Famous Restaurants in Atlanta 14 Iconic Places to Eat

Home to Coca-Cola, the Braves, and tons of stirring Civil Rights History, Georgia’s capital delivers a surplus of thrilling activities and attractions.

In addition, this buzzing Southern metropolis is also home to an abundance of popular Atlanta restaurants. Follow along to discover the best of famous Atlanta restaurants: 14 iconic Atlanta restaurants to dine at.

While many people may be searching the internet for ‘what is Atlanta famous food’ obsessed epicureans know there is so much more than soul food available in the Big Peach.

Feast like a multicultural VIP at some of the most famous restaurants in Atlanta. From plates of artisanal pasta to dim sum date night dinners, ATL prides itself on culinary diversity.

Make a pilgrimage to some Atlanta staple restaurants and eat your fill of fried chicken, collard greens, and pie, or make a reservation at Canoe for Chattahoochee River views.

Ready to devour dishes at the most famous restaurants in Atlanta? Read on…

Famous Restaurants in Atlanta GA*

Breaking bread in the footsteps of Civil Rights leaders, Southern delicacies, and frosty glasses of sweet tea, everything about dining in the Big Peach will bring a smile to your face. Chow down on fried green tomatoes, or attempt to spot a star sighting at any of the premier celebrity restaurants Atlanta.

Tempt your taste bud with dumplings, or soak in cityscape views with a cocktail in hand at the Sun Dial. Already drooling? Let’s dive into the most famous places to eat in Atlanta.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room

A throwback to a bygone era, ‘Atlanta’s dining room’ has been serving up Southern comfort food for almost 80 years. One of the oldest restaurants in Atlanta, visitors and locals alike clamor to Mary Mac’s Tea Room at 224 Ponce de Leon Ave for a homey atmosphere and sweet-as-honey hospitality.

A true homage to the flavors of the South, diners will be tempted by a menu of from-scratch classics, including fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, and freshly baked bread. Tear into a plate of juicy fried chicken with a side of okra, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a hearty helping of old-fashioned banana pudding or fresh Georgia peach cobbler.

Fried chicken, mac and cheese, green beans, and squash on white plates — Photo Credit: Mary Mac’s Tea Room via Facebook

Bones

A classic steakhouse experience, true carnivores will be in heaven when they dine at Bones. This institution of prime beef, seafood, and exemplary wines, features old-school decor and decorum. This award-winning steakhouse has been feeding the Atlanta masses for over 40 years and is the ideal place for a business dinner or lunch.

Pique your appetite and treat your table to an order of onion rings before devouring a shrimp cocktail. Don’t go too hard on the appetizers, as you’ll want to savor every mouthful of Filet Mignon or Ribeye.

Busy Bee Cafe

Stick to your ribs soul food at budget prices? Yes, please! Hightail it to 810 Martin Luther King Jr Drive to partake in what locals refer to as ‘the South on a Plate.’ Originally founded by a self-taught cook Lucy Jackson in 1947, the Busy Bee Cafe quickly became an iconic Atlanta eatery.

Known for some of the best-fried chicken in ATL, stop by the Bee for smothered chicken, BBQ ribs, cornbread dressing, and a slice of old-fashioned sweet potato pie.

Bacchanalia

Need to wow your special someone with an extraordinary date night? Indulge in an elevated intimate dining experience when you raise a glass at Bacchanalia. From white tablecloths to their chic industrial-inspired atmosphere, every inch of this eatery oozes sophistication.

Snuggle into a leather banquet and sip on a luxurious Pinot Noir, before tucking into steak tartare or a crab fritter accented by Thai essence and citrus. Move on to lobster served with gnocchi, fennel, and asparagus. Save room to end your enticing meal with an organismic French silk chocolate confection.

The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View

Prime your palate for the ultimate unforgettable Atlanta experience when you abscond to the uppermost floors of the Westin Peachtree Plaza. The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View delivers breathtaking 360-degree panorama views of the city skyline from 723 feet above.

Enjoy an upscale evening of local farm-to-table plates as you savor seasonal sustenance from such dishes as Burrata salad served with pistachio and chervil, smoked pork belly with miso butter, and a whole roasted Branzino.

A round table with a white cloth set for several people to dine at it with a beautiful orange sunset behind it at Sundial Restaurant + Bar in San Francisco, California, USA — photo credit: Sundial Restaurant via Facebook

Sotto Sotto

Glowing candelabra, a warm rustic atmosphere, and a slew of Italian favorites have made Sotto Sotto a go-to for Italian decadence in the ATL. Named one of the best Italian restaurants by both TimeOut and the New York Post, Atlanta natives and tourists alike have been savoring Sotto Sotto’s risottos al basilico and butter and sage sauce raviolo for over 15 years.

Kick things off with a lovely Negroni aperitif before sampling the antipasto misto. Get your carb fix with their signature dish of Tortelli di Michelangelo Buonarroti, a luxurious pasta creation made from a 16th-century recipe straight from the master’s letters.

Gu’s Kitchen

True Atlanta foodies will already be fans of the highly talented Chef Gu and his outstanding take on traditional Szechuan cuisine. A native of Chengdu, Szechuan Chef Gu has over 45 years of culinary experience. In fact, prior to opening Gu’s Kitchen on Buford Highway, Gu opened both Gu’s Dumplings and Bistro.

In addition, Gu has prepared award-winning meals for a number of celebrities including Bill Gates. Gu’s Kitchen aims to offer a unique dim sum experience in a casual setting. Hungry patrons can devour plates of MSG-free Dan Dan Noodles, Zhong-style dumplings, Ma Po Tofu, and many other street food favorites.

Asian foods, including ramen, soup and spicy fries are on a table with couple of sodas — Photo Credit: Gu’s Kitchen via Facebook

Northern China Eatery

Ward off that Atlanta winter chill when you slurp down a healthy serving of plump soup dumplings at the Northern China Eatery. Stroll beneath the hanging paper lanterns and enter a world of epicurean wonder.

Located off Buford Highway in Doraville, Georgia, even Anthony Bourdain was blown away by the quality of Northern China’s dumplings, homemade lamb ribs, and Mandarin Pork Belly in Brown Sauce. Can’t get enough juicy dumpling action? Take some frozen Shanghai Soup Dumplings to go.

Most Iconic Restaurants Atlanta

A city filled with infinite history, culture, and art, one of the best ways to discover the true soul of the Big Peach is to take a bite!

Don’t wear out your fingers googling the best ‘iconic restaurants Atlanta’ or ‘famous old restaurants Atlanta,’ our team of expert epicureans has done the dirty work to tell you exactly where to score plates of everything from black-eyed peas to tri-tip Wagyu.

The Colonnade Restaurant

Iconic restaurants in Atlanta don’t come any more lauded than the Colonnade Restaurant. Since 1927, this white-columned edifice has been slinging plates of comfort food. Walk into their establishment at 1879 Cheshire Bridge Road, and immediately feel at home.

Take a load off and indulge in what the Colonnade does best. Their famous Southern Fried Chicken is a heavenly crispy concoction. Choose between breast, thighs, wings, and legs, and accompany your plate of poultry with sides of collards, fried okra, and sweet potato souffle.

Nikolai’s Roof

Long-term locals will recognize Nikolai’s Roof as one of the first ATL establishments to offer a fine dining experience. Renowned for their French-Russian cuisine, guests will be thrilled by both the Roof’s panoramic views and compelling cocktails featuring their house-infused flavored vodkas.

Found on the 30th floor of the Hilton Hotel, Nikolai brings class and sophistication to any special occasion with their highly appointed caviar service and steak tartare. End your night with a sweet reprieve, when you splurge on their Molten Chocolate Cake served with chocolate crumble, raspberry, and chantilly.

Large restaurant dining area with large windows at sunset — Photo Credit: Nikolai’s Roof via Facebook

Paschal’s

Boasting a brilliant history and a scrumptious smothered pork chop, it’s not hard to see why guests continue to congregate at the famous Paschal’s. Since 1947, this downtown Atlanta establishment has provided sustenance to everyone from politicians to entertainers such as Aretha Franklin and Dizzy Gillespie.

Today the 21st-century version of Paschal’s can be found in the Castleberry Hill area. Enjoy their signature 1947 Fried Chicken with a side of corn muffins and mac & cheese. Or switch things up with a tasty plate of Fried Catfish and Southern Potato Salad.

tablescape of soul food at Paschal's Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia, USA — photo credit: Paschal’s Restaurant via Facebook

The Silver Skillet

Calling all film fiends! If the Silver Skillet is giving you major deja vu, you’re not going crazy. Due to its vintage decor and nostalgic ambiance, this breakfast-based establishment has also been featured on TV shows such as Ozark and blockbuster hits such as Anchorman 2 and Remember the Titans.

Since 1956, famished locals and visitors have gathered here to share plates of their world-famous country ham and red-eye gravy. Made using traditional methods and top-secret ingredients, it’s tender enough to melt in your mouth. Visiting during lunch? Stuff yourself full of baked meatloaf or country-fried steak, but save a smidge of room for a slice of their Skillet special coconut pie.

Canoe

Hit your limit on fried chicken? Head on over to one of the most famous restaurants in Atlanta Georgia, for a gorgeous meal of farm-to-table cuisine. Inject your dinner with some arresting natural ambiance as you savor the serene Chattahoochee River views and expertly manicured gardens.

An oasis from the bustling downtown of the Big Peach, an evening with Canoe will ignite your senses. From the vibrant colors of your marinated Golden and Red Beet Salad served with whipped goat cheese and candied walnuts to their rich maple marinated duck breast, every dish is an exploration of creativity and seasonal ingredients.

Exterior view of Canoe with a large green with all different types of plants and trees plus benches for sitting and a walk way in front of the entrance in Atlanta, Georgia, USA — photo credit: Canoe Restaurant via Facebook

Polaris

An iconic member of Atlanta’s restaurant legacy, Polaris is part of the heart and soul of the Big Peach. Thanks to its iconic rotation and jaw-dropping city views, this Hyatt Regency restaurant has earned national acclaim. Diners will be treated to a one-of-a-kind experience as they revel in sleek southern fare crafted from local ingredients.

Be sure to order a bespoke cocktail featuring some of their own rooftop bee honey, such as the Mind Your Bee’s Knees or Smoked Honey O. Ward off hunger with an order of wild salmon crudo, chicken liver beignets, and a dazzling array of local cheese hand-carved charcuterie.

*Please note that this is not a definitive list of the most famous restaurants in Atlanta Georgia or the most popular Atlanta restaurants but rather a roundup of our top picks.

Atlanta Hotels

Maritime adventures at the Georgia Aquarium and exhilarating roller coaster rides at Six Flags make every moment in Atlanta irresistible. Take advantage of your A-town getaway and conquer all of the iconic restaurants in Atlanta, when you extend your stay.

Get cozy in midtown and sleep just minutes from Piedmont Park. Or take a break from your ‘places to eat Atlanta’ list when you reserve award-winning lodgings by the Braves stadium. Whatever your preferences, we offer Atlanta Hotels for every budget and taste.

Wide shot of the pink and green ornate dining room covered in plants with a tree that has white leaves in the middle at The Garden Room in Atlanta, Georgia, USA — photo credit: The Garden Room via Facebook

Dazzling nightlife, a thriving hip-hop scene, and plenty of street art have intrigued a whole new generation of travelers to check out the steamy action of A-town.

But, the excitement of Atlanta doesn’t stop there. Hungry visitors need not fret, as Atlanta famous restaurants deliver heaps of mouth-watering meals.

Stray away from cornbread and pole beans with a tongue-numbing pile of spicy Szechuan noodles. Or revel in the divine simplicity of fresh baked olive sourdough bread with Banner Butter.

From Southern Fried Green tomatoes served with Cajun ranch dipping sauce to award-winning peach cobbler topped with creamy vanilla ice cream. Every morsel in Hotlanta brings the heat!

Did we miss Any of the Best Famous Restaurants Atlanta?

Tell us your favorite Atlanta restaurant in the comments below!

Written by Isis Maya Nissman

A New York native, Isis-Maya spent most of her professional life working in TV production until a vacation whisked her away to Central...

Famous Atlanta Restaurants: 14 Iconic Places to Eat