The Tastiest Bars in Atlanta

The Painted Pin

★★★★☆ 3.9 (569) • $$

"Fun spot to hang out with a group of friends (or colleagues, in my case). It's a upscale bowling alley with cocktails and food and other games.I came on a Thursday evening as part of a company team building event. We booked out a couple lanes and had a blast. The door is a bit hard to find, as the sign is a bit small. Look for a P&P sign around where the Google Maps location is.Most of their cocktails are very affordable and range from $10-$12. I tried a couple of their drinks, including the Pin's Cup, Bee's Knees, and a classic margarita, and everything was good. The Bee's Knees was probably my favorite.We also ordered a bunch of snacks to share, including tacos, hummus and pita, fries, chips and salsa, etc., and everything was pretty good.I'm not a huge bowler, so I appreciated that they have other games such as bocce ball, shuffleboard, skeetball, giant jenga, etc. After one round of bowling, I wandered around the rest of the space and enjoyed some of the other games."

Nowak's

★★★★☆ 3.9 (150) • $$$

"The quest to try a new restaurant while shopping nearby led us to Nowak's. We arrived around 5 and sat at the bar. They weren't busy then, but many guests arrived shortly after. It's a really nice place. We were dressed casually because we came in on a whim, but the bar was laid back. We were greeted immediately. They have a nice variety of food options on their menu. I opted for a sidecar to drink and the steak frites for my entree. My husband ordered the NY strip with truffle fries. We both enjoyed our meals tremendously and discussed returning. I recently began following them on Instagram and they have great happy hour options."

El Super Pan The Battery Atlanta

★★★★☆ 3.9 (232) • $$

"El Super Pan is a great counter service restaurant in the Battery that offers to-go, dine in, or bar seating. Even on game day, service was not only fast but full of Southern hospitality. I tried the Cuban sandwich with plantains - both delicious, although quite pricey for the portion size. A great place to stop in for classic Latin favorites."

il Giallo Osteria & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (428) • $$$

"Delicious. We originally planned to dine in but ended up ordering for take out and it was still good. We ordered the grilled octopus with mash as an appetizer to share and I ordered the crazy lasagna which came with braised beef short rib. Both were delicious and I did not expect to like the octopus so much but it was really good. It was soft and not rubbery. I would love to dine in next time."

Apres Diem

★★★★☆ 3.6 (690) • $$

"I love this little European style restaurant. The service is great. The food is delicious and it's located near the Piedmont Park; in case you work up an appetite. I came here on Easter and surprisingly, they were open. To beat the crowd, I came early and had a seat outside since the weather was so nice. I didn't order a cocktail or dessert; just food. I got the Turkey sandwich with their soup of the day which was chicken tortilla. I usually get the salmon ciabatta but decided to order something new. I should've gotten an order of soup to go because it was that good. Super flavorful and fresh baked tortilla chips. The sandwich comes with slices of turkey breast, avocado, bacon on sourdough. I only ate one half of it since it is a sandwich and bread alone can be filling. I highly recommend this spot. It can easily become a neighborhood fav where everyone knows your name."

Sprig Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (467) • $$

"We had a reservation for 5 for brunch at 11:30 am on Sunday, 7/28/24. Sean was our waiter and he was wonderful! So patient with us! The average age of the customers skewed higher. Seems like a lot of retirees frequent the restaurant. Everyone was very sweet! They have a good selection of liquor at the bar, and it seems like they're known for their whisky. Very casual. They have high chairs!We split 2 appetizers and each got our own entrée. Here's what we got:- Pimento Cheese Fritters ($14): Good.- Blueberry Baked French Toast ($14): Glad we split this. It was really good and sweet, but I couldn't have eaten the entire dish myself.- Sprig Classic Burger ($14) with Sweet Potato Fries (+ $2): The burger was good. The fries would've been great if they weren't so salty.Others in my party had the Veggie Omelet ($14), Chilaquiles ($14), and Breakfast Croissant ($14). All were pretty average. The veggies weren't cooked into the omelet, just sandwiched between the egg. The portions were also pretty small.Decent food, reasonably priced, portions on the smaller side. Good service!"

C & S Seafood and Oyster Bar - Sandy Springs

★★★★☆ 4.2 (237) • $$$

"It took ALL of my energy NOT TO ORDER EVERYTHING OFF THIS MENU! I wanted both types of salmon, swordfish, Chilean sea bass, octopus, lobster, all of it... But I settled with the octopus and the Ora king salmon. My friend opted for oysters, the tuna tar tar and the sea bass.- The Octopus: I ordered mine without potatoes because I'm not a fan. The octopus was perfection. So tender, no chewy at all, sweet and succulent, everything octopus should taste like. That being said, I did NOT like the salad that came with it, at all... And I also wish there was MORE octopus, ha ha, but that's just me being a HUGE OCTOPUS FAN and also having the ability to eat like a linebacker.- The Ora King Salmon (with crispy Brussels Sprouts and Green Beans): The salmon was divine, however the skin was unfortunately a little burnt (and skin is my favorite part). I also don't know that it actually was Ora King Salmon in all honesty. I've had lots of Ora King Salmon and what I was served tasted more like a Faroe Island Salmon, which is still amazing, but no Ora King. Regardless, perfectly cooked to my liking (minus the skin) and the Brussels sprouts were PHENOMENAL (like WOW!) as were the green beans. They paired perfectly with the salmon! - Tuna Tar Tar: I tried a bit of my friend's tar tar and while it was good, I think if I ordered it for myself, I would have asked for the sauce it comes in on the side or none at all because I think it was too strong, detracting from the flavor of the tuna and avocado. Over all, I did really love the food I ate, I just wish I ordered more, ha ha, but this just means I am HUNGRY FOR MORE and need to come back!"

JINYA Ramen Bar - Poncey Highland

★★★★☆ 4 (122) • $$

"Jinya is consistent and solid ramen. I really appreciate the customization options provided. I like the Poney Highland location, there is ample parking and on a Thursday night there was little to no wait. As we approached, we saw a party wrapping up on the patio and it was a lovely day outside. I mentioned to the host that we wanted to sit outside, he wasn't rude but did try to dissuade us from waiting.My party of 2 order the crispy tuna and one jinya bun and 2 bowls of ramen. The ramen came out before the small plates. I hate when that happens but such is life. The Black ramen hit the spot and the chicken wonton ramen with hot sauce literally warmed my soul. The jinya bun was a miss... idk if it was the large amount of mayo or I've had inauthentic buns but they were a hard no. Thick pork belly...really fluffy bao, and ransom mixed greens. The crispy rice and tuna was spot on. There is a limited drink menu like 4 cocktails, a decent assortment of sake, a few beers, wines, and non alcoholic beverages. All in all it's a good for a weeknight. Probably one of the best ramen at this price point in the city. Is it as good as ramen in Japan... nah but it scratches my western itch."

Pea Ridge Kitchen and Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (233)

"I have had Pea Ridge on my radar for far too long. I should have gone sooner. Because this place ROCKS! Pea Ridge is easy to miss. It sort-of stands by itself within a very small strip-mall setting. But inside it is comfortable--unassuming and homey. With staff that are simply there to make sure you go home full and happy. The menu changes with some regularity, depending on what's in season, and it is worth checking what's going on daily. No pretense is the name of the game, with a range of influences that start with "southern" and goes all the way to whatever might make you smile. (And there's a full bar--what else do you need?) This neighborhood favorite will be frequented by many regulars who know a good thing when they experience it. And I hear the Sunday brunch is a crowd pleaser. I can't wait to experience that. Holler if you're coming with."

Mezcalito's Cantina

★★★★☆ 3.7 (256) • $$

"Delivery orderI ordered the two chicken enchilada meal for myself and I was presently surprised. It didn't weigh a ton so I was concerned that it wouldn't be enough, but I was wrong. It came with green rice and black beans, both were flavorful and not overly salty. Thank goodness. The two enchiladas were filled with shredded chicken that was all white meat and tasty. It may have had corn in it too. One enchilada had green sauce on top and the other red. Both topped with melted cheese. They were too close together for me to really tell the difference in sauce flavor, but both were good. I only wish chips came with it, but that isn't a deal breaker. Now I just need to go and visit the establishment next time and try the chips and salsa to see if they earn the last star."

Southern Queenz Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (76) • $$

"Food: All the food was delicious. The Mac & Cheese was slightly over cooked but Mike loved them. We loved loved loved the fried green tomatoes.Service: Superb. The waitress was very attentive and kind.The atmosphere was beyond chill and warming. Super inviting and we did not have to wait in line. We came at the perfect time. Highly recommend eating here. We WILL be back!!Fruity Pebbles French Toast"

Habitat Kitchen & Bar

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (109)

"I have not come for the food but instead just for the Spanish dancing & I have to say it was so much fun! Love the cute exterior chairs! The music was great all night. The only con is the long bathroom wait lol."

Terrazas Bar and Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (75)

The Po'Boy Shop

★★★★★ 4.5 (571) • $$

"Brother and Sis-in-Law took me to this spot. It was worth the visit, the portions are large so order a small if you go with a pi boy sandwich. Expect flavors because it's good...it's not New Orleans but it is. Yum! And yes there is a bar downstairs with slots,Pool, darts and more...21+ only. Expect the college crowd to be there. Overall good food, good service,The basement bar is a pleasant surprise. Bring your appetite."

Nino's Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (317) • $$

"I have been searching for an Italian restaurant that reminds me of home (queens, NY). I have finally found a place in ninos. I've been a couple times now - sitting at the bar (their new bar is beautiful). I have gotten drinks, Caesar salad, chicken parm, and penne vodka. The food is delicious. I feel like it is the only chicken parm I've found in Atlanta actually made right. The staff is wonderful - friendly, attentive, helpful. This will be a regular spot for me."

Nouveau Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (306) • $$

"I came to Atlanta to see friend and fellow Yelper, Yo G down in McDonough. She suggested we go here. It was an interesting drive to get here but once you see the area, it's really a cool place! The hostess was so sweet and gave us the option of inside our out. It was a nice evening so we took the patio.I started with the Holy Water, and can I say "Amen"! Sooooo good! I ordered the stuffed chicken breast, and though it did take a while, it was really good! I can see how the prep would take some time. Loved the rice and vegetables that came with! I also ordered a side of the mac n cheese, and their version was very tasty. Yo had the perfectly grilled baby lamb chops, which she gave me a taste....soooooo good!Our server was so sweet and came and checked in on us and apologized about the timing on the chicken. We really enjoyed our evening."

9292 Shabu

★★★★☆ 4 (218) • $$$

"A friend and I came here during lunch. It was busy! We sat down at a booth and this place is spacious! We came for the AYCE and we can choose our broth. I got the spicy dashi and off we go to fill our plates. They have so many varieties to choose from. We got plenty of greens: kale, spinach, mushrooms, dumplings, meatballs, fishballs, sweet potato, malanga, kimchi, etc. They also brought out large plates of meat and seafood for us to start. Everything was fresh and delicious. They do limit your time, but we sat there for a while and no one rushed us. We were only able to get 2 plates of meat/seafood before we were full. I would definitely come back just for the AYCE. It was more than enough food to fill me up. We weren't able to eat as much meat as we intended to. But good service and nice selection of food. We left with full and happy bellies!"

Little Alley Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 3.9 (662) • $$$$

"I attended a birthday dinner here recently and was very impressed by the experience. I've been to most steakhouses in Atlanta and never felt compelled to come here because of the mixed reviews.Before the other guests arrived, we sat at a bar and I enjoyed a delicious bourbon cocktail. For my starter, I ordered the oysters Rockefeller. They were delicious! For my entree I decided on the dry aged NY strip, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. To accompany my steak, I got foie gras and truffle butter. My steak was cooked to perfection and seasoned really well. The mashed potatoes were really good and the creamed spinach was just ok.The service was wonderful and they allowed the party to get separate checks which is always a plus for me."

Boggs Social & Supply

★★★★★ 4.5 (21)

"Truly in love.Visited this place for morning brunch and sat outside with the bebè and the puppers and had some amazing food! Came back for some late night Tortas (the wait was long but I found out later you can order ahead). Since I had to wait i grabbed a seat and a beer at the bar and was amazed at the choices from drafts to cans to liquor!Social distancing and COVID safety is practiced here so I felt comfortable waiting for my food and would even come back on a cold day and sit inside!Near the beltline so perfect to take a walk after!The food was phenomenal and reasonable priced, as was the draft beer IMO.Trying to sneak a fair priced house over here but until then glad we have so many great places on this side of town!! You don't have to even get into atlanta traffic from the south side to make it over here and it's less crowded if you want to access the beltline during the pandemic."

Bernie's Social Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (208) • $$

"My experience at Bernie's exceeded my expectations! I met a friend for dinner on a Saturday night spontaneously, and we expected the wait to be long so we went early. It was packed because there was a concert in town, but we didn't have to wait long. It's a large restaurant with a lofted area, which is where we were seated. Our waitress rocked!I saw a lot of people with the Ultra Violet cocktail, so I ordered that and it was really nice.My friend and I shared the Birria Short Rib Flatbread and the Shrimp and Scallop Fettuccine, and honestly, both were 10/10. Seriously so good, and I'll be returning just to have those again."

The Vortex Bar And Grill - Midtown

★★★★☆ 3.9 (2030) • $$

"This place is legit! I was killing some time downtown and stopped by The Vortex. The inside was dark and decorated with all sorts of crazy memorabilia. I actually decided to sit outside, so I could people watch. If you sit outside, just be warned that your service might be a bit slower.As for food, their menu looked inside. They had a ton of interesting burger options, but I went for the 50/50 Chili (half beef, half turkey). The chili had a nice flavor to it and it came with some kind of cornbread on the side. Solid spot!"

J.R. Crickets - Marietta

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (19) • $$

"Dropped in to grab some wings and ended up with the fish. The service was great, I was pleasantly surprised to see a full bar at this location, it gives take-out food vibes. The whiting was really hot and good. Definitely worthy of another visit"

Victory Sandwich Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (518)

"You ever have food that just slaps? This is that place. Came across it via a Reel. I already love sandwiches in the first place, so I said sure, let's give it a go, but what I got was so much more than what I was expecting. I quite literally devoured the sandwich that's how go it was, so good that I went back the next day and got two more, and guess what? I devoured them too. First time I got the Tea Bird and the Little Havana. The Tea Bird has spicy next to it, and boy let me tell you it has got some heat! The made it like a panini, and I was a ok with that! After the first bite I had to pause because I was a little struck at the fact that a sandwich tasted so freaking good. I thought maybe someone just made it a little special, but then I destroyed it and then proceeded to take a bite of the Little Havana and boom, take me to freaking flavor town. My gf got, what I found out is called fresno onion jam, and I dipped my sandwich in it, not knowing what to expect, if the sandwich is flavor town, I don't know what plain of existence the jam took me to, but I was there! But wait, there's more, you have to absolutely have to try the chocolate chip cookie with sea salt. For $2 this cookie is huge, but the smell, texture, taste of it. Boy, I could have ate 10 cookies alone. The next day I went back and got the Hambo and Beeter sandwiches. Color me freaking shocked, but how do vegetarian sandwiches taste just as good if not better than ones with meat! They were off the chain, did I say that already? I don't care. It's been a minute since I have written a review, that's how good this place is, it forced me to write a review. I love the fact that the sandwiches are only $6. The only downside was that you cannot add meat to a sandwich. Parking is a little expensive and good luck finding a parking spot if you go on a Saturday. Best thing to do is order online, because they do not take orders over the phone, and either park and eat or run inside real quick and get your food. I really am looking forward to going back again. If their sides are anything like their sandwiches, I legit might just move to downtown Decatur for the love that I have for this place. They also have a bar, which I'm looking forward to sitting at one day. It seems like a pretty chill vibey place, and they also offer outdoor seating. VSB FTW!"

Breaker Breaker

★★★★☆ 4.1 (110) • $$

"This is a neat restaurant that looks like a shipping container. There is limited free street parking available. It is conveniently located just off of the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail.The restaurant is two levels. They have an inside dining area with an adequate amount of seating and a full bar with seating. The upper deck, which was closed off while I was there, is an open air patio deck. I heard that it was nice and wish that I was able to check it out. Additionally, there is patio seating outside of the restaurant for diners to eat at as well. The staff there is very friendly. They serve fish, crab cakes, shrimp, gumbo, oysters, salads, poboys and sandwiches. I ordered the charbroiled oysters with a side of fries. My food was prepared fast and was fresh. It only took them about 5 minutes to have my food in front of me. The oysters and the fries were delicious. I also recommend that you try their fresh squeezed lemonade. The food was hot and very flavorful. This is a nice spot that I can only imagine is booming at night. They have a full bar with some nice signature cocktails. I highly recommend checking this place out if you are in the area and looking for some good seafood."

El Super Pan

★★★★☆ 4.2 (484) • $$

"El Super Pan is located on the first floor of the Ponce City Market. The Latin sounds and tropical vibe drew me in. The offerings were enticing: Cuban style sandwiches, bowls, empanadas, and desserts. I had the Olive Sofrito Chicken Sandwich ($15) and devoured it! The chicken was juicy, tender and pulled, the bread was thin, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, the veggies were fresh and the chimichurri sauce tied it all together. The meat, bread and veggie ratio couldn't have been better!Sandwiches come with a side and I opted for the sweet plantains, which was also delicious. I washed my lunch down with a cup of Cava ($11) and that was a memorable first meal I had in Atlanta!"

Cirque Daiquiri Bar and Grill

★★☆☆☆ 2.4 (710)

"I really enjoyed cirque since their revamp. The customer service was great and they have new menu items including liver , gizzards and oxtails. It is 5$ to park. They have a good happy hour , every Monday they have all you can eat crab legs for $40 and Tuesday through Friday they have happy hour from 4-8 and it's half off wings and daiquiris and $5 premium shots ! Literally can't beat that with a stick I will definitely be back"

Midcity Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (49)

"I found Midcity Cafe from a Google search of bars near my hotel. I was pleased to find that it was literally right next to the Renaissance. Midcity was a pretty cool bar. The place was small but that just attributed to its intimacy. The interior gave me a Latin vibe. There wasn't a DJ at the time, but I suspect that they have resident DJs during the week. Customer service was fine. There was one bartender at the time, but I didn't talk to him really. There were two other female non-bartender servers behind the bar who took my drink orders and relayed them to the main bartender. Just thought that was an unusual interaction. Nonetheless, the bartender made my drinks quickly. I ordered a couple of cocktails. The quality of the cocktails were amazing. I got the Panorama Garden and Moonbow, which were both gin-based drinks, and I was highly satisfied with both."

Malone's Steak & Seafood

★★★★☆ 3.6 (845) • $$

"Great place. The manager and the staff are very accommodating. Food was delicious. I really enjoyed the pecan chicken and the shrimp and grits are excellent."

Atlanta Fishmonger - Kirkwood/Pullman Yards

★★★★☆ 3.6 (53)

"They have an incredible happy hour with margaritas and oysters. The oysters wear super fresh and the margarita was good. The shrimp ceviche isn't as spicy here as the west midtown location and I prefer spice. Overall great food and service. I look forward to returning"

Le Colonial - Atlanta

★★★★☆ 4 (529) • $$$

"I'd been anticipating coming here for a while, but in all honesty it didn't live up to the hype. Many influencers and top Atlanta "foodies " rave about this restaurant. It's located in the Buckhead Village District. Valet parking is available.The restaurant is absolutely beautiful and the decor is simply stunning. It's described as an upscale French-Vietnamese restaurant. I made reservations prior for lunch and was seated quickly. My server greeted me promptly. I ordered the French Kiss for my cocktail. It consisted of rye, hibiscus herb honey, yuzu liqueur, orgeat and elderflower. It was well made and delicious. To eat, I ordered crispy shrimp and pork rolls, ribs and fried rice. The food was good, not great. The fried rice in particular lacked flavor, but I requested chili sauce which helped quite a bit.I honestly was expecting to be blown away, but this was not the case. The food was fine, but nothing outstanding. On the other hand, the customer service was excellent."

Char Korean Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (567) • $$

"Brought colleagues from work here who were craving Korean BBQ. There is a parking garage in the alley next to this restaurant so it's easy to get settled in. This is a modernized take on Korean BBQ. Fancy decor, meat quality is very high- but there is little to no banchon (side dishes) and it's gas versus charcoal- so there is a difference IMO. Our service was excellent. Everyone was pleased, I ordered for the table (group of ten) and we had 2 appetizer sampler platters to start. 3 Kim chee dumplings, 3 beef dumplings, 3 beef meatballs, and 3 Korean Deviled egg halves, with sides of kim chee and pickled radishes. People got to taste different things and it went over well.For the table I ordered entrees and not the AYCE. I wanted them to have quality, not quantity. I started with two orders of Chicken (one spicy and one soy marinated). 2 orders of beef tenderloin for each side of the table (two grills for ten people), and finally 2 orders of the Kalbi- marinated short ribs. That's the Cadillac of the experience, so I made sure we had that. As for sides, I got two kim chee fried rice, one order of cucumber salad (which was the hero of all the meal, because I LOVE CUCUMBERS PREPPED THUS WAY). They had many offerings when it came to sauces. People loved the salty ssam Jang, as well as the soy garlic. Cucumber sliced thin and picked like Kim chee is also a personal favorite and lots of our team loved it all. The only negative is not having any banchon, and the prices are indicative of being in Inman Park/Midtown. Entertaining customers is good here but for traditionalists this probably isn't for you.Thanks to the team here for taking such good care of us."

The Family Dog

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (153) • $$

"After a failed attempt to get a seat at Whiskey Bird & Truva, we aimlessly wandered into The Family Dog. We just wanted a quick drink and snack before heading home but were really hoping we would be able to bring the pup! And leave it to a restaurant called the Family Dog to be the best dog friendly option in the 'hood!We were seated on the empty dog friendly patio pretty quickly (it was a hot summer day). The server was hard to flag down but once we got her, we were able to order quickly and efficiently. She also brought a pup cup to my dog which she thoroughly enjoyed. I ordered an Aperol Spritzer to help cool off and we paired it with an order of tots and queso, as recommended by our server. Honestly, it was all the perfect little snack, while letting us dine with our dog. I'll have to stop in for a full meal next time!"

Mamitaco

★★★★☆ 3.8 (152) • $$

"Overall, this place was good but not great The layout of the store is weird. They seem to have too many tables for the space they have so you really have to navigate to get around and may get bumped by every employee and customer just trying to go to the bathroom but they stay crowded I don't like that they don't have prices for their drinks. My friends got flights & the Valentine's margaritas flight was $30 and both of them didn't like all of the flavors. The drinks were pretty but 16oz total .. not sure that that's worth $30. I just had a $4 guava juice - lol it was good and worth the cost I ordered quesochorizo for the table - it was ok. ~$11 but flavor is kinda bland and it solidified very fast tbh. Prob would skip this next time Their salsa is also very sweet and I've never thought that about a salsa. Weird flavor, not my favorite I had the birria tacos & they were so filling, came very full of meat and a little cheese. The meat was tender & consomme was delicious! The "hot" sauce they serve isn't even spicy, more like a bitter pepper. 3 tacos ~$18 The beans were refried but were good! They had the place decorated for Valentine's and all of the decor was very cute. The parking lot was full but it's a huge lot so you'll find a spot, it just may not be right in front Id go back here and probably try some other entrees, maybe try the guacamole next time."

Bluetop

★★★★☆ 3.7 (264) • $$

"So honestly I have no problem with this place. I mean you get what you get. They have indoor and outdoor seating, you have to order your food and they'll bring it to you. It took a while to get the food for some reason, I mean just for a couple of burgers, but it wasn't the end of the world. They have outdoor patio seating that share with other restaurants on that block, so that's pretty cool. They got TVs if you want TVs to watch a couple of games or whatever the case may be.The burger was cool, like it was a pretty decent burger, had some curly fries on deck, I had no issue with that as well. If I needed a quick burger bite, I would probably go back. It look like that's all people were ordering was sandwiches even though they have other things on the menu."

Elsewhere Brewing - Grant Park

★★★★☆ 4.4 (81) • $$

"Elsewhere Brewing is a great place with a great selection of beer. The service was friendly and professional and the place has an overall amazing ambiance. Both inside and outside, this place is really appealing. Elsewhere Brewing is definitely a cool place and a great destination. I would definitely recommend here."