Many national and chain restaurants stay open on Christmas, but hours and participation always vary by location, so checking your local branch before you go is essential.

Big sit‑down chains

These full‑service spots are widely reported as open on Christmas Day in 2025 (often with special menus or limited hours).

  • Buca di Beppo – Family‑style Italian, open Christmas with holiday packages; reservations strongly recommended.
  • Romano’s Macaroni Grill – Open on Christmas Day with classic Italian dishes; many locations run roughly midday to evening.
  • Benihana – Teppanyaki and sushi, operating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, often on regular hours.
  • Joe’s Crab Shack – Open Christmas with seafood and special turkey dinners at some locations; hours vary.
  • El Torito (regional) – In California, offers a Christmas brunch buffet and regular menu later in the day.
  • Hotel restaurants – Many hotel dining rooms (for example in Dallas and other large cities) run Christmas brunches and dinners even when most city restaurants are closed.

Diners, breakfast spots, and coffee

If you just want a casual meal, these brands commonly have at least some locations open on December 25.

  • Waffle House – Famous for being 24/7, including Christmas, though very remote locations can differ.
  • Denny’s – Most locations are open and serve the full menu.
  • IHOP – Many restaurants open with limited holiday hours.
  • Starbucks – Select stores open for coffee and snacks; airport and city‑center shops are most likely.

Fast food and casual chains

Some fast‑food and casual places do open, but it is highly location‑specific.

  • Examples reported open in certain areas include Burger King , Buffalo Wild Wings , P.F. Chang’s , and some other casual chains.
  • Many big names (like some Mexican‑style or sandwich chains) close entirely on Christmas, even if they stay open late on Christmas Eve.

Local & city‑specific options

Major cities often publish roundups of independent restaurants that open on Christmas Day.

  • City guides in places like New York , Dallas , and New Orleans list steak houses, upscale bistros, and ethnic spots (Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean) serving special Christmas menus.
  • Tourism boards and local news sites are excellent last‑minute resources for seeing which nearby restaurants are accepting Christmas reservations.

How to quickly find what’s open near you

To avoid arriving at a dark dining room, use these steps.

  1. Search “[your city] restaurants open Christmas Day 2025” on a local news or tourism site for curated lists.
  1. Check Google Maps or similar and filter for “Open now” on December 25, then tap each listing to confirm holiday hours.
  1. Call the restaurant directly or use their official site/app to verify hours and whether reservations are required.

TL;DR: Big chains like Waffle House, Denny’s, IHOP, Starbucks (select locations), Buca di Beppo, Macaroni Grill, Benihana, and some hotel restaurants are often open on Christmas, but holiday hours are highly local—always double‑check your nearest branch or a local city guide before you go.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.