The Ultimate Resy Guide to Splurge-Worthy Restaurants in Atlanta

Before farm-to-table was even a thing, there was Bacchanalia. The Michelin-starred restaurant, helmed by grand dame Anne Quatrano, first opened in the 1990s before moving several times and settling into its current West Midtown space in 2017. The dining room nods to Quatrano’s farm roots — she and her husband, Clifford Harrison, own a 60-acre farm called Summerland — with a gabled roof, Edison bulbs, and rustic wood elements. The four-course tasting menu follows the seasons, though the crab fritter and seasonal soufflé are perennial standouts. For an even more indulgent meal, add caviar service and oysters with sorrel mignonette.

Cost: $140 per person for the prix-fixe menu. Cocktails start around $19, and glasses of wine start around $20.

For a tasting menu that trades a stuffy atmosphere for the feel of a convivial dinner party, there’s Bovino After Dark. Part of the H.E.R.O. Group, which also owns 7th House, Bovino’s chef’s counter sits in the back of Hop City in the Lee + White complex. About 15 diners gather around the counter as chef Chris McCord and his team serve creative dishes like duck with kimchi bao and katsu lion’s mane mushrooms. The add-ons are part of the fun, from caviar bumps and a wine pairing to mystery courses sprinkled throughout the evening.

What happens when you apply the surprise of Japanese omakase to Thai food? Charm pulls it off beautifully. The West Midtown restaurant occupies the former Omakase Table space, where guests are now introduced to the world of Jenna Phravorachit, who draws on her Thai and Laotian upbringing to create a high-end dining experience at the chef’s counter. The menu changes seasonally, with Phravorachit collaborating with a different chef each season. Expect dishes like a bite-sized papaya salad with peanut dressing gelée and her take on pla neung manow, gently steamed fish served in an aromatic broth.

Cost: $195 per person for nine-course tasting menu; $120 per person for additional wine pairing and cocktails run around $20 each.

Another Craig Richards venture, Elise reflects its home in the Woodruff Arts Center, alongside the High Museum of Art and Atlanta Symphony Hall. Oversized art installations and dramatic architectural details by famed architect Renzo Piano give the restaurant a luxe feel. The magenta-clad bar, where records often spin, offers a lively atmosphere, while the soaring dining room feels more intimate. Richards puts his own spin on French- and Italian-inspired dishes, including tagliatelle with rabbit, smoked oysters, and roast chicken with chanterelle mushrooms.

It’s a bit of a hike to Chattahoochee Hills, home of the planned community Serenbe, but the bucolic scenery and farm-grown fare make the trip worthwhile. At the Farmhouse, a light-filled dining room sets the scene for a meal built around produce grown on-site. The best way to experience it is with the four-course tasting menu, which changes so frequently that the first course is simply named the “chef’s seasonal whim.” Add the wine pairing, and consider booking a room at the Inn to avoid the drive home.

Cost: $85 per person for the four-course tasting menu and $55 per person for the optional wine pairing.

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Helmed by Atsushi “Art” Hayakawa, this Michelin-starred restaurant seats just eight diners at a time. It’s a sushi lover’s dream, with a 16-course meal that unfolds over the evening, showcasing fish sourced from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market alongside hot dishes. Add a sake tasting to make the experience even more indulgent.

Il Premio is over-the-top in the best way, with black tile, rich mahogany, a lounge anchored by a vintage piano, and a horse motif that appears throughout. The Italian steakhouse, inside the Forth Hotel on the BeltLine, is the kind of place where you could spend the entire evening, moving between the plush lounge and dining room. There are plenty of succulent cuts, including Chatel Farms wagyu and a 41-ounce bistecca alla fiorentina, alongside housemade pastas and a martini service featuring olive oil-washed vodka.

Cost: A meal for two, including drinks, will likely cost more than $125 per person. The bistecca alla fiorentina alone costs $220, before factoring in cocktails, pastas, and appetizers.

A French bistro-inspired spot could feel stuffy, but Little Sparrow avoids that pitfall. The West Midtown restaurant, part of the growing Ford Fry empire, pairs soft, moody lighting, leather banquettes, and green accents with an atmosphere that’s elegant without feeling pretentious. It’s an ideal spot for an evening of indulgence, with dishes like French fries dressed with raclette tableside, duck confit, and a 16-ounce New York strip. Classic cocktails, including the Génépy Highball, complement rather than compete with the rich fare. Finish with an order of housemade soft serve.

Chef Craig Richards has a knack for beautifully plated dishes that pair European flavors with locally grown produce. In the heart of Midtown, across from the Fox Theatre, Lyla Lila draws diners with handmade pasta, wood-fired proteins, and bright salads. The menu changes often, but certain staples remain, including warm ciabatta, squash-wrapped snapper, and decadent tiramisu. The minimalist dining room, complete with artistic touches (look for the wooden spoon installation), adds to the appeal. For a more casual experience, grab a seat at the lively horseshoe bar.

Cost: A meal for two, including drinks, will likely cost more than $125 per person. Starters range from $7-28 and entrees are $37-95.

There’s a reason Steven Satterfield and Neal McCarthy’s restaurant has lasted more than a decade: Its attention to detail on the plate is unmatched. The West Midtown restaurant helped re-envision modern Southern cuisine in Atlanta, showing diners what a sense of place can mean. In the industrial-yet-warm dining room, you’ll find the famed farm egg served in celery cream, along with ever-changing dishes that showcase locally sourced produce and proteins.

Buckhead has no shortage of steakhouses, but New York Prime stands out for its lively atmosphere (who doesn’t love that palm-tree centerpiece?) and, most importantly, its steaks. Prepared Pittsburgh-style with a quick, high-heat sear, the steaks have a deeply charred exterior and an ultra-juicy, tender interior. Beyond the beef, there are classic steakhouse sides (try the cheesy mashed potatoes), a hearty selection of martinis and barrel-aged cocktails, and table-sized desserts like the Saturday Sundae, made for four. Attentive service rounds out the experience.

Cost: A meal for two, including drinks, will likely cost more than $125 per person. Steaks range from $36 to $150 in price, and entrees are $33 to $62 each.

NoriFish offers a more laid-back approach to Japanese dining without sacrificing quality. The fish still comes from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market, and there’s a counter for those who want to sit up close to the action, along with tables for a more intimate meal with friends. There are several tiers of omakase, though the premium option is worth considering if you’re going all out. The à la carte menu also features tempting options like spicy salmon crisps and lobster toast.

Cost: $115 per person for the standard omakase; $170 per person for the premium omakase. Sake pairings and à la carte dishes are also available.

From the team behind Lucian, Sargent is a portrait of melded arts and brings a cosmopolitan sensibility to Atlanta’s dining scene. The experience begins with the striking décor of the Old Fourth Ward restaurant, perched above the BeltLine, and continues with beautifully executed dishes. Named for iconic American painter John Singer Sargent, the restaurant carries an artistic approach through its textured walls, deep green accents, and floral touches. The menu excels at classic dishes done exceptionally well, including a prime rib dinner for two, shrimp salad, and roast corn soup. Pair your meal with a classically prepared cocktail, like a sherry and tonic, or a glass of wine.

Newly awarded a Michelin star after only a few months in operation, this Virginia-Highland restaurant has earned national acclaim — and for good reason. In the Scandinavian-inspired dining room, co-owner and chef Myles Moody serves seasonal dishes like corn dumplings with sungold tomatoes and shaved squash over farmers cheese. His wife and business partner, Rachael Pack, is the sommelier and can recommend an excellent glass of wine to complement the meal.

Cost: A meal for two, including drinks, will likely cost more than $125 per person. The portions are somewhat on the smaller side, so we recommend sampling multiple dishes. Still, the compact menu may tempt you to try everything, and drinks add to the total.

Chefs Duane Nutter and restaurateur Reggie Washington brought a glam vibe to their corner of Georgia Avenue when they relocated Southern National from Mobile to Summerhill. The swanky dining room feels like a high-end loft’s living room, with plush banquettes, large-scale art by Black artists, and soft curtains that serve as room dividers. The menu takes a South-meets-the-world approach, with dishes like mussels and collard greens, a pimento cheese plate, and jerk chicken with potato dumplings.

Cost: A meal for two, including drinks, will likely cost more than $125 per person. For a true splurge, order the 20-ounce grilled ribeye with beef tallow potatoes for $72.

Just off Piedmont Park, Verdure echoes its leafy surroundings with a lush setting of its own. Dramatic floral and greenery installations set the stage for a menu that blends Western and African influences. Chef Jean Louis brings those flavors together in dishes like braai ribeye and crispy fried octopus. The cocktails have their own personality, too, from a lemon drop to a creamy coconut margarita.

Cost: A meal for two, including drinks, will likely cost more than $125 per person. Appetizers range in price from $16 to $26 and entrees are priced from $28 to $65.

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This cocktail experience in Adair Park truly stands alone in Atlanta. Each drink draws inspiration from the elements and zodiac signs, with the offerings changing throughout the year. The bar previously offered a cocktail tasting experience, but now serves drinks individually, allowing guests to pick and choose what appeals to them. The food is also à la carte and designed for sharing, with dishes like hamachi crudo, crispy chicken skins, and cavatelli with mushroom ragù.

Cost: While it’s possible to dine here on a budget à la carte, a meal for two, including drinks, will likely cost more than $125 per person. Food ranges from $8 to $55 in price, and all drinks are $15 — and just know the real fun is in sampling a range of cocktails and dishes.