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This is a city known for its food; many a trip to Atlanta is planned around meals in its barbecue shacks, upscale diners, and chic urban eateries. Traditional Southern fare—including Cajun and creole, country-style and plantation cuisine, coastal and mountain dishes—thrives, as do Asian fusion, traditional Ethiopian, creative ve
This is a city known for its food; many a trip to Atlanta is planned around meals in its barbecue shacks, upscale diners, and chic urban eateries. Traditional Southern fare—including Cajun and creole, country-style and plantation cuisine, coastal and mountain dishes—thr
This is a city known for its food; many a trip to Atlanta is planned around meals in its barbecue shacks, upscale diners
This is a city known for its food; many a trip to Atlanta is planned around meals in its barbecue shacks, upscale diners, and chic urban eateries. Traditional Southern fare—including Cajun and creole, country-style and plantation cuisine, coastal and mountain dishes—thrives, as do Asian fusion, traditional Ethiopian, creative vegan, and mouth-scorching Indian food. Catch the flavor of the South at breakfast and lunch in diners and other modest establishments that serve only these meals.
Many restaurants will accept you just as you are; dress codes are extremely rare in this casual city, except in the chicest of spots. Although many restaurants accept reservations, some popular spots operate on a first-come, first-served basis on weekends. Waits at some hot dining locales can exceed an hour, especially if you arrive after 7 pm.
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Midtown and Westside
Sweet Auburn, the Old Fourth Ward, and East Atlanta
With a food menu inspired by a range of cultures, from Italian to Native American, and a cocktail menu directed by some of Atlanta’s best barkeeps, this boutique eatery brings a level of sophistication to an otherwise pub-heavy scene. Rose gold pendant lights and rich blue hues, which tint the heavy velvet drapes separating the bar from the small dining area, give the place a serious bent, but the mini dinosaur figurines tucked away in unexpected spots let you know it’s fine to relax and “enjoy yourself”—and a pink neon lighted sign mounted against a hallway wall encourages visitors to do just that.
The narrow wraparound patio is the draw at this buzzing Spanish-inspired restaurant and wine bar. The must-try paella and weekly wine specials help to keep patrons happy. Inside, rich wood tones and classic decor make the place feel a bit upscale, although the menu here is entirely approachable, even a bit indulgent with an emphasis on meats, cheeses, and some deep-fried favorites.
240 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, Georgia, 30307, USA
Billy Allin helms this bistro that makes you feel like you're hanging on the sidewalks of Paris. The patio is absolutely delightful when the weather is warm, and the pastries, coffee, and wine are just as satisfying. Wait until later in the morning for the full breakfast menu, which includes delicious omelets and pancakes. A French-style happy hour with select wines ends the day.
For traditional Southern food—think fried chicken, ham steak, and turkey with dressing—insiders head to Colonnade, a local institution since 1927 and a magnet for gay men and the elderly. The interior, with patterned carpeting and burgundy banquettes, is a classic version of a 1950s restaurant.
1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd., Atlanta, Georgia, 30324, USA
Live music and a twist on the standard date night keep this place bustling on weekends. The menu consists of tapas such as patatas bravas con romesco (potatoes with olive oil and a spicy sauce) and ceviche. The only real entrées are a roasted whole fish and a traditional paella overflowing with fresh seafood, chicken, and chorizo. The restaurant is at the very end of the Miami Circle design center.
Here's what pays the bills here: brisket, pulled pork, fried pickles, and an artery-cloggin' take on tater tots, served smothered in Brunswick stew and melted cheese. Try to get a seat on the patio, a great place to soak up sun and sip a cold beer. Unfortunately, you may have to hunt for parking first.
Experience a range of tastes at this Southern-style dim sum outpost founded by former Top Chef contestant Kevin Gillespie. The menus change frequently, as do the chefs who prepare twists on Southern staples, such as a black-eyed peas fritter. The entire space is considered part of the kitchen, with no separation between guests and the folks cooking.
Don't fill up on the tortilla chips at this Tex-Mex joint. They are so tasty that you might miss the rest of the menu, which includes vegan and vegetarian options, as well as standards like fish tacos and fajitas. A big patio makes this a big sunny-day draw, especially with the organic margaritas featuring rotating flavors fresh from local farmers' markets.
Inspired by Jarrett Stieber’s pop-up, Eat Me, Speak Me at S.O.S. Tiki Bar in Decatur, the restaurant is named after his dog, a Great Pyrenees. Located beside the old Turner Field stadium that now belongs to Georgia State University, Little Bear boasts creative and themed menu items and unique cocktails—which sometimes come in cute plastic honey bear jars.
Local celebrities and ordinary folks line up for the country-fried steak and fried chicken here. In the Southern tradition, the servers will call you "honey" and pat your arm to assure you that everything's all right. It's a great way to experience Southern food and hospitality all at once.
224 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, USA
ATLiens (both meat eating and vegan) were delighted when this popular food truck expanded to a brick-and-mortar Westview location in early 2019. The mission behind its coquettish name is to prove that plant eaters can still indulge in good, rich food, and, with a menu of charbroiled Impossible Burgers loaded with special sauce, vegan cheese, sweet plantains and more, Slutty Vegan achieves just that. Lines out the door at this fun and lively place mean long waits and a fairly limited menu, but the food is worth it.
1542 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta, Georgia, 30310, USA
Vegan comfort food and plant-based barbecue dishes are served up in a no-frills diner setting, with mac and cheese (made with soy cheese), cauliflower and tofu steaks, and kalebone (a wheat-gluten protein) topping the menu. The original location (on Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.) serves similar fare but buffet-style, with more limited daily choices.
652 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30306, USA
Staplehouse was a true staple of Atlanta, with its 2016 James Beard finalist for Best New Restaurant and charitable status widely known. In 2020, the lauded restaurant became a market. The fresh charcuterie is a holdover from the full-service menu, but some new offerings such as pork loin with tortillas hit the spot. Buy what you need and take it to go, or sit out on the garden patio while you eat.
Software engineer Jeff Varasano was 14 when he set the country's Rubik's Cube record, and he's since changed gears to accomplish the feat of building the perfect pizza. The thin, lightly charred pies are created by closely following Varasano's intense instructions, including the use of an 800ºF oven. The restaurant also serves pastas, salads, and rich Italian doughnuts.
2171 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30309, USA
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