Editor’s choice: 12 go-to Atlanta restaurants from our local expert

Stepping into no. 246’s brick-paneled dining room feels like walking into a good friend’s house. Settle into a plush banquette for hearty pizzas and mains like plump gulf shrimp on a bed of earthy black spaghetti—not to mention a front-row seat to acclaimed chef Ford Fry’s open kitchen. And don’t sleep on the weekend brunch known for savory hits like ricotta toast and breakfast pizza, plus sweets including housemade yeast-glazed donuts.

Pioneering chef-owner Ali Mesghali has served tender kabobs, roasted lamb rack, and more at the original location of his swanky Persian restaurant since 2006 (Rumi’s also has outposts in Alpharetta and Midtown). The crowd-pleasing menu and shareable starters like pitch-perfect hummus and corn “ribs” with jalapeño butter make it a go-to for large groups; creative cocktails infused with Middle Eastern flavors like saffron and cardamom only add to the always-festive vibes.

Atlanta doesn’t lack Italian restaurants, but this all-day spot tucked away on Grandview Avenue is always a winner for its swift service and laid-back atmosphere. Make a reservation—even at 5 pm, the high-energy dining room is packed with families and happy hour revelers digging into generous portions of classic pasta. Your order? An enormous plate of creamy cacio e pepe. Don’t leave without grabbing a pre-made meal or olive oil and balsamic vinegar from the onsite market.

All-day restaurants are rare in Atlanta, so this sophisticated cafe and wine bar was an instant hit for its Parisian ambiance and striking decor when it opened in 2021. With jewel-toned chairs and cozy banquettes, the intimate, light-filled restaurant is ideal for sipping coffee leisurely or grabbing a casual lunch with friends during the day. At night, linger in the dining room or sit at the sleek marble bar to dine on French-inspired dishes like steak au poivre and confit duck leg.

When I want a taste of my home state of South Carolina, the Lowcountry food at Virgil’s in downtown College Park hits the spot. Come early for weekend brunch, a see-and-be-seen extravaganza with bottomless mimosas and a lively neighborhood crowd sharing rice platters and other Gullah Geechee staples like fried okra and corn muffins. Even on weekdays, the “Afta Church Plate” of wings, macaroni and cheese, and greens is a bestseller at all three locations, including Conyers and West Midtown.

Clued-in travelers love the original Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport outpost of this James Beard Award-nominated Southern-Asian bar and restaurant. Now, diners don’t need a plane ticket to tear into sushi, poke tacos, and collard greens, thanks to the restaurant’s newer BeltLine Eastside location. You’re in for the same sleek decor and exceptional cocktails, plus an expansive front patio for al fresco dining and prime people-watching.

It’s easy to miss the elegant Southern-inspired restaurant (from the owners of Smyrna’s beloved Muss & Turner’s) in the lobby of the Piazza at Paces building on Northside Parkway. But it’s worth a visit for chef Chris Hall’s playful takes on classics like shrimp and grits and duck confit cassoulet, plus a large selection of top-shelf whiskies. For a more intimate meal, book the multi-course Chef’s Table tasting experience, or ask for a spot on the shady patio.

Part restaurant and part wine shop, Seed is a sophisticated suburban destination made for a group dinner or fun date night. Lots of light from floor-to-ceiling windows, along with natural wood furniture and white-tiled walls, create a bright space for dining on modern American dishes like cider-braised pork ossobuco topped with whole grain mustard jus, smoky cabbage, and roasted root vegetables. Love that crisp Spanish albariño or bold California cabernet? Buy a bottle to take home.

For more than 50 years, Atlantans have headed to Nakato for a wide range of Japanese dishes lovingly and expertly prepared by this restaurant’s namesake family. Grab a seat at the bar to dine on an extensive menu of fresh sushi and nigiri, or book a grill table for an immersive experience complete with teppanyaki, piping hot noodle bowls, and tempura. For a splurge, reserve a tatami room for a multi-course omakase meal—one of the city’s best.

Descend the stairs from the Hotel Clermont’s lobby into this moody basement brasserie—its name is a nod to one of the dancers at the gritty Claremont Lounge above. Down below, the vibe is playful but elegant. Claim a pink leather banquette under peach-patterned walls for decadent French American food like steak frites and duck confit. Finish the evening with a nightcap in the hotel’s mid-century-style lounge or lively rooftop bar with sweeping skyline views.

Atlanta’s Westside is a hotspot for craft breweries, but few have as many food options as Bold Monk’s sprawling tap room and outdoor beer garden. Choose from a something-for-everyone menu of Neapolitan-style pizzas, Provence-style mussels, and lighter options like grain bowls to accompany the brewery’s Belgian-style stouts and pilsners. Then while away an afternoon in a cozy booth, around one of two large bars, or the large pet- and kid-friendly patio shaded by trees.

Some of Atlanta’s best restaurants are in the suburbs, and this laid-back Buford cafe is no exception. Both the food and the vibrant decor—think brightly colored ceiling lanterns and blue-patterned floor tiles—honor owner Luciano Rosales’s Cuban heritage. The all-day menu (available at both the Buford and original Alpharetta locations) includes hot-pressed sandwiches and layered paellas, plus very sippable Cuban-Peruvian drinks like margaritas and mojitos.