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Ribs, chopped whole hog, baked beans, and collards at B's Cracklin' Barbeque.

The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, Fall '17

by Chris Fuhrmeister@ccfuhr Updated Oct 3, 2017, 8:00pm EDT

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Ribs, chopped whole hog, baked beans, and collards at B's Cracklin' Barbeque.

| Jonathan Phillips/Eater Atlanta

by Chris Fuhrmeister@ccfuhr Updated Oct 3, 2017, 8:00pm EDT

It's time to update the Eater 38, your answer and ours to any question that begins, "Can you recommend a restaurant?" This highly elite group covers the entire city (inside the perimeter, loosely), spans myriad cuisines, and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs. Every couple of months, we'll be adding pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months), or have stepped up their game.

This time around, after much reflecting, the 38 bids adieu to and Le Fat and SottoSotto. New additions to the list, mapped north to south, are Bon Ton and The Federal.

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O4W Pizza

The location has changed, but Anthony Spina is still serving up his famous Grandma Pie. The pizzeria is no longer in its namesake neighborhood, residing in the former Steverino's space in downtown Duluth.

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3117 Main St, Duluth, GA 30096

Masterpiece

There was a time when Gu's Bistro was the Sichuan staple on Buford Highway, but that ended when the restaurant closed in March 2015. In its place is Masterpeice, which has received rave reviews from critics. Jennifer Zyman awarded four stars and called it "the best Chinese food in the Atlanta area."

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3940 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096

Spring

Chef Brian So, previously of the sadly shuttered Sobban, opened a new Marietta restaurant in April 2016. In an time when "seasonal" and "local" are overused and not necessarily an indicator of quality, So's techniques allow the best Southern ingredients to shine.

90 Marietta Station Walk NE, Marietta, GA, 30060

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Sushi Hayakawa

After going on a lengthy hiatus, chef Art Hayakawa opened his renovated Buford Highway restaurant in March. Hayakawa's skills may be the best in Atlanta, so reservations in the small, spartan dining room should be made well in advance.

5979 Buford Hwy NE Ste A10, Atlanta, GA 30340

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Yet Tuh

Head up Buford Highway toward Doraville and Duluth, and several great Korean restaurants can be found. Yet Tuh may be the best at executing traditional dishes such as banchan, bibimbap, and kimchi stew. Matt Kang, host of Eater's K-Town web series, says it can hold its own against any Korean restaurant in America.

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3042 Oakcliff Rd, Doraville, GA 30340

Heirloom Market BBQ

This barbecue spot has limited seating, but the duo behind it, who plan to open a second location in South Korea, bring more than enough flavor to compensate for the cramped quarters or a ride home with a to-go box. Look for Korean-inspired Southern ‘cue and pitch-perfect sides.

2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

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Porch Light Latin Kitchen

As a former chef de cuisine at Kevin Rathbun Steak, Andre Gomez should know a thing or two about grilled and smoked meats. Now at his own restaurant, which opened in Smyrna in November 2015, and he's serving big cuts of meat with Puerto Rican flavors, such as cumin-spiced St Louis ribs and a "roasted little piggy" that must be ordered two days in advance.

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300 Village Green Cir SE Ste 110, Smyrna, GA 30080

Pho Dai Loi 2

Pho Dai Loi, with three locations in the area, continues to serve Atlanta's best pho. The #2 outpost, tucked into the Buford Highway international enclave, is a fan favorite.

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4186 Buford Hwy NW, Ste G, Atlanta, GA 30345

Umi Sushi

Chef Fuyuhiko Ito continues to serve one of Atlanta's best omakase experiences, and this glitzy Buckhead dining room might be the best place to spot a film-industry celebrity. Complete your experience by grabbing a drink at Umi's nearby sister cocktail lounge Himitsu.

3050 Peachtree Dr NE Ste 1, Atlanta, GA 30305

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Atlas

Located in Buckhead's St. Regis Hotel, Atlas is a critical darling. Christopher Grossman is reviving American fine dining cuisine, and the restaurant has received three stars from Atlanta Magazine and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and four stars from Creative Loafing. Grossman was chosen as Eater Atlanta's Chef of the Year for 2015.

88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

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Aria

Feeling his dining room had gone out of fashion, Gerry Klaskala recently revamped his Buckhead restaurant. The food is as good as ever, and now the restaurant feels a little more modern and casual.

490 E Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

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Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

In operation for a decade in North Druid Hills, Desta is Atlanta's best bet for authentic Ethiopian fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The expansive menu allows diners to build their own meals or order complete dishes created by the kitchen.

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3086 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

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Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

Restaurant Eugene

Chef and restaurateur Linton Hopkins has expanded his empire with a few new ventures in recent years, but Restaurant Eugene is still the flagship. This restaurant puts a definite emphasis on good food and an even bigger one on making sure everything is sourced locally. Order the tasting menu to make sure you don't miss a thing.

2277 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

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B's Cracklin Barbeque

Pitmaster Bryan Furman and his wife Nikke opened a local outpost for their Savannah smokehouse in September 2016, and it's a hit. Located in the former Hottie Hawgs space in Riverside, the Furmans serve whole-hog 'cue, South Carolina-style hash and rice, and more.

2061 Main St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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The General Muir

This upscale Jewish deli concept from Ben and Jen Johnson and Shelley Sweet of popular breakfast spot, West Egg, and executive chef Todd Ginsberg has been winning hearts since it opened in early 2013. The burger is one of the best in town, but other star dishes include the poutine fries, cheesecake, and piled-high sandwiches.

1540 Avenue Pl NE Ste B-230, Atlanta, GA 30329

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Star Provisions

Star Provisions' sandwich counter — dubbed Little Star — is still at Westside Provisions District, but Anne Quatrano's market and cafe has moved to a brand new building on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard in Westside. After you eat, walk around the chef's market at peruse the fine home goods, chocolates, cheese, and meat.

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1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30318

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Bacchanalia

Bacchanalia has ditched its tasting menu for a la carte, but it's still serving some of the best food in Atlanta. The restaurant has joined Star Provisions in a new facility on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard in Westside.

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1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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The Federal

Chef Shaun Doty, recently of Bantam + Biddy fame, is back in the kitchen at his latest collaboration with restaurateur Lance Gummere. The duo revamped B+B's Crescent Avenue location, and Doty is now serving Western European bistro fare such as Sardinian flatbread, beef tartare, pork schnitzel. The restaurant the James Beard Foundation's list of Best New Restaurant semifinalists for 2017.

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1050 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

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Miller Union

Steven Satterfield's farm-fresh, updated Southern cooking is simple and elegant. The farm egg baked in celery cream with grilled bread is a top-10 Atlanta dish, the restaurant has one of the best vegetable plates in town, and the lunchtime-only ice cream sandwiches are the perfect after-meal treat.

999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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8 Arm

Following the tragic death of chef Angus Brown, 8 Arm is pressing on and serving creative dishes morning, noon, and night. Breakfast offers one of Atlanta's best biscuits, and the dinner menu is vegetable forward. Oh, and there's an outdoor, glowing bar made out of a shipping container.

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710 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306