Last updated: December 20, 2025
Looking for somewhere to eat on Christmas Day in the River Valley? Whether you’re skipping the cooking, traveling, or just want an easy holiday meal, we’ve pulled together a live, local list of restaurants that are confirmed or reported to be open.
Holiday hours can change, so we always recommend checking directly with the restaurant before heading out. We’ll continue updating this list as more confirmations come in.
🎄 Christmas Day — Confirmed Open
These businesses have current holiday posts or direct confirmations indicating they will be open on Christmas Day.
Pops Family Southern Cuisine
📍 Parking lot of Triangle Supply Co. (Alma)
🕚 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🍽️ Christmas plates available ($24.99)
🚚 Takeout & delivery available (Alma, Van Buren, Fort Smith)Bay Leaf Indian Cuisine
🕚 Regular hours
🍛 Dine-in & takeoutTequila Mexican Bar & Grill
🕚 11 AM- 9 PMLa Huerta Grill
🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PMVault 1905 Sports Grill
🕚 Open until 3:30 PMRiver City Bistro
🕚 Open until 2:00 PMGoodfellas (Italian) — Open on Christmas Day
(confirmed in person)
🍽️ Christmas Day — Reported Open (Hours May Vary)
The following restaurants were reported by the community as open on Christmas Day. Hours have not yet been confirmed, so we recommend calling ahead.
El Olvido Mexican Restaurant
SAGA Restaurant
The Mighty Crab
Fuji
KPOT
Sam’s Southern Eatery
Choctaw Casino / Roland Casino (dining options)
As confirmations come in, we’ll move these into the confirmed section above.
🎁 Christmas Eve
Tequila Mexican Bar & Grill
🕚 11 AM- 7 PMGusanos Chicago Style- Pizzeria - Fort Smith
Birrieria La Jefe
Bett’s Cafe (Spiro)
Pho Cao Noodle House
Eunice’s Country Kitchen
Fuji
Uncorkd
The Vault 1905 Sports Grill
🕚 closes at 3:30 PM
New China
The Mighty Crab
Western Sizzlin (Towson Ave)
Texas Road House
River City Bistro
🕚 closes at 2 PM
SAGA Restaurant
Patrick’s Burgers
Rub ‘Em Tender BBQ (Van-Alma)
🕚 11 AM - 1 PM
Boondocks Fort Smith
La Mesa Fort Smith
La Huerta Grill (Garrison)
🕚 11 AM - 3 PM
Bay LEaf Indian Cuisine
Benson’s Grill
🎁 Christmas Eve & Christmas Day — Preorder / Pickup Options
If you’d rather grab a prepared meal and eat at home, these local spots are offering holiday pickup options.
R. Landry’s New Orleans To Geaux
🕚 Pickup available 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
🍽️ Family-style meals (feeds 6–8)
📦 Preorder required
🍔 Typically Open on Christmas (Chains)
Based on historical patterns, these chains are often open on Christmas Day, though hours may vary by location:
Waffle House
Red Lobster
Help Us Keep This Updated
Are you a restaurant owner or employee with confirmed Christmas Day hours?
Or did we miss a spot?
👉 Email us at [email protected] and we’ll update the list as information comes in.