Prices are approximate and vary by restaurant. Last updated September 2026.
Few things are more annoying than turning up at McDonald’s to find it closed — or ordering delivery only to discover breakfast ended ten minutes ago. Opening hours vary more than most people expect: some restaurants never close, others shut at 11pm, and drive-thru hours do not always match dine-in hours.
This independent guide explains how McDonald’s UK opening hours work, how to check your local restaurant, and everything you need to know about getting McDonald’s delivered.
Standard Opening Hours
There is no single national opening time for McDonald’s in the UK. Hours are set per restaurant and depend on location, local licensing, and whether the site is a high-street unit, a retail park, or a motorway services stop.
Typical patterns include:
- 24-hour restaurants: Many larger sites, particularly drive-thrus on main roads, are open 24 hours a day. These are the backbone of late-night McDonald’s in the UK.
- Long-hours restaurants: A very common pattern is opening at 5am and closing at 11pm or later — covering breakfast through to late evening.
- Standard restaurants: Smaller high-street sites might open around 6–7am and close at 10–11pm.
- Shopping centre and retail locations: These follow the host venue’s hours, so they may close earlier in the evening and have reduced Sunday hours.
The key takeaway: always check your specific restaurant. The official McDonald’s restaurant locator on their website shows current hours for every UK site, including holiday variations. Do not assume your local matches the pattern of one you visited elsewhere.
The 11am Breakfast Cut-Off
One timing rule is universal: breakfast ends at 11:00am sharp, every day — weekdays, weekends, and bank holidays. After 11am, the kitchen switches to the main menu of burgers, chicken, and wraps.
Related timings to know:
- 24-hour restaurants start breakfast at 5:00am.
- Other restaurants start breakfast when they open (usually 6–7am).
- There is often a brief overnight gap at 24-hour sites when the kitchen changes over and neither menu is served.
- Drive-thru, dine-in, and delivery all follow the same 11am cut-off, though delivery platforms may stop taking breakfast orders slightly earlier (around 10:45am).
Late Night and 24-Hour Restaurants
The 24-hour McDonald’s is a particular British institution — the post-pub chips, the motorway stop at 2am, the night-shift worker’s dinner. A few things to know:
- Not every town has one. 24-hour sites cluster around cities, major roads, and retail parks.
- The menu overnight is the main menu (burgers, nuggets, fries) except during breakfast hours (5–11am).
- Overnight, many 24-hour restaurants are drive-thru or delivery only, with the dining room closed. If you are walking, check whether the restaurant accepts walk-in orders at night — some do not for safety and staffing reasons.
- Staffing is leaner overnight, so waits can occasionally be longer despite fewer customers.
Bank Holidays, Christmas, and Special Hours
- Bank holidays: Most restaurants operate normal or near-normal hours, and the 11am breakfast rule still applies. Do not assume a lie-in-friendly extended breakfast — it does not exist.
- Christmas Day: Most McDonald’s restaurants in the UK are closed on Christmas Day. A small number may open with reduced hours, but plan on it being closed.
- New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Day: Hours vary widely; many sites run reduced hours.
- Easter: Usually normal hours, with the 11am breakfast cut-off as standard.
If you are planning a visit on any public holiday, check the restaurant locator rather than guessing.
Delivery: Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo
McDonald’s delivery in the UK runs through three main platforms: Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo. Availability depends on your postcode — not every restaurant delivers, and coverage is best in towns and cities.
How Delivery Hours Work
Delivery hours roughly match the restaurant’s own opening hours, but with some differences:
- Breakfast delivery typically runs from about 5:00am to 10:45am — the platforms cut off a little before the 11am in-store deadline.
- Late-night delivery depends on the restaurant being open and having delivery drivers available; in practice, delivery often stops before the restaurant itself closes.
- During very busy periods, restaurants may temporarily pause delivery orders to cope with in-store demand.
Delivery Prices vs In-Store Prices
This is the part people grumble about, fairly: delivery menu prices are usually higher than in-store prices. On top of that, the platforms add their own delivery fees and service charges, and some apply small-order fees. A meal that costs one price at the counter can cost noticeably more by the time it reaches your door.
That said, the platforms frequently run promotions — free delivery offers, percentage discounts, and bundle deals — which can narrow or even erase the gap. It is always worth checking the app for current offers before ordering.
Delivery Tips
- Check all three platforms. Prices, fees, and promotions differ between Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo, and the same restaurant may be listed on more than one.
- Order before 10:30am for breakfast delivery. The 10:45am platform cut-off creeps up fast.
- Track your driver and be ready at the door — nobody wants cold fries, and they deteriorate faster than any other menu item.
- Large or complex orders are more likely to have something missing; check the bag before the driver leaves if you can.
Drive-Thru, Dine-In, and Takeaway
- Drive-thru: Available at many restaurants, often with longer hours than the dining room. Overnight at 24-hour sites, drive-thru is frequently the only way to order.
- Dine-in: Dining room hours are usually shorter than the restaurant’s overall hours. Do not assume you can sit in at midnight just because the drive-thru is open.
- Takeaway / collection: Order at the counter, at a self-service kiosk, or ahead via the MyMcDonald’s app and collect when it is ready. The app is the fastest option at busy times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does McDonald’s open in the UK?
It varies by restaurant. 24-hour sites are always open; others typically open between 5am and 7am. Check the official restaurant locator for your local.
Is McDonald’s open 24 hours in the UK?
Many restaurants are, particularly larger drive-thru sites — but not all. Smaller high-street and shopping-centre restaurants have fixed opening and closing times.
What time does McDonald’s breakfast end?
11:00am sharp, every day including weekends and bank holidays.
Can I get McDonald’s delivered?
Yes, via Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo in many areas. Delivery hours roughly match restaurant hours, with breakfast delivery typically ending around 10:45am.
Is McDonald’s delivery more expensive?
Usually, yes. Delivery menu prices are typically higher than in-store prices, plus platform delivery and service fees. Check for promotions to offset the difference.
Is McDonald’s open on Christmas Day?
Most UK restaurants are closed on Christmas Day. Hours on other bank holidays are usually normal or near-normal.
Conclusion
McDonald’s UK hours are generous but not uniform: many sites run 24 hours or 5am–11pm+, the 11am breakfast cut-off is absolute, and delivery through Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo covers much of the country at a premium over counter prices. The single best habit is checking the official restaurant locator before you travel — thirty seconds that saves a wasted trip.