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WHERE (& WHAT) TO EAT IN ATLANTA

When I first moved to Atlanta I started a (rather short) Word document on my desktop with a running list of restaurants where I wanted to dine. At the time the food scene here seemed rather lackluster compared to what I left behind in Los Angeles; I have to admit I was rather unimpressed. In the few short years since, Atlanta has really — and I mean *seriously* — come along. Thanks to a few important tastemakers and chefs acting as spirit guides, this wonderful Southern city has finally hit its culinary stride.

I am frequently asked by friends, students, and readers where folks should eat next in ATL (Floataway Cafe/anything by AQ is my first response) but instead of trying to spout off restaurants from the top of my head per usual, I figured I’d just go ahead and make my private document public. The list has grown to include more than just restaurants, and now it also represents my go-to lifestyle sources around the city.

My document is by no means comprehensive; it’s just my up-to-date document of places to try and things to taste. I'm constantly editing, adjusting, and adding to it, so check back often for more. Oh, and if you see an Atlanta restaurant you love that’s not mentioned here, tell me all about it in the comments. Ideally this will become a crowd-sourced, one-stop-shop place for your next delicious cocktail/dinner/dessert out!

Please Note: Italicized names are places I have been. Those with a star* by their name are the ones I highly recommend. I have included dishes to try where applicable. (Names in bold include a link.)

NEW AMERICAN

ITALIAN/MEDITERRANEAN

SOUTHERN (MODERN/UPSCALE)

  • Cakes & Ale
  • Woodfire Grill
  • Restaurant Eugene
  • Bantam & Biddy
  • South City Kitchen
  • Serenbe (The Farmhouse/The Hil)
  • Empire State South* - coca cola soft serve
  • Holeman & Finch* - pimento cheese, burgers
  • JCT Kitchen* - biscuits, brussels sprouts
  • Miller Union* - daily grind burger, ice cream sandwiches
  • Chick-a-Biddy* - Fried chicken & waffles
  • Haven

STEAKHOUSE

GREEK

  • Kyma
  • Aria
  • Cafe Agora* - mixed maza platter, gyro, baklava
  • Mykonos* - gyro, fries, pineapple infused vodka, bread
  • Grecian Gyro* - gyro

SPANISH

  • Iberian Pig
  • Barcelona
  • The Sound Table (tapas, cocktails)

FRENCH

  • Violete
  • Bistro Niko
  • Au Rendez Vous

SUSHI

ETHNIC

  • Peter Chang’s Tasty 2/Tasty China
  • Hankook Taqueria (Korean/Fusion)
  • Penang (Malaysian)
  • Rico’s World Kitchen (global)
  • Tomo (Japanese)
  • Nam Phuong (Vietnamese)
  • Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft
  • Woo Nam Jeong Stone Bowl (Korean)
  • Taqueria La Oaxaquena
  • Gu's Bistro (Chinese)
  • Honey Pig (Korean)
  • Rumi's Kitchen (Middle Eastern)
  • Cardamom Hill (Indian)
  • Bhojanic (Indian)
  • Panahar* (Bangladeshi)
  • Pho Dai Loi*

LATIN AMERICAN

  • Nuevo Laredo
  • El Taco Veloz
  • Alma Cocina
  • Holy Taco
  • Taqueria La Oaxaqueña
  • El Senor Taco* - fish tacos
  • Taqueria del Sol - collard greens
  • Bone Garden Cantina
  • Rosa Mexicano* - guacamole, enchiladas verdes
  • El Potro* - Carnita & beef quesadillas

SOUTHERN (SOUL)

  • Greenwoods on Green Street
  • Busy Bee Cafe

ATLANTA INSTITUTIONS

  • Mary Mac’s Tea Room
  • Silver Skillet
  • The Colonnade
  • The Clermont lounge*
  • Northside Tavern* (Blues)
  • The Varsity*
  • Dante's Down the Hatch - closed

BURGERS/PUB FARE

  • Proof & Provision
  • Flip Burger
  • Yeah burger
  • George’s
  • Ann's Snack Bar
  • One Eared Stag
  • Meehan's Public house
  • The Paper Plane
  • There* - Bison burger
  • Olde Blind Dog* - cheddar & ale dip, burger, buffalo chicken sandwich
  • Hornsby's*
  • Brick Store Pub*
  • Clay's* - buffalo chicken pizza
  • Downwind's*
  • Holeman & Finch* (Turner Field)
  • Grindhouse Killer Burgers
  • The Vortex
  • Farm Burger
  • Bocado

PIZZA

CAFE/DELI/MARKET

  • The General Muir (deli)
  • Chicken Salad Chick (founded in Auburn!)
  • Star Provisions* - fried green tomato sandwich, shrimp po' boy, smores bars

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

  • Tree House
  • Buttermilk Kitchen
  • Original Pancake House
  • Sublime Donuts
  • Home Grown
  • Highland Bakery* - fried chicken eggs benedict
  • West Egg Cafe* - fried egg sandwich
  • Horseradish Grill* - fried chicken
  • Murphy’s
  • Sun in My Belly

BARBECUE

  • Heirloom
  • Fox Brothers
  • Community* - beef ribs, macaroni & cheese

ICE CREAM

  • Paolo's
  • Morelli's
  • Frosty Caboose* (sells Greenwood)
  • Highroad Craft* (no storefront)
  • Honeysuckle Gelato (no storefront)
  • King of Pops
  • Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream (at Star Provisions)

BAKERY/SWEETS

  • The Pie Shop
  • Atlanta Cupcake Factory
  • Rhode’s Bakery
  • Café Intermezzo
  • Cacao Atlanta
  • Highland Bakery* - cakes
  • Alon’s* - midnight cake, eclairs
  • Little Tart

SPECIALTY FOODS/MARKETS

MEAT, CHARCUTERIE & SEAFOOD

BREAD

COFFEE

  • Batdorf and Bronson*
  • Beaneology* - Dirty Nekkid Man
  • Octane* - caramelatto

MEATS & DAIRY

  • White Oak Pastures
  • Atlanta Fresh - yogurt
  • Sweet Grass Dairy - cheese

WINE/SPIRITS

  • 3 Parks Wine
  • *Brookhaven Wines
  • Holiday Spirits*
  • Green's Package*
  • Perrine's Wine Shop*
  • Total Wine*

SPICES

  • Penzey's*

MARKETS

  • Super H Mart* - produce, meat, seafood
  • Buford Highway Farmers Market* - produce, meat, seafood, global foods

FLORISTS

COOKING CLASSES/CULINARY SUPPLIES

  • Sur La Table*
  • Cook's Warehouse*
  • Viking