A recent addition to the downtown Atlanta drinks scene, LaGrange, Georgia, brewery and distillery Wild Leap opened at the end of 2022 at Centennial Yards. It’s part of the 50-acre redevelopment of the historic Gulch and circa 1912 building formerly home to Norfolk Southern Railroad on Ted Turner Drive. At two levels encompassing over 15,000 square feet, the main floor features a taproom, central bar, and multiple seating areas. A staircase leads to the second floor offering more seating and another bar with a hidden entrance. Patio seating overlooks the Gulch, with views of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Expect the full lineup of beverages from Wild Leap at Centennial Yards, along with cocktails from the bar and a forthcoming food menu of sandwiches, appetizers, and “old school” desserts.

Located at the Embassy Suites near Centennial Olympic Park, this corner deli serves more than just hot and cold sandwiches, wings, and salads on its menu, it also dishes out Korean fare like bibimbap, spicy Korean fried chicken, and beef bulgogi.

This two-story bar near Centennial Olympic Park is where to head for pre- and post-game eating and drinking or to watch Atlanta United and the Falcons play for those without tickets to games at the Benz. Park Bar’s menu is all about comfort food, so expect burgers, patty melts, chicken tenders, and potato skins here, along with more refined dishes like a New York strip steak and grilled Mahi Mahi. Park Bar takes its very large whiskey and bourbon selection (over 60 bottles) and beer offerings seriously, too.

It’s hard to wrong with any order at this Atlanta Jamaican restaurant institution. Try one of the curry plates at Jamrock, including the rich curry shrimp and curry snapper, or opt for a plate of braised oxtails or a hearty sandwich, like the Hotty Hotty jerked chicken and turkey bacon topped with peppers and onions. Breakfast is also served here, featuring callaloo and saltfish, dumplings, and saltfish fritters. Keep an eye out for specials, too, such as jerk fish fried rice. There’s also a location on Moreland Avenue.

Located in the Fairlie-Poplar district of downtown Atlanta, Baraka serves up plates of kebabs, gyros, falafel, shawarma, hummus, and tabouli. All food served here is halal.

Easily walkable from Centennial Olympic Park and nearby hotels, the Food Shoppe serves Creole dishes like shrimp jambalaya and gumbo, along with shrimp and grits and mac and cheese bowls mixed with barbecue and chicken and grab-and-go foods. Open for breakfast on weekdays.

This small, counter-service Indian restaurant might be one of downtown Atlanta’s best hidden gems. Head here for vegetable biryani, spicy curries, and comforting saag paneer.

Owned by Atlanta restaurateur Derrick Hayes, Big Dave’s on Forsyth Street serves up messy and meaty cheesesteaks on its menu. Try the Dave’s Way beef or salmon cheesesteak stuffed with three types of cheese, sweet peppers and banana peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Make sure to order the cheesesteak egg rolls here, too.

This New York-style deli is where to head in downtown Atlanta for a classic Reuben, a hot pastrami, and even a liverwurst sandwich. Open for breakfast.

A truly unique experience in Atlanta, the iconic Sun Dial restaurant atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza gives diners a birds-eye view of the city skyline from 723 feet above the street. Begin with a classic Caesar salad or fried green tomato and lobster salad. Next, order the mussels mariniere with grilled sourdough bread for dipping or a juicy New York strip steak, before indulging in a slice of lemon cream cake or creme brulee for dessert. Reservations required.

By George debuted in October 2019 at the Candler Hotel on Peachtree Street. Located on the first floor of the circa 1906 building, the restaurant serves what’s described as an “American contemporary” menu with dishes like heirloom tomato salad, steamed mussels, wild mushroom ragout pappardelle, and a grilled Berkshire pork chop. Make sure to order wine and cocktails here. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations highly encouraged.

Located on the corner of Peachtree and Baker streets, White Oak Kitchen is casual fine dining serving contemporary spins on Southern comfort foods like seared duck breast with turnip and bok choy or catfish with butternut squash. Expect a solid list of whiskey cocktails as well as reasonably-priced, by-the-glass and bottles of wine. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations encouraged.

Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Pizza owners Stephen de Haan and Greg Grant, along with master sushi chef Saito Saito, opened this long-awaited downtown Atlanta restaurant in 2021. The restaurant resides in the lobby of the century-old Regenstein’s department store building on Andrew Young International Boulevard. Saito Sushi includes an outdoor terrace and features a menu of sushi using fish flown in daily from Japan as well as omakase options and steaks. Some cocktails incorporate rare Japanese whiskeys and sakes served over double-reverse osmosis ice pressed into a sphere using a Taisin ice mold. Reservations encouraged.

An iconic piece of the downtown Atlanta skyline roared back to life at the end of 2022, when rotating restaurant Polaris reopened for dinner 22 stories atop the Hyatt Regency hotel. The restaurant closed in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Polaris, which resembles a flying saucer, first opened in 1967 and makes a full rotation every 45 minutes. As for food, start off with the confit Spanish octopus or a selection of local cheeses and charcuterie. Order steak for dinner accompanied by local vegetables or sous vide wild boar and sweet potato gnocchi, before indulging in a slice of sweet potato cheesecake or the chocolate mousse encased in a blue dome of honey caramel fashioned after Polaris. Reservations required.

After closing in March 2020 due to the pandemic, Latin American restaurant Alma Cocina returned to Peachtree Tower in downtown Atlanta this spring. Expect tacos, tamales, and roast chicken mole here, along with fresh crudo with burnt nori-avocado puree and Anaheim peppers, a guajillo grilled octopus with ancho carrots, and pork belly served with charro beans and fresh tortilla. Pair a meal with one of Alma’s tequila or mezcal cocktails. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations encouraged.

This downtown food gem is deceptively hidden in the mall at Peachtree Center. While more of a food court than a mall, make a beeline to this Mediterranean food stall filled with dishes served by the delightful chef Kameel. Aviva by Kameel also has a location in Midtown at the Collective at Coda. Open for lunch.

This Memphis favorite opened in downtown Atlanta in 2015, and it’s been a hit ever since with its spicy, extra-crispy fried chicken. Plates come with baked beans, slaw, and white bread. Gus’s has other metro Atlanta locations in Chamblee, Sandy Springs, and Kennesaw.

Atlanta is home to one of two Trader Vic’s outposts remaining in the United States, and the only location still associated with Hilton Hotels. This classic Atlanta restaurant offers half-off Mai Tai cocktails and live music on Thursday nights, too. Trader Vic’s is often full of both tourists and Atlanta residents seeking a vintage, Polynesian pop culture infusion paired with extremely strong tiki drinks. Reservations encouraged.

Only open on weekdays, Kenley Waller’s eponymous restaurant is a local favorite for downtown residents and Georgia State University students seeking meals filled with comfort foods. Kick off the day bright and early with breakfast featuring everything from biscuits and gravy to omelettes and build-your-own breakfast plates and sandwiches. Lunch and early dinner here offers plenty to choose from, too, including soups of the day, meat-and-three platters, hot wings, fish plates, and hot and cold sandwiches and combos. Open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner.