5 of the Best Restaurants in Atlanta

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, one thing remains the same while traveling — you have to eat! Plenty of people simply visit the restaurants closest to their hotels. Others stick with familiar national chains they frequent in their own hometowns.

Both of these seemingly harmless habits can cause you to miss out on some of the most delectable food in the country. Planning a trip to A-Town in the near future? Make a point to nosh at some of Atlanta’s best restaurants:

Bacchanalia

Fine dining enthusiasts will wholeheartedly appreciate all that Bacchanalia has to offer. Consistently rated as one of Atlanta’s best restaurants by top-tier publications for more than two decades, patrons are continually treated to delectable fare coupled with unparalleled hospitality. The prix-fixe dinners include five to seven savory options for each of the five courses. The seasonal menu relies solely on organic ingredients from chefs / owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison’s farm. Enjoy favorites like beef tartare, crab fritters, sweetbreads, and more.

1198 Howell Mill Rd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone (404) 365-0410

Antico Pizza Napoletana

Pizza on the brain? Head to Antico Pizza Napoletana, where the chefs are known to craft more than 700 pies over the course of a weekend, often running out of dough! Just one bite and you’ll understand why. Antico’s popular Margherita pizza is crafted with fresh mozzarella di bufala Campana and San Marzano tomatoes; the San Gennaro is covered in sausage, cipollini onions, and spicy sweet red peppers. Other offerings, such as the mushroom and artichoke-heavy Capricciosa, are considered just as scrumptious by tourists and locals alike. Keep in mind that reservations aren’t accepted and the dining room, which offers communal seating, is often full. Prefer to skip the crowd? Order your pie to go.

1093 Hemphill Ave. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone (404) 724-2333

Canoe

Located on the Chattahoochee River in the historic Vinings section of Atlanta, Canoe’s breathtaking riverside locale offers diners a delicious view as well as delectable fare. Meals have been mentioned in Bon Appetit as well as The New York Times. Popular items include a beet and goat cheese salad, fried green tomatoes, bacon-wrapped monkfish, truffle fries, she crab soup, and smoked salmon. Exquisite desserts include an espresso tart and popcorn sundae. There may be a wait if you want to dine outdoors during the warmer months, but previous patrons will vouch that it’s worth the wait.

4199 Paces Ferry Rd. SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone (770) 432-2663

Poor Calvin’s

Poor Calvin’s is like an island oasis that emerged in Downtown Atlanta in 2012. Owner and Chef Calvin Phan is Vietnamese and perfected his culinary crafts in Germany. Meals are a unique and flavorful blend of Thai and Southern styles, concocted from only the freshest and finest ingredients. Customer favorites include lobster fried rice, grilled lamb, fried chicken, sea bass, and kale mashed potatoes. The Poor Calvin’s Fusion, Midnight Overture and Mango Jalapeno are a trio of numerous signature cocktails, and the restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner — reservations are accepted and recommended.

510 Piedmont Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone (404) 254-4051

Rathbun’s

Co-owner and namesake Kevin Rathbun is something of a restaurant mogul in Atlanta. Opening its doors in the Inman Park neighborhood in 2004, Rathbun’s was the first of his four establishments in the area and still considered a predominant force. The fare is a mixture of new and traditional American dishes, from roasted chicken and filet mignon to elk chops and lobster tacos. Some meals are pricier than others — a portion of the menu is half-jokingly designated “Second Mortgage” — but the taste and overall ambiance has been enough to create plenty of repeat customers. The fact that Rathbun defeated Bobby Flay on TV series Iron Chef in 2008 also helps draw crowds.

112 Krog St.
Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone (404) 524-8280

Photo Credits:

1. Photo via Flickr

2. Photo via Rathbun’s