Do thoughts of going out to eat on Christmas Day conjure up memories of A Christmas Story, where the family goes to a Chinese restaurant after the next door neighbor’s pack of dogs eat their turkey dinner?

Just in case this happens to you, or if you just want to leave the cooking in someone else’s hands, we have canvassed the Louisville area to see which restaurants are open on Christmas Day. Note to diners: Most of these restaurants say that they are actually quite busy on Christmas Day and that it is wise to get reservations ahead of time … as in, right now.

10 Louisville Restaurants Open on Christmas Day

BRUNCH

335 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 583-1234

Christmas Day Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Open up all your gifts from Santa and then head down to the beautiful Brown Hotel for brunch, where they have the “Miracle of Fourth Street” Christmas buffet at J. Graham’s Cafe. Along with custom omelets, crepes, Belgian waffles and breakfast casseroles, there will also be holiday favorites such as turkey and dressing and prime rib. Of course, there will be a large selection of sweets and patisserie treats. Seatings are scheduled for 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. For reservations, call (502) 583-1234 or click here.

280 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 627-5045

Christmas Day Hours: Noon to 4 p.m.

The Marriott Louisville Downtown will host its annual Christmas brunch buffet at BLU Italian Grille from noon to 4 p.m. on Christmas Day. Holiday favorites plus brunch favorites will all be available with everything from eggs Benedict to a pasta bar. This kid-friendly brunch also has live music. The cost is $39 per person, and children ages 4 to 12 eat for $19. Call (502) 627-5045 to make a reservation.

500 S. Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 585-3200

Christmas Day Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Seelbach is offering its “Royal Brunch” at The Oakroom, which is a classic brunch buffet with all the holiday favorites. This brunch is indeed royal, with a fresh seafood bar, omelets, bacon, eggs and other delectable dishes. Desserts are renowned here, and it is hard to slow down on the buffet long enough to remember to leave room for dessert. For reservations, call (502) 585-3200 or click here.

**At press time, this brunch is sold out. However, you can put your name on a waitlist by calling.**

LUNCH/DINNER

335 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 583-1234

Christmas Day Hours: Noon to 4 p.m.

The Brown Hotel serves its diners both at their more casual cafe, J. Graham’s for brunch, as well as their award-winning fine dining restaurant The English Grill for a Christmas meal. First tastes are a seafood bar with oysters Rockefeller, shrimp and crab claws along with their signature Hot Brown served as a canape. Entrée choices are rack of lamb, beef filet and halibut accompanied by seasonal sides. There is a table of Viennese desserts of all sorts at the end of the meal. This meal is $69 per person (not including tax or gratuity), $22 for children ages 4 to 12 and complimentary for children younger than 4. Seating times are noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. For reservations, call (502) 583-1234 or click here.

RELATED: 7 New Louisville Restaurants to Try This Fall

4031 Summit Plaza Drive, Louisville, KY 40241 • (502) 412-1818

Christmas Day Hours: Noon to 9 p.m.

Mitchell’s Fish Market, located in the Paddock Shops (formerly known as the Summit) will be open for lunch and dinner, serving their regular menu. There will be no special Christmas meal offered, but with seasonal specials and a wide selection of fresh fish, there is something for everyone here. Diners love the soups to start — either the lobster bisque or the clam chowder — as well as the fresh oysters and many varieties of shrimp appetizers. Diners also love the mussels and the crab cakes. For reservations, call (502) 412-1818 or click here.

626 West Main St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 584-0421

Christmas Day Hours: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It’s business as usual at Morton’s, where they will be serving their regular menu from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day. If you don’t want a steak, be sure to try their lobster, which is currently on a promotion for $55 for a six-ounce tail. Seafood is just as big of a headliner as the steaks here, but we could make a meal of their incredible sides such as their asparagus, twice-baked au gratin potatoes and Brussels sprouts. The manager here told us they are usually quite busy, so it would be wise to make a reservation soon. Call (502) 584-0421 or click here to make a reservation.

6100 Dutchmans Lane, Kaden Tower – 16th Floor, Louisville, KY 40205 • (502) 479-0026

Christmas Day Hours: Noon to 8 p.m.

Ruth’s Chris will be open Christmas Day from noon to 8 p.m. at their Louisville location on top of the Kaden Tower. There will be a full menu available as well as a special Christmas meal, which includes turkey dinner with dressing, cranberry, potatoes, salad and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. The Christmas meal is $39.95 per person. To make a reservation, call (502) 479-0026 or click here.

1850 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy., Ste. 125, Louisville, KY 40220 • (502) 493-8899

Christmas Day Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Shalimar is open regular hours on Christmas Day, with their same format of lunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by full a la carte dinner service from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This traditional northern Indian cuisine is a Louisville favorite with homemade naan, chicken masala and many vegetarian options as well. This is a good place for a large group as they have a private dining room you can reserve at no extra charge. Call (502) 493-8899 or click here for a reservation.

RELATED: 20 Great Louisville Area Restaurants Off the Beaten Path

4742 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40218 • (502) 491-7412

Christmas Day Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m

Christmas Day is just a regular day at DakShin, a wonderful Indian restaurant serving southern Indian cuisine. With both carnivore and vegetarian options and what seems like a million yummy condiments and dipping sauces, DakShin is a delight to the palate. Call (502) 491-7412 to make a reservation.

**Update 12/21/17: DakShin has decided to close on Christmas day. They will be open for lunch on Christmas Eve, but closed for dinner on Christmas Eve.**

4302 Shelbyville Road, St. Matthews, KY 40207 • (502) 897-1017

Christmas Day Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Oriental House is a traditional Chinese restaurant with both American and Chinese menus. Time and time again, people refer to this restaurant as one of their favorite restaurants in Louisville. We love their dim sum as well as all the Sichuan and Hunan specials. They also serve versions of Asian street food that are divine. Call (502) 897-1017 to make a reservation.

So, if a pack of hungry dogs commandeers your family’s feast, head out to one of these restaurants that are open on Christmas Day. And have a happy, healthy and satisfying holiday season!

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