The Resy Hit List: Where In Atlanta You’ll Want to Eat in Nov. 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.
Four Things In Atlanta Not to Miss This Month
- Give Thanks… For Those Who Cook For Us: No bones about it — making Thanksgiving dinner can be a real chore. Luckily, those at 5Church Midtown, 5Church Buckhead, and AltaToro are willing to do it for us, with seatings that start as early as 11 a.m. and run all the way through to 7:45 p.m. Grab your two-hour table through Resy Events.
- Make It to Macon: Day-trip season is still going strong, and for that, consider Macon, where you can spend a fall day exploring the historic downtown and the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. With nearly perfect ratings, dinner at Natalia’s (old world Italian), Dovetail (farm-to-table Southern), and Kinjo Kitchen & Cocktails (Southern meets Asian fusion) make sure it’s worth the drive.
- Jackie Chang in Action: Chirori in West Midtown once again sets the scene for a dramatic evening with a Mexican bluefin tuna cutting event, complete with unlimited sashimi tastings straight from this 250-pound star. But while that’s the main event, there’s so much more – additional courses include carpaccio, black cod miso yaki, nigiri, soup, and dessert. Book your seat now for Nov. 21 through Resy Events, or risk having to wait until Dec. 12.
- Caribbean Flair: Antsy for an instant escape to warmer locales? It’s closer than you think with restaurants like Apt 4B and Miss Conduck on call with, plus the return of Bread & Butterfly’s Heritage Supper Club monthly series Nov. 22, with two seatings of seven courses by chef Demetrius Brown.
New to the Hit List (Nov. 2024)
Avize, Heirloom Market BBQ, Kamayan, O by Brush, Propaganda.
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
In this modern interpretation of a laird’s lodge, Kevin Gillespie proudly reclaims a part of his culinary heritage that he once pushed into the shadows. Among swathes of deep greens, reddish woods, and a custom carpet in the pattern of his great-grandfather’s military tartan, his latest embraces “the way of nature” both literally and figuratively. Beginning with a park-facing property and earth-friendly sourcing, it progresses to a return to his wood-fired cooking days and Scottish roots. Multi-course tastings and three-course prix fixe menus feature contemporary and often Southern takes on that country’s hearty 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. Delbar Middle Eastern – Inman Park Inman Park
The shiny new Alpharetta location has gotten a lot of attention lately for its big, bright spaces, but the original Delbar has no intention of fading into the background. The heart (the meaning of “delbar”) is certainly captured by a dream of a lamb shank stew, and a ribeye with a walnut pomegranate marinade cut for sharing. Accompany that with adas polo, a buttery showstopper of a rice dish that hides pops of sweetness from buried raisins. But don’t fill up, as tempting as it may be. The pistachio lava cake with molten white chocolate and ginger date cake with toffee and roasted tahini mousse blend the best of Middle Eastern and Western sensations. Same with well-considered cocktails such as the Dubai Drift – an intriguing blend of ginger, maple, soy, and apple brandy.
6. Lucian Books and Wine 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. Varuni Napoli Midtown / Morningside
Chef Luca Varuni’s original location is now officially 10, but the buzz is still as fresh as the made-to-order pies, where even online orders don’t hit the custom Neapolitan ovens until checking in at the counter or the pick-up window. Grab a seat at the 20-seat pizza bar, where a massive cornicello hangs from the skylight — they’re the most entertaining seats in the communal-style dining room, especially during brunch, since you can watch sweet fig, Gorgonzola, and prosciutto puff up into crackling-crusted fork-and-knifers and get a preview of combos like egg yolk sauce, sausage, pancetta, and black truffle. Kick back on the patio and feel invincible to the summer heat refreshed by a new list of creative spritzes, including bourbon peach tea and limoncello basil versions.
No reservations. Find more info here.
16. Vesper Glenwood Park
Glam furnishings, bold local art, and a playlist as well-mixed as the smooth craft cocktails leave you stirred, not shaken, in this James Bond-influenced lounge. The references to 007 are subtle, via the movies on silent behind the bar and the names of drinks, like the tropical Pussy Galore with peach, pineapple, and cherry and the peachy, bubbly Tilly Masterson. But the style is not. Jewel-toned velvet couches are clustered in semi-private spaces ideal for kicking back or canoodling, and hearty snacks like cheese-buried truffle tots, lobster quesadillas, and tuna tataki accompany a substantial list of elevated classics. Pro tip: Score the city’s best espresso martini, the May Day, for a p.m. pick-me-up.
No reservations. Find more info here.
17. Propaganda Smyrna
Believe the propaganda: nostalgia is in. Channel that memory of hanging in the coolest basement on the block by heading upstairs at Zucca Pizza in Smyrna Market Village. This new hot spot for low-key chill hangs adds a bit of 70s club glitz and whimsy to that memory. Sip on drinks like a margarita with Pop Rock in a space whose ceiling is plastered with familiar and beloved vinyl album covers and furnished with comfy couches for a blast from Americana past. Resys are your only guarantee for admission and are valid for a two-hour block. But doesn’t a “curfew” and dress code guidelines make the experience even more authentic?
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
