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Restaurants Open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Most restaurants open on New Year's Day 2027, which falls on Friday, January 1: breakfast chains like Waffle House, Denny's and IHOP, family chains such as Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans, casual chains, and most fast food, often with later opening times. New Year's Eve (Thursday, December 31, 2026) is open almost everywhere, but popular dinner spots book up weeks ahead.
Our chain list is based on New Year's Day 2026 coverage from WSB-TV and other Cox Media Group stations. Hours vary by location, so confirm with your local restaurant.
New Year's Eve dinner: book early
New Year's Eve is one of the busiest restaurant nights of the year. Many places switch to a special menu, run timed seatings or ask for a deposit. Here is how to plan:
- Decide on the style of night. An early family dinner, a late tasting menu, or a casual bite before a party all call for different restaurants.
- Book as soon as reservations open. Many restaurants release New Year's Eve tables in November or early December.
- Ask the key questions. Is it a fixed menu? Is there a price per person? How long can you keep the table? What is the cancellation policy?
- Have a plan for getting home. Rideshare prices and waits spike around midnight; booking a later seating near home can make the trip easier.
Early vs. late seatings
| Seating | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| 5–7 PM | Easier to book, often regular menu, calmer | Ends long before midnight |
| 8–9 PM | Classic dinner time | Hardest to book; usually special menu |
| 10 PM or later | Ring in the new year at the table | Often the most expensive option |
Celebrating at home instead
If a restaurant night is not in the cards, a good takeout dinner can still feel special. Order from a favorite restaurant early in the afternoon, since many kitchens close early or stop taking app orders on New Year's Eve. Party platters and catering trays from chains and grocery stores need to be ordered a few days ahead, and pickup lines on December 31 can be long.
If you could not get a reservation, try the bar area, a restaurant that takes walk-ins only, or an early seating at a neighborhood spot.
Open in Google Maps: “new years eve dinner”
New Year's Day brunch and breakfast
January 1 is a big breakfast and brunch day. Diners and breakfast chains are the most reliable: Waffle House, Denny's, IHOP, Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel were all reported open on New Year's Day 2026. Independent brunch restaurants are more mixed; some open late, some skip the day, and the ones that open get crowded fast.
Tips for a smoother New Year's morning:
- Go early or go late. The late-morning rush, roughly 10 AM to 1 PM, is when waits are longest.
- Join a waitlist online. Many chains let you add your name through their app before you leave home.
- Check today's hours. Restaurants that stayed open late on New Year's Eve often push back their opening time.
New Year's Day is also a big day for football, and sports bars and wing restaurants often open for the bowl games. In 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings was among the chains reported open on January 1. Expect crowds around kickoff times.
For opening times, all-day breakfast chains and brunch ideas on any day of the year, see our guide to breakfast places open now.
Open in Google Maps: “breakfast open now”
Chains usually open Jan 1
These chains were reported open on New Year's Day 2026. Because January 1, 2027 falls on a Friday, expect a similar pattern, but call your local restaurant to confirm.
| Category | Chains reported open on Jan 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Breakfast and diners | Waffle House, Denny's, IHOP, Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel |
| Casual dining | Applebee's, Chili's, Olive Garden, The Cheesecake Factory, Cheddar's, Buffalo Wild Wings |
| Buffets and family | Golden Corral |
| Steakhouses | Ruth's Chris, Morton's, Fogo de Chão |
| Fast food | McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell, KFC, Popeyes, Sonic, Chick-fil-A |
| Fast casual and sandwiches | Panera Bread, Panda Express, Noodles & Company, Subway, Jimmy John's |
| Coffee and donuts | Starbucks, Dunkin', Krispy Kreme |
| Pizza | Domino's |
A note on Chick-fil-A: the chain closes on Sundays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, but New Year's Day is not one of its standard closures, and it was reported open on January 1, 2026.
Hours on January 1 often start later than usual, particularly for casual dining and fast-casual chains whose staff worked late on New Year's Eve. If you are heading out early, a breakfast chain or diner is the safer bet.
Even when a brand says it is open, individual franchise locations may run shorter hours. Restaurants inside malls follow mall hours, which are often reduced on January 1. For the full holiday calendar through 2027, see our guide to restaurants open on holidays.
Late-night food after midnight
Once the ball drops, finding food can be tricky. Many restaurants that host New Year's Eve parties stop serving food before midnight, and regular kitchens close early so staff can celebrate.
Your best options after midnight:
- 24-hour diners and Waffle House. Expect a crowd.
- Fast-food drive-thrus. Lobbies may be closed, but drive-thru windows often stay open later.
- Pizza delivery. Order before midnight if you can; drivers and kitchens get swamped right after.
- Food trucks and late-night taquerias in nightlife areas.
- Convenience stores and gas stations with hot food as a last resort.
Our guide to late-night food near you covers what tends to stay open after 10 PM and after midnight on any night of the year.
Open in Google Maps: “late night food”
Quick summary
- New Year's Eve 2026 is Thursday, December 31; book dinner weeks ahead, especially for 8 PM and later.
- New Year's Day 2027 is Friday, January 1; most chains open, often later than usual.
- Breakfast chains and diners are the easiest New Year's morning options; expect late-morning crowds.
- Chick-fil-A was open on New Year's Day 2026, unlike Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- After midnight, look for 24-hour diners, drive-thrus and pizza delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What restaurants are open on New Year's Day?
For New Year's Day 2026, local news coverage listed Waffle House, Denny's, IHOP, Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, Applebee's, Olive Garden, Chili's, Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, Starbucks, Dunkin' and many others as open. Expect a similar pattern on Friday, January 1, 2027, but hours vary by location, so call your local restaurant first.
Is Chick-fil-A open on New Year's Day?
Chick-fil-A was reported open on New Year's Day 2026, since its holiday closures are limited to Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Sundays. January 1, 2027 is a Friday, so locations are expected to open, though individual restaurants may adjust hours. Check the app or call your local restaurant.
What time do restaurants open on New Year's Day?
Many restaurants open later than usual on January 1 because staff worked late on New Year's Eve. Breakfast chains and 24-hour diners are the exception and tend to run normal hours. Some independent restaurants open only for brunch or skip lunch entirely, so check today's hours in your map app before going.
How far ahead should I book New Year's Eve dinner?
For popular restaurants, book several weeks ahead, and for special tasting menus or seatings close to midnight, even earlier. Many places release New Year's Eve reservations in November or early December. If you missed out, try an early seating, the bar area, or a casual restaurant that does not take reservations.
Information can change. Always confirm hours and details directly with the business.
Sources
- WSB-TV (Cox Media Group): New Year's Day 2026, which restaurants are open
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal holidays
- Wikipedia: Chick-fil-A