15 restaurants vital to Atlanta
by Su-Jit Lin
Updated 27 March 2023
Atlanta’s restaurant scene is kaleidoscopic. The city’s greatest dining destinations represent the many histories and cultures of the Big A. Many have long histories of their own, and they all shine with the street cred they’ve scooped up no matter how long they’ve been around.
An iconic luncheonette downtown dishes up some of Atlanta’s best fried chicken. In Buckhead, the city’s oldest Japanese restaurant gets fish flown in from Japan multiple times a week. A former post office and general store in Vinings dazzles with sophisticated spins on Southern classics.
What makes a great restaurant in Atlanta changes depending on mood, budget, occasion, and palate. Read on for a guide to 15 spots that have stood the test of time and critique.
About the restaurant
Top review
M
MaggieVIP
Dined today
About the restaurant
Top review
M
MattVIP
Dined 2 days ago
About the restaurant
Top review
C
CarolVIP
Dined 6 days ago
About the restaurant
Top review
P
Plato
Dined 5 days ago
Discover more
About the restaurant
Top review
D
DavidVIP
Dined 2 days ago
Discover more
About the restaurant
Top review
B
Belinda
Dined 4 days ago
About the restaurant
Top review
A
Andrea
Dined on 8 Dec 2024
About the restaurant
Top review
D
Darrell
Dined 1 day ago
About the restaurant
About the restaurant
Top review
P
Pamela
Dined 5 days ago
About the restaurant
Top review
K
Kathy
Dined 3 days ago
About the restaurant
Top review
D
Danielle
Dined 1 day ago
About the restaurant
Top review
G
GregVIP
Dined 4 days ago
About the restaurant
Top review
OT
OpenTable Diner
Dined 5 days ago
About the restaurant
Top review
C
Cam
Dined 2 days ago
More lists for you
5 cutting-edge restaurants to visit now in Atlanta
Discover the Best Fried Chicken in Atlanta
The 6 best new Atlanta restaurants of 2023
Discover Tasty Tacos in Atlanta
9 Atlanta restaurants perfect for special occasions
These 12 Atlanta restaurants crush the outdoor dining game
Atlanta’s 5 most exciting restaurant debuts of 2023
Editor’s choice: 12 go-to Atlanta restaurants from our local expert
100 Atlanta Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day
The Best Places to Eat in Atlanta
15 restaurants vital to Atlanta
50 Atlanta Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day
Explore other cities and regions
Other ways to experience the world through dining