Atlanta Restaurants Open on Christmas: Where to Eat on December 25

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.

What to Expect from Atlanta Dining on Christmas Day

Before choosing a spot, it helps to know how Atlanta typically handles Christmas:

• Most independent restaurants close on December 25, especially neighborhood spots and smaller cafes.
• Hotel restaurants, some steakhouses, Chinese and other Asian restaurants, and chain diners are the most reliable Christmas options.
• Many places require reservations or have limited menus for the holiday.
• MARTA and rideshare services usually run reduced schedules, so allow extra travel time.

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.

Quick-Glance Guide: Common Types of Places Open on Christmas

Atlanta Hotel Restaurants Often Open on Christmas

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.

Downtown & Midtown Area

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 Area

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.

Steakhouses and Upscale Chains Frequently Open on Christmas

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:

• Buckhead (around Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza)
• Perimeter (near Perimeter Mall / Dunwoody)
• Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta
• Midtown and Downtown business corridors

These restaurants often:

• Run a prix fixe holiday menu in addition to regular offerings
• Require advance reservations
• Have a business casual dress code

When planning, search for steakhouses or upscale chains near:

• Lenox Square – 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
• Phipps Plaza – 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
• Perimeter Mall – 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Dunwoody, GA 30346
• The Battery Atlanta (by Truist Park) – 800 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Call the specific location, ask whether they’re open on December 25 and if they have holiday pricing.

Chinese & Other Asian Restaurants: Classic Christmas Option

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.

Neighborhoods & Corridors to Check

• 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.

Casual Diners, Breakfast Spots, and 24/7 Chains

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:

• Near major interstates (I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, I‑20 interchanges)
• Around Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Close to hospital campuses and transportation hubs

Because individual franchise owners set hours, always:

1. Use the chain’s store locator.
2. Call the specific Atlanta‑area location.
3. Confirm holiday hours and menu availability.

These places are usually first‑come, first‑served on Christmas, making them a good backup if your initial plan falls through.

Airport Restaurants: Helpful for Travelers

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.

• Location: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Both pre‑security (especially in the domestic terminal atrium) and post‑security concessions typically operate, though with reduced options and hours.
• Cuisines range from Southern comfort food and burgers to sandwiches and coffee shops.

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.

Planning a Traditional Holiday Meal in Atlanta

If you want something that feels like a classic Christmas dinner, focus on:

• Hotel restaurants with holiday buffets or plated prix fixe menus
• Steakhouses and upscale American restaurants in Buckhead, Midtown, and around Perimeter
• Occasional country club–style or Southern-focused restaurants that advertise special holiday seatings

When calling to book, ask:

• “Will you be open on December 25?”
• “Are you serving a special Christmas menu or the regular menu?”
• “Do you require prepayment or a deposit?”
• “Is there a time limit for the table?”

This helps avoid surprises like limited options or higher-than-expected holiday pricing.

Practical Tips for Finding Atlanta Restaurants Open on Christmas

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

  • Downtown and Midtown may have paid deck parking and limited street parking.
  • Buckhead around Lenox and Phipps can be busy if stores are open nearby.
  • If using MARTA, check the reduced holiday schedule in advance.

• Have a backup plan
  Make a short list with:

  • One “special” spot (hotel or steakhouse)
  • One “casual” spot (diner or chain)
  • One “international” spot (e.g., Buford Highway restaurant)

  That way, if your first choice changes plans, you still have options.

If You Prefer Takeout or Delivery on Christmas

Some Atlantans prefer to eat at home but not cook, and that can work on Christmas with a bit of planning:

• Order ahead from restaurants offering holiday take‑home meals (often hotels, grocery stores, or larger restaurants). These usually require pickup on December 24.
• For same‑day delivery, options can be limited and wait times long. Some local and chain restaurants near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the airport may appear on delivery apps with reduced menus.
• Be prepared for higher delivery fees and longer wait times due to fewer drivers on the road.

If you’re staying at a hotel, ask the front desk or concierge:

• Which nearby restaurants deliver on Christmas
• Whether the hotel’s restaurant offers to‑go meals you can bring back to your room

How Far in Advance Should You Plan?

For Atlanta, a reasonable timeline looks like this:

• 3–4 weeks before Christmas

  • Choose your preferred neighborhood (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, perimeter areas, or near the airport).
  • Check hotel and major chain restaurant websites for holiday announcements.

• 2 weeks out

  • Call and book reservations for any fine-dining or hotel restaurants.
  • Ask about menus, pricing, deposits, and cancellation policies.

• Week of Christmas

  • Reconfirm your reservation and time.
  • If you’re aiming for a casual spot or international restaurant, call to confirm they’re truly open.

• Christmas morning

  • If you don’t have reservations, call around 10–11 a.m. to confirm openings and wait times before heading out.

Key Takeaways for Dining Out on Christmas in Atlanta

• Yes, Atlanta has restaurants open on Christmas, but the options are more limited and lean heavily toward hotels, steakhouses, international spots (especially Chinese and other Asian), and chains.
• Always confirm hours directly with the restaurant; holiday schedules change and online listings can be inaccurate.
• For a traditional or upscale Christmas meal, look first at Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead hotels and major steakhouses near Lenox, Perimeter, and The Battery.
• For more casual or last-minute options, check Buford Highway, airport-area restaurants, and 24/7 or diner-style chains.

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.