10 Best Atlanta Restaurants
The top restaurants in Atlanta are Lazy Betty, Mujo, Staplehouse, Atlas, Omakase Table, Hayakawa, Bacchanalia, The Deer and The Dove, The Optimist, and Kimball House. Atlanta is a well-known destination for classic favorites like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and lemon pepper wings. The Varsity, which happens to be the world's largest drive-in restaurant, has been an Atlanta landmark since 1928, and it is quite famous for chili dogs. There are 5 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. Neighborhoods like Buckhead, West Midtown, and Decatur are some of the best places to eat in Atlanta. For international food, the Buford Highway corridor is a well-known hub for authentic Korean, Vietnamese, and Mexican restaurants.
Atlanta is the capital city of Georgia, located in the southeastern United States. Local ingredients like Georgia peaches, pecans, and Vidalia onions often appear on restaurant menus. The city's food identity is shaped by this blend of Southern agricultural heritage and new international influences. The best restaurants in Atlanta offer everything from traditional Southern comfort food to Michelin-starred tasting menus.
10 Best Atlanta Restaurants are listed below.
-
1
BacchanaliaThere are two well-known Bacchanalia restaurants in the United States, one is located in Chicago, Illinois, and the other is...- Item Prices 51
- Average Item Price $14.21
Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:New American
Signature Dishes:The four-course menu changes seasonally. Past features include Crab Fritter with citrus and avocado, and a cheese course.
Location:1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30318
Special Feature:Many ingredients are sourced from the restaurant's own Summerland Farm, ensuring freshness and a direct connection to the menu.
What Makes It Special:Bacchanalia earned a Michelin star for its consistent quality, refined service, and its role as a foundational restaurant in Atlanta's fine-dining history.
What Sets It Apart:The prix fixe menu format allows for a structured yet flexible dining experience, where guests select one dish from each of the four courses.
Operating Hours:Monday–Saturday: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PMSunday: Closed
Price:Average price per person $95$125 per person for a a four-course prix fixe menu
-
2
Lazy BettyLazy Betty is a modern and inventive restaurant offering multi-course tasting menus filled with seasonal ingredients. The dining experience is intimate, with an open kitchen that allows guests to watch the chefs at work.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Contemporary American
Signature Dishes:Tasting menus change seasonally. Past dishes include Foie Gras with strawberry and pistachio and Miyazaki A5 Wagyu.
Location:999 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309
Special Feature:An open kitchen concept provides an interactive and engaging dining experience.
What Makes It Special:Lazy Betty holds a Michelin star, recognized for its creative dishes and high-quality ingredients.
What Sets It Apart:The restaurant offers two distinct tasting menu experiences: a standard menu in the dining room and an extended menu at the kitchen counter.
Operating Hours:Wednesday–Saturday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMTuesday, Sunday: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PMMonday: Closed
Price:$50 and over$250 per person for a 6 course tasting menu$295 per person for a 10 course tasting menu
-
3
MujoMujo is an Edomae-style sushi restaurant offering a multi-course omakase experience. The setting is modern and intimate, focusing on traditional Japanese cooking techniques and seasonal seafood sourced directly from Japan.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Japanese, Sushi
Signature Dishes:The omakase menu is seasonal and curated by the chef. It features a progression of small plates and nigiri.
Location:691 14th St NW, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30318
Special Feature:The restaurant's design is minimalist, creating a focused and serene atmosphere for the omakase experience.
What Makes It Special:Mujo earned a Michelin star for its commitment to traditional Edomae sushi and the quality of its ingredients.
What Sets It Apart:The experience is exclusive and reservation-only, with a focus on presenting fish at its peak flavor through aging and curing techniques.
Operating Hours:Wednesday–Saturday: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PMMonday, Tuesday, Sunday: Closed
Price:$245 to $275 per person for the omakase menu.
-
4
StaplehouseStaplehouse is a restaurant located in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward that transitioned from a tasting-menu format to an a la carte menu served in a casual garden setting.Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:New American
Signature Dishes:The menu changes frequently. Past items include Chicken Liver Tart and Granddaddy's Bacon with rye bread.
Location:541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Special Feature:The restaurant operates with a nonprofit mission, with all after-tax profits benefiting restaurant workers in crisis through The Giving Kitchen.
What Makes It Special:Its unique business model combines high-quality food with a powerful social cause.
What Sets It Apart:The dining experience takes place on a patio and in a garden, creating a relaxed, neighborhood-gathering atmosphere.
Operating Hours:Thursday–Sunday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 or 10:00 PM
Price:Price range from $35 per personTasting menu from $105 to $180
-
5
AtlasLocated in The St. Regis Atlanta, Atlas is a fine-dining restaurant that features a menu of seasonally changing American food with European influences. The dining room is adorned with a collection of 20th-century art.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:American, European
Signature Dishes:The menu changes seasonally. A Chef's Tasting Menu is offered, with past dishes including King Crab with Kaluga caviar.
Location:88 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Special Feature:The restaurant doubles as an art gallery, showcasing works from The Lewis Collection, including pieces by Picasso, Chagall, and Soutine.
What Makes It Special:Atlas holds a Michelin star and is recognized for its luxurious ambiance, art collection, and refined menu.
What Sets It Apart:It combines a world-class art collection with a high-end dining experience, creating a unique cultural and sensory event.
Operating Hours:Tuesday–Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMThursday–Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PMMonday, Sunday: Closed
Price:Tasting menus start at $175 per person. Entrees start at $50.
-
6
Omakase TableOmakase Table is an intimate Japanese restaurant in West Midtown focused exclusively on a multi-course omakase experience. The space is minimalist and modern, seating only a small number of guests per night.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Japanese, Sushi
Signature Dishes:A 20-course omakase menu that changes based on seasonal availability of fish sourced from Japan.
Location:3330 Piedmont Rd NE Ste 22A Atlanta, GA 30305
Special Feature:The dining experience is highly personal, with Chef Leonard Yu preparing and explaining each course directly to the guests.
What Makes It Special:The restaurant is dedicated to a single style of dining, ensuring a focused and high-quality sushi experience.
What Sets It Apart:With only one seating per evening for a limited number of guests, it offers one of the most exclusive omakase experiences in the city.
Operating Hours:Wednesday–Sunday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PMMonday, Tuesday: Closed
Price:$150 to $295 per person for the omakase menu.
-
7
HayakawaHayakawa is a traditional Japanese restaurant that offers an authentic omakase experience led by Chef Atsushi Hayakawa. The restaurant emphasizes seasonal ingredients and classic preparation methods in an intimate setting.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Japanese, Sushi
Signature Dishes:A chef-curated omakase menu that features fresh seafood flown in from Japan, including premium uni and toro.
Location:1055 Howell Mill Rd, Suite 401, Atlanta, GA 30318
Special Feature:The restaurant enforces a strict policy of no photos and no cell phone use to maintain a traditional and respectful dining atmosphere.
What Makes It Special:Hayakawa holds a Michelin star, awarded for its authentic approach to Japanese food and the exceptional quality of its fish.
What Sets It Apart:Chef Hayakawa's dedication to preserving Japanese food traditions provides a dining experience focused entirely on the food and its preparation.
Operating Hours:Wednesday–Saturday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PMMonday, Tuesday, Sunday: Closed
Price:$315 per person for the omakase menu.
-
8
The Deer and The DoveThe Deer and The Dove is a neighborhood restaurant with a rustic, hunting lodge-inspired feel. The menu focuses on dishes prepared with open-fire cooking techniques and features locally sourced game, seafood, and produce.Type of Restaurant:Casual Elegant
Type of Food:New American, Southern
Signature Dishes:"The Bad Hombre" Burger, Seared Foie Gras, and seasonal game preparations like venison or duck.
Location:155 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030
Special Feature:An attached coffee shop and breakfast spot, B-Side, operates during the day, offering a different, more casual experience.
What Makes It Special:The restaurant is known for its adventurous menu that highlights game meats and its commitment to sourcing from local farms.
What Sets It Apart:The focus on open-hearth cooking imparts a distinct smoky flavor to many of its dishes, creating a unique taste profile.
Operating Hours:Tuesday–Thursday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PMFriday–Saturday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PMSunday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PMMonday: Closed
Price:Entrees range from $25 to $50.
-
9
The OptimistThe Optimist is a seafood restaurant and oyster bar designed to evoke the feeling of a classic seaside fish camp. The atmosphere is open and lively, with a large main dining room, an oyster bar, and an outdoor patio.Type of Restaurant:Casual Elegant
Type of Food:Seafood
Signature Dishes:West Coast Oysters, Whole Roasted Georgia Trout, Shrimp a La Plancha, and Lobster Roll.
Location:914 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
Special Feature:An outdoor, patio area with a mini-golf course offers a playful and relaxed waiting or pre-dinner activity.
What Makes It Special:The restaurant is celebrated for its fresh and sustainable seafood, sourced from the country's best suppliers.
What Sets It Apart:Its "fish camp" theme is carried throughout the space, from the decor to the menu, creating a distinct and transportive dining environment.
Operating Hours:Monday–Thursday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMFriday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PMSaturday: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PMSunday: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price:Entrees range from $30 to $60.
-
10
Kimball HouseKimball House is a restaurant and oyster bar located in a historic Decatur train depot. It is renowned for its extensive raw bar, classic cocktails, and a menu of American food with French influences.Type of Restaurant:Bar, Casual Elegant
Type of Food:American, French
Signature Dishes:A wide selection of raw oysters, Absinthe service, and the Kimball House Burger.
Location:303 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
Special Feature:An award-winning cocktail program that focuses on classic recipes and a traditional absinthe drip service.
What Makes It Special:Kimball House is consistently recognized as having one of the best oyster and cocktail programs in the country.
What Sets It Apart:The restaurant's setting in a restored 1891 train station provides a unique historical ambiance that complements its classic food and drink menu.
Operating Hours:Tuesday–Thursday, Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMFriday–Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PMClosed on Mondays
Price:Price is $100 and up per person
What Food is Atlanta Famous For?
The Atlanta food scene is famous for Southern comfort food classics like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and biscuits. The city is also known for its lemon pepper wings, a specific style of chicken wings tossed in a buttery lemon pepper sauce, which has become a local signature. Other notable foods include Brunswick stew, a tomato-based stew with meat and vegetables, and peach cobbler, a dessert made with Georgia's official state fruit. The Varsity, a landmark drive-in, is famous for its chili dogs and Frosted Orange shake.
What is the Average Cost of a Meal in Atlanta?
The average cost of a meal in Atlanta depends on the restaurant type, ranging from $15 to $200 per person or more. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs between $15 and $25. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant averages between $60 and $100. At fine-dining establishments, tasting menus or multi-course meals can cost $100 to over $200 per person. Breakfast at a casual spot is $10 to $20, while a fast-food meal is under $15.
What are the Most Popular Fast-Food Restaurants in Atlanta?
The most popular fast-food restaurants in Atlanta, which many consider the best fast food in Atlanta, are listed below:
- Chick-fil-A: Founded in a suburb of Atlanta, this chain is extremely popular for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and milkshakes.
- The Varsity: An Atlanta institution and the world's largest drive-in restaurant, it is famous for its chili dogs, onion rings, and Frosted Orange shake.
- Waffle House: Headquartered in Georgia, this 24-hour diner chain is a Southern icon known for its waffles, hashbrowns, and classic breakfast fare.
- Krystal: A fast-food chain known for its small, square hamburgers called Krystals, which are often ordered in multiples.
What are the Newest Restaurants in Atlanta?
The best new restaurants in Atlanta are listed below:
- Breaker Breaker: A seafood restaurant and bar located on the Eastside BeltLine, offering fried fish baskets, lobster rolls, and cocktails in a casual, beach-themed setting. Located at 921 Wylie St SE, Atlanta, GA 30316.
- The Dinette at The General Muir: A new counter-service sandwich shop inside The General Muir in Emory Point, serving a menu of classic deli sandwiches. Located at 1540 Avenue Pl, Suite B-230, Atlanta, GA 30329.
- Fritti: A pizzeria and bar that reopened in Inman Park with a focus on Neapolitan-style pizzas, appetizers, and Italian cocktails. Located at 309 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.
- Omakase by Yun: An intimate 16-seat sushi counter in Doraville offering a 23-course omakase experience from Chef Yun. Located at 6035 Peachtree Rd, Suite C-210, Doraville, GA 30360.
Are There Trendy Restaurants in North Atlanta?
Yes, there are many trendy restaurants in Atlanta, with a growing number located in the northern suburbs. The areas of Roswell, Alpharetta, and Sandy Springs have many popular dining spots. Some of the trendy restaurants north Atlanta has to offer include Table & Main and Little Alley Steak in Roswell, which provide upscale Southern food and steakhouse experiences. Alpharetta is home to The Cape Restaurant & Beach Bar, known for its South African-inspired menu, and the bustling food hall at Avalon. Sandy Springs features spots like The Select, with its art deco design and American menu.
Are There Fun Places to Eat in Atlanta for Dinner?
Yes, there are many fun places to eat in Atlanta for adults. Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market are food halls with multiple vendors, making them some of the most cool places to eat in Atlanta for a lively atmosphere. The Painted Pin is an upscale bowling alley and restaurant with lane-side service. Trader Vic's, located in the Hilton Atlanta, is one of the more unique dinner restaurants here offering a retro tiki bar experience with Polynesian food and strong cocktails. For a unique outdoor setting, Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall on the BeltLine has a campfire vibe with food and drinks.
What are the Most Romantic Fine Dining Restaurants in Atlanta for an Anniversary?
The most romantic restaurants in Atlanta for an anniversary are listed below. These establishments are celebrated as premier destinations for fine dining Atlanta, known for their intimate settings and exceptional menus:
- Canoe: Located on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Canoe offers a serene setting with garden paths and waterfront views, paired with a refined American menu.
- Atlas: Situated in The St. Regis Atlanta, Atlas provides a luxurious experience with a world-class art collection adorning the walls and an elegant menu.
- Aria: This Buckhead restaurant is known for its sophisticated atmosphere, attentive service, and modern American food, making it a classic choice for special occasions.
- Bacchanalia: As one of Atlanta's most acclaimed restaurants, Bacchanalia offers an intimate setting and a four-course prix fixe menu for a memorable anniversary dinner.
Which Restaurants in Atlanta Serve Vegan Food?
Atlanta offers a large selection of restaurants serving vegan food, including SluttyVegan, Planted Soul, and Cafe Sunflower. SluttyVegan is a nationally famous spot known for its indulgent, plant-based burgers with playful names. Planted Soul offers vegan comfort food with a Southern and Caribbean influence. Cafe Sunflower is a long-standing Atlanta institution providing upscale, international vegan dishes in a more formal setting.
Which Restaurants in Atlanta Serve Gluten-Free Food?
Many Atlanta restaurants serve gluten-free food, including Arepa Mia, Biltong Bar, and True Food Kitchen. Arepa Mia specializes in Venezuelan arepas, which are made from corn flour and are naturally gluten-free. Biltong Bar, located in Ponce City Market, offers South African street food with many gluten-free options. True Food Kitchen is a health-focused restaurant with a menu designed around anti-inflammatory ingredients, clearly marking all gluten-free items.
What are the Most Famous Cuisines in Atlanta?
The most famous cuisines in Atlanta are listed below:
- Southern & Soul Food: This is the city's bedrock, with dishes like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens found everywhere.
- New American: Many top restaurants offer modern American menus that focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
- Korean: The Buford Highway and Duluth areas are hubs for authentic Korean BBQ, tofu houses, and bakeries.
- Barbecue: Atlanta has a strong barbecue scene, with many restaurants specializing in smoked brisket, pulled pork, and ribs.
Find your next favorite spot
Can't decide? start here: