Christmas dining guide for Waukesha County 2025

Finding a restaurant open on Christmas Day can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but Waukesha County families have solid options ranging from Chinese buffets to 24-hour diners. The Melting Pot in Brookfield offers the area's most notable Christmas Eve experience with a confirmed 4-course prix fixe menu, while Denny's and Chinese restaurants remain the most reliable Christmas Day options. Book reservations immediately for upscale Christmas Eve dining, and call ahead for Christmas Day to confirm hours—many decisions are made at the franchise level.

Related guides:

Restaurants open for Christmas in Lake Country

Upscale dining makes Christmas Eve special

Fine dining establishments in Waukesha County primarily serve Christmas Eve, with most closing on Christmas Day itself. Reservations are essential—these restaurants book quickly during the holiday season.

The Melting Pot — Brookfield ⭐ TOP PICK

Cuisine: Interactive fondue fine dining
Address: 19850 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, WI 53045
Phone: (262) 782-6358
Website: meltingpot.com/brookfield-wi

Christmas Eve Christmas Day OPEN — Exclusive 4-course set menu CLOSED $69.95/person ($30 children 12 & under). Reservations required—limited seating. Interactive experience ideal for celebrating families. Closed on Christmas.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar — Brookfield

Cuisine: USDA Prime steakhouse
Address: 15665 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: (262) 782-9463
Website: flemingssteakhouse.com

Christmas Eve Christmas Day 11 AM – 10 PM CLOSED

Price range: $$$$ (expect $100+ per person with drinks). Known for exceptional holiday atmosphere—Christmas Eve is one of their busiest nights. USDA Prime beef, Wagyu options, extensive wine list. Reservations highly recommended via OpenTable. Private dining available. Closed on Christmas.

The Commodore (Bartolotta Restaurant) — Hartland

Cuisine: Contemporary American fine dining
Address: 1807 Nagawicka Road, Hartland, WI 53029
Phone: (262) 563-8070
Website: bartolottas.com/commodore

Christmas Hours: Contact restaurant directly
Price range: $$$$
Reservations: Required via Tock or OpenTable

Historic property on Nagawicka Lake, originally opened in 1902 as Pleasant View Hotel. Multiple private dining rooms with lake views. Award-winning wine program. Known for prix-fixe holiday menus—New Year's Eve confirmed at $150+ per person featuring Wagyu Ribeye and Georges Bank Sea Scallops.

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant — Brookfield

Cuisine: Contemporary American with wine pairings
Address: 15 S Moorland Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: (262) 785-9463
Website: chwinery.com/locations/brookfield

Christmas Eve: OPEN — Tasting room opens 9 AM for gift shopping; dinner service available
Christmas Day: Call to confirm
Price range: $$–$$$

Napa-style tasting room, award-winning house wines, private dining room. Rated 4.5 stars on OpenTable. Promotes "effortless Christmas Eve dinner" option with carryout available.

Mr. B's — A Bartolotta Steakhouse — Brookfield

Address: 18380 W Capitol Dr, Brookfield, WI
Phone: (262) 790-7005
Website: bartolottas.com/mr-b-s-steakhouse/brookfield

Christmas dine-in: Contact restaurant to confirm
Holiday take-home offerings: Accepting orders for sides and desserts (serves 6): Yukon Gold potato puree, sweet potato puree with spiced pecans, green beans with almonds and cranberries, creamed spinach, baked mac and cheese, pumpkin pie. Price range: $$$$

Historic Wisconsin supper clubs

Red Circle Inn — Nashotah (Wisconsin's oldest supper club, established 1848)
Address: N44 W33013 Watertown Plank Rd, Nashotah, WI 53058
Phone: (262) 367-4883
Price range: $$$–$$$$ ($25–$54 entrées)
Call to confirm Christmas hours. Famous for Beef Wellington, original Pabst bar, multiple private dining rooms.

Confirmed closed for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

• Kurt's Steakhouse (Delafield) — (262) 646-3333

• Palmer's Steakhouse (Hartland)

• The Inn in Hartland — Reopens Dec 26 with special English-inspired Boxing Day menu

Family restaurants and casual chains

These establishments provide dependable, budget-friendly options—particularly important for Christmas Day when fine dining closes.

Denny's

"Open 365 days a year—even on Christmas Day"

Wauwatosa Location: 11155 W North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 | (414) 771-7215
Pewaukee Location: 2801 N Grandview Boulevard, Pewaukee, WI | (262) 547-7011

Christmas Eve Christmas Day Open 24 hours OPEN

Price range: $ | Walk-in only | Kids eat FREE Tuesdays 4–10 PM | Full breakfast menu all day | Delivery via Uber Eats

IHOP — Brookfield

Address: 1005 S Moorland Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005

Christmas Eve Christmas Day Open (typically 6 AM – 10 PM) OPEN for breakfast

Price range: $ | Walk-in only | Kids menu, high chairs, senior menu (55+)

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery — Delafield

Address: 2400 Milwaukee St, Delafield, WI 53018

Christmas Eve Christmas Day Likely open Typically OPEN 7 AM – 10 PM

Price range: $–$$ | Known for bakery items, fresh-baked pies, all-day breakfast. Walk-in.

Other casual chains: Christmas Eve hours

Restaurant Christmas Eve Christmas Day Price Applebee's (Pewaukee, Waukesha) 11 AM – 8 PM Varies by location $$ Chili's Closes ~4 PM CLOSED $$ Olive Garden (Brookfield) OPEN CLOSED $$ Outback Steakhouse 11 AM – 8 PM CLOSED $$–$$$ Red Lobster OPEN OPEN $$–$$$ Texas Roadhouse (Waukesha, New Berlin) Call to verify Call to verify $$ Cracker Barrel (Germantown) Until 2 PM CLOSED $$ Buffalo Wild Wings (New Berlin) OPEN CLOSED $$

Chinese restaurants are Christmas Day traditions

Chinese restaurants staying open on Christmas is an American tradition dating back generations. These establishments often provide the most reliable Christmas Day dining.

Golden Gate Restaurant — Waukesha ⭐ CONFIRMED CHRISTMAS EVE

Cuisine: Chinese (Voted Top 10 in America)
Address: 1427 E Racine Ave, Waukesha, WI 53186
Phone: (262) 547-2171
Website: goldengaterestaurant.com

Christmas Eve Christmas Day CONFIRMED — Buffet (dine-in) + Carry-Out Traditionally open. CLOSED on Christmas Day.

Pre-ordering available for Christmas Eve carry-out. Lunch buffet Tue–Fri 11 AM–2 PM. DoorDash delivery available. Popular dishes: Orange Chicken, Shanghai Noodles, General Tso's Chicken. Family owned and operated.

Additional Chinese restaurants (call to confirm holiday hours)

Restaurant Address Phone Features Asian Chef (Brookfield) Brookfield, WI — Reported open Christmas Day Meiji Cuisine 2503 Plaza Ct, Waukesha meijicuisine.com Japanese & Chinese, sushi, hibachi Le Gong Gourmet Waukesha, WI 53188 (262) 896-6688 Fresh made-to-order New China Buffet 1801 Gateway Dr, Waukesha newchinabuffetwi.com All-you-can-eat buffet Emperor's Kitchen Brookfield emperorskitchenbrookfield.com Special dietary accommodations Great Wall Brookfield greatwall262.com Dine-in, takeout, catering

Vietnamese pho restaurants

Pho 4 U Vietnamese Cuisine — Brookfield
Address: 3835 N 124th St, Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: (262) 439-9149
Hours: Daily 10 AM – 9 PM (Closed Tuesdays)
DoorDash, GrubHub delivery | Popular: Pho Xe Lua, Banh Mi, Bubble Tea

Pho One24 — Brookfield ⭐ Highly rated
Address: 3705 N 124th St, Ste 400, Brookfield, WI 53005
Hours: Daily 10 AM – 9 PM
"Best Vietnamese in the Milwaukee area" per reviews. Pho Dac Biet, vermicelli bowls.

Pho L'Amour Cafe — Brookfield
Address: 16960 W Greenfield Ave Suite 2, Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: (262) 202-8018
Hours: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Japanese restaurants

Restaurant Location Phone Notes Sakura Japan Sushi & Grill Downtown Waukesha — 4.3★ TripAdvisor Hibachi Boy Waukesha Waukesha hibachiboywaukesha.com Takeout-focused Osaka Waukesha Waukesha osaka-waukesha.com Ramen & hibachi Benihana Milwaukee area — OPEN BOTH DAYS

Thai restaurants

Mom's Kitchen Waukesha — Waukesha/Pewaukee
Website: mom-kitchen.com
Signature dish: Holy Basil | Authentic Thai + sushi | Online ordering via Toast/ChowNow

Bangkok Kaizen — Wauwatosa (serves Brookfield/Elm Grove area)
Address: 11200 W Burleigh Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Hours: 11 AM–3:30 PM, 5 PM–9 PM (Closed Tuesday)
Thai & Japanese fusion | All-you-can-eat sushi option

Indian restaurants

Indian Village Restaurant & Bar — Waukesha ⭐ NEW (Opened February 2024)
Address: 1345 S West Ave, Waukesha, WI
Website: waukesha.indianvillagegreenfield.com
Full bar with Indian beers & whiskeys | Drive-thru available | Vegan options
Popular: Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, Tandoori Chicken, Biryani

Mantra Indian Bistro — Oconomowoc
Called "Best Indian Food in Waukesha County" | Lunch buffet available

Mexican restaurants

Restaurant Address Phone Features Contento (Delafield) 627 N Genesee St (262) 303-5400 Modern Mexican, tequila bar Seester's Mexican Cantina (Pewaukee) 161 W Wisconsin Ave (262) 746-9117 Lakefront patio, dog-friendly Mazatlan (Delafield) 601 Milwaukee St (262) 646-9687 Traditional Mexican Senor Luna (New Berlin) 1901 S Calhoun Rd (262) 782-8633 Seafood specialties

Note: Mexican restaurants typically post "Holiday Hours May Vary – Please Call"

Italian restaurants (local favorites)

Venice Club — Brookfield (Since 1949)
Address: 1905 N Calhoun Road, Brookfield
Phone: (262) 786-8323
Hours: Lunch Mon–Fri 11 AM–2:30 PM, Dinner from 4 PM daily
Over 25 fresh pasta dishes daily | Cedar Plank cooking | Baby back ribs

Albanese's Roadhouse — Waukesha (Family-run since 1941)
Address: 2301 W Bluemound Road, Waukesha
Phone: (262) 785-1930
Price: $7.95–$18.75 | Friday fish fry | Same family recipes for 80+ years

Pepino's Ristorante — 5 Waukesha County locations
Brookfield: (262) 883-4400 | Hartland: (262) 369-9060 | Oconomowoc: (262) 567-9323
Hours: Daily 11 AM–11 PM | Price: $6–$14 | Since 1971

Greek & Mediterranean

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill — Waukesha ⭐ NEW (Opened May 2025)
Address: 21481 E Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53186
Phone: (262) 202-8076
Hours: Sun–Thu 10:30 AM–9 PM, Fri–Sat 10:30 AM–10 PM
First Wisconsin location of this national franchise

Gyro House — Waukesha
Address: 2110 E Moreland Blvd, Waukesha
Phone: (262) 259-1057
Father & son owned | Catering up to 500 guests | FREE delivery

Grecian Inn — Brookfield
Address: 14375 W Capitol Dr, Brookfield
Phone: (262) 781-6333

Coffee, breakfast, and quick stops for Christmas morning

Most coffee shops and fast casual establishments close on Christmas Day, but several reliable options exist—especially for families needing quick coffee or breakfast.

Christmas Day survival guide: What's actually open

Kwik Trip ⭐ MOST RELIABLE OPTION
Multiple Waukesha County locations | Open 24/7 including Christmas Day
Hot coffee, fresh bakery items, Take Home Meals, sandwiches, pizza
FREE December 25: 20-oz Karuba Coffee (load to Kwik Rewards app)

McDonald's — Most locations open, hours vary (typically 5 AM – 10:30 PM)
Brookfield: 300 N Moorland Rd | (262) 782-2280
Holiday items: Peppermint Mocha Latte, Holiday Pie, Cinnamon Roll McFlurry
Drive-thru and mobile ordering available

Wendy's — Open Christmas Day, hours vary by location

Waffle House — Open Christmas Day (hours vary)

Coffee shops: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day hours

Establishment Christmas Eve Christmas Day Starbucks (multiple Brookfield locations) 5 AM – 5:30 PM VARIES — check app Dunkin' (Waukesha: 2450 N Grandview) Open, may close 3–5 PM VARIES — many closed The Steaming Cup (Downtown Waukesha) CLOSED CLOSED Goddess and the Baker (Brookfield) Mall open 10 AM–4 PM CLOSED Panera Bread (Waukesha, Brookfield) Closes ~3 PM CLOSED

Local coffee shops (call to confirm): Mama D's Coffee (Waukesha), Café de Arts Roastery (Waukesha), Brewers Two Café (Pewaukee), Blue Collar Coffee (Delafield)

Fast casual: Christmas Eve only

Restaurant Christmas Eve Christmas Day Chipotle Closes 3 PM CLOSED Culver's Reduced hours Generally CLOSED Murf's Frozen Custard (Brookfield) 10:30 AM – 8 PM CLOSED

Practical planning advice for families

For Christmas Eve dinner reservations:

1. Book immediately — Fine dining fills fast. Call The Melting Pot, Fleming's, and The Commodore now.

2. Consider early seating — 4–5 PM slots are less crowded than prime 7 PM times.

3. Have a backup plan — Chain restaurants like Applebee's and Olive Garden accept walk-ins.

For Christmas Day dining:

1. Chinese restaurants are your most reliable sit-down option—Golden Gate in Waukesha offers confirmed Christmas service.

2. Denny's provides full menus and don't require reservations.

3. Call ahead December 23–24 to verify hours—franchise decisions vary.

4. Arrive early for popular spots to avoid waits.

For Christmas morning coffee/breakfast:

1. Kwik Trip is guaranteed open 24/7 with hot coffee and bakery items.

2. Download apps (Starbucks, McDonald's) to check real-time store hours before leaving home.

3. Stock up Christmas Eve on bakery items from local shops that will close.

For families with children:

• Denny's offers kids eat free promotions

• The Melting Pot has a "Certified Fondue Experts" program with chef hats for kids

• Benihana hibachi shows entertain children during the meal

Quick reference: Confirmed open Christmas

Restaurant Type Location Phone Denny's Breakfast/Diner Wauwatosa, Pewaukee (414) 771-7215 Golden Gate Chinese Waukesha (262) 547-2171 IHOP Breakfast Brookfield — Red Lobster Seafood Area locations — Benihana Japanese Hibachi Milwaukee area — Kwik Trip Convenience/Coffee Multiple locations — McDonald's Fast Food Multiple locations —

Conclusion

Waukesha County offers meaningful Christmas dining options despite many closures. The Melting Pot's exclusive Christmas Eve prix fixe represents the area's premier holiday dining experience at $69.95 per person, while Golden Gate Chinese and Denny's anchor reliable Christmas Day options. Chinese restaurants following the American-Jewish tradition of Christmas dining remain the most dependable sit-down choice on December 25—call Golden Gate at (262) 547-2171 to confirm their buffet availability. For spontaneous needs, Kwik Trip's 24/7 operations and McDonald's widespread availability provide guaranteed backup options. The key insight: make reservations now for Christmas Eve, and call ahead December 23–24 to confirm Christmas Day hours—franchise-level decisions can change, but armed with this guide and phone numbers, families can plan confidently.