ATLGuide
13 Great Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving Day In Atlanta
photo credit: courtesy of South City Kitchen
Ducking out on family melodrama to do your own thing is as American a tradition as Thanksgiving itself. So instead of dodging rude uncles and a living room full of rhythmically challenged kids doing TikTok dances, chuck up the deuces and go elsewhere. These places are serving traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving dishes that will taste better than anything you could whip up with whatever’s left in a barren grocery store.
DINE-IN
The restaurant above "where the ladies dance" might not seem appropriate for a holiday dinner with your grandparents. But it's actually super family friendly here. Sit down in a retro curved leather booth and feast on scallops, braised black angus bourguignon, and winter spice pumpkin velouté from their $90 per person prix fixe menu.
People who hate eating turkey will like the three-course prix fixe menu at the South City Kitchen spots (Midtown, Buckhead, or Vinings). The first two courses have nine options each, and only one of 'em contains the famous holiday bird. Finish with dessert options like their pumpkin cheesecake and chocolate pecan pie, and this $75 per person Southern meal might tempt you to skip the family gathering next year, too.
The Sun Dial is the perfect spot to impress your out-of-town fam. Enjoy the $125 per-person prix fixe menu while taking in magnificent views of the city from the 73rd-floor restaurant in the Westin. It doesn't actually rotate anymore, but it's still one of the tallest buildings downtown, so the views here are way better than watching football on a janky TV at your cousin's house.
You were too late for that ATL-CDG flight deal that your friends booked, so you're stuck in the city alone without dinner plans. Head to Le Bilboquet, a French Bistro in Buckhead Village. Their $95 three-course meal includes traditional Thanksgiving dishes with a little je ne sais quoi—like a butternut squash tart, gratin dauphinoise, and Cajun chicken with fries.
photo credit: The Americano
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The Americano in The Intercontinental Buckhead is offering a special four-course menu, which includes entree choices like porchetta-brined turkey or roasted grouper in an ‘nduja ragu. And the spacious venue has seating for larger parties if you decide to make it a family affair—just jump on a reservation soon.
photo credit: Hampton + Hudson
Your good heart accepted a dinner invitation from your colleague—you know, the one who’s always covered in cat hair. But your good intuition tells you to have an escape plan. After you flee the scene still hungry, head straight to Hampton + Hudson in Inman Park, which is open from 6pm to midnight on the holiday. In addition to the regular bar menu, they’re offering $25 plates (with turkey, sides, and dessert) that’ll hopefully make up for the food you’ll pretend to eat at that coworker’s house.
All of the Ray’s locations will be open from 11am-7pm for a $75 per person buffet. If you’ve ever visited them for brunch over the years, you know that Ray’s does a lavish buffet very well. And we have no doubt the AYCE peel-and-eat-shrimp, salmon pâté, and herb-roasted meats will hit just as hard as they normally do. Snag a reservation soon because these slots are already filling up.
It’s not worth another fight with your cousin who keeps insisting on sneaking kale in place of the collards. Make a reservation at Marcus Bar & Grille, which will be open from 1-8pm with a $70 per person buffet. Garlicky collard greens (that your aunties should approve of) will make an appearance.
Nobu Atlanta will be open to serve their regular menu on Thanksgiving. It’s always a see-and-be-seen event here, so maybe don’t wear the pilgrim hat, cool?
TAKEOUT PREORDERS
You volunteered to host the family dinner, but now you're getting cold feet about the cooking part. Luckily, Lucy’s Market is accepting preorders for Thanksgiving meals. They’re offering whole turkeys, traditional sides, dessert, and even family-style breakfast items like french toast casserole. Just be sure to order by November 11 for pickup on November 21 and 22.
photo credit: El Super Pan
For those who are team pork-over-poultry, then El Super Pan’s Festín Boricua takeout menu may be your speed. Build your own Thanksgiving dinner with options like pork shoulder, ham croquetas, empanadas, and other Latin-inspired sides. Order here for pick-up on November 23 at El Super Pan’s Battery location, and note that orders can be placed throughout the holiday season with three days’ notice.
photo credit: Saint Germain French Cafe & Bakery
Saint Germain French Cafe & Bakery
If you need to contribute a dish to a dinner gathering, walk in like a winner with one of Saint Germain’s savory quiches (we’re eyeing the one with salmon, dill, and capers) or dessert (like pumpkin pie, or you could show off with the custard-filled gâteau basque). Place your order before November 21 for pickup from their PCM or Buckhead Village locations.
photo credit: Bellyard
If memories of past kitchen failures still haunt your Thanksgivings, replace them with a new one of you walking into Drawbar and picking up roasted turkey, still hot from the oven—along with sides like whipped red potatoes, a salad full of autumn produce, and mac and cheese. The restaurant is offering two- and four-person meals starting at $130, which is a lot cheaper than therapy bills. Preorder here before November 20.
