13 Cool Restaurants To Eat In Atlanta Right Now

You’re a cool person and you deserve a cool restaurant to chow down at in Atlanta, Georgia. It can happen.

A lot of Atlanta restaurants are investing in decor and atmosphere to supplement what’s on your plate. If you’re hungry, an intimate setting can make or break a culinary experience. 

12 Cool Places To Eat In Atlanta Right Now

So we’re about to show you some cool places to eat in Atlanta this year. These spots are not all new, but many of them have added a few wrinkles since you’ve last been there. Besides, they’re cool.

1. Polaris

265 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 460-6425

Polaris is probably one of the coolest restaurants you’ll find in Atlanta from a cosmetic perspective. Hidden inside the Hyatt Regency, Polaris literally rotates — not unlike the Sun Dial four miles away in downtown Atlanta.

Here’s what one reviewer says about Polaris: “The food and the staff made this meal a wonderful experience. Add on the atmosphere and views as Polaris spins, and I have to recommend everyone try it at least once. Weekdays are typically easier to be seated and allow the staff to provide even better personal service.”

2. Restaurant 356

One Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354 | (770) 290-4356

Restaurant 356 is an upscale restaurant located at the Porsche headquarters in Hapeville.

Here’s what one reviewer says about Restaurant 356: “The food here was awesome! I had the scallops and tagliatelle which was phenomenal. My colleagues had chicken and waffles and schnitzel and spaetzle which they reported was also fantastic. Service was great.”

3. Los Cuatro Milpas Atlanta

7056 GA-85 Suite C, Riverdale, GA 30274 |  (770) 883-7734
 
Los Cuatro Milpas Atlanta is about 20 minutes outside Atlanta, but it’s well worth the ride!

4. South City Kitchen

1144 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 |  (404) 873-7358

South City Kitchen’s menu is one of the most celebrated in the Southeast. And it’s relatively close to a MARTA Station.

Here’s what one reviewer says about South City Kitchen: “Picked this place for out of town co-workers who wanted a “southern experience”. Everyone LOVED it. Couldn’t stop talking about the amazing food. Manning and staff took really good care of us. I even got a “high-five” for recommending 🙂 A classic and modern Atlanta experience all-in-one.”

5. Helen’s Hot Chicken

200 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 731-3369

Here’s what one reviewer says about Helen’s Hot Chicken: “We tried Helen’s once and been loving them ever since! Their food is delicious! Wings, catfish was BOMB!! Best waffle we’ve ever tasted!! Prices reasonable. Their employees are polite and respectful! Establishment was very clean and welcoming! We refer all our friends! Definitely coming back!”

Check out the best hot chicken joints in Atlanta.

6. Grand Lux Cafe

3500 Peachtree Rd NE #2093, Atlanta, GA 30326 | (404) 504-2961

Credit photo: CJ Johnson
One of Buckhead’s best-kept secrets opened in August 2018 in Phipps Plaza. Grand Lux Cafe is from the same people that brought us the Cheesecake Factory.
 
The funky decor and bold menu has been a strong selling point for Buckhead’s wealthy crowds looking to find something new to eat. The eatery clearly caters to the upwardly mobile and affluent, something that was clearly evident in the day AtlantaFi sampled a few items on the menu.

7. 9 Mile Station

675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE Atlanta, Georgia 30308 | (770) 999-1532

Entrepreneur Kelvin Slater and wife Mandy have a hit on their hands with 9 Mile Station. Described as an “elevated beer garden,” 9 Mile Station is located on the rooftop of Ponce City Market in Midtown Atlanta.

8. New South Kitchen

100 CNN Center Atlanta, Georgia 30303 | (404) 659-0000

New South Kitchen is one of the best upscale restaurants in Atlanta. Because it is primarily located primarily in a business district, many families don’t know about the daily buffets and gourmet desserts.

If you’re in the mood for a hidden gem with an open kitchen, come to the Omni Hotel’s New South Kitchen.

Here’s what one reviewer says about New South Kitchen. “Good breakfast buffet, but very expensive. Enjoyed my breakfast with a nice variety of good breakfast foods. The service and environment were very nice. Everything was great until I got my $30 bill! Probably will go somewhere else next time just based off the cost even though it was convenient and good.”

9. Wonderkid

777 Memorial Dr. SE, Suite 101A, Atlanta, GA. 30312 

Wonderkid is a new Atlanta restaurant from the people behind King of Pops and Big Citizen. The diner-style eatery is a great place for eclectic bites and desserts.

10. Two Urban Licks

820 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 | (404) 522-4622

Two Urban Licks is one of those places that hometown natives tell you about, but they can’t do it justice. This place has ambiance by the pound! And the menu is great.

Here’s what one reviewer says about Two Urban Licks: “The atmosphere alone is enough to make you come back for more. The salmon chips were incredible, I could’ve had a double order and been satisfied. The Brisket was perfectly charred and an enormous portion and the Scallops with Grits were absolutely delicious.”

11. Superica

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | (678) 791-1310

3850 Roswell Rd NE #100, Atlanta, GA 30342 | (678) 705-1235

Superica’s two locations are hard to be when it comes to upscale Tex-Mex, eclectic selections and creative drinks.

Here’s what one reviewer says about Superica: “Great Mexican cuisine. Very attentive staff and fairly priced. Nice ambiance and very good bar area. Portions are generous. It gets super busy so go early or be ready to wait..a while..”

12. Bar-bacoa

1000 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 | (404) 815-9155

There are some cool places to eat in Atlanta. And the reason is because there are good restaurants in each quadrant of the city: East, West, North, South.

All you need to do is think about what you have a taste for. Italian? Soul food? Tex-Mex? Atlanta has it all.

For the latest in metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, stay with Atlantafi.com.

CJ Johnson: CJ is a longtime Atlantan who has written a book about Atlanta's food scene. He has also fallen in love with the city's music and sports scenes. He writes about Food, Restaurants, Travel, Sports and Atlanta Culture. Check out the book. https://amzn.to/3RPmbZM