If you're looking to outsource some of that work and dine out on Christmas, or if Dec. 25 2018 is just another day where you will not be cooking, then these Southwest Florida restaurants are here to help. 

Scroll down to find your city and a list of national chains at the bottom. 

Common-sense disclaimer: Hours and prices may vary. Please call to confirm. 

Fort Myers area

Courtney's Continental Cuisine: Open 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve and noon-5:30 p.m. Christmas Day. Call for reservations and menu details. (20351 Summerlin Road #111, south Fort Myers; 239-466-4646; courtneyscontinentalcuisine.com)

Kumo Japanese Steak House: Open Christmas Day  from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Regular dinner menu served all day. (7950 Dani Drive #345, Fort Myers; 239-337-9555; kumoftmyers.com)

Minerva's Bar & Grill: Open Christmas Day with a special holiday menu. Call for hours and details. (15880 Summerlin Road # 101, south Fort Myers; 239-415-0202; minervasfortmyers.com)

Nick & Stella's Family Sports Pub: Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Christmas Eve and noon-2 a.m. Christmas Day. Serving a prime rib special along with the everyday menu on Christmas Day. (15271 McGregor Blvd. # 14, south Fort Myers; 239-466-9493; nickandstellas.com)

Prawnbroker: Open Christmas Eve 4-8 p.m. and Christmas Day 2-8 p.m. (13451-16 McGregor Blvd., south Fort Myers; 239-489-2226; prawnbrokerfortmyers.com)

Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page: Open noon-9 p.m. Christmas Day with holiday menu specials including ham, turkey and prime ribber dinners. (9510 Marketplace Road, Fort Myers; 239-939-7211; stevietomato.com)

Tung Hing: Open regular hours Christmas Day. (3605 Fowler St., Fort Myers; 239-278-0006)

Twisted Vine Bistro: Christmas Day buffet featuring carving stations, traditional sides, desserts and more. Call for hours and prices. (2214 Bay St., Fort Myers; 239-226-1687; twistedvinebistro.com)

Cape Coral

BackStreets: Open Christmas Eve 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Christmas Day 4 p.m.-2 a.m. (915 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral; 239-945-7555; backstreetssportsbar.com)

Ichiyummy Sushi & Hibachi: Open and serving on Christmas Day noon-9 p.m. (3922 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; 239-984-5316; find it on Facebook)

Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page: Open noon-9 p.m. Christmas Day with holiday menu specials including ham, turkey and prime rib dinners. (814 Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; 239-573-7877; stevietomato.com)

Thai Nawa: Open 3-8 p.m. Christmas Day. (814 SW Pine Island Road #312, Cape Coral; 239-574-2610; thainawa.com)

Umi Sushi House: Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Christmas Day. (106 Hancock Bridge Parkway West, Cape Coral; 239-772-1609; umisushicapecoral.com)

Yummy Yummy: Open 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Christmas Day. (3015 SW Pine Island Road #108, Cape Coral; 239-558-4380; yummyyummycapecoral.com)

South Lee

Angelina’s Ristorante: Open 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day. Call for reservations and menu details. (24041 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs; 239-390-3187; angelinasofbonitasprings.com)

Chops City Grill: Serving its regular dinner menu 4:30 p.m.-close on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day. (8200 Health Center Blvd, Bonita Springs; 239-992-4677; chopsbonita.com)

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort: Serving a grand Christmas Day buffet 12:30-7:30 p.m. featuring carving stations, seafood, hot entrees, desserts and more. Live music. Adults $95, children $45, kids younger than 5 free. (5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs;  239-390-4398; coconutpoint.place.hyatt.com)

Ristorante Farfalla: Open 2-9:45 p.m. Christmas Day and serving an a la carte holiday menu. (21301 S Tamiami Trail, Estero; 239-495-9912; ristorantefarfalla.com)

Roy’s: Open Christmas Day noon-9 p.m. Guests can choose from a special three-course Christmas dinner menu featuring a slow-roasted chateaubriand starting at $59.95 per person or Roy’s classic prix-fixe menu starting at $49 per person. (26831 South Bay Drive, suite 100, Bonita Springs; 239-498-7697; roysrestaurant.com)\

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a special holiday menu. Call for details and reservations. (Coconut Point, 23151 Village Shops Way #101, Estero; 239-948-8888; ruthschris.com)

The Saloon: Serving its regular dinner menu 4:30 p.m.-close on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day. (Coconut Point, 23151 Village Shops Way, #109; 239-949-2583; thesaloon.net)

South Fork Grille: Open for lunch and dinner Christmas Eve. (Coconut Point, 23161 Village Shops Way #113, Estero; 239-992-5040; southforkgrille.com)

Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse: Open regular hours Christmas Day. (Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road #51, Estero; 239-949-9886; wasabiestero.com)

Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva

Bayfront Bistro: Open noon-8 p.m. Christmas Day; open for lunch and dinner Christmas Eve. (4761 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach; 239-463-3663; bayfrontbistro.com)

Bubble Room: Open regular hours Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day. (15001 Captiva Drive, Captiva; 239-472-5558; bubbleroomrestaurant.com)

Cabbage Key: Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with many regular menu items plus special holiday dishes like slow-roasted prime rib and house-made butternut squash soup. (Cabbage Key; 239-283-2278; cabbagekey.com)

Lani Kai Island Resort: Offering an all-inclusive Christmas Day buffet at its Island View restaurant. Seatings from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (1400 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 239-463-3111; lanikaiislandresort.com)

Pinchers on Estero Island: Offering a Christmas Day buffet ($29 per person, $14 for children 12 and younger) noon-7 p.m. Appetizers include peel-and-eat shrimp as well as a full salad bar, sliced roast beef, honey-glazed ham and roast turkey plus sides and desserts (Inside the Wyndham Hotel, 18100 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 239-463-2909; pinchersusa.com)

Tarpon Lodge: Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Day, the restaurant will offer traditional dishes such as rack of lamb and bourbon-honey glazed ham as well as seafood dishes including walnut-crusted triple tail. Call for hours and reservations. (13771 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia; 239-283-3999; tarponlodge.com)

Thistle Lodge: Open and serving Christmas Day 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call for details and reservations. (2255 W. Gulf Dr, Sanibel; 239-472-9200; casaybelresort.com)

Tween Waters Inn: The Captiva House and Crow's Nest restaurants will be open Christmas Day. Call for details. (15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva; 239-472-5161; tween-waters.com)

Naples and Marco Island

1500 SOUTH: Christmas Day buffet brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. featuring a carving station and sides including bourbon-glazed pit ham, pear pudding, fresh biscuits and pastries, cast-iron corn bread pudding and more. Adults $59, children 4 to 12 years old $25, children younger than 3 are free. (1500 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-774-1500; naplesbayresort.com)

Agave Naples: Open 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve. (2380 Vanderbilt Beach Road, North Naples; 239-598-3473; agavenaples)

Alexander's Restaurant: Open at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve, offering regular menu in addition to festive specials, including a roasted goose with braised red cabbage, potato dumplings and lingonberries for $40, and an herb-encrusted lamb loin chop with balsamic glaze and sauteed spinach for $45. (4077 U.S. 41 N., Naples; 239-262-4999; alexandersnaples.com)

Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar: Open Christmas Day noon-8 p.m. with a special menu of starters, salads, entrees and desserts, including a traditional turkey dinner, boneless prime rib, roasted duck, shrimp cocktail, pecan pie and more. (4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples; 239-649-5552; baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com)

Bistro La Baguette: Open 5-10 p.m. for a Christmas Eve a la carte dinner. Open 10 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Christmas Day for a brunch buffet with Champagne or wine (one bottle per couple). $69.95 per person. Open 5-9 p.m. Christmas Day for a la carte dinner. (3560 U.S. 41 E., East Naples; 239-403-7861; bistrolabaguette.com)

Chops City Grill: Open 4:30-10 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with an a la carte dinner featuring dry-aged steaks with corn creme brulee; teriyaki-glazed sea bass with lobster, pineapple sweet and sour, coconut rice cakes and bok choy; and Kurobuta pork chop glazed with an apricot-whole grain mustard and served with sautéed spinach, gouda, potato mash and an apple jack-caramelized onion jus. (837 5th Avenue South, Naples; 239-262-4677; chopscitygrill.com)

D'Amico & Sons: The Italian Christmas Eve tradition of Feast of the Seven Fishes with a special-edition menu will be available 4-9 p.m. Christmas Eve. The menu will feature seafood dishes in addition to regular menu items that fit the holiday, including mussels fra diavola, pan-seared salmon and cobia with puttanesca relish. (4691 Ninth St. S., Naples; 239-430-0955; naples.damicoandsons.com)

M Waterfront Grille: Serving lunch Christmas Eve 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and a special holiday dinner menu 4:30-9 p.m. A special holiday menu available noon-9 p.m. Christmas Day. (4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples; 239-263-4421; mwaterfrontgrille.com)

Noodles Italian Cafe & Sushi Bar: Open noon-9 p.m. Christmas Eve and 3-9 p.m. Christmas Day. (1585 Pine Ridge Road, North Naples; 239-592-0050; noodlescafe.com)

Ocean Prime: Open Christmas Day for lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner until 9 p.m. In addition to its regular dinner menu, Ocean Prime will offer a special holiday fixed-price menu featuring three courses along with a featured rib eye entree for $85. Fixed-price menus range from $45 to $55, including butternut squash soup, a prime rib with herb-roasted fingerling potatoes and pumpkin cheesecake. (699 Fifth Ave. S., downtown Naples; 239-430-0404; ocean-prime.com)

Parmesan Pete's: Open at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve, offering a three-course menu including a choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. Adults $40, children 12 and younger $15. Reservations recommended. (7935 Airport Pulling Road, North Naples; 239-992-3663; parmesannaples.com)

Pazzo! Cucina Italiana: Open 4:30-9:30 p.m. Christmas Eve with an a la carte dinner featuring pear and pecorino agnolotti with pear sughetto, tossed arugula, vin cotta; spaghetti alla chitarra with homemade veal meatballs, hot sausage and sunday gravy; roasted short ribs of beef, balsamic barbecue, creamy potatoes and tomato candito. (853 Fifth Ave. S., downtown Naples; 239-434-8494; pazzoitaliancafe.com)

Pelican Larry’s Raw Bar & Grill: Open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Christmas Eve and 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Christmas Day. (multiple locations; pelicanlarrys.com)

Real Seafood Co.: Open 4-8 p.m. Christmas Eve, serving regular dinner menu. (8960 Fontana Del Sol Way, North Naples; 239-591-3232; realseafoodconaples.com)

Ridgway Bar & Grill: Open noon-9 p.m. Christmas Day with a special holiday menu, including soups, small plates, entrees and dessert. Turkey dinner available for $49 or an herb-encrusted prime rib dinner for $59, with choice of soup or salad and dessert. (1300 Third St. S., Suite 101, downtown Naples; 239-262-5500; ridgwaybarandgrill.com)

Ristorante Ciao: Christmas Eve dinner starting at 4:30 p.m., featuring regular menu and chef's specials. Reservations required. (835 Fourth Ave. S., downtown Naples; 239- 263-3889; ristoranteciao.com)

Stevie Tomato's Sports Page: Open noon-9 p.m. Christmas Day offering a ham or turkey dinner for $12.99 with purchase of a beverage, and a prime rib dinner for $14.99 with purchase of a beverage. (15215 Collier Blvd. #303, Naples; 239-352-4233; stevietomato.com) 

Yabba Island Grill: Open 4:30-9:30 p.m. Christmas Eve with an a la carte, island-style dinner. Menus offers Gulf shrimp sauteed in Red Stripe beer with a fiery butter sauce accented with Jamaican jerk spice, beef specials and more. (711 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-262-5787; yabbaislandgrill.com)

ZAZA Kitchen: Open 4-9 p.m. Christmas Day. Each table will receive a free churros dessert. (1095 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island; 239-970-5205; eatatzaza.com) 

Zen Asian BBQ: Open 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Christmas Day. All diners will receive a complimentary glass of champagne to toast the holiday. (10823 U.S. 41 N., North Naples; 239-260-7037; eatatzen.com)

National chains

Bob Evans: Open for Christmas Eve dining, but most locations are closed on Christmas Day. Check your local restaurant to confirm; bobevans.com. 

Boston Market: Select locations will be open and serving a traditional plated meal on Christmas. Call your local Boston Market for more information; bostonmarket.com. 

Denny’s: The diner's promise to be open 24 hours, 365 days a year extends to Christmas. It will be serving up its regular menu on ChristmasDay; dennys.com. 

IHOP: Most 24-hour locations will be open on Christmas Day; ihop.com. 

McDonald’s: Some locations will be open, but expect hours to vary by franchise; mcdonalds.com. 

Panda Express: Some, but not all, Panda Express locations will be open on Christmas Day. This varies by restaurant, so call ahead; pandaexpress.com.

Starbucks: For those who need a caffeine fix on Christmas Day, Starbucks will be open at participating locations. Call for your store's hours; starbucks.com. 

Waffle House: Waffle House is open 24 hours 365 days a year, and that includes Christmas; wafflehouse.com. 

Reference Newspress