Diners in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill 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. Others are open with their regular menu.
Most restaurants on this list also offer takeout and delivery.
Here are some options at various price points.
Make sure to note if the meal is just on Christmas Eve, so you don’t show up hungry on Christmas Day at a closed restaurant. For the most part, the restaurants below ARE open on Christmas Day, but if they’re not, we will note that. Do you know of other restaurants that should be on the list? Email info@triangleonthecheap.com with the scoop, and we’ll add it, as time permits.
Many Asian restaurants are open on Christmas Day, but we might not have found their info online. Give your favorite one a call and find out their plans
We’ve also put together a list of where to order a fully cooked holiday meal in advance. This list includes restaurants, grocery stores, and caterers.
You might also be interested in:
- Subscribing to Triangle on the Cheap’s emails
- Free things to do this week in the Triangle
- Day by Day Holiday Guide to the Triangle
- Best Christmas lights in the Triangle
Restaurants in the Triangle Open on Christmas
Bazil Indian Cuisine
Bazil Indian Cuisine
6602 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open regular hours
Christmas Day: Open from 12 to 10 p.m.
Reservations are required for Christmas and highly reccomended for Christmas Eve. You can reserve a table by calling (919) 307-3034 or through OpenTable.
The Carolina Inn
The Carolina Inn
211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Seating from 5 to 8:30 p.m. both days.
The Carolina Inn will be offering a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $100 a person. The dinner includes your choice of a starter, main course, and dessert. Check out the menu here.
Seating is limited and reservations fill up quickly. Make your reservation here.
Dave and Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s
1105 Walnut Street, Cary
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Denny’s
Denny’s
Multiple locations
Hours vary by location, so be sure to call.
Devines Restaurant & Sports Bar
Devines Restaurant & Sports Bar
904 West Main Street, Durham, NC
Christmas Day: 11 a.m. to midnight
Fairview Dining Room
Fairview Dining Room
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
3001 Cameron Boulevard, Durham
Christmas Eve: 12 to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: 12 to 8 p.m.
Serving seasonally-inspired fine dining options for $120 per person.
Reservations required, call (919) 493-6699 or reserve your spot here.
Hooters
Hooters
4206 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Seating is first-come, first-serve.
iHop
IHOP
Multiple locations
Make sure to call your local IHOP to verify hours
Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar
Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar
420 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Call (919) 256-1451 to make reservations or use OpenTable.
Lazeez Indian Restaurant
Lazeez Indian Restaurant
1318 S Main Street, Wake Forest, NC
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Call 919-435-8880 to place an order
Announced on Facebook
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
105 Friendly Drive #101, Raleigh
811 9th Street #150, Durham
100 Meadowmont Village Cir #101, Chapel Hill
Christmas Eve: Open regular hours, call to confirm with your location
Christmas Day: Open regular hours, call to confirm for your location
Raleigh OpenTable
Durham OpenTable
Chapel Hill OpenTable
Peony Asian Bistro
Peony Asian Bistro
3515 Witherspoon Blvd., Ste. 108, Durham
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Christmas Day: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Pickled Onion
The Pickled Onion
Multiple locations
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours vary by location.
Red Lobster
Red Lobster
4408 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Day: 12 to 9 p.m.
Make reservations by calling (919) 872-5608
Royal India
Royal India
3901 Capital Blvd, Ste 103, Raleigh, NC
Open standard hours on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Shanghai Restaurant
Shanghai Restaurant
3433 Hillsborough Rd., Durham
Christmas Eve: Open regular hours
Christmas Day: 4 to 9 p.m.
Smoke Stacks Cafe
Smoke Stacks Cafe
701 East Lane Street, Raleigh, NC
Christmas Day: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sophie’s Grill & Bar
Sophie’s Grill & Bar
2734 NC-55, Cary
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: 11 a.m. to midnight
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
410 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Holiday menu can be found here.
Make reservations here or call (919) 833-2888
Waffle House
Waffle House
Multiple locations
Hours vary by location, so be sure to call.
The Willard
The Willard
9 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Open Christmas Day from 4 to 8 p.m.
Serving a Christmas buffet on the rooftop. The menu features holiday favorites such as smoked turkey, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and more.
$60 per person or $25 for kids 12 and under, ages 4 and under eat for free.
Make reservations here.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap’s daily email
- Free and cheap events this week
- Day by Day list of holiday events
- Best Christmas Lights in the Triangle
- Christmas tree farms and lots near the Triangle
- Free pictures with Santa in the Triangle
- Holiday Markets in the Triangle
- Christmas Trains in North Carolina
Nick says
Every place mentioned was closed.