Dine out at these Atlanta restaurants open on Christmas and give yourself the ultimate Christmas gift of relaxation. When Christmas Day arrives, the last thing many parents want to do is cook and serve a Christmas meal...after trimming the tree, sending out holiday cards, wrapping gifts, and even setting out cookies for Santa.
Read on to find the perfect restaurant open on Christmas to please everyone in the family. We've included places for a casual breakfast, a fancy dinner, or something in between. Since you're not cooking and cleaning up, you'll have more time to check out Dazzling Holiday and Christmas Lights in Atlanta, drive around Atlanta neighborhoods with awesome residential holiday lights, or even go holiday ice skating on Christmas Day.
Book reservations early before slots fill up. Also, confirm plans with restaurants beforehand, especially as some location hours vary. And don’t forget to bring a smile, patience, and a nice tip as labor shortages can cause slower service.
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Restaurants Open on Christmas in Atlanta
Benihana - Buckhead and Alpharetta
Want to see a performance on Christmas Day? Benihana chefs prepare a delicious meal in front of awed customers on the hibachi grill. The kid’s menu features chicken tenders, chicken tempura, hibachi steak, chicken, or shrimp. The staff can take a photo of your family, which can be downloaded at home. Open 11am-10pm, reservations required.
Denny's - Norcross
Open 24 hours, head over to Denny's anytime for the all-day breakfast; lunch and dinner items are available later in the day. Kid's menu choices include anniversary pancakes, chicken tenders, and mac n’ cheese. Those with bigger appetites enjoy the turkey and dressing dinner, country-fried steak dinner, patty melts, and more.
Dig into delicious, Brazilian-style steakhouse fare at Fogo de Chão this Christmas.
Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse - Buckhead and Dunwoody
Want a steakhouse with a twist? Try the prix fixe, all-you-can-eat Brazilian churrasco experience. Waiters carve various spit-roasted meats on skewers at the table. Salads, cheeses, and stews accompany side dishes of polenta, cheese bread, and caramelized bananas. For kids 7-12 years old, meals are half the adult price; ages 6 and under dine free. Open 11am-9pm, reservations recommended.
Hard Rock Café - Downtown
Beginning at 11am, Hard Rock Cafe offers a holiday menu —the two-course dinner is $35.95 per person and the three-course dinner is $41.95. Main course offerings include burgers, grilled salmon, baby back ribs, and New York strip steak, and dessert is a holiday brownie. Reservations suggested.
'Tis the season to enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner at Hampton + Hudson.
Hampton + Hudson - Inman Park
This casual neighborhood restaurant will open at 6pm with a full bar and a limited menu. On the large screens, you can watch football, basketball, and Christmas movies. Reservations suggested.
IHOP - Various locations
Who can resist IHOP's seasonal menu with thick and fluffy strawberry banana French toast and a gingersnap milkshake? Order breakfast burritos, omelets, burgers, chicken strips, and more. Treat the extended family for IHOPPY Hour beginning at 3pm when certain menu items are value priced at $6! Not all IHOPs are open, so confirm opening hours with the location nearest you.
Eat a meal to make Santa proud at Kona Grill -- open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner.
Kona Grill - Alpharetta
Kona Grill is open 11am–11pm on Christmas Day. Features for Christmas include prime rib surf and turf, honey-glazed ham, and macadamia nut turkey. The all-day menu will also be available. Reservations recommended.
Celebrate the holiday with a dinner at McCormick & Schmick's.
McCormick & Schmick's - Downtown
On Christmas Day guests choose from McCormick & Schmick's regular menu or its prix fixe three-course special holiday menu, which features items such as Chilean sea bass and filet mignon. Open 11:30am-9pm, reservations recommended.
Marietta Diner - Marietta
Featured on the Food Network, Marietta Diner offers a massive menu. In addition to serving breakfast 24/7, the diner offers lunch fare, as well as heavier dinner entrees including seafood, steak, and Greek specialties. Leave room for a slice of the seven-layer desserts made by the owner’s mother!
Dip into fondue for Christmas at the Melting Pot.
The Melting Pot – Roswell
A fun option for dinner is to try fondue. From 4-9pm on Christmas day, the Melting Pot in Roswell offers a three-course Christmas dinner at $55 per person and $26 for kids ages 12 and under. Entrees include rosemary pork, shrimp, filet mignon, and mushroom ravioli. Reservations suggested.
Imagine this pretty appetizer for your Christmas dinner at Nakato!
Nakato Japanese Restaurant - Cheshire Bridge
Family-run since 1972, Nakato offers an option to dine at standard tables or the hibachi grill from 4-9pm. Menu options include sushi, seafood, noodles, and hotpot dishes, and entrees on the kid’s menu include a choice of salad or soup, steamed rice, noodles, and vegetables. Reservations suggested.
Parkwoods - Perimeter
Head over to Parkwoods for the Christmas Day brunch buffet from 11am-2:30pm. In addition to a carving station, waffle station, seafood, and plenty of desserts, kids will decorate cookies and take photos with Santa. The cost is $69 per person and $29 for kids ages 12 and under. Reservations suggested.
Ritz-Carlton Hotel Atlanta - Downtown
Located inside the Grand Ballroom, the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta will offer a Christmas Day feast from noon-5pm. The elegant buffet includes multiple stations with holiday favorites, desserts, and a champagne bar. Santa will make an appearance too! The price is $135 per adult and $65 for kids ages 3-12. Reservations required.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill - Mall of Georgia
The family-friendly Italian eatery is open 11am-9pm, serving its regular menu. The kid’s menu features spaghetti, ravioli, and mac and cheese. Don’t forget to finish the meal with cannoli or cheesecake. Reservations suggested.
Come to Rumi’s Kitchen for Christmas and enjoy fresh healthy food, Persian hospitality, and a loving atmosphere.
Rumi’s Kitchen - Sandy Springs
Experience authentic Persian food at Rumi’s Kitchen 11:30am-10pm, where each meal starts with sabzi (a plate of flatbread with herbs, goat cheese, and walnuts). In addition to falafel and stuffed grape leaves, the restaurant offers various kabobs and other Middle Eastern specialties. Reservations required.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House - Downtown, Buckhead, Alpharetta, and Kennesaw
Opening at various times on Christmas Day, each location of the steakhouse will offer its regular menu of premium steaks and seafood. Additionally, guests can order the four-course prix fixe menu with a starter, entrée, side, and chef's daily dessert selection starting at $55. The kid’s menu includes a beverage, entrée, and side. Prices vary. Reservations required.
STK - Downtown
Opening at 11am, STK features a Christmas menu including prime rib, pumpkin ravioli with crab, and wagyu. The regular menu will also be available. Reservations recommended.
The St. Regis Hotel is ready for visitors and diners to enjoy its holiday decor. Photo by Rebecca Leffler
St. Regis Hotel - Buckhead
Book the Christmas brunch experience at St. Regis Hotel from 11am-3:30pm where Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves are on site. In addition to the delicious holiday buffet, families enjoy live music. The cost is $195 for adults and $85 for children ages 3-10. Prepaid reservations are required.
South City Kitchen - Alpharetta
South City Kitchen, located at Avalon, will host a Christmas Day buffet from 11am-7pm. The cost is $80 per person and $40 for kids under age 12. Reservations required.
Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft - Buckhead
Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft is open on Christmas 5-10pm. Plan to share several of the small plates for a sampling of Thai street food, including noodles and curry dishes. Reservations suggested.
Waffle House - Various locations
Waffle House is always open! Let your kids indulge in the classic, chocolate, pecan, or peanut butter waffles. Other favorites on the all-day breakfast menu include omelets, hash browns, and bacon. Lunch and dinner menus include everything from burgers and sandwiches to country ham and pork chop plates.
Unless noted, photos courtesy of the restaurants and hotels.