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Editor’s choice: 12 go-to Atlanta restaurants from our local expert

A photo of Red logo
by Laura Scholz
Updated 13 May 2024

Some of my best Atlanta memories have unfolded over food—splitting boxes of Chinese takeout on the worn floors of a Morningside apartment with my sister, devouring pasta bowls the night before a marathon at a low-key Italian spot in the Old Fourth Ward with my husband, and slurping celebratory oysters with girlfriends at a Decatur favorite.

During my decade covering the city’s-evolving dining scene for outlets like The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta magazine, Eater Atlanta, and, now, OpenTable, hundreds of restaurants have opened and closed. But there are the always-dependable ones—ranging from a fancy, banquette-lined dining room to an easygoing craft brewery—I regularly visit myself or recommend to out-of-towners who want to eat like locals.

These 12 restaurants include options from across the metro area and best represent Atlanta’s limitless hospitality. Read on for a guide to the spots that make the city a consistently exciting place to eat out.

A photo of no. 246 restaurant
4.7
4.7 (3643)
$30 and under
Italian
Decatur
About the restaurant

Stepping into no. 246’s brick-paneled dining room feels like walking into a good friend’s house. Settle into a plush banquette for hearty pizzas and mains like plump gulf shrimp on a bed of earthy black spaghetti—not to mention a front-row seat to acclaimed chef Ford Fry’s open kitchen. And don’t sleep on the weekend brunch known for savory hits like ricotta toast and breakfast pizza, plus sweets including housemade yeast-glazed donuts.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 7 days ago
The carbonara was unbelievable. We had a fabulous time!
A photo of Rumi's Kitchen - Sandy Springs restaurant
4.9
4.9 (6997)
$31 to $50
Persian
Sandy Springs
About the restaurant

Pioneering chef-owner Ali Mesghali has served tender kabobs, roasted lamb rack, and more at the original location of his swanky Persian restaurant since 2006 (Rumi’s also has outposts in Alpharetta and Midtown). The crowd-pleasing menu and shareable starters like pitch-perfect hummus and corn “ribs” with jalapeño butter make it a go-to for large groups; creative cocktails infused with Middle Eastern flavors like saffron and cardamom only add to the always-festive vibes.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 2 days ago
Always a great experience
A photo of Storico Fresco Alimentari e Ristorante restaurant
4.6
4.6 (3074)
$30 and under
Italian
Buckhead
About the restaurant

Atlanta doesn’t lack Italian restaurants, but this all-day spot tucked away on Grandview Avenue is always a winner for its swift service and laid-back atmosphere. Make a reservation—even at 5 pm, the high-energy dining room is packed with families and happy hour revelers digging into generous portions of classic pasta. Your order? An enormous plate of creamy cacio e pepe. Don’t leave without grabbing a pre-made meal or olive oil and balsamic vinegar from the onsite market.


Top review
Patrick
Dined 7 days ago
Our server was very nice, friendly, attentive when needed. The food was delicious, a great hidden gem of a restaurant! Only minor complaint I would have was the noise level. Loud from everyone talking and enjoying themselves, but not unbearably so.
A photo of Le Bon Nosh restaurant
4.6
4.6 (397)
$31 to $50
Farm-to-table
Buckhead
About the restaurant

All-day restaurants are rare in Atlanta, so this sophisticated cafe and wine bar was an instant hit for its Parisian ambiance and striking decor when it opened in 2021. With jewel-toned chairs and cozy banquettes, the intimate, light-filled restaurant is ideal for sipping coffee leisurely or grabbing a casual lunch with friends during the day. At night, linger in the dining room or sit at the sleek marble bar to dine on French-inspired dishes like steak au poivre and confit duck leg.


Top review
Mimi
Dined 6 days ago
What a perfect afternoon! Our lunch was delicious and we enjoyed dining in your beautiful room. Service was wonderful!
A photo of Virgil's Gullah Kitchen & Bar - College Park restaurant
4.2
4.2 (76)
$30 and under
Soul food
College Park
About the restaurant

When I want a taste of my home state of South Carolina, the Lowcountry food at Virgil’s in downtown College Park hits the spot. Come early for weekend brunch, a see-and-be-seen extravaganza with bottomless mimosas and a lively neighborhood crowd sharing rice platters and other Gullah Geechee staples like fried okra and corn muffins. Even on weekdays, the “Afta Church Plate” of wings, macaroni and cheese, and greens is a bestseller at all three locations, including Conyers and West Midtown.


Top review
Deskmanga
Dined on 5 Jul 2024
My first time at Virgil's was great. I had the shrimp and grits, which was excellent. The open window was enjoyable bringing the outside in. My guests and I had an amazing experience.
A photo of One Flew South - Beltline restaurant
4.6
4.6 (166)
$30 and under
Contemporary Southern
Inman Park
About the restaurant

Clued-in travelers love the original Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport outpost of this James Beard Award-nominated Southern-Asian bar and restaurant. Now, diners don’t need a plane ticket to tear into sushi, poke tacos, and collard greens, thanks to the restaurant’s newer BeltLine Eastside location. You’re in for the same sleek decor and exceptional cocktails, plus an expansive front patio for al fresco dining and prime people-watching.


Top review
Josh
Dined on 10 Nov 2024
Excellent experience overall. Brandon (apologize for spelling if different) was great. He gave us a solid recommendation on the Chicken Biscuit. It was delicious and I highly recommend it! Food portions were good, and price was fair. Will definitely be back!
A photo of Local Three restaurant
4.6
4.6 (3402)
$30 and under
American
Buckhead
About the restaurant

It’s easy to miss the elegant Southern-inspired restaurant (from the owners of Smyrna’s beloved Muss & Turner’s) in the lobby of the Piazza at Paces building on Northside Parkway. But it’s worth a visit for chef Chris Hall’s playful takes on classics like shrimp and grits and duck confit cassoulet, plus a large selection of top-shelf whiskies. For a more intimate meal, book the multi-course Chef’s Table tasting experience, or ask for a spot on the shady patio.


Top review
Tonya
Dined 3 days ago
Awesome experience! Food was great and loved the ambience. Will definitely go back.
A photo of Seed Kitchen & Bar restaurant
4.7
4.7 (6259)
$31 to $50
American
Marietta
About the restaurant

Part restaurant and part wine shop, Seed is a sophisticated suburban destination made for a group dinner or fun date night. Lots of light from floor-to-ceiling windows, along with natural wood furniture and white-tiled walls, create a bright space for dining on modern American dishes like cider-braised pork ossobuco topped with whole grain mustard jus, smoky cabbage, and roasted root vegetables. Love that crisp Spanish albariño or bold California cabernet? Buy a bottle to take home.


Top review
Jake
Dined 1 day ago
We came for a birthday lunch and it was excellent. Highly recommend the chicken schnitzel for the entree and the grit fritters for an appetizer. Service was very good. It can get loud if you go for a weekend night out, but it’s a great local East Cobb spot.
A photo of Nakato 'Hibachi' Japanese Restaurant restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1324)
$30 and under
Hibachi
Morningside-Lenox Park
About the restaurant

For more than 50 years, Atlantans have headed to Nakato for a wide range of Japanese dishes lovingly and expertly prepared by this restaurant’s namesake family. Grab a seat at the bar to dine on an extensive menu of fresh sushi and nigiri, or book a grill table for an immersive experience complete with teppanyaki, piping hot noodle bowls, and tempura. For a splurge, reserve a tatami room for a multi-course omakase meal—one of the city’s best.


Top review
CarolVIP
Dined on 17 Dec 2024
We have been coming to Nakato for many years, like 30!! The food & service are always delicious. However, the physical space is in need of a facelift!
A photo of Tiny Lou's - Hotel Clermont restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1987)
$31 to $50
French American
Poncey-Highland
About the restaurant

Descend the stairs from the Hotel Clermont’s lobby into this moody basement brasserie—its name is a nod to one of the dancers at the gritty Claremont Lounge above. Down below, the vibe is playful but elegant. Claim a pink leather banquette under peach-patterned walls for decadent French American food like steak frites and duck confit. Finish the evening with a nightcap in the hotel’s mid-century-style lounge or lively rooftop bar with sweeping skyline views.


Top review
Taylor
Dined 4 days ago
We LOVED our experience this past weekend. From the host to the server (Jazz, I think his name was) to the food and the drinks, this entire dining experience was beyond 5 stars. My husband and I have had such a hard time finding a place to have a nice meal recently and I cannot gush enough about how tender the Veal was, how attentive but not clingy Jazz was, and how the hostess cared so much about making our night special. We cannot wait to return.
A photo of Bold Monk Brewing Co restaurant
4.7
4.7 (714)
$30 and under
Gastro Pub
Underwood Hills
About the restaurant

Atlanta’s Westside is a hotspot for craft breweries, but few have as many food options as Bold Monk’s sprawling tap room and outdoor beer garden. Choose from a something-for-everyone menu of Neapolitan-style pizzas, Provence-style mussels, and lighter options like grain bowls to accompany the brewery’s Belgian-style stouts and pilsners. Then while away an afternoon in a cozy booth, around one of two large bars, or the large pet- and kid-friendly patio shaded by trees.


Top review
Sandy
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent service and delicious food as always!! Love Bold Monk!
A photo of Mambo's Cafe - Buford restaurant
4.6
4.6 (15)
$30 and under
Cuban
Buford
About the restaurant

Some of Atlanta’s best restaurants are in the suburbs, and this laid-back Buford cafe is no exception. Both the food and the vibrant decor—think brightly colored ceiling lanterns and blue-patterned floor tiles—honor owner Luciano Rosales’s Cuban heritage. The all-day menu (available at both the Buford and original Alpharetta locations) includes hot-pressed sandwiches and layered paellas, plus very sippable Cuban-Peruvian drinks like margaritas and mojitos.


Top review
David
Dined on 23 Aug 2024
This place had an extensive menu with a lot to choose from. I picked this for this very reason. There's so much to choose from that you are bound to find something appealing. The food was excellent, and we left stuffed. I will be coming back.
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