Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, diners can cross a delicious, stress-free meal off their Christmas wish list. Many Denver area restaurants will be open Christmas Day for dine-in service. Here are some low-cost and moderate-price options, along with a selection of fancy schmantzy spots in case you are in the mood to splurge (be sure to secure reservations for those sooner rather than later).
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 them.
Source: Depositphotos
Chain Restaurants
Denny’s
Christmas is actually the diner chain’s busiest day of the year. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on 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. Check your local Denny’s for holiday hours.
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 should keep to schedule, hours may vary at other locations).
Red Lobster
Check your nearest location for hours, but likely 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saltgrass Steakhouse
Both Parker and Westminster locations open with regular menu from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Starbucks
Select locations open. Limited hours.
Village Inn
Most Colorado locations open through mid-afternoon (though hours may vary by location).
Waffle House
Open all day. Regular menu.
Individual Restaurants
Source: Depositphotos
101 Asian Fusion
Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Regular menu. 101 Madison St., Denver, 303-355-1688
Bar Louie
Both Colorado locations open from 4 p.m. on Christmas Day until 11 p.m. Serving regular menu plus bar specials.
Benihana
Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Denver location and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Broomfield location. Broomfield (515 Zang St., 303-410-0482) and Denver (3295 S. Tamarac Dr., 303-750-0200). Reservations suggested.
Blue Sparrow Coffee
Open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 3070 Blake St., Denver.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant
Open 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas specials: Petite Filet and Stuffed Shrimp, Jenny’s Salmon & Shrimp, Forrest’s Ribeye & Shrimp, and Lt. Dan’s Pork Ribs & Shrimp. 1437 California St., Denver, 303-623-4867.
Charlie Brown’s Bar & Grill
Opens at 4 p.m. Regular menu. Piano karaoke. 980 Grant St., Denver, 303-860-1655.
China Beijing
Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. for dine-in and take-out. Regular menu. 3333 S. Tamarac Dr., Denver, 303-743-9777.
Corinne Restaurant
Open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Serving a special Christmas menu. 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 from noon to midnight. Also enjoy bowling, laser tag and arcade games. 580 E 144th Ave., Thornton, 303-254-8888.
Cucina Bella
Open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Regular menu available with additional Christmas specials. 9600 E. Alameda Ave., #104, Denver, 720-550-8957.
Dave & Buster’s Denver
Opens at 5 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 5 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 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Special holiday entrée: $195 38 oz. Bone-In New York Strip King Cut and a $19 sweet potato casserole. 8100 E. Orchard Rd., Denver, 303-796-0100.
Del Frisco’s Grille
Open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Regular menu. Reservations strongly suggested. 100 St. Paul St., Denver, 303-320-8529.
Downtown Aquarium
Open 12 p.m. 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.
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
There will be a special Christmas Day buffet from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations strongly encouraged. Inside Four Seasons Denver, 1111 14th St., Denver, 303-389-3050.
ELWAY’s Downtown
An exclusive holiday menu will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The regular breakfast menu will be available from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., but the regular lunch and dinner menus will not be available. Reservations required. 1881 Curtis Street, Denver, 303-312-3107.
Source: Fire Restaurant
Fire at the ART, a hotel
There will be a Christmas Day brunch 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($75 for adults, $25 for kids) with a number of different buffet stations including a benedict station, seafood display, pancake station, and dessert table. There will also be a special dinner menu for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. featuring French onion soup, a 10 oz. prime rib meal, and an apple tartlet. 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 from 7 a.m. to 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 Yakiniku holiday menu for 2 or more people. 1998 18th St. (near Union Station), Denver, 720-726-4068.
Henry’s Tavern
Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Regular menu. 500 16th St., Unit 184B, Denver, 720-399-8466.
Jerusalem Restaurant
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8 a.m. to 3 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 buffet with early seating at 10 or 10:30 a.m. and a second seating at 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m. ($109 for adults, $49 for children 4-12 years old, and children under 4 years old are free). There will also be a prix fixe Christmas dinner from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Inside Boulder’s St. Julien Hotel. Reservations required. 900 Walnut St., Boulder.
Kachina Cantina
Christmas special (prime rib served with truffle parmesan mashed potatoes, bacon brussels sprouts, and maple syrup glazed carrots) from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations suggested. 1890 Wazee St., Denver, 720-460-2728.
Kona Grill
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Holiday menu available featuring prime rib, seafood and fish 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 India
Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Regular menu. 330 E. 6th Ave., Denver, 303-871-9777.
Little Ollie’s
Open 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Limited menu. 2364 E. 3rd Ave., Denver, 303-316-8888.
Local Jones
Open for brunch and dinner. Holiday dinner specials include house made lobster fettuccine and a chocolate mocha gateau “ornament.” 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.
Max Gill & Grill
Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 1052 S. Gaylord St., Denver, 303-722-7456.
Mehak India’s Aroma
Open noon to 10 p.m. Reservations suggested. 250 Steele St. #100, Denver, 720-638-9350.
Narrative
Open 6:30 a.m. to 10 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.
Pier 8 – Seafood Restaurant
Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Regular menu. 7490 W. 52nd, Arvada, 303-997-7858.
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 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations required. 1518 S. Pearl St., Denver, 720-642-7322.
Simms Steakhouse
Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a special holiday menu. 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. Reservations suggested. Inside the Hotel Boulderado. 2115 13th St. Boulder.
STK-Denver
Open 11 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
Open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 3600 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, 720-855-0888.
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 1 p.m. Dinner is from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1310 Washington Ave., Golden, 303-216-8040.
Taste of China
Opens at 11 a.m. 1935 Federal Blvd., Denver, 303-477-2204
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 Castle Bar and Grill
Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 6657 S. Broadway, Littleton, 303-798-5981.
The Chart House
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Special three-course holiday menu. Reservations required. 25908 Genessee Trail Rd., Golden. 303-526-9813.
The Corner Bar
Open from 11 a.m. to midnight. Full menu and holiday specials. Reservations suggested. Inside the Hotel Boulderado. 2115 13th St. Boulder.
The Corner Office Restaurant
From noon to 7 p.m., they serve a Christmas buffet. 1401 Curtis St., Denver, 303-825-6500.
The Cruise Room
Open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Roast Prime Rib Dinner Plate ($65) including roasted root vegetables, smashed red potatoes, oven roasted yams & brussels sprouts. Spiral-cut ham ($55) with sides such as roasted root vegetables, smashed red potatoes, oven roasted yams & brussels sprouts. Traditional pumpkin pie ($14) or chocolate cake ($14). Inside the Oxford Hotel. Does NOT accept reservations. 1600 17th St., Denver, 303-262-6070.
Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval
Final seating at 8 p.m. There will be a special prix fixe menu with 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 special Christmas dinner ($80 per adult and $40 per child under 12). The meal starts with a cheese & charcuterie spread. First course options: Local greens salad, seafood chowder or short rib gnocchi. Entrée options: spiral-cut ham, roasted prime rib, a 6 oz. California King Farms filet, salmon or stuffed delicata. For dessert: pumpkin pie or chocolate cake. Reservations strongly recommended. 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 at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Regular menu. 7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial, 303-790-8440.
ViewHouse Littleton
Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Regular menu. 2680 Main St., Littleton, 303-797-4829.
Zaidy’s Deli
Open 8 a.m. to 2 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.
