Atlanta Restaurants Unwrap Holiday Hours
The days are merry and bright this Christmas season. Atlanta restaurants are spreading cheer with holiday menus and special hours over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to give some variety to holiday schedules with family and friends.
Multiple Locations
All locations of HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern—Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Halcyon, Vinings and Atlantic Station—are open on Christmas Eve serving regular menus for brunch and dinner along with a steak and shrimp special. A seasoned and chargrilled 10-ounce sirloin steak is topped with a tri-color pepper salsa and is paired with shrimp sauteed in a bold scampi-style garlic butter sauce. The dish is served with house-made whipped potatoes and garlic Parmesan green beans for $39.95. Reservations can be made online. HOBNOB also is having a Christmas party at its Halcyon location on Saturday, Dec. 16, with drink specials, a raffle, an ugly sweater contest with prizes, dancing, a rooftop DJ and band on the first floor. The festivities kick off at 8:30 p.m. All HOBNOB locations are closed on Christmas Day.
Guests can eat, drink and gear up for the festivities ahead at Postino WineCafé. Both locations—Buckhead and West Midtown—will be open until 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve day serving a full menu of wine and cocktails along with light bites such as meatballs and goat cheese, crispy cauliflower and smoked salmon. Both locations will be closed on Christmas Day. For last-minute shoppers, Postino will host “Gift On The Go” pop-ups with staffed tables selling gift cards and Wine Cult memberships. Pop-up dates and hours are Friday, Dec. 22 from 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 23 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 24 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ray's Restaurants sets the perfect mood all year for special events, holidays and romance with top-quality seafood, hand-cut steaks and exquisite wine cellar selections. On Christmas Eve, Ray's at Killer Creek will serve brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. followed by a special holiday menu for dinner from 4-9 p.m. Ray's on the River, with its iconic backdrop of the Chattahoochee River, will serve Christmas Eve brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner 3-9 p.m. Stylish Ray's in the City will have regular hours on Dec. 24. All three restaurants will be closed Christmas Day.
Guests looking to unwrap some sports viewing on Christmas Eve can head to Taco Mac. All locations of this favorite neighborhood sports bar will be open until 7 p.m. serving its fresh, never frozen, locally sourced chicken wings along with the most craft beers on draft and ultimate sports viewing.
Buckhead
5Church Buckhead invites guests for a festive brunch on Christmas Eve. The restaurant will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 5Church Buckhead will be closed Dec. 25-27. Reservations can be made online.
For an elegant evening out, diners can head to Aria on Dec. 24. The Buckhead fine dining restaurant, which is normally closed on Sundays, is opening especially for Christmas Eve and will be serving a tasting menu and an a la carte menu starting at 4:30 p.m. Aria will be closed Dec. 25-26. Reservations can be made online.
Chido & Padre’s kicks off Christmas Eve with brunch from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Features include breakfast tacos, French toast, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and avocado toast. Make reservations online.
A spin on the dance floor at Johnny’s Hideaway is just what Santa ordered on Christmas Eve for those needing a break from holiday gatherings. Since 1978, Johnny's has been synonymous with relaxed vibes and toe-tapping tunes. Johnny's will be open until midnight on Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day.
Guests can set sail for a Christmas Eve beach getaway to The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. The Buckhead restaurant will be open on Dec. 24 serving its menu of coastal-inspired cuisine. Seasonal cocktails include rum-spiked mulled cider, smoky mint hot chocolate and Seaside Fashioned, a new twist on the classic Old Fashioned made with either Lunazul Anejo or Angel’s Envy port barrel-aged bourbon. Reservations can be made online.
The Blind Pig Parlour Bar, which has temporarily transformed into a magical gathering spot with over-the-top décor and twinkling lights, boasts a variety of warm and chilly holiday-themed drinks, candy cane shots, beer, wine and bubbles to ensure a spirited mood. Among the festive bites are a Snowcuterie tray with pickled veggies, a selection of cured meats, tomato jam and artisanal cheeses, reindeer chips and dip, mini beef wellys and egg nog crème brûlée. The Blind Elf is open from 12-5 p.m. on Dec. 24.
The Southern Gentleman celebrates Christmas Eve with brunch starting at 11 a.m. and dinner from 3-7 p.m. Features include deviled crab fritters with caper remoulade and prime rib with Yukon gold potato puree, grilled asparagus and carrots, and red wine jus. The Buckhead eatery gets in the spirit with special holiday cocktails such as Apple Pie Oldie with Maker’s Mark, apple liquor and cinnamon syrup and Winter Wonderland with Grey Goose vodka, white cranberry, Grand Marnier and lime. Reservations can be made online. The Southern Gentleman will be closed on Christmas Day.
Le Bilboquet, a French bistro and bar located in the heart of Buckhead Village, will offer a three-course Christmas Eve prix fixe menu on Sunday, Dec. 24, for $105 per person. Diners will kick off the festive affair with executive chef Cyrille Holota’s amuse bouche of seared ahi tuna with petite ratatouille before tucking into a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert. Highlights include salmon tartare, Kusshi oysters with Osetra caviar, roasted duck breast, braised paleron and seared turbot. For dessert, guests can enjoy a classic bûche de noël yule log cake, a cheese platter, or chocolate mousse. For more information and to book reservations, visit lebilboquetatlanta.com.
Midtown
5Church Midtown invites guests for a festive brunch on Christmas Eve. The restaurant will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Those looking for evening socializing can check out Virtue Rooftop's Holiday Bar. It will be open for drinks only starting at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. 5Church Midtown will be closed Dec. 25-27. Reservations can be made online.
Splashy and festive AltaToro in Midtown is offering brunch from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with its Modern Latin menu featuring imaginative dishes from Peru, Mexico, Brazil and more. The restaurant will be closed Dec. 25-27. Reservations can be made online.
West Midtown & Upper Westside
For those looking for a fun gathering spot with friends on Christmas Eve, Your 3rd Spot is the perfect meet-up spot for food, drinks and games. The technology-driven dining and gaming concept blends the elements of a restaurant, bar, beer garden and social club along with 75 activities and a 50-foot bar. Your 3rd Spot will be open on Dec. 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and closed Christmas Day.
Executive chefs John C. Metz and Karl Gorline are offering a festive Christmas Eve culinary experience at the Woodall priced at $85 per person. For starters, guests can choose the refreshing cranberry Waldorf salad or the rich and flavorful lobster bisque. For the pasta course, options include decadent lobster risotto or savory cacio e pepe featuring gnocchi, lump crab and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The entree selection presents a choice between the succulent Iberico pork secreto with Puy lentils and five-spice mango chutney, the whitetail venison chop accompanied by espresso roasted beets and mole rosa or the pan-seared trout with roasted chicories, almonds and a warm caper vinaigrette. To conclude the festive feast, guests can satisfy their sweet tooth with the fruit cake “pain perdue” served with house cool whip. Reservations can be made online.
Outside the Perimeter
Cattle Shed Wine & Steak Bar in Alpharetta is open on Christmas Eve serving its regular menu of seasonal, chef-driven dishes along with several Christmas Eve features. These include crab-stuffed jumbo shrimp stuffed with lump crab meat, Old Bay bechamel and citrus breadcrumbs ($18); classic beef wellington with CAB filet mignon wrapped in pastry with mushroom duxelles and Bordelaise sauce ($58); and house-made doughnuts drizzled with honey and topped with cinnamon and walnuts ($12). Reservations can be made online.
Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails will be open on Christmas Eve from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. serving its menu of contemporary New Southern Cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. Guests can enjoy a three-course prix-fixe menu from executive chef Dean Wenzel. The price is $65 per person for adults and $32.50 for children (excluding tax and gratuity). Those looking to celebrate Christmas at home can relax and let Milton’s do the cooking with holiday meals to-go featuring applewood smoked turkeys, spiral ham, smoked and spiced prime rib and a sides package. Orders can be placed online, while supplies last, for pickup on Saturday. Dec. 23.
Sankranti Fine Dining in Johns Creek will be open during normal hours on Christmas Eve. Guests are invited to relish in the holidays over Sankranti’s irresistible menu of Indian cuisine.