Enjoy a prix fixe Christmas feast at Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in DC

1. Farmers Fishers Bakers — Georgetown

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: Prix fixe
Why Families Love It: The prix fixe menu at this waterfront restaurant includes more options than most—a whopping 14 entrees (including steak, seafood, and more), three appetizers, and six desserts. Children can order off a special prix fixe menu for a lower price.
Pro Tip: This restaurant is small and can get very packed in, so this isn't the best option if your kiddos don't do well in crowds. If you do choose to go, consider ice skating on the Washington Harbour Ice Rink before or after—it's right in front of the restaurant and open on Christmas!

2. Yardbird Table & Bar — Downtown

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: A la carte
Why Families Love It: This Southern restaurant is known for it's fried chicken—its logo is even a chicken! Other favorites include St. Louis ribs, briskets, mack and cheese, and more, and they're all being served on Christmas Day. But there's also a special holiday menu with honey bourbon spiral ham, brown butter glazed yams, and more.
Pro Tip: If you still have family in town after Christmas Day, Yardbird Is also offering 12 days of brunch from December 26, 2025 - January 4, 2026!

3. Carmine's — Penn Quarter

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: Family-style
Why Families Love It: A cozy vibe, pretty holiday decorations, and massive, family-style Italian entrees make Carmine's the perfect Christmas Day dinner spot for large families. There are plenty of kid favorites like spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmigiana on the menu. And Christmas calls for a decadent dessert like the Titanic to share—look it up!
Pro Tip: It's very easy to over-order at Carmine's (I speak from experience), so be sure to ask your server if you're ordering an appropriate amount of food. One entree feeds multiple people!

4. Teddy & The Bully Bar — Dupont Circle

Price Range: $$$
Menu Type: All you can eat
Why Families Love It: An endless carving station with turkey, salmon, and lamb chops—plus 10 unlimited sides that include mac and cheese, stuffing, and more—means everyone will find something to love. Each person can also choose one of four appetizers and three desserts.
Pro Tip: Kids 12 and under pay nearly half price! Note that beverages are not included in the price.

5. Cafe Fiorello DC — Penn Quarter

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: A la carte
Why Families Love It: This popular NYC Italian restaurant opened near the National Mall in DC in May 2025 and was popular from the start. Families love the pizzas, lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and other classic dishes.
Pro Tip: There's a parking garage in the same building as Cafe Fiorello, with an entrance on 10th Street between E Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Be sure to get a validation ticket from the restaurant—parking will be only $5!

6. Fogo de Chão — Bethesda & National Harbor

Price Range: $$$
Menu Type: All you can eat
Why Families Love It: The Churrasco Experience includes all-you-can eat portions of over a dozen types of meat, plus various sides. Everyone gets a circle with a green side and a red side. As long as the circles are green, the servers will keep coming with hunks of meat they'll slice table-side. When you're full, just flip the circle to the red side. There's also a large salad bar with all kinds of fun offerings.
Pro Tip: Not everyone at your table needs to order the Churrasco Experience, so if someone is less hungry they can just order an entree. But kids 7-12 are half price and those 6 and under are free, so you'll likely want to include the kids in the experience, even if they're picky eaters!

7. Cooper's Mill — Bethesda

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: A la carte
Why Families Love It: Everything at this farm-to-table American restaurant—meat dishes, pasta, seafood, flatbreads, salads, and more—is made with locally sourced ingredients. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 6:30am until midnight on Christmas Day, so it's a great pick if your holiday gathering is taking place at an odd time.
Pro Tip: Cooper's Mill is located in the Bethesda Marriott hotel, a great option for out-of-town guests. A breakfast buffet is available from 6:30-11am daily, including Christmas morning.

Kona Grill is a great pick for a kid-friendly Christmas dinner in Baltimore. Photo courtesy of Kona Grill

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Maryland

8. Kona Grill — Baltimore

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: A la carte
Why Families Love It: This contemporary American chain in Baltimore's Inner Harbor has a huge menu of sushi and sashimi, steaks, burgers, seafood, and more. Special kids meals come in a bento box and are served with an orange bear. There's also a holiday menu with additional festive options.
Pro Tip: Stay overnight and enjoy some of our favorite things to do in Baltimore's Inner Harbor on December 26!

9. Succotash — National Harbor

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: A la carte
Why Families Love It: This Southern restaurant is open for both brunch and dinner on Christmas and serves up favorites like beef short ribs, shrimp and grits, and fried green tomato salad. There's a kids menu for ages 12 and under.
Pro Tip: For an extra-festive meal, order the Taste the South feast, available for both brunch and dinner. The dinner version includes fried chicken and waffles, BBQ pork ribs, catfish, skillet cornbread, mac and cheese, collards, and more, all served family-style. Everyone at the table must order it, but kids 12 and under are half price.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Northern Virginia

10. Ada's on the River — Alexandria

Price Range: $$$
Menu Type: Prix fixe
Why Families Love It: Enjoy gorgeous views of the Potomac River from this restaurant on the Old Town Alexandria waterfront, which is offering a three-course prix fixe menu on Christmas Day that includes your choice of duck breast, Chilean sea bass, or wagyu beef tenderloin. There's also a special holiday menu just for kids! Children can start with tomato and mozzarella skewers or white cheddar mac and cheese, choose between grilled chicken breast and a cheeseburger for their entree, and finish with caramel-apple doughnuts.
Pro Tip: After your meal, spend some time walking around Old Town Alexandria, which is truly magical at Christmas with all the lights and decor.

11. Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap — Alexandria

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: A la carte
Why Families Love It: This Italian restaurant near Old Town and Del Ray is open on Christmas Day with both its regular menu of pizzas, pastas, and more, plus some special Christmas items. Kids who aren't into Italian food can also order grilled chicken, fried chicken strips, or steak frites from the kids menu, which has plenty of games on it to keep them busy while waiting for their meal.
Pro Tip: The upstairs Loft at Lena's hosts immersive themed dining experiences and is also open on Christmas Day. Its current theme, Havana 151, features floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows, lush greenery, Latin music, and a special Cuban menu. Note: The regular Italian menu is also available here!

12. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ — Arlington

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: Family-style
Why Families Love It: If you still want to be a part of preparing your Christmas dinner, this Japanese BBQ spot is a fun—and mouth-watering—option. Gyu-Kaku is offering up four different holiday feasts for groups of two to 12 people, which include various meats that you'll cook on charcoal grills right at your table, plus various appetizers, sides, and even s'mores for dessert.
Pro Tip: The two more expensive feasts come with ribeye, and on Christmas Day you can upgrade to wagyu ribeye for 20% off the usual price. What better time than to enjoy the good stuff than on Christmas?

13. Joe Theismann's Restaurant — Alexandria

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: Buffet
Why Families Love It: This Old Town staple is serving up a spectacular Christmas Day buffet. It includes a carving station with spiral ham, prime rib, and turkey; other hot entrees, various sides, a salad table, and a bread and dessert table filled with all kinds of treats. It's spacious, too, making it great for large families.
Pro Tip: Save money by purchasing a $100 gift card ahead of time on the restaurant's website. You'll get a bonus $20 gift card! 

14. Guapo's — Arlington

Price Range: $$
Menu Type: A la carte
Why Families Love It: How about some holiday Tex-Mex? All seven DC-area Guapo's locations are open on Christmas Day, including the one in Shirlington. The festive, colorful restaurant has a huge variety of entrees to choose from—from tacos to burritos and everything in between—and the kids menu includes favorites like quesadillas, chicken strips, and even corn dog bites.
Pro Tip: Trust me—you need to save room for dessert. In addition to classic options like churros and tres leches, Guapo's offers unique treats such as cheesecake chimichangas and fried ice cream.

H2: What to Know Before Dining Out on Christmas Day in DC

Book Early

Many of these restaurants open on Christmas Day book up weeks in advance, so make a reservation ASAP.

Be Prepared for Holiday Pricing

Prices may be a bit higher on Christmas Day, especially if there's a prix fixe menu. Gratuity may also be included in the bill—be sure to check!

Ask About Brunch

On holidays, many restaurants serve dinner items early in the day. So, don't assume you're getting brunch if you make an 11:30am reservation! Call or check the restaurant's website to ask what's being served earlier in the day.

Check Kids Menu Availability

Restaurants don't always advertise their kids menus, so if you don't see one, ask for it. If there's no kids menu, the restaurant will likely be willing to work with you on a meal your child will eat.

Plan Parking Ahead of Time

If the restaurant does not have a parking lot, find a nearby parking garage or lot and reserve a space in advance if you can.

Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Meal Out with Kids

Bring Entertainment

Print out some of these free Christmas coloring pages for kids, or try some of these fun family dinner table games. You can also bring a few small gifts for kids to open between courses.

Choose Earlier Seating for Shorter Waits

Even with reservations, restaurants can get backed up on busy days like holidays. Choose an earlier meal time to shorten your wait for a table.

Ask About Kids' Portions or Special Meals

If the restaurant doesn't have a kids menu, ask if they can make a smaller portion of a regular entree. If you have a picky eater, don't be afraid to ask them to modify a meal. Most restaurants, for example, would be more than happy to leave the sauce or seasoning off a piece of chicken!

FAQ: Dining Out on Christmas Day with Kids in DC

Q: Do any Christmas Day restaurants offer kids’ menus?
A: Yes, many of them do, like Ada's on the River in Alexandria and Kona Grill in Baltimore. If you don't see a kids menu, ask—many restaurants don't advertise them.

Q: Do I need to make reservations for Christmas Day dining?
A: YES! Nothing will bring out your family's inner Grinch like waiting hours for a table or driving around to find a restaurant that can accommodate you. Book those tables as far in advance as possible.

Q: Are fast-casual or chain restaurants open on Christmas?
A: Many are! Some casual sit-down chains that are open for a less-expensive, kid-friendly Christmas dinner include Applebee's, Denny's, IHOP, and Outbeak Steakhouse. If you're looking for a fast-casual meal, McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Domino's Pizza are all open. And if you need a caffeine fix, head to Dunkin'!