Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, diners can cross a delicious, stress-free meal off their Christmas wish list. Many area restaurants, both chains with multiple area locations and independents, will be open Christmas Day for dine-in service. Here are some low-cost and moderate-price options (with a few of the fancy schmantzy spots in case you are in the mood to splurge).
We will continue to update this list so check here for the latest additions. If you know of any we have missed, send an email to info@milehighonthecheap.com and we’ll do our best to add to the list.
As always, we strongly suggest you call ahead to confirm hours of operation for restaurants that do not require reservations.
Chain Restaurants
Boston Market
Let the oven take a day off and instead travel to Boston Market for a quintessential holiday meal for $15.99 featuring Boneless Honey-Glazed Ham, two sides, a dinner roll and a slice of apple or pumpkin pie. Restaurant hours on Christmas Day may vary by location.
Denny’s
Christmas is actually the diner chain’s busiest day of the year. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all 24-hours of Christmas Day. Offers a traditional Turkey & Dressing dinner featuring tender carved turkey breast, savory stuffing, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, two additional sides and fresh bread for dine-in or takeout.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ of Denver will be open on Christmas Day. However, store hours will vary by location, depending on the franchisee. You can check your local Dunkin’s hours on Christmas Day through the mobile app.
IHOP
Open all day (24-hours restaurants will keep to schedule, hours may vary at other locations).
Red Lobster
Select locations open for dine-in and to-go on Christmas Day from noon to 7 p.m. Includes Aurora (10854 E. Alameda Ave.), Longmont (2177 Kenn Pratt Blvd.) and Wheat Ridge (4455 Wadsworth Blvd.).
Starbucks
Select locations open. Limited hours.
TGI Fridays
Denver (Northfield) location open 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Longmont location open 12 p.m. – 12 a .m.
Village Inn
Open all day (though hours may vary by location).
Waffle House
Open all day. Regular menu.
Individual Restaurants
Source: Depositphotos
Apple Blossom at Hyatt Centric Downtown
Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Serving a Christmas Day brunch with seasonal specials. Reservations encouraged. 822 18th St. (at Champa), Denver, 303-301-8999.
Bar Louie
Opens for “relative relief” at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day until midnight. Serving regular menu plus bar specials. Locations in Belmar (7111 W. Alaska Dr., Lakewood, 720-677-7500) and Northfield (8332 E. Northfield Blvd., Denver, 720-677-6600).
Benihana
Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at both locations Broomfield (515 Zang St., 303-410-0482) and Denver (3295 S. Tamarac Dr., 303-750-0200). Reservations suggested.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant
Open 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 1437 California St., Denver, 303-623-4867.
The Chart House
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations required. 25908 Genessee Trail Rd., Golden. 303-526-9813.
Citizen Rail
Open hours 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Three-course Christmas dinner special. Reservations required. 1899 16th St., Denver, 303-323-0017.
Corinne Restaurant
Open for brunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations strongly recommended. 1455 California St., Denver, 720-996-1555.
Crave Mediterranean Grill
Open for dine-in and take-out. Regular menu. 1000 S. Colorado Blvd., Ste. 103 (adjacent to Barnes & Noble), Glendale, 720-379-8465.
Crossroads Tavern & Grille at The Summit
Open for dining with its regular menu. Also enjoy bowling, laser tag and arcade games. 580 E 144th Ave., Thornton, 303-254-8888.
Curry N Kebob
Open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Regular menu. 3050 28th Street, Boulder, 720-328-4696.
Dave & Buster’s Denver
Opens at 6 p.m. Regular menu. Play all the in-store arcade games. 2000 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, 303-759-1515.
Dave & Buster’s Westminster
Opens at 6 p.m. Regular menu. Play all the in-store arcade games. 10667 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, 303-438-1500.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Special holiday entrée: $89 20 oz prime rib served with horseradish cream, red wine au jus, and chateau mashed potatoes. 8100 E. Orchard Rd., Denver, 303-796-0100.
Del Frisco’s Grille
Open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Regular menu. Reservations strongly suggested. 100 St. Paul St., Denver, 303-320-8529.
Downtown Aquarium
Open noon to 8 p.m. Special holiday 3-course dinner. Regular menu featuring seafood and steak. Reservations strongly suggested. 700 Water St., Denver. 303-561-4450.
East Side Kosher Deli
Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 499 S. Elm Street, Denver, 303-322-9862.
Eddie Merlot’s
Open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Regular menu and special holiday food and wine menus. 10110 E. Dry Creek Rd., Englewood, 720-744-2622.
EDGE
Open all day except for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Regular menu also available. Reservations strongly suggested. Inside Four Seasons Denver, 1111 14th St., Denver, 303-389-3050.
ELWAY’s Downtown
Open 7 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Regular menu with added holiday specials. Reservations required. 1881 Curtis Street, Denver, 303-312-3107.
Source: Fire Restaurant
Fire at the ART, a hotel
Serves Christmas brunch from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m and dinner service from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. (dinner will also be offered on Christmas Eve). Free valet parking. Reservations required. 1201 Broadway, Denver, 303-572-8000.
Fogo de Chao
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations suggested. 1513 Wynkoop St., Denver or 8419 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree, 303-481-4001.
Golden Shanghai
Open noon to 9 p.m. Limited menu. 1412 S. Parker Rd., A-134, Denver, 303-743-7666.
Great Scotts Eatery
Both locations open until 3 p.m. Denver location (1295 Cortez St., Denver, 303-428-3558) Broomfield location (7510 U.S. Hwy 287, Broomfield, 303-469-5291).
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
Open 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Regular menu, plus special holiday course for 2 or 3 people. 1998 18th St. (near Union Station), Denver, 720-726-4068.
Henry’s Tavern
Open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Regular menu. 500 16th St., Unit 184B, Denver, 720-399-8466.
Hotel Boulderado’s Mezzanine
Serves a sumptuous Christmas Buffet with prime rib, leg of lamb, salmon, shrimp and crab cocktails and more ($75 per adult, $35 per child 4-12, kids under 4 eat free) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special assortment of Christmas cookies available on the dessert menu. Reservations required. Inside the Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St. Boulder.
Jerusalem Restaurant
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. (that’s not a typo, it is a.m.) Near DU campus. 1890 Evans, Denver, 303-777-8828.
Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro
Open for Christmas dinner with seating from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Inside Boulder’s St. Julien Hotel. Reservations required. 900 Walnut St., Boulder.
Kachina Cantina
Serving brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations suggested. 1890 Wazee St., Denver, 720-460-2728.
Kini’s
Open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations a must. 233 Clayton St. (in Cherry Creek North), Denver, 303-532-4999.
Kona Grill
Open 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Small holiday menu available featuring prime rib, ham, and turkey specials as well as a holiday kid’s meal and pumpkin pie. Full menu also available. Reservations strongly suggested. 3000 E. 1st Ave. (in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center), Denver, 720-974-1300.
Little Ollie’s
Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Limited menu. 2364 E. 3rd Ave., Denver, 303-316-8888.
Local Jones
Open for brunch from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Holiday dinner specials include Oysters Rockefeller, prime rib, duck breast and chestnut gnocchi. Reservations strongly recommended. 249 Columbine St. (at the Halcyon Hotel), Denver, 720-772-5022.
Source: Depositphotos
Macaroni Grill
Open 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. Regular menu. Reservations suggested. 10411 Town Center Dr., Westminster, 303-439-9333.
Mehak India’s Aroma
Open noon to 10 p.m. Reservations suggested. 250 Steele St. #100, Denver, 720-638-9350.
Narrative
Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations strongly suggested. 222 Milwaukee St., Denver, 720-571-8080.
New York Deli News
Open 364 days a year including Christmas Day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7105 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, 303-759-4741.
Peter’s Chinese Cafe
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2609 12th Ave., Denver, 303-377-3218.
Quality Italian Steakhouse
Open 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Regular menu with a special holiday plate. Reservations strongly suggested. 241 Columbine St., Denver, 303-532-8888.
Que Bueno Suerte
Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Holiday party options available are a Mexican Tamalada (tamale making party), holiday buffet, and a 3-course prix fixe menu featuring holiday-only Mexican dishes. Reservations required. 1518 S. Pearl St., Denver, 720-642-7322.
Simms Steakhouse
Open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. serves steaks and seafood. Reservations required. 11911 W. 6th Ave., Lakewood, 303-237-0465.
Source: SOL Mexican Cocina
SOL Mexican Cocina
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Regular menu. Reservations strongly recommended. 200 Columbine St., Unit 110, Denver, 303-953-2208.
Spruce Farm & Fish
Brunch served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Full menu and holiday specials. Inside the Hotel Boulderado. 2115 13th St. Boulder.
STK-Denver
Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Special holiday menu. Regular brunch and dinner menu also available. Reservations strongly suggested. 1550 Market St., Denver, 720-597-8010.
Sushi Hai
Opens at 11:30 a.m. 3600 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, 720-855-0888.
Sweet Rice Cafe
Open 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 942 Jersey St., Denver, 303-377-7242.
Table Mountain Grill & Cantina
Serves a Santa Fe Feast on Christmas Day. Limited menu and holiday specials. Reservations recommended. Brunch is 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 1310 Washington Ave., Golden, 303-216-8040.
Texas de Brazil
Starting at 11 a.m. the dinner menu will be served all day. Reservations highly recommended. 8390 Northfield Boulevard Suite 1800, Denver, 720-374-2100.
The Corner Office Restaurant
Dine in-restaurant from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Daily Grind Brunch. From noon to 7 p.m., they serve a Christmas buffet at $55 per adult and $35 per child. 1401 Curtis St., Denver, 303-825-6500.
The Original – Denver
Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch and regular menu available. Reservations strongly recommended. 1600 20th St., Denver, 720-769-1414.
Tibet Kitchen
Open 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Regular menu. 2359 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303-440-0882.
Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval
Final seating at 8 p.m. $52 per person for entire pre-fixe menu. Limited items from the regular menu also available. Reservations strongly suggested. 150 Clayton Lane, in the lobby of Hotel Clio, Denver, 303-253-3000.
Urban Farmer
Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Denver steakhouse offers a prix fixe LoDo Christmas Dinner ($75 per adult and $35 per child under 12). Entree choices include spiral-cut ham, prime rib, 6 oz. filet, salmon, roasted chicken and cauliflower steak. Reservations required. 1659 Wazee St (adjacent to The Oxford Hotel)., Denver, 303-262-6070.
Urban Village Grill
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Modern Indian cuisine. 8505 Park Meadows Center Dr. # 2184A, Lone Tree, 720-536-8565.
Venice Ristorante
Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Special Christmas menu. Reservations strongly suggested. 1700 Wynkoop, Denver, 303-534-2222.
ViewHouse Centennial
Open for a holiday brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($46.95 for adults, $13.95 for kids 6-12, and kids 5 and under eat free). Special Christmas cocktail menu also available. 7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial, 303-790-8440.
Zaidy’s Deli
Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 600 S. Holly St., Denver, 303-333-5336.
Zaika Indian Cuisine Littleton
Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 151 W. Mineral Ave., #109, Littleton. 720-328-3038.
Other restaurants may also be open on Christmas Day. The easiest way to check availability is to use OpenTable. Type in December 25, the time you want to dine, and the site will pull up a list of available restaurants and allow you to make a reservation.
What about the the burger joints: McD’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, etc.