A number of restaurants serve a special Christmas Day menu — either a buffet or a fixed-price menu. Other restaurants are open and serving their regular menu — like many of Atlanta’s Asian restaurants.
Among the venues serving a special Christmas Day holiday menu, few are really “cheap.” The Sun Dial, for example, is hosting a five-course holiday menu priced at $105 per person, before tax and automatic 18% gratuity.
But we’ll leave you to decide on your own budget for the big day, and we encourage you to splurge on things that are important to you.
Another option is to order a heat-and-serve feast to-to from one of the many eateries offering special take-out options.
Yet another idea: Head to Buford Hwy, where many of the ethnic eateries in Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville will be doing business as usual.
And of course, the super-cheap chains like Waffle House and Denny’s are always an option — they are included in our list below.
In case you were wondering…
We can tell you for sure that Colonnade is closed for Christmas, from Dec. 23rd to 25th. It will be open on New Year’s Day from noon to 6 p.m.
Mary Mac’s is also closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but will be open for New Year’s Eve and on January 1st.
You may also be interested in:
- Day-by-day list of free & cheap holiday events
- Best places to see holiday lights this year
- Holiday markets around metro Atlanta
- The 10 best Christmas tree farms near Atlanta
- Free photos with Santa for pets and people
- Where to get Christmas dinner to go
Do your own restaurant search at Open Table
Open Table is a website that lets you browse a comprehensive listing of local restaurants with Christmas Day specials. Each one shows you the time slots available for reservations, and lets you reserve for your group right there.
This list includes locations from downtown Atlanta to suburbs like Alpharetta and Kennesaw. It covers cuisines from Asian to a traditional American holiday dinner.
Go to Open Table’s compiled Christmas list — note that this list is not complete. We suspect restaurants paid a promotional fee to be included.
Or, you can do a more general search, by following these steps:
- Visit OpenTable.com
- On the top menu bar, enter the number of people in your party, the date (Dec. 25th), and a general time that you’d like to eat — then click the button to start the search
- If you’re looking for options in a suburb, enter that in the top search bar as well — for example, Alpharetta or Milton
- When your results come up, look at the left column, where you can filter them by price range — for example, the icon $$ means $30 or under and $$$ means $31-50
- You can also filter by location and type of cuisine, if you’d like to narrow down the options
Remember, Open Table will only show you restaurants that take reservations through its booking service — so this is not a complete list of everything that’s open.
Restaurants open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
Make sure you click thru the links, or call your preferred location, to verify hours and status.
Applebee’s
Hours vary by location for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Call your preferred location to check their status!
There are 25+ Applebee’s locations in the extended metro area.
Basil’s Mediterranean Restaurant (Buckhead)
You can eat here for $30 per person or less, and the restaurant is open on Dec. 24th and 25th. The forecast shows that it may very well be warm enough to eat outdoors on the comfortable deck.
More info and book online
Benihana
According to the national website, most locations are open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Call for a reservation or to check hours. There are location in Buckhead and Alpharetta.
More info
Boston Market
Most are open on Christmas Eve and some locations are open Christmas Day.
There are two Atlanta locations (Briarcliff, and Powers Ferry), and one location in Stone Mountain.
More info
Botica (Buckhead)
Carabba’s Italian Grill
Open Christmas Eve; closed on Christmas Day.
You’ll find locations in Duluth, Cumberland, Cumming, Kennesaw, and Morrow.
More info
Del Frisco’s Steakhouse (Dunwoody)
Serving an affordable ($30 or under) 3-course prime rib dinner, with a smaller selection from the regular menu also available.
More info and book online
Denny’s
We’re told Denny’s is open on Friday, December 24th and Saturday, December 25th — but please verify this, because things change!
The chain is serving their usual menu, as well as a turkey and dressing dinner.
One metro location, on Jimmy Carter Blvd in Norcross.
More info
Domino’s
Since most Domino’s stores are independently owned and operated, it’s up to individual store owners and managers whether or not to stay open for take-out or delivery on holidays. In past years, many metro Atlanta locations have been open for take-out. But your best bet is to call ahead, before Christmas arrives, to find out the status of your preferred location.
More More info here
Dunkin’
Many locations plan to be open on Friday, December 24th and Saturday, December 25th.
Call your nearest store to verify.
Find location & contact info here
Fogo de Chao
The chain is celebrating with a special feast for Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. The menu will include seasonal items. Book online for the Dunwoody location OR the Buckhead location.
Golden Corral
The Christmas Day buffet is on for 2021 at most locations! There are about 12 locations around metro Atlanta, from Newnan and McDonough on the south side to Kennesaw and Cumming up north.
Contact your preferred Golden Corral location for hours and pricing information.
Hard Rock Cafe
Head downtown to the iconic Hard Rock on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It’s easy to reserve online, through OpenTable.com. Offering the standard menu plus festive specials.
HOBNOB
It looks like all locations are open on Christmas Eve but closed on Christmas Day.
Book a reservation thru OpenTable
There are locations at Town Brookhaven, Atlantic Station, Perimenter/Dunwoody, and Halcyon (Alpharetta).
IHOP
Most locations will be open on Friday, Dec. 24th and Saturday, Dec. 25th. Contact your local IHOP to check hours — not every store will be open 24/7 over the holiday weekend.
More info
Kona Grill (Alpharetta)
Have a very Kona Christmas — open on Friday, Dec. 24th and Saturday, Dec. 25th.
Enjoy Filet with Lobster Cream, Honey Glazed Ham, Prime Rib, Surf & Turf, Christmas Day Brunch specials, kids’ specials, and more. Get more info and book online at konagrill.com/christmas.
Nakato
This favorite Japanese restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Rd. is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3 to 9 p.m. Reservations are encouraged.
More info
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
The popular steakhouse will be open on Christmas Eve from 2 to 9 p.m. and on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. A reservation is strongly recommended.
Waffle House
Yep, it never closes — not even for Christmas.
You may also be interested in:
- NEW for 2021: World of Illumination drive-thru light shows
- NEW! Festival of Lights drive-thru light show at Atlantic Station
- FREE: Prism Winter Lights display at Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta
- Lights of Life drive-thru holiday attraction in Marietta
- Discounts for Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens
- Discounts for Stone Mountain Christmas
- Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
More food and drink deals around Atlanta:
Monday, October 3, 2022
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
