Atlanta's Best Neighborhoods for Eating, Ranked

Atlanta is among the world ’s greatest places to eat , but – like all great cities – has certain areas and neighborhoods that are just better at feed us than others . And sure , some neighborhoods are dilute with enough bar that you may drink your fashion through a horrible repast , but we ’re not here to verbalise about them . No , friends , we ’re here now to tattle about places that declare oneself the best chance to satisfy the most discerning critic ’s appetency for flavors and full belly .

15. Midtown

It does n’t make sense that such a major area of town is n’t dominating dinnertime , and maybe it ’s unfair they ’re at the bottom , but you have to grade the high - IQ kid more harshly if you want to see them get through their electric potential . The simple fact that Hugh Acheson could cause a major uproar if he were to just up and closeEmpire land South– may that never happen – shows you just how slight the prospect is . Not that there are n’t long - standing restaurants that have systematically sustain it down : South City Kitchen , Nan Thai Fine Dining , TAP , and on . you’re able to meat out atCommunity Smith , you’re able to next - stratum at The Lawrence ( coconut kashmiri octopus ? Yes . Tempura veal sweetbread ? Naturally ) , and you may do a Mediterranean / Italian admixture atEcco , so it ’s not like there are n’t more than a few options . But the trueness is that Midtown is presently better frame-up for fuddle than feeding , and its bars upstage the intellectual nourishment .

14. Little Five Points

When you ’re looking to wipe out and you ’re locked into L5P – which you will be after a sure hour due to traffic on Moreland and Euclid – there ’s no place uncanny than here . This is mostly a goal for strange - but - harmless folks who just require to wander , and the food kind of reflect that sentiment . That say , Savage Pizzais still murderously tasty , Front Page Newsnever disappoints when it comes to lady’s-finger and scene , The Vortexstill make one of the best burgers in the city , and even the TV showAtlantahad to recognize the import ofZesto , aka “ everybody ’s favorite fake Dairy Queen . ” There ’s also good reason to chit-chat the rooftops atArcadiaand the rebuiltCorner Tavernfor comfort nutrient with slap-up city views , or you know , just horizon of the masses .

13. Downtown

Downtown has total quite a long way from the days of serving up passably much nothing to whatever the Ritz - Carlton had on the menu . There ’s still a lot of hotel action ( definitely hit the Ritz ’s just - opened , quite bangingAG Steakhouse ) , but along with lieu likeMax Lager ’s Wood - fire Grill & Brewery– whose wing are phenomenal – you now have its sister eating house , White Oak , which goes full - barrel with whisky and American fare . Alma Cocinaputs in major workplace on the Mexican side of thing . you’re able to literally get some surprisingly great stuffings in the Peachtree Center food court , including what might be ATL ’s near falafel atAviva by Kameel .

12. Roswell

Why you ’re in Roswell is anybody ’s hypothesis – we do n’t desire to know . But since you ’re there , and if you ’re thirsty , you ’re in luck as long as you could make it business district to Canton St. That ’s where you ’ll discover an awful dining territory , withLittle Alleyholding you down in terms of bovine and bourbon ( lots and lots of both ) , its sis restaurantSalt Factory , and other related to restaurants likeTable & MainandOsteria Mattone , which are both from owner Ryan Pernice , and help comfortably upscale southerly meals , and Northern Italian cuisine , respectively . And you will respect it , because it ’s good enough to give you a post - dinner gleaming so warming that you wo n’t even notice the dread traffic heading back into town .

11. Vinings

There ’s not much else to do in Vinings other than eat and live . That said , it ’s impossible to lessen the roleCanoeplays in ATL Metro ’s dining scene – it could sell Krystal burgers from its riverbank plot of realm and ethnic music would still be there constantly . Then there’sMuss & Turner ’s , which is technically in Smyrna but we ca n’t leave them out for such a venial offense ; everybody knows they ’re an ATL must - corrode . C&S Seafood & Oyster Baris also worth the movement and the exchange premium price point – you do remember this is Vinings , right ? And what about the ofttimes - overlooked - by - outsidersSoho ? You ’ve probably passed it while zooming through Paces Ferry , but next prison term you ’re in the area , stop , snaffle a mesa , and order the sesame ahi tuna or the elk tenderloin .

10. Virginia-Highland

Taco Macstarted the right way here . But besides that , it ’s important to pay a visit toAtkins Park , since it ’s the urban center ’s longest continually licensed eatery . And do n’t miss the trout at Goin’ Coastal , or the strain - and - genuine Italian ofLa Tavola . Genkiis still slinging gravid sushi , and though Noche went down in the fire of Here to Serve Restaurant Group , TomTomstill has you covered on tapas , D.B.A.has a legitimate claim to being in the city ’s top five BBQ spots , and there are plenty of sweets uncommitted – from biscuits atCallie’sto gelato atPaolo ’s .

9. Kirkwood

Good chance getting in and out of this other - dimensional , tangle - alike neck of the woods between ATL and Decatur without getting lost , but if you ’re lucky and have a reliable Garmin , maybe you ’ll make it to Arizona Ave , whereRation & Dramrules the public – or at least those who kneel to luscious beignet , chicken biscuits , and other brunch staple . Sun In My Bellycan’t be beaten for breakfast , andElmyriachi’sburrito game is top - notch , particularly when you tote up a margarita ewer . Then there ’s the funky little resto that could , DISH DIVE , started by Jeff Myers who also cofoundedTop FlrandThe Sound Table . Doctor of Divinity ’s jazzed - up affordable meals , such as freeform chili flake lasagna with tomato fondu , and braise pork barrel stomach with jalapeño grits and French goner , are a perfect draw for outsider as well as resident physician of a residential district still figure out if it ’s gentrify or quell nice and simple .

8. Poncey-Highland

Nobody remember to shout outDugan ’s , and that ’s unbalanced , because those bless chicken wings have saved many lives , give up many budget , and fetch joy to many stomachs , include this humble writer’s . Sweet Auburn Barbecueholds it down with smoke core that post preference influences that stay put truthful to ATL ’s uncanny footling populace , and there ’s nothing quite like the politically file aura and magically delicious meat loaf at the fresh renovatedManuel ’s Tavern . And though it ’s not clear if the super - new8ARMis really O4W or Poncey , you could be sure it ’ll become a base of the residential district , since it ’s the tardy oblation of the heraldedOctopus Barand Lusca duo Nhan Le and Angus Brown . But the real weighed down - slugger on the strip isPCM , which put Hector Santiago , the Hopkins family , Jonathan Waxman , Guy Wong , the folks fromThe Pinewoodin Decatur , Anne Quatrano , and many other major ATL chefs under one roof . That now turned the sure-enough Sears ramp up into a culinary terminus and landmark nobody can give to miss .

7. Buckhead

hear as you might to avoid the area due to traffic , monetary value of everything , or just the residents ’ attitudes , you ca n’t hate on your options for fine dining in ATL ’s ritziest ITP toughie . The Buckhead Life mob still has a throttlehold on many of the best spot around ( Chops , Atlanta Fish grocery store , Bistro Niko , etc . ) , but they ’ve been challenged by novel , younger residents who are n’t sequester to culinary landmarks ( with the exception ofLandmark Diner , which is immortal ) . think of how everybody was sad for a day when Bluepointe close , but nowSt . Ceciliais there and folks realize the conclusion was for the best ? And what are you gon na do – get this week ’s direct repository andnoteat atUmi , orAtlas , or the Zeb - Stevenson - reinvigoratedWatershed , or OG RestaurantEugene ? you’re able to ride around Buckhead belong broke eating lush meals and never regret misplace a single dollar . Even the food across the street atPhipps Plazais probably beating almost every other center in America .

6. East Atlanta

The Village is really not trying to impress you , but it ’s failing as there ’s still an eclectic commixture of world culinary art and experimental dish happening from the centre of Flat Shoals and Glenwood , and unfold outward . How screwball is it thatArgosymakes a killer pizza , burger , and hot chicken sandwich with all they ’ve got going on ? And who bed tardy - night food could be so esoteric , yet so universal at once beforeOctopus legal profession ? And what made the wonderfully disturbed proprietor ofWe Suki Sukibring elements of Buford Highway to EAV , and name her tiny footling nook after an indiscreet line of dialogue fromFull Metal Jacket ? You ’ll have to go to regain out .

5. Decatur

estimable meals are all around in The Dec , although you ’d be forgiven for spending tomorrow ’s tiffin money on today ’s drunkenness atLeon’s , Victory , or anywhere else in the expanse with a beverage program on equality with its kitchen . Still , there ’s no deny whatKimball Housedid for Atlanta ’s oyster boom , or all the authentic Indian spot fromChai PanitoChatpatti , not to refer the tapas atIberian Pig , the pub menu and supreme beer selection atBrick Store , or darling kernel - n - threes from hangouts likeThe Pinewood Tippling Roomto lowly grind likeOur Way Cafe . And if you ’ve never feed atCakes & Ale , you should seek therapy – something ’s amiss with anybody that sees such a restaurant name and does n’t make it a priority to see out what ’s up . Oh , and did you know that a pot of people sayNo . 246is still Ford Fry ’s best restaurant ? It ’s straight , so act like you ’ve been eating there before it was trendy to cite Ford Fry like he ’s your personal chef .

4. Old Fourth Ward

The admixture of cultures that come together just nor'-east of Downtown make for an remarkably complete catalog of cooking . There ’s the consistently unmissable fried Bronx cheer atHarold ’s Chicken(which still calls itself an “ icing legal community ” for whatever understanding , but there ’s no ice bar , so permit ’s bar that ) . There ’s also the scene , as well as wood - fire dishes you may tastefully thrust into your mouth atTWO Urban Licks , and live music blended perfectly with Southern kitchen sensibilities atVenkman ’s . The breakfast and brunch lyssa ofHighland Bakerystill crushes the vast majority of what you ’ll witness elsewhere in ATL , andSerpasis still kicking ass with maple leaf duck breast and Berkshire pork chops , so do n’t get out them out of tilt . Of course the feel-/eat - good story of the class wasStaplehouse , recently called “ America ’s best new restaurant ” by other national media , but that does n’t entail you should n’t be eating all the Naples - style pies atAmmazza , or champ to the beatnik while dine atThe Sound Table , or keeping things Italian atNoni ’s .

3. Inman Park

This anti - bum neighborhood has million - dollar household and is renowned for housing political power players , but they ’ve created a culinary culture in which you do n’t have to be rich or famous to feed like a local . Krog St. Marketmade a big difference , withRichard ’s Southern Friedserving Nashville - style hot wimp that ’s in reality deserving the hefty Mary Leontyne Price tag , as well as the notorious dumplings ofGu’s– which was one of Buford Highway ’s greatest hits – and the immaculate menu atTiconderoga . Just up the route on the corner of North Highland and Elizabeth is where you ’ll findFritti(great pizza),Pure(good tacos),Barcelona(supreme wine and tapas ) , and all the fun raw stuff happening at Inman Quarter , from Ford Fry’sBeetleCat(sort of The Optimist lite ) , and Billy Streck’sHampton & Hudson , which may be capable to claim bragging rights for ATL ’s good Pisces & chips . Whatever you do and wherever you go , do n’t forget the neighborhood without at least eating “ The Meatstick ” beefburger atOne Eared Stag , which could shift your life history for the good and beefier .

2. West Midtown

There once was a time call in The Nineties , when the only comely options for eating in the section of Howell Mill between 17th Street and Northside Drive wereSix Feet Under , La Fonda Latina , andBacchanalia , which is about as screwball a mountain chain of dining choice you could reckon . Then cameTaqueria del Sol , and a new millennium , followed byChow Babyin 2005 , which serve the humanitarian purpose of scaring everybody out of let the scourge of fast - casual Mongol hustle - fry joint take over the street . Now the mesa is immaculately set with Ford Fry playing culinaryMonopolyby way ofJCT . ’s faithfully on - point , upscale comforter food , Marcel ’s steak , andThe OptimistandOyster Bar . Then there’sMiller Union , about which nothing bad can ever be said , as well as the always - on Burger atBocado , estimable sushi on both sides of Howell Mill ( from eitherO - KuorEight ) , and the instantly celebratedCooks & Soldiers , which is mighty across fromLittle Trouble . Down at the triangle there’sBartacowith the delightful tortilla - wrapped proteins , Le Fatbringing the Vietnamese disturbance , Octanewith the city ’s well umber , and the house - brew beer and tavern food at5 Seasons . For such a considerably tuck - away expanse , there are so many awesome restaurants to pick from .

1. Buford Highway

Nothing in the human beings compares to dining on BuHi , outside of really taking a world savour tour , which you sleep with you may not afford . It does n’t even make sense to commence naming names – sure , the infamous Pho Dai Loi 2,Lee ’s Bakery , Canton House , El Rey del Taco , andSushi House Hayakawaare major players , but the play is in the discovery . So all you have to do to experience some of the best dumpling , banh mi , tacos , sushi , pho , and other foods from Asia , Latin America , and everywhere else is simply get in your car – or someone else ’s – and ride up from Buckhead one day , taking bites of everything in your path . If you ’re somehow not pleasantly self-destructive after eat the entirety of life and culture , keep expire until you get toMasterpiece , which is WAY OTP but is consider the best Chinese food in town by critic who should know . gravely , there is no competition , and if you ’ve been in Atlanta more than a month and have never done one of these eating tours , what are you even doing here ?

Staplehouse