Come Christmas Day, what will you be doing? Eating at home with loved ones, celebrating the holiday? Traveling home to see family and friends? Or wondering "What am I going to do all day long?" when everything shuts down?
While businesses everywhere shutter their doors for the day, a few stay open -- including some restaurants. It's a blessing for those who don't celebrate the holiday, are culinarily inept, or simply don't consider slaving in the kitchen all day an ideal way to spend their holiday.
In South Florida, plenty of places stay open and serve throughout the day on December 25. And if it's dinner you're looking for, we've got the list of restaurants serving Christmas Day dinner.
This is not a definitive list. Please be sure to check with your favorite restaurants not listed here to confirm holiday hours.
See also: Six Best Gifts for Coffee Snobs
Palm Beach County Restaurants Open Christmas Day
Pistache French Bistro
Pistache French Bistro will be open on Christmas Day with a special menu and holiday hours. Reservations start at 3 p.m., and dinner will be presented as a three-course meal for $55 per person ($25 for children). Menu available upon request. 101 North Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561-833-5090.
Farmer's Table
The Boca Raton restaurant known for its fresh, healthy, and delicious meals will be open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. 1901 North Military Trail, Boca Raton; 561-417-5836.
3800 Ocean
3800 Ocean will host a Merry Christmas morning breakfast buffet (8-11 a.m.) with a host of options including a seafood station featuring smoked trout and pastrami salmon; assorted breads and pastries with holiday-inspired butters; omelets; Belgian waffles with fresh berry compote and whipped cream; and raspberry and cream cheese-stuffed French toast. Breakfast is $28 for adults and $14 for children under 12 excluding tax and gratuity. Noon marks the start of a Merry Christmas Day grand lunch buffet (12-3 p.m.) with selections sure to please every palate. Stations include a raw bar with shrimp, oysters on the half shell, snapper ceviche and tuna tartar; an array of soups and salads including a roasted butternut squash soup with chestnuts; a carving station with roast prime rib of beef au jus and horseradish; and turkey breast with pan gravy and cranberry-pear compote; and a chef's selection table of seasonal desserts. Brunch is $55 for adults, and $16 for children under 12 excluding tax and gratuity. 3800 N. Ocean Dr., Singer Island; 561-340-1795, 3800oceanrestaurant.com.
Abe & Louie's
This Boca Raton establishment will be open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Specials include king crab bisque, classic surf and turf with filet mignon, Maine lobster, potatoes au gratin, sherry cream sauce and grilled asparagus, and a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. 2200 Glades Rd., Boca Raton; 561-447-0024, abeandlouies.com.
Max's Harvest
Max's Harvest, the award-winning farm to fork restaurant in Delray Beach, will feature several Chinese-inspired specials on Christmas Day, along with the restaurant's regular menu. The restaurant will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 169 Northeast 2nd Ave., Delray Beach; 561-381-9970, maxsharvest.com.
Racks Downtown Eatery + Tavern
This Mizner Park establishment will be open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 am to 10 p.m., and Christmas Day from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. 402 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561-395-1662.
Farmhouse Kitchen
The new Boca Raton restaurant from Gary Rack will be open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Christmas Day from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. 399 SE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 561-826-2625.
Racks Fish House + Oyster Bar
The Delray Beach seafood restaurant and raw bar will be open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Christmas Day from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. 5 Southeast 2nd Ave., Delray Beach; 561-450-6718.
Vic & Angelo's
Vic & Angelo's in both Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens will be open Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Christmas Day from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. A special menu is available for both days. The restaurant will also be serving its regular menu. 4520 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 561-630-9899, vicandangelos.com.
Kabuki Sushi-Thai-Tapas
If all you want for Christmas is some sushi, come Christmas Day the Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach locations for Kabuki. Both establishments will be open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 5080 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens; 561-776-8778.
Spoto's Oyster Bar
This Palm Beach Gardens institution will be open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will re-open on Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. 4560 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 561-776-9448, spotosoysterbar.com.
Tanzy at Mizner Park
Experience an elegant and cozy three-course Christmas dinner at Tanzy in Boca Raton. Menu available upon request. Tanzy will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 301 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561-922-6699, TanzyRestaurant.com/boca.
City Cellar
When most restaurants are overcharging for prix-fixe menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Big Time Restaurant Group eateries City Oyster & Sushi Bar and City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill are offering their full al la carta menus, plus a selection of delicious holiday specials. Open regular business hours both days. 700 S. Rosemary Ave, West Palm Beach; 561-366-0071, CityCellarWPB.com.
City Oyster & Sushi Bar
When most restaurants are overcharging for prix-fixe menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Big Time Restaurant Group eateries City Oyster & Sushi Bar and City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill are offering their full al la carta menus, plus a selection of delicious holiday specials. Open regular business hours both days. 213 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561-272-0220, CityOysterDelray.com.
Broward County Restaurants Open Christmas Day
McCoy's Oceanfront
The beachfront restaurant at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, whose namesake pays homage to the Prohibition-era William "Bill" McCoy, will host a holiday feast on Christmas Day (3-7 p.m.) featuring dishes prepared with seasonal, local and sustainable ingredients. Selections include roasted winter squash with truffle honey; caramelized onion savory bread pudding; Yukon Gold whipped potatoes; and carving stations featuring prime rib with a peppercorn demi-glace and horseradish; and a bacon-wrapped pork loin with oven dried tomato and basil cream. An array of seasonal desserts will also be served. The menu is $47 for adults and $18.75 for children ages six to 12 excluding tax and gratuity. 1200 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach; 954-782-0100.
Timpano
Fort Lauderdale's Timpano steak house will be open Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Christmas Day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant will be serving a special holiday menu both days, featuring lemon-herb turkey breast, peppercorn-crusted prime rib, a selection of classic holiday sides, and seasonal desserts like eggnog and almond bread pudding. 450 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale; 954-462-9119.
Steak 954
This Christmas, come into Steak 954 for a special holiday meal with your loved ones for breakfast, brunch or dinner. With savory brunch dishes such as the Crab and Avocado Benedict with tomato hollandaise, the Short Rib Benedict on potato pancake, Cuban Style Egg Sandwich with a fried egg, pulled pork and Swiss cheese and the Vanilla French Toast with dulce de leche, it is sure to be a memorable experience. Steak 954 will also be offering a Lamb Sausage Falafel Benedict and Crispy Caved Aged Goat Cheese with poached pears, Lola rosa and pine nut vinaigrette, as Christmas specials. Those looking for dinner plans can choose a variety of delicious options from their extensive steak menu. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m.; brunch starts at 11:30 a.m.; and dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-414-8333, Steak954.com.
Coco Asian Bistro
One of Fort Lauderdale's most popular Asian restaurants is offering a three-course prix fixe holiday menu, price dependent on entree choice. On Christmas Eve dinner will be served from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas day. 1841 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-525-3541.
Beauty & The Feast
On Christmas Eve, the Atlantic Hotel & Spa's Beauty & The Feast will be serving its own "Feast of the Seven Fishes" via a la carte offerings, in addition to its regular menu. Come Christmas Day, the restaurant will be presenting a special holiday a la cart menu with the chef's seasonally inspired selections. The restaurant will be open during normal business hours both days. 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-567-8070.
Oceans 234
End 2014 on a good note with Oceans 234, which will be serving special menu items on Christmas. Menu available upon request. Oceans 234 holiday hours on Christmas Eve are from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (regular menu), and Christmas Day from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. 234 North Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach; 954-428-2539, oceans234.com.
RA Sushi
All three South Florida RA locations -- Pembroke Pines, Palm Beach Gardens, and South Miami -- will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Christmas Day from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. 201 SW 145th Terrace, Pembroke Pines; 954-342-5454.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
A holiday standby, Ruth's Chris will deliver a high-quality meal to treat relatives and family alike come Christmas Eve and Christmas. Get holiday specialties, or order from the regular menu, from 4 p.m to 8:30 p.m. on Christmas day. 2525 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-565-2338.
NYY Steak and Sorrisi at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
NYY Steak and Sorrisi at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, holding regular business hours. Both restaurants will be serving a number of specialty dishes, as well as their regular menu. NYY Steak is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sorrisi is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays from 3 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and is closed on Mondays. 4150 N. State Road 7, Hollywood; 954-961-3220, seminolehollywoodcasino.com.
The Diplomat Resort & Spa
Celebrate the holidays with executive chef Christian Rassinoux and the entire Diplomat Resort & Spa Hollywood team as they host a buffet-style Christmas Day Brunch in the Crystal Room on Thursday, December 25. With seatings at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 2:30 p.m., guests can enjoy a selection of traditional breakfast items including Cinnamon Scented Brioche French Toast, made-to-order omelets and waffles and a Chef's Carving Station. 3555 South Ocean Dr., Hollywood; 954-602-6000.
Nicole Danna is a food blogger covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.
href="https://twitter.com/CleanPlateBPB" class="twitter-follow-button"
data-show-count="false" data-lang="en">Follow @CleanPlateBPB