The Resy Hit List: Where In Atlanta You’ll Want to Eat in Dec. 2024
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in Atlanta: a monthly-updated (and expanded!) guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Five Things In Atlanta Not to Miss This Month
- Tasting Menu, Of Sorts: Drinks are the star at Tiger Sun’s new experience, where only 18 guests at a time imbibe four rounds of immersive cocktails and customized bites. Resys open up at 10 a.m. every other Tuesday; act fact.
- Twisted Tea: The Royal Tea Service at Southern Belle is back for the second year, but for one day only. With Joey Ward brewing the snacks in his signature experimental way, you won’t find a madder afternoon tea and more creative tower in town … which is why it’s well worth setting a Notify for the first available seat to this special event.
- The Wait is Over: Since the banners first went up announcing construction of Delbar Middle Eastern’s new Buckhead location, Atlanta’s been holding its collective breath. Wait no more: Resys have officially opened for dinner, so get on it. And be mindful of all new openings at New on Resy.
- Atlanta’s Tinseltowns: Yeah, sure, we’re the Hollywood of the South, but the holiday season takeovers across the city make us an undisputed tinseltown. Reservations are necessary for admission for most, like Shiloh’s Chalet in Alpharetta, Keep an eye out on Resy’s Experiences page for the latest pop-ups, as well as special holiday dinners. The one at Aria and Little Bear’s Jewish Chinese Christmas Eve are of particular note.
- Party Down: Fogon and Lions is proving to be the most festive spot in Alpharetta this month, with events like an Ugly Sweater Party (half off margs just for playing) Dec. 14, a Salsa Claus party December 21, Christmas Cena Latina every Sunday, Nochebuena on Christmas Eve, and, to crown it all off, a bottle-popping New Year’s party with a buffet, live music, and party favors. Get your ticket to the latter with Resy Events.
New to the Hit List (Dec. 2024)
Aria, Elektra, La Metro, Third Door.
1. Lazy Betty Midtown
The many petals of Lazy Betty’s expanded space unfurl luxuriously, blooming into an expansive bar and lounge and three distinct dining rooms. (Even if you know its former occupant, Hugh Acheson’s Empire State South, the space is now unrecognizable.) And, yes, the food: With a seasonal seven-course tasting menu, the friendly staff works as a team to deliver bites like poached Icelandic cod with green tomato “caviar” destined to swim in a broth of country ham, to a trio of petit fours with unexpected twists like miso caramel. Not ready for a deep dive? The newly introduced bar menu lets you dip a toe into Aaron Phillips and Ron Hsu’s award-winning experience; bonus items like foie gras brioche doughnuts make it worth checking out regardless.
2. Nàdair Restaurant Woodland Hills
Kevin Gillespie is proudly reclaiming a part of his culinary heritage that he once pushed into the shadows. This interpretation of a laird’s lodge, with custom carpet in the pattern of his great-grandfather’s military tartan, embraces “the way of nature” both literally and figuratively. That manifests in a return to his wood-fired cooking days. Multi-course tastings and three-course prix fixe menus feature contemporary and often Southern takes on hearty Scottish fare. Think Aberdeen butter pull-aparts, lacquered ham with a collard green “dumpling,” and steak with punchy horseradish brown sauce and savory skirlie oats that’ll have you questioning why we Americans eat oats sweet.
3. Bacchanalia Westside
A moody former industrial space – shared with counter-service sister Star Provisions – sets the stage for some of Atlanta’s most show-stopping cuisine. This 1993 establishment founded by Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison just keeps growing better. Their local farm, Summerland, whose production continues to guide their farm-to-table approach. Because of that, their format of a four-course prix fixe menu is the only thing that remains constant. One night you might find crab fritters made remarkable with citrus and avocado, or steak tartare with a twist of lime, toasted rice, and chile. And if your Notify didn’t pan out for that special occasion, just go during the day and grab a Bacchanalia-quality lunch or a pastry from Star Provisions while you hunt for an artisan “I’m sorry” gift. It’ll be a nice taste of what’s to come when your Resy comes through.
4. Avize West Midtown
You don’t need skis to get into the winter Alpine spirit with Karl Gorline’s just-opened concept. Beneath the shadow of a mountain goat standing in a forest green dining room, are dishes inspired by the culture of the lands those mountains touch — France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany — made with ingredients from family-run farms near Atlanta, including their own. Expect uncommon dishes like venison tartare, a parfait of rabbit and foie gras, botanical hay-smoked crown of duck, and a Mont Blanc with brown butter, banana, and chestnut cream. And naturally, with a name that also calls to mind a French village with Grand Cru status, what’s better than a glass of bubbly to accompany? Find all the details here.
5. Aria Buckhead Village
This elegant mainstay is all class and grace. Quite fitting, then, that it’s considered a long-time icon for those in the know in Atlanta’s toniest neighborhood, with cuisine and service to match. Its intimate space feels like private dining, and a small but full-service bar turns out cocktails without missing a beat. However, it’s the wines that are unmissable, particularly if you opt for the tasting menu. Because while the ambiance is traditional, this eight-course experience is certainly not. Expect items like creamless celery root soup with black truffle, sashimi floating in apples and ponzu, and multiple meat courses from the country’s top purveyors. Then expect to want to make another Resy right away.
6. Lucian Buckhead
Books, wine, and dining? We’re hooked on this Buckhead mainstay already. The wine list intrigues, with deep cuts on Champagne and chardonnay (if you’re a skeptic, this is where to explore). Seasonal plot twists make the story change a bit with every retelling. For example, a garlic-rubbed, crispy-all-around modern porchetta is currently being served on a bed of corn with local muscadine grapes — the last of both for the season. If you like to stick with classics, count on two-bite breaded polenta cubes on a black truffle aioli, and a perfect soft-curd French omelette topped with caviar and herb crème fraiche. Validated parking is an invitation to stay and browse the bookshop selections, curated by co-owner Katie Barringer, in this museum library-like setting. Pro tip: check Resy Events frequently for special book signings.
7. Kitty Dare Inman Park
Atlanta’s culinary style boils down to swirling cultures together like paint until it becomes something new — and that’s the best way to describe the artistry in play here, where an Iranian owner and Italian chef have combined Middle Eastern and Western European flavors into dishes you won’t find elsewhere. Turmeric colors pillowy gnocchi already rich with black garlic lamb ragu on a swirl of mint yogurt. Perfectly roasted chicken, thick with Berbere spices and lightened with watermelon and feta salad and a silky, lush Andalusian gazpacho speak of southern Spanish summers, and myriad nooks — a muraled courtyard, whitewashed and cerulean corners — create a casual spot with neighborhood fave vibes.
8. O by Brush Buckhead Village
Just when you thought omakase in this city couldn’t possibly get any better, Jason Liang’s masterpiece has launched in earnest. Tucked behind a pocket door and laser-cut wooden wall of Brush Sushi is a contemporary but homey counter where omakase expectations swell to include surprises like a Taiwanese wheel pie stuffed with truffle and monkfish liver, chawanmushi steamed in a stone egg, and delicate tempura. Then there are the dry-aged, binchotan-kissed, and hay-smoked fish selections that redefine textures and flavors. A sake sommelier — another rare amenity — can guide pairings, but you can’t go wrong with a Mr. Miyagi cocktail, which warms and cleanses the palate with sesame and wasabi, in that order.
9. Southern Belle Poncey Highlands
New season, new reasons to see what magical mischief chef Joey Ward is cooking up in the kitchen. Now fully à la carte (unlike fancy brother tasting menu-only Georgia Boy), you can sidequest how you like with a tight selection of dishes sorted into three sizes. Descriptions name ingredients, but rarely technique and never presentation. This opens the door for textural surprises like a roasted potato “bucatini” carbonara and unexpected combos like warm curried banana b. Gratuities are already included in the menu prices, so go ahead and treat yourself to a cocktail — conveniently marked with notes like “Light. Refreshing. Herbaceous” — with the money normally earmarked for tips. You deserve it.
10. Foundation Social Eatery Alpharetta
If it’s been a minute since you’ve made the short trip up to Alpharetta, remedy that immediately, because chef Mel Toledo has outdone himself with his recent menu upgrades. It doesn’t get more decadent than overstuffed agnolotti in taleggio cream absolutely smothered with meaty maitake, braised beef cheek, and more shaved truffle than any dish has any business having. Pro tip: order the single-side seared scallops on popping farro and fresh English peas as an appetizer, and save room for dessert. Lauded pastry chef Gus Castro’s baking at FSE now, and clearly having fun doing so. His cornbread take on carrot cake is a mind-bending moment, and cherry accents and toasted pepitas add unusual dimension to pumpkin cheesecake.
11. Heirloom Market BBQ Smyrna
Don’t you be fooled by the unassuming facade of this roadside shop — this joint’s got real chops. Chefs Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee’s wood-smoking spot is an Atlanta legend, its Korean and American barbecue flavors a perfect representation of the globally influenced and locally inspired dining culture of the A. Find spicy braised pork topped with kimchi coleslaw, gochujang-rubbed smoked pork, classic 12-hour beef brisket, Texas-style smoked turkey, racks of ribs, and a variety of sides as plentiful as a banchan spread. Seating is nearly nonexistent and patio tables are few, but don’t let that stop you. The many national recognitions it’s received have been well earned.
Find more info here.
12. Bread & Butterfly Inman Park
Billy Allin may have sold his last outpost to Demetrius Brown and Brandon Blanchard, but all three voices speak clearly from the menu. Traditional French style peeks out during the day, but come evening, Haiti comes out to play with the South. Savory herb cocktails with dark spirits complement shareables like lamb belly “tasso,” flaky tamarind-accented Haitian beef patties, and scallops with etouffee-inspired sauce. A modern, super-buttery take on bouyon beef — with plantain gnocchi and sweet potato — is reimagined with a few slices of perfect steak bites.
13. Kamayan ATL Doraville
Filipino flavors are on fire right now, and this local favorite has been generating both local and national accolades. Plus, next year’s upcoming expansion is hotly anticipated as Resys fill up ever faster with the growing recognition. Book a Kamayan-style feast as a private event for the most memorable spread in town, or design your own with an array of lumpia ranging from pork or Filipino sausage to jalapeños and cheese, then chicken adobo, and sisig with pork belly cheek, snout, and pate. Ube fans won’t want to skip the desserts, as the purple yam takes three forms.
14. Lyla Lila Midtown
Everyone knows about the crispy duck lasagna with cocoa bechamel at this refined southern European mainstay, but the pro tip here is to journey through the Pasta Odyssey, which shows off the range of chef Craig Richards’ talent … and includes this signature dish in sampler size. On this multi-course taster, cacio e pepe takes agnolotti form with quadruple the pepper power, beef and black truffle merge with thyme and star anise, and braised rabbit becomes smooth and silken when tucked into thin sheets of pasta. End with the Meyer lemon cheesecake, whose soft, whipped texture recalls the center of a perfect Basque-style version and is perfectly punctuated with macerated blueberries and basil.
15. La Metro Old Fourth Ward
Celebrity chef Hector Santiago’s latest contribution to the city has been a long time coming, and not just because it was originally slated for a summer opening. His tribute to the tapas bars of Madrid, Leon, Barcelona, and Bilbao fits right into the hustle and bustle of Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall, and shows off a wealth of Iberian-sourced tinned seafood, with fineries like goose barnacles, Galician cockles, and baby eel. Meat and cheese plates show off the best of the peninsula, and his famous paella gets gamey with a rabbit version. Hot tapas, skinny bocatas (sandwiches), and Catalan canelones fill the belly while happy hour-ready pintxos — perfect with the sherry-focused cocktail menu — keep things casual.
No reservations. Find more info here.
16. Third Door Marietta
Atlanta loves a good reincarnated fueling station, and taking that concept out to the suburbs doesn’t change a thing. Just off the quaint square, this cocktail bar shows off just how multipurpose a space like that can be. The main bar feels like a cozy study, the interior past the garage doors give industrial-meets-Prohibition, a pet-friendly patio hosts live local music on the regular, and the bookable Bearcat camper adds novelty to privacy for intimate dates. Clever cocktails like the Angry Eye with ginger and honey, or true Caribbean-style daiquiris using housemade infusions and syrups, wow to the bottom of each glass. Pro tip: click on the keyhole on the digital menu to access the secret sips and specials.
No reservations. Find more info here.
17. Elektra Old Fourth Ward
Chef Jonathan McDowell’s talents (formerly of Delbar) have a new home and new style on the fourth floor of the Forth Hotel, where aqua shiplap, exuberant greenery, and coastal textures channel the beach clubs of the Mediterranean. A view of the patio and pool drives that mental escape home. Start with the bountiful mezze platter for a sampling of seasonal salads and dips that incorporate the unexpected; for instance, plums and berries. Whatever you do for dinner, don’t miss dessert: pastry chef Carelys Vasquez flexes the depth of her globe-spanning talents with a saffron pineapple upside-down cake and baklava cheesecake bar.
18. Tio Lucho’s Poncey-Highland
At the entrance, a bold chicha font states, “En Atlanta, se come rico.” But at this Peruvian collaboration between La Chingana’s Arnaldo Castillo and Sweet Auburn BBQ’s Howard Hsu, rico is an understatement. Mixed seafood ceviches, aji bechamel-roasted oysters, and corn “fritter” pancakes covered in crab are standout openers for exceptionally tender roasted chicken with Cuzco corn succotash, and lomo saltado so good you’ll be using the fries to sop the sauce. Pro tip: Pastry chef extraordinaire Claudia Martinez of Miller Union dips into her own South American roots when she bakes here, so keep an eye on their Instagram to find out what desserts to save room for. For more tropical fun, try the passionfruit sour with egg white foam.
19. Café Alsace Decatur
In the region of Alsace, German and French cooking find not only something approaching peace, but a layered harmony. This is hearty upon hearty — crème fraiche and Emmenthal top tarte flambee (aka flamenkeuche) or spaetzle, both also topped with bacon bits and onion; a trio of sausage is indulgent as you’d expect; pastry lined with mushroom duxelles accompany luscious filet mignon; more flaky pastry shows up in the tarte tatin of the day. Place all of that on tables surrounded by rustic chairs in a romantically understated French country dining room and you have Benedictine Cooper’s tribute to her native homeland, now a 25-year-old local staple. Pro tip: Browse the retail nook toward the back before you leave, and don’t forget to grab some macarons to go.
Find more info here.
20. Kimball House Decatur
Photo courtesy of Kimball House
Kimball House has a preternatural ability to charm. Is it the setting, in a renovated rail depot, inspired by an Atlanta landmark, the Kimball House Hotel? (An old hotel menu became the foundation of the menu.) Whatever it is, the excitement quickly extends to the particulars of the menu, starting with a selection of around 20 oyster varieties, and refined modern cocktails such as a ponzu martini or green apple Negroni. No bad seats here, but for a full meal, make a Resy for one of the tufted leather booths in the classically elegant dining room. You’ll want the table space for updated classic dishes; ravioli en consomme comes with venison; the osso bucco is lamb; grilled oysters have kimchi butter and the opera cake is Earl Grey. And in true local spirit, don’t miss the lemon pepper chicken skins as an app.
Photo courtesy of Kimball House
