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Benihana Hours of Operation 2026 (Lunch, Dinner & Holidays)

Typical Benihana opening and closing times for lunch and dinner, plus holiday hours and happy hour times.

Benihana hours follow a fairly consistent pattern across the country: lunch service starting late morning, a short afternoon break at some locations, and dinner running into the evening. That said, exact times vary by location, day of week and season — downtown restaurants often stay open later than suburban ones, and Sunday hours are typically shorter.

Below are the typical hours you can expect, plus how holiday hours work and when happy hour usually runs. Always confirm with your specific restaurant (via the official locator or a quick phone call) before making plans, especially around holidays.

Typical Benihana Hours

DayLunchDinner
Monday – Thursday11:30 AM – 2:30 PM5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Friday11:30 AM – 2:30 PM5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Saturday12:00 PM – 3:00 PM4:00/5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Sunday12:00 PM – 3:00 PM4:00/5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

These are representative hours — your location may open earlier, close later, or serve continuously through the afternoon. The bar and lounge often stay open slightly later than the teppanyaki dining room.

Benihana Holiday Hours

Benihana is open on most holidays, which makes it a popular choice for celebrations — but hours are usually modified:

  • Thanksgiving & Christmas Day: many locations are closed or run limited hours — call ahead.
  • Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve: typically open with special hours; reservations essential.
  • New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day: usually open, often on a Sunday-style schedule.
  • Valentine’s Day & Mother’s Day: open with high demand — book well in advance.

Holiday menus or prix-fixe specials sometimes replace the regular menu on major holidays, which can also affect pricing.

Benihana Happy Hour Times

Happy hour is typically offered Monday through Friday in the late afternoon to early evening (commonly around 4–7 PM, varying by location), and only in the bar/lounge area — not at the teppanyaki tables. Deals usually cover discounted sushi rolls, appetizers, beer, wine, sake and signature cocktails. See our Benihana Happy Hour Menu for what’s typically included.

Lunch vs Dinner Hours

Lunch service (roughly 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM on weekdays) features the value-priced lunch menu — smaller hibachi portions and sushi specials at much lower prices than dinner. If you arrive between lunch and dinner service, some locations close the kitchen briefly; the bar usually remains open. Dinner is the full teppanyaki experience with the complete menu.

How to Confirm Your Location’s Hours

  1. Find your restaurant on the official Benihana locator.
  2. Check the listed hours — note lunch and dinner are often listed separately.
  3. For holidays, large parties or late-night plans, call the restaurant directly to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Benihana locations open for lunch around 11:30 AM on weekdays and noon on weekends. Exact opening times vary by location.

Closing times are typically 9:00–9:30 PM on weeknights and 10:00–10:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. The bar may stay open later.

Yes, most locations are open Sundays with slightly shorter hours — commonly lunch from noon and dinner ending around 9 PM.

Many locations are closed or run very limited hours on Christmas Day. Always call your local restaurant to confirm holiday plans.

Happy hour is typically weekday late afternoons (around 4–7 PM) in the bar area, but times vary by location — confirm locally.

Most locations serve lunch daily, though weekend lunch hours may start later (around noon). Some locations have limited lunch on Sundays.

Conclusion

Benihana’s hours are guest-friendly across lunch and dinner seven days a week, with the main variations coming on weekends and holidays. A quick check of your local restaurant’s listing before you go takes seconds and avoids any surprises.