Most Unique Dining Experiences in Atlanta
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published November 25, 2020 and last updated May 28, 2024.
Sometimes, half of the fun of eating out is in the experience and presentation, and these restaurants in and around Atlanta absolutely deliver on both of those fronts. Here’s our updated list of unique dining experiences around Atlanta.
1. The Third Door
131 Church St, Marietta, GA 30060
Speakeasies are always fun, and the Third Door is no exception. But what makes this place especially unique is that it’s built in a beautifully restored 1920s gas station. You’ll love all the vintage touches, from the velvet curtains, vintage paintings, and 14-foot polished wood bars. There’s currently no food on the menu, but the cocktails are wonderfully inventive and it’s the perfect place to stop by before dinner in Marietta Square.
2. The Consulate
10 10th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
This Midtown spot is seriously underrated. They’ve got over-the-top gorgeous and glam interiors, but what makes this place so special is their rotating “Visa” menu of global cuisine. Every 3 months, they revamp the menus to feature new dishes from a new country. Currently, Australian cuisine is featured with dishes like Shrimp on the Barbie, Tasmanian stew, and Aussie burgers.
3. Kamayan ATL
5150 Buford Hwy NE Suite A230, Doraville, GA 30340
Kamayan ATL have been making a name for themselves with pop-ups all over the city of Filipino fusion dishes and most notably, their Kamayan style feasts. Kamayan means “with hands” in Filipino, and at their feasts, you’ll be able to gorge on tons of delicious Filipino comfort food. The menu is constantly changing, but ube, a purple yam popular in the Philippines, and flavorful baos seem to be mainstays on the menu. Follow them on Instagram to see where they’re headed next!
4. Tannery Row Ale House
554 W Main St, Buford, GA 30518
This place is truly something. The food is great, first of all–whatever you do, make sure you order the sriracha ribs and the bacon and peanut butter appetizer–but then there’s also so much more to the space. And literally, so much space–36,000 square feet of it! Tannery Row Ale House in Buford, GA is part event-space, part bar, part restaurant, part Artist’s Colony, and part concert venue. There’s tons of fun arcade games, a 17 foot by 11 foot television to watch your favorite team, a vintage car just plopped at the restaurant opening, and tons of great country and singer-songwriter acts always hitting the stage. Check them out sometime!
5. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
6035 Peachtree Rd Unit A107-A110, Doraville, GA 30360
Feel like you’ve stepped into Tokyo when you try Kura Sushi! Pluck a dish straight from the revolving conveyor belt, or order your favorite items from the touchpad if you want to cut to the chase. At just over $2 per plate, Kura is also a budget friendly option. If you order 15 plates, you’ll also receive a little toy as a treat!
6.Gunshow
924 Garrett St, Atlanta, GA 30316
Every trip to Gunshow is a new experience. Famed 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. However, due to COVID-19, the experience is a little different these days with a fixed price menu that’s every bit as delicious. Their menu currently includes an eclectic collection of old fashioned banana pudding, kimchi mussel pancake, beef cheek pastrami and crispy pork belly.
7. R. Thomas Grille
1812 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
“What a strange place. I loved it though,” is what one Yelp reviewer wrote about R. Thomas Grille, and that sentiment pretty much sums up this beloved spot. The interiors are delightfully colorful and look like a hippie aunt decorated it, and there’s tons of parrots and exotic birds outside. They’re open super late so they’re great for a bite to eat after a night out. There’s plenty of healthy-ish foods and vegetarian options to choose from.
8. Polaris
265 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303
Polaris is a rotating restaurant at the top of the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel so that you can take in a 360 degree view of downtown. Sure, it’s a little tourist-y, but it’s not everyday you can eat in a restaurant that spins! Go for cocktails or dine-in for an elevated dining experience. They’re closed for dine-in at this time due to COVID-19, but they’re potentially available for private events.
9. Cubano’s
6450 Roswell Rd C, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
A cute-as-a-button Cuban sandwich spot has set up shop in Sandy Springs. And what makes this place especially unique is that it operates out of a commercialized tiny home in a parking lot! Cubanos ATL’s menu is small but flavorful, with authentic Cuban sandwiches using old family recipes plus coffee that packs a punch.
10. Battle & Brew
5920 Roswell Rd a120, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Combine your love of all things gaming with a great menu of unpretentious bar food favorites. You can hunker down at one of their PCs, rent out a couch and console, or play a board game with some friends. Share a plate of their “dragon talons” (chicken fingers) with your friends, and be impressed with the wide selection of games to choose from.
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11. Damsel
1235 Chattahoochee Ave NW Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30318
It’s a cabaret and dinner, all in one! Damsel is an ambitious new project from the team behind the popular Sandy Springs restaurant, The Select. The decor is all glitz and glam, and there’s a nice walk-in bar, rooftop lounge, and rooftop patio as well. Tuesday through Thursday, you can enjoy a more budget friendly $60/person 3-course menu of small plates and the show, while Friday and Saturday at $125/person for 4-courses plus the show and a dance party. Creative Director Otis Sallid is the man behind the show.
12. The Garden Room
88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW At Buckhead Plaza Atlanta, GA 30305
Greenery, plants, and florals are having a moment in both our homes and Atlanta restaurants, but nowhere else in the city is doing it quite like the Garden Room. The interiors are absolutely stunning–a beautiful and lush floral oasis–and totally instagrammable. Make a reservation in advance for cocktails or dinner, or book their pricey Sunday brunch ($100 minimum spend per person) for a splurge.
13. LIPS Atlanta
3011 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
You’ll truly have a meal to remember at LIPS Atlanta drag + dining show! You’ll be totally wowed by all the drag performers, and be sure to bring lots of dollar bills to tip. It’s also great for brunch which includes two pitchers of mimosas or bloody marys. It’s perfect for a Bachelorette party, girl’s night out, or group dinner!
14. Little Bear
71 Georgia Ave SE Unit A, Atlanta, GA 30312
We all love a comforting, all-American burger or slice of pizza, but when you’re looking to have more fun with your food, it’s places like Little Bear you want to check out. The best way to describe Little Bear is that they “go there.” Their curernt menu, for example, features kumquat pork broth gefilte fish and a chicken liver ustard with cured yolk and green garlic mustard. Their $50 “just f*ck me up, fam!” dealer’s choice is a great way to also just let them do what they do best. For all their creative efforts, Little Bear earned a 2023 MICHEIN Guide Atlanta Young Chef Award.
15. Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party
645 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party has been a kitschy delight in the heart of funky Candler Park for years. The interiors are oh so cozy with books galore for sale that benefit their women’s education project in India. Tuck into their high tea for a sumptuous afternoon treat or rent out their private tea room for a wedding or baby shower!
16. Rooftop LOA
1115 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
Atlanta just got a lot more lit thanks to the opening of this rooftop restaurant/bar/pool. It’s part elegant restaurant, part bar, part rooftop pool! Come to have yourself a “leave of absence” experience, and if you want the best poolside seats, reserve a cabana or lounge chair in advance on their website.
17. Cafe Bora
5250 Windward Pkwy Ste 111 Alpharetta, GA 30004
For a delicious and purple extravaganza, check out Cafe Bora in Alpharetta! They’re an Asian dessert shop serving shaved ice, boba, and other desserts that are popular in Japan and Korea. Purple sweet potato is featured heavily on the menu, which explains the beautiful hue of many of their dishes. The soft serve and bingsoo are especially refreshing in the warm weather.
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Speakeasies are always fun, and the Third Door is no exception. But what makes this place especially unique is that it’s built in a beautifully restored 1920s gas station. You’ll love all the vintage touches, from the velvet curtains, vintage paintings, and 14-foot polished wood bars. There’s currently no food on the menu, but the cocktails are wonderfully inventive and it’s the perfect place to stop by before dinner in Marietta Square.
This Midtown spot is seriously underrated. They’ve got over-the-top gorgeous and glam interiors, but what makes this place so special is their rotating “Visa” menu of global cuisine. Every 3 months, they revamp the menus to feature new dishes from a new country. Currently, Australian cuisine is featured with dishes like Shrimp on the Barbie, Tasmanian stew, and Aussie burgers.
Arghhhh, robots are taking over the world!! But at least this one will bring you pizza. This family-friendly spot is providing affordable eats in Brookhaven, and there are also great lunch specials if you need something quick and cheap. Definitely worth a visit for the novelty alone!
Kamayan ATL have been making a name for themselves with pop-ups all over the city of Filipino fusion dishes and most notably, their Kamayan style feasts. Kamayan means “with hands” in Filipino, and at their feasts, you’ll be able to gorge on tons of delicious Filipino comfort food. The menu is constantly changing, but ube, a purple yam popular in the Philippines, and flavorful baos seem to be mainstays on the menu. Follow them on Instagram to see where they’re headed next!
This place is truly something. The food is phenomenal, first of all–whatever you do, make sure you order the sriracha ribs and the bacon and peanut butter appetizer–but then there’s also so much more to the space. And literally, so much space–36,000 square feet of it! Tannery Row Ale House in Buford, GA is part event-space, part bar, part restaurant, part Artist’s Colony, and part concert venue. There’s tons of fun arcade games, a 17 foot by 11 foot television to watch your favorite team, a vintage car just plopped at the restaurant opening, and tons of great country and singer-songwriter acts always hitting the stage. Check them out sometime!
Feel like you’ve stepped into Tokyo when you try Kura Sushi! Pluck a dish straight from the revolving conveyor belt, or order your favorite items from the touchpad if you want to cut to the chase. At just over $2 per plate, Kura is also a budget friendly option. If you order 15 plates, you’ll also receive a little toy as a treat!
Every trip to Gunshow is a new experience. Famed 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. However, due to COVID-19, the experience is a little different these days with a fixed price menu that’s every bit as delicious. Their menu currently includes an eclectic collection of old fashioned banana pudding, kimchi mussel pancake, beef cheek pastrami and crispy pork belly.
“What a strange place. I loved it though,” is what one Yelp reviewer wrote about R. Thomas Grille, and that sentiment pretty much sums up this beloved spot. The interiors are delightfully colorful and look like a hippie aunt decorated it, and there’s tons of parrots and exotic birds outside. They’re open super late so they’re great for a bite to eat after a night out. There’s plenty of healthy-ish foods and vegetarian options to choose from.
Polaris is a rotating restaurant at the top of the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel so that you can take in a 360 degree view of downtown. Sure, it’s a little tourist-y, but it’s not everyday you can eat in a restaurant that spins! Go for cocktails or dine-in for an elevated dining experience. They’re closed for dine-in at this time due to COVID-19, but they’re potentially available for private events.
A cute-as-a-button Cuban sandwich spot has set up shop in Sandy Springs. And what makes this place especially unique is that it operates out of a commercialized tiny home in a parking lot! Cubanos ATL’s menu is small but flavorful, with authentic Cuban sandwiches using old family recipes plus coffee that packs a punch.
