ATL Best Restaurants (Atlanta, Roswell, Marietta: neighborhood, wages, live)

[Prickly Pear]

I have some family coming up in a couple weeks and I want to take them to some good restaurants. We are spending one day at the Georgia Aquarium and another day at Stone Mountain, and another night will just be up around where I live here in Marietta. Haven’t really spent anytime in Downtown or Gwinnett since coming here, and as far as my own neighborhood well… I live by myself and just haven’t gotten around to many sit down restaurants yet.

I’d like to take them to some basically landmark or famous restaurants in the area.

But also even outside of these areas I’d like to start gathering a list from around the metro for places to try. Just some casual places with good food. I like all cuisines and I’m interested in trying new ones too.

[Madmom2000]

This is a classic:

https://thevarsity.com/

[europe2atlanta]

Not sure about your budget, but ITP I would highly recommend Lyla Lila, Miller Union, Aria (in Buckhead), The Optimist, Bacchanalia, Lazy Betty, Rumi's Kitchen (for large groups it's great), Boccalupo, Delbar, Gunshow, and Redbird.

If you want something very exclusive, I would recommend the omakase at Mujo. It is expensive, but worth it IMO. Tomo has great (and more affordable) omakase as well.

I find Canoe and some of the other more "traditional" restaurants in Atlanta to be overrated. They are good, but not on the same level as the restaurants above.

[Citykid3785]

Rumis kitchen
Miller union
Antico’s
Muchacho
Little Rey
Fellinis
Bartaco
The chastain
Spring
Table and main
Gracious plenty
Milton’s
The select

[ShenardL]

I would also recommend going to Ponce City Market and walking the East beltline to Piedmont Park or down to Krog Street market after the Georgia Aquarium. Excellent food options at both Ponce and Krog. The Varsity in midtown is the landmark restaurant, but the food is just ok and very heavy. I usually take my guests to South City Kitchen Midtown and walk 5 minutes to Intermezzo after.

[bryantm3]

I would take them to Mary Mac's Tea Room, if they are still open after the pandemic. They have been in business since the 1940s and are a longtime institution around here. The Colonnade is another good one, but once again am not sure in-person dining has returned there either.

Someone mentioned Antico. That's a whole experience, if you can afford it. They have a Neopolitan Pizza shop, a Chicken restaurant, and a Sicilian pizza & ice cream shop all on the same site.

[ATL Golfer]

Did you just ask if he can afford a $24 pizza?

I'm not sure what type of food you're looking for, fine dining, casual etc. Based on the outings I assume you're going casual and will stick there.

Aquarium day I would definitely do Antico. Not many experiences like it. Its BYOB too so plan ahead if anyone wants an adult beverage. (since you're in Marietta, you could even do the The Battery location).

Stone Mountain, I don't know food that way. But you'll be driving back from SM to Marietta? If so just off 285 at Buford Hwy is El Rey Del Taco. Some of the best Mexican food around. Salsa alone is worth the stop. Could do desert afterwards at Sweet Hut, also an experience.

What part of Marietta? I'm not very familiar with good eats that way. You could do some BBQ (get some Heirloom to go) - there is Sams #1 in East Cobb. You could also shoot down 120 to Downtown Roswell for a lively scene and plenty of restaurants to choose from.

[Datdudebrah]

Some relatively newer places with good food and good atmosphere:

Bold Monk
Delbar
Twisted Soul
Elsewhere Brewing
Talat Market
Buena Vida
Torched Hop
Lean Draft House
Estrellita
Pho Cue
Politan Row & Chattahoochee Foodworks Food Halls

Also the Eater Atlanta website is a great resource to find places. They some great lists to guide you to new places like this:

https://atlanta.eater.com/maps/38-be...nts-in-atlanta

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by ATL Golfer

Did you just ask if he can afford a $24 pizza?

Before inflation hit, a night out at Antico could pretty quickly turn into $150-$200 for a family of four. That's half a week's wages for some people.

[testa50]

I don't even know if I could spend $150 at Antico as a family of four if I tried. And I love nothing more than ordering frivolous crap at restaurants.