‘Tis the Night Before Christmas...and Many of Atlanta’s Favorite Restaurants Are Open!
If you are not quite ready for all to be calm and bright the night before the Big Guy slides down the chimney, head out to some of the best spots in the city for some pre-Christmas vittles!
Star Provisions will also be open Christmas Eve until 8 p.m. for your last-minute gift & food needs. Floataway Café and Bacchanalia will be open for dinner on Christmas Eve beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dub’s Fish Camp at Ponce City Market will also be open on Christmas Eve until 8 p.m. and Little Star at Westside Provisions District until 6 p.m.
I also wanted to be sure you knew that Ford Fry’s Superica (Krog Street Market and Buckhead) and the El Felix (at the Battery Atlanta and Avalon) will be open limited hours on Christmas Eve, until 3 p.m.
Feast of the Seven Fishes at Davio's December 24. Celebrate the holidays with a traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes featuring a three-course pre-fixe menu featuring all of your favorite kinds of seafood. $75 for adults excluding tax and gratuity. Seatings are available between 5-10 p.m.
Additionally, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse will be open on Christmas Eve from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (regular menu available). The steakhouse will also be open on Christmas Day from 3 to 8 p.m. with a special Christmas Day dinner featuring prime rib. The full menu can be viewed here: https://delfriscos.com/menu/christmas-day-menu-t2/. Click here for reservations.
Henri’s Bakery & Café is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. As an added bonus, all three locations are celebrating the holidays by offering special Sunday hours for shoppers and the bakery addicted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 23. henrisbakery.com
Beloved for tavern fare with Southern flair, all HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern locations are open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. hobnobatlanta.com
Atlanta favorites for steak, seafood, and an award-winning wine list, all three locations of Ray’s Restaurants are open and serving up favorites from their regular menus. Ray’s on the River in Sandy Springs is open for lunch from noon-4 p.m. and dinner from 4-10 p.m. Ray’s at Killer Creek in Alpharetta opens for dinner 4-10 p.m., and Ray’s in the City is serving lunch downtown from noon-4 p.m. and dinner from 4-10 p.m. raysrestaurants.com
Southern Proper Hospitality restaurants throughout Atlanta are doing Christmas Eve in style:
- Go farm-to-table at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple from 4-9 p.m. 770-817-0161; miltonscuisine.com
- Chido & Padre’s has fresh, elevated Baja Mexican fare starting at 3 p.m. and open late. 404-848-9100; chidoandpadres.com
- Visit the city’s favorite beach house in the heart of Roswell; The Big Ketch on Canton Street is serving its fresh seafood from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 770-993-5749; thebigketch.com
- Gypsy Kitchen is serving up its sophisticated mix of traditional Spanish cuisine interpreted through a modern lens from 4-9 p.m. 404-939-9840; gk-atl.com
- Renowned for its impressive modern American whiskey bar, The Southern Gentleman welcomes regulars and out of town guests from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. 404-939-9845; thesoutherngentlemanatl.com
An Atlanta institution since 1979 known for 100 beers on draft, the Southeast’s Original Buffalo wings and multiple HD TVs, all metro Atlanta Taco Mac locations are open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., with the Stockbridge location open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Those looking for bold Asian cuisine can visit Tin Drum Asian Kitchen on Christmas Eve. Most locations will be open until 4 p.m., serving cooked-to-order stir-fry, curry and noodle dishes. Check online for location-specific hours. tindrumasiankitchen.com.
Tin Lizzy’s Cantina is open around Atlanta and offering signature FlexMex cuisine, awesome margaritas, and great beer selections from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. tinlizzyscantina.com
Home of Atlanta’s favorite addictive hand-rolled burritos, most Atlanta-area locations of Willy’s Mexicana Grill are open until 4 p.m., but Willy’s lovers will want to check the website or Facebook page for each individual location’s hours. willys.com
4 Rivers Smokehouse, the family-owned Westside smokehouse specializing in 30-day aged brisket, is open until 5 pm. Staying in this year? Order your Christmas meal online by Friday, Dec. 21 and pick it up on Christmas Eve. The holiday menu includes prime rib, leg of lamb, homestyle sides, seasonal pies and more. 844-474-8377; 4rsmokehouse.com
Atlanta’s oldest continuously licensed tavern, Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland is open until 6 p.m. Families may also enjoy a complimentary cookie decorating party on Dec. 12 to kick off the holiday festivities. 404-876-7249; atkinspark.com
This Christmas Eve, TWO urban licks will be hosting a special a la carte dinner. From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. patrons can enjoy fiery creations by acclaimed Executive Chef Michael Bertozzi, including his seasonal and classic favorites, such as Oysters Rockefeller, Smoked Tomahawk Prime Rib, Cajun Deep Fried Turkey and Trimmings, Warm Sugar Cookies and Eggnog Creme Brûlée, while taking in the smooth sounds of a live music performance from Kerry Hill band. TWO will be closed on Christmas Day. Located conveniently on the Atlanta BeltLine in the Old Fourth Ward, guests can also take advantage of the outdoor seating available on TWO’s expansive patio. To make a reservation, visit twourbanlicks.com or call 404.522.4622. TWO urban licks is located at 820 Ralph McGill Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30306. Stay connected on Twitter at @2urbanlicks and Instagram at @TwoUrbanLicks and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TwoUrbanLicks/.
Guests can belly up to the bar or relax in the dining room at Dantanna’s Buckhead this Christmas Eve between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and take advantage of the expansive menu featuring aged steaks, daily fresh seafood, juicy burgers, signature favorites and much more. Signature and classic cocktails, craft beers and wine will also be flowing. Dantanna’s Buckhead will be closed Christmas Day and Dantanna’s Downtown will be closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.dantannas.com or call 404.760.8873 for Buckhead and 404.522.8873 for Downtown. Dantanna’s Buckhead is located at the Shops Around Lenox, 3400 Around Lenox Rd NE #304, Atlanta, GA 30326. Dantanna’s Downtown is located at 1 CNN Center #269, Atlanta, GA 30303. Stay connected on Twitter and Instagram at @dantannas and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dantannas/.
Diners looking for a chic Christmas Eve experience can head to STK Atlanta for an unforgettable dinner. Along with the full dinner menu featuring reimagined classic American ?cuisine with signature dishes and, of course, the highest quality ?steak, Midtown’s sexiest steakhouse will be serving holiday specials created by Executive Chef Thomas Mikesell from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. such as: Roasted Chestnut Soup; Waygu Prime Rib; Surf & Turf - 8 ounce Bone-in Filet, Main Lobster, Champagne Bearer Blanc; and a 4 ounce filet with mac and cheese and asparagus for the kids at the table. STK will be open on Christmas Day from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information about STK, visit www.stkhouse.com or call 404-793-0144. STK Atlanta is located at 1075 Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta on the corner of Peachtree and 12th Streets in the 12th & Midtown development. Stay connected on Twitter? and Instagram at @eatstk ?#stkatlanta and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/eatSTKAtlanta.
Bully Boy, the newest BeltLine restaurant from Concentrics Restaurants and acclaimed Executive Chef Michael Bertozzi, is offering its full dinner menu on Christmas Eve from 5 to 9 p.m. Offering Eastern seaboard fare from its farms, rivers and coastal waters with an approach that has far-reaching influences, guests can also enjoy a nostalgic cocktail list, local and coastal craft brews and curated wine list created by Advanced Sommelier Justin Amick of Painted Hospitality. Bully Boy is closed on Christmas Day.
Bully Boy is a destination restaurant located in the Old Fourth Ward next to TWO urban licks, in between The Telephone Factory and Common Grounds, right down the BeltLine from Ponce City Market at 828 W10 Ralph McGill Blvd, Atlanta, Georgia 30306. For more information on Bully Boy and Concentrics Restaurants please visit www.bullyboyatl.com and www.concentricsrestaurants.com or call 678.904.5607. Stay connected on Twitter and Instagram at @bullyboyatl and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BullyBoyATL.
Babalu in Midtown is open until 3 p.m. It’s also the ideal location for Friendsmas gatherings this holiday season and can easily accommodate large parties for festive tapas and tacos. 404-900-9595; eatBABALU.com
Located in the Georgian Terrace Hotel, Livingston Restaurant & Bar is offering a special holiday menu on Christmas Eve. Menu selections include king crab risotto, double bone pork chop, N.Y. strip au poivre and pan-seared ahi tuna. 404-897-5000; livingstonatlanta.com.
Atlanta’s beloved 30-year-old Virginia-Highland mainstay restaurant and wine bar, Murphy’s is open for regular service from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 404-872-0904; murphys-atlanta-restaurant.com
Aria, chef-owner Gerry Klaskala’s beloved Buckhead restaurant known for its modern American fare in an elegant, relaxing setting, is open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged. 404-233-7673; aria-atl.com
Johnny’s Hideaway is open for dancing, drinking fun and festivities until 2 a.m. Guests can also pre-game at the annual Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 20. 404-233-8026; johnnyshideaway.com
Storico Fresco Alimentari e Ristorante's retail shop is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Buckhead’s restaurant, bar and grocery for everything traditional Italian is also hosting special shopping and dining hours on Sunday, Dec. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 404-500-2181; storicofresco.com
Much to the delight of its regulars and out of town fans, Umi, the city’s premier destination for sushi and modern Japanese cuisine, is open and offering its full dinner menu beginning at 5:30 p.m. Reservations need to be made well in advance. 404-841-0040; umiatlanta.com.
Offering a seasonal menu of chef-driven sustainable seafood on a live wood-fired grill, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar is typically closed on Mondays but will be open for regular lunch and dinner service from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 770-635-7641; driftoysterbar.com
A modern American neighborhood restaurant featuring a chef-driven menu with local ingredients, Seed Kitchen & Bar in Marietta is open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 678-214-6888; eatatseed.com
For those flying to and fro for the holidays, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers many delicious options. There’s Varasano's, Cat Cora's Kitchen, P.F. Chang's or Gordon Biersch in Concourse A, or pay a visit to hometown favorite Willy’s Mexicana Grill over in Concourse B.
All is not quiet on Christmas Day!
While all of the restaurants mentioned above are closed on Christmas Day, there is one special treat on the Atlanta restaurant scene for Dec. 25. Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland is serving a holiday feast beginning at 6 p.m. on Christmas Day that includes smoked turkey breast, braised pork shoulder, green bean casserole, roasted apple and sage dressing, sweet potato biscuits, pumpkin cheesecake and more. Price is $30 for adults, $20 for young adults and $10 for kids under 10. 404-876-7249; atkinspark.com
Celebrate Christmas Day with brunch at Livingston Restaurant & Bar. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., nosh on a bountiful holiday buffet featuring breakfast pastries, fried chicken, fluffy scrambled eggs and bacon, assorted Christmas cookies and more. Price is $30 for adults, $15 for children under 12 and free for kids under three. 404-897-5000; livingstonatlanta.com.