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The dining scene in Atlanta is buzzing with the newest and trendiest restaurants, but it’s the old standbys — the most iconic Atlanta restaurants — that perennially fill your tummy.
Culturally significant restaurants in Atlanta come in all shapes and sizes. There’s the crusty diner and the tourist-friendly landmark, etc.
Iconic Atlanta restaurants you need to try
The city’s rich history only adds to the culturally significant places to eat in Atlanta.
Here are some of them:
Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar
794 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 876-7249
Atkins Park bar, as it is called locally, is an Atlanta icon like no other. Atkins is Atlanta’s longest continuously operated restaurant.
Atkins began as a deli in 1922 and has long been the bedrock of the Poncey-Highland community dining scene in Midtown.
The Colonnade
1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 874-5642
The Colonnade restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Road, where it has been since 1962, is a part of old Atlanta in every way. The simple menu full of locally grown-and-bought whole dishes harkens back to a time when good food was just good food and the niceties between wait staff and customer was what made the experience.
Not much has changed. And that’s why The Colonnade is one of the must culturally significant restaurants in Atlanta.
Busy Bee
810 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314 (404) 525-9212
Photo credit: Twitter/ Joe Biden Busy Bee has cultivated a beloved relationship not just with southwest Atlantans, but various movers, shakers and visiting celebrities who pass through town.
More recently, national political figures like Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden have used the restaurant as a backdrop to make announcements on their national tours.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 (404) 876-1800
You don’t even have to look at the menu, just glance at the wall of celebrities and world leaders that have passed through the doors at Mary Mac’s Tea Room for home-coooked fried chicken, pot likker and more.
This place is also a tourist attraction in Midtown Atlanta, pulling in thousands of visitors to the city each year.
Majestic Diner
1031 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 875-0276
Majestic Diner has been satisfying Atlanta foodies since the late 1929. Not just another greasy spoon, this 24-hour restaurant in Midtown is the place to go for authentic burgers and breakfast.
Paschal’s
180 Northside Dr SW #B, Atlanta, GA 3031
Photo credit: Google Maps The most famous black restaurant in Atlanta, Paschal’s traces its roots back to 1947. That’s when brothers James and Robert Paschal opened their first location at 831 West Hunter Street.Paschal’s became an unofficial meeting place for the civil rights movement. Today Paschals is located on Northside Drive in Castleberry Hill section of downtown Atlanta.What’s cooking in Atlanta?
Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.
Fast-casual is also the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.
Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
Check out some of AtlantaFi.com’s best Atlanta restaurant stories
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If you’re up for some fine dining in North Fulton, two of Roswell’s best restaurants have a summer sale that is hard to beat.
Starting Monday, July 22, Table & Main and Osteria Mattone will add $20 to every gift card purchase of $100. What a great gift card sale!
Summer sale: $20 bonus on $100 gift cards at Table & Main and Osteria Mattone
Guests at either of the Ro Hospitality restaurants can add that bonus to the same gift card, or a separate card for future use.
The gift cards are redeemable at either Table & Main or Osteria Mattone and must be purchased in-store.
The promotion ends at the close of business on Monday, July 29.
Check out some of AtlantaFi.com’s best Atlanta restaurant stories
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The Taste of Atlanta is set to take place Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20, 2019 in Midtown Atlanta. The event will be held at Historic Fourth Ward Park.
The award-winning food event will feature the best of Atlanta’s craft beer, wine and spirits.
Taste of Atlanta 2019: Everything you need to know
The Taste of Atlanta will showcase the local restaurant scene, featuring more than 100 restaurants as well as on-stage cooking demos, cooking classes and new this year, Food Districts, a more expansive VIP Experience and a Saturday night concert. Here’s what’s in store:
Opening Night Party (October 18)
Friday kicks off with the Opening Night Party hosted by Chef Nick Leahy of Aix and Tin Tin, the evening will bring together a roster of well-regarded local chefs who focus on sourcing ingredients locally and cooking seasonally. From 7:30-11pm, participating restaurants, including Kimball House, Tiny Lous, Bellina Alimentari, KR Steakbar, Double Zero and dozens more, will serve tastings alongside wine, beer and cocktails. Plus, the celebration will feature live music from Moontower and a portion of the evening’s proceeds will support Georgia Grown’s restaurant partnership program.
Main Tasting Events (October 19 & 20)
Bringing together chefs from neighborhoods across Atlanta and representing dozens of cuisines, Taste of Atlanta will serve as a destination to try bites from over 100 restaurants all in one place. Plus, this year’s festival will feature Food Districts, including Tailgating, Buford Highway, The Battery, Sunday Brunch and more.
Cooking Classes & Demos: Sponsored by PeachDish
The Cook’s Warehouse and Sprouts, Kitchen Workshop offers free, hands-on cooking classes for home cooks led by Atlanta chefs. Festival attendees will learn to cook a variety of cuisines, from Southern to Italian to vegan. Attendees will also get an inside view into the Atlanta culinary world at Chef’s Table and Home Plate Stages, where chefs will demonstrate how to prepare mouthwatering dishes and provide tastings of their creations.
Saturday Night Concert (October 19)
For the first time, Taste of Atlanta will continue into the evening on Saturday of festival weekend with a concert from 7-11pm. While the band remains a surprise until later this summer, attendees can expect sing-along, light rock hits from a favorite local band. Guests will be able to bring their own chairs and blankets to enjoy tunes on the lawn, and local food trucks will be selling bites for purchase alongside drinks.
Prior to the event, ticket holders will receive wristbands equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, making Taste of Atlanta a cashless festival. The wristbands are pre-loaded with Taste Points which can be used for drink and merchandise purchases as well as food tastings ranging from one to three points each. General admission ticket holders will receive 10 Taste Points, and additional points can be purchased for $1 each online or at Taste Point Banks located throughout the festival. Wristbands track tastes sampled and provide attendees with a post-event tasting list, serving as a customized roundup of restaurant recommendations for future dining out. VIP Experience provides access to an all-inclusive festival area with tastings from around a dozen select restaurants and pours from craft beer, wine and cocktail makers. VIP ticket holders can access the General Admission area of the festival and will also receive a post-event tasting list from restaurants enjoyed in all areas of the festival.
Tickets will go on sale in mid-July for Friday’s Opening Night Party and Saturday and Sunday’s main tasting events. Later this summer, tickets will be available for the concert on Saturday evening. Ticket prices begin at $25, and guests are encouraged to buy early.
This event is just one among many Atlanta happenings going on weekly in the city. See all the Atlanta festivals this year. -
The Deer and The Dove is now open for business on the Decatur Square next week. Its sister restaurant, B-Side, has opened its doors as well.
Both concepts come from Atlanta Chef Terry Koval, who has assembled an all-star culinary team to run the operations.
What to know about the Deer and The Dove
The Deer and The Dove focuses on dinner and weekend bunch while B-Side serves breakfast and lunch.
The Deer and The Dove concentrates on seasonally driven dishes served on small plates accompanied by local cheeses, chef cured meats and fresh-baked breads.
What’s on the menu at the Deer and The Dove?
Full plates will include such hits as Whole Wood Roasted Bramlett Farm Trout with kale florets, green coriander cream, sweetbreads and nasturtium powder.
Also on the menu will be the D&D Grilled Burger with thyme aioli, chanterelle mushrooms, gouda and truffle cheese, crispy shallots and salted egg yolk on a brioche bun and a Comfort Farms Bone-In Dry Aged Ribeye, served with a housemade anchovy & grilled onion relish and beef fat potatoes.
What to know about B-Side restaurant in Decatur
Inside B-Side, patrons can experience breakfast and lunch sandwiches that call to mind a New York-style bodega. That’s where customers will be able to enjoy Atlanta’s only wood-fired bagels, salads, soups and more.
The owners envision B-Side as an inviting culinary spot for visiting chefs as well as local ones to host pop-up dinners. The eatery will have a full-service coffee bar.
In late summer, B-Side will transition into a bar in the evenings. It will serve natural wines, cocktails and small plates.
Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.
Fast-casual is also the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.
Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
Check out some of AtlantaFi.com’s best Atlanta restaurant stories
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Although the ninth annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival was a win-win for the city and attendees, there was one crown for the PNC “Best of the Fest” competition.
Chef Kristian Wade of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino took home top prize this year in the PNC “Best of the Fest” competition.
Mississippi chef wins PNC ‘Best of the Fest’ title
Wade’s Landmass Burger was the favorite, featuring a smoky, grilled double-patty, American cheese, Mississippi tomato fondue, caramelized onions, crispy bread and butter pickles, a succulent blend of New Orleans barbeque sauce and Alabama white sauce, and topped with a fried oyster.
Beau Rivage, MGM Resorts International’s AAA Four Diamond beachfront resort in Biloxi, Mississippi features 1,740 guest rooms and suites, nine restaurants and 16 kitchens.
“Thousands of attendees from across the country were drawn to this year’s festival, which provided a great opportunity to bring the community together to experience one of the South’s leading culinary arts festivals,” said Eddie Meyers, PNC regional president for Greater Georgia.
The three-day festival was anchored at the elegant Loews Hotel in Midtown Atlanta. Thousands gathered for the Tasting Tents were spread across Historic Fourth Ward Park.
Here are some highlights from Atlanta Food & Wine Festival 2019″
See more articles on great #AtlantaHaps
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The food was superb, the offerings sublime, the settings were amazing. The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival 2019 showed why it is the premiere food event in the Southeast.
The festival began Thursday, May, 30 2019 at 6:00 PM. The first event was called ” Stars Atlanta: Coming Together Over Exceptional Food and Wine in the Fight Against Prostate Cancer.”
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival 2019: Review
As with many others, the setup was very attendee-friendly and catered to those visiting the city for this joyous occasion.
The chefs, makers and other talent were all in high spirits as they shared their secrets and culinary expertise with the crowds.
As for me, it was my first Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, so I didn’t know quite what to expect. I found it pleasant, fun and exceptionally planned.
Brunch… is served
There were two notable brunches over the weekend that set the tone: Saturday’s Savor Arkansas and Sunday’s Great Bake Sale.
The Savor Arkansas breakfast shone a spotlight on the culinary excellence of the Razorback state. The vendors not only put on a show of grace and hospitality, but the food was downright outstanding — exactly the kind of royal Southern meal you’d expect.
The Great Bake Sale brunch featured bite-size concepts that catered to the sweet tooth. (S/O to the bread pudding).
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Atlanta Food & Wine Festival event, without free-flowing libations to lighten the atmosphere and couple with sweetened palates.
In Historic Fourth Ward Park is where the festival’s Tasting Tents were located. Thousands of foodies congregated over the three-day weekend to sample and savor the food from the region’s most renown eateries.
To put it in a word, it was simply delicious (OK, two words).
The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is a well-organized machine that I would recommend times 10!
Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.
Fast-casual is also the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.
Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
Check out some of AtlantaFi.com’s best Atlanta restaurant stories
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Cinco De Mayo is always a big time in Atlanta. The city’s Spanish influence has grown exponentially over the past 20 years, and the metro area’s cultural richness has increased because of it.
If you’re looking for all the best Cinco De Mayo events in Atlanta, here they are:
Here are the best Cinco De Mayo events in Atlanta
Get Cinco De Mayo off right with drink specials, live music and more. Read more.
Gaslight Taco Festival 2019
Help us celebrate Cinco De Mayo in style! Enjoy live music, a banging DJ set, our taco bar, beer samples, drink specials, and free giveaways! Please visit us at www.thegaslightatlanta.com.
Cinco De Mayo duo: Cayman Jack and South City Kitchen
Cayman Jack and South City Kitchen (Buckhead) are teaming up for a FREE event in honor of Cinco de Mayo next week. Guests can enjoy a premium cocktail and a limited-edition food item courtesy of Cayman Jack. The event will take place on Saturday, May 4 from5:00pm to 10:00pm and will benefit The Giving Kitchen.
South City Kitchen’s limited edition Wild Boar Strip Loin and Chayote Cactus Salad was custom designed by Chef Simon Young to pair perfectly with Cayman Jack’s premium margarita, which is handcrafted with 100% blue agave nectar, real cane sugar and natural limes. This complimentary pairing will be given on a first come first serve basis and drinks will only be available to those aged 21+ while supplies last.
2019 ATL Streetcar Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, Carson + Spencer is hosting the Atlanta Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl! You’ll have the chance top hop on & off Atlanta’s Streetcar, visiting the historic Edgewood Ave, Centennial Park, Fairlie Poplar and Peachtree Corridor districts in one fun-filled afternoon! There are 2 ticket options available for purchase:
Pre-Cinco De Mayo Brunch
Saturday’s @SuiteLoungeATL | 10a – 5p | 375 Luckie St. Atlanta, GA
Reservations » www.getbrunchatl.com
Pre-Cinco Rooftop Party
Pre-Cinco De Mayo rooftop party. See details.
These events are just among many Atlanta happenings going on weekly in the city. See all the Atlanta festivals this year.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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With the closing of Cafe + Velo next month, another coffee shop, Docent Coffee,has taken its place onEdgewood Ave. SE in Atlanta.
Docent Coffee also has launched a successful Kickstarter, to get the business up and running in the city. The idea behind the establishment is to support local artists in their craft by creating both a physical and e-commerce portal.
Docent Coffee opens on Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta
The aim of Docent Coffee is to “bring some seriously good coffee, food, and art to the city and beyond!”
The company explains the meaning of its name like this: “As our name implies, Docent is here to guide folks to something new, exciting, and hopefully unique in coffee, as well as art. We are deeply passionate about both, but also understand that both are entirely subjective experiences. Yes, we will probably be guilty of some of the cliches ourselves, but we certainly aren’t going to rely on them to have you like us, our coffee, or what we are trying to accomplish. And even though we may try our best, you may end up not liking it…and that’s ok. Your coffee should be enjoyable to you because you actually enjoy it…and we hope you enjoy ours!”
The coffee shop will be not only a place to get the best roasts in Atlanta, but also a fine art marketplace. The establishment’s website has several pieces already posted and ready to be bought. There is also some art available for wholesale.
Where is Docent Coffee located in Atlanta?
Docent Coffee is located at 381 Edgewood Ave SE. Here is a map to help you find the place.
The city has a generous scattering of coffee shops around the Perimeter. Atlanta coffee shops can be found in each quadrant of the city, trading on their respective environments to offer something truly unique to the community.
Starbucks certainly has a foothold here, but so do small mom-and-pop businesses like Brash Coffee, Ebrik Coffee and Land of a Thousand Hills. Much like the Atlanta restaurants scene, the coffee movement in ATL is alive and percolating, just like we like our coffee.
Read more: 5 really cool coffee joints to check out in Atlanta
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A new food joint in Midtown Atlanta is proving to be a welcome respite from the new age “fusion” food that is cropping up around the city. In Old Fourth Ward, Nina And Rafi, an Italian-American restaurant, opened its doors fresh for 2019.
Check it out: The AtlantaFi Nina and Rafi review
In December, the Belt LIne-adjacent eatery teased its entry into the Atlanta dining scene before Christmastime.
Now serving in Midtown Atlanta: Nina And Rafi
“We are having a soft opening at Nina & Rafi…which means we will be serving a limited menu & will have limited hours for a couple of weeks,” Billy Streck, an Atlanta restaurateur who has brought the city Hampton & Hudson and Cypress St., said on Twitter.
Nina and Rafi’s hours are 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. during the week.
Now that it’s open, the restaurant and bar located in Studioplex at 659 Auburn Ave., has quickly caught on with Midtowners.
Where did the name Nina & Rafi come from?
Streck and Spina named the new spot after their grandmothers – Nina and Rafi – and their upbringings in New Jersey and New York. Both were raised eating grandma-style pies in their family pizzerias. Spina was schooled in the art of crafting Jersey-style pizza side-by-side with his uncle in Red Bank, New Jersey.
The dynamic duo have taken what they’ve learned growing up and transformed it into a beloved restaurant that serves pizza, Italian snacks, dessert and even has a full bar.
Where is Nina & Rafi located?
Nina & Rafi is located at 661 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 along the Eastside Beltline. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Visiting Nina & Rafi? Here’s where to park
For parking options, patrons can park their vehicles on Auburn Avenue or pay to park in the parking deck at SPX Alley or in the corner lot on Krog Street and Irwin Strett. Street parking is also available on Edgewood Avenue – to access the restaurant, guests can walk down the steps to the BeltLine.
Atlanta has turned into quite a restaurant town, with new spots popping up by the week it seems. Follow AtlantaFi’s Restaurants tag to stay up on all the latest.
Nina and Rafi review: The down low on delicious and hearty pizzas on the Beltline #OTW https://t.co/NWDwLjN6R3 pic.twitter.com/vdK9tHUPhL
— ATLHAPS (@atlhaps) February 8, 2019
Read more: 5 metro Atlanta places to ride horses
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Movie stars are flocking to Pinewood Studios in Fayetteville. Soon they may be flocking to Pinewood Social, the new breakfast spot opening in late 2019.
Pinewood Forest is a 235-acre mixed-use development near the studio, which has become famous for producing big-budget Hollywood films. Pancake Social’s space will span 3,500 square feet.
Pancake Social opening at Fayetteville’s Pinewood Forest
Pancake Social’s all-day breakfast and coffee philosophy will work well with crew members and others on movie sets that work around the clock. The eatery, which will serve patrons eight different types of pancakes, will be joining a coffee shop and outdoor seating area.
The Pinewood location would be the second metro area Pancake Social, which is set to open its doors soon at Ponce City Market.
Backing the restaurant is culinary heavy hitters such as chef Anne Quatrano (Bacchanalia and Star Provisions), who has won a James Beard Award. Also involved are Tony Riffel, co-founder of Octane Coffee Company and Elevator Factory, former Chick-Fil-A executive Dan Jacobson, who owns Steel Wave Ventures and Steven Chan, founder of Tin Drum Asian Kitchen.
When it comes to restaurants, Atlanta is quickly gaining ground on some of the dining capitals around the United States.
Fast-casual is the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.
Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
