38 Essential Restaurants Around Atlanta, 2025

"A great soundtrack and a menu filled with “authentically Atlanta” dishes set the mood at chef Joey Ward’s Poncey-Highland restaurant, Southern Belle, which is refined without being pretentious. This is how Atlantans like to dine, and Ward leans into it. Expect creative dishes such as the cornmeal fried Carolina trout with lemon grits and marinated tomatoes. Adding a bit of theater to dinner, some cocktails are prepared table side from a Delta beverage cart, complete with smoky magic and garnished with a Biscoff cookie. For a truly spectacular dining experience from Ward and his team, make a reservation at Georgia Boy — the intimate tasting menu restaurant hidden behind a bookcase in the back of Southern Belle. The hot dog ice cream from the tasting menu made our Best Things Eater Atlanta Ate roundup. Reservations encouraged." - Eater Staff