The Best Restaurants in Atlanta for Every Budget

If you consider yourself a serious foodie, you have to check out these top restaurants, from classic to cutting-edge, on Atlanta's trendy restaurant scene. This booming — and sophisticated — Southern city should be on your must-visit list for these great food options from affordable to pricey.

By: Felicia Feaster

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A Southern City Built on Great Food

Atlanta is home to a powerhouse contingent of James Beard-nominated (and prize-winning) chefs and has become a foodie destination for fans of chef TV and local stars like Kevin Gillespie, Linton Hopkins, Steven Satterfield and many more. And from the diverse eats on the internationally focused Buford Highway to the elevated dining at Bacchanalia, Atlanta has a lot to offer for fans of great affordable cuisine and also a high-end, chef-driven dining experience. So don't think shrimp and grits and meat and three are the only game in town. Atlanta has amazing pho, Korean BBQ and sushi if you know the right place to look.

Nobu Atlanta

Some of the best sushi in Atlanta is served at the Buckhead iteration of Japanese star chef Nobu Matsuhisa's eponymous restaurant. Nobu opened his first world-class sushi restaurant in New York City in 1994 alongside partner and actor Robert De Niro. The restaurants are celeb favorites with the likes of Madonna, Bill Clinton and Cindy Crawford. The Atlanta location, in the tony Buckhead neighborhood, is conveniently attached to the city's designer-centric Phipps Plaza shopping center (featuring Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Celine, Gucci and Balmain among other high-end boutiques) and the Citizens Market food hall.

The bustling Nobu Atlanta dining room is warm and inviting with a golden backlit white onyx bar and a glamorous, moody vibe. The scene is classic Atlanta: diverse and with a vibrant bar scene. (Reservations can be very hard to come by, so dining at the bar is a good option.) Fish is sourced from Tokyo's Toyusu fish market and some domestic purveyors and showcases Nobu's time spent cooking in Peru with an inventive mix of the freshest fish and complex flavors. Catering to a local preference for shellfish, the Nobu Atlanta features ATL exclusives including Lobster "Dynamite" and Hawaiian Prawns in Garlic Soy Butter and an exceedingly Southern dish, Crispy Okra with Spicy Tozasu. Menu highlights include a smooth-as-silk Nobu Old-Fashioned with Torres Magdala orange liqueur, the perfect twist-on-a-classic to start the meal. Standouts include the yellowtail jalapeño combining delicate fish and the balancing spiciness of the pepper and Nobu's signature rich black cod miso, a decadent rock shrimp tempura in a creamy homemade mayo sauce and the outrageously fresh sushi and nigiri rolls.

Nobu Atlanta is tucked inside the glamorous Nobu Hotel defined by elegant, understated Asian aesthetics. A beautifully designed lobby and inviting guest rooms feature idiosyncratic touches like wooden floors, black-and-white slippers and a traditional Japanese robe to make the experience feel elevated and bespoke. Currently in the works: a mini bar highlighting local shops and Atlanta breweries including a Japanese lager. The property is part of the 56-location restaurant (and 16-hotel) Nobu empire.

Citizens Market Food Hall

The latest entry in Atlanta's booming food hall scene, Citizens Market food hall is a casual option close to Atlanta's high-end shopping destination, Phipps Plaza. The diversity of options at the eight staills include a cocktail bar and every cuisine you might summon up to satisfy a craving: Italian (Cicci Di Carne from chef Dario Cecchini), which serves up a delicious spin on the tuna melt; sushi (Krispy Rice); Mediterranean (Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean and Michelin-starred chef Dani Garcia's El Pollo Verde); burgers (Umami Burger); and even a classic chicken sandwich joint (Sam's Crispy Chicken) with a long line of fans.

Palo Santo Brings Glam to the Cuisine of Mexico

Housed in a former warehouse, Palo Santo's setting is as striking and as memorable as the cuisine. Already building a reputation for its see-and-be-seen rooftop lounge with stunning city views and a very attractive clientele, this restaurant is from Mexico City native Santiago Gomez who rose to prominence on the Miami restaurant scene. The space is defined by spectacular oversized light fixtures made from plant material and vessels and tableware sourced from Mexico, to give your meal an earthy authenticity. In one of the magical, theatrical touches that defines this gravitas-filled space, staff burn a stick of palo santo and walk through the restaurant as if offering on olfactory blessing to your night. The food defies any preconceptions about Mexican food, though you can order a delicious guacamole to start your meal. There are many memorable options for vegetarians on the menu including an unforgettable caramelized cauliflower dish that recalibrates your brain about that vegetable's potential. The branzino is a deconstructed take on a street food classic with the surpising and delicious addition of basil. And the las bravas dish is another reimagining of the classic Spanish patatas bravas, but far more luscious and decadent. Don't miss a chance to sample from the diverse artisanal tequilas and mezcals offered from the drink cart that makes its way through the dining room at regular intervals, with the option of adding a little protein (aka bug) sidecar to your shot.

O-Ku Atlanta

If the Nobu price point is over your head, then check out the chef-driven sushi spot O-Ku Atlanta in the booming Westside district. There are endless options in cooked and raw sushi, goyza and nigiri prepared Aburi-style (lightly flamed), a technique that works well with rich, fatty proteins like Wagyu and salmon. Rock shrimp tempura is a satisfyingly rich starter, and don't miss the Misoyaki black cod. Chef Masatomo “Masa” Hamaya has a way with surprising flavors, incorporating fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, tomato confit, citrus and shredded sweet potato (don't miss the Acevichado roll mounded with sweet potato slivers, that will change your perception of what a sweet potato can be). Attentive service (and servers' comprehensive knowledge of the menu) and an emphasis on beautiful presentation make this a great place to take a date you want to wow.

Holeman & Finch Public House

Atlanta restaurant Holeman & Finch Public House is part of James Beard-winning chef Linton Hopkins and his wife Gina Hopkins Atlanta food empire (which includes Holeman & Finch Bottle Shop, H&F Burger, Hop's Chicken, and C. Ellet’s Steakhouse and The Buttery ATL). What started as a hipster cocktail boite with solid food and a famous burger (still a good reason to visit) has morphed into a gorgeous, cozy new space in the recently revitalized Colony Square development in Midtown. As always the emphasis is on tip to tail dining, regional produce and a blend of American and Continental fare with an emphasis on seafood. Not to be missed: the lunchtime Gulf white shrimp and avocado salad and anytime, the chilled shellfish salad maison, as well as the curated selection of locally grown veg and, of course, that beloved burger.

Marcus Bar and Grille Atlanta

Renowned New York-based chef Marcus Samuelsson has mastered the fun factor at his new Atlanta outpost Marcus Bar and Grille. This eight-time James Beard winning chef and author, owner of the legendary Red Rooster Harlem and guest chef for the Obama administration’s first state dinner, Marcus has brought his love of Southern-inspired comfort food to his first Atlanta outpost. Yes, the cocktails are sweet and the food is decadently caloric, but it's also delicious and the ATL-centric decor makes this a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the resurgence of Edgewood Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward. A formerly blighted strip, Edgewood is now a vibrant hub with breweries and coffee shops, nightclubs and two ATL legends: Pinky Cole's Slutty Vegan restaurant and Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium. Featuring an open floor plan and kitchen and garage doors that open to the colorful street life outside, the spirit of Marcus Bar and Grille is communal and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Seafood is a highlight, with a delicious ceviche starter with Peruvian influences and a shrimp and grits above and beyond this Southern menu staple. A cake-like cornbread starter and Brussels sprouts side show Marcus's nod to classic soul food cooking, and cocktails like the All the Smoke with mezcal, pineapple and jalapeño (shown here) combine comfort food with some South American tips of the hat. The decor of vintage album covers shouts out to Atlanta's legendary hip hop-centered music scene, and the rollerskates are a nod to the centrality of destinations like Cascade Skating to the city's youth culture in this love-filled homage to Atlanta's Black roots.

Lazy Betty

Fine dining that is never stuffy, Atlanta's Lazy Betty combines Southern, Asian and French influences and a dining concept all its own. A chef with fine-dining street cred from studies at Sydney's Le Cordon Bleu and a stint at New York City's Le Bernardin, Ron Hsu combines that immersion in haute cuisine with an upbringing helping his family with their string of suburban Atlanta Chinese restaurants. Hsu and his chef-partner Aaron Phillips bring those brilliant food chops, an international perspective and a down-to-earth vibe to Lazy Betty with elevated dishes that are as beautiful and conceptual as they are delicious. Lazy Betty had a year-long test run as a series of pop-up dinners, which allowed Hsu to build excitement and refine his menu of unexpected but exceptionally complex food from cucumber cannelloni to a brilliant, fun, typically inventive narrative dish "Truffle hunting in the Georgia terroir" featuring edible "dirt."

Note: Lazy Betty will move to the former home of chef Hugh Acheson's Empire State South restaurant later in 2023 and will feature a new bar menu offering smaller, a la carte dishes and drinks in addition to its classic tasting menu.

Il Giallo Osteria & Bar

Il Giallo Osteria & Bar in Sandy Springs is a chef-forward Italian experience located close to all of Atlanta's action but with the unusual appeal of plenty of free parking (yes, it is a big deal in this valet and paid parking-crazy town) in a handsome, open space. Chef and co-owner Jamie Adams features fresh, homemade pasta in his open-kitchen for diners who enjoy a little cooking show entertainment with their meal. Adams' agnolotti with brown butter and sage has been featured on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, but there are plenty of other culinary delights on offer including polpette turkey and duck meatballs, a distinctive calamari studded with capers, short rib ravioli and a rotating cast of pasta dishes that make this a local favorite. With a talented pastry chef onboard, desserts are just as notable. Some of the stars of the show include the strawberry jam and mascarpone strawberry pizza, bomboloni and a decadent hazelnut bar like a European candy bar with a haute twist.

Boxcar

The booming West End of Atlanta is home to the expanding BeltLine, a kind of ATL answer to New York's High Line. The popular walking and biking trail has united neighborhoods throughout the city and welcomed an infusion of new businesses alongside the BeltLine's West End Trail. Craft spirits venue ASW —home to Resurgens Rye, Fiddler's bourbon and a host of other locally distilled spirits — has a hip tasting room and liquor destination on Atlanta's growing Southside and there are plenty of local favorites like the elevated gastropub fare at Boxcar right around the corner when you need some food to counteract the booze. Boxcar offers vegetarian options, a very good burger and elevated gastropub fare. If pizza is more your style, Monday Night Brewing Garage around the corner serves up great salads and a slew of delicious pies courtesy of an Italian Neapolitan pizza oven. Sit outside and enjoy the great weather, the BeltLine promenade and all the doggies that pass through this very dog-friendly section of the city with your pie.

Miller Union

Helmed by local phenomenon and James Beard-winning chef Steven Satterfield, this serene, elegant-but-approachable space on Atlanta's booming Westside has become a power-dining destination of choice with an impressive wine list. As with many locally minded Southern-based chefs, the emphasis at Miller Union is on goods sourced from local farms and purveyors. Southern food with a fresher vibe and heirloom dishes are a focus. Classic Miller Union dishes like the farm egg baked in celery cream and virtually any vegetable-forward dish are a guaranteed delight. Pick up Satterfield's new book Vegetable Revelations.

BoccaLupo

A tiny but absolutely charming and hip Italian restaurant with little resemblance to the red sauce joints you might have grown up with, BoccaLupo is a must-stop if fresh pasta and an inventive cocktail sipped on its front deck are your idea of fun. Staple dishes like a spicy black spaghetti with hot Calabrese sausage, red shrimp and scallions and the Southern fried chicken parm with creamy collards are testament to the top-notch food and imaginative kitchen on glorious display at this Inman Park destination.

Gunshow

There's no better place to get a glimpse of Atlanta's celebrity chef culture in action than at Gunshow, the brilliantly theatrical invention of chef Kevin Gillespie, who offers a rock 'n' roll spin on dim sum.

This unusual chef concept is the brainchild of this locally grown Southerner, cookbook author and celebrity chef. Kevin wanted to create a dining experience that eliminated "menu anxiety," so at Gunshow, he and the other chefs personally walk around with wooden platters (carved by Gillespie's grandfather) of each dish as they come off the line. You'll get a personal description from the chef and a chance to see the dish and smell for yourself if it's what you hanker for. Beware: You can easily rack up a big bill because everything looks good. The menu changes nightly, but repeat fan favorites include chicken fried lobster, kung pao Brussels sprouts and pork belly steam buns.

Varuni Napoli

Chef and owner Luca Varuni of Atlanta's Varuni Napoli Pizza really cares about ingredients — authentic, imported San Marzano tomatoes, heritage Italian olive oil, specially imported buffalo mozzarella — and he sources them in shipping containers that ferry a taste of Italy right to Atlanta's door.

Forza Storico

The buzzy Italian spot Forza Storico on Atlanta's on-fire Westside, offers creative cocktails and sublime pasta and is shaping up to be one of the city's go-to spots for great Italian food. Don't turn your nose up at the $6 rosemary focaccia (it's more than worth the price of admission). Paired with a spritz and the ravioli with cherry tomatoes, it is sublime. The spot has added a "boozy lunch" to its repertoire. Pietro Gianni and Mike Patrick are the owners of several Italian destination restaurants including Storico Fresco in the posh Buckhead neighborhood.

King + Duke

Atlanta’s King + Duke restaurant, named after characters in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, have been winning rave reviews for their locally sourced dishes and open fire cooking for years. Atlanta chef-mogul Ford Fry, who has dipped his hands into Italian, Mexican and seafood in Atlanta (and beyond), focuses on the wood-burning oven here to turn out locally sourced food with Southern and Asian touches.

NFA Burger

Cheap and a definite novelty, this home to a classic backyard barbecue-style hamburger sits in a Chevron gas station where a line snakes around the shop waiting for one of these delicious symphonies of drippy American cheese, NFA's own secret sauce and slightly charred burgers. Food & Wine has called it Georgia's best burger and a large portion of Atlanta's population lines up to testify to NFA Burger's appeal.

Antico Pizza Napoletana

Think Naples, Italy, authenticity and serious eating, and you have the vibe at Antico. Atlanta has a number of great pizza options, but one you won't want to miss is Antico's bubbly, slightly scorched crust with traditional toppings. Seating is communal, and you'll always find lots of Georgia Tech students (it's walking distance to campus) drinking beer, eating pizza and enjoying the rustic ambiance. The owners have even developed a Little Italy feel with an adjacent gelateria, where you can sit beneath umbrella-topped tables in a very quiet nook of the city, and a Gio's Chicken Amalfitano just next door.

Ecco Buckhead

A supersized, glam branch of their always-buzzing Midtown restaurant, Ecco Buckhead features some of the things that have made this Italian spot such a staple including great, knowledgeable service, an extensive wine list and cravable fare that can elevate a business dinner to a satisfying, homey experience. Don't miss the crispy fried cerignola olives stuffed with sausage, the fried goat cheese with honey and black pepper or the inventive pastas and flatbreads.

Delbar

You'll definitely need a reservation at this always-packed Persian hot spot with destinations around the city (but we like the ambiance and excitement of the Inman Park location) where you can satisfy your cravings for housemade hummus, labneh, chicken kofta and kabobs in a festive restaurant that makes every meal feel like an occasion.

The Optimist

Some of the best seafood in town is served in this buzzy, upscale spot known for its curated cocktails and cool scene. One of the jewels in the crown of chef Ford Fry's Atlanta restaurant collection, The Optimist is a full-on seafood experience, complete with a fresh oyster bar. Always packed, it has cocktails that draw as many fans as the cuisine. Ford's seafood gumbo with "pot luck" garlic bread is a sultry, wonderful dish; ditto the delectable lobster roll and the duck-fat-poached swordfish with glazed pork belly, blackberry, chanterelle mushroom and sherry jus.

KR SteakBar

Popular Atlanta chef Kevin Rathbun opened KR SteakBar in 2013 to the delight of critics and diners. The focus is on Italian dishes, with a nice selection of antipasti and fresh pastas, such as the spaghetti with clams, white wine and fines herbes. Steaks are his specialty, and the dry-aged porterhouse for two is worth the extravagance. But save room for the finale: affogato with cardamom doughnuts and vanilla gelato.

Bacchanalia

Consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in the city since its opening in 1993, Bacchanalia has moved locations throughout Atlanta but has kept a loyal fan base. Chef-owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison are culinary heroes who helped cement the city's reputation as a foodie-centric destination. Though they own multiple restaurants including Star Provisions in the same Westside complex, Bacchanalia remains their crown jewel for its seasonally informed four-course prix fixe tasting menu.

Star Provisions

Part of Atlanta chefs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison's restaurant empire, Star Provisions feels like the best, high end coffee shop in the city in the industrial-scale Westside of the city. Grab a coffee and enjoy a delicious pastry (we are fans of the lime cornmeal cookies) at the large indoor and outdoor tables and peruse the housewares, gourmet fancy food and design goods, all expertly curated by chef and owner Anne Quatrano.

Superica

Superica is another offering from chef Ford Fry who helms several Atlanta locations of this Tex-Mex hot spot for lunch, dinner and brunch. All kinds of tacos, enchiladas, tamales, ceviche and nachos are available, but don’t overlook some of their speciality entrees like the crispy whole red snapper (pictured) or tampiquena (marinated wood-grilled skirt steak with cheese enchiladas topped with a fried egg and rice). You’ll also want to check out their margarita offerings and mezcal cocktails.

Pancake Social

Pancake Social at Atlanta's buzzy food hall and retail destination Ponce City Market features breakfast from 8 am to 3 pm and is helmed by a powerhouse local restaurant team including James Beard Award-winner Anne Quatrano, Dan Jacobson, Steven Chan and Tony Riffel, whose Octane Coffee locations were go-to cult coffee spots for local coffee achievers. Pancake Social features eight types of pancakes from savory to sweet as well as healthier, hipster brekkie options like a chia seed pudding and … you guessed it, avocado toast. A booming number of local farmers and specialty food purveyors supply much of the ingredient list for this comfort-concept restaurant.

Marcel

The elevated French steakhouse Marcel from celebrated local chef Ford Fry is a throw back to a 1950s steak house with a bevy of staples like decadent bearnaise, brandy au poivre sauce, oysters, escargot and a winning Caesar salad. Yes, the steaks are the stars, but, unlike many steak places, the bit players like risotto and chicken paillard are no slouches either. The food is excellent, the service (a Ford Fry specialty) delightful, but it may be the moody lighting and old school details (the ladies room offers up dishes of bobby pins and emery boards for primping) that really make this a special, memorable dining experience.

Umi

If impressing a date or clients is on your agenda, a trip to one of Atlanta's most notable sushi spots, Umi, in a ritzy corner of Buckhead is in order. Michelin-starred Chef Tasuku Murakami and co-executive chef Todd Dae Kulper offer a modern take on sushi and Umi's ultra-fresh flown-in ingredients and top-notch service make this a go-to destination for sushi lovers. Boasting a shared courtyard with the luxe St. Regis Atlanta hotel, Umi is also a great spot for celebrity sightings. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence and Anthony Hopkins have all stopped by for a bite while filming in Atlanta. Reservations are critical, though so book ahead.

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

Ask any Atlantan where to find the best barbecue, and a serious debate will ensue, but most can agree that Fox Bros. is a top destination. Being the best means big crowds, but the wait is worth the trouble, especially after you've tasted the chicken-fried ribs, smoked wings and bewitchingly delicious beef brisket.

Canton House

Global cuisine flourishes along the Buford Highway corridor in Atlanta, where every international cuisine is on offer from Peruvian to Dominican to Korean and Vietnamese. Here, a plate of stir-fried Chinese broccoli is a typical side dish at Canton House, a popular dim sum destination that offers dim sum all day on Buford Highway and is a favorite with locals.

Lee's Bakery

Another renowned Buford Highway restaurant known for its amazing pho and banh mi (the New York Times named it a frontrunner for the Best Banh Mi in America), Lee's Bakery keeps it simple but knows its way around the classics.

The Best Restaurants in Atlanta for Every Budget

Shop This Look

A Southern City Built on Great Food

Nobu Atlanta

Citizens Market Food Hall

Palo Santo Brings Glam to the Cuisine of Mexico

O-Ku Atlanta

Holeman & Finch Public House

Marcus Bar and Grille Atlanta

Lazy Betty

Il Giallo Osteria & Bar

Boxcar

Miller Union

BoccaLupo

Gunshow

Varuni Napoli

Forza Storico

King + Duke

NFA Burger

Antico Pizza Napoletana

Ecco Buckhead

Delbar

The Optimist

KR SteakBar

Bacchanalia

Star Provisions

Superica

Pancake Social

Marcel

Umi

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

Canton House

Lee's Bakery

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