Looking For Open Restaurants on Christmas Is a Challenge, but With This List, You Will Find One in No Time
The holiday season culminates on Christmas Day, and most businesses shut down, including restaurants. Yet a solid group of restaurants remains open on Christmas Day, offering you excellent meals and some relief from your adventures in your own kitchen. It is a shame that the holidays can feel like a work-intensive affair but having these restaurants as an easy out is excellent for keeping you and your family in high spirits.
We always recommend calling or messaging your favorite restaurants to see if they are open this Christmas beforehand because nothing is worse than showing up to locked doors and closed lights. The bulk of your options will have you traveling to, unsurprisingly, Chinatown, whose restaurants never seem to close, and no one ever complains about it.
If Chinatown is too out of your way, contact your local Asian eateries and inform yourself if they will be open on Christmas day. If you are traveling from out of town or live in Montreal, you can enjoy hotel restaurants and solid options on Christmas Day. What started off as a daunting task now you can understand that finding a restaurant on Christmas Day is not so dire, and here is our list of the absolute best options for you.
Mon Nan
Location: 43 Rue de la Gauchetière E, Montréal, QC H2X 1P4, Canada
Cuisine: Chinese, Szechuan
Website: https://restaurant-mon-nan.com/
Mon Nan is one of, if not one of the best restaurants in Chinatown that have been keeping hungry bellies full since 1982. Their massive menu offers so many dishes that every visit can be a unique experience, and odds are you will love every dish. This is the kind of meal you share, which makes it perfect for Christmas.
La Capital Tacos
Location: 1096 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J5, Canada
Cuisine: Latin American
Website: https://www.lacapitaltacos.ca/
La Capital Tacos might seem out of place in Chinatown due to their Latin American cuisine, but their tasty food makes up for their odd location. Taco lovers in Montreal who have not discovered Capital Tacos are in for a surprise because they make some of the best and at the best prices in the city. They take no reservations and are first come, first serve and, frankly, worth the wait if all their tables are full. No need to worry about long wait times because their turnover of tables is rapid. Tacos for Christmas are the best stocking stuffers.
Pincette Bar a Homard
Location: 94 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1G6, Canada
Cuisine: Seafood
Website: https://pincettemtl.com/
Opening during the pandemic in 2021, Pincette has quietly established itself as a prime seafood spot in the Old Port of Montreal. Pincette will have its doors open on Christmas Day, giving you the opportunity to enjoy some delicious Lobster Rolls that will melt in your mouth and leave you begging for more.
Gibbys
Location: 298 Place d’Youville, Montréal, QC H2Y 2B6, Canada
Cuisine: Steak House
Website: https://www.gibbys.com/
If you have not had that Christmas meal that leaves you feeling stuffed to the gills, you will need to head to Gibbys on Christmas Day. Gibbys is one of Montreal’s most popular steakhouses serving up the best cuts of meat since 1969. If there are those in your party, who do not enjoy the best steaks in town, Gibbys also offers an assortment of seafood options too.
Le Pois Peche
Location: 1230 Boulevard de Maisonneuve O, Montréal, QC H3G 1M2, Canada
Cuisine: French
Website: https://lepoispenche.com/
French Cuisine takes pride in its rich, hearty flavors, and so does Le Pois Peche, in Downtown Montreal’s heart. Le Pois Peche offers French Comfort food that is guaranteed to fulfill your Christmas needs. Tyr their Bouillabaisse dish is jam-packed with excellent scallops, mussels, shrimp a Salmon.
Pho Bac
Location: 1016 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2Z 1J3, Canada
Cuisine: Pho (Soup) Vietnamese
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Restaurant-Pho-Bac-Inc/127586090614189
The weather outside might be frightful, with freezing temperatures and plenty of snow on Christmas, Pho Bac is sure to raise your temperatures, and the cold will not mean a thing. Pho Bac offers their amazing soups that are served using their unique broth that can only be understood once it hits your tastebuds. Give yourself a gift and head over to Chinatown on Christmas Day for some incredible Pho.
Gibeau Orange Julep
Location: 7700 Boulevard Décarie, Montréal, QC H4P 2H4, Canada
Cuisine: Fast Food
Website: https://orangejulep.ca/
Montreal’s iconic giant orange that overlooks the Decarie Boulevard and hosts muscle cars every night during summer will be open on Christmas day. If you are looking to have a Christmas “cheat meal” that includes tasty poutines, perfectly steamed hot dogs, and classic burgers. No one ever goes to the Orange Julep without trying their famous Orange Julep, a hybrid of Orange juice and a milkshake. Get their biggest size, trust me, it is worth it.
Maquis Yasolo
Location: 3763 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, QC H4C 1P8, Canada
Cuisine: Afro-Quebecois
Website: https://www.maquisyasolo.ca/
Head to the burgeoning Saint Henri District on Christmas Day to Maquis Yasolo for the unique Afro-Quebecois cuisine waiting for you. Maquis Yasolo offers traditional African, Antillean, and Caribbean dishes. Moderately priced and absolutely delicious Maquis Yasolo flavour profiles are simply perfect for your Christmas Day.
Khyber Pass Restaurant
Location: 506 Av. Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2L 1A7, Canada
Cuisine: Afghan
Website: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantkhyberpass
When a mother is a head of a kitchen, you know great food is coming your way. Khyber Pass serves Afghan dishes that fully encapsulate the region’s traditional meals and culture. Every bite you take will offer aromatic and full-flavored mouthfuls that will have you begging for more. Khyber Pass also has incredibly unique décor, which adds to the general mood and is undoubtedly appealing to the eye. Bring your own wine too!
