Restaurants Open On New Year’s Day, Eve: List Of Over 25 Major Chains Open For The Holiday

If Christmas is supposed to be about staying home, New Year's is all about going out. Plenty of restaurants and other establishments will be open on both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

It seems there will be something open for all tastes this New Year's. Starbucks will be opening its doors for coffee lovers, IHOP for those in the mood for breakfast, Red Lobster for those craving seafood and even Baskin-Robbins for those wanting to enjoy ice cream during the winter holiday. Chipotle seems to be the only major chain closed for New Year's Day in all locations, but the Mexican food chain will be open on New Year's Eve. Many smaller chains and independent restaurants will be open both days. Check each establishment's website or call ahead before making plans to patronize any business during the holiday.

Many stores will be open as well. The only places you can’t visit on New Year's Day are federal offices. Since it is a federal holiday, social security offices, the United States Postal Service and the Department of Motor Vehicles will be closed on Jan. 1. Please note: Some of these offices will have holiday hours on New Year’s Eve.

Most restaurants will be open on both days, but some will operate with altered hours. Even if most locations are open, there is always a chance that the one nearest to you is different.

Below is our list of over 25 chain restaurants open for business on New Year's Eve and/or New Year's Day.

• Applebee’s: The casual dining chain will be open on both days in most locations (restaurant locator).
• Baskin-Robbins: Ice cream will be available for purchase on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (restaurant locator).
• Boston Market: Most locations of the comfort food chain will be open on both days (restaurant locator).
• Burger King: You can buy Whoppers and more on both days (restaurant locator).
• Chipotle: The Mexican restaurant will be open with limited hours on New Year’s Eve and closed on New Year’s Day (restaurant locator).
• Dave & Buster’s: You can play and eat on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at this indoor entertainment venue (restaurant locator).
• Denny’s: The diner will be open on both days (restaurant locator).
• Domino’s: You can get pizza delivered, or in stores, on both days (restaurant locator).
• Dunkin’ Donuts: Coffee and doughnuts are available to purchase both days (restaurant locator).
• IHOP: Pancakes are available on New Year’s Eve, but New Year’s Day hours vary by location (restaurant locator).
• Krispy Kreme: Most locations will be open both days with doughnuts hot and ready (restaurant locator).
• KFC: Celebrate New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day with crispy fried chicken (restaurant locator).
• McDonald’s: Big Macs and fries will be available on both days (restaurant locator).
• Old Country Buffet: Don’t worry, the all-you-can-eat feast won’t be closed during the holiday (restaurant locator).
• Olive Garden: The Italian eatery will be open both days (restaurant locator).
• Outback Steakhouse: You can ring in New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day with some steak (restaurant locator).
• Panda Express: Chinese food will be available both days (restaurant locator).
• Panera: The café is open both days in many locations -- but not all (restaurant locator).
• Pizza Hut: Customers can get pizza on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day (restaurant locator).
• Red Lobster: Patrons can chow down on seafood on either day (restaurant locator).
• Ruby Tuesday: The eatery is open both days (restaurant locator).
• Sonic Drive-In: Most locations will be open both days (restaurant locator).
• Starbucks: Many locations of the coffee chain are open but have altered hours on New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day -- it varies by location (restaurant locator).
• Taco Bell: Customers can eat here on either day. With some restaurants open past midnight, you can even ring in the New Year at Taco Bell. (restaurant locator).
• TGI Fridays: Most locations are open both days, and some even have New Year’s Eve festivities (restaurant locator).
• Wendy’s: Many locations will continue to serve burgers and fries on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but many have varying holiday hours (restaurant locator).