ATLGuide
13 Great Restaurants Open On Christmas Day
photo credit: The Imprints Agency
Maybe you don’t celebrate Christmas or maybe you just discovered family gatherings are only tolerable over a meal cooked by professionals (plus, when your uncle's mouth is full of food, it’s harder for him to ask you about that person you dated five years ago). No matter the reason, here are 13 spots to help you avoid a mess in the kitchen and messy conversations with the fam.
CHRISTMAS EVE
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This Edgewood spot will have a buffet from 1-8pm complete with a DJ spinning some holiday tunes. We just hope their tasty seafood pasta makes it on the buffet line.
Every Sunday in December (including Christmas Eve), Double Zero is hosting the Feast of Seven Fishes, which features dishes like whole roasted branzino, arancini, and cioppino. Get the full spread for $150 per table or create your own feast by choosing items a la carte.
photo credit: Hampton + Hudson
On Christmas Eve, this Inman Park spot is serving their full brunch menu until they close at 6pm. We think even Scrooge would be in better spirits after some afternoon chicken and waffles.
photo credit: Andrew Thomas Lee
Forget the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Lazy Betty has a 12-course tasting menu on Christmas Eve that sounds far better than getting 10 lords a-leaping. At $500 per person, we’re hoping that Santa leaves us a lump of money in our stocking the next morning, but memories of what will more than likely be an amazing dinner should be the greatest gift to ourselves.
This French bistro and bar will offer a four-course Christmas Eve prix fixe menu at $105 per person on Dec. 24. Make it a Joyeux Noël by feasting on roasted duck breast and braised paleron at this reliable Buckhead spot.
CHRISTMAS DAY
photo credit: Courtesy of Nakato
This Japanese restaurant off Cheshire Bridge has been an Atlanta staple for more than four decades. And it’s a faithful Christmas Day go-to. If you refuse to listen to your cousin talk about their plans for a new start-up for a second longer, head to Nakato for holiday hibachi and enjoy shrimp tempura.
Jingle bells don’t really make our spirits bright (especially after one too many eggnog-based cocktails). But the tasty kra pow hoi at Nan’s will. The iconic Thai restaurant is bumping here even on non-holidays, so you’ll definitely need a reservation for Dec. 25.
photo credit: Ken Goodman
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This Buckhead Italian steakhouse is offering a four-course prix fixe menu on Christmas Day. At $174 per person, you can feast on poached octopus, dry aged duck breast, and braised pork shank.
Nobu Atlanta will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It’s always a see-and-be-seen event here, so re-think the ugly sweaters and elf pajamas.
This O4W haunt is in the Wylie Hotel, so it makes sense they’d stay open for the holiday for the overnight guests. Plus, a pimento cheese board, crab claws, and wings will make for a Southern Christmas meal that the family should all agree on.
TAKEOUT PREORDERS
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If a shawarma spiced whole lamb leg will make a great centerpiece for your festive gathering, preorder Delbar's holiday meal for Dec. 24 pickup. The takeout package feeds up to seven people and comes with a 5-6 pound lamb leg and an assortment of sides, including their tasty dill labneh or hummus.
Aziza in West Midtown is offering Hanukkah meal kits featuring red wine braised brisket, potato latkes, salatim, and sufganiyot for dessert. Place your order before Dec. 12.
photo credit: Juli Horsford
The Battery location of this popular Puerto Rican kitchen is offering a take-home holiday meal that serves 10 to 12 people. Just order a week ahead of time. While new presents will get most of the attention on Christmas Day, the paleta de cerdo asada should steal the show come dinnertime.
