Most Toronto restaurants close on December 25, but plenty stay open, from hotel steakhouses and festive brunches to dim sum in Chinatown and family-run spots serving food from around the world. Here’s where to look for Christmas Day 2026 (Friday, December 25), with examples of places that opened last year. Holiday hours change every year, so always call or check before you go, and book ahead.
Where to find an open restaurant on Christmas Day
Hotel restaurants
Hotel dining rooms are the most reliable bet, since they serve guests through the holidays. Many offer a Christmas brunch or a festive set menu. In 2025, open spots included Louix Louis at the St. Regis and Kost atop the Bisha Hotel, and the Drake Hotel’s dining room on West Queen West. See best hotels for Christmas.
Dim sum and Chinese restaurants
Christmas Day dim sum is a Toronto tradition for many families. Chinatown on Spadina Avenue, plus Scarborough and North York, have the most choice. Long-standing Chinatown spots like Rol San and House of Gourmet were open on Christmas Day in 2025.
Festive brunch
Several high-end restaurants put on Christmas Day brunches; in 2025 Nobu Toronto served an all-you-can-eat holiday brunch. See Christmas brunch in Toronto.
Global flavours
Toronto’s diversity shows on Christmas Day: Persian, Georgian, Japanese, Thai, Brazilian barbecue and Middle Eastern restaurants across the city were among those open in 2025, especially along St. Clair West, in North York and in Scarborough.
Pubs
Some pubs open in the afternoon for a pint and comfort food, and a few serve turkey dinners.
Types of restaurants usually open on Christmas Day
- Hotel restaurants: many serve Christmas Day brunch, lunch buffets or set dinners, often with festive decor. Best hotels for Christmas
- Chinese restaurants: dim sum and family-style dinners on Christmas Day are a beloved tradition for many Torontonians, in Chinatown, on Spadina Avenue and in the suburbs.
- Steakhouses and fine dining: some offer special Christmas menus.
- Restaurants serving global cuisines: Indian, Middle Eastern, Korean, Vietnamese and other family-run spots in many neighbourhoods.
- Fast food and casual chains: some locations open with reduced hours.
How to find an open restaurant
- Check reservation apps for December 25 availability.
- Call ahead; many restaurants post holiday hours late.
- Search by neighbourhood, such as Chinatown, Koreatown or North York’s Yonge Street corridor.
- Look at hotel restaurant websites for Christmas menus.
- Book early: open restaurants fill up quickly on Christmas Day.
Christmas Day dining tips
- Expect set menus and higher prices at hotels and fine-dining spots.
- Confirm the hours, as many open only for lunch or close early.
- Plan your transit, as the TTC runs a holiday schedule. TTC holiday schedule
- Tip generously; staff are working on a holiday.
Not going out?
Order a holiday meal in advance from a grocer, caterer or restaurant. See Christmas dinner takeout.
Restaurants open on Christmas Day: FAQ
Is dim sum open on Christmas Day in Toronto? Many Chinese restaurants, including dim sum spots, have opened on December 25. Arrive early or book.
Are hotel restaurants open on Christmas Day? Many are, with special brunches and dinners. Reservations are essential.
More: Christmas Day in Toronto · what’s open on Christmas Day
Tips
- Book early: the restaurants that open fill quickly, sometimes weeks ahead.
- Expect set menus and higher prices at hotel and fine-dining spots.
- Check the TTC schedule; Christmas Day runs a Sunday schedule with the subway starting at 8 a.m. TTC holiday schedule
- Order takeout early if you’d rather eat at home. Christmas dinner takeout
We’ll update this page with confirmed 2026 openings in December.
More: what’s open on Christmas Day · Christmas Day in Toronto · Christmas Eve dinner in Toronto
