Looking for Atlanta restaurants open on Christmas Day can be surprisingly tricky, especially if you don’t want to rely on hotel room service or chain fast food. In Atlanta, options are more limited than a typical weekend, but there are still plenty of places where you can sit down, dress up (or not), and enjoy a real meal.
Because restaurant hours and holiday plans change from year to year, use this guide as a starting point and always call ahead to confirm Christmas hours and reservations.
Before choosing a spot, it helps to know how Atlanta typically handles Christmas:
If you know you want a traditional meal, book early. If you’re flexible and open to global flavors, you’ll have more same-day options.
| Type of Restaurant | How Common on Christmas | Typical Vibe | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel restaurants | Common | Upscale to business casual | Special meals, family gatherings |
| Major steakhouses | Some locations | Dressy or business casual | Holiday dinners, date nights |
| Chinese / pan-Asian restaurants | Fairly common | Casual to mid-range | Groups, relaxed meals |
| Diners & 24/7 chains | Common | Very casual | Early breakfast, late-night meals |
| Airport restaurants | Select options | On-the-go | Travelers, last-minute backup |
Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead hotels are some of the most reliable sources for Christmas dining. Menus and hours change yearly, but these hotels commonly host Christmas brunch or dinner.
These hotels often have at least one restaurant open on December 25:
The Westin Peachtree Plaza
210 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Known for its high-rise dining; often offers special holiday meals in its main restaurant or lounge.
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Typically keeps at least one on-site restaurant open with a holiday or limited menu.
Marriott Marquis Atlanta
265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Often operates a lobby-level restaurant or bar with food service on Christmas Day.
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta (Midtown)
75 14th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Frequently offers an upscale holiday brunch or dinner; reservations are usually essential.
Loews Atlanta Hotel (Midtown)
1065 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Its in-house restaurant often participates in holiday dining with special menus.
Buckhead hotels are popular for dressier Christmas dinners:
The St. Regis Atlanta
88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Often known for elaborate holiday buffets or prix fixe menus.
InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta
3315 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Usually offers holiday dining through its main restaurant or lobby lounge.
JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead
3300 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Often provides Christmas meal options for hotel guests and outside diners.
Even at large hotels, don’t assume walk‑in is available. Holiday seatings can be timed and pre-booked, so call the front desk or the restaurant directly.
Many national steakhouse and upscale chains near major shopping districts in Atlanta tend to open on Christmas or Christmas evening, though specific locations may opt out.
Common areas where you’ll find them:
These restaurants often:
When planning, search for steakhouses or upscale chains near:
Call the specific location, ask whether they’re open on December 25 and if they have holiday pricing.
In Atlanta, many Chinese, sushi, and pan-Asian restaurants remain open on Christmas Day, especially in areas with dense dining corridors. Offerings can range from casual takeout to full family-style meals.
Buford Highway (Doraville / Chamblee / Brookhaven)
This corridor is known across metro Atlanta for its international restaurants, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and more. Many stay open or partially open on Christmas, sometimes with adjusted hours.
Doraville & Chamblee
Shopping plazas and food courts near Peachtree Industrial Blvd and Buford Hwy NE often have multiple spots that operate on holidays.
Midtown & Old Fourth Ward
Select sushi, ramen, and pan-Asian restaurants closer to central Atlanta may open later in the day, sometimes for dinner only.
If you just need coffee, pancakes, or a simple burger, certain chains reliably have at least some locations open on Christmas Day around metro Atlanta.
Typical areas with open 24/7 or holiday-friendly spots:
Because individual franchise owners set hours, always:
These places are usually first‑come, first‑served on Christmas, making them a good backup if your initial plan falls through.
If you’re flying through or staying near the airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the most reliable places to find open restaurants on Christmas.
You will usually need a boarding pass to access post‑security restaurants, but some airport hotels and businesses in the surrounding area keep restaurants open to the public on Christmas as well.
If you want something that feels like a classic Christmas dinner, focus on:
When calling to book, ask:
This helps avoid surprises like limited options or higher-than-expected holiday pricing.
To improve your chances of a smooth meal:
Reserve early
Popular hotel restaurants and steakhouses can fill all their Christmas seatings weeks in advance.
Stay flexible on time
Many Atlanta spots open only for brunch or only for dinner on Christmas, not both.
Confirm everything by phone
Online listings and maps are often out of date for holiday hours.
Ask about parking and transportation
Have a backup plan
Make a short list with:
That way, if your first choice changes plans, you still have options.
Some Atlantans prefer to eat at home but not cook, and that can work on Christmas with a bit of planning:
If you’re staying at a hotel, ask the front desk or concierge:
For Atlanta, a reasonable timeline looks like this:
3–4 weeks before Christmas
2 weeks out
Week of Christmas
Christmas morning
With a little advance planning—and a couple of backup ideas—you can find a satisfying Christmas meal almost anywhere in metro Atlanta, whether you’re a local staying in town or visiting for the holidays.
