Despite being the home of the top-rated airport restaurant in the world, Atlanta hasn’t always been seen as a fine-dining destination. Sure, it has always been a place where getting a good meal was no trouble, but the city’s reputation was rather more geared towards comfort eating, famous for its rich soul food, BBQ, fried chicken, and Southern hospitality. However, true foodies have always known that underneath the surface, Atlanta boasts an amazing dining scene, and over the last few years, the wider world has started to catch up. Atlanta is now seen as one of the best U.S. cities for food-lovers.
In July 2023, the Michelin Guide announced it was coming to Atlanta for the first time, and since that first trip, there have been nine restaurants that have received a coveted Michelin star, alongside a further 11 worthy of the Bib Gourmand designation. We turned to Tripadvisor to see what visitors, foodies, and fine-dining lovers had to say about Atlanta’s booming food scene, and picked the five best Michelin-starred restaurants to visit. Make sure to visit Bacchanalia, Atlas, Lazy Betty, Brush Sushi, or Mujo for an amazing dining experience next time you are in the Big Peach.
Bacchanalia
Bacchanalia is described by Heraton B on Tripadvisor as “more than just a restaurant—it’s a reminder that food, at its best, is memory, emotion, and artistry all colliding on a plate.” High praise indeed, but well-deserved for this stunning slice of modern American cuisine. The interior decor leans heavily into industrial sophistication, with brown leather furniture lit by the warm flow of Edison bulbs, but the food is far lighter, defter experience. The crab fritter is a crowd-pleasing fan favorite that brings diners back again and again.
Desserts are also exceptional, warranting a special mention by Tripadvisor user Conchobar, who said, “the Soufflé was absolutely spectacular, and I am not a dessert fan.” Head chef Anne Quatrano is a James Beard award winner, and her marvelous tasting menu is the highlight of the restaurant. Interestingly, Michelin awarded Bacchanalia a green star, given to restaurants that demonstrate excellence in environmentally-friendly practices, which might make eating here another great way to make your travel plans more sustainable.
Atlas
Hotel restaurants can sometimes disappoint, but this is far from the case with Atlas. Tucked away inside the grand St. Regis Atlanta, this restaurant lives up to and exceeds its glamorous surroundings, is an ideal place for a special celebration, and “without doubt one of the best restaurants in the American South,” according to Tripadvisor user E. Joseph D…