Ask George: Are there any local restaurants open on Christmas Day, either early or late?

Ask George: Are there any local restaurants open on Christmas Day, either early or late? Barry W., St. Louis

This likely stemmed from a question regarding Thanksgiving openings, but regardless, there is a pattern to which restaurants remain open on holidays.

In general, restaurants located in hotels and casinos, as well as some ethnic restaurants and select national chains, tend to stay open. Few independent restaurants elect to remain open on Christmas Day.  

Keep in mind that business is brisk at places that stay open on holidays (and I recently made a case that more of them should be), so make reservations quickly since many of the venues below have limited seating currently available. (And if I forgot someplace worthy, feel free to add it in the comments below.)

Casinos:

• Ameristar Casino: All 10 onsite restaurants are open, including Landmark Buffet, Bugatti’s Steak & Pasta, and recently opened Asia. 
• Casino Queen: Prime Steakhouse is closed; the other three restaurants, including Market Street Buffet (8 AM to 2 PM only) are open.
• Hollywood Casino: All restaurants are open, including Final Cut Steakhouse and Eat Up Buffet.
• Lumiere Place: All five restaurants are open, including Ozzie’s Sports Bar & Grill and The Kitchen Buffet & Bistro. 
• River City Casino: All six restaurants are open, including 1904 Steakhouse, The Great Food Exposition, and recently opened Asia Noodles and the highly-recommended Cibare Italian Kitchen. 

Chain Restaurants:

• McCormick & Schmick’s: Open regular hours, 11 AM to 9 PM
• Mortons The Steakhouse: Open 4 PM to 9 PM
• Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill: Open 2 PM to 8 PM

Hotels:

• Brewhouse Historical Sports Bar at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch (whew!) is open 11 AM to 12 AM
• The Preston at the The Chase Park Plaza is open from 6 AM to 12 PM for breakfast and 5 PM to 11 PM for dinner; the Chase Club is open from 11 AM to 11 PM.
• Cielo at the Four Seasons St. Louis: Brunch from 10 AM to 3 PM ($79 pp, less for kids); 5-course prix fixe dinner from 5 PM to 11 PM ($68 pp, less for kids).
• Clark Street Grill at The Westin St. Louis: Open from 7 AM to 12 AM, plus a Christmas buffet from 3 PM to 9 PM ($32 pp).
• Eclipse at the Moonrise Hotel: Brunch from 6:30 AM to 2 PM, plus a dinner buffet from 4 PM to 11 PM ($38 pp).
• Fox & Hounds at The Cheshire: Open 3 PM to 12 AM
• Provinces Grille at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac: Open for three brunch seatings: 10 AM, 11:30 AM, 1 PM ($38 pp, less for kids)
• The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis: Christmas Brunch in The Restaurant is sold out; 4-course prix fixe dinner in The Grill ($99 pp, less for kids)
• The Station Grille at St. Louis Union Station Hotel: Open 6 AM to 11 AM for breakfast; 11 AM to 2 PM for lunch; 5 PM to 10 PM for dinner. (Don’t miss the 3D light show in the Grand Hall Lounge.)

Independent Restaurants:

• Blueberry Hill: Kitchen open from 6 PM to 11 PM, serving a limited menu
• Caleco’s: Open 11 AM to 9 PM, serving the regular menu plus a plated Christmas Dinner ($17.95/$9.95 kids).
• LuLu Seafood & Dim Sum: Open regular hours, 10:30 AM to 10 PM
• Peacock Loop Diner: Open 24 hours, every day of the year
• Pi Pizzeria (Loop location only): Open 1 PM to 9 PM.
• Uncle Bill’s Pancake & Dinner House: Kingshighway location open 7 AM to 3 PM; West County from 6 AM to 2 PM
• Hiro Asian Kitchen: Brunch from 11 AM to 3 PM

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