Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Connecticut

It’s great to know there are restaurants open on Christmas in Connecticut to serve customers a delicious holiday meal. These restaurants are really pulling out the stops in 2023 with menus that will make your tastebuds happy. Choose from many different picks from the sea, delicious entrees, sides, drinks and of course…desserts, the best part. Most of these restaurants require a reservation either on Christmas Eve or on Christmas.And, happily, many have kids menus too.

If you’d rather eat in the comfort of your own home, there’s several wonderful locations preparing Christmas takeout, too. Many of them will deliver holiday meals to your door. You never know, ordering Christmas dinner in might become one of your family’s newest memory-making traditions!

And with all that spare time not preparing Christmas dinner, you can try some of these 101 Christmas Activities for Kids. If you’re looking for fun seasonal experiences, explore the Must do Holiday Events in Connecticut This Season.

Restaurants Open on Christmas in Connecticut – Fairfield County

1. La Plage — Westport

Make your reservations for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and yes, the restauranrt has a children’s menu. Start with raw oysters or clams and end the meal with Christmas Pudding and a coffee.

2. Italian Kitchen — Fairfield

Think: Feast of 7 Fishes! Enjoy traditional Italian offerings at the Italian Kitchen serving more than just items from the sea. Eat in the restaurant on Christmas Eve at this family-friendly, affordable business. The restaurant is open for a family lunch on Christmas Eve (closing at 2).

3. Artisan — Southport

Enjoy a three-course meal on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at Artisan. Celebrate with “Christmas Chowder,” jumbo shrimp, halibut or lobster; finish with a special selection of Christmas desserts, including toffee pudding and egg-nog torte. Artisan also has a children’s menu that has all the favorites.

 

Enjoy some truly yummy comfort food at B.J. Ryans in Norwalk. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

4. B.J. Ryans — Norwalk

Family-friendly and relaxed—picture laughing and eating as you dig into some truly tasty comfort food. The full kitchen opens at 4pm, and reservations are recommended.

5. The Roger Sherman Inn — New Canaan

Christmas 2023 will be special at the Roger Sherman Inn. Open Christmas Day for lunch, the menu is simple and sweet (but classy!) including items like duck, escargot and Trout Amandine. Prices are reasonable, and reservations are encouraged. 

Restaurants Open on Christmas in Connecticut – Hartford

6. Ichiro Hibachi and Sushi — West Hartford

Ichiro will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for regular hours. Choose from the creative and beautifully presented menu and enjoy the fun experience of Hibachi!

7. Great Taste — New Britain

Great Taste is open 364 days of the year. The menu is full of Chinese specialties, including wonton soup, egg rolls, Lo Mein, fried rices, and all things sea and land. Sit at a great big table with several of your family members. 

8. Millwrights — Simsbury

Millwright’s is offering a comparitively affordable, family-friendly Christmas Eve meal. Four courses include salad, appetizer, entree, and dessert. Choose from roasted chicken, salmon, and NY strip steak. End your meal with one of four delicious desserts. 

9. Artisan — West Hartford

Come and enjoy a delicious meal on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Three courses are included in this upscale dining experience. Entrees are anything but standard, and the littlest foodies will delight in the creativity. There are lots of items from the sea this year, as well main courses that include veal porterhouse, lamb, filet mignon, and others. Then you can dip into a peppermint sundae!  

10. Cava Restaurant — Southington

Touted as “America’s Most Holiday Decorated Restaurant,” Cava’s 250,000 holidays lights and decorations will stun and mesmerize everyone who eats there. The restaurant is open on Christmas Eve for dinner. Make sure you reserve your family’s table soon.

Restaurants open on Christmas in Connecticut – New Haven 

11. Saybrook Inn — Saybrook

The Saybrook Inn will be serving a Christmas Eve Breakfast Buffet as well as a Christmas Day dinner. Come for breakfast on the 24th including a hearty selection of sausage, salmon, crepes, and bacon. Or, make your reservation for Christmas Day, when you can spend time with your family and eat from 11am until 4pm. 

12. The Madison Beach Hotel — Madison

Dine on the water at The Wharf. The restaurant will be open until 7pm on Christmas Day. The Wharf will be serving their a modified menu along with some holiday specials

13. Water’s Edge Resort and Spa — Westbrook

Enjoy your holiday meal on either Christmas Eve (5p – 9p) or Christmas Day (1p – 7pm) at Dattilo Fine Italian Restaurant. Dattilo’s is a newly renovated restaurant and yes, there is a kid’s menu.

Cozy up and tuck in at one of CT’s restaurants open on Christmas. Photo courtesy of  The Griswold Inn

14. The Griswold Inn — Essex

Eat your holiday meal at a historic inn. Griswold Inn’s Bill of Fare includes seasonal game and traditional favoritesis and is available for the entire month of December. The restaurant also has a live a capella group singing for your entertainment. 

15. Shell and Bones Oyster Bar and Grill – New Haven

For a grown-up night out, Shell and Bones will make your Christmas Eve meal special. Be adventurous and try lamb or halibut, paired with the perfect wine. 

Restaurants Open on Christmas in Eastern CT

16. Cedars at Foxwoods — Mashantucket

Come to the Casino on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and eat your holiday meal at Cedars. Reservations should be made online. Steak isn’t all they are famous for. The holiday menu is limited and special for the season. 

Ordering Christmas Takeout in Connecticut

17. Simply Delicious — Norwalk

Simply Delicious can provide your family with a wide assortment of items to enjoy at your Christmas or holiday meal, from apps and salads to soups and entrees. Get your order in by December 20.

18. Herbaceous Catering — Bridgeport

Order ahead and Herbaceous will deliver your meal on Christmas Eve—just like Santa! You can order from the menu, which includes roast chicken, two different salads, and three tasty sides.

19. Michael-Joseph’s — Darien

Eat, drink, and be merry—and let someone else do all the prep. Michael-Joseph’s is offering a comfort-food meal to enjoy at home with family. Start with jumbo shrimp  and then dig into your beef tenderloin or spiral ham. Cheesy scalloped potaoes on the side with a closer of apple pie and yummy Yule log! 

20. Rossittos’s — Branford

Looking forward to an Italian feast for the holidays? Order at Rossitto’s by December 21st, and dive into bruschetta, chicken piccata, ziti and lasagna. If it is spelled with a vowel at the end, Rossitto’s has it. 

21. Allez Catering — Manchester

Allez Catering offers two holiday menus including a vegeterian menu to make your holiday get together perfect. Ricotta gnocchi, Italian eggplant, chicken breast ot pork tenderloin. For vegetarian options, choose from stuffed Portabello mushrooms, butternut squash and spinach lasagna, or zucchini and cheese casserole. 

22. Bears BBQ – Various Locations

Ah, Bears. Delicious BBQ with all the sides you can eat. The holiday menu includes brisket, cornbread and honey butter, pulled pork, and mac-n-cheese. Food is available for pick up on Christmas Eve day. 

updated 12-06-2023