The Best Places to Eat in Atlanta

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.

Basil’s Restaurant and Tapas Bar

4.8

4.8 (1091)

$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

Rafael

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Took a business group of 10 and had an amazing experience. Sam was terrific, and all the food was outstanding.

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Experience

Weekend Brunch

La Petite Maison - Atlanta

4.8

4.8 (2828)

$31 to $50

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

Mike

Dined 1 day ago

Great food. Very nice service. Was hoping for a birthday dessert

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C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar - Vinings

4.8

4.8 (4813)

$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

DeniseVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Everything is always great!! I bring everyone here.

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Popular dish

RC's Chargrilled Oysters

4.9

4.9 (5423)

$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

GinabethVIP

Dined 2 days ago

I am so happy that the Georgia Mountain Trout is now being served over spaghetti squash, wilted spinach, and capers! HUGE IMPROVEMENT over the previous accompaniments, which were too “dry” in my opinion. My husband and I’ll come in more often now that I know the chef has made this change.

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Popular dish

Mousse au Chocolat

Kyma - Atlanta

4.9

4.9 (6411)

$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

JonVIP

Dined 4 days ago

They went above and beyond for our anniversary dinner. We were so impressed with everything and probably some of the BEST service I have ever gotten. This was perfect.

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4.7

4.7 (10204)

$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

Mary Ann

Dined 4 days ago

Bistro Niko is always excellent. During the Christmas season they go over the top on Holiday decor! A must during the holidays! Don’t miss it!

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Popular dish

Skate Wing

Popular dish

Tureen French Onion Soup

Popular dish

Crisp Duck Confit

Le Fat

4.4

4.4 (957)

$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 !

Corner Cafe - PRIORITY SEATING

4.5

4.5 (1165)

$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

LisaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The food was delicious at our service was impeccable! We look forward to returning soon!

Sufi's Atlanta

4.6

4.6 (337)

$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

Jill

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent service, fab food in a quiet family run restaurant. The Persian food was outstanding!! Great way to end our Holiday Botanical Garden Night of Christmas Lights.. relaxing and enjoying great food. Wait staff were courteous and attentive.. Good arrived timely and beautifully prepared!

Chops - Atlanta

4.7

4.7 (6592)

$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

JohnVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Chops is always special and this time was no exception.

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Popular dish

Porterhouse

Popular dish

Genuine Holland Dover Sole

Popular dish

Black Diamond New York Strip

Murphy's

4.8

4.8 (5570)

$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

Brett

Dined 7 days ago

Love this place. New chef, Matt is really good. If you have not gone recently, you should.

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4.8

4.8 (9076)

$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

Henry

Dined 6 days ago

This is an awesome seafood restaurant.. probably the best I’ve been to in Atlanta. Parking was a breeze with the valet. Ambience was awesome. Fresh. Amazing service and super awesome menu. Non alcoholic beer selection too. Good

Terra Terroir

4.6

4.6 (1840)

$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

KarenVIP

Dined on Dec 16, 2024

Everything great but pork shank kind of chewy, expected it to be very tender. Never have been disappointed in food there before. Took 2 people who had never been and they were “quiet”….. we all ordered it.

Antica Posta

4.9

4.9 (2089)

$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

Mario

Dined 3 days ago

Fantastic dining experience every time I go! Service and food is always top-notch.

UMI

4.8

4.8 (3185)

$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

Rachel

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food and service, as always! We were a large party and we were really well taken care of!

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