Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Downtown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

AtlantaCobbDeKalbFulton

Neighborhoods

ArdmoreAtlantic StationBrookhavenBrookwood HillsBuckheadDecatur

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

52 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Pacific Rim Bistro restaurant

1. Pacific Rim Bistro

4.5

Awesome(572)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Sushi • Downtown

Booked 3 times today

Pacific Rim Bistro specializes in Pan-Asian cuisine, specifically a variety of different menus ranging from the frozen tundra of Mongolia to the tropics of Thailand. And, if you love sushi, Pacific Rim Bistro is THE place downtown to find the freshest sushi and sashimi. Pacific Rim Bistro also has full bar service and extensive wine list.

2. The Optimist

4.7

Exceptional(9152)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • West Midtown

Booked 81 times today

The Optimist brings a seaside fish camp experience to landlocked Atlantans. The ever-changing menu features high-quality, sustainable seafood masterfully paired with fresh, local ingredients. From sophisticated, daily-catch dishes to crudos and beachside classics, chef-owner Ford Fry’s the Optimist transports guests to their favorite coastal haunts.

A photo of South City Kitchen Midtown restaurant

3. South City Kitchen Midtown

4.7

Exceptional(7039)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southern • Midtown

Booked 60 times today

Humble foods with a surprising sophistication are exactly what South City Kitchen Midtown fries up daily. The buzz of Atlanta and the warmth of Southern hospitality combine to convey the story of the new South. As you’re welcomed around the table, their exhibition-style kitchen prepares elevated down-home classics, like she-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and buttermilk fried chicken that has found itself in Yelp’s Top Five Best Fried Chicken in the nation.

4. TWO urban licks

4.6

Exceptional(12148)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Poncey-Highland

Booked 77 times today

TWO Urban Licks' incredible wood-fired cuisine, live rotating rotisseries, unique 26 foot wine on tap barrel wall (the first in the country!), funky live blues, Beltline views and the "wow" design centered around the floor to ceiling Todd Murphy painting lit by a gas lamp wall make TWO truly one of a kind.The innovative, domestic and international, wine program consists solely of stainless steel barrels of wine displayed in a 26 foot, glass and steel, temperature controlled tower situated prominently in the restaurant. The Bar also boasts 4 in house draft cocktails, infusions and a state of the art beer program. TWO has garnered an abundance accolades including Conde Nast Traveler's "Hot List", Bon Appetit's "Hot 50 Tables" and one of Rachael Ray's "favorite restaurants" in the country by Instyle Magazine. Nominated locally year after year as "Best Restaurant Scene" and "best place to take an out of towner", guests keep coming back for dinner and weekend brunch!

5. Ecco Midtown

4.6

Exceptional(5012)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• European • Midtown

Booked 42 times today

Since joining the list of “Best New Restaurants in America” by Esquire in 2006, Ecco has become one of the Southeast’s most recognized and renowned restaurants. Featuring a terroir-inspired menu, they tempt with delicious charcuterie boards, hand-rolled pasta, authentic woodfired pizzas, and mouthwatering desserts. Sip on something from their nationally recognized wine list while enjoying our spacious, open-air patio or our beautiful dining room.

6. Murphy's

4.8

Exceptional(5660)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Virginia Highland

Booked 78 times today

For over 40 years, Murphy's has ranked among Atlanta's best restaurants, famous for best brunch and creative lunch and dinner cuisine. Chef Matt McCarthy creates seasonal American menus with small plates to share, salads, and favorite entrees: Brisket, Salmon, Roasted Chicken, and Steaks. Our in-house Pastry Chef Kassie Ruffin, creates fresh pastries and desserts. Our retail wine shop provides outstanding wines to diners by the glass or bottle at value prices, with wine tastings, wine flight happy hours and wine dinners weekly and monthly. The decor combines exposed-brick walls with French café doors to divide tables among quiet spaces ideal for conversation, either inside the cozy dining room or outside on the patio. Valet parking during peak hours. Private dining available. Our Patio seating is first come, first served and seats only parties of 4 or less. Requests for patio seating are not guaranteed. Inclement weather will also cause us to close all patio seating.

A photo of La Tavola Trattoria restaurant

7. La Tavola Trattoria

4.8

Exceptional(4778)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Virginia Highland

Booked 52 times today

La Tavola, with its classic exposed brick, dark wood floors, and an open exhibition kitchen, was created to make guests feel like family. Their vast wine list highlighting Italian flavors, comforting dishes made from the finest ingredients, and approachable friendly service make for a home away from home. Whether you’re here with the family or seeking a romantic evening, you’ll always feel in place around La Tavolas’s table.

8. Forza Storico

4.6

Exceptional(2176)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • West Midtown

Booked 44 times today

Forza Storico is a traditional Italian restaurant focused on typical Roman dishes such as Amatriciana and Cacio e Pepe and may more. Our Italian wine list is comprised of 25 labels, 24 of which by the glass and all chilled to perfection. Half of the restaurant is a central bar with additional high top seating available first come first served. Our extensive beverage program includes 12 cocktails and 4 Italian beers. Just like our sister restaurant Storico Fresco in Buckhead, we believe in great food, simple service, and giving our patrons a fun experience...When in Rome!!

9. Beetlecat

4.7

Exceptional(3085)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Inman Park

Booked 37 times today

Featuring raw oysters and fresh seafood with international influences from executive chef Eddie Barrett, BeetleCat is a trendy restaurant and bar in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood. The menu transports you to the New England coast at the upstairs dining room and oyster bar, while the downstairs Den lends itself to a 70s surf shack. Enjoy fresh air on one of the two patios, both upstairs and downstairs. BeetleCat is open nightly for dinner and offers brunch in the Den on Saturdays and Sundays.

10. Lure - Atlanta

4.4

Awesome(3584)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Midtown

Booked 14 times today

Lure playfully explores and celebrates the ocean’s unpredictable provisions in familiar yet exciting ways. Featuring the city’s freshest fish, Lure delivers saltwater spirits to the heart of Midtown Atlanta. With their line-caught and wood-fired fresh catches, Lure has a sophisticated yet casual vibe that fluidly bridges the gap between a well-loved seaside eatery and a fine seafood restaurant. Taste fresh catches served up and shelled out as the ocean intended

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
Mikala
Atlanta •1 review
5.0
Dined today
We had an absolutely amazing experience at the Optimist. Our server was Damien and he gave excellent service all night. All the food tasted amazing and it was perfectly coursed throughout the night. Additionally, Damien had a strong table presence that really made our night. We will definitely be back.
More info
The OptimistPrice: Expensive• Seafood• West Midtown
•
4.7
T
TommyVIP
Alabama •88 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Our favorite restaurant! Great food and service. Thanks for another great date night!
More info
South City Kitchen MidtownPrice: Expensive• Southern• Midtown
•
4.7
A
Aileen
Austin •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great food. Great service. Would definitely return. Also a good diverse menus between sushi, Thai and Ramen
More info
Pacific Rim BistroPrice: Moderate• Sushi• Downtown
•
4.5
K
KanikaVIP
New York City •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Food was great and the service was awesome. The manager came to check on us whick was a nice touch
More info
Ecco MidtownPrice: Expensive• European• Midtown
•
4.6
T
Tara
Atlanta •150 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 10, 2025
The food at Two Urban Licks is always good and the service is friendly and prompt. We started with the chicken empanada appetizer which was delicious. My husband ordered the trout and I had the salmon. Both dishes were cooked perfectly and were delicious. We’re already talking about going back soon and bringing some friends with us!
More info
TWO urban licksPrice: Expensive• American• Poncey-Highland
•
4.6

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