Atlanta’s 12 most drop-dead gorgeous restaurants

Both the decor and the locally sourced food take cues from nature at this elegant, award-winning restaurant on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. The dining room features hand-forged iron vines and wooden ceilings resembling canoes. Not to mention an open kitchen framed by arches to watch executive chef Matthew Basford whip up occasion-worthy dishes like roasted Duroc pork chops and slow-braised rabbit. Snag a seat in the sunroom or outdoor patio for spectacular river and garden views.

Chef-owner Forough Vakili’s French culinary training and Persian heritage—she was raised on her family’s farm in Iran—are both on full display at this sophisticated all-day cafe. With cozy banquettes and handwoven rugs, the bright space is just as ideal for sipping a leisurely coffee as it is for grabbing a casual lunch with friends. At night, linger in the luxe dining room or perch at the sleek marble bar framed by dramatic saffron drapes to dig into French-inspired dishes like steak au poivre and confit duck leg.

With Instagrammable ivy, cherry blossom trees, and larger-than-life floral installations hanging from the ceiling, this date-night magnet is a fairytale-inspired wonderland. For sipping colorful cocktails like the Not So French, a violet liqueur-forward riff on the French 75, head to the lush garden, adorned with delicate tile mosaics. Or find a table inside the pink-and-green dining room to dig into European-inspired dishes like cavatelli with lamb ragu and jamon croquetas.

Restaurateur Tal Baum’s Atrium is a tropical oasis inside bustling Ponce City Market. Sip on creative cocktails like the Lacandon Swizzle—a spicy take on the margarita—in the lounge that’s decorated with hand-painted emerald-green tiles and pastel-hued birds on the wall. On the restaurant’s bistro side, get comfy in a plush pink banquette under dramatic ceiling florals (from local design studio Pinker Times) to dine on globally inspired dishes like tempura vegetables and crispy flatbreads.

The interiors at this rooftop legend are as striking as the revolving blue tower it calls home. Zoom up 22 stories via a glass elevator to the throwback mid century-era dining room, where low-slung sofas, angular chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows give you a bird’s-eye view of the city’s shimmery skyline. The menu celebrates American classics like fried oysters Rockefeller and steak Oscar—don’t skip the blue-domed chocolate dessert, a shout-out to the building’s iconic exterior.

Yes, the multi-course tasting menu at this MICHELIN-starred spot inside the St. Regis Hotel delivers. But so does its ornate dining room, with a museum-worthy gallery of 20th-century art with works by Picasso and Monet, plus dark lacquered walls and stately leather chairs. As if that wasn’t enough, Atlas is also home to one of Atlanta’s most exclusive wine lists, featuring more than 90 rotating wines by the glass, plus a Madeira selection, ideal for stretching the night.

More is more at The Select, named after the famed Parisian brasserie. The restaurant’s elaborate ceiling displays change seasonally—think florals and colored lanterns in the spring and evergreens and holiday-themed ornaments in the winter. Ever-changing wall and ceiling projections, like twinkling stars and mosaic tiles, add artistic swagger and ambiance throughout the year. Expect food that’s as lavish as the decor, with European-accented dishes including steak frites and oysters.

Named for partners Ryan, Tony, and Jonathan Akly’s Lebanese grandmother, this airy Buckhead restaurant is a love letter to all things Mediterranean with sweeping columns, black velvet chairs, and opulent chandeliers. Lebanon also plays a starring role on the menu, where favorites include grilled branzino with herbed tahini and minced beef and lamb kebabs. The arak service, which highlights the traditional Lebanese anise-flavored liquor, adds to the Middle Eastern mood.

At The Consulate, the sexy mid-century decor includes vintage cognac leather sofas, half-moon booths, artwork by Andy Warhol and Radcliffe Bailey, and a bar made from a repurposed hand-carved bed. International fare like Ethiopian lamb tibs and chef-owner Mei Lin’s Thai okra comes on ceramic plates sourced from all over the world. Travel the globe without a passport with “The Visa,” a rotating quarterly menu that highlights the cuisine of a single focus country, like India or Paraguay.

This sultry Mexican-Japanese spot from chef Santiago Gomez features a moody dining room with dark wooden furniture, feathery light fixtures, and an open kitchen known for hits like miso-caramel cauliflower roasted on open flames. Even cocktails here are a spectacle, including the espresso-based, which is combined in a moka pot and poured tableside. End with a nightcap at the copper bar under white pendant lights or on the rooftop terrace, with sweeping city views.

This two-level Thai-Chinese sprawler (from the owners of Tum Pok Pok in Chamblee) has nearly 4,000-square-feet of dining space. Wood paneling, dramatic light fixtures, and red-and-pink colored chairs and banquettes evoke its vibrant namesake, Yaowarat Road—the main drag in Bangkok’s Chinatown. That lively neighborhood also inspired Yao’s excellent versions of Asian dishes including chicken satay, crab fried rice, and jumbo prawn pad Thai.

“Hush-hush” most definitely describes the vibe at this cozy-chic Interlock sushi spot. Black-and-gold decor, striking floral arrangements, and a back-lit bar make great companions to specialty rolls, like a square-shaped lobster tempura maki, or robata-style marinated black cod by chef Alex Kinjo (of MF Sushi fame). Pro-tip: there are just 10 tables, so book well in advance to score a seat at this intimate Japanese gem.