The City of Atlanta is not only the capital of the state of Georgia but is also a cultural epicenter of the American South. Between its rich history dating back to the founding of the county and its current status as a hub for food, entertainment, music, and more, Atlanta is certainly a must visit city! Although there are many reasons to visit, the amazing restaurants here are certainly one of the most appetizing. Don’t settle for a meal at a chain restaurant, dig deep into the flavors of the city by dining at our top 5 picks for local restaurants Atlanta has to offer!
K & K Soul Food
For many, when you think of Southern cooking, you think of soul food. Known for its decadent flavors, soul food is the ultimate in Southern comfort food and is a must-eat style of cuisine for anyone planning a visit to Atlanta. For the best of soul food, head to K & K Soul Food. Founded in 1968, expect to find a humble, no-frills style from the food to the atmosphere. What they may lack in decor, they make up for in flavor, with a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu full of soul food favorites such as fried chicken, blackeye peas, chicken gizzards, and okra. Anyone with a sweet tooth will be delighted by their traditional dessert offerings such as peach cobbler and sweet potato pie. Dine or take out from this Atlanta soul food institution!
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
If K & K Soul Food didn’t satisfy your craving for Southern cuisine, then Twist Soul Cookhouse & Pours should do the trick! Run by chef and owner Deboriah VanTrece and chef de cuisine Robert Butts, Twisted Soul Cookhouse prides itself on striking the perfect balance of Southern cooking with a worldly touch. The service strikes the perfect mix of a casual and fine dining experience, making this one of the best local restaurants Atlanta natives love. Their dinner menu features Southern classics like wings and fried green tomatoes for starters alongside delicious main dishes such as fried chicken, stewed neck bones with risotto, and seafood stuffed seared trout. The pours portion of the menu features an extensive list of wines and spirits, as well as a robust list of signature cocktails. Be sure to ask your waiter for the perfect drink to compliment your meal! Twisted Soul is closed on Mondays but is open for both lunch and dinner service Tuesday-Friday and offers a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hot Cafe
Atlanta may be best known as a Southern dining capital, but the mix of rich cultures that call Atlanta home means that there is a wide variety of amazing cuisine here. One of these perhaps unexpected highlights of the Atlanta dining scene is Hot Cafe. Here, they serve up Laotian, Thai, and Chinese cuisine in the style of classic Asian restaurants. Popular menu items include the larb, a meat salad tossed with scallion, cilantro, red onions, and toasted rice, along with the fiery papaya salad, wings, and pad thai. They are open daily from 11am to 9pm. Enjoy dine-in or take-out!
Miller Union
Although Atlanta has many options for more casual comfort food, there is no shortage of fine dining restaurants here! Our runner-up for best restaurant in Atlanta is the fine dining establishment, Miller Union. This dining destination is run by James Beard award-winning chef Steven Sattefield and serves up refined Southern cooking with a focus on locally grown produce. Although you will find entrees with meat and fish, such as the grouper fillet or the grilled pork loin, the vegetables are truly the focus here. Never has eating your veggies been so appealing! In addition to the delicious bites, Miller Union features an extensive wine list. Reservations are encouraged for those interested in dining in, but they also offer a curbside take-out menu that is updated daily to reflect the inventory of the restaurant.
Bacchanalia
Our choice for best restaurant in Atlanta is the elegant fine dining establishment of Bacchanalia. This restaurant has been in Atlanta for 20 years and their four-course menu just keeps getting better. Enjoy stellar fine dining dishes such as Maine lobster with caviar, New York strip steak, scallops, and duck. You can also order an indulgent caviar or oyster service to go along with your meal. Reservations here are required but can be booked up to three months in advance. If you are hoping for a more impromptu experience, dine at the bar for cocktails, wine, and the a la carte menu or enjoy their lavish four-course takeout menu for the Bacchanalia experience from the comfort of home.
Whether you are looking for humble comfort food or the best in fine dining experiences, the cuisine of Atlanta surely won’t disappoint! Be sure to visit one of our top picks for local restaurants in Atlanta during your next vacation. Book one of our amazing vacation rentals close to these delicious restaurants! Contact us today!