Not every restaurant closes down for the holiday in Gatlinburg. If you’re staying in a cabin without a full kitchen, driving through on December 25th, or just don’t feel like cooking, a handful of local favorites keep their doors open — from breakfast spots to breweries to steakhouses.
This guide rounds up the Gatlinburg restaurants that have reliably stayed open on Christmas Day in recent years, along with typical hours, whether they take reservations, what to expect on the menu, and backup options so you’re not the family standing outside a locked door on the one day you really need dinner.
Quick Answer
In recent years, Gatlinburg restaurants that have stayed open on Christmas Day include Calhoun’s, Cherokee Grill, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Smoky Mountain Brewery, Crockett’s Breakfast Camp, No Way Jose’s Cantina, Loco Burro, and Smith & Son Corner Kitchen. Most run shortened holiday hours, and the sit-down steakhouses especially recommend calling ahead for a reservation.
Gatlinburg Restaurants Typically Open on Christmas Day
Crockett’s Breakfast Camp has been a Christmas-morning go-to on the Parkway, usually serving breakfast in the early morning through early afternoon (roughly 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.) — a solid option if you want pancakes and biscuits before opening presents wraps up your day.
For a full holiday dinner, Calhoun’s and Cherokee Grill are the two sit-down options most likely to be open, typically from late morning into the evening (around 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.), with prime rib and other holiday specials sometimes added to the menu. Both accept reservations, which is worth doing since seating fills up fast on a day when most other kitchens are closed.
Casual and family-friendly spots like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Smoky Mountain Brewery, No Way Jose’s Cantina, Loco Burro, and Smith & Son Corner Kitchen have also stayed open in past years, generally with shorter hours than a normal day — No Way Jose’s, for example, has closed as early as 6 p.m., so plan an earlier dinner rather than a late one.
Chain and quick-service options such as Tropical Smoothie Cafe and pizza spots like CiCi’s Pizza and Pizza Rio have also opened on Christmas in previous seasons, which can be a fallback if the sit-down places are full.
What to Expect on the Menu and Pricing
Sit-down restaurants that stay open on Christmas Day, like Calhoun’s and Cherokee Grill, often run a modified holiday menu alongside (or in place of) their regular one, sometimes featuring prime rib, turkey, or other holiday-style entrees in addition to standard steakhouse and American fare. Pricing is generally in line with a normal dinner visit — expect typical mid-range steakhouse pricing rather than a fixed holiday buffet rate, though some prices may run slightly higher for holiday specials.
Casual spots and breweries typically serve their standard menu on Christmas Day rather than a special holiday one, just with a shorter service window. Quick-service and chain options (pizza, smoothie shops) operate close to normal, just check that they’re actually open before heading over.
Reservations, Hours, and Getting a Table
Holiday hours shift from year to year and restaurants sometimes decide their Christmas Day schedule only a few weeks out, so treat any specific hours you find online — including this list — as a starting point, not a guarantee. Call the restaurant directly the week of Christmas, or check their website or social media, before you drive over.
If a restaurant takes reservations, book one as early as you can; walk-in waits on Christmas Day can run long since there are fewer open kitchens serving the whole area. Calhoun’s and Cherokee Grill both accept reservations, and both can also be booked online through third-party reservation platforms in addition to calling directly.
If a place doesn’t take reservations, arrive right at opening or plan for an early dinner around 4-5 p.m. rather than showing up at 7 p.m. and finding they’ve already closed for the night.
Backup Options in Pigeon Forge
It’s also worth checking restaurants just outside Gatlinburg in Pigeon Forge — Calhoun’s Pigeon Forge location and Camp Margaritaville have both offered Christmas Day service, with Camp Margaritaville typically running a reservation-only holiday buffet in the afternoon.
Not everything in Pigeon Forge stays open, though: The Old Mill Restaurant, for one, closes on Christmas Day even though it operates through the rest of the holiday season, so don’t count on it as a backup without checking first.
Tips / Common Mistakes
Don’t assume a restaurant’s normal hours apply on Christmas Day — most that stay open run reduced hours, and a good number close entirely, including many spots that are open every other day of the year.
Don’t skip the phone call. Websites and third-party listings aren’t always updated for the current year, and a quick call confirms both the hours and whether a Christmas Day menu or reservation requirement is in place.
Don’t wait until you’re already hungry to start looking. Decide on your top two or three choices the day before, book what you can, and have a backup plan (grocery store deli, gas station, or a restaurant a short drive away in Pigeon Forge) in case your first pick is unexpectedly closed or full.
restaurants open christmas day gatlinburg FAQs
Are any restaurants open in Gatlinburg on Christmas Day?
Yes. A number of restaurants have stayed open in recent years, including Calhoun’s, Cherokee Grill, Crockett’s Breakfast Camp, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Smoky Mountain Brewery, No Way Jose’s Cantina, Loco Burro, and Smith & Son Corner Kitchen, usually with shortened hours.
Do I need a reservation for Christmas Day dinner in Gatlinburg?
It’s strongly recommended for sit-down restaurants like Calhoun’s and Cherokee Grill, since seating is limited and many other kitchens are closed for the holiday. Casual spots that don’t take reservations are best visited right at opening or for an early dinner.
What time do Gatlinburg restaurants close on Christmas Day?
Hours vary by restaurant, but many run shortened schedules compared to a normal day — some close by early evening (around 6-8 p.m.) rather than staying open into the night. Calhoun’s and Cherokee Grill have typically run closer to a full day, roughly 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Call ahead to confirm the specific hours before you go.
Is the Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge open on Christmas Day?
No, the Old Mill Restaurant has historically closed on Christmas Day even though it’s open throughout the rest of the holiday season, so don’t plan on it as a backup without calling first.
What if every restaurant near me is closed or full on Christmas Day?
Have a backup plan: check a grocery store deli or gas station near your cabin, or drive the short distance to Pigeon Forge, where spots like Camp Margaritaville have offered a reservation-only holiday buffet.
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