The Atlanta Restaurants We’re Loving Right Now

When it comes to Thai restaurants…

… Pink Lotus has established itself firmly in Atlanta’s top tier destinations, which isn’t easy considering we have lots of great options including Talat Market, Tipsy Thaiger, and others. What I love about Pink Lotus is the depth of flavor found in, well, everything I’ve tasted there so far. I’m a big fan of their papaya salad (their fish sauce gives it a very distinctive tang); the roti curry, which is as warm and loving as a bread starter can be; both iterations of the branzino (golden-fried or steamed); and the crab fried rice, which I could eat by the bucket if they ever decide to serve it in bulk. I also had remarkable service the last time I visited, which, of course, makes everything taste better. Plus, it always feels as if everyone in the dining room is having the same good time.

—Mike Jordan, Atlanta Writer, Resy Editorial

After being blown away on my last visit…

… I returned to Ticonderoga Club, primarily for their fantastic cocktail program (shoutout to the Ticonderoga Cup!) and the moody tropical vibes. The best thing we ate, though, was the steak tartare, which had a nice kick to it and came with crunchy daikon chips.

— Juliana Dutan, Business Operations

For your next special occasion…

… run to book this one-of-a-kind spot. There’s literally no one else in Atlanta doing anything like it, and I am obsessed with Charm in West Midtown. This former fine-dining Thai pop-up has now taken permanent residency in the original home of the Michelin-starred Omakase Table, and with the quality and strength of its debut, I can’t wait to watch it grow.

But first, let me explain: It’s everything you love about high-end tasting menu experiences — luxurious seafood, exacting techniques, elegant and anticipatory service, and beautiful storytelling in a serene setting — but now, with a pan-Thai palate and some Laotian flair. There are decadent cuts of meat, modern twists to beloved classics, and some fun molecular gastronomy. They’re kicking off a new series soon (they’re calling them seasonal menu shifts) and I strongly encourage y’all to smash that “book” button once that menu hits … as long as you don’t steal my seat.

— Su-Jit Lin, Atlanta Writer, Resy Editorial

The first thing most folks say…

… when I talk about So. Fox and how much I love it, is that they haven’t yet experienced dinner at Virginia-Highland’s stellar new wine-focused restaurant. The reason mostly seems to be the rectangular dining room, with its 360-degree neighborhood views (thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows), which is consistently filled with diners enjoying Rachael Pack and Myles Moody’s beautifully executed menu.

While some of what I’ve enjoyed so far (like their clarified tomato martini) has rolled off the menu due to So. Fox’s insistence on seasonality as a guiding light, my favorite dish from Moody is the roasted whole chicken, which is just insanely delicious. The poultry is cooked to tender perfection, with sturdy and flavorful skin, and a sauce that should be its own cocktail. After continually basting the finished bird with its delicious pool of jus, I slurped up the remaining liquid with the same large spoon and felt entirely classy about it.

I’m honestly not 100% sure they’ll still have the Crab, a sparkling orange wine from Sonoma County winery Carboniste, but if they do, order a glass and let your fancy be tickled. This place is awesome, and I’ve visited thrice since they opened in July. So, do yourself a favor and get the first reservation available. (And yes, walk-ins are accepted but you certainly won’t be the only person taking a chance after the serious word-of-mouth buzz and praise.)

— Mike Jordan, Atlanta Writer, Resy Editorial

I was long overdue to visit this Decatur icon …

… but I’m so glad I finally got to try Kimball House for the first time. The courtyard-like patio was a perfect spot for drinks and a catch-up on a thunderstorm-y evening, as the historic dining room was bumping by the time we got there.

Of course, I had to have oysters. I tried the chargrilled ones and they gave my favorites in New Orleans a run for their money. They were lightly smoky and the flavor of the sunshine-sweet pepper butter was infused all the way through the juicy Alabama bivalves. The crunchy shredded potato straws that topped them were a nice textural touch, too, adding just a twinge of salt while ensuring maximum sauce. I slurped them up greedily.

— Su-Jit Lin, Atlanta Writer, Resy Editorial

I’m a big fan of Jason Furst…

… the longtime general manager at BoccaLupo who’s behind Sammy’s, the Adair Park breakfast and lunch hangout that’s one of the best things to happen to Atlanta in years — if you like sandwiches and happy people. He and his longtime friend and coworker Sam Pinner gave everyone a preview of their barbecue aspirations via the “Samuel:” a smoked brisket pastrami sandwich on rye, which often sells out early during lunch.

Open in South Downtown since just before the World Cup matches began, Sammy’s has incredibly good smoked and fried wings (I recommend the rib sauce as your coating), but you must also get their majestically tender pork ribs by whatever size you can handle. I hear great things about the collard green lasagna, which I haven’t tried yet, but I can tell you from multiple experiences that if you like your smoked brisket lean and tender to the point of a Boyz II Men or New Edition ballad, this is your place.

— Mike Jordan, Atlanta Writer, Resy Editorial

You can’t get a beef Wellington just any time anywhere…

… and there are even fewer places that actually nail it. But Café Alsace, the sweetest little restaurant that looks as though it’s been lifted right out of a cobblestoned street in France’s namesake region, has it down pat.

The generously cut filet mignon in the Wellington comes out a perfect medium-rare and butter-knife tender. The mushrooms surrounding it in the flaky golden pastry are diced finely enough to become an earthy paste, and the green peppercorn sauce it’s set on is rich, luxurious, and a perfect gravy for the accompanying cheesy potato gratin as well. For less than a steakhouse filet, this is easily one of the best values in the city. This and the duck cassoulet, which is is just protein-packed (especially with the inclusion of two types of duck sausage and a deep dish of saucy beans), are my two favorite dishes, and I can’t wait for fall weather to fully arrive, so I can get cozy with these hearty bites.

— Su-Jit Lin, Atlanta Writer, Resy Editorial

More Atlanta staff picks, right this way.

The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.