We’re enamored with Atlanta, a world-class city with an array of noteworthy restaurants and host of this week’s Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. We’re proud to be a sponsor of the festival—if you’re in the area, come check out our coffee art booth at the event! In honor of the occasion, we asked one of our favorite Atlanta bloggers, Mandy Kellogg Rye of the lifestyle blog Waiting on Martha, to share her ultimate restaurant guide for dining in Georgia’s biggest city. Here are her favorite spots to grab a bite, meet a friend for a drink, or enjoy a memorable meal.
Mandy Kellogg Rye’s illustrated guide to good eats in Atlanta. Illustration by Jenn Gietzen
From a falafel that can stop me in my tracks to the best ever fried green tomato sandwich to a dish of divine wild mushroom ravioli, Atlanta has one heck of a restaurant scene. I’m often asked about the best Atlanta restaurants and recommendations for my tried-and-true favorites, but honestly it’s hard to narrow down the list!
While I’m discovering new tasty bites every week, I can say these top ten on rotation have kept me full and very happy as of late. I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of them, and where you’ve had your favorite Atlanta meal! Truly, MKR
For more on Mandy’s current top 10, including addresses, menus, and reservation information, head to the links below.
Jeni’s Westside Provisions
Well, duh. There really are no words for Jeni’s ice cream, but I’ll stand behind saying that it’s just the best ice cream around. I mean the Brambleberry Crisp? So. Good.
Hal’s the Steakhouse
While I obviously don’t eat meat, any place that starts the meal with garlic bread is amazing in my book (insert “100” emoji here). I hear from very trusted sources that this is simply the best steak one has ever had…yes, even compared to Chicago haunts. It’s an Atlanta staple and has been here forever, so you know they’re doing something right in there. You can even find Hal himself still at the bar, which just adds to the charm. Tip: order the Bone-In Filet.
KR Steak Bar
My go-to spot for homemade, fresh pasta that’s just beyond good. My mouth is watering just thinking about how to describe it. Jenny Turknett of The Atlanta Journal put it perfectly: “The steak will steal your belly, the pasta your heart, but it’s the “other” that will steal your soul.”
Pasta de Pulcinella
The atmosphere is just as cozy and perfect as the menu. Don’t let its small menu turn you away; the wild mushroom ravioli is everything. Stuffed with brown garlic, each ravioli is a slice of heaven with its shiitake and domestic mushrooms tossed in rosemary infused olive oil and topped with tomatoes and julienne zucchini.
Murphy’s
This wine bar + shop has my name written all over it, no surprise here. It offers a fantastic array of choices of hard-to-find wines. And my order? The Fried Green Tomato Sandwich. Well, and the TollHouse Pie.
Sun in My Belly
This charming little cafe is my favorite breakfast spot. With a famous pimento cheese omelette on the menu, what’s not to love?
Superica
Naturally, any new taco joint pops up quick on our radars. So when this Tex-Mex restaurant opened its doors, we were eager to try it. To our delight, it’s truly fantastic and do not forget to order the guac.
Antico Pizza
If I’m going out for pizza, this is the spot. Every pie has that incredibly fresh and authentic taste, and each slice is perfectly thin.
The Optimist
This place simply has the prettiest bar around, and its seafood is out of this world. Oh and the mini putting green in the front while you wait = major points in our books.
Star Provisions
While everyone swears by the shrimp po-boy, the falafel stops me in my tracks. We’re talking a light, crunchy, soft and hot pocket of goodness.
Check out more of Mandy’s local recommendations on her blog Waiting on Martha, and if you’re local to Atlanta, join us for Instagrammable lattes at the festival and at the Williams-Sonoma Ponce City Market for signings and other events all weekend long.