Rathbun’s $$$
112 Krog St. Ste. R, Inman Park. 404-524-8280
DRESSED-UP
A sprawling space with a sprawling menu, Rathbun’s marries
post-industrial chic with globally informed New American cuisine.
The melting pot menu is crafted quarterly around seasonal
ingredients by chef and owner Kevin Rathbun, who served his time
in the kitchens of Dallas, New Orleans and several of Atlanta’s
finest dining rooms, before opening his own restaurant. At
Rathbun’s, his recipes have been organized into small plates, raw
plates, side plates, big plates and second mortgage plates, and
everything is deliciously creamy, zesty, smoked or spiked. Do
whatever it takes to experience Atlanta’s most industrious chef’s
celebration of indigenous food.
BUCKHEAD
Nava $$$
3060 Peachtree Rd. 404-240-1984
DRESSED-UP / SMART CASUAL
An adobe-style, upscale southwestern restaurant in Buckhead that’s
rustic in appearance without ever being rusty in presentation,
Nava is a staple for those seeking dramatic flavors in a stylish
and attractive setting. The standout seafood dishes, desserts and
margaritas are first-rate.
Toulouse $$
2293 Peachtree Rd. 404-351-9533
DRESSED-UP / SMART CASUAL
Serving French-tinged American cuisine, Toulouse is all about
subtlety, from its unassuming location tucked behind a Peachtree
St. shopping strip, to its spirited but never flashy cuisine. A
loft-like space of exposed brick and saturated hues, Toulouse is
never ostentatious, and is well-practiced in the art of pairing
succulent dishes with excellent wines.
OK Café $
1284 W Paces Ferry Rd. 404-233-2888
ANYTHING GOES
A throwback diner that’s utterly fashionable, the OK Café offers
meat-and-three to a varied clientele. The same unpretentious
comfort food is served up to blue bloods and blue-collar workers
alike. On the tables in the vinyl booths you’ll find a (fake!)
money tree centerpiece. Fortunately, you won’t need to shell out
much of your own cash for the filling meals.
Aiko $$
128 E Andrews Dr. NW 404-869-4800
DRESSED-UP / SMART CASUAL
Sushi bar meets Martini lounge in the appropriately named “Aiko”,
meaning “love child” in Japanese. This restaurant evolves into a
nightclub as the evening progresses. The shimmering white and
electric blue setting, with its fluttery curtains, is as flirty as
the sushi rolls, which have names like Aphrodisiac, Rock ‘n’ Roll
and Viagra.
Seeger’s $$$$
111 W Paces Ferry Rd. 404-846-9779
DRESSED-UP
Modern classical in its culinary style, Seeger’s is an award-
winning destination on Atlanta’s restaurant scene. Housed in an
unassuming bungalow, this is a dining room of European
contemporary design. The daily changing prix fixe menu is built
around seasonal ingredients and dishes whose roots are planted in
French tradition.
Kyma $$$$
3085 Piedmont Rd. 404-262-0702
DRESSED-UP
Built like a culinary temple—with marble columns, muslin curtains
and cobalt ceilings—Kyma is the place to come to worship Greek
cuisine, especially the bounty of the briny depths. This seafood
tavern is a project of Buckhead Life’s Pano Karatassos, and offers
a wealth of dishes, but stands out for its wood- grilled fish at
deep-pocket prices.
5 Seasons Brewing Co. $$
5600 Roswell Rd. NE 404-255-5911
ANYTHING GOES
Like a grand mountain lodge, this mammoth brew house is rustic yet
refined. From the visible copper brewing vats to the menu—which
features comfort food with influences from Japan, Germany, Italy
and Britain—the mood is convivial. And the handcrafted beers are
recognized as the best in town.
Twist $$
3500 Peachtree Rd. 404-869-1191
SMART CASUAL
Fusion is the keyword at Twist. Part nightclub, part tapas bar,
part sushi bar, Twist gives a, well, twist to the type of
restaurant expected in a shopping mall. The décor is curvaceous
and casually elegant. The aromatic cuisine is equally slick, with
a menu drawn from primarily Asian influences. Five- dollar
Martinis seal the deal.
MIDTOWN
Shout $$
1197 Peachtree St. 404-846-2000
ANYTHING GOES
This casual space—sister to Twist—again shows restaurateur Tom
Catherall’s ability to transport through décor and dishes alike.
And shout is what you’re encouraged to do by the bold flourishes
and a menu of Asian and Mediterranean-styled sushi. Plates to
share and entrées are presented as if fresh from the spice market.
Bazzaar $$
654 Peachtree St. 404-885-7505
DRESSED-UP / SMART CASUAL
Bazzaar bills itself as bizarre— after all, it’s an elegant lounge
offering top local DJ talent for no cover charge and free parking
in bustling Midtown. Bizarre, indeed! Food-wise, Bazzaar serves
affordable Mediterranean-tinged American fare to savor till late
at a table upstairs or on one of the plush couches downstairs.
Loca Luna $$
836 Juniper St. NE 404-875-4494
ANYTHING GOES
It’s a carnival every day at this Midtown restaurant-cum-bar,
which is known equally for its tangy tapas and its potent
Brazilian cocktails. Tuesdays through Fridays, a live four-, five-
or eight-piece ensemble performs, and when the weather permits,
the courtyard is open and radiant with people basking in the good
spirits and great tastes of Latin America.
McCray’s 6th St. Tavern $$
98 6th St. 404-249-1506
ANYTHING GOES
Lacquered wood and distressed walls give this former warehouse,
located in the heart of bustling Midtown, a tavern feel. There’s
also a touch of the suburban sports bar in the corporate
efficiency of the service. The food, however, is more homely
Italian/American fare, and offers great value.
DOWNTOWN/COLLEGE PARK
The Sun Dial $$
210 Peachtree St. NW 404-589-7506
DRESSED-UP
The Sun Dial is a revolving restaurant atop the tallest hotel in
the western hemisphere, and the cuisine is as heady as the 360¡
view. Succulent meats are served with market-fresh vegetables and
indulgent sauces in the New American style. But it’s the wine
selection and decadent desserts that will truly have your head
spinning. An Atlanta landmark.
Landmark Diner $
60 Luckie St. 404-659-1756
ANYTHING GOES
Clubbers, students and convention-goers alike appreciate this
clean, 24-hour diner located in downtown’s Fairlie-Poplar
district. Order greasy and Greek favorites, tried-and-tested since
the ’50s, along with a “cup o’ joe”, and sit back and watch the
cast of local characters.
Spondivits $$
1219 Virginia Ave. 404-767-1569
ANYTHING GOES
Seafarers, wayfarers and airfarers alike come to enjoy this
College Park tradition. Located near the airport, this
family-friendly, rustic roadhouse offers a gamut of steamed or
fried Southern-style shrimp, clam, crab’s legs and oysters, as
well as New England clam chowder, blue crab cakes and oysters on
the half shell, in a boisterous atmosphere.
VIRGINIA-HIGHLANDS/ INMAN PARK
La Tavola $$
992 Virginia Ave. NE 404-873-5430
DRESSED-UP / SMART CASUAL
This neighborhood Italian joint is always inviting. With white
cloths on the tables instead of traditional red-and-white checks,
the service is professional but not stuffy. The wood-lined La
Tavola serves dishes as stylish as the surrounding
Virginia-Highlands. Swordfish and scallops with sautéed spinach
stand out, and the Italian wine-by- the-glass list is also
excellent.
La Fonda Latina $
923 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE 404-607-0665
ANYTHING GOES
A chain of Cuban restaurants native to Atlanta, La Fonda Latina
bustles with servers refilling chips and addictive cilantro-spiked
salsa. A wash of bright colors and bouncy music, La Fonda’s food
is also mildly kaleidoscopic, mixing Mexican and Caribbean
flavors. If the salsa alone doesn’t fill you up, go for the
pressed sandwiches and paella.
Zuma $$
701 Highland Ave. 404-522-2872
ANYTHING GOES/SMART CASUAL
A sleek, lacquered lair decked in glossy black and vigorous red,
and dotted with silver LCD screens, this Inman Park establishment
celebrates the noble Japanese traditions of both sake and sushi
admirably. The velvety nigiri, sashimi and rolls are first-rate,
and the menu describes almost 30 highly aromatic cold sakes with a
reporter’s eye.
DECATUR/EAST ATLANTA
The Earl $
488 Flat Shoals Ave. SE 404-522-3950
ANYTHING GOES
Plastered with junk store artifacts, the Earl is home to Atlanta’s
indie music scene (there’s a concert hall in the back). But it’s
also the place to come for juicy burgers, award- winning onion
rings, fried okra, shoestring fries and a never-ending supply of
Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. The food definitely has as much attitude
as the crowd.
The Brick Store Pub $
125 E Court Sq. 404-687-0990
ANYTHING GOES
This is the kind of dark wood and red-brick, inviting neighborhood
pub that easily becomes the standard—but that doesn’t make it
anywhere close to average. The kitchen serves hearty British- and
Bavarian-style fare that’s pleasantly filling, but the highlight
is the most extensive Belgian beer list in the city.
The Supper Club $$$$
308 W Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-370-1207
DRESSED-UP
Tucked away on a quiet side street , the Supper Club is a romantic
hideaway, that recreates the mood of an intimate dinner party.
Within a series of plush alcoves, beautifully presented
contemporary American and Continental bistro cuisine is served up
to a loyal following.
© Marcus Krause Photography