Where to Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner at Restaurants in Atlanta

Planning to skip the cooking this year and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at an Atlanta restaurant instead? You have plenty of options, from classic Southern buffets and elegant prix fixe menus to laid-back neighborhood spots serving turkey with a twist.

This guide focuses on where and how to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner out in Atlanta, Georgia, plus practical tips for reservations, pricing, and what to expect.

How Thanksgiving Dining Works in Atlanta

Most Atlanta Thanksgiving dinner restaurants follow a few common patterns:

• Special holiday menus only (regular menu paused or limited)
• Fixed-price menus or buffet pricing
• Seatings by reservation time (often 2–3 seatings across the afternoon and evening)
• Abbreviated hours, usually mid-day to early evening
• Prepayment or credit card hold for larger parties

You’ll find Thanksgiving options concentrated in:

• Downtown & Midtown – hotels and upscale restaurants
• Buckhead – steakhouses, fine dining, and hotel restaurants
• In-town neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and West Midtown – trendier spots and chef-driven menus
• Perimeter & north suburbs – families who prefer free parking and easier access

For the best experience, decide early whether you want:

• A traditional turkey-and-sides meal,
• A buffet with lots of variety, or
• A non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner (for example, steak, seafood, or global flavors).

Classic, Upscale Thanksgiving Dinner Experiences

These are the types of restaurants many Atlantans choose for a more formal holiday meal, often with tablecloths, multi-course menus, and polished service.

Hotel & Fine Dining Restaurants

Many hotel restaurants in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead offer Thanksgiving dinner. Typical features include:

• Three- or four-course prix fixe menus featuring roasted turkey, dressing, seasonal vegetables, and dessert options like pecan and pumpkin pie
• Optional wine pairings or specialty cocktails
• Elegant setting, often with city views or hotel lobby décor

Common areas to look:

• Downtown Atlanta – near Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park, and the State Farm Arena area
• Midtown – around Peachtree Street, the Arts Center area, and Piedmont Park
• Buckhead – around Peachtree Road NE, Lenox Square, and Phipps Plaza

☎️ Tip: Call hotel restaurants directly and ask:

• “Are you open for Thanksgiving dinner?”
• “Is it buffet or prix fixe, and what’s the price per person?”
• “Do you have a children’s price or menu?”

Southern & Traditional Thanksgiving Feasts

If your ideal Atlanta Thanksgiving dinner out means turkey, cornbread dressing, mac and cheese, greens, and sweet potato pie, look for restaurants that specialize in Southern or soul food year-round.

Common patterns:

• Buffet-style or family-style platters
• Large portions and comfort food sides
• More casual dress codes and family-friendly settings

Look around:

• South Atlanta, West End, and Cascade Road areas
• Historical neighborhoods where Southern and soul food restaurants are concentrated
• Some long-standing meat-and-three style restaurants will offer a Thanksgiving plate special (turkey or ham with sides and dessert)

If you prefer a buffet:

• Ask if they’re doing a Thanksgiving Day buffet or just a special holiday plate
• Ask about wait times; some places accept walk-ins only, and lines can form by midday

Steakhouses & Upscale American Restaurants

Many Atlanta steakhouses and New American restaurants open on Thanksgiving and cater to those who want something a bit more elevated but still familiar.

You’ll typically see:

• A Thanksgiving turkey entrée with classic sides
• The regular steak and seafood menu or a limited version of it
• Upscale atmospheres in Buckhead, Midtown, and Perimeter areas

These spots are good if:

• Some in your group want turkey, but others want steak or seafood
• You prefer a more polished, quiet dining room
• You’re staying near Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, Midtown offices, or the Perimeter business district

📝 Reservation tip: Steakhouses in Buckhead and Midtown can book out early for Thanksgiving. If you’re planning to eat between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., aim to reserve several weeks ahead, especially for larger groups.

Neighborhood Restaurants & Casual Spots

If you live in-town and don’t want to drive far, neighborhood restaurants in Atlanta can be a great Thanksgiving option.

In-Town Neighborhoods to Check

• Virginia-Highland & Morningside – smaller bistros and cozy dining rooms
• Inman Park – popular for chef-driven American and global cuisine
• Old Fourth Ward – around the BeltLine, a mix of casual and elevated concepts
• West Midtown – industrial-chic restaurants, often with creative takes on classic dishes
• Grant Park & East Atlanta – smaller, more laid-back dining rooms and bars with food

Some of these restaurants will:

• Offer a set Thanksgiving menu (maybe just 2–3 entrée options)
• Pair holiday specials with their regular menu
• Open later in the afternoon rather than at lunchtime

Because neighborhood spots change plans year to year, always call ahead or check their posted holiday hours in early November.

Family-Friendly Thanksgiving Restaurants

If you have kids or older relatives with limited mobility, think about:

• Parking and access – Surface lots or garages close to the entrance
• Noise level – Buffets and hotel lobbies can be louder; some suburban restaurants are calmer
• Kid-friendly menus – Chicken fingers, pasta, or simple sides

Atlanta families often choose:

• Suburban restaurants near Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Alpharetta if they want easier parking and shorter drives from north-side homes
• Casual chains and hotel restaurants that are used to accommodating highchairs, boosters, and mixed-age groups

When you call:

• Ask if they can seat a stroller or provide space for a wheelchair
• Ask whether they have highchairs and if they do anything special for kids on Thanksgiving (simple desserts, coloring sheets, etc.)

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Special Diet Options

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Atlanta restaurants leans heavily on turkey, gravy, and buttery sides, but you can still find options if you have dietary preferences.

What to Look For

• Plant-forward restaurants that may offer vegan Thanksgiving dishes like mushroom roasts, vegetable gratins, and dairy-free desserts
• Fine dining spots that will modify dishes on request, such as substituting vegetable broth, holding cheese, or offering gluten-free starches
• Buffets that label dishes for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diners

When you call to reserve, be direct:

• “I’m vegetarian/vegan; can you offer at least one entrée I can eat?”
• “Do you have gluten-free options that don’t share frying oil or gravy?”
• “Can you accommodate nut or dairy allergies at Thanksgiving dinner?”

Because Thanksgiving menus are often fixed, it’s easier for the kitchen to plan if you mention dietary needs before the holiday.

Typical Thanksgiving Restaurant Costs & Timing in Atlanta

Prices can vary, but Atlanta diners generally see:

Other timing details:

• First seatings: often start around 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Last seatings: often 6:30–8 p.m., depending on the restaurant
• Many spots close after service and do not reopen for late-night dining

💡 Money-saving tip: Lunch or early afternoon seatings can sometimes be slightly less expensive than peak dinner times, and parking is often easier.

Reservations, Dress Codes, and Parking

Reservations

For Thanksgiving Day in Atlanta, reservations are usually important, especially:

• In Buckhead, Midtown, and West Midtown
• At hotel restaurants and steakhouses
• For parties of six or more

Expect:

• Some places require a credit card hold or non-refundable deposit
• Cancellation windows of 24–72 hours before the holiday
• Limited acceptance of walk-ins, particularly after 2 p.m.

Dress Codes

Atlanta tends to be flexible but:

• Fine dining and Buckhead steakhouses: smart casual (collared shirts, nice jeans or slacks, dresses or blouses)
• Hotel restaurants: often similar to smart casual
• Neighborhood spots and buffets: casual is usually acceptable

If in doubt, ask: “Is there a dress code for Thanksgiving dinner?”

Parking & Transportation

• Downtown & Midtown – Expect parking garages, valet at some hotels, and meter or paid street parking. MARTA rail can be handy if you want to avoid driving.
• Buckhead – Hotel and mall-adjacent restaurants often offer valet. Surface lots and garages are common.
• In-town neighborhoods – Limited street parking; pay attention to signs and resident permit zones.
• Suburbs – Typically free surface lots near entrances.

Factor in extra travel time if there are home games, large events, or heavy holiday shopping traffic around Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, or Atlantic Station.

Takeout, Heat-and-Serve, and Hybrid Options

Many Atlanta residents mix dining out and eating at home:

• Some restaurants offer full Thanksgiving takeout packages (turkey, sides, and dessert) for pickup earlier in the day or on the Wednesday before
• Certain hotels and caterers provide heat-and-serve dinners that you warm up at home
• A few restaurants will let you dine in for the main course and take dessert to go

Why this matters:

• If your preferred restaurant is fully booked for dinner, you might still order takeout Thanksgiving from them
• Takeout packages typically sell out early; ordering in late October or early November can help secure your spot

Ask:

• “Are you offering Thanksgiving takeout or heat-and-serve packages this year?”
• “What’s included, how many people does it feed, and what’s the pickup window?”

Practical Planning Tips for Thanksgiving in Atlanta

To make your Atlanta Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant smoother:

1. Book early. Popular places in Buckhead, Midtown, and in-town neighborhoods often fill up weeks in advance.
2. Confirm the menu. Ask if they’re serving a traditional Thanksgiving menu, a regular menu, or a mix.
3. Ask about kids and dietary needs. It’s easier to accommodate when the restaurant knows your needs in advance.
4. Clarify service style. Buffet vs. plated vs. family-style can change the feel of the meal—and the time you’ll spend there.
5. Check your travel plan. Account for MARTA schedules, traffic, parking, and potential events around major venues.
6. Build in extra time. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to handle parking, check-in, and any waiting.

Atlanta offers Thanksgiving dining options for every style and budget, from hotel feasts with white tablecloths to relaxed neighborhood meals and Southern buffets that feel like an extension of home. With a little advance planning around location, menu style, and reservations, you can enjoy a stress-free holiday meal without turning on the oven.