25 Best Restaurants In Atlanta
It’s virtually impossible to create a comprehensive list of Atlanta’s restaurants—regardless of the superlative—thanks to an ever-evolving dining scene packed with enterprising chefs, knowledgeable sommeliers, and creative mixologists. Still, it’s fun to try. Here are 25 worthy additions to your “must visit” list in Georgia’s capital city. We guarantee you’ll find a few favorites among them.
The Deer and the Dove
Morgan Wagoner
Decatur
This downtown Decatur gem is getting national attention, thanks to chef / owner Terry Koval winning the 2023 James Beard Award for Best Chef Southeast. The rustic menu takes its cues from its partners—regional farmers—to the delight of guests. You can’t go wrong with agnolotti made with Georgia corn and ricotta, the Georgia-centric cheese board made with offerings from Sweet Grass Dairy and Decimal Place Farm, or whole trout in smoked coconut milk.
deerdove.com, 155 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030
Miller Union
Andrew Thomas Lee
West Midtown
James Beard Award-winning chef Steven Satterfield is known for his light touch in letting the freshest ingredients shine. His warehouse-chic restaurant, drawing devotees since 2009, works with farmers and artisan purveyors so that the menu offerings always reflect the season. While you will find housemade charcuterie, grass-fed steak, and Georgia shrimp, the veggie-forward offerings are the real stars.
millerunion.com, 999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Lee’s Bakery
The Buford Highway corridor is the go-to area for international fare in Atlanta. In a few short blocks, you’ll find restaurants from Cantonese and Korean to Dominican and Mexican. You can’t do better as a jumping off point than Lee’s Bakery, a top spot for banh mi, the quintessential Vietnamese sandwich on house-baked French bread with your choice of meat (the signature is grilled BBQ pork), crisp pickled veggies, and mayo. Order the combo of a half sandwich and a bowl of fragrant, herbaceous pho noodle soup. Cool off with strong, sweet Vietnamese iced coffee—it doubles as dessert.
leesbakeryatl.com, 4005 Buford Hwy NE Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30345
Holeman & Finch Public House
Andrew Thomas Lee
Midtown
Fans of chef Linton Hopkins rejoiced in 2023 when, after two long years of being closed, Holeman & Finch Public House reopened in a new location in Colony Square. The rambling dining room is cozy and residential, with decor that feels collected rather than “sourced.” The menu has all the charm that put the original on the map: house-cured charcuterie, a riff on a croque monsieur called the Crunchy Gentleman, Maine lobster rolls, and roasted oysters. Of course, you can get Hopkins’ famous double cheeseburger that spawned his H&F Burger brand with locations around the city.
holeman-finch.com, Colony Square, 1201 Peachtree St NE Building 400, Suite #160, Atlanta, GA 30309
The Alden
The Alden
Chamblee
Atlanta native chef Jared Hucks has cooked around the world—in top kitchens from New Zealand and Australia to Southeast Asia and Europe—and he’s brought those global sensibilities to his menu at The Alden. The cozy dining room centers around an open kitchen where Hucks and his team create their highly seasonal magic. Look for his international point of view in artfully presented dishes such as tamarind-glazed pork belly with mustard greens, squid ink spaghetti with Sapelo clams, and scallops a la plancha with preserved lemon.
thealdenrestaurant.com, 5070 Peachtree Blvd Suite B-140, Chamblee, GA 30341
Aziza
Andrew Thomas Lee
West Midtown
With a name that means “happiness” in Arabic, you can’t go wrong with a meal at this Westside Provisions District favorite, with its cozy dining room surrounding an open kitchen with a wood-burning oven that factors into many of the Israeli-inspired dishes. Be sure to try Hummus No. 1, a silky chickpea and tahini mixture topped with braised duck, pecans, and pomegranate served with still-steaming laffa bread. Other menu favorites include tender-crisp octopus with coriander, tuna tartare with preserved lemon labneh, and short rib tagine.
aziza-restaurant.com, 1170 Howell Mill Road Suite P10b, Atlanta, GA 30318
The Colonnade
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
Atlanta
This restaurant has been an Atlanta institution since it opened in 1927, and it’s still a top spot in the city for Southern comfort food. Golden-crisp fried chicken, addictive warm buttered rolls, down-home black eyed peas, collard greens, and surprisingly stiff cocktails keep a legion of loyal regulars coming back again and again.
thecolonnadeatlanta.com, 1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Lyla Lila
Andrew Thomas Lee
Midtown
Chef Craig Richards has long been known as a handmade pasta-making artisan at restaurants around town. Now, he shows off his considerable skills at his own cozy restaurant, decorated with one-of-a-kind art and staffed by knowledgeable servers. The Southern European menu is highly seasonal, so try whatever strikes your fancy—from crispy duck lasagna with cocoa bechamel to corn and rabbit ravioli. It’s important to note: The petite eatery’s Fox Theatre-adjacent location means it’s busy if there’s a show, so make reservations.
lylalilaatl.com, 693 Peachtree St NE UNIT 118, Atlanta, GA 30308
Humble Pie
Matt Wong
West Midtown
This playful, chef-driven eatery is the latest from chefs Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips, the culinary brains behind Atlanta’s lauded Lazy Betty (moving locations at the time of publication, otherwise it would be on this list). There’s something for everyone here: wood-fired pizzas, small plates perfect for sharing, handmade pies, and a robust wine and cocktail program (including some tasty zero-proof cocktails). Visit for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
humblepieatl.com, 1115 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Gunshow
Gunshow Atlanta
Glenwood Park
Dining doubles as entertainment at this restaurant by Top Chef fan favorite Kevin Gillespie. The team of chefs let their culinary whims and the freshest ingredients available lead them to create a daily-changing menu of international and Southern-inspired dishes, all served dim-sum-style. Chefs present their dishes tableside, and guests can decide to take the dish at that moment or wait for the next one to come by. It’s ideal to visit with a small group so you can say yes to everything and share. A highlight: There’s a roving mixologist ready to make a boozy concoction before your eyes.
gunshowatl.com, 924 Garrett St, Atlanta, GA 30316
NFA Burger
Erik Meadows
Dunwoody
Don’t let the casual location inside a Chevron gas station fool you: This outfit is serious about its burgers. In fact, it’s so good that it was named to Thrillist’s “Best Burgers in America” list. The smashed and griddled patties, seasoned with restaurateur and founder Billy Kramer’s custom spice blend, come in various permutations—single, double, triple, and topped with American cheese, as well as your choice of onions, hatch green chiles, chili, and more on a roasted potato bun—but never with ketchup. You won’t need it, thanks to the house “Sassy” sauce.
nfaburger.com, Inside the Chevron, 5465 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Umi
Sara Hanna Photography
Buckhead
Atlanta has a surprising number of worthy spots for ultra-fresh and gorgeously presented sushi, but none is more lauded than Umi in Buckhead. Contemporary, candle-lit decor puts the focus on the bright sushi kitchen where a team of chefs work their magic on a dizzying array of raw selections: Japanese golden-eye snapper and otoro nigiri, paper-thin sliced scallops with ponzu and wasabi, and Peruvian-style madai ceviche. Don’t fancy fully uncooked food? The seared wagyu beef nigiri melts in your mouth. For a truly unforgettable evening, spring for the omakase experience at the chef’s counter and let the team have free reign to craft a special menu.
umiatlanta.com, Two Buckhead Plaza, 3050 Peachtree Rd NW Suite #1, Atlanta, GA 30305
Aria
LuAnne DeMeo
Buckhead
In a city where it seems a flashy new restaurant opens every week, Aria in Buckhead has stood the test of time for more than two decades. Helmed by Chef Gerry Klaskala, the elegant eatery offers fine dining without the pretense—it’s easy to feel comfortable and welcome. Continental dishes such as butter-braised lobster, herb-crusted lemon sole, and fall-apart tender beef short ribs over whipped potatoes are artfully presented. When in doubt, ask for a wine recommendation from sommelier Andres Loaiza, who curates a top-notch list of boutique producers from around the world.
aria-atl.com, 490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
DelBar
Andrew Thomas Lee
Inman Park
Meaning “heart, captured” in Farsi, this locally owned neighborhood restaurant is guaranteed to capture, at a minimum, your tastebuds (and possibly your heart too). The menu is designed to be shared in the proud tradition of Middle Eastern cuisine and hospitality, drawing heavily on Chef Fares Kargar’s native Iran. Meze plates such as falafel and Omani shrimp, labneh spread with za’taar, chicken kofta, and lamb shank stew encourage good times around the table.
delbaratl.com, 870 Inman Village Pkwy NE Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30307
Botiwalla
Emily Schultz
Old Fourth Ward
Ponce City Market’s expansive food hall is a destination for anyone looking for a variety of kinds of food—you’ll find everything from seafood to Cuban and Italian to ramen. Though there are plenty of styles from which to choose, make a beeline for Botiwalla, the casual eatery by James Beard Award-winning chef Meherwan Irani that specializes in Indian street food. Masala smashed potatoes come with sweet and spicy ketchup, paneer (cheese) tikka is served wrapped in a piece of buttery naan, and the SPDP is a shareable dish of puffed rice crisps topped with chutney, sweet yogurt, and chickpea noodles. Pair your meal with a hot, spicy-sweet chai or housemade pineapple turmeric soda.
botiwalla.com, Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE n134, Atlanta, GA 30308
The Chastain
Heidi Geldhauser
Buckhead
You’ll feel like you’re dining in a picturesque garden at this greenhouse-reminiscent restaurant overlooking Chastain Park. Chef Christopher Grossman once worked under Chef Thomas Keller at the famed Napa Valley institution The French Laundry, and that pedigree shows up on every plate. The New American menu changes regularly to reflect the freshest ingredients of the season, and perennial favorites include the sweet corn and crab soup, smoked pork tenderloin with pimento cheese grits, and chanterelle mushroom tagliatelle. The beverage program, with artful cocktails and a top-notch wine list, is worth a visit all on its own.
thechastainatl.com, 4320 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342
No. 246
Andrew Thomas Lee
Decatur
This neighborhood Italian eatery by restaurateur Ford Fry just feels good. A welcoming bar is a perfect spot to whet your appetite with an on-tap Negroni. Tuck into the menu with housemade specialties such as a fist-sized meatball to share as a starter, cacio e pepe, spicy black spaghetti with Gulf shrimp, and wood-fired pizzas. Can’t decide? Plan ahead and reserve a place at the four-seat chef’s counter and the chef on duty will create a custom five-course menu.
no246.com, 129 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
Atlas and The Garden Room
Vanessa Boy
Buckhead
If you’re looking for an Instagrammable locale, you can’t do better than this spot: Atlas boasts an ever-rotating collection of fine art (seriously, sometimes you’ll see works by Picasso, Cézanne, and the like), and The Garden Room is a 3,000-square-foot solarium festooned with whimsical floral prints. The gorgeous environs are rivaled only by the works of art on each plate by Chef Freddy Money. The offerings change daily to accommodate the freshest, of-the-moment ingredients, so if you see something that strikes your fancy, don’t hesitate. It will likely be gone the next time you visit.
atlasrestaurant.com, The St. Regis Atlanta, 88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
The Painted Duck
The Painted Duck
West Midtown
A nondescript door leads to the expansive basement-level gaming parlor, with all manner of entertainment: duckpin bowling (like regular bowling but with smaller pins and a petite, one-size-fits-all ball), horseshoes, shuffleboard, and more. The games are a focus, but the food is top-notch. Succulent crab claws come swimming in a garlic and herb broth, duck-fat fries are served with bearnaise mayo, and a rather extraordinary hamburger topped with Gruyere. Feeding a group? Spring for the fall-apart tender whole roasted Peking duck, which comes sliced on a serving platter with pickled onions, lettuce, tomatoes, two sauces, and Hawaiian rolls. Just allow 90 minutes—it’s made to order from scratch.
thepaintedduckatl.com, 976 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Chops Lobster Bar
Chops
Buckhead
On the hunt for flawless surf and turf? Head to this Buckhead institution, serving some of the city’s best steak and seafood since 1989. You’ll see business folk doing deals and couples out for a romantic meal, both sets ordering signatures such as batter-fried lobster tail and custom-aged steaks cooked to perfection. Upstairs (Chops) has a classic steakhouse vibe, while downstairs (Lobster Bar) feels subterranean with a vaulted mosaic tile ceiling. Both dining rooms share the same decadent menu, so you’re in good hands either way.
chopslobsterbar.com, 70 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Rooftop L.O.A.
Katie Bricker Photography
West Midtown
For a meal that feels like a vacation from the ordinary, look no further than this rooftop dining room. In fact, the name aptly stands for “leave of absence,” and the coastal-inspired menu takes its cues from global locales including Italy, Mexico, Greece, and more. Have a meal in the elegant dining room or request a table on the open-air covered terrace for sweeping city views while you enjoy dishes such as king crab “Wellington,” a lamb chop with peach gremolata, or pork belly with black garlic molasses. Fancy a longer stay? Reserve a cabana at the pool club and order festive fare such as octopus tacos and a lobster roll with green goddess mayo.
rooftoploa.com, 1115 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
Antico Pizza Napoletana
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
Westside
When this Naples-style pizza joint opened in 2009, it was a novelty, with its bring-your-own-wine policy and picnic tables set up in the warehouse-style open kitchen. Now, it’s an Atlanta institution serving the city’s best pizza in the classic, wood-fired style perfected in Naples, Italy. The process is simple: Stand in the often lengthy line, order from the small menu of pizzas and calzones, and find a seat. Expertly designed flavor combinations such as San Gennaro (sausage, caramelized cipollini onions, dolce picante peppers, and buffalo mozzarella) and the house signature Sophia (named for Sophia Loren, it comes topped with cippolini onions, roasted mushrooms, and truffle oil) come as they are—no substitutions.
littleitalia.com, 1093 Hemphill Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Daily Chew
Kate Blohm Photography
Atlanta
If you need a go-to spot for breakfast and lunch, this tucked-away cafe in the Piedmont Heights neighborhood is just the ticket. First thing in the morning, you’ll find an array of daily-made pastries and hearty entrees from shakshuka to ricotta hotcakes. At lunch, the menu includes fresh salads, grain bowls, and pitas. You’re as likely to see friends catching up over a healthy meal as you are to see remote workers hunched over a laptop drinking a latte. Either way, everyone’s welcome.
dailychewatl.com, 2127 Liddell Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Canoe
Canoe
Vinings
This sprawling restaurant overlooking the Chattahoochee River has been an Atlanta staple since it opened its doors in 1995. It’s been serving “farm to table” fare before that was a buzzword, and seasonal favorites include yuzu-compressed watermelon salad, jumbo lump crab cakes with spiced slaw, maple-marinated duck breast, and the duck ‘n beef burger topped with a sunny-side-up egg. The popcorn ice cream sundae with housemade peanut “cracker jack” will delight anyone with a sweet tooth. Insider tip: Build in time for a walk through the property’s lush riverside gardens before or after your meal.
canoeatl.com, 4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
The Iberian Pig
Erik Meadows Photography
Decatur
Taking its cues from Spain, this tapas-centric restaurant on the Decatur square fosters a convivial atmosphere where the food is the star of the show. Order a glass (or a bottle) from the curated, Spain-centric wine list and a variety of small plates to share. Build your own charcuterie plate of Iberico ham and a variety of cheeses, and order favorites such as goat cheese-stuffed peppadew peppers, octopus with fava bean and leek romesco, crispy potatoes with aioli, and pork cheek tacos with grilled corn salsa. It has a swankier sibling in Buckhead with many of the same menu item favorites, but this location feels more down-home and intimate.
iberianpig.com/decatur, 121 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030
