Auburn Angel’s thoughtful plating, delicious food, and elegant interior elevates the dining experience in the Auburn Avenue neighborhood, which was once a center of African American prosperity in the city. There's exposed brick walls, green leather booths, and soft lighting while easy-listening soul and jazz serve as a reminder of what grown-up Atlanta is supposed to feel like. And the fine dining menu matches the setting.

Gene's, a former pop-up that's settled into Kirkwood, is like a fun dive bar with great BBQ. Walk in, and everything is fighting for your attention—from the disco ball dazzling under multicolored holiday lights to the gigantic red gator hanging from the ceiling. It all makes you feel like it’s time for a stiff drink. Just know you'll have to order your food first at the counter before a waiter comes to offer you a frozen hurricane.

This seafood restaurant in Kirkwood has the exact right amount of nautical decor (a large mural of a ship at sea with tentacles curling up the side) without venturing into tacky seaside tourist attraction territory. So The Argonaut works as both a fancy-adjacent night out (which is a change of pace for the very casual neighborhood) and a place to grab a superb seafood dinner. The oysters are fresh, slurpable, and plentiful with an imported selection that range from sweet to briny.

We can see ourselves spending many Saturday mornings eating olive oil and labneh pancakes under Elektra’s patio umbrellas while overlooking the pool deck. Although we’d really prefer to take up residency in a pool cabana at this Mediterranean restaurant in O4W’s new Forth hotel. For breakfast, Elektra stuffs croissants with things like orange cream and cherry filling, and their tangy shakshuka gets some interesting meatiness and warmth from roasted eggplant.

Nadair, the latest from celebrity chef Kevin Gillespie (Gunshow), brings Scottish energy to the old Floataway Cafe space. Wood-fire cooking takes center stage in their six- or three-course dinners ($175/$85). But don't be fooled by the meat-heavy menu—even the lamb tartare with pistachios and green tomatoes tastes light and zesty. The lobster is a standout, bathed in a creamy thermidor sauce that's rich without overwhelming the lobster.

Miss Conduck is now officially the best spot to kick-off a night on Edgewood Avenue’s strip when you want more than a beer and some pretzels. The stylish Caribbean fusion spot, which opened in the former Noni's space, trades in Edgewood’s chaotic buzz for chill island energy. It’s decked out in pinks, greens, and oranges, and filled with tropical plants, all of which should ease the pain of not taking a beach getaway this summer.

The Porter in Little Five Points has been a landing spot for beer lovers since 2008. After closing for two years during the pandemic, it has reopened under new ownership with a revamped menu and interior. But we’re glad they’ve kept their most important attribute—their beer selection, which has more options than Tubi has obscure movies. Bring a big group and impress your beer-snob friend with a wide selection of regional brews.

Floridaman is a weekend-only rooftop bar perched above Breaker Breaker on the Eastside BeltLine, and it's a chill atmosphere to enjoy cheap drinks and coolish breezes. If you don’t get here right when they open, be prepared to hear “at capacity” and wait up to an hour. But once you're upstairs, welcomed by lush plants, fake parakeets, and wicker lighting fixtures, the relaxed bar will feel worth the wait.

From the co-owner of El Valle and Oaxaca, Casa Balam is the newest addition to Decatur’s downtown dining scene. Taking over the old Ted’s Montana Grill space, the Mexican restaurant features huge booths—perfect to crowd into with friends and little ones while you dig into family-style platters of tender chicken, duck, and birria, with warm housemade tortillas. Start with an order of creamy guacamole with onions and jalapeños. We'd also recommend the juicy 10-ounce wagyu.

The Painted Pickle, the long-awaited eatertainment spot from the team behind The Painted Duck and The Painted Pin, just opened in Northeast Atlanta. And if you're looking to show off your backspin serve, this eat-and-play restaurant is definitely for you. The spot is huge and features first-come, first-serve pickleball courts, some bar games, and indoor/outdoor lounge spaces. Plus, long booths facing the courts are perfect for grabbing a bite between games.