Life
If one holiday dinner after the next or seemingly endless holiday shopping has you completely burned out by the time the big day hits, then you may be considering opting out of making a Christmas Dinner at home. Guess what? You're not the only one. Independent restaurants that stayed open on Christmas and New Year's Day in 2015 increased profits by 40 to 50 percent compared to average days, according to Eater. Want to go out and please your whole crew? Then you'll need to know the family-friendly restaurants open Christmas Day.
Whether you're looking for a huge stack of Christmas Day pancakes, mountains of mozzarella sticks, or a holiday dinner with an Italian touch, there's an option on this list that will suit you and your family. Oh, and don't you worry about a thing: There's coffee, too. I mean, what meal would be complete without a post-dinner caffeine boost?
And, while you're at it, make sure you and the fam indulge in something sweet, like Ruth's Chris Steak House Chocolate Sin Cake or IHOP's Kid's Jr. Ice Cream Sundae. It is, after all, the holidays, and even Santa gets the green light on a sweet tooth during the most wonderful time of year.
1
Denny's
Famous for its Grand Slam breakfast (two fluffy buttermilk pancakes, two sunny-side-up eggs, two bacon strips, and two sausage links) Denny's stays true to its 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year promise by staying open on Christmas Day. Last year, they even invited guests to "skip the holiday hassle on Christmas Day" and enjoy their limited time holiday menu, dining on what they claim is their busiest day of the year.
2
Buffalo Wild Wings
Go ahead and wing it on Christmas Day — see what I did there? — with a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner at participating locations. The sports-centric restaurant even has a kids' menu with chicken tenders and mac and cheese. Call your local locations to confirm operating hours.
3
Waffle House
Like Denny's, Waffle House locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. So whether you are looking for Christmas Day breakfast or breakfast dinner, the popular chain has you covered. Plus, they have plenty of lunch and dinner options, too.
4
Ruth's Chris Steak House
If you're looking to up the ante on your Christmas Day family dinner out, then you may want to head to Ruth's Chris Steak House. With locations throughout the country, the popular restaurant has even designed a Christmas At Ruth's full menu. Most locations are open on Christmas day, but make sure to call for hours.
5
TGI Fridays
If mozzarella sticks and loaded potato skins sound like the ideal way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, then TGI Fridays may be an ideal Christmas Day dinner option for you. With more than 900 locations worldwide, you're bound to find one near you, but call to confirm operating hours on Christmas Day.
6
IHOP
IHOP's franchisees are given the go ahead to set their own hours, but a large number of locations do stay open for at least some time on Christmas Day. And I have a feeling their Create-A-Face Pancakes are bound to make your little one — and you — smile.
7
Buca Di Beppo
I mean, who can see to a gigantic bowl of spaghetti and meatballs or fettuccine alfredo? Lucky for you, you don't have to. That's because on Christmas Day, most Buca di Beppo locations open at 11 a.m. and serve family-style Italian options to holiday visitors. Be sure to check in with your local location for specific hours.
8
Starbucks
It's not exactly a "restaurant," but let's be real: No holiday meal would be complete without a solid cup of coffee. Most Starbucks stores are open for some period of time on Christmas Day, but make sure you check locations near you for specific hours.
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