.

TGI Fridays

TGI Christmas! Enjoy lots of appetizers, popular entrees and drinks on Dec. 25 at TGI Fridays. Holiday hours will vary by location. Call ahead to confirm.

Village Inn

It takes a village to enjoy Christmas Day! Village Inn will be open on Dec. 25. However, holiday hours may vary by location.

Be sure to enjoy a slice of one of the restaurant’s popular seasonal pies. Call ahead to confirm.

Waffle House

Have a feast of chicken and waffles on Dec. 25! Select Waffle House locations will be open on Christmas Day. Call ahead to confirm.

Not in the mood for standard fare such as turkey or ham? Look to your neighborhood ethnic restaurants. Many Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian spots are open on Christmas for lunch and/or dinner.

Looking for a more formal dining experience? Check OpenTable. The online restaurant reservations site lists upscale restaurants (the kind that take reservations) that are open on Christmas Day. You can search by city.