The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View
Restaurant · Atlanta ·
360-degree city views, seasonal American cuisine, and classic cocktails
360-degree city views, seasonal American cuisine, and classic cocktails
"Dining at the Sun Dial is the best way to enjoy sweeping views of the Atlanta skyline with 360-degree panorama views. The iconic restaurant is perched atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza (designed by acclaimed architect John Portman in the ‘70s) giving diners a birds-eye view of the city from more than 720 feet above the street. Begin with a classic Caesar salad or a seasonal peach burrata panzanella. Next, order the charred octopus with black garlic or an eight-ounce filet mignon, before indulging in dessert. Reservations required." - Henna Bakshi
"For a long time (since 1976 to be exact), our gold standard for American fine dining was The Sun Dial in downtown’s Westin hotel. Though only the bar revolves now, it remains one of Atlanta’s tallest buildings, so the panoramic skyline views and white-glove service might make your just-OK seared halibut feel a little extra special. Sky-high prices keep most locals at bay (get your mind right to pay $60 for vegan pad thai). But the one-of-a-kind experience is still great for impressing out-of-towners, so hit the less-costly bar area to save some Benjis." - demarco williams, nina reeder, juli horsford, jacinta howard
"Though the dining room no longer revolves, the Sun Dial in downtown’s Westin hotel has been a fixture for American fine dining in the city since the ’70s. The Westin remains one of Atlanta’s tallest buildings, so their 360-degree panoramic skyline views make your glazed salmon or bearnaise-drench lobster dinner feel a little extra special. Sky high prices keep most locals at bay (get your mind right to pay $65 for a plate of fried chicken), but we’d clear things with our financial coach if it means impressing our out-of-town fam with a great meal and good views. Between the bill, the U-shaped leather booths, and the white-glove service, you’ll be the talk of the next reunion for sure." - demarco williams, juli horsford, nina reeder
"Though the dining room no longer revolves, the Sun Dial in downtown’s Westin hotel has been a fixture for American fine dining in the city since the ’70s. The Westin remains one of Atlanta’s tallest buildings, so their 360-degree panoramic skyline views make your glazed salmon or bearnaise-drench lobster dinner feel a little extra special. Sky high prices keep most locals at bay (get your mind right to pay $65 for a plate of fried chicken), but we’d clear things with our financial coach if it means impressing our out-of-town fam with a great meal and good views. Between the bill, the U-shaped leather booths, and the white-glove service, you’ll be the talk of the next reunion for sure." - demarco williams, juli horsford, nina reeder
"Remember when The Sun Dial was the epitome of fine dining in Atlanta? We do. These days, this Downtown spot feels like an overpriced tourist trap with generally underwhelming American food. But somehow, this restaurant retains just enough of its one-time glamour—and offers just enough—to impress your out-of-town friends. Open since the '70s, the Westin remains one of the tallest buildings in the city, and the formerly revolving 72nd-floor restaurant still provides first-rate panoramic views. And servers here still treat you like the celebrities and dignitaries that once frequented this place (former president Jimmy Carter, Maynard Jackson, Dizzy Gillespie, and Coretta Scott King, to name just a few). photo credit: Amy Sinclair photo credit: Amy Sinclair photo credit: Amy Sinclair Pause Unmute But The Sun Dial is no longer a prom and anniversary hotspot. Instead, it's mainly convention attendees who slide into the curved leather booths, and hotel guests who throw on their best ‘fits (there's a business casual dress code) to pose for pictures over chargrilled ribeye. Most of the food here lands between just OK (the mac and cheese) to decent (seared halibut with lobster sauce). If you're heading here, come prepared to pay $60 for a way-too-saucy vegan pad thai, which is the lowest-priced entree on the menu, as you gaze out over the city. And note that every one in your party must get an entree. But, hey, at least you get free bread. photo credit: Amy Sinclair And if you're just coming here for the view, skip that main dining room and head up to the adults-only bar on the 73rd floor, where walk-ins are always welcome and drinks and small bites are under $30. We give a thumbs up to the thick chunks of the tuna poke, which had edamame mixed in for a little nuttiness and a nice crunch. The slightly chewy steak sliders are helped out by melty manchego cheese and lots of pesto, but the grilled octopus is pretty tasteless, even with romesco sauce and a crispy potato that might dent your love for complex carbs. And unlike the downstairs (which stopped moving in 2017), this level is revolving again, so it’s a fun way to see the city without blowing your budget. Food Rundown Speciality Frozen Cocktails The $22 frozen cocktails (standard offerings like mudslides and margaritas) come with a souvenir glass, which makes them the best deal on the menu. They are extra sweet, extra boozy, and filled to the brim, so if you feel the room spinning, know that may just be you. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Southern Fried Calamari Other than the questionable oniony sauce, we have no complaints with the fried calamari and okra platter. It's a standard breaded and fried variety that's always great for sharing—and the salty bites come in handy if you need to balance your extra sweet frozen drink. Watercress Salad This is one of the better things on the menu since there is a range of flavors. Maple-roasted pears add sweetness, prosciutto brings in a nice saltiness, and smokey blue cheese acts like the cherry on top. Caramelized Onion Farro Risotto Spin past this side dish. More farro than risotto, this might as well have been onion-flavored oatmeal. Mac And Cheese Skip this. For $15, you get a tiny ramekin filled with bland, cheese-deprived mac. Pan Seared Sea Bass As the most popular order, this has been on the menu for awhile. And it’s a nicely grilled flaky fish (with haricot verts, mushrooms, and a lobster sauce) that’s tasty, but it clocks in at $77. PlayMute video credit: Nina Reeder Tuna Poke Order this. Big chunks of raw tuna are seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and likely a wee bit of ponzu. They're mixed with edamame and sesame seeds for a little nuttiness and crunch and sit on top of vinegar-sweetened sticky rice. PlayMute video credit: Starr Rivers" - Nina Reeder
