Delicious Dining Experiences in Downtown Atlanta

Many people think of Southern Food as “hearty, heavy and fattening.” And, you’d be right. We love our fried chicken, bar-be-que, cobblers and other classic dishes.  But, we’ve come a long way in terms of gourmet goodies. You don’t have to look further than the menagerie of options available in Atlanta, Georgia to see we’re fans of all food, especially fine dining. During a recent visit to Atlanta, we sampled some these gourmet treats to bring you delicious dining experiences in downtown Atlanta.  Yes, it’s a hard job, but someone has to do it. Who am I kidding? I’d never turn down a chance to dine at one of these restaurants.
upscale dining options in downtown atlanta
We visited Atlanta on a media tour.

Gourmet Restaurants in Downtown Atlanta: 

These restaurants are located in the Buckhead District. If you plan on dining at one of these restaurants, be sure to factor in congested traffic during rush hour. You don’t want to miss a reservation! These are places to celebrate or enjoy a date night, not places you would want to take the kids. But, sometimes you might want a special treat!
1. Atlas BuckheadThis is a classic special occasion restaurant.  Located in the St. Regis, the decor is gorgeous. You’ll want to stop and examine their collection of 20th century artwork, selected from The Lewis Collection, one of the largest private art collections in the world.  Chef Christoper Grossman has designed delicious menu option that change daily based on his collaboration with more than a dozen local farms. It’s true farm to table dining!
Atlas Buckhead

We spent a cozy evening on the patio, sampling starters and being treated to their seasonal drink, While I didn’t try the drink, I was a huge fan of the Atlas sliders,  prepared with Ground Wagyu, Smoked Gouda-Pimento Cheese, Tucker Farms Green Leaf, Toasted Brioche Bun.  The atmosphere is intimate and cozy, allowing for a relaxing evening with friends, but large enough you don’t feel crowded by other patrons.  The staff was impeccable and knowledgeable about the dishes.  If you plan to dine at Atlas, reservations are available, as well as valet parking.  Self serve parking is also available if you prefer.  Be prepared- entrees range from $28 to $70.
Atlas Buckhead

2. South City Kitchen– This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Seriously, I could eat here everytime I go to Atlanta. With two locations in Atlanta,  Midtown and Buckhead, plus another in Smyra, South City serves “sophisticated Southern classics with a contemporary spin.”  You’ll find the classics, like their amazing Fried Green Tomatoes, except they’ve upped the ante and added goat cheese and red pepper coulis.  It’s like grandma’s cooking done with a gourmet touch.
Fried Green Tomatoes South City Kitchen

The best part of this restaurant is their many gluten free options, making it a great place to dine when you have Celiac or gluten intolerance. There’s even a special gluten free menu! I have never had a dish I didn’t enjoy at South City, but I recommend the Springer Mountain Farms Fried Chicken  with collard greens, red bliss potatoes and honey-thyme jus or for lighter fare, the Pimento Cheese  with bread & butter  pickles, celery and benne seed crackers.  You can make reservations and see for yourself why the Midtown South City Kitchen has been voted the voted the Best All Around Restaurant in Atlanta.  Most entrees range from $19 to $30 each.  Note: The Midtown location does not have onsite parking and is not handicapped accessible.
South City Kitchen appetizers

3. Del Frisco’s Grillis located in the “heart of Buckhead.” It’s an easy walk from several of the area hotels.  This restaurant has a “hip and happening vibe” combined with tasty goodies, including a limited gluten free menu. We sampled their starters, flatbreads and desserts.  I was pleased to see all flatbreads could be prepared with a gluten free crust, if requested.
del frisco

If you visit, you can’t go wrong with the Ahi Tacos prepared with Tuna Tartare, Avocado and Spicy Citrus Mayo or the Deviled Eggs with Truffle-Chive Vinaigrette.  There’s parking available on site and they take reservations.  I would recommend them because we visited on a Friday night and the restaurant was packed.  Entrees range from $19 to $31.
del frisco 2
4. Doraku Izakaya and SushiLocated in the Shoppes at Buckhead, Doraku is designed to resemble “a classic Japanese teahouse with an American vibe.” If you are a sake fan, this is the place to be. They have  one of the most extensive sake menus in the United States.  If you are not a fan of Sake, like me, they also have a drink menu and a selection of soft drinks.
Doruku

We visited on a Saturday evening and this place was hopping. There was not an empty table in the house.  The service is attentive and the food is delicious. My favorite was the private sushi making demonstration we were given where we learned how to craft our own sushi. And, if you are wondering, it is not as easy as it looks! This is the perfect place to order several small plates, as we did, and share.  One of my favorites, suprisingly as this is a Japanese restaurant, was the fried Brussel sprouts. Even if you think you won’t like Brussel Sprouts, you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised by these.

What are your favorite restaurants in Atlanta?

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37 Comments

  1. These all sound and look delicious! One of my best friends moved to ATL for work, so next time I go visit her we’ll have to check some of these out! 🙂

  2. These are some awesome recommendations! If I ever make my way to Atlanta I will for sure be checking these spots out 🙂

  3. Living in Atlanta I’ve visited all the places you listed! Atlanta is such a foodie city!!

  4. Upscale dining… Ooooh! I wish I could do that at least once a month but it’s hard with a baby. LOL! Anyway, I’ve been to Atlanta and I wish I read this earlier. I’ll suggest this to my sister-in-law who lives there. 😀

  5. I’ve got a friend in Atlanta. Next time I visit her we can both check out some of these places.

  6. I’ve always wanted to visit Atlanta. I have many friends who live there and it sounds like there are quite a few good spots!

  7. Our Family World

    The foods really looks delish! Will be listing these restaurants when we go here.

  8. I have been to all of the restaurants I do live here. I love Doraku sushi in Buckhead they have amazing sushi options!

  9. Oh my goodness! You had me at Gourmet and Atlanta! Never been to Atlanta, it’s on my bucket list! And gourmet, when I hear that word, it can only be exquisite food!

  10. I love exploring restaurants in new places. I’ve been to Atlanta once for a conference, but I would love to go and explore restaurants and try different foods!

  11. Look at all the yummy food! So much deliciousness! Would love to visit Atlanta, never been myself but think it would be a great experience!

  12. This sounds like a perfect place to eat while in Atlanta! Would love to add this to our list when we visit!

  13. Sounds like Atlanta has some really great places to eat. Seems I need to visit just for the food.

  14. Wow, scrumptious-looking pictures here!
    Makes me want to visit Atlanta.

  15. Atlanta sure has a lot to offer when it comes to good food. I wouldn’t mind checking these places out should I find myself in Atlanta.

  16. Now this looks great. I’m definitely checking this out when in town

  17. These sound like great restaurants, thanks for the list! I will actually be in the Atlanta area for the Haven conference this summer so having some good recommendations is awesome.

  18. These places do look amazing. If I get the chance to make it to Atlanta I will have to try out some of these places.

  19. Okay – this is the third restaurant review i have seen this week for Atlanta. I seriously NEED to get to Atlanta to just and I mean only – eat!! This looks like an amazing spot. I see a trip coming up soon.

    • Me too. That’s the first thing I will do if and when I get to visit Atlanta – Eat in every restaurant that would catch my fancy. I might even consider moving there. LOL.

  20. am hoping to be in Atlanta in the next year. I have always wanted to go explore. I will have to check out . Atlas Buckhead.

  21. Yum! I’m glad there is a lot of great choices when visiting Atlanta! I bet I’d really like those Ahi Tacos.

  22. Some of these look so delicious. I will need to visit Atlanta again.

  23. The food they serve in these restaurants are amazing. They all look so good and mouth watering. I want some of that sushi! How I wish I could just pack my bags and move to Atlanta!

  24. Oh my goodness the pictures look so good! When I travel to Atlanta again I will try some of these places.

  25. I can’t wait to get to Atlanta and when I do, I’ll need to check out some of these places because there are a perfect fit for us!

  26. It looks like I have to go to Atlanta for the food if nothing else! All of these places look amazing and I love to eat!

  27. Oh you had me at Fried Green tomatoes. A southern girl here and you are right about Southern Food. If it ain’t fattening, then it ain’t good!! LOL I just can’t do that anymore, but sure do crave it now and again. Heading up to Atlanta soon and might have to check out one of those in Buckhead. Thanks for sharing.

  28. I’ve heard so many great things about the restaurants in Atlanta. I’ve yet to visit but I am making a list to visit the places you suggested. The food looks amazing.

  29. I have never been to Atlanta. Looks like they have quite an assortment of places!

  30. These restaurants sound amazing. I’ll keep them in mind for when I go to Atlanta.

  31. I’m going to keep this handy for the next time I’m in Atlanta! It’s been 15 years since I visited!

  32. We don’t live anywhere close to Atlanta and won’t be going there anytime soon. All the food looks delicious and served and displayed well. Always nice to have some nicer restaurants to choose from.

  33. These all sound like great places to eat. I’m bookmarking this one. I love to keep posts that have restaurant lists like this for when I get to the area.

  34. These are all great picks. My family loves to go to Del Frisco’s whenever we can. Their food is on point.

  35. robin masshole mommy

    Perfect timing. There is a good chance I will be in Atlanta this summer, so now I know where to eat 🙂