What restaurants are open on Christmas Eve is one of the most pressing questions Americans are asking as of December 24, 2025, with millions seeking reliable dining options before holiday celebrations begin. While many establishments adjust holiday hours, a wide variety of restaurants — from fast food to full sit-down dining — remain open across the country, often with reduced or location-specific operating windows.
For travelers, families, friends gathering before evening festivities, or anyone needing a last-minute meal without cooking at home, this guide provides the most current, factual details on where you can dine out or grab food on Christmas Eve 2025.
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Holiday Dining Landscape — Christmas Eve 2025
Christmas Eve is not a full holiday shutdown for most U.S. restaurants. Instead, it’s a transitional day between regular operations and Christmas Day closures. As a result:
- Many restaurants stay open throughout the afternoon and early evening.
- Fast-food and quick service establishments are more likely to operate late.
- Sit-down casual and upscale restaurants may close earlier than usual.
- Independent and local restaurants often choose their own holiday hours.
Planning to eat out today? Below is the verified snapshot of available dining options across major categories.
Fast-Food and Quick Service Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve
Fast food remains one of the most dependable choices on Christmas Eve. Many major chains are open, though hours vary by location since most are independently owned franchises.
Common fast-food and quick-service restaurants likely open today include:
Widely Available Chains
- McDonald’s – Most U.S. locations open today, with hours determined locally.
- Burger King – Open in many areas; hours differ by restaurant.
- Wendy’s – Many locations open with varying schedules.
- Taco Bell – Operating at many locations, with timing set locally.
- Arby’s – Sandwich chain expected open with reduced holiday hours.
- Del Taco & Hardee’s – Likely open at many outlets, though hours vary.
- Jack in the Box – Serving customers in many areas.
- Sonic Drive-In – Often open throughout Christmas Eve.
Coffee & Quick Bites
- Starbucks – Many stores are open today, though closing times vary by location.
- Dunkin’ – Operating at numerous locations with varied hours.
- Krispy Kreme – Often open on Christmas Eve; check local times.
These fast-food and coffee options are especially useful for grab-and-go meals or quick bites as the day progresses.
24/7 and Late-Night Restaurants on Christmas Eve
Some restaurants operate year-round and are known for staying open even on holidays like Christmas Eve:
- Waffle House – Famous for being open 365 days a year with extended hours.
- Denny’s – Many locations operate around the clock, including today.
- IHOP – Often open for both breakfast and dinner on Christmas Eve.
These diners are excellent for early morning breakfasts, afternoon breaks, or late-night meals when other options close.
Casual Dining Chains Serving on Christmas Eve
Many sit-down casual dining chains remain open on Christmas Eve, providing more traditional meals and family-style dining environments. Most of these operate with modified hours — often closing early in the evening.
Popular Casual Dining Choices
- Applebee’s – Open on Christmas Eve with reduced hours (often mid-day through early evening).
- Bob Evans – Serving customers today with holiday hours.
- Buffalo Wild Wings – Open today; ideal for family or group dining.
- Chili’s – Operating with reduced lunch-to-early-dinner hours.
- Cracker Barrel – Many locations open earlier in the day, often closing by mid-afternoon.
- Del Frisco’s Grille – Sit-down dinner option available today.
- Bar Louie – Open through early evening.
These restaurants are widely found across suburban and urban areas and often accept reservations for Christmas Eve.
Steakhouses and Upscale Dining on Christmas Eve
For those seeking more formal or special-occasion meals, several steakhouse and upscale restaurant chains remain open on Christmas Eve:
- Morton’s The Steakhouse – Open with Christmas Eve menu; reservations recommended.
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Serving guests today; call ahead for holiday hours.
- Chart House – Open for Christmas Eve with location-specific hours.
- P.F. Chang’s – Many locations serving diners on Christmas Eve.
- Hard Rock Café – Available in many cities for holiday dining.
These establishments typically require reservations and may offer special holiday menus or prix-fixe options.
Pizza and Casual Takeout on Christmas Eve
Pizza continues to be a favored holiday choice, especially for families or groups that prefer takeout or delivery.
Common pizza and takeout options include:
- Domino’s Pizza – Most stores open on Christmas Eve (hours vary).
- Pizza Hut – Open at many locations; check local hours.
- Papa John’s – Often open for carryout or delivery.
- Little Caesars – Quick carryout available in many areas.
In addition to major chains, local pizza shops and pizzerias often stay open, especially in larger metropolitan markets.
Local and Independent Restaurants — U.S. Cities and Options
Across the country, many local and independent restaurants choose to remain open on Christmas Eve to serve holiday diners. These include diners, ethnic eateries, neighborhood cafés, and more.
Examples of local flexibility include:
- Houston Area: A curated list of Houston restaurants remains open for Christmas Eve meals — from family favorites to steak and seafood houses.
- Tri-Cities (WA/OR): Sushi, Indian, and other international cuisine options open on Christmas Eve.
Such local listings vary city by city, and calling ahead remains the best way to confirm times and availability in your area.
Ethnic and International Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve
In many U.S. cities, ethnic and international restaurants provide reliable Christmas Eve dining, particularly where traditional American restaurants close early. Commonly open options include:
- Chinese restaurants – Historically busy on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in many markets.
- Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Korean spots – Often stay open later than typical American chains.
These options are popular with families and groups seeking diverse holiday meals.
Restaurants Closing Early or With Reduced Hours
Even on Christmas Eve, some chains close earlier than normal or operate on shorter schedules:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill – Open with holiday hours at many locations.
- Panera Bread – Some locations close early.
- Shake Shack – Open at select locations, often with limited service hours.
- Olive Garden – Open but typically closes earlier in the evening to allow staff time for the holiday.
Because holiday hours vary by franchise and region, calling ahead or checking online is essential.
Dining Near Travel Hubs and Airports on Christmas Eve
Travelers around the country rely on restaurants in and near airports, train stations, and interstate rest stops on Christmas Eve. Most airport restaurants remain in operation, catering to holiday travel schedules, with many offering:
- Fast-casual options
- Grab-and-go kiosks
- Sit-down dining where permitted
Hotel restaurants and lounges also often stay open for guests and visitors on Christmas Eve.
Delivery and Takeout Options Still Available
If dining out isn’t appealing, many restaurants and delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub remain active throughout Christmas Eve. Delivery is often available even when dining rooms close early, making it a convenient holiday alternative.
Tips for Dining Out on Christmas Eve
To make your Christmas Eve dining experience smooth and stress-free, planning ahead is essential because holiday hours often change by location and time of day.
Local customs vary — What’s open in one city may close earlier in another, so flexibility and advance checks help avoid last-minute surprises.
Call ahead — Confirm hours with your local restaurant before leaving home, as Christmas Eve schedules may differ even within the same chain.
Make reservations — Sit-down and upscale restaurants tend to fill quickly on December 24, especially during early dinner hours.
Plan early — Many restaurants close earlier than a typical weekday, often wrapping up service by early evening.
Check apps and websites — Restaurant apps frequently provide the most accurate holiday hours and show whether dine-in, takeout, or delivery is available.
Why Christmas Eve Remains a Busy Dining Day
Even as many businesses shift into holiday mode, Christmas Eve continues to be one of the busiest dining days of the year because families often dine out before home celebrations, making restaurant visits part of their holiday routine. Travel peaks on December 24 as people return home or head out on holiday trips, increasing foot traffic near airports, highway stops, and city centers. Restaurants that stay open on Christmas Eve often become local traditions, offering special menus and early-evening service that draw crowds who want to relax before the festivities in their own homes. Many diners also prefer to eat out simply because they’re exhausted from holiday errands and cooking, making restaurants a convenient, social, and celebratory stop before Christmas Day closures. Additionally, restaurants adapt with extended or reduced hours to meet this unique holiday demand, and holiday reservation systems often fill up quickly as diners plan ahead for memorable meals with family and friends.ue holiday demand.
Enjoy your Christmas Eve meal plans! Share where you found open restaurants today or how your holiday dining experience went — we’d love to hear from you in the comments.