Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, Christmas Day is a great time to gather your favourite people for a meal at one of Toronto’s delectable restaurants.
While a number of restaurants, bars and businesses across the city will be closing their doors in honour of the stat holiday, there are also quite a few — including some of the year’s newest hot spots — that’ll stay open for a festive feast.
Here are some of the restaurants that’ll be open on Christmas Day in Toronto.
Nobu Toronto
If you’ve been dying for a reservation at this newly-opened Toronto location of the lauded international Japanese food brand, Dec. 25 might just be your best chance, because they’re open with regular hours on the holiday.
One Restaurant
When in doubt, hotel restaurants are always a safe bet, like this restaurant located in the chic Hazleton hotel, which is open both on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving special festive dishes like Cider-
Le Lert
This Yonge and College Thai restaurant will keep its doors open on Dec. 25, serving up their creative cocktails alongside sublime dishes like Striploin Fried Rice and Tom Yum Paella on top of brunch service during regular business hours.
Saint John’s Tavern
This cozy Entertainment District gem is an ideal haunt for anyone hiding out from the cold, serving elevated pub fare and exquisite cocktails starting at 4 p.m. on the holiday.
Chamberlain’s Pony Bar
One of the latest additions to King West’s vibrant bar and restaurant scene, this English pub-meets-Mexican restaurant will be open at 5 p.m.
STK Toronto
If you asked Santa for a steak this year (hey, I’m not judging,) your wishes have been answered, as this swanky Yorkville steakhouse is offering a reduced a la carte menu including some of their staples during regular hours on the holiday.
Valerie
A rooftop restaurant to rival Kost, this Japanese-fusion restaurant atop Hotel X will offer you a dazzling view of the city as you cozy up for a Christmas meal with your loved ones between 3 and 11 p.m.
Louix Louis
If you’re hoping to give someone the gift of a great meal this holiday season, it doesn’t get much more luxe than at this regal restaurant on the top floor of the St. Regis Hotel, which is serving a “Festive Royal Brunch” on Christmas Day for $110 a pop.
Mott 32 Toronto
Globally recognized as one of the best Chinese restaurant chains in the world, this recent addition to the Shangri-La Hotel will be serving their fine dining menu on Christmas Day.
Hello Nori Toronto
This Vancouver-based favourite has landed in Toronto, and to celebrate they’re keeping their doors open on Christmas Day, even serving a special holiday bento box for anyone who stops by.
Schmaltz Appetizing
This Annex deli from renowned Toronto chef, Anthony Rose is hosting its second annual “Latkepalooza” on Dec. 25 (it is also the first day of Hanukkah, after all), and, though they won’t be serving their regular menu of bagel sandwiches, they will be open for you to pick up some of your Yiddish favourites.
Romi’s Bakery
Nothing beats the winter chill quite like a freshly-baked loaf of Challah, and you can pick up that, along with some hearty Israeli dishes from falafel pitas to rugelach and everything in between on the holiday Wednesday.
Drom Taberna
You can dine on abundant Eastern European dishes like pierogi and goulash while you jam out to live music from a lineup of local jazz legends at this cozy Queen West spot.
Vesta Lunch
Keeping it casual this Christmas? There’s nowhere better than this Annex legend that’s been around for more than 60 years. Tuck into a good-old-fashioned turkey club or opt for Greek-influenced dishes like chicken souvlaki as you take in the charmingly retro interiors from the counter.
Que Rico Tapas Bar
This season is all about sharing, and guess what? So are tapas! It only stands to reason, then, that this Little Italy Spanish spot is staying open for the holidays, offering you and yours a truly sabrosa meal.
Eataly Don Mills
All Toronto locations of this international Italian restaurant and grocery chain are staying open on Dec. 25, giving you the chance to twirl up some pasta before (or instead of) your turkey.
Liberty Soho
The Liberty Village sister to Ruby Soho, which also appears on this list, will open its doors at 5 p.m. on Dec. 25 so that you can get your party on or simply grab something other than turkey to eat.
Kingyo Fisherman’s Market
This Cabbagetown gem for Japanese food is keeping your sushi cravings sated whether Santa Claus is coming to town or not. They’re open with regular hours on Dec. 25.
Shamshiri Restaurant
You can score juicy grilled kebabs, marinated chicken, saffron rice, mast-o-musir and a whole host of other Persian staples at this North York favourite.
Ding Tai Fung
Ditch the tired old Christmas brunch trope and opt for dim sum this year at this Scarborough spot that’s perhaps best known for popularizing the soup dumpling in Toronto. Need I say more?
Copacabana Restaurant
You can always count on this Yonge and Eglinton Brazilian barbecue spot for an all-you-can-eat feast that’ll leave you feeling fuller than Santa after a night of cookies — and they’re open for regular hours on Christmas Day.
Hakka Legend
Leave it to one of Toronto’s best Hakka restaurants to bring the heat during the holidays. Using a unique blend of Indian spices and Chinese cooking techniques, a meal spent here on Christmas Day will be one you and your crew won’t soon forget.
Cafe Landwer
All Ontario locations of this Israeli chain will be serving up their brunch and dinner menus all day long on the holiday.
Pan Pacific Hotel Toronto
This Christmas, The Seasons restaurant at this stalwart (though recently rebranded) Don Mills hotel is serving up a special festive menu featuring a soup duo (butternut squash and creamy parsnip), Coq au Vin and, of course, a sumptuous Buche de Noel.
Pho Anh Vu Scarborough
You’ll be able to warm up over a larger-than-life bowl of broth and noodles at this Castlefield Design District’s recently-opened Scarborough location during their regular business hours.
House of Gourmet
This Chinatown institution — along with a number of its neighbours — is not only a safe bet when it comes to choosing a restaurant that’s open on Christmas Day, it’s also one of the best Chinese spots in the city, so you really can’t go wrong.
Darband Restaurant
Specializing in traditional Persian cuisine, this North York spot never fails to satisfy your cravings for kebabs, stews and heaping platters of braised meats, rice and Tahdig.
Three Dollar Bill
Christmas calls for comfort food, and that’s exactly what this Parkdale bar serves up, not just with their never-fail rotating selection of pizzas from Cici’s, but in the welcoming energy they’re bringing to a time of year that isn’t easy for everyone.
Perfect Chinese Restaurant
This Scarborough institution rarely ever closes, least of all on Christmas Day, so swap your turkey for a peking duck, add a whole lobster and Singapore vermicelli noodles and call it a day.
Zaffron
Pizza with your Koobideh? Why not! It’s Christmas, after all. An unlikely blend of Persian and Italian cuisines lead to the most delicious possible outcome at this singular North York spot.
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