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The Best Places to Eat in Atlanta

A photo of Red logo
by The OpenTable Team
Updated June 15, 2023

When one thinks of classic Atlanta cuisine, soul food may spring to mind—comforting staples like fried chicken, green beans, grits, waffles, and mouth-wateringly good pecan pie. In recent years, Atlanta’s culinary repertoire has blossomed into something new. It’s now home to world-class chefs that are transforming traditional cuisines by throwing Asian, Ethiopian, and even Colombian influences into the mix. Now, almost anything goes. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemaker Lists. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. These Atlanta restaurants are the cream of the crop. They each raise the bar, offering not only recommendation-worthy dishes but also wonderful atmospheres and first-class service.

A photo of Basil’s Restaurant and Tapas Bar restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1080)
$30 and under
Mediterranean
Buckhead
About the restaurant
From the contemporary artwork on the wall to the lattice-back chairs, Basil’s Restaurant & Tapas Bar has an edgy, sophisticated vibe that promises something special from the get-go — and they certainly deliver. The expansive Mediterranean-influenced menu includes breakfast and brunch specialties such as frittatas and omelets (try the smoked salmon), as well as dinner dishes like paella and Mediterranean kabobs. Must-have dish: Sample any of the tapas dishes, which include delicacies ranging from stuffed grape leaves and mushroom flatbread to a bright citrus ceviche.
Top review
Graves
Dined 4 days ago
First, this is a beautifully tucked away location, very little traffic or other noise. Entire staff was friendly and went above and beyond to make sure our experience was Grade A. If you like Mediterranean cuisine this is the real deal. If we weren’t on our way to a concert we could’ve stayed for hours! Will definitely return.
A photo of La Petite Maison - Atlanta restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2782)
$30 and under
French
Sandy Springs
About the restaurant
A lot of places use the word “bistro” to describe the atmosphere, and few take it to heart. But at La Petite Maison, it's the real deal, complete with authentic cuisine redolent of the south of France. The interior design is simple, with elegant hardwood floors, white walls, and black lacquered tables and chairs. It serves as a tranquil backdrop for classic dishes like French onion soup and croque monsieur (ham sandwich served with béchamel sauce). Must-have dish: Opt for the succulent spinach-and-goat-cheese quiche.
Top review
Jill
Dined 2 days ago
Wonderful place to have lunch - or dinner! Incredible food, friendly and efficient staff, Paris-like atmosphere!
A photo of C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar - Vinings restaurant
4.8
4.8 (4750)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Vinings
About the restaurant
C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar offers a true rarity in Atlanta: an authentic raw bar, complete with a huge variety of oysters on the half shell. Created by Rich Clark, a former manager of the famed Atlanta Seafood Market, this joint offers nearly every variety of seafood imaginable. Diners will find everything from swordfish and salmon to tuna, redfish, and sea bass, as well as a bounty of shellfish, such as Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab. Although these seafood dishes may not sound like soul food, C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar adds a little Atlanta flair to yield unusual dishes packed full of flavor. Must-have dish: Go for the unorthodox shrimp-and-goat-cheese beignets.
Top review
jimw
Dined 2 days ago
Excellently prepared, generous portions, from fresh choice seafood. Attentive service is a hallmark. Active bar with nice wine offerings. Always an excellent choice for seafood.
A photo of Anis Cafe and Bistro restaurant
4.8
4.8 (5363)
$31 to $50
French
Buckhead
About the restaurant
Thanks to Anis Café and Bistro, diners don’t have to travel to France to sample authentic Provençal cuisine. In fact, they don't have to leave Atlanta at all. Inspired by his family’s olive fields and winery in Montpelier, France, owner Arnaud Michel serves up a unique take on French classics such as coquilles St. Jacques, escargot served with crispy polenta, boeuf au poivre, and grilled Merguez sausage with local vidalia onions and dijon mustard. Must-have dish: Try the classic moules marinières (mussels) with French fries.
Top review
OpenTable Dinervip
Dined 2 days ago
Great food, good service. Always a great experience!
A photo of Kyma - Atlanta restaurant
4.8
4.8 (6352)
$50 and over
Seafood
Buckhead
About the restaurant
Created by the legendary Atlanta chef and entrepreneur Pano I. Karatassos (who is the former owner of another iconic Atlanta eatery, Pano’s & Paul’s), Kyma is more than a seafood restaurant — it’s a culinary trip to the Greek Isles. Even the rich lapis-and-white color scheme lulls diners with its oceanic vibe. The kitchen serves whole fresh fish such as bream, grouper, salmon, and sole cooked Mediterranean style, which includes being wrapped in grape leaves, served with Tuscan kale, or sautéed with Greek vegetables. Must-have dish: Check out their fisherman stew, which is served with pasta.
Top review
Jah-Lyer
Dined 3 days ago
I recently took my mom to this restaurant for her birthday, and it was the perfect choice. The manager was incredibly kind and accommodating, making sure everything went smoothly. To top it off, the chef personally sent birthday wishes, which added a special touch to the evening. The food was absolutely outstanding—easily a 10/10. Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the experience and will definitely be dining here again!
A photo of Bistro Niko restaurant
4.7
4.7 (10044)
$50 and over
French
Buckhead
About the restaurant
With their black lacquered tables, polished brass rails, and upholstered mahogany booths, Bistro Niko looks more like an elegant 1920s Parisian café patronized by American expatriate artists than a 21st-century restaurant. Chef Gary Donlick, a graduate of New York's prestigious Culinary Institute of America, serves his take on classic bistro fare such as country pate, entrecote (rib-eye) steak, and coq au vin. Must-have dish: Think of the mushroom-and-gruyere tart as a fancy French version of pizza.
Top review
Wendyvip
Dined 1 day ago
Food is always great at Bistro Niko! Service as well and they have a wonderful selection of wines by the glass!
A photo of Le Fat restaurant
4.4
4.4 (954)
$30 and under
Vietnamese
West Midtown
About the restaurant
Warm and inviting, Le Fat offers a respite — and not just from the hubbub of Midtown Atlanta. The Vietnamese menu shakes things up, taking a step away from the city's typical offerings. Take in the dark hardwood floors and lemony hardwood tables. Specialties include ga kho noi dat set (clay pot chicken), cà ri gà (Vietnamese curry), and thit ko tho (braised pork belly bowl). Must-have dish: Try the beef pho (rice noodle soup with beef brisket).
Top review
MarisuFvip
Dined on May 15, 2024
Food and service were very good! Just notice the place was a little bit untidy and the floor was dirty. It was a quiet night, value for the food and drinks is good and all the staff was super friendly !
A photo of Corner Cafe - PRIORITY SEATING restaurant
4.4
4.4 (1146)
$30 and under
American
Buckhead
About the restaurant
Corner Café deserves their distinction as one of the most iconic restaurants in Atlanta, thanks to their daily array of fresh, baked-on-site breads and pastries. Open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, this longtime locals’ favorite serves hardy, café-style goodies like avocado toast, potato and leek soup served with potato beignets, and homemade sandwiches (try the turkey and brie melt). Must-have dish: The fried-green-tomato BLT sandwich is a must-try.
Top review
Michaelvip
Dined on Oct 4, 2024
Server did not greet us, simply said “what do you want?” It sets the atmosphere in a wrong way from the get go. He might have been in the weeds but proper greeting sets the tone.
A photo of Sufi's Atlanta restaurant
4.7
4.7 (334)
$30 and under
Persian
Ardmore
About the restaurant
Since 2010, Sufis has reigned supreme as Atlanta’s premier Persian restaurant. The secret to their success is their commitment to excellent traditional Persian cuisine. In addition to familiar dishes like falafel and hummus, the menu also proffers more exotic fare such as fesenjoon (chicken simmered with pomegranate molasses, pomegranate juice, and walnuts), lamb shank with basmati rice and fava beans, and a variety of succulent kabob dishes. Must-have dish: The chenjeh kabob is a marinated sirloin kabob grilled over an open fire and served with saffron basmati rice.
Top review
Andrewvip
Dined on Oct 1, 2024
Very good food and very reasonably priced. 2 entrees, 2 appetizers $65.
A photo of Chops - Atlanta restaurant
4.8
4.8 (6498)
$50 and over
Steak
Buckhead
About the restaurant
It's impossible to ignore Chops Lobster Bar — this is not a typical seafood restaurant. Cross the threshold into the dining room and behold the dazzling, golden brick arched ceiling set off with gold lighting. The double-duty seafood-steak menu lists delicacies such as whole Maine lobster, as well as specialty cuts of beef like filet pepper steak, aged porterhouse, and New York Kobe strip. Must-have dish: Although they serve a Dover sole that’s filleted right at the table, they also offer a number of inventive potato sides, such as lobster mashed potatoes and potato tots with blue cheese truffle sauce.
Top review
MarkHvip
Dined on Oct 7, 2024
Wonderful filet and South African Lobster tail. The lobster tail was very sweet. The service was outstanding. I would highly recommend this for a top level meal.
A photo of Murphy's restaurant
4.8
4.8 (5487)
$30 and under
American
Virginia Highland
About the restaurant
Set in the trendy Virginia Highlands neighborhood, Murphy’s serves upscale comfort food, which is to say contemporary versions of down-home favorites. These include many Southern classics, and they're said to be the best restaurant for shrimp and grits, beef brisket (braised in Guinness beer), and spinach-and-sausage meatloaf. Must-have dishes: This is one of the best places to eat bourbon-pecan cheesecake and Tollhouse pie (dark and white chocolate and walnuts on chocolate crust with vanilla ice cream).
Top review
Khalia
Dined 2 days ago
I went for an earlier reservation at 4pm and it was very cozy and quiet enough to fully enjoy my conversation. By 6:00pm the crowd started to get a little louder due to more people arriving. The food was amazing and the service was wonderful! Love this place!
A photo of The Optimist restaurant
4.8
4.8 (8986)
$31 to $50
Seafood
West Midtown
About the restaurant
Atlanta may be landlocked, but there’s plenty of fresh seafood close by, and The Optimist ships in favorites like Gulf shrimp from neighboring Alabama, as well as local Georgia river trout. House specialties include duck-fat poached swordfish with wild mushrooms, Georges Bank scallops with butternut squash, and striped bass with capers. Must-have dish: The decadent smoked fish toast appetizer is served with cured egg yolk, crème fraiche, pickled mustard seeds, and radishes.
Top review
Dan
Dined 5 days ago
Great food, Corey was an amazing server, great atmosphere!
A photo of Terra Terroir restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1803)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Brookhaven
About the restaurant
Stepping inside Terra Terroir is stepping inside one of Atlanta’s most stunning dining rooms. The warm redwood and blue tones are livened up with contemporary art and photography. It’s a fitting backdrop for an eclectic menu that includes chicken Provençal and mandarin-glazed salmon, as well as appetizers and side dishes such as crispy Brussels sprouts and phenomenal jalapeño grits. Must-have dish: The three-cheese tortellini has sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
Top review
patricia
Dined 5 days ago
Lovely as always. My go to place with family and friends!
A photo of Antica Posta restaurant
4.9
4.9 (2056)
$31 to $50
Italian
Buckhead
About the restaurant
Antiqua Posta is anything but a typical Italian restaurant. Owned by Marco and Sandro Betti, two brothers who grew up in the Tuscan hills outside Florence, this elegant eatery is the only restaurant in Georgia to showcase authentic Tuscan cuisine. Examples include gnocchi with Tuscan sauce and mozzarella, Tuscan roast beef, and veal scaloppini with prosciutto. Must-have dish: Their oven-roasted Tuscan chicken is marinated with olive oil and Tuscan herbs for a unique flavor.
Top review
Richardvip
Dined 4 days ago
As always food was delicious and great service. Tonight I had the Veal Parmesan special and I consider it the best in Atlanta. Recommend if you’ve never been there to definitely add to your list
A photo of UMI restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3127)
$50 and over
Sushi
Buckhead
About the restaurant
Over the years, Atlanta has had its share of sushi restaurants, but few have become as iconic as Umi. Polished wood is set off with gold lighting, giving the atmosphere an air of luxury while diners enjoy both classics and fresh takes. The latter includes a roll made with lightly cooked Kobe beef, otoro tuna nigiri with truffle soy, and a typhoon roll with yellowtail, salmon, avocado, and jalapeño. Must-have dish: The tempura lobster roll features mayonnaise, shrimp, avocado, and eel sauce.
Top review
Radhikavip
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent as always!!! Service super and food consistently delicious.
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