US Trends

where to have christmas dinner near me

Most national chains and many local spots serve Christmas dinner, but “near me” depends on your exact location, so a quick map/app check is still essential. Below are practical options and how to choose between them.

Sit-down restaurant ideas

  • Upscale steakhouses and seafood restaurants (for example, McCormick & Schmick’s, STK Steakhouse, Sullivan’s) often run special Christmas Day menus with full-service dining and reservations.
  • Casual family-friendly chains like Applebee’s, Bravo/Brio, and Ruby Tuesday typically have at least some locations open with holiday hours, so calling ahead is important.

Always-open diner style

  • Many Denny’s locations stay open 24/7, including on Christmas, and offer turkey or homestyle holiday plates alongside regular menus.
  • IHOP and Waffle House are also commonly open on Christmas Day, making them reliable last-minute choices if other places are fully booked.

Local “open on Christmas” lists

  • Local news and radio sites often publish a Christmas Day restaurant roundup for your city (for example, Lafayette, LA has a detailed list of restaurants and hours for December 25).
  • Reservation platforms like OpenTable sometimes have a “Christmas Day” filter showing nearby restaurants explicitly taking bookings for that date.

How to find a spot near you (quick steps)

  1. Open Google Maps, Yelp, or a reservation app and search “Christmas dinner” plus your city.
  2. Filter for “Open now” or the specific date (Dec 25) and look for notes about “Christmas menu” or “holiday hours.”
  3. Call the restaurant to confirm:
    • Whether they are open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both.
    • If they offer a special set menu or regular menu.
    • Reservation requirements and last seating time.

Take-home Christmas dinner

  • Chains like Cracker Barrel offer heat-and-serve Christmas meals you pick up before the holiday and reheat at home, which can be a good option if dine-in reservations are full.

If you reply with your city or neighborhood, a more tailored short list of specific nearby places for Christmas dinner can be suggested based on local options.