Updated for 2023!
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.”
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 The Colonnade is closed for Christmas, from Dec. 24th to 25th. They will be open on New Year’s Eve 2023 from noon to 8p.m., and on New Year’s Day in 2024 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This was announced on Facebook.
Mary Mac’s is also closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but is usually open on New Year’s Eve and on January 1st — call ahead, as we have not verified this for 2023-2024.
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 online.
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 curated Christmas list — note that this list is not complete. There are lots of restaurants that are not connected to Open Table.
Or, you can do a more general search, not limited to the curated Christmas list, 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 Newnan.
- 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.
This info has been updated for 2023.
Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.
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.
Benihana
According to the national website, most locations are open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. We checked the Buckhead and Alpharetta locations and there are open time slots for Christmas Day in 2023.
More info and make a reservation
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)
Buca di Beppo (Alpharetta)
Serving traditional Italian food in family portions. The kids menu features a variety of items for just $6.99.
More info, menu, and reservations
Cafe Efendi (Alpharetta)
Turkish and Mediterranean Cuisine, open till 9 p.m. on Christmas.
Info and reservations
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-Perimeter)
Open both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day with a special menu — or, order from the main menu.
More info and book online
Denny’s
We’re told Denny’s is open on Friday, December 24th and Saturday, December 25th in 2023 — but we recommend that you call ahead to verify.
The chain is serving their usual menu all day.
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, some 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 info here
Dunkin’
Many locations plan to be open on December 24th and December 25th in 2023 — so you can enjoy your favorite donut or breakfast sandwich.
Check the app or 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 2023 at most locations, featuring roast turkey, holiday ham, and holiday roast beef. 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.
In 2023, there is a Holiday Menu featuring hearty meals & festive cocktails. Choose from 2 courses for $35.95 or 3 courses for $41.95.
IHOP
Most locations are open on December 24th and December 25th — but check the hours of your preferred location. Not all stores are 24/7 any more.
More info
Kona Grill (Alpharetta)
Have a very Kona Christmas — the restaurant is open on December 24th and December 25th in 2022.
Meals on the 2023 holiday menu range from $39 (turkey meal) to $43 for filet with lobster cream sauce. A kid’s meal is $16.
View the menu and book online at konagrill.com/christmas.
Marietta Diner
This retro diner is still open 24 hours a day, including Christmas. It often offers a special holiday menu. The regular menu includes breakfast all day, sandwiches, salads, burgers, broiled and fried seafood, Italian dishes, Greek fare, and classic dishes that include chicken and steak. No reservations needed.
More info
MonteMar (Lawrenceville)
Fusion of Latin flavors (Mexican, Dominican, Cuban, Puerto Rican) with a great mixology bar where you can find festive drinks to pair with your plate. Open till 9 p.m. on Christmas.
Info and reservations
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
Parkwoods (Dunwoody)
Serving an elevated Christmas Brunch Buffet. Kids can meet with Santa.
More info and make a reservation
Red Lobster (all locations)
According to a press release, all locations will be open on Christmas Day.
We suggest you call ahead to verify, but our research shows that the metro Atlanta locations open on December 25th include:
- Atlanta (3360 Camp Creek Pkwy) — noon to 7pm
- Buford (3230 Buford Dr) — 11am to 6pm
- Canton (1405 Riverstone Pkwy) –11am to 6pm
- Douglasville (3100 Bill Arp Rd) — noon to 7pm
- Kennesaw (2626 George Busbee Pkwy) — noon to 7pm
- McDonough (1846 Jonesboro Rd) — noon to 7pm
- Roswell (1050 Holcomb Bridge Rd) — noon to 7pm
- Smyrna (2579 Cobb Pkwy) — 11am to 6pm
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. Locations in Buckhead, Alpharetta, and downtown.
More info
Spice House (Lithonia)
The flavors of the Caribbean, open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas.
More info and reservations
Sweet Hut
For the most part, this eatery and sweetery will keep normal hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The exception is Midtown, which will be closed on Christmas Day.
Find them in Doraville on Buford Hwy and in Duluth on Pleasant Hill.
All three locations are open till 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
View all Sweet Hut holiday hours here
Tabla (midtown)
Go with Indian fare on Christmas Day at Tabla. The restaurant is known for a contemporary ambience and traditional, flavorful dishes.
More info and make a reservation
Taki (Dunwoody)
Sushi and hibachi dishes, plus Asian fusion.
Open from noon to 9 p.m. on Christmas.
More info and make a reservation
Truva (Virginia-Highland)
Traditional Turkish food in a warm vibrant setting.
Go with meze — meaning small plates, like tapas — or order an entree. Everything is super affordable, and it’s a great option for a non-traditional holiday meal.
More info
Waffle House
Yep, it never closes — not even for Christmas. After you enjoy your pecan waffle or patty melt, please tip your server very well!
Find a location near you
Waterside Restaurant (Stone Mountain)
Comfort food and classics in a relaxed atmosphere. Located within the Evergreen Resort at Stone Mountain Park. Open noon to 7 p.m. on Christmas.
Info and reservations
You may also be interested in:
- 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:
