Ruined Your Holiday Roast? These Restaurants Will Be Open on Christmas Day

Though you may want your home to look like a Norman Rockwell painting on Christmas, life can get in the way. Flights are delayed, items sell out, and the hours you set aside for preparing dinner suddenly disappear. Fortunately, there's nothing preventing you from leaving the house on December 25. To save yourself time and stress during the holidays, consider feeding your family at one of the many restaurants open on Christmas Day.

It's true that many businesses close for Christmas, but you can still find restaurants that are welcoming diners if you know where to look. According to Country Living, some of the biggest chains in the country stay open throughout the holiday season. On Christmas Day, you have your choice of casual sit-down establishments, including Macaroni Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and Chili's. If you want to grab breakfast after opening presents, IHOP, Denny's, and Waffle House will be open on the 25th. As for takeout options, you can always grab a rotisserie chicken from Boston Market or a pizza from Domino's.

The caveat with every place on this list is that hours may vary depending on the location. Before sticking your holiday roast back in the freezer, call the restaurant you plan to visit to confirm when and if they'll be open. This list is limited to chains, but you may also have luck with the independent eateries in your neighborhood. Many Chinese restaurants stay open for Christmas, which is how they became a go-to spot for Jewish families on the holiday.

After checking out the restaurants that will be open for Christmas below, read more about the origins of classic holiday traditions here.

1. Applebee's
2. Boston Market
3. Chili's
4. Cracker Barrel
5. Denny's
6. Domino's Pizza
7. IHOP
8. Macaroni Grill
9. McDonald's
10. Olive Garden
11. Outback Steakhouse
12. Panda Express
13. Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
14. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
15. Waffle House