Discover Trending Restaurants in Atlanta

Atlanta might be known for delicious and classic Southern comfort food, but it’s also home to an amazing array of international tastes. From Buckhead to Perimeter and dozens of neighborhoods in between, there are hundreds of chefs plating up farm-fresh cuisine with a twist. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to our Tastemaker List. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Elegant European eateries, fine French bistros, turbulent Thai plates, and other ethnic flavors are sprinkled with Southern hospitality to make up one of the most exciting food scenes around. Find the most popular, trendy restaurants in Atlanta and see what everyone's talking about.

The OpenTable Team

18 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	Marcel, Bistro Niko, St. Cecilia…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Steakhouse, Contemporary French, European…
Neighborhoods:	West Midtown, Buckhead…

Marcel

$$$$

Steakhouse

West Midtown

4.8

3250 reviews

Marcel, a grand American steakhouse by Ford Fry, features padded leather seats, unobtrusive lighting, and elegant dark woods to create an interior that is intimate and lush. The menu changes seasonally, keeping it one of the top trendy restaurants in Atlanta. Beef is the star of the menu with tender cuts like the filet madame or bone-in filet monsieur regular options that are always available. The beef Wellington requires 24-hours' notice, but it is worth the wait as the mushroom duxelles and prosciutto add umami and salt to a flaky puff pastry wrapped around a premium cut of beef. Veal parmesan, lobster risotto, and a fish of the day are also on offer.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bistro Niko

$$$$

Contemporary French

Buckhead

4.7

8988 reviews

Traditional French served with a twist and more American ingredients is the recipe behind every dish in the Bistro Niko kitchen. The tall, comfortable booths offer a little privacy in an otherwise open dining room, and the casual laidback atmosphere is great for a night out. Crisped duck confit, chicken liver terrine, foie gras torchon, and other French classics are all on the menu at this trendy establishment started by the acclaimed Buckhead Life Restaurant Group.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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St. Cecilia

$$$$

European

Buckhead

4.7

3685 reviews

Renowned local restaurateur Ford Fry delivers an establishment steeped in Old World charm at St. Cecilia. Round tables, industrial lighting, and rustic accents combine for a trendy, upmarket locale that offers attentive service. The menu is a remarkable blend of classic Italian and modern touches with items like the black risotto Venere that pairs roasted mushrooms, watercress, pear, and caraway with a creamy bed of arborio rice. The meat course offers a sumptuous selection of fish, chicken, pork, and steak, all dished up with careful attention to detail.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

no. 246

$$$$

Italian

Decatur

4.9

2859 reviews

Simple, elegant and with the kitchen on display, no. 246 takes classic Italian to new heights. Diners enjoy watching dishes come together and can see the wall of wood dwindle as fresh-smoked preparations and wood-fired cooking take center stage. A compact menu offers everything from vegetarian options to shared plates. Order an artisan pizza or go for a platter of chicken marsala for two. The dessert menu is just as compelling, with items like the lemon olive oil layer cake or macchiato creme caramel.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Atlas

$$$$

Contemporary American

Buckhead

4.7

1792 reviews

Enjoy a unique fine dining experience at Atlas, a contemporary American restaurant that is as well known for the art on the walls as it is for the art served tableside. Usually, the walls display selected pieces from the renowned Lewis Collection, one of the largest private collections worldwide. The menu matches the decor with selections like the lobster en croute or tallow poached Columbia River sturgeon. Locally produced beef from Snak River Farms is the basis for the Atlas steak. With everything from a black truffle and mushroom agnolotti to the le petit croissant brulee, the menu is a delight from start to finish. Combine that with a revolving collection of incredible art and you have one of the most trendy restaurants in Atlanta.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Anis Cafe and Bistro

$$$$

French

Buckhead

4.8

4765 reviews

Romance, entertainment, and fine dining rolled into one is the Anis Cafe and Bistro experience. Located off the main drag in a converted house, this restaurant serves classic French cuisine in a laidback, yet elegant atmosphere. The menu starts with traditional dishes like the Moules Marineieres or Escargots au Pastis. Charcuterie platters include an assortment of prosciutto, saucisson, pate, olives, and sweet peppers. The boeuf au poivre comes with a side of Lyonnaise potatoes, roasted portobello mushrooms, and sweet onions. Save room for desserts like the rich, decadent flourless chocolate cake or airy and creamy profiteroles.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Ecco Midtown

$$$$

European

Midtown

4.7

4661 reviews

For a continental dining experience, Ecco is the place to be. This fine dining restaurant offers the best in Old World service combined with interesting decor items like a round chandelier and black tables with white flatware. The menu is an eclectic mix of house-cured meats, imported cheeses, and locally sourced ingredients like Georgia apples and lettuce. The wood-fired flatbreads are a combination of crunchy, yeasty crust, house-made mozzarella, and San Marzano tomatoes. The dessert is as egalitarian as the dinner menu, with sweet finishers like the sacher torte or a hazelnut eclair.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Seasons 52 - Perimeter

$$$$

American

Dunwoody

4.8

6646 reviews

Seasons 52, a grill and wine bar, has two great locations in the Atlanta area, one in Buckhead and one in Perimeter. Both serve up a delicious selection of crispy flatbreads like the garlic pesto chicken or four mushroom version with goat cheese and truffle oil. Enjoy bite-sized portions of a Maryland-style crab cake topped with a mustard sauce or a creamy order of avocado toast on sourdough bread. The soup selection is as luscious as the starters, with options like porcini mushroom or lobster bisque. Salads, seafood, and meats round out the dinner options with something for everyone.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Nan Thai Fine Dining

$$$$

Thai

Midtown

4.8

3805 reviews

Unique light fixtures, floor-to-ceiling windows, and elegant place settings create a welcoming ambiance at Nan Thai Fine Dining. The ethnic menu includes traditional items like Kai Yang Masaman, a grilled lemongrass chicken in a massaman curry sauce. Chicken satay comes with peanut sauce on the side, while a side of sticky rice comes with many of the mains. Pad Thai is another diner favorite that comes with jumbo tiger prawns, noodles, egg, peanuts, and other components prepared with exceptional attention to detail.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Terra Terroir

$$$$

Contemporary American

Brookhaven

4.6

1492 reviews

One of Brookhaven's best-kept secrets, Terra Terroir is an oasis of peace and privacy hidden in an urban jungle. The outdoor patio is one of the best in the city, and the interior design is just as intriguing, with its combination of ironwork and privately owned art. Known for its affordable and approachable wine list, this is one of the best trendy restaurants in Atlanta. The lamb lollipops, deviled eggs, or meat and cheese platter start the meal off with a bang. The entrees include a wide selection of surf and turf, with a Mandarin glazed salmon, chicken Provencal, or meat and potato plate for NY strip.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

South City Kitchen Midtown

$$$$

Southern

Midtown

4.7

6219 reviews

No list of best trendy restaurants in Atlanta would be complete without South City Kitchen. This established eatery continues to serve up some of the best comfort food available outside of Sunday dinner at home. Fried green tomatoes, pan-fried chicken livers, pulled pork, shrimp and grits, and fried chicken with collard greens are just a few of the Southern classics on the menu. Family-style additions turn every meal into a fun group experience.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Tiny Lou's - Hotel Clermont

$$$$

French American

Poncey-Highland

4.5

1638 reviews

Atmospheric is one word to describe the eclectic ambiance at Tiny Lou's. Though unaffiliated with the adult club in Hotel Clermont's basement lounge, the restaurant takes its name from a former headliner from the 1950s. Located in a historic icon, painstakingly resurrected and restored to modern standards, this establishment combines the energy and sensuality of French cuisine with cozy American classics for a meal that is toe-tappingly good. From the duck confit crepe to the Blue Ridge trout almondine, the menu is a seamless combination of French flavors and local ingredients.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Optimist

$$$$

Seafood

West Midtown

4.8

8032 reviews

White subway tile, wrought iron, and industrial details form the laidback and welcoming decor at The Optimist. This seafood joint takes the fruits of the sea and serves them in an upscale and relaxing environment. The menu is a refreshing combination of fin and shellfish, with a sprinkling of fowl and meat. From the duck fat poached swordfish to the grilled whole branzino, the menu is full of favorites with a salty bite. Gumbos, chowders, and freshly steamed shellfish start the meal with a warm and well-spiced approach that whets the appetite for more.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

UMI

$$$$

Sushi

Buckhead

4.8

2619 reviews

Atlanta's in-the-know diners have lists of tops spots that serve every type of cuisine imaginable, including the simple, elegant bites of sushi served at UMI. The decor is as refined and simple as the food, with lots of space and natural wood tones taking center stage. Dress up for an elegant evening at this restaurant with a strictly enforced dress code. The menu includes both traditional Japanese sushi and some fun fusion options like the tuna carpaccio or monkfish liver pate. Enjoy the omakase experience and let the chef select each course.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

King + Duke

$$$$

American

Buckhead

4.6

3384 reviews

The 24-foot open hearth in the center of King + Duke does more than dominate the decor. It also advertises the type of cuisine — rustic food prepared with traditional, primitive techniques. Low and slow is the way cooking goes at this establishment named by both GQ magazine and Esquire as "One of the Best Restaurants of the Year." Whole roasted branzino, a rich house grind burger, roast chicken with garlic jus, short rib. The list goes on for the meat-filled menu served in a comforting and cozy atmosphere.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Chops - Atlanta

$$$$

Steak

Buckhead

4.7

5832 reviews

Chops Lobster Bar isn't just trendy, it's iconic. In fact, this establishment regularly brings in awards as one of the best steakhouses in the country, and that shows in everything from the service to the decor to the food. The dark wood and white-clothed tables offer an elegant backdrop to impeccable service that never intrudes. The food features a masterful array of top-quality ingredients, from the escargots to the steak tartare prepared tableside. Key West stone crab and A5 Miyazaki Wagyu are just a few of the out-of-this-world options plated up with panache.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Kyma - Atlanta

$$$$

Greek

Buckhead

4.6

5688 reviews

Pristine white and navy blue with occasional grey accents create an almost otherworldly experience at Kyma. This Mediterranean restaurant serves fresh, light recipes that turn vegetables into the unsung hero of every plate. The choice of a vegan or vegetarian menu makes this a great option for mixed groups. For meat and fish lovers, the standard dinner menu an incredible array of wild-caught whole fish, fresh fileted to order. Bronzino, Royal Dorade, salmon, skate, Dover sole, and lobster are all prepared using traditional methods like a grape leaf wrap cooked on rock salt. The sides like a quinoa salad or white bean stew turn every meal into a unique flavor explosion.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

MF Sushi- Atlanta

$$$$

Japanese

Inman Park

4.8

890 reviews

Fine dining with inimitable Japanese-style hospitality is the reception offered to diners at MF Sushi. Swathed in natural wood from the polished bar to accents, with a shining crystal chandelier, the decor is simple, elegant, and welcoming. Settle in for an unforgettable omakase experience where the chef selects a variety of courses, or order off the regular menu. More than a dozen specialty rolls incorporate top-quality ingredients like A5 wagyu beef, lobster, or snow crab, all wrapped up in seaweed and sticky rice.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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