Unearth The Voyage
Craving a cozy Southern Christmas supper without the cooking marathon? Georgia’s beloved dining rooms sparkle this season with buttered biscuits, slow simmered greens, and candlelit charm. From Savannah’s storied mansions to Atlanta’s timeless tea rooms, these spots deliver holiday comfort with plenty of gravy and grace. Book early, bring your appetite, and get ready for a holly jolly feast you will remember.
1. Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Atlanta
Step into Mary Mac’s and you are walking into Atlanta’s holiday scrapbook. The air smells like skillet fried chicken, pot likker, and cornbread just out of the oven. Servers move fast, tea glasses sparkle, and the walls whisper stories of generations celebrating together.
On a festive night, order chicken and dumplings, collards, and a slice of warm peach cobbler. You will be hugged by history and hospitality, no coat required. Write your preferences on those classic order slips and settle in. It is simple, spirited, and reliably joyful, exactly the Christmas comfort you are craving.
2. The Olde Pink House – Savannah
Holiday sparkle suits this rosy mansion perfectly. Rooms glow with candlelight while plates gleam with shrimp and grits, she crab soup, and fried green tomatoes crowned with bacon relish. Live music floats down the stairwell, and you will swear the season tastes better in old Savannah.
Dress up a bit, sip something bubbly, and lean into the timeless setting. Service is gracious, the menu indulgent, and dessert feels required. If the basement tavern beckons, go for it. You will toast the night under centuries of stories, then step outside to twinkling squares and cobblestone magic.
3. The Southern Gentleman – Atlanta
Buckhead’s polished charm meets holiday warmth here. Expect crispy duck, skillet cornbread with honey butter, and a bourbon list that reads like Santa’s good book. The room feels celebratory without fuss, perfect for raising a glass to the year you made it through.
Share small plates, then linger over an Old Fashioned and pecan tart. You will appreciate the balance of comfort and craft, all dressed for Christmas. Friendly staff, thoughtful sides, and plenty of seasonal accents make it feel special. Reserve early and arrive hungry. Your sweater will forgive you tomorrow.
4. Southern National – Atlanta
For a Christmas supper with artistic flair, this is your move. The menu leans Southern but travels widely, layering spice, citrus, and smoke with confidence. Expect craveable vegetables, soulful proteins, and desserts that feel like a final chorus.
The room hums with conversation, cocktails sparkle, and service keeps things easy. Order boldly, share generously, and claim the last bite of anything glazed. You will leave feeling inspired and well fed, the ideal holiday pairing. It is modern South with a heart of tradition, made for celebrations that linger past dessert.
5. Southern Queenz – Atlanta
If you want unapologetic holiday comfort, this spot brings it. Picture crispy wings, mac that stretches, and yams tasting like December in a spoon. Music thumps, laughter spills, and the energy turns dinner into a celebration.
Grab a platter and share sides across the table. You will leave with sauce on your fingers and stories to tell, which is exactly the point. Expect generous portions, friendly faces, and flavors that feel home cooked. It is Christmas spirit without pretense, best enjoyed with your loudest friends and the coziest sweater.
6. SOUTHERN FIRE KITCHEN – Atlanta
Heat meets holiday cheer at this flavor forward kitchen. Hot chicken crackles, collards whisper smoky notes, and cornbread keeps the peace. The vibe is lively and casual, perfect when you are craving spice with your sleigh bells.
Balance the burn with sweet tea or a creamy side. You will warm up fast and stay satisfied even faster. Bring friends who like to share and compare heat levels. The sauces keep conversations going, and dessert finishes things with a grin. It is a merry, mouth tingling ride.
7. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room – Savannah
Line up early and you will feel like family by the first passing of the platter. Bowls keep arriving like Christmas gifts you forgot you wanted: butter beans, mac and cheese, sweet potato souffle, and perfect fried chicken. Conversation flows, strangers smile, and seconds feel downright encouraged.
The setting is humble and historic, ideal for cozy holiday nostalgia. You will leave with a satisfied hush and a heart full of Savannah warmth. Bring cash, bring patience, and bring that cousin who loves a second helping. It is fellowship, Southern style, and the season suits it beautifully.
8. Georgia Comfort Kitchen – Port Wentworth (Savannah area)
Just outside Savannah, this spot serves holiday comfort like a friendly neighbor. Expect meatloaf, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and the kind of gravy that calms the week. The dining room glows with simple decorations and a welcoming smile at the door.
Order extra sides and do not skip dessert. You will feel the season without the splurge, and leftovers travel well for late night snacking. It is an easy, genuine stop when you want tradition without fuss. Pull off the highway, exhale, and dig in.
9. South Kitchen + Bar – Athens
Downtown Athens dresses up nicely for the holidays, and this spot sits at the heart of it. Shrimp and grits come creamy and rich, fried chicken crisps like wrapping paper, and cocktails deliver just enough sparkle. Service keeps everything relaxed and welcoming.
Plan a pre show dinner or make this the headliner. You will love the historic building and the warm, modern Southern menu. Leave room for dessert, because the sweet finish feels earned. It is a festive Athens night, tuned perfectly between comfort and celebration.
10. Table & Main – Roswell
Roswell’s beloved cottage glows with porch lights and holiday spirit. Inside, roast chicken arrives golden, pimento cheese spreads like cheer, and sides taste lovingly crafted. It feels like visiting friends who set the table beautifully.
Order cocktails, share biscuits, and linger over a warm dessert. You will appreciate the balance of neighborhood charm and kitchen finesse. Stroll Canton Street after supper to keep the magic going. This is a classic choice for a calm, elegant Christmas meal, close enough to home to become tradition.
11. Buckner’s Family Restaurant – Jackson
Gather round the lazy Susan and watch the feast spin by. Fried chicken, creamed corn, green beans, and biscuits circle like a cheerful carousel. Refills keep coming, and you will lose track of how many times you said yes.
The setting is rustic, the mood festive, and the value undeniable. Bring the whole crew, because family style is the language here. You will roll out smiling, pockets full of peppermint and a satisfied sigh. It is holiday hospitality made wonderfully simple.
12. The Carriage House Buffet & Catering Of Jefferson – Jefferson
Small town cheer and a full buffet line make holiday dining easy here. Turkey, dressing, gravy, and all the sides you expect line up ready for your plate. The staff is friendly, the pace relaxed, and seconds absolutely encouraged.
Bring the family, fill a plate, and circle back for cobbler. You will leave content and unhurried, which is half the gift. Budget friendly and straightforward, it is perfect when tradition matters more than trend. Consider takeout trays for gatherings at home. Simple, satisfying, and festive.
13. Southern Charm – Blue Ridge
In Blue Ridge, holiday lights reflect off the mountains and this cozy spot keeps bellies warm. Think chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, greens, and biscuits that disappear too fast. The dining room is lively but relaxed, a perfect pause during a mountain getaway.
Order something smothered, sip sweet tea, and do not skip pie. You will feel right at home even if snow threatens the forecast. It is hearty, honest Southern fare, tailor made for chilly nights and cheerful toasts. Grab a seat and settle in.
14. Grits Cafe – Forsyth
Forsyth’s favorite blends small town warmth with polished Southern cooking. Shrimp and grits shine, pork chops arrive juicy, and starters turn into conversations. The room glows softly, perfect for a lingering holiday supper.
Pair dinner with a local pour and finish with something sweet. You will appreciate the care in every plate and the friendly, unrushed service. It is a lovely detour just off the interstate when you want a real meal. Come hungry, leave happy, repeat next Christmas.
