I got this excellent list of eateries from a G+ friend.
Jason Schwartz ;
https://plus.google.com/116157516198810621573/postsThis is broken out by intown neighborhood. Note that I typically don't eat anywhere north of Midtown (Buckhead can EAFD), and there are a lot of places that aren't on here, especially in EAV (no Soba/Octopus Bar, no We Suki Suki, etc. which are all totally great... no time to update lately).
Places with a single * before them are places we eat at somewhat often. If a restaurant has a **, it's one of our absolute favorite places within 5-10 miles of here; I'd give those a go first - you will probably not regret it!! The other restaurants are still very good (or they would not be on this list!), but they are not my "favorites" to visit.
--------------------
MIDTOWN
--------------------
* Baraonda - For a long while, this was my absolute favorite Italian place to go to. Mario and his partner have an exceptional thing going with this place and Enoteca (next door). The ovens are imported from Italy (along with some of the workers). Service has been a little hit or miss the last year or so, which is why we don't go as often as we once did. Still comes highly recommended for the pasta and (moreso) the pizza, which is amazing.
http://www.baraondaatlanta.com/* South City Kitchen - Respectable southern American food, definitely a good brunch location, fried chicken is pretty good
http://www.southcitykitchen.com/** Empire State South - Awesome local fare, limited menu with smaller portions, but the food is wholesome, locally sourced with a southern twist. Award winning chef runs the place who is also a guest host of the Top Chef TV show.
http://empirestatesouth.com/* TAP - If you like to drink beer, this is a high-end pub (is that possible?) that has one of the greatest beer selections on tap anywhere in Atlanta. The beer is good, the service is good, the food is great.
http://www.tapat1180.com/home.php** Top FLR - A la carte style menu, bistro style, international cuisine with an American twist. Great wine menu, Grappa selection, awesome cocktails.
http://topflr.com/home.htm* Ecco - European/International fare, with a twist. Good wine selection, nothing on the menu I don't like. Definite zingers, such as the honey and gorgonzola ice cream (if still served)
http://www.ecco-atlanta.com/* One Midtown Kitchen - I don't eat here incredibly often, but it's definitely good, albeit it is hard to find the location.
http://www.onemidtownkitchen.com/home.htmlTop Spice - Best Thai and Malay food in-town, but it's a ways down the street, and not really "local" (Monroe and Piedmont). They also have a good Malaysian selection, including beef rendang, which is hard to find in the area, and possibly one of my top ten favorite pan-Asian dishes of all time.
http://www.topspiceansleypark.com/Mary Mac's - Southern cooking/comfort. Mary Mac's has the soul, but I argue it's lacking the punch of flavor. For better tasting southern comfort at a total hole in the wall, go to Carver's on the west side instead (if you can find it). For proper higher-end southern food, you'd be better served by going to "JCT Kitchen", it's well worth it. A Google search will turn that place up pretty easily, it's right by Taqueria Del Sol / behind Bacchanalia.
* Vortex - (See review below in L5P section)
Escorpion - This is on Peachtree NE at the corner of 5th street. Tequila bar from the same owner as Fritti and Sotto Sotto, both are great restaurants, but Escorpion get mixed reviews. Don't recommend, the crowd and vibe isn't all that great.
http://www.urestaurants.net/* Takorea - Mexico meets Korea. A taqueria with Korean ingredients. Awesome place for something different; good daily lunch/dinner specials.
http://mytakorea.com/--------------------
WESTSIDE/HOME PARK
--------------------
** Taqueria Del Sol - I usually go to the one on Howell Mill, near the corner of 14th and Howell Mill. There is also one in Decatur, and another on Cheshire Bridge. This place is amazing. As simple as it gets, their cheese dip is the best you will ever eat in your entire life. It's like crack, I don't know what they put in it, but I can't get enough. The fried chicken taco and carnitas taco are my personal favorites. I usually never bother with their blue plate special, but the special weekly taco is normally great, especially "The Bob", when it's available.
http://www.taqueriadelsol.com/** Bacchanalia - same shopping center as Taqueria Del Sol, located inside Star Provisions. Price fix menu, formal dining without suit-and-tie required. It's absolutely amazing food, with wine pairing options available. I ate the best steak of my life in this place. There is an even more upscale/exclusive restaurant downstairs.
http://www.starprovisions.com/ BTW - Star Provisions is a great place to get meats and cheeses and fresh local produce, and their bakery has great food, good lunch.
** Abattoir - Current fave restaurant EVER. Everything on the menu is good Farm-to-table concept where no parts are wasted. Lots of veggie-based dishes, menu changes a lot. Foie gras & chicken liver plate is TO DIE FOR. All dishes, including the tripe and sweetbreads plates are stupid good. I would pass up almost any other restaurant on this list to eat here. - Shared website:
http://www.starprovisions.com/* Antico Pizza Napoletana - Pizzas made to Vera Pizza Napoletana standards in a 1000-degree oven, cooks in less than two minutes. I think Ammazza on Edgewood Ave is better, personally, and Ammazza has a full bar and more seating, but both have the same pizza style and you won't be disappointed at either. Pick up or dine in, they open between noon and 2pm, and close when they run out of dough. They only sell in "large" 16" size. GET THE DIAVAOLA PIZZA (spicy).
http://www.anticopizza.it/Menu.pdf* Bocado - One of my wife's favorites - I don't love it, but I feel it's worthy of the occasional visit for their great drinks and most of the small plates.
http://www.bocadoatlanta.com/ Ormsby's - Great pub fare, bocce ball court and gaming in the basement underneath, one of better fish and chips, burger and appetizer choices you'll find in town.
http://www.ormsbysatlanta.com/* JCT Kitchen - bar is upstairs, restaurant is downstairs. Southern American food with an elegant twist, get the fried chicken (if possible) or any of the other southern favorites found. Check the bar upstairs after, good drinks, good environment, always something going on.
http://jctkitchen.com/Yeah Burger - Another burger place. Same shopping center as Abattoir and Ormsby's, you'd be better served going to one of those two in my opinion. Yeah Burger is gimmicky, expensive and they overcook their meat.
http://www.yeahburger.com/* Bone Lick BBQ - I would have given this place two stars in October 2012, when they had their old and utterly awesome Brunswick Stew on the menu, but ... they changed it. Either way, the brisket and pulled pork are awesome, the portion sizes are huge, almost everything is spicy and they have their own house-made sauces, one for just about everyone ... I love the pepper vinegar, especially with their fresh-friend pork rinds. I still think Fox Bros is better, but this place is another must-visit.
http://www.bonelickbarbecue.com/--------------------
INMAN PARK
--------------------
** Sotto Sotto - Superb gourmet Italian. Quality of the food is amazing. Great grappa selection, if you happen to like it (I do). You will not be disappointed with your meal.
http://www.urestaurants.net/* Fritti - Real, authentic Italian pizza and apps. Again - amazing. Both of these places are located next door to each other in Inman Park.
http://www.urestaurants.net/** Wisteria - One of my absolute favorite neighborhood restuarants, hands down, period. Jason is an amazing chef, and never fails to amaze. Service is exceptional, food is exceptional, wine selection is great. It is a must- visit. Some of the BEST FRIED CHICKEN IN ATLANTA (in a nice, non-hole-in-the-wall restaurant)
http://www.wisteria-atlanta.com/** Rathbun's Steak - Best. Steaks. In. Atlanta. Superb sides, including twice-baked potatoes with everything from cheddar and bacon to jalapeno. Lobster fritters, cheese balls... just go! Cigars and good desserts. Exceptional bar. Love, love, love it.
http://www.kevinrathbunsteak.com/* Parish - New Orleans-themed restaurant, raw bar, constantly changing menu. Superb brunch, with bakery downstairs. Some exotic items on menu, like pork cheeks, are pretty amazing. Superb food with a well-rounded menu which you'd be hard-pressed to find anything "bad" within.
http://parishatl.com/home.php** One Eared Stag - Food geeks making food for food geeks. Daily menu with some normal stuff and some odds and ends for the more adventurous eater. Check the daily menu at their website,
http://www.oneearedstag.com/Barcelona - Tapas and wine bar. Swanky environment, place to be seen, food is hit or miss, wine is good. Fun place to hang out, I'm tempted to give it a star, but while I wasn't disappointed, I also wasn't that impressed on the first three trips. Worth checking out, though.
http://www.barcelonawinebar.com/atlanta.htm--------------------
PONCEY-HIGHLANDS/VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS
--------------------
** The Highlander - YOU MUST GO HERE ON FRIDAY AND GET THE NASHVILLE HOT FRIED CHICKEN!!!!!!!!! They have lots of other awesome stuff on the menu as well, but the NHFC is the real winner. Expect to crap fire the next day, it's worth the pain.
http://www.thehighlanderatlanta.com/* Two Urban Licks - Got sort of trendy, so we quit going as often. The dining area is amazing, from the gigantic 18' x 24' commissioned painting by Todd Murphy, to the cooking island in the middle of the restaurant, complete with gigantic spit for meat, that is often lit up with gas burners. It's a cool experience, great drinks, exceptional food and wine, a must-see for friends and family visiting. Prepare to walk out smelling like you've been sitting next to a campfire all day. The chef left to open Serpas, which is one of our new favorite restaurants.
http://www.twourbanlicks.com/home.htmlHand in Hand - Like most bars in the short strip of retail this place is in, it is a total meatmarket at night on Fri/Sat (singles trying to hook up), but during the day, great place to grab lunch, British style food, fish and chips, thick burgers, etc.
http://www.dereklawfordpubs.com/Neighbors - Typical neighborhood joint with typical food - style/taste is between Carol Street and Dakota Blue.
http://www.neighborsatlanta.com/* La Tavola - Part of Fifth Group's restaurants (Ecco, South City, Food Studio), Italian that will not dissapoint. I am hesitant to give two stars because I've only been here twice, it's not "far", but it's just outside the perimeter of how far I want to drive to eat locally.
http://www.latavolatrattoria.com/ Manuel's Tavern - Total dive bar. Pretty good food. Often one of those places I find myself after a daytime outing with friends on the weekends. Atlanta classic politico hangout with deep history
http://www.manuelstavern.com/The Local - Total dive bar. Pretty good food. I have a lot of memories of starting off many a pub crawl here, and it's mandatory that you visit the Clermont Lounge after (under/behind the hotel across the street). Sometimes you'll bump into Blondie and other girls working at the Clermont here
http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/2997491Harry and Sons - Thai and Sushi. These guys actually own(/ed) several nearby restaurants. I am not a huge fan, but my friends are, the sushi is pretty good, and the Thai is decent too, their health inspection scores aren't something to be proud of
http://www.harryandsonsrestaurant.com/* Pura Vida - (may be closed now) Tapas with Spanish and Latin influences. Overall, good food, we just don't get there often. I'd still recommend giving it a shot, best tapas in the downtown neighborhoods.
http://www.puravidatapas.com/** Super Pan Latino - (may be closed now) Awesome sandwich shop run out of the back side of Pura Vida, totally confusing space with great food. Love it.
http://www.superpanlatinosandwichshop.com/Desi Spice - Located behind Trader Joe's off Monroe. Overall it's some of the more respectable Indian in-town, I suggest getting one of the veggie combo or meat combo plates. A bit pricey, but I think it's worth it. Website is down every now and then, you may need to use Google to get a menu.
http://www.desispiceatl.com/--------------------
CABBAGETOWN
--------------------
* Agave -
http://www.agaverestaurant.com/ - Superb food, fair prices (for what you get), exceptional service, a giant asset to our area. Literally hundreds of tequila choices at the bar, and the best margaritas you're going to find in the metro area, period. One of my absolute favorite regular restaurants.
Carroll St. Cafe - just down the street. I thought the food and service was much better when Darren was running the place 4-5 years ago, it's changed a lot since then. Food is always above average, service is OK, we try to stop in every now and again. It's hard for us, though, because we saw how amazing it once was, and while it's still great, it's just not as great as it used to be for us. I highly recommend it though - but avoid brunch, it can be a nightmare.
http://www.apresdiem.com/carroll/Milltown Arms - Personal favorite pub of mine. Reminiscent of Hand in Hand (in the Highlands), Euclid Yacht Club (L5P) and The Earl (EAV) for "wooden bar environment". Pub food and traditional Irish fare, some with a modern twist. You'd never know it looking @ the online menu, which appears to be lacking one or two of my fave items.
http://www.milltownarmstavern.net/'97 Estoria - Right around the corner from Carroll St. Pub food, but good pub food. Do not go at night if you hate smoke, or sit outside. Service is relaxed to the point of frustrating sometimes, but the food is good. The homemade chips appetizer with bleu cheese and tomato are superb, IMO.
http://www.97estoria.com/--------------------
OLD FOURTH WARD / SWEET AUBURN / EDGEWOOD
--------------------
* Rathbun's - Exceptional cuisine, tons of selections, items from every corner of the world. Never a let-down, highly recommended.
http://www.rathbunsrestaurant.com/** Serpas - www.serpasrestaurant.com - This place is tough to find, but worth every minute. Avoid the duck spring rolls, not worth your time. The flash fried oyster appetizer is a must. The burger is probably one of the best you'll find anywhere, especially if you get the double, and the fries that come with are also good. Anything slow-cooked or braised is what you'll want to get - whether it's short rib, pork shoulder, brisket...doesn't matter. If the smoked cheddar grits are on the menu as a side to any dish, they are also a must-get. I don't normally eat fish, they've got a few worth ordering, but the real winner here is slow cooked meats and their burger.
Krog Bar - Chill place to hang out, light appetizers, superb wine selection. Just outside Rathbun's, great place to book for a pre-dinner drink or casual get-together before going to Rathbun's.
http://www.krogbar.com/** Ammazza Pizza - I highly recommend the Inferno (spicy) and the Bolognese pizzas, with the Inferno being at the top of my list every time I dine at the place. If you're not so hip to spicy, you can pick off the calabrese peppers from the Inferno. Plenty of free parking, when you walk in, it's not clear that there's a bar and common eating area 1/4th the size of a football field down the hallway behind the kitchen with a full bar that seats 20+ people. Good hang out, great place to drink and socialize with great, fresh, oven-fired pizza.
http://www.ammazza.com/Thumbs Up Diner - Great breakfast place. If eating on the weekend, you better get your name on the list early, especially for brunch. This place and Ria's are the best breakfast places we have in the metro area (Ria's is better). "Radial" near Decatur is good as well, but ... these are much closer.
http://www.thumbsupdiner.com/Cafe Circa - At the corner of Edgewood and Boulevard in the up-and-coming Old Fourth Ward. Great bar, great social area to meet with friends (happy hour), parking can be tough sometimes. Food is good, definitely with a Caribbean flair, but good. Love that banana ketchup.
http://www.cafecircaatl.com/Cornerstone Tavern (Edgewood) - While I don't normally like chains, this is same chain as the one in L5P, and carries what I feel is the typical "Atlanta" vibe. It's located next to Cafe Circa on Edgewood. Two brand new pool tables upstairs, bar downstairs, surprisingly good food for bar fare, great dive to hang out and knock back beers with friends. Next door to Church, which is another awesome bar.
Rollin' Bones BBQ - This place has gone downhill and lost its appeal, but I still stop in from time to time (you're better to go to Noni's cafe one block away). Located on Edgewood, between Boulevard and I-75.
http://www.rollingbonesbbq.com/* P'Cheen - Pub/Bistro, owner is a transplant from South Africa. It's your general pub, has a bit of a Brit sports-pub feel, but the food is on-point. I'll tell you - their nightly curry dish (or curry trio) is AMAZING. Sometimes I'll go just to get that - but it's a great after-work place to hit, or good for just taking a loved one out for a bite. Same crew opened Bone Lick BBQon the west side recently.
http://pcheen.com/* Zuma Sushi - Beats the crap out of East Atlanta Thai/Sushi and also RuSans. In fact, this place is just as good as MF Sushi for the food (Sake selection isn't as good). I like the food and the low-key environment, great porch area, some sake/wine/beer selection, good prices, sometimes service is a little off (slow as hell), BUT it's worth stopping in for respectable sushi.
http://www.zumasushibar.com/** Miso Izakaya - Japanese style gastro-pub, with amazing tapas-style plates you won't find anywhere else in town. Everything they have with pork belly is stupid-good. Sushi is available to boot, and it's good, but I wouldn't call it the attraction of the menu.
http://www.tapanese.com/Across The Street - Conveniently located across the street from P'Cheen and Zuma. Good drinks, and some unique Mexican inspired food. One of the only place in the area that serves cheladas/micheladas. The "Mexitini" is a must-drink. Shrimp enchiladas are good also! Great place to hang out at, meet friends, etc. especially in the spring when the patio is open
http://across-the-street.com/default.aspx* Noni's Deli - Fresh Italian comfort food. I recommend getting into the sandwiches although the lasagna and pasta is great also, there is nothing bad on this menu. My fave sandwich is the Patricia. Orzo salad is an awesome side.
http://www.nonisdeli.com/ * Sound Table - From the purveyors of TOP FLR, similar concept; music bar and club downstairs, awesome dining upstairs. The menu is almost as varied and hip as the people who hang out here. Only open for dinner.
http://www.thesoundtable.com/dinner/--------------------
L5P (Little 5 Points)
--------------------
Savage Pizza - Located in L5P - Some odd "themed" pizzas you'll ever find. All of them are good. It's a dive, I suggest takeout due to limited eating space. In my opinion, Savage is an Atlanta classic, and everyone should eat there at least once or twice; the food is great.
http://www.savagepizza.com/* Vortex - on Moreland in L5P - Absolute classic Atlanta staple. If you love Burgers, you MUST eat here. It emotes the essence of what L5P is about, and truly expresses a dominant subculture in Atlanta perfectly. The food is amazing. They have another location in Midtown on Peachtree NE, between 6th and 8th street. Good beer and whiskey selection!!
http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/* The Porter Beer Bar - Best beer selection around, period. Even rivals Taco Mac in my opinion. Only thing better is Brickhouse over in Decatur. Food is decent, bordering on good, although some things, like the brats, are not so great, which is sad for me. BUT GREAT BEER SELECTION! NOTE: People get confused - there is a huge bar as you walk in - lots of seating is available in the back of the restaurant! Very unique location
http://www.theporterbeerbar.com/Euclid Yacht Club - On Euclid Ave in L5P - Their BBQ pulled pork burrito is to die for, in my opinion (must specifically request it now, not on menu anymore). Otherwise, just another dive bar with a good beer selection and typical bar fare. We often eat here before going to music venues @ Variety Playhouse.
http://www.theeayc.com/El Myr - On Euclid Ave in L5P. Taqueria style fare. Nothing special, and a complete and total dive, overly casual dive to kick back some beers and eat chips and salsa with friends.
http://www.elmyr.com/** Fox Bros BBQ - Texas style BBQ.
http://foxbrosbbq.com/ . BEST BBQ Texas-style brisket in Atlanta, hands down. GET THE "BURGER" (!!!!), it's the best thing on the menu. Their chopped pork shoulder isn't as good as Rollin' Bones, but damned close. Located on Dekalb ave, you could throw a rock out of the Lowes parking lot at the Edgewood Retail District (Reynoldstown/south end of L5P) and hit it. Great outdoor music, great vibe, superb side dishes. Really dig this place.
Stir it Up - Jamaican. One of the only Jamaican places nearby, actually. It's not bad, it's not anything to write home about, and if you're craving Jamaican or Caribbean food, it's a place to go. They have some of the best curry goat I've found in Atlanta.
http://www.stiritupatl.com/--------------------
GRANT PARK / OAKLAND
--------------------
Grant Central Pizza - Located at the northwest corner of Grant Park on Cherokee. Great lasagna (veggie-only and meat), great pizza. One of the only pizza places I know nearby that puts green olives on pizza, which I love. They have two stores - one in East Atlanta Village, one in Grant Park.
http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/3007209* Stone Soup Kitchen - Stone Soup kitchen focuses on breakfast, but - let me tell you - this place is an absolute GEM with everything it serves. Good lunch, good breakfast, good wholesome food. Catering to vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I highly recommend "Lil's Favorite" sandwich w/turkey and add bacon to it. Love the grits.
http://www.stonesoupkitchen.net/Young Augustines - Nice bar with good food located on Memorial across from the historic Oakland cemetery, 3 blocks west of Boulevard next to where Lenny's once was. Bar food with style/class.
Six Feet Under - reminiscent of a beachside bar in Florida, serving a variety of seafood items and fried fare. It's a bar. It's got fried food. Some people love it, swear by it, I am skeptical - all three times I ate there, I wasn't impressed. The alligator bites were hard (pre-frozen), the blackened catfish was OK, and the last time we went, the seafood combo was good. I love the beer selection, though. They have another location on the west side of metro that just opened in '07 which is nicer.
http://www.sixfeetunderatlanta.com/** Ria's Bluebird - One of the best breakfast places around, hands down, right up there with Stone Soup Kitchen. Catering to vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters, this is a must-eat at establishment that has a decade-long (or more) history in the area. They have a regular Eggs Benedict special which often blows my mind, and I almost always wind up ordering it.
http://www.riasbluebird.com/Tin Lizzy's - Cantina-style restaurant. 80's Trivia! Standard cantina/bar fare. Not too bad, for what it is. Fun place to hang out with friends, get stuffed on the cheap eating pretty tasty food (for what it is).
http://www.tinlizzyscantina.com/Dakota Blue - very kids-oriented, little hole-in-the-wall restaurant at the northwest corner of Grant Park on Cherokee. Burrittos and Cubans are their schtick.
http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/38467309/atlanta_ga/dakota_blue.htmlZibas Wine Bar - on Boulevard half a block south of CVS. Pretty good food, good coffee choices, decent wines, but overall... just a neighborhood place to eat.
Daddy D'z BBQ - Georgia style BBQ, similar in style to Fat Matt's Rib Shack on Piedmont (Fat Matt's is fake BBQ, though). While I think that Daddy D'z is one of the better BBQ places in Atlanta, I'll pass it up for Fox Bros every time. The place is a total div, often with live music, so if that's not your thing, skip it!
** Nick's Greek To Go - Seriously, their gyros are the best you're going to find anywhere in the southeastern USA, PERIOD. Located at the corner of Martin Luther King Dr. and Hill St. a few blocks east of the Capitol building, diagonal from Daddy D'z in a blue and white building. Greek take-out run by a migrant Greek family, and the building is a total hole in the wall. Expect an attitude and a mouthful of expletives from Nick, who often serves the food. To-go orders only, call in advance to avoid standing and waiting.
http://www.nicksfood.com/--------------------
EAV (East Atlanta Village)
--------------------
* The Earl - Located in in EAV (East Atlanta Village), a total dive bar , I can't deny it, but man, I love this place. The burgers are stupid-good though, and the rest of the bar food is great too. They do live shows in an isolated area in the back, but all in all ... it's a bar. Highly recommend their guacamole burger with bacon added, if you've got some extra room in your arteries available for clogging.
http://www.badearl.com/* Holy Taco - Located in EAV, Good place to hang out with friends, some parts offerings and oddities (chicken heart taco, crickets, etc). Love this place.
http://www.holy-taco.com* Flatiron Grill - Located in EAV, dive bar with food, but good food. Worthy of checking out.
http://www.eastatlantavillage.net/flatiron.phtml* Graveyard Tavern - Great place to watch soccer, hang out, beer tastings, lots of activities going on at any given time. Respectably good and sometimes adventurous pub food from an extremely competent kitchen staff (most of the time). Check their website for events and menus.
http://graveyardtavern.com/Grant Central Pizza - Never been to the EAV location, I assume it's the same as Grant Park (above).
