THE SOUTH
Atlanta’s Best Restaurants for 2025: From Michelin Stars to Viral Biscuit Joints
By Eric Barton | June 10, 2025
Lazy Betty
AUTHOR BIO: Eric Barton is editor of The Adventurist and has reviewed restaurants for two decades. He splits his time between Miami and Asheville, N.C. Email him here.
When I returned recently to Atlanta, it wasn’t the scent of the peach tree blooms that grabbed me—although those were captivating. It was the sizzle of something real in kitchens all over town.
From that night in Grant Park when a sandwich almost made me swear off biscuits anywhere else forever, to a quiet tasting‑menu moment in Candler Park, this city’s culinary identity is bold, playful, and unapologetically Southern.
I’ve eaten across neighborhoods—wood‑fired empanadas in Decatur, Scotch heritage through a fine‑dining lens—and each dish felt like a local friend showing off. Here’s my personal take on the 15 best restaurants in the Atlanta metro right now.
1. Aria
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Former chef and owner Gerry Klaskala steered the mighty Aria ship until his retirement this month. But before you worry that things won’t be the same, because Aria appointed Joseph Harrison from Common Thread, the best restaurant in Savannah. No doubt Harrison will put his mark on the menu, but there’s lots to be impressed with among the current offerings, like the bright and fresh yellowtail hamachi sashimi with fuji apple and avocado. Meanwhile, the front of the house is unchanged, a place known for approachable, polished service that never misses. The refined Neel Reid dining room—wrapped in warm wood tones—cements its reputation as one of the city’s best fine-dining experiences.
2. Lazy Betty
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Lazy Betty is one of Atlanta’s rare Michelin‑starred tasting-menu spots (I count just three). Led by Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips, their seasonal lineup changes week to week, with dishes like smoked trout chawanmushi nestled in a creamy custard cup, duck breast accompanied by foraged mushrooms and tamarind jus, plus spotless vegetable courses sporting heirloom carrots or baby beets. The teal velvet booths, low-lit ambiance, and artful plating create a quietly luxurious, immersive experience that feels precise without pretense.
3. Bomb Biscuits
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Baker-chef Erika Council won a Michelin Bib Gourmand and was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2024 for her standout Bomb Biscuit. The must-orders: the Glori fried-chicken biscuit slathered with honey butter and nestled with bread-and-butter pickles; a flaky cinnamon roll with cream-cheese frosting that disappears too fast; and the OG bacon-egg-cheese biscuit that draws morning lines long before opening. Bomb Biscuit moved in May to a new location that’s bright and airy, with framed family snapshots that gives the place the feel of being in your funniest aunt’s kitchen, making each bite taste sentimental.
4. La Semilla
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
La Semilla in Reynoldstown has swiftly become the city’s flagship vegan spot. Opened in 2023 by Sophia Marchese and Reid Trapani, it landed on Eater’s national list of the best new restaurants list thanks to dishes like “carne asada” seitan tacos with guac and chimichurri, empanadas stuffed with root veg and caramelized onions, and beans stewed deeply with spices and chiles. The bar pours natural wines, rum-based cocktails, and aguas frescas. It’s confident in its plant-based identity—no novelty here, just unforced, flavorful cooking.
5. O by Brush
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
This Michelin-starred Buckhead omakase—helmed by chef Jason Liang—serves a lean, refined experience at a 10-seat sashimi counter. Through 20 courses ranging from dry-aged kanpachi nigiri to seared Hokkaido scallops finished with yuzu granita, every course feels considered. A tamago tasting spans custardy to cake-like. Wine, sake, and umami-forward pairings round out the menu. The sleek black-and-white interior and hushed ambiance feel like a Tokyo train car—and your ticket is every bit worth it.
6. Phew’s Pies
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Matthew “Phew” Foster upgraded his Sweet Auburn pizza popup into a full-time destination. His signature lemon pepper wet arrives covered with butter-brushed edges, ricotta dollops, pulled chicken, generous wing sauce, and scallions. But it’s this oxtail and ricotta pie pictured above that stole my heart. The crust is airy and crisp, the sauce bright, the toppings unabashedly indulgent. It’s cult-level downtown energy without the queue crowding the block.
7. Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
This wine‑and‑digestif sanctuary in Decatur is driven by Terry Koval, Southeast’s 2023 Best Chef. His rotating wine list leans small-production and quirky; his cocktail program features bespoke amaro negronis and carajillos. Snack plates include wood-fired crostini topped with cotechino sausage and lentils, house-marinated olives, and selections of aged cheeses. The space itself is cozy—low lights, exposed brick, leather‑backed barstools—ideal for late-night conversation.
8. Nàdair
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Chef Kevin Gillespie’s homage to Scotland landed in May 2024 with lots of heart and sharp flavor. Dishes include whisky-soaked barley risotto, venison tartare kissed with juniper, and braised grouse in a reduction that sings. On the wine list: a concise show of Scottish-inspired picks and whisky flights by the glass. Gillespie’s personal story—his recovery, nostalgia for his homeland—imbues the plating and shape of dishes with emotional heft. It’s cuisine with narrative, hospitality with backbone, and comfort with spine.
9. Twisted Soul
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Chef Deborah VanTrece serves elevated soul food with a purpose at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours. This 2023 James Beard nominee builds menus around cravable things like a fried chicken omelette with a honey-picante drizzle and catfish with red Gullah Geechee grits that are spiked with crab meat and turkey bacon. The vibe is warm, soulful, and technically precise—comfort elevated with intent.
10. Blackjack Bar Tapas
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
From chef Niki Pattharakositkul and the 26 Thai crew, Blackjack in Midtown puts out Asian-fusion small plates in a low-lit, brick-lined space. Highlights include tuna tataki slicked with yuzu ponzu and topped with crispy garlic; miso-glazed eggplant with sesame brittle; pork belly bao laced with hoisin aioli; and spring rolls stuffed with Thai basil. Drink director Sean Gleason leans into citrus-heavy cocktails and Mediterranean reds. It’s a quietly buzzy spot for shareable food without overthinking.
11. Southern National
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
In Summerhill, Duane Nutter (formerly of One Flew South) has refined Southern food into something groomed but homey. His fried‑chicken sandwich stacks pickled slaw and aioli on a brioche bun; the potlikker collards sweetened with citrus vinaigrette; and the moist pound cake arrives with seasonal fruit compote and bourbon whipped cream. The space pairs sleek tile floors with reclaimed wood booths, crafting a dining room that’s modern without losing its heart.
12. Betty Sue’s
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Downtown’s gloriously bold brunch newcomer is helmed by Chef Bryant “Chef Baul” Williams (former private chef to Cardi B and Tyler Perry). Lobster deviled eggs arrive with tangy chive sauce; salmon croquettes are bolstered by lemon‑dill aioli; and oxtail‑and‑grits combo plates feel like a ballad sung in gravy. The bright, colorful interior matches the plates’ energy—they’re fun, sharp, and tastefully irreverent without trying too hard.
13. CT Cantina & Taqueria
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Chef Rafael Jaime’s multi-location cantina hits all day long with standout dishes: barbacoa breakfast tacos topped with pico and crema; churro‑dust‑covered French toast with dulce de leche drizzle; and a loaded Street Skillet brimmed with steak, chicken, shrimp, avocado, pico, and over-easy eggs. Margaritas blend fresh citrus with salt-foamed rims, and the open dining room feels sunlit, welcoming, and downright cheery.
14. NoriFish Sushi & Izakaya
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Sean Park’s reimagined Buckhead izakaya revisits sushi precision with small-plate energy. Salmon and uni hand rolls land creamy and clean; crispy miso wings are dusted with furikake; tempura shishito peppers glisten in light batter; and nigiri includes both toro and halibut options. Often the chef greets you at the bar and coach you through sake pairings. It’s late-night Japanese done sincere—no theater, just sharp food and thoughtful pours.
15. Rosetta Bakery
$$$$$ | MAP | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Imported from Miami and now with two Atlanta locations, this café nails Italian pastries and excellent coffee. Croissants reveal visible layers and slight chew; bombolone come filled with thick vanilla custard; olive-oil focaccia is rosemary-dotted and crisped at the edges; and sfogliatelle snap with butter-laced scallops. Espresso pours deep and espresso-soda combo drinks push bubbles between bites. The sunny space—white tile, marble counters—is where carbs feel earned, not just consumed.
