Marcel

"We’re not trying to be cliché, suggesting a seafood and steakhouse for your date night, but Marcel is the Atlanta steakhouse. You’ll usually find couples on their anniversaries cuddled up in big corner leather booths, mesmerized with tableside preparations, like the baked alaska. Because of the blackout curtains and dim amber lighting, the space looks like midnight even at 5pm, making it a discreet outing for celebs, sneaky links, or for blowing your tax refund without being spotted by your judgey accountant. It’s hard to stay on budget here because every single menu item— from the cacio e pepe to the oysters Rockefeller—is very close to being the city’s best version." - nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard

"Marcel is like that dependable, first-option friend who is always 10 toes down when needed. That’s why this moody French steakhouse serves a mix of clientele—well-dressed couples, suits wooing out-of-town clients, and anyone in need of a morale boost via a steak splurge. The buttery steaks are their showpiece, but everything here, from the tableside sole to the cacio e pepe, is faultless. This is the type of place that will turn you from a newbie into a regular, with a favorite corner table and a penchant for flambéed desserts." - nina reeder, jacinta howard, juli horsford

"Ford Fry’s moody Westside Provisions District steakhouse may disclaim seasonality to allow for menu updates and specials, but it can always be counted on for classic steaks like New York strip, cote de boeuf, and bone-in filets. For a group, order the porterhouse for three or more. And for those looking to impress, order the Beef Wellington for two. It requires ordering 24 hours in advance. Reservations required." - Su-Jit Lin

"A fantastic restaurant celebrated for its cool, lively, yet relaxed environment. Formal but not ostentatious." - Michael He

"Marcel is the sort of place where you instinctively lower your voice and add a swagger to your step as you’re escorted back to a red leather booth inside the dark, moody space. The tender bone-in filet will give your wallet a Billy Blanks-level workout, but Marcel has solidified its status as the city's premier steakhouse and is a great choice for date nights or for impressing out-of-towners. Nearly every dish here makes our list of city favorites, including the velvety-smooth sticky toffee pudding. If you've been heartbroken since King + Duke closed, bury your sorrows in the popular, spice-rich cake that's been imported from that menu to Marcel's." - jacinta howard, juli horsford, nina reeder