These Knoxville restaurants are open on Christmas Day if you don't feel like cooking

Keenan Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
·4 min read

You don't have to cook a meal to gather your family around a table this holiday season.

Whether you're traveling or just don't have time to prepare, there are several restaurants in Knoxville that will be open on Christmas Day.

We recommend calling ahead and making a reservation if it's accepted. Tip well and be merry!

Is there a restaurant open on Christmas we missed? Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com and let us know!

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Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant

Settled in Sevierville, the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant always has something going on for the holidays. This year, it's got two ways to celebrate Christmas.

There's a take-home Christmas feast. This includes spiral sliced ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, turkey gravy, dinner rolls, cornbread sausage dressing, sweet potato casserole, sweet tea and a pecan pie. It costs $120 plus tax and serves six people. Call 865-429-5700 ext. 1113 to place an order before Dec. 16.

If you'd rather dine in, Applewood is open on Christmas Day. From 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Applewood's Christmas Feast includes the Applewood Julep, famous apple fritters, apple butter, vegetable soup, roast prime rib, roast turkey with gravy, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, green beans, buttered corn and more.

It's reservation only, so call 865-428-1222.

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Bravo! Italian Kitchen

Bravo! Italian Kitchen is offering a heaping plate of Italian cuisine this holiday season.

The Italian restaurant is open on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The full menu is available to order, so you can enjoy pizza, pasta, parms and more.

Calhoun's

Calhouns on the River in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, July 9, 2020.
Calhouns on the River in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, July 9, 2020.

Once again, Calhoun's is prepared to serve East Tennessee this holiday season.

Every Calhoun's location will be open on Christmas Day, with most of the restaurants serving the full menu from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg locations will be open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Oak Ridge and Lenoir City restaurants will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will only serve a buffet.

Chesapeake's

Chesapeake’s West, designed by Johnson Architecture, earned a 2020 Keep Knoxville Beautiful Orchids Award at a ceremony on Feb. 25. A former tire warehouse has been transformed into an upscale restaurant and event space at 9630 Parkside Drive.
Chesapeake’s West, designed by Johnson Architecture, earned a 2020 Keep Knoxville Beautiful Orchids Award at a ceremony on Feb. 25. A former tire warehouse has been transformed into an upscale restaurant and event space at 9630 Parkside Drive.

If you're looking for seafood this holiday, Chesapeake's has you covered.

All three locations in downtown Knoxville, West Knoxville and Gatlinburg will be open Christmas Day.

Chesapeake's downtown serves its full menu from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Gatlinburg also has the full menu available, but from noon to 9 p.m. The West Knoxville Chesapeake's serves a buffet only from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Reservations can be made online or by calling any location.

Copper Cellar West

The only Copper Cellar location open on Christmas Day is the location at 7316 Kingston Pike.

Open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Copper Cellar West is serving buffet only.

Reservations can be made online or by calling 865-673-3422.

Corner 16

On Christmas Day, both Corner 16 locations in Middlebrook and Northshore will be open.

Each location will serve its full menu from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you'd rather eat at home, both locations have holiday feed packs available for order.

These feasts include turkey, dressing, peas, smokehouse potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and seasonal cheesecake. It's $78 for five people or $150 for 10 people. Call either location 48 hours in advance to place an order.

Oliver Royale

Oliver Royale on Market Square is hosting a $79 three course Christmas Day menu all day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The first course is comprised of apple plus burrata, winter white bean plus radicchio or mussel chowder. The second course has four dishes to choose from: duo of pork, salmon wellington, confit lamb shank or petite beef tenderloin. The third course contains eggnog tres leche cake, peppermint paddy torte or a strawberry swiss roll.

Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant at 865-622-6434. Walk-ins are accepted.

Ruth's Chris Steak House

If you're craving a steak house dinner on Christmas, Ruth's Chris has a seat at the table for you.

The Knoxville location at 950 Volunteer Landing Lane is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is serving the full menu. You can also order holiday sides to-go or a celebration feast for $195. That includes roasted beef tenderloin with horseradish cream, garlic mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, a choice of salad and personal cheesecakes.

Reservations can be made online or by calling 865-546-4696.

Waffle House

The Waffle House as Papermill is reflected off the flood water on Monday, June 29, 2020.
The Waffle House as Papermill is reflected off the flood water on Monday, June 29, 2020.

Finally, the tried and true Waffle House is open all day on Christmas Day.

Everything on the menu is available to order at any time as long as there's an open table. If the light's on, Waffle House is open!

Any restaurants open on Christmas Day we missed? Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com with your suggestion!

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville restaurants that are open Christmas Day 2022