Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017
O4W Pizza is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

1. O4W Pizza

660 Irwin St NE, Atlanta, GA
Pizzeria · Old Fourth Ward · 13 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Neapolitan pizza is well represented, but this walk-up counter inside Irwin Street Market is getting great reviews for its New Jersey-style "Gandma Pie." Read more.

Masterpiece Szechuan is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

2. Masterpiece Szechuan

7.9
3940 Buford Hwy (N Berkley Lake Rd), Duluth, GA
Szechuan Restaurant · 10 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Masterpeice has received rave reviews from critics. Creative Loafing's Jennifer Zyman awarded four stars and called it "the best Chinese food in the Atlanta area." Read more.

3. Spring

7.2
83 Church St NE, Marietta, GA
Southern Food Restaurant · Downtown Marietta · 4 tips and reviews

EaterEater: In an time when "seasonal" and "local" are overused and not necessarily an indicator of quality, Chef Brian So's techniques allow the best Southern ingredients to shine. Read more.

Sushi Hayakawa is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

4. Sushi Hayakawa

8.5
5979 Buford Hwy NE Ste A10, Atlanta, GA
Sushi Restaurant · 40 tips and reviews

EaterEater: After going on a lengthy hiatus, chef Art Hayakawa opened his renovated Buford Highway restaurant in March. Hayakawa's skills may be the best in Atlanta, so reservations should be made in advance. Read more.

Heirloom Market BBQ is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

5. Heirloom Market BBQ

8.9
2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA
BBQ Joint · 167 tips and reviews

EaterEater: This barbecue spot has limited seating, bring more than enough flavor to compensate for the cramped quarters or a ride with a to-go box. Look for Korean-inspired Southern ‘cue and pitch-perfect sides. Read more.

Porch Light Latin Kitchen is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

6. Porch Light Latin Kitchen

300 Village Green Cir SE Ste 110, Smyrna, GA
Latin American Restaurant · Downtown Smyrna · 24 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Andre Gomez serves big cuts of meat with Puerto Rican flavors, such as cumin-spiced St Louis ribs and a "roasted little piggy" that must be ordered two days in advance. Read more.

Pho Dai Loi 2 is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

7. Pho Dai Loi 2

9.0
4186 Buford Hwy NW, Ste G (Oak Shadow Ct NE), Atlanta, GA
Vietnamese Restaurant · 102 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Pho Dai Loi, with three locations in the area, continues to serve Atlanta's best pho. The #2 outpost, tucked into the Buford Highway ethnic enclave, is a fan favorite. Read more.

Muss & Turner's is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

8. Muss & Turner's

9.0
1675 Cumberland Pkwy SE Ste 309 (Atlanta Road), Smyrna, GA
Sandwich Spot · 146 tips and reviews

EaterEater: This Smyrna spot serves enormous lunch sandwiches stuffed with all manner of homemade meats and fillings. The burger is definitely a top contender and the goat cheese cheesecake is phenomenal. Read more.

Umi is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

9. Umi

8.5
3050 Peachtree Dr NE Ste 1, Atlanta, GA
Sushi Restaurant · Buckhead · 47 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Jezebel Magazine placed Umi at the top of its list of the 100 best restaurants in Atlanta, and it was also the most popular choice among Eater readers for the city's best sushi. Read more.

Atlas is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

10. Atlas

8.5
88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW (Peachtree Street), Atlanta, GA
Restaurant · Buckhead · 11 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Located in Buckhead's St. Regis Hotel, Atlas is a critical darling. Christopher Grossman is reviving American fine dining cuisine, and the restaurant has received four stars from Creative Loafing. Read more.

Aria is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

11. Aria

8.8
490 E Paces Ferry Rd NE (at Maple St), Atlanta, GA
New American Restaurant · Buckhead Village · 48 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Feeling his dining room had gone out of fashion, Gerry Klaskala recently revamped his Buckhead restaurant. The food is as good as ever, and now the restaurant feels a little more modern and casual. Read more.

Restaurant Eugene is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

12. Restaurant Eugene

2277 Peachtree Rd NE (Peachtree Memorial), Atlanta, GA
New American Restaurant · Peachtree Hills · 41 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Restaurant Eugene’s Linton Hopkins won 2012's James Beard Award for Best Southeast Chef, and for good reason. This restaurant puts a definite emphasis on good food and everything is sourced locally. Read more.

Watershed on Peachtree is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

13. Watershed on Peachtree

1820 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA
Southern Food Restaurant · Buckhead · 39 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Chef Zeb Stevenson left Parish to take over the kitchen at Watershed at the beginning of the year, and he's breathed new life into the restaurant. They've since received many awards for their cooking. Read more.

The General Muir is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

14. The General Muir

9.1
1540 Avenue Pl (at Clifton Rd NE), Atlanta, GA
Deli · 136 tips and reviews

EaterEater: This upscale Jewish deli concept from Ben and Jen Johnson and Shelley Sweet of popular breakfast spot, West Egg, and executive chef Todd Ginsberg has been winning hearts since it opened in early 2013. Read more.

Star Provisions is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

15. Star Provisions

1198 Howell Mill Rd NW (at Huff Rd), Atlanta, GA
Gourmet Store · Northwest Atlanta · 115 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Order the sandwiches — especially the unorthodox Reuben and shrimp po’ boy. And after you eat, walk around the chef's market at peruse the fine home goods, chocolates, cheese, and meat. Read more.

Bacchanalia is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

16. Bacchanalia

1198 Howell Mill Rd NW (btwn 14th St. & Huff Rd.), Atlanta, GA
New American Restaurant · Northwest Atlanta · 59 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Bacchanalia has ditched its tasting menu for a la carte, but it's still serving some of the best food in Atlanta. Joe Schafer is running the kitchen. Read more.

Cooks & Soldiers is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

17. Cooks & Soldiers

8.5
691 14th St NW (Howell Mill Rd NW), Atlanta, GA
Basque Restaurant · 44 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Executive chef Landon Thompson was named as a James Beard Award semifinalist for his take on Basque cuisine, and Cooks & Soldiers was tabbed as Eater Atlanta's Restaurant of the Year for 2015. Read more.

Miller Union is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

18. Miller Union

8.7
999 Brady Ave NW (10th Street), Atlanta, GA
American Restaurant · 130 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Farm-fresh updated Southern cooking is simple and elegant. The farm egg baked in celery cream with grilled bread is a top-10 Atlanta dish & the restaurant has one of the best vegetable plates in town. Read more.

Le Fat is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

19. Le Fat

935 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA
Vietnamese Restaurant · Marietta Street Artery · 22 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Guy Wong's latest restaurant, which began service in March, has been getting good buzz. The menu features Vietnamese soup and noodle dishes, plus entrees such as spicy chile prawns and shaking beef. Read more.

Ah-Ma's Taiwanese Kitchen is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

20. Ah-Ma's Taiwanese Kitchen

7.8
931 Monroe Dr NE Ste A108, Atlanta, GA
Taiwanese Restaurant · Midtown · 19 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Located near the Eastside Trail's intersection with Monroe Drive in Midtown, this small restaurant serves excellent Taiwanese street foods like bao, cold noodles, and lu rou fan. Read more.

El Super Pan is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

21. El Super Pan

7.5
675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE (at Glenn Iris Dr.), Atlanta, GA
Sandwich Spot · Old Fourth Ward · 20 tips and reviews

EaterEater: In Ponce City Market, Chef Hector Santiago is serving sandwiches and snacks with Latin American flavors, and you can't go wrong with a Cuban mixto. Read more.

Chai Pani Decatur is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

22. Chai Pani Decatur

8.9
406 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA
Indian Restaurant · 126 tips and reviews

EaterEater: From the Decatur spot's signature street food dishes to the North Indian thalis and the chef specials, which range from well-researched historic dishes to contemporary comfort food favorites. Read more.

Brush Sushi Izakaya is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

23. Brush Sushi Izakaya

8.0
316 Church St (bw E. Trinity Pl & Sycamore Dr), Decatur, GA
Sushi Restaurant · Downtown Decatur · 19 tips and reviews

EaterEater: For the best experience in the modern dining room, grab a seat at the sushi bar and partake in Liang's omakase offerings. Read more.

Revival is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

24. Revival

129 Church St (at E Maple St), Decatur, GA
Southern Food Restaurant · 25 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Kevin Gillespie and executive chef Andreas Müller are turning out fried chicken, cornbread, pole beans, and more, all with the intention of reminding diners' of a meal at their grandmothers'. Read more.

Kimball House is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

25. Kimball House

9.2
303 E Howard Ave (at N Candler St), Decatur, GA
Gastropub · 65 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Housed in the former Decatur train depot, Kimball House's devotion to the way dining (and drinking) used to be shines through in its craft cocktail menu, oyster offerings, and 3 - course steak dinner. Read more.

Eat Me Speak Me is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

26. Eat Me Speak Me

1660 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
Restaurant · Candler Park · 2 tips and reviews

EaterEater: It's not really a restaurant. But Jarrett Stieber's pop-up, found Friday through Sunday nights at Candler Park's Gato, offers expertly prepared small plates, fresh ingredients, & reasonable prices. Read more.

Sotto Sotto is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

27. Sotto Sotto

8.7
313 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
Italian Restaurant · Inman Park · 68 tips and reviews

EaterEater: If one Atlanta Italian restaurant must be crowned supreme, this deserves the title. List of pastas made with care is the menu’s centerpiece and will ensure a successful night on any special occasion. Read more.

Bread & Butterfly is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

28. Bread & Butterfly

8.2
290 Elizabeth St, Atlanta, GA
Restaurant · Inman Park · 17 tips and reviews

EaterEater: This sunny Inman Quarter cafe shines with chef Stoffelen's French bistro fare, a simple but excellent wine list, and a tasty burger with Swiss, caramelized onions, grain mustard, and house mayonnaise. Read more.

Wrecking Bar Brewpub is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

29. Wrecking Bar Brewpub

9.0
292 Moreland Ave NE (at Austin Ave.), Atlanta, GA
Brewery · Little Five Points · 154 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The food at Wrecking Bar has been unbeatable since executive chef Terry Koval came over from Farm Burger. Try the kale ale fondue or the three pigs skillet with its crispy pig ears to start. Read more.

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

30. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

9.2
1238 Dekalb Ave NE (at Elmira Pl NE), Atlanta, GA
BBQ Joint · Candler Park · 404 tips and reviews

EaterEater: It’s all about the gut-bombs at the icon that proved great barbecue is possible in Atlanta. Tater tots covered in chili and cheese, & short ribs are staples that make this the only spot you should go. Read more.

Spice To Table is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

31. Spice To Table

659 Auburn Ave NE Ste 503, Atlanta, GA
Indian Restaurant · Old Fourth Ward · 6 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Gomez' latest restaurant is more laid back than her shuttered Cardamom Hill, but the food is just as good. Featuring kati rolls, roasted vegetables, and her Kerala fried chicken at the walk-up counter Read more.

Ticonderoga Club is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

32. Ticonderoga Club

8.1
99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA
Restaurant · Inman Park · 18 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Bies's dinner menu has received rave reviews and his simple spedie sandwich — grilled chicken with tangy dressing and shredded lettuce on a crusty sesame loaf — is one of Atlanta's best lunch options. Read more.

One Eared Stag is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

33. One Eared Stag

1029 Edgewood Ave NE (Hurt St), Atlanta, GA
New American Restaurant · Inman Park · 89 tips and reviews

EaterEater: This Inman Park restaurant is known for its bold menu, thanks to chef/owner Robert Phalen's inventiveness in the kitchen. You can't go wrong with lunch or dinner. Read more.

BoccaLupo is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

34. BoccaLupo

8.9
753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
Italian Restaurant · Inman Park · 55 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Go for the pasta (the black spaghetti and the 20-yolk tagliatelle are popular choices), stay for the patio— and you can't go wrong with either wine or the craft cocktails.

Ammazza is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

35. Ammazza

8.7
591 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA
Pizzeria · Old Fourth Ward · 72 tips and reviews

EaterEater: There's more than one place for top-tier Neapolitan-style pizza in this town. Favorite pies include the Inferno with sopressata and peppers and the Ammazzare with Italian sausage and Vidalia onions. Read more.

Staplehouse is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

36. Staplehouse

8.9
541 Edgewood Ave SE (at Howell St SE), Atlanta, GA
New American Restaurant · Old Fourth Ward · 23 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Chef Ryan Smith's tasting menus are garnered nothing but critical praise. Staplehouse was one of five national finalists for the 2016 James Beard Foundation's Best New Restaurant award. Read more.

Home Grown is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

37. Home Grown

9.0
968 Memorial Dr SE (at Gibson St SE), Atlanta, GA
Southern Food Restaurant · Reynoldstown · 177 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Home Grown is a breakfast favorite among Atlanta's eaters and chefs alike. And if it hosts Senate campaign events that feature former presidents, it must be important. Read more.

We Suki Suki is one of The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Winter 2017.

38. We Suki Suki

8.3
479 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA
Vietnamese Restaurant · East Atlanta Village · 33 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The restaurant — really, a tiny kitchen and a few communal tables — serves great banh mi, boba tea, bun in the warmer months, and pho through winter and fall. Read more.