I’ve lived in Atlanta for 7 years and have gone to a lot of restaurants over that time. Here are my all-time classic Atlanta faves!
JCT Kitchen
Location: West Midtown
Type of food: Southern
Restaurant atmosphere: The restaurant is a little hard to find in the shopping center it’s in. It’s located downstairs right next to the big silo. They have an outdoor bar above the restaurant. JCT’s atmosphere is great for gatherings of friends, family, or a date. I always get my parents to take me here when they’re in town!
My favorite thing on the menu: I’m torn between the angry mussels and shrimp and grits. Sometimes I get the mussels as an app and shrimp and grits as my entre!
jctkitchen.com
Cafe Intermezzo
Location: Midtown
Type of food: French-style cafe. While they have real food on the menu, I’ve only ever had the desserts and coffee.
Restaurant atmosphere: The restaurant has a romantic feel with candles on the table and is a great date spot.
My favorite thing on the menu: Nutella strawberry crepe
The Nook
Location: Midtown
Type of food: American
Restaurant atmosphere: The Nook has indoor and outdoor seating, and they have totally different vibes. The inside feels more like a low-lighting bar and the outside is fun and carefree. I prefer brunch outside, but dinner either.
My favorite thing on the menu: This is a fun place to come for dinner, but I love the brunch even more! On the dinner menu, I like the Mac Daddy Totchos (tater tots covered in mac & cheese and chili) and for brunch the fried chicken and biscuits with gravy. Not a place I come to when I’m on a diet! If you’re coming here for drinks, they are known for their fish bowls. Grab a couple friends to split one, because they’re huge!
Enjoying a bloody Mary with brunch at the Nook
Fish bowls at the Nook
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Location: Midtown
Type of food: Southern
Restaurant atmosphere: This restaurant was opened in 1945 with only one dining room. They have since added on several times, and have six dining rooms today!
My favorite thing on the menu: Chicken and dumplings are my favorite southern food and they do not disappoint here!
Antico
Location: West Midtown
Type of food: Pizza
Restaurant atmosphere: Antico is different from any other restaurant I’ve been to. The kitchen and dining area are located in the same room. It’s always crowded, and there are long dining hall style tables, where you’ll be forced to squeeze in next to people you don’t know. They don’t sell booze, but you can bring your own! Makes for a fun experience.
My favorite thing on the menu: Any type of pizza. I’ve never had a bad one!
Der Biergarten
Location: Downtown
Type of food: German
Restaurant atmosphere: This place is fun to go to eat or just drink and hang out! It has an Oktoberfest feel. I came here during the 2014 World Cup and it was packed with Germany fans! What a great day.
My favorite thing on the menu: I’m a sucker for cheesy spaetzle. Also the pretzel with cheese spread.
The Optimist
Location: West Midtown
Type of food: Seafood
Restaurant atmosphere: The building is large and open. It has a lofty vibe. Off the main room is the restaurant’s oyster bar, where you can choose from several different flavors.
My favorite thing on the menu: the Grouper is amazing! I also really like the hushpuppies as a side.
theoptimistrestaurant.com
6 Feet Under
Location: West Midtown
Type of food: Seafood
Restaurant atmosphere: 6 Feet Under is in an awesome location. It has a rooftop bar that gives amazing views of the city’s skyline.
My favorite thing on the menu: I usually come here for appetizers and drinks. My favorite appetizer sounds disgusting but is actually great. The Spicy Rat Toes are jalapenos stuffed with shrimp and wrapped with bacon. They go perfectly with a beer.
sixfeetunderatlanta.com
Vortex
Location: Little 5 Points or Midtown
Type of food: Burgers
Restaurant atmosphere: The Vortex is unusual compared to most restaurants. Everyone must be over 21 to enter, as it’s technically a bar and there is also some mildly offensive content inside. It’s a fun place to go now and then, and the Midtown location has a comedy club inside called the Laughing Skull.
My favorite thing on the menu: Coronary Bypass. It sounds as unhealthy as it is! Loaded with four slices of bread, ground sirloin, 10 slices of cheese, a fried egg, 9 strips of bacon, and mayo on top, this burger is mouth-watering. While it’s not be something you should eat frequently, it is a fun indulgence on occasion.
Fox Bros BBQ
Location: Edgewood
Type of food: BBQ
Restaurant atmosphere: The Fox Bros restaurant is huge, and yet they always stay packed! If you’ve got a group of more than two, you’ll most likely have to wait a while, but it’s so worth it!
My favorite thing on the menu: Ribs. And everything else.
Fat Matt’s
Location: Piedmont Heights
Type of food: BBQ
Restaurant atmosphere: When it comes to BBQ in Atlanta, I’m torn between Fox Bros and Fat Matt’s. I think the ribs are slightly better at Fox Bros, but Fat Matt’s has live jazz music that makes up for the trivial difference.
My favorite thing on the menu: Ribs!
yelp.com
Canoe
Location: Vinings
Type of food: American.
Restaurant atmosphere: This restaurant is a bit fancier than the rest, and fun to come to on special occasions. It’s located right on the Chattahoochee River, and has lots of outdoor space to enjoy the fresh air.
My favorite thing on the menu: The New York strip is amazing here.
On the river behind Canoe with my parents
Steak at Canoe
Muss & Turners
Location: Smyrna
Type of food: American
Restaurant atmosphere: Muss & Turners is located in a cute shopping center in Smyrna. You can sit inside or outside. They even have a secret bar that you can enter through the “refrigerator” door in the back of the restaurant next to the bathrooms!
My favorite thing on the menu: The burger has been rated as one of the best in Atlanta, and it is my favorite. It’s topped with poblano pepper, cheddar cheese, aioli, and onions. Nothing too crazy, but the combination really is perfection!
Henry’s
Location: Midtown
Type of food: American
Restaurant atmosphere: This is my favorite brunch spot in Atlanta! It’s very reasonably priced, and their outdoor porch is PERFECT on a cool fall morning. Not to mention the amazing food.
My favorite thing on the menu: The Henry’s Breakfast is a classic favorite. It includes eggs, bacon, a fluffy biscuit, and amazing Gouda grits. My second favorite thing is the meatloaf biscuit and gravy.
yelp.com
