Atlanta’s Best 10 for Food & Fun!

Atlanta’s Best 10 for Food & Fun!

I thought about building an annoying PowerPoint presentation for you to click thru, but then I figured nobody really likes that. So I decided to write yet another awesome top 10 list! I will make a valiant attempt at some degree of anticipation by listing in reverse order. Take comfort in knowing that no one paid me under the table to get their establishment on this list. Thus, I can assure the integrity and authenticity of its development via my own personal experience. Forgive me if it’s restaurant laden; I love fine cuisine. Feel free to agree, disagree, or add to the list by commenting below. Most importantly, check some of these places out if you’re looking to have a good time in Atlanta. Thanks and here goes!

10. Goldfish Restaurant https://h2sr.com/goldfish/

This is an absolutely great place to eat. I was very impressed with the quality of food for such a low price. It has a great atmosphere and impeccable service. This place is always on the short list when I’m out in the Perimeter area.

9. The Pecan Restaurant https://www.thepecanrestaurant.com/

Now I must concede that I don’t spend much time in the College Park area. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found this quaint little spot. I’m thinking blazers and dresses for a fun and quiet evening of fine dining.

8. Ormsby https://www.ormsbysatlanta.com/

This is definitely one of the most laid back venues I’ve visited in Atlanta. Play an old school game of Bocce or shoot some pool while waiting on an above average menu item. It’s a great place to meet friends, but go during off-peak hours before the Georgia Tech students take over.

7. Stoney River https://atlanta.stoneyriver.com/

This place never disappoints. Their steaks rival the ones that come off my grill (and that’s saying something). Although it’s a bit pricey, the portions are large. They offer split plates for those with small appetites for a small up-charge.

6. STATS https://statsatl.com/

Whenever I’m in the Luckie Marietta District, I always make it a point to stop by STATS. The food is good, but I go more for the atmosphere as it’s a great place to catch a game. The private lounges for watch parties are a plus.

5. Hudson Grill https://hudsongrille.com/

In the Battle of the Sports Bars, I have to give the nod to Hudson Grill. Maybe I’m a little bias as one of my best memories there is watching BAMA beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game in route to yet another National Championship title. However, the food, bar service, and open atmosphere seems a bit friendlier than STATS. It just depends on what you’re in the mood for.

4. Kat’s Cafe https://www.katscafeatlanta.com/

Support local artists. Anybody that knows me knows that I absolutely love live music. And this spot definitely has it! I’ve heard some songs sung by artists whose renditions rivaled the originals. And I heard a piano solo once that is quite possibly the best I’ve heard in life. I don’t recall a cover charge, but if there was one, it was well worth it. Check it out!

3. Shout https://h2sr.com/shout/

This place reminds me of the “Excuse Me Miss” video by Jay-Z featuring Pharrell (just a little bit). It’s the best of both worlds, fine dining and nightlife all in one. Downstairs is a very classy restaurant while upstairs typically features a live DJ and patio VIP service. Expect upscale clientele when mingling with Atlanta’s elite.

2. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen https://pappadeaux.com/home/

Enough said. This is some of the best seafood in the South. Flown in fresh daily, one would be hard-pressed to find a bad item on the menu. It’s not unusual to run into Atlanta celebrities here either. It can be loud and crowded with long waits during peak hours, but it’s well worth it. On some evenings, they feature a live band out in the patio area. I prefer to go during off-peak hours (if they exist) but the service is always first class.

1. Atlantic Station https://atlanticstation.com/

I simply love this place. It’s a great place for a date as it’s all inclusive. There’s an assortment of very nice restaurants, shopping, and novelty shops. Yard House, Strip, and Lobby at Twelve are among my favorites. They have a great Regal stadium-seated movie theatre featuring an IMAX screen. Finally, it’s a very easy-going place to just walk around in. I tend to prefer late evenings as it has a tendency to get really crowded during peak hours. Trust, you won’t be disappointed!

About the Author: Marion S. McIntosh currently works as a Process Engineer in the automotive industry. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering, May 2003 and August 2006, respectively. In his spare time, he volunteers as a motivational speaker and addresses youth groups, minority engineering students, and professional organizations on topics ranging from collegiate success to investing. Marion currently serves on multiple professional boards.