Toronto restaurants open on Christmas Day are not as elusive you might think. There are lots of open Chinese places, of course, plus many restaurants in hotels including Hemispheres in the Metropolitan Hotel and EPIC at the Royal York. And then there are the one-off seemingly always-open spots — those that offer everything from turkey burgers to ham carbonara. Pair that with a crantini or two, and you've got yourself a bona fide traditional Christmas dinner. -Ish.

Here are 10 restaurants open on Christmas Day in Toronto.

Lakeview Restaurant
Pulled pork on a kaiser with a root beer float on the side? Sounds like an excellent new Christmas dinner tradition. The Lakeview on Dundas is always open, of course, and Christmas Day is no exception. Stop by early for a little Christmas brunch, or else, after your evening meal for a cheap pint. Perfect after prolonged family exposure.

Kamasutra
Nothing says Christmas dinner like chicken tikka masala. Kamasutra Indian Restaurant on Bayview will be open for a non-traditional butter chicken and tandoori sampler meal, best washed down with Cobra lager. It's not quite egg nog, but it'll do.

Caplansky's Deli
A good choice for the bubbies and zadies out there who are are tired of Chinese food on Christmas Day. Though it will close early on Christmas Eve (4 p.m.), Caplansky's will be open until 8 p.m. on Christmas, frying up latkes (Hanukkah is just a week past, after all) and serving its classic smoked meat on rye.

7 West
Another 24-hour spot that basically never closes, Christmas included. 7 West will be open for a slice of cake after your meal, or a club sandwich for your meal. And if you're feeling festive(ish), the menu, as always, includes turkey melts and pizzas with ham. Close enough.

Le Saint Tropez
Yes, there are a few places open in the core on Christmas Day, and not every one starts with "Mc-" in front of its name. Le Saint Tropez is just one such example, offering its regular French fare menu along with a special Christmas option.

The Thompson Diner
Those cravings for buttermilk fried chicken and grilled cheese hamburgers won't go unfulfilled just because it's Christmas. The Thompson Diner will be open as always, dolling out generous portions of its classic comfort food along with some holiday cheer. Plus spiked milkshakes, naturally.

Dr. Laffa
While there will probably be more than a couple of Middle Eastern restaurants open on Christmas Day, Dr. Laffa is arguably among the best. This North York restaurant will be making its hot laffa and rolling fresh falafel balls as always, offering rib steaks and lamb chops in lieu of turkey dinners.

Fin Izakaya
There's the cheap sushi or Chinese takeout route, of course, but for a bit of a more "refined" experience (not that there's anything wrong with sashimi in sweats, mind you), Fin Izakaya will be open for dinner on the 25th. Blowtorched mackerel, pork belly skewers, and crispy rock salt wings are just a few of its acclaimed offerings, all of which will be available for Christmas dinner (though the restaurant is closed on Boxing Day).

Vaticano
Yorkville is typically a ghost town on Christmas, through there are a few straddlers breezing in and out of Vaticano. The Bellair Street restaurant will be offering a special Christmas dinner option on Christmas Day, along with its classic Italian menu. Think of it as Christmas dinner without the guilt.

Fran's Restaurant
Ah, Fran's. Good for hangover brunch. Good for a midnight brunch. And good for Christmas Day when all you need is a milkshake and a bowl of chili. Fran's, naturally, will be open all day on Christmas, offering its menu of classic comfort foods and plentiful list of breakfast options. Turkey bacon is festive enough.

Photo from our review of The Thompson Diner