Restaurants Open In St Louis On Christmas Day

Imagine this: it's Christmas Day, you've been "helping" wrap presents at 2 a.m., and now everyone is in full-on food coma mode. But wait — nobody actually cooked anything because you promised to "handle dinner" back in August when you were feeling wildly optimistic. First of all, relax.

St. Louis has your back. Several restaurants are wide awake, aprons on, and ready to save you from the frozen pizza shame spiral. Here's your guide to eating well while the rest of the household debates whether eggnog counts as a food group.

Chinese Food — The Unofficial Christmas Tradition

Let's get the obvious one out of the way: Chinese restaurants are basically the MVPs of Christmas Day dining. It's a tradition so firmly rooted in American culture that historians could write a novel about it — well, maybe just a really short pamphlet, but still. When everyone else is asleep under tinsel-induced drowsiness, these places are locked, loaded, and cranking out egg rolls like there's no tomorrow.

Places like St. Louis Dumpling House and Simple Wok have been known to stay open, because they know full well that someone, somewhere, is having a holiday meltdown over mashed potatoes. Dumplings on Christmas? Seriously underrated.

Chinese Buffets — Because One Plate Is Never Enough

If you lean into the buffet experience, congratulations — you'll be dining surrounded by fellow Christmas escapees. Picture it: bright lights, freezers full of moo shu pork, and absolutely no pressure to make holiday small talk. Your only stress will be deciding how many times you can loop through before someone judges you (protip: never stop looping).

Buffets like Grand China in the Kirkwood area have historically opened their doors on the big day. So grab your relatives, dodge the awkward questions, and fill a plate like you mean it.

Asian Buffets and Sushi Spots

Believe it or not, some sushi and Asian fusion spots around St. Louis have surprised everyone by operating on Christmas. Because nothing says "holiday spirit" quite like a salmon nigiri garnished with geographic confusion. It's like traveling the entire Pacific Rim without leaving your zip code.

St. Louis holiday pop-up bar guide 2023 | ksdk.com

Restaurants in areas like the Chesterfield and Ballwin corridors have occasionally kept their lights on for the hungry and the brave. Call ahead — nobody wants to show up in their pajamas for a locked door.

Hotel Restaurants — Where the "We're Fancy Now" Vibe Lives

Hotel restaurants are the quiet heroes of the holiday dining season. They're used to guests wandering in at odd hours, so Christmas perfectly fits their schedule. You'll find a menu that looks like it was written by someone who actually loves food, not just tolerate it.

The Hilton St. Louis Carondelet Plaza and other upscale hotel eateries sometimes offer holiday specials. Think prime rib, roasted duck, and desserts that make your Aunt Carol's fruitcake look like a paperweight.

Steakhouses and American Classics

Some steakhouses — oh yeah, we're talking Ruth's Chris — occasionally open on Christmas because steak is basically a religion. If you've ever thought, "What would happen if the Grinch discovered a perfectly seared ribeye?" — this is your moment. Holiday eating just got significantly more exciting and also more expensive, but hey, you only live once.

List: Holiday pop-up bars in St. Louis 2021 | ksdk.com

Keep an eye on reservations for the specialty steakhouses scattered through downtown St. Louis. Walk-ins on Christmas can be Cinderella's pumpkin — depending on your definition of plus-size party.

Mexican and Latin Cuisine — Fiesta, Anyone?

Mexican and Latin spots in The Hill neighborhood are legendary for their warmth and seafood magic, and some choose to operate during the holiday. Nothing melts Scrooge faster than a plate of chile rellenos under a holiday tree. Tacos on Christmas are a legal form of self-care, and we're sticking with that.

Watch for taco trucks, too — St. Louis has a growing culture of food trucks that sometimes don't take holidays. Because wrapping yourself in a tortilla is a gift, and we stand by that.

Fast Food — The Honest, Shameless Option

Okay, be honest: sometimes you pulled up to McDonald's on Christmas with your ugly sweater still on and everyone pretended not to notice. Well — you're not alone. Fast food chains frequently stay open because drive-thru window employees deserve recognition too.

St. Louis holiday pop-up bar guide 2023 | ksdk.com

The real trick? Order respectfully and tip generously, because someone's postponing their holiday for your McFlurry. Karma is watching, and come next year, your gingerbread won't bake itself.

A Few Tips Before You Go

Call first. Hours vary wildly from year to year, and nobody wants to be the person showing up at a dark restaurant holding a hungry toddler. Busy spots fill fast, so reservation is your best friend.

Laugh, share the meal, because that's truly what Christmas is about. A plate shared under twinkling lights beats a meal with misunderstood holiday stress every single time. And remember — a Christmas meal adventure now becomes family story gold in ten years.

Bottom line? St. Louis doesn't leave hungry Christmaders hanging. From Chinese buffets to luxe steakhouses, options abound for your great escape. Grab your appetite, your favorite people, and maybe a box of forty fortune cookies, and have yourself a deliciously unconventional holiday feast.