Restaurants Open On Christmas Day 2021 In Sarasota

Tiffany Razzano
Updated ·4 min read

SARASOTA, FL — In 2020, many Sarasota residents opted for small, low-key holiday celebrations as coronavirus cases soared nationwide and public health experts urged social distancing.

We weren’t used to Christmas without the trimmings; however, while the situation was not ideal, many of us realized large, stressful holiday gatherings aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. This year, many may again opt to keep Christmas simple and unhurried.

Doing so could mean letting someone else take care of the holiday festivities entirely. This includes the cooking.

If that’s the route you’re going this Christmas, we certainly won’t blame you. Luckily, several local and chain restaurants in Sarasota plan to be open on Christmas Day.

In case you need a recommendation of where to eat out on Christmas, Patch compiled a roundup of local and national restaurants slated to be open that day. Be sure to make reservations early, as available times are likely to fill up fast.

An important note: Business hours can vary by location. Patch encourages you to call any restaurant on this list in advance to double-check hours on Christmas Day.

Here are the local restaurants planning to be open:

Also, here are the chain restaurants expected to be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, unless otherwise noted, according to lists compiled by The Pioneer Woman, Woman’s Day and Food Network.

Applebee’s: 5550 Fruitville Road, 3255 University Parkway and 5490 Clark Road, Sarasota

Arby’s: 5980 Cattleridge Blvd., Sarasota

Bonefish Grill: Open Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day. 8101 Cooper Creek Blvd. and 3971 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Buffalo Wild Wings: 5235 University Pkwy, University Park

Carrabba's Italian Grill: Open Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day. 1940 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota

Chart House: 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key

Chili’s: Open Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day. 4131 S. Tamiami Trail and 5851 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

Cracker Barrel: Open Christmas Eve until 2 p.m.; closed Christmas Day. 445 Commercial Court, Venice

Denny’s: 3701 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

Domino’s: 4080 Cattlemen Road, 5808 S Tamiami Trail, 1100 N Tuttle Ave., 3692 Webber Street, 8539 S. Tamiami Trail, 1424 Dr. Martin Luther King Way and 7610 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Dunkin’: 5761 Bee Ridge Road, 2525 N Tamiami Trail, 3824 S Tuttle Ave, 2525 University Parkway, 300 Washington Blvd., 5641 Clark Road, 5871 Fruitville Road, 6000 Airport Circle Post, 7942 N Tamiami Trail, 8445 Tamiami Trail and 6285 Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse: Open Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day. 2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota

IHOP: 4000 S Tamiami Trail and 1199 N Washington Blvd., Sarasota

Kona Grill: 150 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota; 1331 S. 41 Bypass, Venice; and 6001 S. Salford Blvd., North Port

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery: 5921 Fruitville Road, Sarasota

McDonald’s: 787 Washington Blvd., 3511 Fruitville Road, 4301 N Washington Blvd. and 3875 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Olive Garden: Open Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day. 4900 S. Tamiami Trail

Outback Steakhouse: Open Christmas Eve until 8 p.m.; closed Christmas Day. 6390 N. Lockwood Ridge Road and 7207 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Panda Express: 4201 Tamiami Trail, Venice

Ruth's Chris Steak House: 6700 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Starbucks: 1375 S Tamiamia Trail; 1401 1st Street; 4972 S Tamiami Trail; 3571 Bee Ridge Road; 2455 N Tamiami Trail; 443 John Ringling Blvd.; and 3604 84th Ave Circle East in Sarasota

Sonic: 3704 84th Ave. Circle E., Sarasota

Waffle House: 5737 Clark Road, Sarasota

Again, hours can vary by location. Always call ahead to make sure your local restaurant of choice is open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

This article originally appeared on the Sarasota Patch