The Best Meals Atlanta Eats Staff Had All Year (2024)
You’re always searching for that perfect bite—the dish that stops the conversation in its track and leaves us raving for days. For our staff, Atlanta, with its ever-evolving food scene, served up more than a few of those unforgettable moments this year. These are the meals that defined our year—plates we’re still dreaming about and dishes that made us fall in love with Atlanta’s restaurants all over again.
1. The Alden’s Tom Kha Mussels and Matcha Jiggly Cheese Cake
5070 Peachtree Blvd Suite B-140, Chamblee, GA 30341
The Alden continues to be one of Atlanta Eats’ Content Marketing Manager, Trisha’s, favorite restaurants. An outstanding meal from their fall menu stood out as one of the best meals she enjoyed all year: “The Tom Kha mussels are an explosion of flavor and you must order them any time they are on the menu. The matcha jiggly cheese cake was superb for dessert.”
2. Breakfast at Barney’s 24k Gold Pancakes
349 Decatur St. SE Unit A1, Atlanta, GA 30312
For our video editor Rachel, it was the “24k gold pancakes at Breakfast at Barneys” that stole her heart this year. “I love breakfast food so the 24k gold pancakes just elevates it even more,” she says.
@atlantaeatstv 5/5 burger from the Michelin recommended the Chastain in Atlanta #atlantageorgia #atl #atlantafood ♬ original sound – Atlanta Eats
3. The Chastain’s Brunch and Burger
4320 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342
The Chastain is a critically acclaimed restaurant, bakery, and cafe right by Chastain Park and Buckhead that focuses on seasonality. For our founder and host, Steak Shapiro, “Brunch at The Chastain and the cheeseburger and fries were insane!”
4. Chops Lobster Bar’s Lobster Tail
Chops Lobster Bar has long been a standout in Buckhead for date nights, business lunches, and other special occasions. For our video editor, Kate Sullivan, the best meal she had all year was, “Probably Chops Lobster Bar. I had the lobster tail. It was super fresh; it felt like I was eating it on the coast, and it had been caught earlier that day.”
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5. Little Sparrow’s Burger
Little Sparrow, a newer venture from acclaimed restaurateur Ford Fry, has become quite the hot spot in ATL. Our VP Marketing/CoFounder Jon Teplow had a “delicious experience at Little Sparrow–the $34 burger was outstanding.”
6. Roshambo’s Short Rib Ragu
2355 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305
Upscale diner Roshambo was another standout moment for Content Marketing Manager, Trisha: “The short rib ragu was everything you want in comfort food. Rich, warm, decadent in every bite.”
7. Ruby Chow’s Roti Canai and Cacio e Pepe
620 Glen Iris Dr NE Unit C-1, Atlanta, GA 30308
For our Digital Specialist, Becca, “I think I’d have to say my favorite meal I had all year was at Ruby Chow’s. I went for my birthday with a bunch of friends so we got a ton of dishes and shared. The Roti Canai and Cacio e Pepe were definitely my favorite dishes we tried.”
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8. Smiley’s Burger Club’s Smashburger
310 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
For our President, Kyle, “Smileys smashburger” nabbed his top meal of 2024 because of the “just incredible flavor and easy walk up spot.”
9. Trader Vic’s Salmon Croquettes
255 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Trader Vic’s is a kitschy, fun, tiki-themed restaurant and bar that’s been serving up Mai Tais and other Polynesian fare in Atlanta for decades and decades. For our marketing intern, Kennedy, it was the salmon croquettes as retro spot Trader Vic’s that stood out.
10. Yebo’s South African Food
56 E Andrews Dr NW Unit 7, Atlanta, GA 30305
Trendy Buckhead South African spot Yebo likes to take a funky and unique approach to its seasonal decor. In the spring and summer, they are Yebo Beach Haus, while in the fall and winter, they transform into Yebo Ski Haus. It was the standout meal of 2024 for our Sales & Marketing Program Manager, Hannah, who loves, “South African food because [it’s] where I went on honeymoon brings back memories,” she says.
