13 Fancy Atlanta Restaurants That Are Worth the Splurge
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published October 23, 2020, and last updated January 2024.
We love a great, cheap eat just as much as anyone but there are also Atlanta restaurants that are absolutely worth the splurge. You might have to open up your wallet a little wider for these meals, but these Atlanta restaurants are totally worth it for your next special occasion or if you’re just feeling fancy!
1. The Alden
5070 Peachtree Blvd Suite B-140, Chamblee, GA 30341
Chamblee area folks know about this spot, but we maintain that Michelin recommended The Alden is criminally underrated around metro Atlanta. The menu is inspired by the chef’s travels around the world and has flavors that are out of this world. Order a la carte or treat yourself to their seasonally driven tasting menu.
2. Atlas
88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Nestled in the St. Regis is fabulous Atlas, which celebrates the best of seasonal American cuisine with additional European touches. The decor is breathtakingly elegant, the plating of each dish is immaculate, and their sommelier will help you find the perfect pairing. Atlas’ new culinary director has redesigned their 7-course chef’s tasting menu that features mouthwatering items like hand-dived scallops, seabass, and lobster–so there’s something new and interesting to discover even if you’ve been before!
3. Bacchanalia
1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30318
This James Beard award-winning spot in Atlanta by Chefs/Owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison has a simple but approachable, prix fixe four-course menu. The space is gorgeous, with seasonal contemporary American cuisine made from ingredients sourced fresh and organic from the owners’ farm, Summerland. You can also get Bacchanalia for a Valentine’s Day feast at home at this time if you want to stay in for the night. Fun fact, Bacchanalia was also featured on Season 1 of the hit Netflix show Queer Eye!
4. Bones
3130 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Dimly lit and timeless, Bones is truly a five-star experience. Every sizzling steak that waltzes out of the Bones’ kitchen is tender and delicious. One of the “go-to” longstanding establishments in the city, Bones’ lives by “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The service is always impeccable, and the sides are positively mouthwatering. Try the lobster bisque!
5. The Chastain
4320 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342
Executive chef Christopher Grossman’s menu changes often, depending on what’s available from local farm partners and in his onsite regenerative-farmed garden. The Chastain offers a seasonal New American lunch menu in a modern elegant bistro on the edge of Chastain Park. You may sit indoors or outdoors in a relaxing setting, in the middle of the forest. The ambiance combined with amazing cuisine makes the price worth it! Michelin agrees; The Chastain was awarded a Michelin Green Star in 2023.
6. Chops Lobster Bar
70 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
At Chops, each outing is more than just your average meal. Each Chops classic creation speaks about its rich Atlanta tradition. For years, Chops has been the place to go for special occasions, meetings, and for the best steak and lobster in town. Visit the Lobster Bar when you’re in the mood for seafood, or sit in the main dining room for a tender, juicy piece of steak, Chops has it all!
7. Gunshow
924 Garrett St, Atlanta, GA 30316
Every trip to Gunshow is a new experience. Celebrity chef Kevin Gillespie takes the fun of dim sum dining and makes it high-end, so you’ll sit back and relax and choose from the menu items rolling through the dining room on carts. Their menu currently includes an eclectic collection of old-fashioned banana pudding, kimchi mussel pancakes, beef cheek pastrami, and crispy pork belly.
8. Kevin Rathbun Steak
154 Krog St NE STE 200, Atlanta, GA 30307
Tucked away by the Beltline is famed chef and restaurateur Kevin Rathbun’s namesake steakhouse, who’s serving up steak that’s a cut above the rest. Perfect for an intimate date night, Kevin Rathbun Steak features fantastic offerings like Japanese BBQ Wagyu Short Rib Skewers, Seared Foie Gras, and a Dry Aged Cowboy Ribeye.
9. Lazy Betty
1530 DeKalb Ave NE ste f, Atlanta, GA 30307
Lazy Betty is a newer gem to the Atlanta dining scene that pays exquisite attention to every detail of the dining experience. Chef Ron Hsu’s and Aaron Phillips’ tasting menu concept serves dishes that are every bit as delicious as they look. Their open kitchen lets you get a peek in at all the action, or sit in their dining room for an intimate meal. A Michelin-star restaurant, Lazy Betty has a seven-course tasting menu, with vegetarian versions available.
10. Lucian Books & Wine
3005 Peachtree Rd Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305
The hype is real! This wildly talked-about Buckhead newcomer is a gem. Intimate and elegant, French-inspired restaurant Lucian Books and Wine is definitely a splurge but the attention to detail paid in every dish is evident with each bite. Their caviar-topped omelet is the only way we want to eat eggs now, and the truffle fries are a must (and also a heftier portion for a place where the portion sizes can be tre petite). Plus, they have an extensive wine list and tons of fabulous cocktails to choose from.
11. Marcel
1170 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
There’s no shortage of fantastic steakhouses in Atlanta, but don’t forget about Marcel in West Midtown. The restaurant has one of the sexiest interiors in the city, making the splurge totally worth it time after time. The complimentary bread service? Iconic. The Beef Wellington is heaven in your mouth, and the baked Alaska is a true showstopper.
12. Mujo
691 14th St NW Ste c, Atlanta, GA 30318
Located in the Westside Provisions District, this 2023 Michelin-star recipient restaurant serves Japanese cuisine that is to die for. Serving only the freshest of fish, we highly recommend these fan favorites: the fatty tuna and the golden eye snapper. Chef Trent Harris, who trained at world-renowned Ginza Onodera in Tokyo and New York, ensures every dish looks and tastes amazing! Every dish is presented with exceptional creativity and edomae tradition.
13. Umi
Two Buckhead Plaza, 3050 Peachtree Rd Suite #1, Atlanta, GA 30305
It’s a special night if it begins at Umi, a favorite in Atlanta for its sexy atmosphere and fresh sushi. The cocktails are also impeccable, and for dessert, you absolutely have to order the ultra-fluffy green tea souffle, served piping hot and with a perfectly matcha-y hot sauce.
