Where to Dine Out on Christmas Day

By Carol Carter

Published December 6, 2023
Last Updated December 15, 2023

Fine. You made the cookies for Santa and you don’t want to spend any more time in the kitchen for a few days. We get it. There are restaurants open for Christmas. Here are some options for Christmas dinner.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House will not only be open on Christmas, but the restaurant will have a special holiday entree — a 12-ounce herb and roasted Westholme Wagyu tenderloin. Enjoy it with Santa’s Sleigh Ride cocktail: Jack Daniel’s, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee honey, fresh orange juice and mulled wine.

Where: 3376 Peachtree Road NE

Fox Bros. BBQ

Fox Brothers BBQ won’t be open on Christmas Day, but it is offering to-go holiday packages that include sliced turkey breast and gravy, a whole smoked turkey or smoked ham. The packages include sweet potato casserole, mac & cheese, green bean casserole, cornbread dressing, salad and dessert. If you don’t want all the fixings, smoked turkey breast, whole smoked turkey, whole smoked ham and a whole smoked brisket are available.

For those enjoying the holiday meal on Christmas Day, Fox Bros. recommends picking your order up cold with reheating instructions. If you are enjoying the meal another day, Fox Bros. recommends picking your order up hot and ready to eat.

If you are picking your order up, it will be available from the Fox Bros. catering facility at 134 Ottley Drive, just past SweetWater Brewery in Midtown.

Where: 1238 DeKalb Ave. NE (Pickup on Ottley Drive)

Red’s Beer Garden

Red’s Beer Garden will be open from noon until 6 p.m. on Christmas Day. Red’s invites you to enjoy the “best hot dogs in town.” Furthermore, you can sample from among 200 types of beer, wine, cider, mead, hard kombucha, seltzer and non-alcoholic options. Sounds like a celebration.

Where: 1328 Boulevard SE

Hotels

Embassy Suites — Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Downtown will be open from noon until 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. The Buckhead location will be open from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Where: 267 Marietta St. NW (Downtown); 3285 Peachtree Road NE (Buckhead)

InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta — Americano

The Americano, inside the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, will have two seatings on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Among first course choices are ahi tuna crudo (pickled fennel, Meyer lemon, almond and basil); and baby beet insalata (whipped goat cheese, almonds and petite greens). Second course choices include olive oil poached octopus (fingerling potatoes, olives and capers); and potato gnocchi (black truffle, chives, butternut squash and Parmigiano reggiano). For the third course, choices include crispy sea bass (seafood fregola ragu, sunchokes ); roasted half chicken (truffle chicken jus, fingerling potatoes, prezzemolo “chimichurri”) and braised pork shank (truffle polenta, pine nut gremolata and apple cider jus). For dessert select from chocolate budino (smoked Chantilly, gianduja crumble), Ellijay apple tart (Calavados ice cream) and tiramisu cheesecake (lady fingers, caffé Borghetti, milk froth)

Where: 3315 Peachtree Road NE

Nobu Atlanta

Nobu Atlanta will be open for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Call for reservations.

Where: 3520 Peachtree Road NE

Ritz-Carlton Atlanta

The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta invites you to a Christmas buffet in the Grand Ballroom on Dec. 25 from noon until 5 p.m. Buffet action stations will feature classics Christmas dishes along with a variety of festive sides. Finish off your meal when you choose from a selection of homemade pies and cakes in the Pastry Room. A lavish Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar will be available to order by the bottle or the glass (while enjoying live entertainment). Children can say hello to Santa during the evening. Reservations are required. The price is $135 per adult; $65 per children ages 3 to 12. The meal is complimentary for children age 2 and younger. Complimentary valet is included. Call for reservations.

Where: 181 Peachtree St. NE

Three Arches — Hyatt Centric Buckhead

Three Arches at the Hyatt Centric Buckhead will served a holiday-themed brunch from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. and a holiday-themed dinner from 4 until 10 p.m.

Where: 3301 Lenox Parkway

Waldorf Astoria — Brassica

Brassica at the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta plans three-course Christmas Day menu for $160 per person. Seating choices are noon, 2:30, 5 and 7:30 p.m. Brassica promises decadence and holiday flair.

Where: 3376 Peachtree Road NE

Westin Peachtree Plaza — Sun Dial Restaurant Bar & View

Enjoy a six-course meal on Christmas Day 723 feet above Atlanta at the Sun Dial Restaurant Bar & View. Hours are 1 until 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Cost is $139 per person plus tax and an automatic 18% gratuity.

Where: 210 Peachtree St. NW

Chinese on Christmas Day — a Tradition

Starting a very long time ago, immigrants to the United States from other cultures did not celebrate Christmas. But, just like nearly everybody, they had the holiday off. Even better, Chinese restaurants were open on the holiday, thus began the tradition of eating Chinese or Asian food on Christmas Day. Three choices in Atlanta are Nakato Japanese Restaurant, Nan Thai Fine Dining or Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft near the Amtrak station.

Where: 1776 Chesire Bridge Road NE, (Nakato Japanese Restaurant); 1350 Spring St. NW (Nan Thai Fine Dining); 1745 Peachtree Road NW (Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft)

Order Early

The Buttery ATL

The Very Merry Buttery Holiday menu at The Buttery ATL is available for pickup Dec. 21-24. Pre-orders close at 3 p.m. Dec. 18. Just a few of the choices are beef Wellington for two, green beans almondine, a cheese and charcuterie board, and sweet options such as classic coconut cake, old-fashioned doughnuts and eggnog custard pie.

Where: 2137 Manchester St. NE

JenChan’s

Pickup at JenChan’s is from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 23. Just a few items from which to choose are: whole smoked Mongolian Boston butt, whole Hoisin duck and standing rib roast. Veggie choices include cornbread casserole, panko mac & cheese, roasted smashed potatoes and sweet potato Gouda gratin. There’s pumpkin pie, tiramisu and creme caramel for dessert.

Where: 186 Carroll St. SE

For more dining choices in Atlanta, though not necessarily on Christmas Day, check our dining guide.

Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.