‘Tis the Season to Celebrate the Holidays at Atlanta Restaurants
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Atlanta restaurants invite guests to eat, drink and be merry. Get those last-minute presents under the tree and prepare to celebrate. Many eateries are open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day offering specials and last-minute gift ideas for celebrating with friends and family.
Let Heirloom Café take care of you holiday meal.
For a Christmas to remember, dine at Carson Kitchen. The Alpharetta City Center restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. serving chef Cory Harwell’s menu of reimagined comfort food. Make reservations online. The eatery will be closed on Christmas Day.
Cold Beer is sippin’ and nibblin’ around the Christmas tree with a special holiday spread and cocktails to-go. The “A Not-So-Silent Night” spread feeds two to four people and includes two each of four different cocktails and a split of rosé bubbles for $200. Highlights include three flavorful cheeses with accompaniments along with trout roe, deviled eggs and smoked oyster dip. Additional cocktails may be ordered such as a toasted old-fashioned and Santa’s Scooter Juice. Packages can be picked up on Friday, Dec. 24 between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. See the full menu and place orders online.
Usher in the Holidays at Gypsy Kitchen on Christmas Eve. Open 12-8 p.m., the Buckhead Village eatery will serve its classic brunch menu featuring new steak and caldosas that are perfect for sharing along with festive drinks such as The Sleigh Smoke made with mezcal, apple, lemon, sherry, cinnamon and salt. Gypsy Kitchen will be closed on Christmas Day.
Spend more time with loved ones and let Heirloom Café take care of the holiday meal. The Athens eatery is taking orders for its holiday meal kits until Monday, Dec. 20 for such items as a sausage, caramelized onion and cheddar frittata, baked French toast with berry compote, lemon herb-roasted whole chicken, spinach-stuffed flounder and cauliflower gratin. Orders can be picked up between 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Dec. 23 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 24. Those unable to pick up outside of the designated timeframes can request a time, and Heirloom will try to accommodate. All items are designed to feed four people. View the full menu and place orders online. Heirloom will be closed for dinner on Christmas Eve.
Too excited for Santa’s arrival to sleep? Dance the night away with the best of Buckhead at Johnny's Hideaway, open Christmas Eve until 2 a.m. and Christmas Day 8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails takes care of holiday meals with its Christmas To-Go offerings. Choose from smoked and spiced prime rib with pink peppercorn horseradish sauce ($250), spiral ham with bourbon orange glaze ($110) and applewood-smoked turkey with Madeira gravy ($110). Each meal feeds six to eight people and comes with a choice of one side including mashed potatoes, green beans, Kentuckyaki Brussels sprouts and more. View full menu and place orders online by Dec. 17 for pickup on Dec. 23 between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Milton’s closed on Christmas Day.
Spend the holidays at Ocean & Acre. The Alpharetta restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve from 3-8 p.m. and Christmas Day from 12-8 p.m. serving its menu of land and sea favorites along with chef features including lobster bisque; “Linz” prime rib with horseradish potato gratin and smoked onion jus; Valrhona chocolate mousse with salted caramel, Chantilly cream and chocolate rice crispies; and festive wine and bubbly specials.
Break away from the status quo and try something different this Christmas at Sankranti in Johns Creek. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 pm on Christmas Eve, and 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. on Christmas Day. Sankranti will be serving its menu of Indian favorites, including paneer tikka masala, butter chicken, goat curry and more. Make reservations online.
Start a new holiday tradition with an Italian feast from Storico Fresco. Storico offers a wide variety of to-go options including the eatery’s best-selling Bolognese lasagna, torta salata and robiola cheesecake—all perfect for holiday gatherings. Orders must be placed 24 hours in advance for pick-up at the restaurant. Order cut-off date is Dec. 18.
The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead will be open Christmas Eve from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and closed on Christmas Day. Enjoy classic dishes such as the hot buttered lobster roll and shrimp and grits.
The Blind Pig Parlour Bar is up to “snow” good this holiday season. The space has temporarily transformed into The Blind Elf, a holiday-themed gathering spot. Adorned with twinkling lights and holiday décor, the festive bar serves a selection of sweet and savory bites and Instagram-worthy drinks such as Odin & The Mule made with whipped apple cider, Red Hazel whisky, cinnamon maple syrup and nutmeg aromas. Guests can reserve a table or purchase unique experiences online. The Blind Elf will be open from 6-9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
The Southern Gentleman in Buckhead will be open on Christmas Eve for all-day brunch. From 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., enjoy the classic brunch menu with select dinner favorites. Brunch specials include shrimp and grits, fried chicken and skillet cake, cheddar hush puppies and a seasonal mimosa to quench thirsts.
Cookies baked-to-order and delivered warm from Tiff’s Treats are a perfect holiday surprise. Among the holiday offerings are:
Holiday Sparkle Package: A dozen warm cookies paired with Kendra Scott's "Muriel" pendant necklace designed exclusively for Tiff's Treats, with holiday packaging and a balloon, for $85. The small gold pendant necklace features amethyst dichroic glass on a 19-inch chain with an adjustable sliding bead.
Santa Package: A half-dozen warm cookies, one Frost 'ems for decorating, cold milk and a blank note for Santa, for $15. A fun treat for Christmas Eve or making wish lists with the kids, this package can be scheduled for delivery through Dec. 24.
View all of Tiff’s Treats holiday offerings online.
Umi in Buckhead provides sophisticated Japanese fare for those visiting the restaurant on Christmas Eve. The elevated menu includes dishes such as tuna carpaccio, spicy tuna crispy rice, baked lobster tempura with creamy sauce and classic and refined rolls. Umi will be open from 5-9 p.m.