ATLGuide

The First Timer’s Guide To Eating & Drinking In Atlanta

You’re in Atlanta for the first time ever. Where do you start? With us, of course.
The First Timer’s Guide To Eating & Drinking In Atlanta image

photo credit: Amy Sinclair

​​Maybe you’re here to visit your friend who came for college and never left, or maybe you’re one of the 500 people working on Avengers 12: Hulk Goes To Camp. Either way, you’ve made it to Atlanta and regardless of whether you flew into Hartsfield-Jackson or drove in via the interstate, you deserve a medal and maybe a stiff drink.

There are a lot of bars and restaurants to choose from, and just like the 70-plus streets in Atlanta with the word “Peachtree’ in the name, it can be tough to navigate your way through all of them. Luckily, that’s where we come in with our guide to the best places to eat and drink during your first trip to Atlanta—from brunch to late night.

Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

photo credit: Amy Sinclair

Breakfast

Edgewood

$$$$Perfect For:People WatchingImpressing Out of TownersBrunchBreakfastDay Drinking
Earn 3x points with your sapphire card

A velvet rope at the entrance of this popular venue can make it feel like you’re waiting to get into the club. Hell, there’s a strong chance you’ll see people still hungover from an actual club experience slumped over the subway-tiled bar in search of needed nourishment. But with some of the best brunch offerings in town, Barney’s, near Grady, is worth your time. There’s a dish for everyone here, including sweet favorites like their thick and fluffy 24 Karat Gold Pancakes that taste as good as they look. And there are savory staples like steak and eggs or lamb and eggs. For those looking for a lighter start to their day (since you’re probably still recovering from the previous night’s shenanigans), Barney’s offers vegan entrees and fresh pressed juices.

It would be a shame if you didn’t get to taste the world’s greatest pancakes while you're in the city. Their butter-rich, fluffy hot cakes are worth every minute of the lengthy wait to get a table. And there’s really nothing that disappoints at Ria's (other than the views since it's located across the street from the Oakland Cemetery). Whether you’ve gone paleo or vegan this week, there will be something on the menu for you. If a seat at the counter opens up, slide in to claim your flapjacks along with the slow-cooked brisket and eggs or the country-fried tempeh and gravy.

If your goal is to take down some Southern soul food while in Atlanta, then Busy Bee Cafe in the West End should be the prerequisite stop. Though it's only offering takeout for the moment, there’s some heavy history happening in the walls of this award-winning establishment. Opened in 1947, the Atlanta institution is still famous for its best-in-the-city crispy fried chicken, greens, pork chops, and other soul food staples that have fed famous patrons from Martin Luther King Jr. to President Barack Obama.

On weekends, this Southern staple on Ponce is packed with folks determined to check a box on their “First time in Atlanta” card. During the week, locals give themselves away with work badges. Even if it's your first time dining in these homey rooms lined with photos of famous past guests, you'll feel the nostalgia. Name another meat-and-two stop where you write down your own order on a menu card? And where else will the waitress announce, “Comin’ in, honey” before setting down a plate of delicious fried green tomatoes? Plus, Mary Mac’s is one of the few places in the city where you can still get potlikker (think of it like a chips-and-salsa starter but with collard broth and cornbread). The fried chicken, okra, and green tomatoes are all solid takes on classic Georgia foods and are worth a taste.

If the name Slutty Vegan is brand new to you, then you’ve either been living under a rock or certainly living out of the states. The plant-based burger chain started as a humble food truck, which continuously amassed hour-long waits and crowds of curious vegans and meat-eaters looking to get a taste of what all the fuss was about. Now with several locations and an expanded menu that includes plant-based hot dogs, faux shrimp, and vegan chicken sandwiches, you should get served a little Sloppy Toppy while here (chill, that's the name of the burger). The Edgewood location stays open until 1am on weekends, so partying vegans out on demon time have somewhere else in the city to turn to for a late night meal.

Dinner/Dessert

RESERVE A TABLE

POWERED BY

OpenTable logo

When you say you’re in SONO, few people in Atlanta know where that is. So just tell them you’re at Poor Calvin’s, which has more landmark recognition than most things in that area (for example, did you know ATL had a Central Park?). Their lobster fried rice and lobster mac and cheese should be city attractions—sort of like putting them on a CityPass combo with visits to the Georgia Aquarium and The World of Coca-Cola. But seriously, just point to anything on the menu and pair it with something from their long list of cocktails. Speaking of, have you had Long Island iced tea with chai tea liqueur? It’s time to try.

If you're down here closing a business deal or celebrating a milestone anniversary, make a reservation at Lazy Betty in Candler Park. With a $205 per person seven-course tasting menu, the restaurant wows with unexpected creations like beef fat bourbon cocktails and corn mousse dessert with sweet and syrupy Peruvian corn tea, fluffy popcorn, and charred corn ribs. If you’re really feeling saucy, pick up the wine pairing option for an additional $145. Because of the creative plates, it definitely classifies as fine dining in our book, but the restaurant feels far more casual and cozy than most spots on our fancy dinners list. Seriously, no one would clutch their pearls if you needed to unbutton the top of your pants in between courses.

The Optimist made national headlines when it opened in 2012. Years later, the West End spot still maintains its status as Atlanta’s buzziest seafood restaurant. The massive main dining area is often full of business teams, yacht owners, and couples celebrating big night outs. If it's too packed and noisy, there’s a quieter small oyster bar area that feels more like a retro diner—plus, it’s fun to watch the oyster prep. Dishes like the creamy smoked fish chowder, delicious beignet-style hush puppies, and their legendary meaty lobster roll, solidify why Optimist is one of the better seafood spots in the city. 

Late Night

Most Atlantans have a R. Thomas story. And we bet that story took place after 1am since this anything-goes establishment is a known late-night hang. If you don't spot celebs like Andre 3000 at a table, then you may wonder why we’d recommend a place where they’ll likely be filming the next episode of Hoarders. Looking past the birdcages, multicolored pinwheels, flags, and lawn art, though, you’ll find a Peachtree Road icon that has earned its loyal fanbase of vegans, families, and party people. Serving everything from hearty meatloaf to solid tofu scrambles, R. Thomas is like the quirky, dependable friend you can't help but love.

If you’re looking for late-night eats, Hotel Clermont, situated in front of the legendary Clermont Lounge, offers three great options to grab a bite. If Tiny Lous, their fancy French restaurant, is closed for the day, head to the lobby bar or up to the rooftop for panoramic city views, small bites and more cocktails—it's open until midnight or 1am depending on the day of the week.

Chase Sapphire Card Ad

Suggested Reading

A well-lit bar with green stools at Bar Vegan in Atlanta.

18 Bars You Should Know In Atlanta

The top bars you should know in Atlanta, according to us.

Where To Eat & Drink At The Battery Atlanta image

The Battery

A dining game plan for people who've never been to this part of Braves Country sober.

rigatoni pasta

First-class sushi, great airport breakfast spots, and other top places to eat at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

Infatuation Logo

Company

2024 © The Infatuation Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FIND PLACES ON OUR APP

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store