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Updating the Eater Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

What's hot in Atlanta?

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More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends, and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? What are the new restaurants? What haven't I heard of? What's everyone talking about? While the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the 'it' places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change periodically to highlight where the food-crazed crowds are flocking. Since this is a spotlight on what's happening right now, we must make room for what's fresh. Therefore, in this edition, we remove Southbound, St. Cecilia, and Bar Amalfi, and we welcome Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall, Shake Shack, and Craft Izakaya.

Suggestions? Vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments or email the tipline.

01/03/13: Added: Seven Lamps, Gio's Chicken Amalfitana
02/07/13: Added: General Muir, Monday Night Brewing, La Tagliatella, Woodfire Grill
03/07/13: Added: Chai Pani, KR SteakBar, the Argosy
04/03/13: Added: Paper Plane
05/02/13: Added: BoccaLupo, Villains
06/06/13: Added: Gunshow, King + Duke
07/11/13: Added: Chick-a-Biddy, Saltyard, Umi Sushi, Yum Bunz
08/01/13: Added: Timone's
09/05/13: Added: BlueTarp Brewing Co., Sun Dial, Caffe Gio
10/03/13: Added: Bantam Pub, Folk Art, Ink & Elm, Kimball House, Sobban
11/07/13: Added: Common Quarter, Stem Wine Bar, Jeni's
12/06/13: Added: Osteria Mattone, Smoke Ring
01/02/14: Added: Better Half, Toscano & Sons
02/06/14: Added: Cinco y Diez, St. Cecilia, Sprinkles ATM
03/06/14: Added: Big Sky Buckhead, Sweet Auburn Barbecue
04/03/14: Added: Foundation Social Eatery, Ration & Dram
05/01/14: Added: Lusca, Octane ATV, Varuni Napoli
06/05/14: Added: Southbound, Bar Amalfi
07/03/14: Added: Illegal Food, The Painted Pin
08/07/14: Added: The Pig & The Pearl, Spice to Table, The Luminary
09/04/14: Added: Makan
10/02/14: Added: Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall, Shake Shack, Craft Izakaya

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Shake Shack

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Yes, it's a chain. But has a chain fast food place ever been received with as much fanfare? The Buckhead Atlanta outpost offers Shake Shack's traditional menu of burgers, flat-top dogs, and milkshakes, but there are some locally inspired items as well.

Angus Brown and Nhan Le's Brookwood Hills concept, Lusca, is bringing a little East Atlanta Village south Buckhead. Look for a seafood-heavy menu, including raw bar offerings from Le, in the space. Pronounced Looh-sca, the restaurant's named after a giant legendary octopus-like sea monster, a nice nod to Brown and Le's first concept, late-night spot Octopus Bar.

The Pig & The Pearl

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From chef Todd Richards and the team behind The Shed at Glenwood, The Pig & The Pearl is a combination smokehouse/raw bar. Start off with a dish like yellowfin tuna sashimi, and then get your barbecue fix with smoked pork shoulder.

Makan, Restaurant & Bar

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Chef George Yu is serving up what he and co-owner Michael Lo call "Asian comfort food." The menu features influences from Korea, Japan, and China, and the Korean-style ramyun, with kimchi and Sun Noodles, is a fine version of the celebrated dish.

Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall

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Go to Ladybird for the expansive patio, BeltLine-adjacent location, and casual, outdoorsy atmosphere. Stay for the "modern campfire cuisine," which includes Navajo fry bread, preserved wild mushrooms, and grilled lamb steak.

Spice To Table

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Chef Asha Gomez's acclaimed restaurant Cardamom Hill may be closed, but her "Indian patisserie" is now serving lunch and early dinner in Old Fourth Ward's Studioplex development. The pastries, tarts, and sandwiches offer a more casual atmosphere and lower price points compared to Gomez's previous fine dining venture.

The Luminary

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Top chef alum Eli Kirshtein's brasserie was the first restaurant to open at Krog Street Market. In addition to a raw bar, the dinner menu features French classics like steak frites and beef tartare, plus American touches like New Orleans barbecue shrimp and chicken wings.

Craft Izakaya

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Craft Izakaya is now open in Krog Street Market, too. The menu covers a lot of ground, but focuses on sushi and yakitori. Nate Shuman, formerly of Proof & Provision, is running the impressive bar program.

Shake Shack

Yes, it's a chain. But has a chain fast food place ever been received with as much fanfare? The Buckhead Atlanta outpost offers Shake Shack's traditional menu of burgers, flat-top dogs, and milkshakes, but there are some locally inspired items as well.

Lusca

Angus Brown and Nhan Le's Brookwood Hills concept, Lusca, is bringing a little East Atlanta Village south Buckhead. Look for a seafood-heavy menu, including raw bar offerings from Le, in the space. Pronounced Looh-sca, the restaurant's named after a giant legendary octopus-like sea monster, a nice nod to Brown and Le's first concept, late-night spot Octopus Bar.

The Pig & The Pearl

From chef Todd Richards and the team behind The Shed at Glenwood, The Pig & The Pearl is a combination smokehouse/raw bar. Start off with a dish like yellowfin tuna sashimi, and then get your barbecue fix with smoked pork shoulder.

Makan, Restaurant & Bar

Chef George Yu is serving up what he and co-owner Michael Lo call "Asian comfort food." The menu features influences from Korea, Japan, and China, and the Korean-style ramyun, with kimchi and Sun Noodles, is a fine version of the celebrated dish.

Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall

Go to Ladybird for the expansive patio, BeltLine-adjacent location, and casual, outdoorsy atmosphere. Stay for the "modern campfire cuisine," which includes Navajo fry bread, preserved wild mushrooms, and grilled lamb steak.

Spice To Table

Chef Asha Gomez's acclaimed restaurant Cardamom Hill may be closed, but her "Indian patisserie" is now serving lunch and early dinner in Old Fourth Ward's Studioplex development. The pastries, tarts, and sandwiches offer a more casual atmosphere and lower price points compared to Gomez's previous fine dining venture.

The Luminary

Top chef alum Eli Kirshtein's brasserie was the first restaurant to open at Krog Street Market. In addition to a raw bar, the dinner menu features French classics like steak frites and beef tartare, plus American touches like New Orleans barbecue shrimp and chicken wings.

Craft Izakaya

Craft Izakaya is now open in Krog Street Market, too. The menu covers a lot of ground, but focuses on sushi and yakitori. Nate Shuman, formerly of Proof & Provision, is running the impressive bar program.

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