20 Madison-area restaurants and bars open Christmas Day

Enjoy family, drinks and a mess-free kitchen

Mackenzie Krumme by Mackenzie Krumme

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

If you don’t want to spend another minute cooking holiday meals after Christmas morning winds down, there are still a good amount of places open for business. Here are 19 Madison-area bars and restaurants open Christmas day. Big thanks goes out to all those who are working over the holiday.

The Edgewater

The Edgewater specializes in brunch buffets during the holiday season, and the Christmas Grand Brunch Buffet is no exception. Served in the grand ballroom, the buffet includes a prime rib carving station, glazed local Wisconsin ham, a shrimp cocktail display and a dessert table. The most exciting feature might be the made-to-order waffle bar. Start with a plain or red velvet waffle and add toppings like Wisconsin maple syrup, gingerbread flavored whipped cream, caramelized banana, berries or chocolate shavings. 10 a.m. $52 adults, $24 kids. 1001 Wisconsin Ave.

Gus’s Diner

Get breakfast all day at Gus’s Diner in Sun Prairie. With limited hours on Christmas day, guests can enjoy the regular menu from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Try the popular bacon and spinach skillet with sauteed bacon, spinach and onions laid over a bed of hashbrowns and topped with three eggs, feta cheese and hollandaise sauce. 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular menu. 630 N. Westmount, Sun Prairie.

The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.

The Great Dane’s four Madison area locations, as per usual, are open Christmas day. The hours and menus vary by location. The east-side location is open from 4 p.m. to midnight offering the regular menu. The downtown spot is open from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. serving a limited menu. Check the website for additional information. 123 E. Doty St., 876 Jupiter Dr., 2980 Cahill Main, 357 Price Pl.

Capitol ChopHouse

Located inside the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace Hotel, Capitol ChopHouse is open for a Christmas Day Breakfast Buffet. The buffet will have traditional breakfast items such as an omelet station, eggs, pancakes, sausage and a pastry bar. 7 a.m.-noon. $14-$15. 9 E. Wilson St.

Edo Garden Hibachi

If you are looking for a show Christmas Day, come to Edo Garden Hibachi in Monona. Edo offers a large grill room for hibachi that can fit up to 25 people. The head chef has 30 years of experience — it is sure to be a show. 4-10 p.m. Regular menu and hibachi. 6309 Monona Dr.

Swagat Indian Restaurant

Swagat Indian Restaurant on Madison’s west side is offering a lunch buffet and regular dinner menu on Christmas Day. The buffet includes a variety of northern and southern traditional Indian dishes such as samosas, pakora and chana masala, a vegetarian dish made with whole chickpeas, onion, tomato and spices poured over jasmine rice. Lunch buffet served 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular dinner menu served 5-10 p.m. 707 N. High Point Rd.

Blue Moon Bar & Grill

If your family is looking for a laidback atmosphere Christmas Day, the Blue Moon Bar & Grill located near the Kohl Center is a good option. Open from 5 p.m. to bar time, Blue Moon serves its regular menu. It has 14 taps and half-pound burgers made with local Knoche’s Market and Butcher Shop ground beef. 5 p.m. Regular menu. 2535 University Ave.

Parkway Family Restaurant

The draw at Parkway Family Restaurant is its expansive menu. If you need something that accommodates a variety of taste buds, this is the place. Parkway Family Restaurant has everything from quesadillas to shrimp fettuccine Alfredo to turkey clubs to homemade soups. Christmas specials will be announced the day of. 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Regular menu. 1221 Ann St.

Marcus Point Cinema, Marcus Palace Theater

Now that Marcus Theaters offers full bar and dinner service in the Big Screen Bistro, the theater is a great place for lunch on Christmas Day as you enjoy a movie. Inside the bistro, pick from a selection of “Opening Scene Appetizers,” “Cinema Entrees,” “G-Rated Kids Menu” and specialty drinks like passion fruit sangria and triple tequila margaritas. 7825 Big Sky Dr.; 2830 Hoepker Road, Sun Prairie.

Wilson’s Bar & Grill

Wilson’s Bar and Grill is open on Christmas Day every year for drinks, but the kitchen is closed. This bar has 29 TVs, including a set in the bathroom. 11 a.m. 2144 Atwood Ave

Tip Top Tavern

Tip Top Tavern located in Madison’s Eken Park Neighborhood is a good place to enjoy conversation with family. Kitchen staff will not be on duty, so be sure to come thirsty and not hungry. Try the house-made Old-Fashioned cocktail made with four roses bourbon, fresh fruit, bitters and ginger beer. 5 p.m. Drinks only. 601 North St.

Dexter’s Pub

Dexter’s Pub, located on the east side of Madison is open so guests can enjoy a rotating tap list. Twenty-four lines are filled with craft beers and ciders from all over the nation. Find your perfect fit with the digital pour menu that updates the amount of keg left in real time. This current tap list includes favorites including 3 Sheeps Brewing Co.’s First Kiss, a double IPA with honey from Sheboygan and O’so Brewing Co.’s Hop Debauchery, a hazy double IPA with a fuzzy New England style. 5-11 p.m. Drinks only. 301 North St.

Badger Tavern

Badger Tavern, located in the building that formerly housed Tony Frank’s, (a Madison tavern that was around for 86 years) is serving drinks Christmas Day. Although Badger Tavern is advertising bar service, depending on how the evening goes, it may open the grill and guests could get a burger. Feel free to call and clarify the night of. 4 p.m. 1612 Seminole Hwy.

The Atwood

There will be free tamales at The Atwood on Christmas Day! The Atwood is opening later than normal and will have Bingo starting at 8:30 p.m. Open at 4 p.m. 2116 Atwood Ave.

Chinese Restaurants

Here is a glance at some of the Chinese restaurants open Christmas Day. If you don’t see your local Chinese shop in this list, give them a call — chances are they are open. The Journey Seafood and Sushi Buffet at 4325 Lien Rd. and Ichiban Sichuan Restaurant at 610 S. Park St. are good options for a sit down meal. China Inn Restaurant at 4702 Cottage Grove Road, is open but as per usual will close two hours during the day. If you are looking for quick Chinese-style take out Chang Jiang — Raymond Road, 5710 Raymond Road, Great China 619 N. Sherman Ave. (adjusted hours 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.) and China Wok 1724 Fordem Ave. are all open serving their regular menus.

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