27 Best Restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia to Try Today (2024)

Atlanta, Georgia is one of the most popular cities in the South.

So many people want to live in the area while others just want to visit.

It’s not uncommon to visit and then decide to move there.

And the restaurants are just one reason why!

So we’ve gathered a list of the 27 best restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia.

You might want to plan a trip to this city solely to try some of the food! 

1. Poor Calvin’s

One of the best places to eat in Atlanta is Poor Calvin’s.

Chef Calvin Phan is originally from Vietnam and learned how to cook in Europe.

When he moved to Georgia, he opened a restaurant that highlights his Asian heritage, but has a Southern influence.

You probably didn’t even know you needed to try “Asian fusion with Southern comfort.”

But you really need to try it.

It’s hard to even describe the food, but people keeping coming back for more.

So you know it’s good!

This restaurant is a step up from a lot of Asian restaurants.

It’s a bit upscale, but still welcoming.

And the food is unlike anything you’ve had before.

2. Canoe

For the best food in Atlanta, visit Canoe.

Here you can eat farm-to-table cuisine while looking at the Chattahoochee River.

With a garden eating area, Canoe is one of the most beautiful places to eat.

You’ll want to come here for the view alone!

They even have paths if you’d like to take a stroll after dinner.

Fortunately, the food is also amazing.

They have a fairly limited menu so they can focus on quality over quantity.

However, there is a lot of variety on the menu.

They also have some uncommon meats, such as rabbit, lamb, and duck.

3. Atlanta Breakfast Club

As far as Atlanta’s best restaurants go, Atlanta Breakfast Club is definitely at the top of the list.

With over 7,000 reviews, you know people love it!

This restaurant finds the perfect balance between retro and modern.

The atmosphere is so much fun and the food is delicious.

While they do have a lunch menu, breakfast is their strong suit.

They have chicken and waffles, biscuits and shrimp gravy, and salmon croquettes.

They also have some classics, such as buttermilk pancakes, omelets, and their Southern breakfast.

Everything on the menu has a Southern twist and you’ll be glad you tried it.

4. South City Kitchen Midtown

One of the top restaurants in Atlanta is South City Kitchen Midtown.

Open since 1993, this restaurant is an Atlanta staple. 

If you’re in the mood for classic Southern food, but want something a bit more exciting, this is the place to go.

You can expect to find your grandma’s best dishes, but not the way she used to make it.

Everything has been modernized to make for an upscale experience.

Whether you’re meeting a colleague for lunch, a sweetheart for dinner, or friends for brunch, you’ll have a good experience here.

5. Miller Union

Miller Union is one of the best restaurants in Atlanta.

Located in a refurbished warehouse, this restaurant has a sleek and modern interior.

They’ve also received several accolades over the years. Atlanta natives love this joint!

This restaurant sustainably sources their ingredients.

And they use what’s fresh and local.

This means that the menu changes with the seasons.

Their menu has a wide range of dishes.

This is perfect because everybody will find something they like!

They also have an extensive wine list in addition to several other types of beverages.

6. Ray’s In the City

There are three Ray’s restaurants that have opened since the original restaurant opened in 1984.

Ray’s In the City is a popular place for locals to go. 

They’re best known for their prime steaks and fresh seafood.

You’ll be able to find the perfect wine to pair with your meal because they have an extensive wine list.

They also have the top bourbon selection in the city.

Ray’s uses the freshest ingredients of good quality.

This is because they want to serve their guests the best food possible.

The amount of awards and accolades they have received goes to prove it!

7. The Food Shoppe

The Food Shoppe is a Creole restaurant.

This black-owned restaurant serves some of the most authentic Creole food you can find in this region.

Just walking through the doors will have you feeling like you stepped into another culture.

While some of the menu items will be familiar to you, there will be several that you’ve never heard of before.

And all of them will be absolutely delicious!

Their breakfast menu is pretty simple.

However, for lunch and dinner, you’ll have so many exciting options.

You’ll satisfy your cravings for Creole food while you’re here.

8. Eats

If you’re looking for a simple restaurant with amazing food, Eats is the place to go.

Open since 1993, they’re especially known for their jerk chicken.

They serve homestyle food, but a lot of their menu items are fairly healthy.

All their items are a la carte, but for $10, you can get a special.

This consists of the meat of your choice, black beans, rice, and cornbread. You really can’t beat it!

With a fun atmosphere and mouthwatering food, you’ll quickly understand why the locals love it here!

9. Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint

As far as Southern food goes, Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint might have some of the best.

Created to imitate a classic watering hole, this restaurant plays great music and their videos.

The music comes from decades past and celebrates the diversity that has made Atlanta the city it is.

Juke joints were historically black-owned places where black people could hang out even during segregation.

It’s very impactful to visit this restaurant and be transported back to that era.

And the soul food they serve is probably even better than the music.

They don’t have a huge menu, but you’ll like anything you order.

10. Tin Lizzy’s Cantina

If you’re in the mood for Tex-Mex, you should visit Tin Lizzy’s Cantina.

While Tex-Mex isn’t that popular in Georgia, the owners of this restaurant are trying to change that.

And with over 3,000 positive reviews, I’d say they’re doing a good job!

Instead of exclusively offering Texas-style food, they also incorporate other regions. Korean BBQ, Philly Cheesesteak, and mahi mahi are all types of tacos they serve.

They haven’t even been open for 20 years yet, but they already have 8 locations in Georgia.

This is how you know Georgia natives love it!

11. Fin & Feathers Restaurants

Fin & Feathers Restaurant strives to be more than just a restaurant.

This restaurant is a foodie’s dream, yet it also doubles as a night club.

Whether you want dinner or a night out on the town, you should come here.

They serve New American soul food and specialty cocktails.

It’s a whole vibe!

Some of their best foods are their chicken and waffles, jerk chicken egg rolls, and stuffed chicken breasts.

And, yes, everything is as good as it sounds.

No matter what you order, you’ll remember it for a long time to come!

12. Gunshow

If you want dinner and a show, you’ll love Gunshow.

You can see into the kitchen from your table and watch the chefs hard at work.

Your cocktails will be mixed tableside.

You’ll always have something to watch!

Their menu is always changing.

This makes you want to come back for more!

Each dish probably sticks around for about three weeks before getting replaced.

Although their menu is always different, you can expect upscale Southern food.

These classic comfort food dishes will be tweaked so that it’s unlike anything you’ve had in the past.

13. Der Biergarten

Der Biergarten is a popular German restaurant with a spacious beer garden.

You’ll feel as though you’re in an actual German beer garden, but you don’t have to leave Atlanta!

They generally have 14 German beers on draft.

Plus they have domestic and canned beers, as well. No matter what type of beer you like, you’ll find one that suits your fancy.

Their menu is full of German dishes.

Fortunately, the descriptions are in English for anyone who isn’t fluent in German cuisine!

If you like German food, you’ll love everything on the menu.

They also have events throughout the year.

This is great if you’d like to do something a bit more exciting than simply eat.

14. Alma Cocina Downtown

With two locations, Alma Cocina is the best place to get contemporary Mexican and Latin American cuisine.

With fresh ingredients, seasonal sauces, and traditional recipes, you’ll love every bite!

They have a diverse tequila selection.

And they also have a variety of specialty cocktails to choose from.

This is a great place to get drinks after work or on the weekend!

Plan your visit around one of their events for maximum fun.

While their food has the familiar Mexican flavors you’re used to, the dishes are somewhat unique.

Most Mexican restaurants don’t serve the same food you’ll find here. Which is part of why it’s become an Atlanta staple.

15. No Mas! Cantina

No Mas! Cantina is a bit of a traditional and touristy Mexican restaurant.

The owners of this restaurant live in Mexico and spend over half their time there.

They travel the country looking for the best food and gifts to bring back to the States.

So not only will you be able to enjoy truly authentic food, but you’ll be able to shop for handcrafted goods that have come directly from Mexico.

This is the closest you can get to Mexico without leaving Georgia.

The fact that this restaurant and shop has won many awards just proves that the owners know exactly what they’re doing!

16. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours strives to serve “global soul food.”

Basically, this is soul food with a global influence.

You’ll see touches of international cuisine mixed into every single item on the menu!

The chefs at this restaurant are very qualified and put their heart into their cooking.

You can taste the dedication in every bite! 

Their menu is quite eclectic and includes creative dishes.

Crawfish deviled eggs, whiskey pulled pork, and sorghum spare ribs are just a few of the unique dishes they cook.

The menu isn’t very big, which means they have a lot of practice cooking what they do serve!

17. Paschal’s Restaurant & Bar

This black-owned restaurant specializes in soul food.

Paschal’s Restaurant & Bar has been around since 1947.

It’s always been an Atlanta staple. 

The restaurant has a rich and exciting history. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has dined here and he is just one of many big names to enjoy eating here. You’ll feel the rich heritage when you enter the dining room.

They are especially known for their secret fried chicken recipe.

For decades, people have come here just to get some of that chicken.

It’s obvious that this restaurant grew its popularity because of the owner’s passion for cooking and community.

18. Heirloom Market BBQ

Heirloom Market BBQ is a type of Korean-Georgia fusion.

Their barbecue is comparable to what you find in the rest of the state.

However, they have incorporated a lot of Korean influence.

You might not be sure what to expect when eating food that has been inspired by the South and Korea.

But trust me when I say you’ll love it!

This cozy little barbecue joint is perfect for takeout.

However, they do have indoor and outdoor dining so you can enjoy a meal out. 

The locals love it and keep coming back for more.

After you taste anything on the menu, you’ll understand why.

19. Kimball House

Located in an old railway station, Kimball House is a trendy eatery that stands out. 

This restaurant specializes in farm-to-table cuisine.

And everything has a slight French influence!

Their seasonal menu highlights the freshest local ingredients the owners can get. And you’ll want to take a picture of your food.

This charming restaurant has a cute interior and beautiful outdoor seating.

They also mix several specialty cocktails that add the perfect touch to your evening.

Whether you’re on a date or enjoying a girls night out, this is a great place to go!

20. The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View

The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View is one of the most romantic restaurants in Atlanta.

The dining room is 723 feet above Atlanta and has 360-degree views of the city. 

Not only is the location absolutely breathtaking, but the food is also amazing.

They use fresh ingredients in their farm-to-table dishes.

While their menu is subject to change, you can expect to find some of the highest quality foods in the city.

They even have a kids menu if you want to celebrate a special occasion with the whole family.

21. Red Phone Booth

Does a prohibition-style experience at a modern day speakeasy sound amazing?

Now imagine that you have to walk through a red phone booth to get there.

That’s exactly what the Red Phone Booth is!

The venue’s floors are over 100 years old, so they’re literally from the prohibition era.

You have to enter a secret code to get in.

And then you can enjoy cigars, craft cocktails, and Neopolitan pizzas. 

This restaurant is lenient with the dress code, but you still need to wear classy attire.

This is the 1920s, after all!

22. Southbound

Located in an old factory, Southbound is a vintage-style bar with a unique vibe.

You could explain their style as rustic meets industrial meets modern.

They have a limited menu.

This allows them to focus on quality over quantity.

However, their small menu covers a lot of ground.

Anyone will find something delicious to order!

Their menu is full of Southern food, but trendy.

So you can expect the classic flavors of your favorite comfort food, but with modern tweaks to improve upon the traditional recipes.

23. Bacchanalia

Bacchanalia has been open since 1993 and has consistently won awards throughout the past few decades.

They use only fresh and local organic ingredients.

This means that the menu changes every single day.

While the daily changes are small, they add up over time.

To ensure that the kitchen staff can produce amazing results, they have a prix fixe menu.

The menu includes four courses for $110.

This may seem expensive, but you’ll receive VIP treatment. And it’s honestly a bucket list experience. It’s worth every dime!

24. BoccaLupo

If you want Italian food made with fresh seasonal ingredients, then BoccaLupo is your best bet.

This neighborhood eatery is a laid back Italian American restaurant that’s known for its homemade pasta dishes.

The chef is always trying to figure out what constitutes Italian American cuisine.

Since they found the right balance, people keep coming back for more.

The menu has a wide variety of antipasti, pasta, and desserts.

Fortunately, it’s not overwhelmingly long.

That makes it easier to choose from the many delicious options!

25. Humble Pie

Humble Pie has some of the best pizza in the state!

They use their own starter that’s been going strong since 2020.

They also use locally milled flour. 

They have several creative specialty pizzas.

You could order the pineapple and Spanish chorizo pizza, the loaded baked potato pizza, or the Thai chicken satay pizza.

Or you could go for something a bit more traditional.

If you’re not in the mood for pizza, they have several gourmet appetizers. They also have a few other entrees and desserts.

You literally can’t go wrong no matter what you order!

26. Fellaship.ATL

Fellaship.ATL takes fine dining and makes it Southern.

You can enjoy cocktails and cigars here.

Also listen to their live jazz music and DJs. It’s a great place to enjoy a fun evening.

Their limited menu has only the best dishes they can offer.

They even have vegan and vegetarian options.

They also have an extensive drink list so you can easily find the perfect drink to pair with your meal.

This restaurant values community.

Several people regularly come here to participate in the special community that has been built at Fellaship.ATL. 

27. Baraka Shawarma Mediterranean Grill

If you’re still wondering where to eat in Atlanta, visit the Baraka Shawarma Mediterranean Grill.

They serve some of the best Middle Eastern food in the region.

The cozy and welcoming dining room is perfect for meeting up with friends or grabbing lunch with a colleague.

However, it’s a great option for takeout if you’ve had a long day.

They have a pretty inclusive menu.

Choose from plenty of appetizers, wraps, meats, and salads.

They even have vegetarian and vegan options!

The best part is that everything on the menu will be delicious.