Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in DeKalb

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in DeKalb? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Valenza Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (3193)

$31 to $50

Italian

Brookhaven

About the restaurant

Valenza is a cozy, upscale Italian eatery in Brookhaven. It takes its name from a small village in the Piedmonte region of Northern Italy. Valenza is well known throughout the world for its artisan jewelry manufacturing which has earned it the nickname “city of gold”. The cuisine at VALENZA is inspired by the diverse culture of Northern Italy. Executive Chef Matt Swickerath’s focus is on classic and modern cooking methods using fresh seasonal and local ingredients to create a classic Italian menu with an updated culinary touch. The menu features a variety of antipasti, pasta, risotto and Italian entrees. Valenza has the heart and spirit of a cozy and warm Italian village café in an upscale setting. The dining room features venetian plastered walls with rustic oak and pine woods. Experience the warmth and elegance of Valenza when dining under the antique European candle chandeliers. Valenza offers a wonderful private dining room with seating for 30 guests.

Top review

Moses

Dined on May 4, 2025

Amazing food and service as always. Enzo is probably one of the best waiters in atlanta. I always request his section if I decide to reserve a table instead of sitting at the bar.

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Popular dish

tiramisu

Haven Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (3179)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Brookhaven

About the restaurant

HAVEN is an upscale eatery set in a loft with exposed brick walls, warm pecky cypress woods and soft amber lighting. The cuisine is modern American influenced by French, continental and hints of new southern. HAVEN has enjoyed remarkable success during the past seven years. Voted a top ten restaurant for six years straight, HAVEN has become quite the Atlanta destination. Haven is located in the heart of Brookhaven in the wonderfully charming Village Park Place development. The restaurant is nestled in a popular historical neighborhood one mile north of Buckhead.

Top review

GregoryVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Waited about 30 mins to be seated for our reservation and the bartender was less than polite while we waited and she really acted like the wait was our fault. Anyway, Patterson was a great waiter and the food was good like it always is.

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4.8

4.8 (422)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Dunwoody

About the restaurant

Message in a Bottle and the restaurants at The Village Dunwoody are the vision of hospitality veteran and owner of Dash Hospitality Group, David Abes. Chef Camron Woods, Culinary Director for The Village, and along with Phil Handley, have created a thoughtful approach to the food & beverage selections. The bar menu features a mix of vibrant cocktails, beach beers, and complimentary wines. Start your dining experience with a Seafood Tower, Oysters Rockefeller or the Ceviche de la Día. The menu features a selection of the daily Fresh Catch, Crispy Seafood Platter, and Chef's famous Maine Lobster Pot Pie. The dining room has a fun beach vibe with nautical decor and other seating options include the Raw Bar, Screened Porch, or Private Dining Room.

Top review

Irina

Dined 1 day ago

Great Mother’s Day brunch- sushi and oysters and shrimp and very delicious and fresh fruit and salads!

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Experience

Mother's Day Brunch Buffet at Message in a Bottle!

Silla Del Toro - Toco Hills

4.8

4.8 (42)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

North Druid Hills

About the restaurant

Silla Del Toro, a new tapas restaurant in Toco Hills | Atlanta, invites you to experience the flavors of Spain. Sharing is encouraged over a variety of small and large plates, alongside Spanish-inspired cocktails and an extensive wine list. The restaurant caters to both intimate gatherings and larger groups, offering a private dining room. Located in the Toco Hills Shopping Center, the restaurant has a large parking area directly in front of the location.

Top review

Eleanor

Dined on May 4, 2025

A great spot! We tried at least half the menu and every single thing was delicious! Good service and the ambiance was nice.

Carbonara Trattoria

4.7

4.7 (2053)

$31 to $50

Italian

Dunwoody

About the restaurant

Rafik Cressaty and his son, Patrick would like to welcome you to their family restaurant, Carbonara Trattoria, located in the heart of Dunwoody, Georgia. Carbonara is an inviting Italian restaurant with an ambiance reminiscent of Italy without sacrificing the southern charm of Atlanta. Warm earth tones, textured wall finishes and soft lighting are complemented by a menu featuring the finest fresh produce and ingredients. From antipasto and salads to fresh pastas and raviolis, quality meats and fresh seafood dishes, our Menu is inspired by the timeless recipes of the old north country. The father and son duo take you on a wonderful dining journey from the moment you walk in the door until the time you leave.

Reservations are not required but recommended. We offer a 15 minute grace period for reservations, if more time is needed please call.

Top review

Elsa

Dined 4 days ago

Had a fantastic first-time experience at this restaurant! The service was top-notch - our server was professional, attentive, and on point. The wine list was impressive, with plenty of great options to pair with our meal. We ordered the Traditional Carbonara, which was absolutely delicious. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the flavors were rich and authentic. And the bread! Freshly baked on site, it was incredible - we devoured it before our meal even arrived. We also shared a Tiramisu dessert, which was creamy and coffee-infused heaven. Overall, we're already planning our next visit - can't wait to explore more of the menu!"

Terra Terroir

4.7

4.7 (1896)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Brookhaven

About the restaurant

An amazing surprise tucked in a Brookhaven shopping center. One would have no idea that the interior is so appealing until stepping inside only to reveal the heated and cooled covered patio with lush gardens, fireplaces, and awesome lighting (great for date night). The wine list is a 18-time Wine Spectator Award winner, and the executive Chef Charles Zeran delivers up nightly specials (sign up at www.terraterroir.com) and innovative American fusion dishes (great small dishes and hamburger as well). And a top-shelf and intimate Bar Terroir with a daily happy hour with Sam the Man. Check online reviews and you will see people don't just "like" this place: they "love" it. Reasonable pricing, fresh locally-sourced food and the best patio in Georgia. And if you like ambiance, attentive service Terra Terroir delivers. An Open Table Diner's Choice with a 4.7 rating with a neighborhood following that doesn't mind keeping it a secret. What's not to like at this gem of a restaurant!

Top review

Cara

Dined 1 day ago

One of the most unexpectedly lovely dining experiences in Atlanta! The only reason for the 4 star rating is that we were there for brunch this time - only their 3rd time offering it. We were the first customers to arrive and there was a LOT of waiting even though we were the only ones there. Otherwise, it was so beautiful, peaceful, delicious, etc, etc! We’ll definitely be back! I’m betting they’ll have this brunch service running smoothly very soon.

The Ashford

4.6

4.6 (95)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Brookhaven

About the restaurant

The Ashford is a chef-driven neighborhood restaurant set in the heart of Brookhaven on Dresden Drive. Serving a selection of both shareable dishes and traditional entrees, our ever-changing menu focuses on locally-sourced ingredients and innovative takes on classic favorites and comforts. We invite you to explore a menu of sophisticated yet approachable cuisine, expertly paired with a craft cocktail or glass of wine.

Top review

ByrneVIP

Dined 2 days ago

They had live music last night and the band was amazing. Definitely will be back.

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Experience

Live Music every Thursday!

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern - Dunwoody

4.4

4.4 (518)

$30 and under

Sports Bar

Dunwoody

About the restaurant

HOBNOB is a "spirited" place, featuring one of the largest collections of bourbon and whiskey in the Southeast. We have locations in Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Atlantic Station, Vinings, and coming very soon Peachtree City. We were thrilled to be named one of the Best Burgers in Atlanta in 2019 by the readers of the Atlanta Journal Constitution!

Top review

Sandra

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

Excellent service and wonderful food! We loved our dinner here!

Steak and Grace

4.4

4.4 (32)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Dunwoody

About the restaurant

Steak & Grace redefines the steakhouse experience by breaking away from traditional design and culinary expectations. With its modern, light-filled interiors and a menu that caters to diverse tastes, it aims to attract a vibrant neighborhood crowd. Gone are the heavy, moody aesthetics and strictly meat-centric offerings. Instead, the restaurant features an open, social layout with whimsical design elements, an expanded bar and patio for relaxed dining, and a menu that balances steak with lighter, varied options.

Steak and Grace is excited to be coming to the Dunwoody Neighborhood in February 2025. Stay Tuned!

Top review

Paige

Dined 1 day ago

The food was delicious and the service good. The noise level was very high - wooden floors don’t help with noise level. No tablecloths on the tables which makes it much more casual.

SRITHAI: Thai kitchen & Sushi Bar (Emory Point)

4.1

4.1 (39)

$30 and under

Sushi

Druid Hills

About the restaurant

Our mission and focus is to bring the Emory community an authentic taste of Thai and Japanese fusion using only
the freshest ingredients. Our flavorful, hard to find dishes are sure to get a standard that no other can reach. From the décor, food and service, we wish all of our guests an unforgettable dining experience

Top review

Leonard

Dined on Feb 14, 2025

Food was delicious! That's all you need to know. :-)

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Experience

Bottomless Mimosa

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