Best Restaurants in Atlanta

Atlanta is a culinary mecca, home to celebrity chefs and impossible-to-please food critics. But you don't have to be a foodie with a sophisticated palate or have a fat wallet to experience some of the best of this tasty scene that includes no-frills roadside eateries and smoke-free, kid-friendly gastropubs. Plenty of affordable options are on the table, but some places fall in the don't-miss category. Get hungry to try one or all of these best restaurants in Atlanta.

Longtime Legend

You can't plan a stay in Atlanta and not visit the Varsity. In business since 1928, this local institution still has an old-fashioned drive-in section with car hops. Or you could park in the multi-level parking deck (the place is that big) and walk in to hear the incessant call of "What'll ya have? What'll ya have?" Kids will delight at the above-average fast food, the fast-paced atmosphere and the lingo—a "naked dog running" is a plain hot dog to go—as well as the souvenir fry cook hats. Order the hand-dipped onion rings and an "F.O."—frosted orange shake—and you'll know why people keep coming back.

Barbecue Bests

Head on over to Fat Matt's for a plate of ribs, yummy sides and even some live Blues from local musicians.

Barbecue joints are a dime a dozen in Atlanta, but some have stood the test of time. Fat Matt's Rib Shack merits a stop if you like live music. Order at the counter before sitting down to nosh on succulent, fall-off-the-bone ribs while listening to blues musicians jam. At Fox Bros. Bar-B-Que, you'll get table service, but odds are you'll wait a bit for it. Locals line up for the smoked meats and fixins'. Daddy D'z, the BBQ Joynt is another longtime local favorite. It's close to the heart of town, but you'll feel more like you're in a Mississippi Delta juke joint rather than an inner-city restaurant.

With a View

Head over to Ponce City Market, located at the revitalized and revamped Sears, Roebuck & Co. building in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, for what’s arguably the best view in Atlanta. This historic locale has been reinvented as a community hub that houses a food hall, boutiques and shops, apartments, a marketplace and more. Atop the building you’ll find 9 Mile Station, a vibrant restaurant and elevated beer garden that offers sweeping unobstructed views of the city’s skylines and all three clusters of high-rise buildings spanning from Buckhead to Downtown. Enjoy craft beers sourced locally and from across the country, classically-prepared cocktails, and delicious dishes you can share. Be sure to request a patio table so you can enjoy the spectacular views—just note that reservations are recommended.

Decatur Is Greater

Some pubs in the Atlanta area take the concept of "public house" seriously by welcoming families with young children in the daytime and early evening hours. Stay in Decatur, just 5 miles east of downtown, to find some of the best examples of this in its smoke-free establishments. Twain's Brewpub and Billiards makes its own beer and has a large arcade area with old-school video games, pool tables, dart lanes and tabletop shuffleboard. On Decatur Square, the Brick Store Pub has an inviting wood and exposed brick interior and plenty of menu items kids will love; try the fish and chips. Planning to stay awhile? Check out our Georgia Travel Guide.