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. And 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.
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
Azitra
8411 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Bahama Breeze
3309 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Closed
Bazil Indian Cuisine
6602 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Brio Italian Grille
4325 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
CholaNad
310 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Cleveland Draft House
461 Shotwell Rd., Clayton
Christmas Eve: Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Crossroads at the Carolina Inn
211 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill
Open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Lunch
Open from 3 to 9 p.m. for Bar and Dinner
Dave & Buster’s
1105 Walnut Street, Cary
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Denny’s
Hours vary by location, so be sure to call.
Fairview Dining Room
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
3001 Cameron Boulevard, Durham
Open for dinner
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
8030 Renaissance Parkway, Durham
Christmas Eve: Open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Goji Bistro
100 Maynard Crossing Ct., Cary
Christmas Eve: Open usual hours
Christmas Day: Open for dinner from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
Gourmet Kingdom
301 E. Main St., Carrboro
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Closed December 26 and 27, 2023
Happy China
2505 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Only open for pick-up
Himalayan Grill & Bar
1207 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary
Christmas Eve: Open with a Christmas Buffet
Christmas Day: Open
Hooters
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Day: 4 p.m. until standard close time
Hours might vary by location
IHOP
Make sure to call your local IHOP to verify hours
Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar
420 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
105 Friendly Drive #101, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Metro Diner
6325 Falls of Neuse Road, #73, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open until 3:30 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
The Pickled Onion
10750 Wakefield Commons Dr. Suite 109, Raleigh
8511 Cantilever Way, Raleigh
8440 Louisburg Rd, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open until midnight
Christmas Day: Open until midnight
Plates Kitchen
301 Glenwood Ave., Suite #100, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: Open normal hours
Christmas Day: Open from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m.
Reservations strongly recommended
Red Lobster
Only certain locations are open on Christmas Day.
1805 Walnut St., Cary (3 to 10 p.m.)
4416 Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
2010 Renaissance Park Place, Cary|
7007 Fayetteville Road, Durham
Times below are for both locations
Christmas Eve: 4 to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Shanghai Restaurant
3433 Hillsborough Rd., Durham
Christmas Eve: Open regular hours
Christmas Day: 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Sophie’s Grill & Bar
2734 Nc-55, Cary
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
410 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Day: 12 to 8 p.m.
Talulla’s
456 W Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Christmas Eve: Open
Christmas Day: Open
Serving a 3-course sepcial meal for $50 a person.
Tenth & Terrace
616 S Salisbury Street, Raleigh
Rooftop restaurant bar on 10th floor of Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown
Thai Spoon
3308 Guess Road, Durham
Christmas Eve: 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Christmas Day: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Takeout and dine-in
Timeout
201 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Timeout is open 24 hours a day.
Tours les Jours
1961 High House Road, Cary
Waffle House
Contact your local Waffle House for details.
The Willard
9 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Dinner on rooftop lounge.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap's daily email
- Free events this week
- Day by Day list of holiday events
- What Christmas food can dogs eat?
- 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
Jessica Franks says
ANGUS BARN has an excellent to-go menu! Prices are less than the ‘in restaurant’ menu. They also offer curbside pick-up. *And you get complimentary cheese and house made crackers w each order!!
William Barbour says
what are you serving for Christmas dinner