Restaurants in Atlanta
Offering just about every type of cuisine under the sun, eating out in Atlanta is a sensory explosion and visitors with a taste for excitement and variety won't be disappointed. One of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States and the third largest city in the country, there are a lot of restaurants to feed a lot of people in Atlanta!
Atlanta locals love to dine out so visitors can expect restaurants to be bustling and dripping with atmosphere. From traditional Southern cooking like fried chicken, shrimp, fish and okra to the legendary peaches, pecans, peanuts and Vidalia onions that Georgia is known for, the food in Atlanta is second to none. Be sure to sample some peach cobbler and a slice of pecan nut pie for good measure.
You can't beat the hospitality of the south and the quality of the food isn't far behind. Head to Buckhead for trendy eateries and good home-cooked food, while Decatur, Midtown and Virginia-Highland can't be beat when it comes to international cuisine. Most of Atlanta's finest restaurants require reservations and it is customary to tip waiters 15%, while in expensive restaurants, tipping anything up to 20% is the norm.
Haven
In an ambience thick and tightly packed room the trendiest diners in Atlanta share American cuisine with local Georgian ingredients. An open kitchen adds to the lively setting which bills itself rather perfectly as an 'upscale urban eatery' although a local neighbourhood feel also persists. Reservations should be made for daily lunch and dinner.
Address: 1441 Dresden Drive, Suite 100
Telephone: 404 969 0700
Website: http://www.havenrestaurant.com
Ann's Snack Bar
Burger aficionados will literally have their hands full on Ann's famous Ghetto Burger, a monstrous pile of ingredients consistently chosen as the best burger in all of America. Ann herself still churns out delicious fast food treats to locals and the lucky few out-of-towners who catch wind of her fryer. Its all made to go as the small establishment can't fit more than a few patrons at a time. Monday through Saturday 11am to 9pm.
Address: 1615 Memorial Dr
Telephone: 404 687 9207
Mary Mac's
It is a classic not to be missed institution of southern dining and a litany of celebrity patrons and their pictures on the wall would attest to it. Hearty southern meals like fried chicken and barbecue are big pieces of evidence that cooking doesn't need to be fancy to be downright delicious. Open seven days a week 11am to 9pm.
Address: 224 Ponce de Leon Ave
Telephone: 404 876 1800
Email: events@marymacs.com
Website: http://www.marymacs.com
Bone's
Bone's is Atlanta's most famous steakhouse; a key lunch venue for important people, from presidents to businessmen and celebrities, with a masculine, club setting. Bone's serves the best prime-aged Iowa beef, prepared exactly as ordered. The lamb chops are another delicious option, as is the Maine lobster. Decadent desserts include Mountain-high Pie (layers of chocolate chip, rum raisin and vanilla ice cream). The wine gallery has hundreds of excellent wines, specialising in French and Californian bottles. Lighter entrees are on the menu for lunch and Bone's is open daily for lunch (except Saturday) and dinner.
Address: 3130 Piedmont Road
Telephone: (404) 237 2663
Website: http://www.bonesrestaurant.com
Sotto Sotto
At Sotto Sotto ('hush hush' in Italian), the noise is incredible; this is the place of the moment and an energetic crowd all seem happy to shout at one another over their seafood risotto. The wood-roasted fish is Sotto Sotto's specialty, and the rich chocolate soup, with dark Belgian chocolate, hazelnut whipped cream and sugar croutons is delectable. The bartender makes an excellent martini and the all-Italian wine list is extensive. Sotto Sotto is open all week from 5.30pm till late.
Address: 313 North Highland Ave
Telephone: (404) 523 6678
Website: http://www.sottosottorestaurant.com
Murphy's
Murphy's was a wine-and-cheese shop and evolved into a restaurant and bakery with a cozy atmosphere; one of the most popular venues in Atlanta for brunch. The bakery/wine shop has display cases overflowing with pastries, crusty fresh-baked breads and luscious desserts. For dinner, Murphy's offers a variety of entrees, including sautéed rainbow trout with sweet-potato hash; there's also a good selection of pastas, salads, waffles and pancakes. Murphy's is open all week till late.
Address: 997 Virginia Ave
Telephone: (404) 872 0904
Website: http://www.murphysvh.com
The Dining Room
From service to cuisine, it doesn't get much better than the Dining Room; they exceed all expectations with the French, Spanish and North African influences evident in their menu. A perfect cheese service is available, as well as a splendid variety of desserts and luxurious chocolate treats; among the specialties is a Cuban chocolate tart. Jackets are required for men and the Dining Room is open all but Sunday evenings.
Address: 3434 Peachtree Road
Telephone: (404) 237 2700
Website: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Atlanta
Nava
Nava's earth-toned interior is gorgeous and home to truly inventive Southwestern cuisine. Enchiladas and tostadas are stuffed with such delicacies as rock shrimp and jalapeño honey mustard, or mussels dry-roasted in a hot iron skillet and served in spicy chipotle broth. For dessert, try the roasted-banana enchilada, with warm caramel sauce. Enjoy Nava's extensive wine list and a large selection of tequilas, beers and margaritas; the prickly-pear margarita is a must. Nava is open all week but only in the evenings on Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 3060 Peachtree Road
Telephone: (404) 240 1984
Website: http://www.buckheadrestaurants.com/nava
Veni Vidi Vici
This elegant theatre-district restaurant has an intimate atmosphere and a bustling exhibition kitchen. Specialties include piatti piccoli (small plates) such as skewers of shrimp or prosciutto and pear, traditionally served with cocktails and fresh handmade pastas. The house specialty is linguine with Little Neck clams in a white or spicy red sauce. The carefully selected wine list is almost entirely Italian. Veni Vidi Vici is open daily till late.
Address: 41 14th Street
Telephone: (404) 875 8424
Website: http://www.buckheadrestaurants.com/veni-vidi-vici
Floataway Café
Hidden on a secluded industrial street, in a renovated warehouse, the Floataway Café opened in 1998. The menu changes daily, with fresh and local organic produce and unusual ingredients being the order of the day. Enjoy succulent wood-grilled or roasted meats and seafood or homemade pastas; grilled steak with pommes frites and red-wine shallot butter is a house speciality. The wine list is quite international and complements the food beautifully. Floataway Café is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 6pm to 10pm.
Address: Suite 15, 1123 Zonolite Road
Telephone: (404) 892 1414
Website: http://www.starprovisions.com
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