The eskca staff has compiled the very best places to eat in Atlanta, Georgia. You can see our methodology here.

Find a digital badge to celebrate your awesome accomplishment here, or contact us here if you’d like to request one as a sticker for your restaurant!

1. Atlanta Breakfast Club

Try the: Crispy Fried Chicken and Waffles

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

“Atlanta Breakfast Club is Good Food & Company’s pride and joy. Having the best breakfast in Atlanta and the best team of people who supports the business model of Good Food & Company, makes us the premier spot in Mid-Town. The leadership team of Good Food & Company brings a broad and diverse set of experience and talents. Our team is united by love, loyalty and dedication to Food, and the hospitality industry.”

2. Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Try the: Fried Chicken

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

“Today, the tradition of Southern cuisine and hospitality continues. We have a few people still serving and cooking at Mary Mac’s who have been employed with us for over forty-five years. The location has stayed the same, and the food remains nearly identical to what it was over seventy years ago. We were recently honored by the State of Georgia and the House of Representatives with a special resolution for providing authentic Southern fare, always served with a side of Southern graciousness, and we were officially named “Atlanta’s Dining Room”. We look forward to serving you soon!”

3. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

Try the: Pulled Pork

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

“Growing up in Texas, twin brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox were inspired by Texas heat and southern spice. After moving from Fort Worth to Atlanta, Justin and Jonathan were homesick for Texas-style barbecue and after being unable to find the flavors they grew up with, the twin brothers decided to take matters into their own hands. With no professional training, Jonathan and Justin began throwing backyard gatherings for friends and family to test out their barbecue skills. Small gatherings grew into cooking for over 250 people, a barbecue catering operation was born. After a pop-up stint at Smith’s Olde Bar in 2005 where Fox Brothers was named “Runner-up Best Barbecue in Atlanta”, the brothers decided to open their own restaurant. In 2007, The Brothers along with partner Beau Nolen, opened the Candler Park location on Dekalb Avenue and began welcoming guests with their signature style of smoked brisket, pulled pork, wings, and a mix of original side dishes seven days a week.”

4. Poor Calvin’s

Try the: Lobster Fried Rice

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

“Established in November 2012, Poor Calvin’s is a unique boutique restaurant in Downtown Atlanta that offers rare Asian-inspired cuisine with Southern comfort. Originally from Vietnam but raised and classically trained in Germany, owner and chef Calvin Phan has brought his perspective of international culinary fusion to the front line of Poor Calvin’s. This quaint restaurant, acknowledged as one of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets, serves up an innovative blending of Eastern flavors and Western techniques and presentations, using only the freshest and most flavorful of ingredients. Chef Phan also presents an impressive menu filled with fresh daily seafood, locally resourced fresh vegetables, and homemade pasta.

Originally from Vietnam but raised and classically trained in Germany, owner and chef Calvin Phan has brought his perspective of international culinary fusion to the front line of Poor Calvin’s. This quaint restaurant, acknowledged as one of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets, serves up an innovative blending of Eastern flavors and Western techniques and presentations, using only the freshest and most flavorful of ingredients. Chef Phan also presents an impressive dessert menu, all made in-house, including one-of-a-kind delectables like the Suspension Cake and Fuji Apple.”

5. Antico Pizza

Try the: San Gennaro Pizza

“Antico Pizza Napoletana offers a menu of traditional classics and a few originals, including award-winning creations like the San Gennaro and the Diavola. Pizza for dine in or take-out. The original Antico, located in owner Giovanni Di Palma’s Little Italia neighborhood, is an Atlanta landmark that has been honored with a long list of accolades, including the highest score in Zagat’s first-ever pizza survey of “Best Pizza in 23 U.S. Cities” – beating out New York City; a Zagat Atlanta food score of 28 – making it the highest scored restaurant in the city; taking home the International “Top in Class” Award for the United States from worldwide, two-day festival, the Festa Della Pizza in Salerno, Italy; being named one of 12 New Pizza Classics by Food & Wine Magazine; and lauded Best Italian Style Pizza by Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Open Until We Run Out Of Dough”

6. Two Urban Licks

Try the: Salmon Chips

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

“Two Urban Licks’ incredible wood-fired cuisine, live rotating rotisseries, unique 26 foot wine on tap barrel wall (the first in the country!), funky live blues, breathtaking downtown skyline views and the “wow” design centered around the floor to ceiling Todd Murphy painting lit by a gas lamp wall makes Two truly one of a kind.”

7. South City Kitchen Midtown

Try the: She-Crab Soup

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

“South City Kitchen Midtown serves Southern classics with a sophisticated spin from an iconic bungalow in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. Since opening more than two decades ago and changing the landscape of Southern cuisine and the Atlanta restaurant scene, we’ve been serving signature dishes like fried chicken and shrimp & grits alongside innovative, inspired regional cuisine.

Our nationally-recognized food and wine list and service come together seamlessly for weekday lunch, weekend brunch, nightly dinner and group dining events.

Whether you’re in Atlanta on business, enjoying a romantic night out on the town or meeting up with friends before a show, dine with us and enjoy the best contemporary southern food in Atlanta.”

8. Fat Matt’s Rib Shack

Try the: Brunswick Stew

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

“Award winning Fat Matt’s Rib Shack has been around since 1990 and is one of Atlanta’s favorite hot-spots. They feature great BBQ, live blues nightly and a casual setting for the whole family to enjoy. A few important reminders are that they now accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover cards, they ID for beer and if you must wear a tie at least loosen the knot before entering.

Seating is first come first serve, inside and outside. During the busiest times a little patience is required, but tables generally turn over quickly, and after orders are placed food is served fast and hot.”

9. Canoe

Try the: Crab Cake

Also honored in: 2021 Best Restaurants in Atlanta

“Balanced by both culinary expertise and natural aesthetics, Canoe offers a rich, flavorful experience for all your senses. One that has garnered numerous accolades, like being inducted into Nation’s Restaurant News 2005 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.Here, the river rolls past a tranquil waterfront that is enhanced by a natural, yet manicured landscape – offering colorful gardens, crisp white special-event tents and meandering walkways that are the perfect spot for a before or after-dinner stroll.”

10. Buttermilk Kitchen

Try the: French Toast

“Southern American cuisine Notes on MENU items: The menu changes frequently and seasonally. Many of the items you see on Yelp, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are not available. Please see our website for current menu offerings!”