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The Best Fine Dining Restaurants In Atlanta, Georgia

College Street in downtown Athens, Georgia, USA
College Street in downtown Athens, Georgia, USA | © Ian Dagnall Commercial Collection / Alamy Stock Photo

Stray from run-of-the-mill casual options and seek out a fine dining experience in one of the most vibrant cities in the South. Atlanta, Georgia has a vast, intricately woven network of restaurants, many of which extend far into its suburbs. Hone in on these top picks for classy dining experiences, and prepare to be amazed by some of the most best menus the ‘A’ has to offer.

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Canoe

Resting on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Canoe’s placidity and serene environs accompany guests, making for leisurely dining and picturesque views of the waterway. Its surrounding gardens are often dressed in a light, pleasant fog, dotted with mossy stones and greenery, perfect for a post-meal stroll.

Atlanta Fish Market

Tucked off of a bumpy, pothole-ridden Pharr Road in a quiet little corner of Buckhead, Atlanta Fish Market could not be a smoother establishment. Perhaps the first thing guests will notice is the 65-foot bronze statue of a fish, leaping into mid-air: this restaurant’s seafood selection is among the widest and most thoroughly developed in the city. With over 100 varieties flown in daily, there’s no shortage of options; Hong Kong style sea bass, blackened Florida grouper, and stuffed jumbo crab pop out across the menu. Honestly, even their steak is to die for – try a New York strip or the filet mignon, and you will not be disappointed.

Chops Lobster Bar

This quintessential chophouse boasts a dark wood interior with marble floors, spectacular in design, dimly lit, and adorned with well-crafted modern artwork. Try a 26-ounce dry-aged porterhouse steak cut, or even a classic filet pepper steak with brandy pepper sauce and mushrooms. As far as the lobster, Chops delivers a tasteful explosion with its icy water Nova Scotia lobster tail dish, which is thinly crisped and flash fried, richly coated in drawn butter and a tasty Greek honey mustard aioli spread.

Livingston Restaurant and Bar

Situated in the impressive Georgian Terrace Hotel and complemented by a full patio with a spectacular cross street view of the historic Fox Theatre, Livingston Restaurant and Bar emits a spirit and atmosphere that resonates deeply with Atlantans. The menu harbors several improvised spin-offs of southern classics – the shrimp and grits contain turnip greens and oyster mushrooms; the southern coast grouper is bedded on Carolina golden rice and pineapple butter and has blackberry vinegar drizzled on top. Livingston also serves up a sensational brunch at the weekend.

Bacchanalia

Opened in 1993, Bacchanalia has been garnering attention from the press for its award-winning, farm-fresh fare. The five-course prix fixe experience (cheese course, three savory courses, and a dessert course) offered by Bacchanalia is perhaps best defined by its adventurous picks, which range from bold options like veal sweetbreads with plum and garlic, to gulf crab fritters topped with Thai pepper, avocado, and citrus juices. Bacchanalia’s tenacious grasp over the Atlanta fine dining landscape seems to show zero signs of tenuousness.

Bones

This Buckhead steakhouse serves nothing but prime cuts. From the eight and a half-ounce filet mignon – carefully cooked to tender, juicy perfection – to the dry-aged porterhouse for two, Bones will have you drooling while you wait. Steaks aren’t all this restaurant can do well: the crab stuffed trout with marcona almonds face off against the seared scallops with wild mushrooms risotto and truffle oil, yielding in quite the match-up. The restaurant’s award-winning wine cellar also beckons intensely to visitors, mostly due to its 20,000 bottles and 2,000 selections.

About the author

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Richard is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Richard is majoring in International Affairs and Transnational European Studies, and after graduation will pursue a law degree. A fan of all things Athens, Richard spends his free time attending football games (Go Dawgs!), studying for the LSAT, exploring cigar shops, and frequenting local live music shows. His recent university studies took him to Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic. With a passion for world travel, Richard plans to one day practice international law abroad.

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