Red Lobster Hours: Opening, Closing, Lunch and Holiday Times

Quick answer: Most Red Lobster restaurants open at 11:00 AM daily and close at 10:00 PM Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. Some locations run considerably later — the Valley Stream, New York restaurant, for example, stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour runs 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on weekdays. Unlike many chains, Red Lobster is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at participating locations.

Red Lobster Hours at a Glance

These are representative hours drawn from current Red Lobster location listings, not a guaranteed nationwide schedule.

How Much Hours Actually Vary

It is worth seeing a real example rather than taking the table above as gospel. The Red Lobster in Valley Stream, New York publishes these hours for both dine-in and To Go:

An hour in either direction is normal. Urban and high-traffic locations tend to run later; suburban and smaller-market restaurants often close earlier. This is why every guide that prints a single nationwide closing time, including the table above, should be treated as a starting point rather than an answer.

Planning a visit? See the Red Lobster menu with prices before you go so you know what to order.

What Time Does Red Lobster Open?

11:00 AM is the standard opening time across the great majority of locations, seven days a week. There is no separate breakfast service and no earlier weekend opening.

Lunch Hours

Because doors open at 11:00 AM, lunch service generally begins immediately. The lunch menu — smaller portions at lower prices — typically runs from opening until mid-afternoon, commonly around 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM depending on the location.

This matters more than it sounds. Several dishes carry identical prices at lunch and dinner, and the lunch menu adds lower-priced plates that do not appear in the evening. For anyone watching either their budget or their portion size, arriving before the lunch menu ends is the single most useful piece of timing. Details are in our value and portions guide.

Happy Hour Hours

Happy hour sits neatly in the gap between the lunch menu ending and the dinner rush beginning, which is also the quietest part of the day. Seven drinks drop to $5 and five appetizers are $2 off — see our happy hour guide for the full list and the locations where it does not run.

To Go and Delivery Hours

To Go service generally follows the restaurant’s dine-in hours; the Valley Stream example above lists identical hours for both. Curbside pickup is offered at most locations.

Third-party delivery is a separate question. Delivery windows depend on the platform and the couriers available in your area, and they often close earlier than the restaurant itself. Delivery menu prices are also frequently higher than in-restaurant prices, on top of delivery and service fees, so ordering directly for pickup usually costs less.

Red Lobster Holiday Hours

This is where a lot of published guidance gets it wrong, including some that states Red Lobster closes for Christmas. It does not.

Is Red Lobster Open on Christmas Day?

Yes, at participating locations. News coverage of holiday restaurant openings in December 2025 reported that Red Lobster is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while directing guests to check their local restaurant’s hours, since times differ by area.

That makes Red Lobster one of the sit-down chains worth knowing about if you do not want to cook on Christmas, alongside the fast-food and casual chains that traditionally stay open. Hours are usually shortened, and the restaurant will be busier than a normal Thursday, so booking or calling ahead is sensible.

Is Red Lobster Open on Thanksgiving?

This one genuinely varies. Some locations close for the day, others run limited hours. Thanksgiving is the holiday where American casual-dining chains are least consistent, and Red Lobster is no exception. Unlike Christmas, we would not assume your local restaurant is open — check before you plan around it.

Mother’s Day

Red Lobster is open, and Mother’s Day is reliably one of the busiest days of its year. If you intend to go, book or use call-ahead seating, expect a wait even so, and consider an early lunch slot rather than a dinner one.

Why Holiday Hours Vary So Much

Three reasons. Individual restaurants set holiday schedules based on local demand and staffing. Franchise-operated locations make their own decisions. And shopping-center or mall locations often inherit the hours of the property they sit in, which can mean closing when the center closes regardless of what the restaurant would prefer.

Busiest and Quietest Times

The mid-afternoon window is the sweet spot on every measure: shortest wait, calmest dining room, most attentive service, and from 3:00 PM it carries happy hour pricing as well.

What Time Does the Kitchen Stop Serving?

Kitchens typically stop taking orders shortly before the posted closing time — commonly 15 to 30 minutes before. If the restaurant closes at 10:00 PM, arriving at 9:55 PM is not realistic. Aim to be seated at least 45 minutes before closing for a full meal.

How to Check Hours for Your Local Restaurant

1. Red Lobster’s official restaurant locator is the authoritative source and lists both dine-in and To Go hours per location.
2. Google Maps or Google Business listings are usually accurate and show holiday-adjusted hours, though they can lag by a day or two around holidays.
3. Call the restaurant. The only method that is never out of date, and the one to use for anything holiday-related.

For holiday visits specifically, call. Published hours are set centrally and adjusted locally, and the local adjustment is the one that affects you.

Reservations and Call-Ahead Seating

Many locations accept reservations through the official website, and most offer call-ahead seating, which puts your name on the waiting list before you arrive rather than reserving a table outright. For Friday and Saturday evenings, Mother’s Day and holiday visits, one or the other is worth the two minutes it takes.

Related Guides

• Happy hour: $5 drinks, $2 off appetizers and times
• Coupons and rewards
• Nutrition, calories and allergens
• Drink menu and prices
• All Red Lobster guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Red Lobster open?

11:00 AM at the great majority of locations, seven days a week.

What time does Red Lobster close?

Typically 10:00 PM Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, though some locations run an hour later. The Valley Stream, New York restaurant, for instance, closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Is Red Lobster open on Christmas Day?

Yes, at participating locations. News coverage of the 2025 holiday season confirmed Red Lobster is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with hours varying by area.

Does Red Lobster close early on Christmas Eve?

Usually yes. Christmas Eve typically runs reduced hours with an earlier close.

Is Red Lobster open on Thanksgiving?

It varies by location. Some close for the day and others run limited hours, so check with your restaurant rather than assuming.

Is Red Lobster open on Easter?

Many locations are open on Easter Sunday, often with regular or slightly reduced hours. It is a busy day.

Is Red Lobster open on Mother’s Day?

Yes, and it is typically the busiest day of the year. Book ahead or use call-ahead seating.

What time is lunch at Red Lobster?

Lunch service starts at opening, 11:00 AM, and the lunch menu generally runs until mid-afternoon, commonly around 3:00 or 4:00 PM.

What time is happy hour?

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on weekdays at participating locations, with some Georgia and South Carolina restaurants running 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Are Red Lobster hours the same at every location?

No. Closing times commonly vary by an hour or more, and franchise and mall locations set their own schedules.

What are Red Lobster’s To Go hours?

To Go generally follows dine-in hours. Third-party delivery windows are set by the delivery platform and often end earlier.

What time does the kitchen stop serving?

Usually 15 to 30 minutes before the posted closing time. Arrive at least 45 minutes before closing for a full meal.

Does Red Lobster serve breakfast?

No. Service begins at 11:00 AM with the lunch menu.

Does Red Lobster take reservations?

Many locations accept reservations through the official website, and most offer call-ahead seating.

What is the quietest time to visit?

Weekday mid-afternoon, roughly 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. From 3:00 PM it also carries happy hour pricing.

Do hours change seasonally?

Some locations adjust for seasonal demand or local events, and mall locations follow the center’s hours.

How do I find my nearest restaurant’s exact hours?

Use Red Lobster’s official restaurant locator, which lists dine-in and To Go hours per location, or call the restaurant directly for anything holiday-related.

Red Lobster Menu Deals is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Red Lobster. Opening hours, holiday schedules and service times vary by location and are subject to change without notice. Always confirm with your local restaurant before traveling.