Atlanta's Premier Guide to Atlanta Dining
BUCKHEAD RESTAURANTS
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Anis, 2974 Grandview Avenue, 404.233.9889. Deft Provencal cooking in a charming, if crowded, room and patio that’s Gallic right down to the service. Pastas, fish, pâté, even an excellent croque monsieur. Lunch and dinner. Moderate. Reservations. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Aria, 490 E. Paces Ferry Road, 404.233.7673. In a calmly classic room centered by an exotic modernist light sculpture, Chef Gerry Klaskala is turning out some of Atlanta’s most satisfying gourmet cuisine. Pan roasting and oak grilling are the specialties of the house, but the desserts are first-rate, too. Excellent service. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Atlanta Fish Market, 265 Pharr Road, 404.262.3165. Fronted by a three-story-tall copper salmon, this is an easy place for visitors to find. Very fresh seafood expertly cooked in any number of ways. A short list of steaks and chops, for those inclined to be seasick. Lunch and dinner. Moderately expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Basil’s, 2985 Grandview Avenue. 404.233.9755 (also at 1255 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta. 770.578.0011). Mediterranean cooking piquant with herbs is the specialty here. Try the Mezza platter as an appetizer, or for lunch. One of the best in town for outdoor dining. Moderate. Reservations. AE, M, V.
Bluepointe, 3455 Peachtree Road, 404.237.9070. Fusion cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, plus a bar that’s considered one of the city’s hottest spots in which to meet, mingle and dig for precious metals. Prime steaks, silky sushi and a side order of attitude. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Bone’s, 3130 Piedmont Road, 404.237.2663. Where Atlanta’s wheels make deals over fine steaks and chops. There are private dining rooms downstairs for the especially discreet. Superb service and a 5,000 bottle wine cellar, but showing its age a bit. Lunch and dinner. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Brasserie Le Coze, 3393 Peachtree Road (Lenox Square), 404.266.1440. After shopping till you drop, this is the perfect place to rehab. This offshoot of NYC’s Le Bernardin is excellent for fish, mussels, soups and more. As for the décor, you could be in Paris eating cheese. Lunch and dinner. Moderately Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, DC, M, V.
The Capital Grille, 255 E. Paces Ferry Road, 404.262.1162. From its men’s club atmosphere to the huge, dry-aged cuts of beef that are its trademark, this is a restaurant that’s all about the meat. There’s even an excellent steak tartare. The less carnivorous can choose from lobster, crab cakes and steakhouse salads. Great view and service. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Chops/Lobster Bar, 70 W. Paces Ferry Road, 404.262.2675. Upstairs it’s steaks and chops, downstairs it’s lobster. Either way you can’t lose. Great service that can even be overly attentive when things are slow. Lunch and dinner. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Eclipse Di Luna, 764 Miami Circle, 404.846.0449. Nothing else in town quite like it. An eccentric but delicious tapas menu at dinner, gourmet sandwiches at lunch; plus, live music on weekends. Moderate. Reservations. AE, DS, M, V.
Imperial Fez, 2285 Peachtree Road, 404.351.0870. A night in Old Morocco, complete with belly dancers and cous cous. Great fun for groups, and those who enjoy eating with their hands. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Joël, 3290 Northside Parkway, 404.233.3500. Chef Joël Antunes serves brasserie cuisine that is almost austere in its perfection, embellished with hints of Asia and the Mediterranean. The high-concept bar is placing a new emphasis on specialty drinks like designer martinis. Lunch and dinner. Moderately expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, M, V.
Justin’s, 2200 Peachtree Road, 404.603.5353. A Southern/Caribbean menu vies with the see-and-be-seen-scene at this establishment owned by Atlanta’s own P. Diddy. If $350-a-shot cognac is your tipple, you can get it here. Open for lunch and dinner seven days. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Kyma, 3085 Piedmont Road, 404.262.0702. Whole fish are flown in daily from the Mediterranean and grilled over wood fires, at this elegant tribute to the simple Greek taverna. There are a few good beef and lamb entrées on the menu for the seafood challenged. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
McKinnon’s Louisiane, 3209 Maple Drive, 404.237.1313. A touch of New Orleans, and a long-time Atlanta standard, housed in a modest strip mall. Close your eyes and think Gallatoire’s. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Nava, 3060 Peachtree Road, 404.240.1984. Zorro meets Zapata. High-concept Southwestern cooking in a large room that’s been styled to nueves. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, DC, DS, M, V.
Pano’s and Paul’s, 1232 W. Paces Ferry Road, 404.261.3662. When Olde Atlanta ventures out of the Cherokee Driving Club, this is where it goes. Fine Continental cuisine, including a boffo deep-fried lobster tail, Dover sole, veal and prime steaks. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, The Dining Room, 3434 Peachtree Road, 404.240.7035. This elegant eatery ranks among the city’s top five. Japanese influenced French cuisine, superb service and a subdued room allow diners to concentrate on world-class dining. Reservations are an absolute must. Very expensive. Valet. AE, CB, DC, M, V.
Seeger’s, 111 W. Paces Ferry Road, 404.846.9779. Dinner as theatre in a beautifully renovated bungalow where famed Chef Gunter Seeger relentlessly strives for perfection. The prix fixe menu of seasonal Continental dishes is served with meticulous professionalism. Definitely not for the meat-and-three crowd. Very expensive. Reservations. On-site parking. AE, DC, MC, V.
Woodfire Grill, 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road, 404.347.9055. Wood-grilled and -roasted meats from a chef who’s been an Atlanta star for almost 20 years. Michael Touhy emphasizes fresh, seasonal produce and a selection of fine cheeses, some of which can be purchased to take out. The wood-roasted free-range chicken may be the city’s best. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, M, V.
DOWNTOWN
City Grill, 50 Hurt Plaza, 404.524.2489. Fine American cuisine with a Southern accent served in one of the city’s most elegant spaces. Lunch and dinner. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, DC, DS, M, V.
Hsu’s Gourmet, 192 Peachtree Center Avenue, 404.659.2788. Known for its seafood specialties including steamed sea bass, Shantung dumpling, scallops in black pepper sauce and an excellent Peking duck. A sharply run ship whose owners are always there to oversee operations. Reservations. Moderate. AE, M, V.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, CNN Center, 190 Marietta Street, 404.521.1236 (also on the Northside at 600 Ashwood, Pkwy., 770.399.9900). The options at this downtown outpost of a national chain include 30 varieties of fresh seafood, as well as steak, chicken and pasta. Alaska King Salmon, Puget Sound Manila Clams and Chesapeake Bay Soft Shell Crabs are just a few of the house specialties. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, DS, M, V.
Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Grill, 181 Peachtree Street, 404.221.6550. A clubby room appointed in leather and mahogany, with a veranda overlooking Peachtree St. Tied for number one in the city for Southern Cuisine by Zagat 2003. Reserve the “cheaters’ booth” for the ultimate in intimate dining. Moderately expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, CB, DC, M, V.
INTOWN
Agave, 242 Boulevard, SE, 404.588.0006. Inspirations such as smoked chicken enchiladas, trout stuffed with crawfish, cayenne fried chicken and chile rubbed grilled pork tenderloin keep this small gem crowded. How fresh is it? There are no freezers or microwaves on the premises. Dinner. Moderate. Reservations. AX, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Bacchanalia, 1198 Howell Mill Road, 404,365.0410. The emphasis is on fresh at this very popular shrine to “California-style” New American cuisine that tops many “foodie” charts. It can be hard to get a table in the faux industrial dining room, but a mini-mall of designer food shops out front makes waiting more interesting. Expensive. Reservations. Valet. AE, DC, M, V.
Baraonda, 710 Peachtree Street, 404.879.9962. Many will tell you that the pizza here is the best in Atlanta, but don’t ignore the short but excellent pasta list. There are many vegetarian offerings on the menu. Lunch and Dinner. Moderate. Reservations. AE, DS, M, V.
Blais, 268 E. Paces Ferry Road, 404.231.2224. Updated traditional cuisine that experiments with tastes and textures. The menu is short, with ten appetizers and ten entrees, and daily changes. There’s also a tasting menu. Tongue-in-cheek touches include homemade soup served in a can, and a “Cristal burger” wrapped in parchment and served with Cristal champagne. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, M, V.
The Food Studio, King Plow Arts Center, 887 W. Marietta Street, 404.815.6677. A renovated factory loft merges the Spartan look of an artist’s studio with retrofit warehouse, exhibition kitchen and cosmopolitan wine bar. The menu offers a fresh, creative medley of new American regional tastes. Moderately Expensive. Valet. Reservations. AE, DC, M, V.
Fritti, 309 North Highland Avenue, 404.880.9559. You can have an excellent fritto misto di mare at this Inman Park staple, or tagliata al balsamico (sliced N.Y. Strip with 12-year-old balsamic vinegar); but designer pizza prepared by a maestro pizzaiolo is the star here. Lunch and dinner. Moderate. Valet. AE, DC, M, V.
Iris, 1314 Glenwood Avenue. 404.221.1300. Mostly local, organic ingredients are on the menu at this stylish former gas station turned upscale bistro in a somewhat edgy neighborhood. Start with a peekytoe crab fritter, lobster ceviche, or carpaccio of Kobe beef, then move on to free-range chicken, or”scored” flounder. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, DS, M, V.
La Tavola, 992 Virginia Avenue, 404.873.5430. This restaurant in trendy Virginia-Highlands bills itself as a neighborhood trattoria, but visitors will want to know about it, too. Simple but creative Italian cuisine that you could eat for a special occasion or every day. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, DC, M, V.
Mambo Restaurante Cubano, 1402 N. Highland Avenue, 404.876.2626. Hailed as “Best of Atlanta” for Cuban cuisine 10 years running, this Virginia- Highlands hotspot packs them in at both lunch and dinner. Sunday Brunch. Moderate. Reservations. AE, DC, JCV, M, V.
Sala, 1186 North Highland Avenue NE, 404.872.7203. Fresh-from-scratch regional Mexican specialties and standard favorites, such as Oaxacan-style empanadas. Specialty drinks include an impressive list of tequilas and margaritas, and there’s also an extensive wine list. Moderate. AE, M, V.
Six Feet Under, 415 Memorial Drive, 404.523.6623. An eclectic menu and a fun atmosphere characterize this “pub and fish house” that takes it name from Atlanta’s historic Oakland cemetery across the street. Shrimp and shellfish “buckets,” catfish tacos and more. Lunch and dinner. Moderate. AE, M, V.
MIDTOWN
South City Kitchen, 1144 Crescent Avenue, 404.873.7358. New Southern cooking that changes with the seasons, served in a airy room with an open kitchen behind the bar. The huge dinner menu makes for difficult choices. Lunch and dinner. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, DC, M. V.
Spice, 793 Juniper Street. 404.875.4242. A sexy room and (sometimes) crowd, and a menu that offers a good range of options without going overboard. Veteran Chef Paul Albrecht and his crew have the confidence not to obscure their excellent ingredients with flavor-of-the-day extras. Dinner, Sunday brunch. Expensive. Reservations. AE, DS, M, V.
Tamarind, 80 14th Street, 404.873.4888. Many claim this beautifully decorated establishment serves the best Thai - some say the best Asian - cuisine in the city. Good service and attention to detail make this a spot for special occasions. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, M, V.
Tierra, 1425-B Piedmont Avenue, 404.874.5951. The cuisine of Central and South America is the star at this small but excellent restaurant near the Ansley Mall. Flavors range from lime-cooked Peruvian ceviche to free-range Argentinian tenderloin served with chimichurri sauce and roasted potatoes. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, M, V.
PERIMETER/OUTSIDE
Canoe, 4199 Paces Ferry Road, Vinings (west), 770.432.2663. Striking contemporary room overlooking the Chattahoochee River. American-Continental cuisine for the west side. Good wine list. Lunch and dinner. Moderately expensive. Valet. AE, DC, DS, M, V.
Haru Ichiban, 3646 Satellite Blvd., Duluth (northeast), 770.622.4060. This casual spot near the Gwinnett Place Mall is where the natives go for sushi - Japanese natives, that is. Besides a first-rate sushi bar, traditional seasonal dishes and fusion combos are on the menu. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, M, V.
Hi Life Kitchen & Cocktails, 3380 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross (northeast), 770.409.0101. Sophisticated décor and a risk-taking American menu make this northside bistro feel as though it’s in the middle of Buckhead. Try the lobster tasting menu. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, CB, DC, M, V.
Little Gardens Restaurant, 3571 Lawrenceville Hwy., Lawrenceville: Near Ronald Reagan Parkway (770) 923-3434
Type of Cuisine: Fine Dining/Wedding Catering/Wedding Facilities
Located in an antibellum style home. The house is surrounded by gardens and a waterfall. Chef David Newborne has a large menu ranging Roast Long Island Duck, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, to a variety of steaks, veals, and seafoods. Also a selection of table side prepared salads, entrees and desserts. Prices $15.01 - $30; Dress dressy casual; Parking: plentiful
McKendrick’s Steak House, 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road (north central), 770.512.8888. The main attraction here is charred slabs of prime beef, especially the porterhouse and N.Y. strip. However, there’s also a generally excellent choice of seafood, and plentiful sides and salads. If you’re a martini drinker you may want to designate a driver. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, M, V.
Oscar’s, 3725 Main Street, College Park (south central). 404.766.9688. Sophisticated style and creative cooking mark this oasis of fine dining near the airport. If you’ve got a few hours’ layover at Hartsfield you could do a lot worse than hopping MARTA and paying a visit for lunch or dinner. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, M, V.
Savu, W Atlanta @ Perimeter Center Hotel, 111 Perimeter Center West (north central), 770.280.0700. New York chic comes to North Atlanta. Asian fusion cooking, and a happening, hyper bar scene. Try the wild mushroom pot stickers and your favorite pickup line. Moderately expensive. Reservations. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Sia’s. 10305 Medlock Bridge Road, Duluth (northeast), 770.497.9727. Rated among Atlanta’s best by the Zagat Survey, this elegant, airy restaurant in the Shoppes of St. Ives serves fusion food with Pan-Asian and Southwestern flavors. Expensive. Reservations. AE, CB, DC, DS, M, V.
Stoney River Legendary Steaks, 5800 State Bridge Road, Duluth (northeast), 770.476.0102 (also at 10524 Alpharetta Hwy., Roswell, 678.461.7900). The name says it all at this steak and chop house for those who like their meat red and their portions huge. Long waits for a table can be exasperating. Moderately expensive. AE, M, V.