Where can I eat dinner on Christmas Day? That’s a common question for those who aren’t planning to cook! Diners in the Charlotte area can cross a stress-free Christmas dinner off their holiday wish list. A number of restaurants serve a special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day menu. And others are open with their regular menu.
UPDATE: This list will be created soon, as restaurants’ plans are announced for 2024!
Most restaurants on this list offer take-out and/or delivery.
We are including restaurants at various price points, but skipping the really pricey ones.
Make sure to check to see if the meal is just on Christmas Eve so you don’t show up hungry on Christmas Day at a closed restaurant. If not noted otherwise here, the restaurant IS open on Christmas Day.
Do you know of other restaurants that should be on the list? Email jody@charlotteonthecheap.com with the scoop and we’ll add them, as time permits.
If you want to enjoy your dinner at home, check out this list of places to order Christmas dinner in advance to reheat at home.
You might also be interested in:
Restaurants open on Christmas Day in Charlotte
9 Spices Indian Cuisine
9 Spices Indian Cuisine
8145 Ardrey Kell Rd., Charlotte, NC 28277
Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Make reservations here or call (980) 262-3201
Angeline’s
Angeline’s
303 Church Street, Charlottte, NC (Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel)
Christmas Eve: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m, and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Make reservations here or call (704) 445-2540
Biryani Pot
Biryani Pot
8455 Pit Stop Court NW, Concord, NC 28027
Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Make reservations by calling (704) 979-8533
The Blue Taj
The Blue Taj
14815 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 170, Charlotte, NC
Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Make reservations here or call (704) 369-5777
Cafe 49 Halal Pizzeria
Cafe 49 Halal Pizzeria
10221 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Copper
Copper
311 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Make reservations on their website or by calling (704) 333-0063
Dave and Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s
8361 Concord Mills, Blvd, Concord, NC
11049 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville, NC
Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, call to confirm hours
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse
Christmas Eve: 11:30 a.m to 10 p.m.
Christmas Day: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Enjoy an exquisite chef-curated dinner menu, select wine specials, and more alongside the traditional steakhouse menu.
Reservations here.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
4725 Piedmont Row Dr., Suite #170, Charlotte, NC 28210
Christmas Eve: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Make a reservation on their website or call (704) 552-5502
Denny’s
Denny’s
Hours vary by location, so be sure to call.
Fu Shing Chinese Restauraunt
Fu Shing Chinese Restaurant
4341 School House Commons, Harrisburg, NC 28075
iHop
IHOP
Make sure to call your local IHOP to verify hours
Also, they’re offering free delivery through Doordash
MOA Korean BBQ and Bar
MOA Korean BBQ & BAR
128 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Make reservations here or call (704) 503-9412
Moon Thai
Moon Thai
4425 Sharon Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The Palm Charlotte
The Palm Charlotte
6705-B Phillips Place Court, Charlotte, NC
Christmas Eve: 12 to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: 12 to 8 p.m.
Make reservations here or call (704) 552-7256
Red Lobster
Red Lobster
Multiple locations in the Charlotte area
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, call to confirm your preferred location’s hours
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
222 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
6000 Fairview Road, Charlotte, NC
Christmas Eve: 3 to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: 3 to 8 p.m.
Make reservations on their website or call your preferred location
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
1928 South Boulevard, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: 12 to 8 p.m.
Make reservations here or call (704) 335-8228
Waffle House
Waffle House
Contact your local Waffle House for more information
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
Lorraine says
Thank you for compiling this list. It helps travelers tremendously.
Jeffrey Barto says
Is anyone open Christmas Eve to watch the 50th Anniversary game of the Immaculate Reception between Pittsburgh and Oakland? It’s only on the NFL Network at 8:15.
Arnavet says
I believe Pizza Twist in Concord and Matthews is open on Christmas.
Also, I wouldn’t call MOA or Ruth’s Chris cheap.
Thank you for the list!
Jody Mace says
Thanks! Added Pizza Twist. We tried to add a wide variety of price points to this list. We made up for Ruth’s by including Waffle House. 😉
Susan says
Fortune cookie in Charlotte on providence rd will be open on Christmas day.
Abby says
Yume is closed per their website
Jim Wehrheim says
Firebirds Should be on your list