Atlanta’s dining landscape has never been more dynamic; of course the southern classics still thrive, but you’ll also find everything from intimate chef-driven experiences to bagels worth writing home about. Atlanta’s Michelin-recognized restaurants remain a strong draw, but this guide is designed to spotlight exciting newcomers that are generating buzz and reservations. The takeaway for locals and FIFA World Cup travelers alike: come hungry, as Atlanta’s dining scene has much to offer.

Perfect Place For World Cup Pre-Game Dining

Zephyr At Hotel Phoenix At Centennial Yards/Downtown

This is the launchpad for anyone attending a FIFA World Cup 2026 match. Located across the street from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the restaurant is a crown jewel in the newly transformed gulch and a perfect choice for southern classics with modern twists.

It’s a sweeping grand space with a runway of a bar, nice for people watching before the match. The kitchen is led by executive chef Carelys Vazquez, and must-try bites include the handmade cornbread with tabasco butter, smoked bacon and Thomasville Tomme. Ditto the spicy fried chicken with grits and collards and a bit of house pickled veggie. The cocktail menu is a nod to the gulch’s history and Atlanta’s evolution—and revelers will also love the very champagne-forward wine list.

Cool New Dining In Atlanta

Koshu Club/Buckhead

One of the newest openings in Atlanta comes from chef J. Trent Harris of Michelin-starred Mujō. Think elegant supper club and Japanese-style cocktail destination with a deep sake list and wine program, as well as impeccable à la carte dishes. The menu will feature exceptional cuts of meat slow-grilled over charcoal, seafood options and refined sides.

Mirae/Brookhaven

A sleek new concept from the very popular sushi outpost Fudo. The space features dramatic two-story ceilings but still manages to feel intimate. The partially open kitchen and minimalist interiors lend it a buzzy yet serene energy.

Don’t leave without trying the confit cabbage; it’s hard to make cabbage decadent, but chef Haneul Jo manages with a long slow braise in miso butter. The claypot chicken with a bok choy, truffle and crispy rice base is soulful and elegant. Ditto the shrimp toast—this is not your average toast experience, but rather more like a puff pastry, layered with shrimp, yuzu aioli and gojuchang. Soy-infused Chilean sea bass with nasturtium oil and cauliflower puree is perfectly prepared—not a speck out of balance. In short, you’ll get elevated Michelin-style service without the elevated prices.

Füm/Westside

Go for the A.F.M. (Atlanta Fried Mushroom)—a delicately battered oyster mushroom laced with chive oil and pecorino cream—and stay for the cozy, sophisticated vibes. The open-fire hearth is the centerpiece of this Italian-inspired menu from Michelin-awarded Grassfed Culture Hospitality. Think dry-aged and grass-fed meats along with hand-rolled pastas and smart regional sourcing. The ravioli with caramelized onions, hazelnut, wild thyme and piave, or a fresh trout filet, are great options for those who prefer seafood.

The Best Carry-Out

Danbi Seasonal/Brookhaven

While officially labeled a “fast casual” dining concept, the term underrepresents the beautiful, fresh culinary creations that chef Jack Kim (who worked at Michelin-starred JoJo by Jean‑Georges) makes daily and refreshes monthly. The pan-seared gnocchi is a spiritual experience. No servers, no gratuity added, order from the QR code and take a seat—this is chef-to-table food, rather like being in his home. And the menu changes often, which makes going often a good idea.

Atlanta’s Newest Bar With The Best Downtown View

Rabbit Ears

A sleek reservation-only cocktail bar perched high above the Westside, offering sweeping 360-degree views of the city. The cocktail program, led by world-renowned mixologist Esther Merino, brings playful spirit infusions with fresh, seasonal flavors, with cocktails ranging from bright and refreshing to layered and complex. An elegant small bites menu (think Yellow Dynamite popcorn and carrot tartare) and vinyl stylings from local selectors and DJs, played through a high-fidelity audiophile sound system, round out the vibe.

Dining Worth The Drive/Outside The Perimeter

Truth Be Told/Roswell

Effortless is a key word for this new restaurant just north of downtown Atlanta. Chef Matt Marcus strives to make the guest experience seamless and pleasurable, but those breezy, delightful vibes belie the hard work going on in the kitchen where dishes such as snow beef carpaccio with parmigiano, kudzu and chickpea are made.

Simple delights such as the challah bread and euro butter are obnoxiously good (you will dream about this bread long after the meal is over). His beef tenderloin (prepared sous vide) with mustard, pearl onion and persimmon is melt-in-your-mouth decadence, arguably the best bite of steak you’ll enjoy this year.

Yaba’s Bagels/Dunwoody

Home to one of the city’s better bagels, very much in the New York style—big, pillowy and full of flavor. Each bagel is daily-rolled, kettle-boiled and worthy of the drive to Dunwoody. The Bodega is a sure bet with bacon, cheese and hashbrown on a bagel of your choice (try the zaatar or jalapeno cheddar).

One Of Atlanta’s Best Sushi Experiences

Umi Modern Japanese/Buckhead

A local favorite for many years, here, exquisite sushi meets refined Japanese technique and international flavors. Co-executive chef Todd Dae Kulper leads the kitchen alongside co-executive chef Kazuo Yoshida, who spearheads the sushi and omakase program.

Greatest hits include the avocado salad with wasabi vinaigrette (an entire avocado half) and spicy tuna crispy rice—spicy tuna tartare on lightly fried crispy sushi rice with jalapeño. The sousaku nigiri selections are superior and worth the visit alone—try the hamachi caviar (yellowtail nigiri with truffle, soy, serrano, caviar and dijon), or Hinomaru with madai nigiri with shiso leaf, sea salt, kanzuri and yuzu. Service is smart and elegant—a nice complement to the restaurant’s sleek, sophisticated ambiance.