The 18 best restaurants in Atlanta - from fine dining to casual eats

Atlanta’s dining scene is celebrated for its vibrant, ever-changing blend of Southern cuisine, soul food, and creative fusion fare. With hospitality as warm as its climate, the A knows how to treat its diners right. Whether you’re a visiting foodie or a local in search of new haunts, this roundup will introduce you to some of the best restaurants in Atlanta.

Table of Contents

• Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

• Fine Dining

• Casual Dining

• Southern and Soul Food

• Vegan and Vegetarian

• Brunch

• Atlanta Dining FAQs

• How to Visit the Best Restaurants

Hidden Gems & Local Favorites

The Vortex

Hamburger lovers rejoice! The Vortex, self-proclaimed as the “Godfather of Atlanta’s burger joints,” has satisfied residents’ fast-food cravings since 1992. With locations in Midtown and Little Five Points, this local hotspot cooks up bar-style fare that even words like “decadent” and “indulgent” can’t quite do justice. Take for instance, the Triple Coronary Bypass^TM, a monstrous food tower built from two patty melts and a bacon grilled cheese sandwich. Oh, and it comes with 20 oz of cheese-smothered fries and tatter tots.

Home Grown

Michelin-recommended Home Grown is worth a trip to East Atlanta’s Reynoldstown neighborhood for breakfast or lunch. Known for its retro décor and rustic wood panelling, this charming eatery captures the essence of Southern comfort food. Using tasty, locally sourced ingredients, Home Grown proudly crafts meals that are healthy and tasty. Menu standouts include red snapper tacos, hot tamales, and a pu pu platter with crab claws and frog legs. Don’t forget to ask for the daily specials!

El Rey Del Taco

Head to Buford Highway’s El Rey Del Taco for authentic Mexican fare. Popular with Atlantans in the know, this brightly decorated taquería serves up an electrifying array of tacos and quesadillas, featuring unexpected fillings like octopus, huitlacoche, goat barbacoa, and beef tongue. But don’t arrive too hungry or parched. Getting your table can be a wait, especially on weekends. But the cheap eats, late-night hours, and tangy margaritas make it worth your time.

The Best Fine Dining Restaurants

Bacchanalia

Opening in 1993, the freshly Micheline-starred Bacchanalia has upheld its glowing reputation in Atlanta’s dining scene for over two decades. This Westside gem serves a seasonal four-course, prix fixe menu that’s always evolving. Each dish is crafted from organic ingredients, many sourced from Summerland Farm, run by the owners and James Beard award-winning team, Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison. Reservations are required—unless you’re one of the lucky few who find a seat at the bar.

Atlas

Nestled inside the St. Regis Atlanta, Atlas imbues pure elegance. From its modern art-adorned walls to the exquisite European-inspired New American menus, this chic Michelin one-star restaurant wows diners in Buckhead. Order tempting dishes à la cart—from mushroom “pillows” with shaved parm and truffles to their famed Westholme Wagyu beef—or go all in with the Chef’s Tasting Menu, available with variations for vegetarian and vegan guests. Reserve in advance, mind the dress code, and enjoy!

Aria

Aria, once reserved for birthdays and special occasions, went on a journey of culinary rediscovery a few years back. Chef Gerry Klaskala appealed to Buckhead’s casual weeknight dinner crowd—and it worked. Ditching the white tablecloths, but not their tried-and-true dishes, Aria has won over new palettes with signature short ribs, spiced bourbon-glazed salmon, and black truffle burrata. Both the food and drink menus are seasonal and updated nightly.

The Best Casual Dining Restaurants

The Optimist

Living up to its name, The Optimist exceeds expectations through fresh, sustainable seafood. Self-described as serving “a seaside fish camp experience to landlocked Atlantans,” Ford Fry’s Georgia location is beloved for its Maine lobster rolls, oyster happy hour, and handcrafted cocktails. Think sunny seaside resort—but inside a former West Midtown warehouse. It’ll make sense if you go.

Poor Calvin’s

Poor Calvin’s may just be the best-kept secret in Atlanta. Chef-owner Calvin Phan dreams up unique fusion menus, combining Asian cuisine with distinctly Southern vibes at his downtown restaurant. Diners enjoy the best of all worlds through such iconic dishes as lobster crawfish wontons, crab pimento beignets, and fried green tomatoes & Korean BBQ beef. Poor Calvin’s eclectic drinks list alone merits a visit. Heads up, there is a dress code (albeit an easygoing one). Reservations encouraged!

South City Kitchen

Fifth Group’s South City Kitchen dishes up Southern classics with a modern twist in four popular locations—Midtown, Buckhead, Vinings, and Avalon. Sample their renowned fried chicken. Or try perennial favorites like fried green tomatoes, sorghum-glazed pork belly, and shrimp & grits with smoked tomato-poblano gravy. Visit for weekday lunch, weekend brunch, or nightly dinner to satisfy your comfort food cravings.

The Best Southern & Soul Food Restaurants

Mary Mac's Tea Room

First opened in 1945 by namesake Mary Mackenzie, Mary Mac’s Tea Room is the last-standing location out of her 16 original tearooms. Their tried-and-true menu of delectable, made-from-scratch Southern fare hasn’t changed much in 70 years. And that’s just the way their patrons like it. Sip a sweet tea and enjoy classic dishes like four-piece fried chicken, shrimp cocktail, and Georgia peach cobbler, served with Mary Mac’s trademark hospitality.

Paschal's

Paschal's has served soul food to Atlanta’s Castleberry Hill since 1947. Once a meeting spot for Civil Rights leaders, this local treasure was founded by brothers, Robert and James Paschal, who cooked at home and taxied dishes to their stove-less restaurant. Paschal’s success was first fueled by a 52-cent fried chicken sandwich—that you can still order today. Menu highlights include slow-cooked ribs, creamy collard greens, candied yams, and Southern mac & cheese.

The Busy Bee Cafe

Michelin-recommended and a Bib Gourmand awardee, The Busy Bee Cafe is an Atlanta institution. Back in 1947, this soul food eatery opened its doors on Hunter Street—now Martin Luther King Drive—at the time one of only two streets where Black businesses could operate. Once frequented by MLK Jr. and Hosea Williams, The Busy Bee is best known for its must-try fried chicken, offered alongside Southern classics like oxtails in gravy, BBQ ribs, cornbread muffins, and black-eyed peas.

The Best Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants

Herban Fix

Led by Chef Wendy Chang, Herban Fix delivers on its promise of being “more than just a vegan restaurant.” This Midtown spot serves fresh pan-Asian cuisine, aligned with their commitment to healthy, eco-conscious living. Standout menu items include spicy tofu soup, crispy king oyster mushrooms, and stir-fry soy chicken in citrus. Herban Fix is sure to delight everyone at your table—no matter their dietary preferences. And FYI, they’re closed on Monday and Tuesday.

R. Thomas Deluxe Grill

Thomas Deluxe Grill caters to plant-based diners and omnivores alike. Originally a small family-owned joint, this casual eatery has grown into the go-to destination for healthy, eclectic fare in Peachtree Hills. With dishes to satisfy all appetites, R. Thomas Deluxe Grill offers veggie-friendly menus, featuring such tempting options as quinoa and rice bowls, portobello mushroom sandwiches, and vegan sloppy joes. Open daily from 7 a.m. until late-night for satisfying meals at any hour.

The Best Brunch Spots in Atlanta

The Flying Biscuit Cafe

No trip to Georgia is complete without trying the state’s renowned biscuits—and The Flying Biscuit Cafe serves some of its best. This proudly Southern chain just opened its first Atlanta location in Castleberry Hill. Starring all-day breakfast, the café menu pairs impossibly fluffy biscuits with such morning classics as Georgia peaches & cream waffles, chorizo hash, and grilled steak and eggs with grits. Have dietary restrictions? Choose from their well-labeled gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.

Highland Bakery & Kitchen

Settle in for a piping hot breakfast at Highland Bakery & Kitchen. Open on weekdays, this cozy eatery is nestled inside Georgia State University’s downtown campus. Start the morning on a delicious note with peanut butter French toast, cilantro corn pancakes, or any of the eggs benedicts on offer. Or fuel your sightseeing adventures with to-go pastries and locally roasted coffee. For late risers, the Highland Bakery stays open until 2 p.m.

Sun in My Belly

For over 20 years, breakfast-and-lunch spot Sun in My Belly has delighted Kirkwood residents and visitors. Inside the historic Bailey’s Hardware building, this charming café dishes up favorites like croque madams, three-egg pimento cheese omelets, challah French toast, and lavender biscuits with black pepper gravy. To best serve the community, Sun in My Belly recently slashed prices and introduced a new-and-improved menu. Open every day, seating is first come first served.

Atlanta Restaurant FAQs

What food is Atlanta, Georgia known for?

Atlanta’s dining scene is renowned for its Southern and soul food restaurants, where hearty classics get a fresh twist. The Big Peach is synonymous with fried chicken, shrimp and grits, melt-in-your-mouth cornbread, downhome BBQ, and of course, peach cobbler.

Are there any Michelin-starred restaurants in Atlanta?

Yes, Atlanta is now home to five Michelin-starred restaurants. Atlas, Bacchanalia, Hayakawa, Lazy Betty, and Mujō received their coveted one-star ratings back in October 2023.

Visit the Best Restaurants in Atlanta

No matter the time of day, Atlanta has a cravings-worthy restaurant to suit every taste, budget, and dietary preference. From upscale, Michelin-starred dining to down-home Southern cooking and late-night taquerias, you’ll find it all here.

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