"This Summerhill kitchen does some really interesting things on its always-changing menu. So while you’ll fall in love with dishes like the Tajin-heavy strawberry sambal chicken and karnatzlach sausage doused with a red pea mapo sauce, you’ll likely never see them again. But that’s more reason to return. They don’t take things too seriously here—the menu often lists ingredients like “pretentious flowers” and “unnecessary garnishes” in between a mix of other ingredients that you’d never imagine would play together nicely. Plus, we love that we can trust-fall into an abundance of pillows at every table after polishing off our whiskey milk and chocolate-sesame cookie dessert." - nina reeder, jacinta howard, juli horsford
"Little Bear’s always-changing menu is the brainchild of its chef/owner, who likes to showcase locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Props to him for crafting what’s consistently one of the most creative menus in all of Atlanta. Ingredient lists like “unnecessary garnishes,” and a drawing of a smiling, fluffy dog on the paper menu lets you know he doesn’t take his talents too seriously. While the real pup (the myth, the legend, Fernando) won't snuggle by your foot during dinner, the place still feels homey—like the dining room of a bed and breakfast. And we appreciate a relaxed setting that helps us forget we're out in public since we always want to lick our plates clean. Dishes like the Tajin-heavy strawberry sambal chicken and karnatzlach sausage doused with a red pea mapo sauce keep us coming back to see what fun, tasty dishes they come up with next." - juli horsford, demarco williams
"Little Bear has always served great cocktails, but their Pickle Negroni might be Atlanta’s drink of the summer. For $16, this saline thirst quencher is made with dill brine (say less), gin, aquavit, vermouth, bitter bianco, and cucumber. Pickles are having a major moment in drinks (say hello to the pickletini), and Little Bear is keeping us on trend." - Allison Ramirez
"Former pop-up chef Jarrett Stieber opened the Michelin-recommended Little Bear in Summerhill right before the start of the pandemic in 2020. Despite the challenges, Stieber never wavered from what made his pop-up, and now his restaurant, so popular with regulars. It’s best to order the entire tight menu here, which changes often — the chicken liver custard and the turnip green kimchi soup stand out. Tell the server, “Just F*ck Me Up, Fam” for the four-course prix fixe menu for $75. Best for: Casual, experimental dining." - Eater Staff
"A restaurant in Atlanta that started as a pop-up and faced early challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It now operates with a small staff, focusing on an intimate dining experience." - Jaya Saxena