Dig Into Buckhead’s Top Dining Destinations (2/4)

Mostly known for its gracious southern mansions and high-end shopping, Buckhead’s dining scene has a lot to compete with. Once referred to by some Atlanta foodies as a culinary wasteland, Buckhead has worked hard to claim its spot as one of the city’s top dining destinations. Gone are the boring, monotone restaurants that served residents during the 80s and 90s. Today’s Buckhead is bursting at the seams with a wide variety of upscale eateries that will please even the most discerning palates. And while it still may have more steak houses per square mile than anywhere else in Atlanta, vibrant new hot spots have put Buckhead back in the spotlight on Atlanta’s world-class culinary stage.

From upscale coffee shops and delicious brunch spots to power lunch locations and delectable dinner destinations, what was once a collection of dining establishments serving traditional American and European fare has exploded into a burgeoning assortment of restaurants offering international cuisines and culture that will take you on a culinary journey around the world. Whether you are in the mood for South African, Japanese, French, Spanish, Indonesian or Vietnamese, Buckhead offers an array of dining experiences for every taste. In fact, there are so many options that the most challenging aspect of dining in Buckhead is agreeing on where to go!

To help navigate Buckhead’s diverse dining landscape, we have compiled a list of some popular favorites that will keep you well-fed from morning to night – breakfast to dinner. But be sure to plan ahead and make a reservation or be prepared for a wait, as these restaurants are at the top of just about everyone’s A-list. If, for some reason, you are unable to get a table, however, not to worry, as there are plenty of other delicious options just minutes away.

Breakfast/Lunch :

• The Chastain – A New American neighborhood bistro set on the edge of Atlanta’s vibrant Chastain Park. Serving inventive takes on classic comfort food, The Chastain focuses on sourcing the best local ingredients and seasonal harvest. Explore a menu of crave-able cuisine, and sit back as they take you on a culinary adventure savoring the best of the Southeast in a relaxed neighborhood space.
• Buttermilk Kitchen – Also located in the Chastain Park area is one of Atlanta’s most popular brunch spots. Housed in a charming old home, this breakfast classic opened its doors in 2012, and it has been pumping out breakfast and brunch staples ever since. While there is almost always a line to get in, Chef Suzanne’s pancakes and biscuits are most certainly worth the wait.
• Toast on Lenox – Newer to the area, Toast on Lenox has become a huge hit. The food is delectable, and the decor is beautiful. Whether you are in the mood for breakfast, lunch or both, you will find it at chef-owner Virgil Harper’s all-day brunch spot, where you can feast on your favorite bunch standards. But be sure to make a reservation, as this place gets busy! Parking can be a challenge, but they have complimentary valet.
• Le Bilboquet: For one of the most inviting patios in Buckhead Village District and a taste of France in the daytime, try Le Bilboquet for lunch or Sunday brunch. Offering classic French cuisine set in a Parisian-cafe atmosphere, you will be dreaming of the Avenue des Champs-Elysées. The vibrant bistro and bar is complemented by simple, classic French cooking, bringing a slice of Parisian cafe culture to Buckhead.   
• Le Bon Nosh – It does not get more stunning than Le Bon Nosh. This all-day cafe, market and wine bar fuses the chef’s Persian roots with French cooking. Just beyond the front doors, a counter offers fresh-baked pastries, breads and prepared foods, along with coffee and tea throughout the day. There’s been thorough attention paid to every detail here, and it’s the perfect place for an elegant lunch or a fabulous pastry and latte or glass of wine at the wine bar.
• The Betty – Known as Buckhead’s “supper club,” The Betty also offers breakfast every day, with Sundays belonging to brunch. The restaurant, located in the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel, offers unique and upscale brunch options like the crab omelette, the pork belly benedict and the salmon tartine. The drinks are just as swanky, so don’t hesitate to wet your whistle with a sangria of the season, aperol spritz or espresso martini.

Dinner:

• Yebo Beach Haus – A chic neighborhood restaurant fusing South African flavors with New American cuisine. Guests can dine outside in the serene courtyard featuring a fountain and lush greenery or inside Yebo’s main dining room, surrounded by clean white walls, textured pillows and hanging woven drum light fixtures, all designed to transport guests to a chic beach bungalow. And every year from December to February, the restaurant transforms from Yebo Beach Haus into Yebo Ski Haus, a pop-up ski lodge complete with blankets, outdoor fire pits and a comfort food-focused menu.
• Le Colonial – Le Colonial Atlanta is a celebration of the seductive spirit and vivid flavors reminiscent of Saigon in the 1920s. Heralded as “an escapist’s paradise,” the famed French-Vietnamese institution is designed to capture Vietnam’s bygone era of romance and soft architecture in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Featuring a shareable menu that showcases heirloom Vietnamese recipes alongside contemporary takes on classic dishes, it sources the best of locally available ingredients, the freshest seafood and meats and exotic herbs and spices from around the globe.
• Aria – Regarded as one of Atlanta’s finest restaurants, Aria delivers visually striking dishes and unparalleled hospitality in an elegant yet comfortable setting. At Aria, memorable meals can happen any day of the week thanks to its engaging staff, versatile décor and daily changing menus that feature real ingredients and simple preparations. Satisfy your cravings for familiar favorites or celebrate your special occasion in style.   
• Umi – This stylish haunt serves sushi and other sophisticated Japanese fares in an airy, contemporary setting. The interior is elegant yet simple, with organic, earthy elements closely reflecting the pure and clean qualities of Asian fare. Uniting classic and modern Japanese flavors, the menu showcases the freshest fish from the world’s finest markets and the highest quality ingredients available. Hot items such as baked lobster tempura, sautéed foie gras and black cod miso and a selection of “aburi” or slightly cooked sushi-grade fish accompany an assortment of starters, soups, salads, sashimi, nigiri and specialty house and traditional rolls.
• The Garden Room – Dining at this Buckhead hotspot inside the St. Regis is something everyone should experience at least once. It’s a fun, whimsical environment where you’ll enjoy over-the-top cocktails and play make-believe for a bit. The menu goes into lavish territory with caviar spreads, seafood towers and tomahawk steaks but also offers simple, down-to-earth dishes, including a tasty wagyu burger and perfectly crisp fries. And all the signature cocktails come with a twist, like an espresso martini with a peanut butter cup or a spicy mezcal concoction over shaved ice made out of pineapple juice. That blend of fanciful and practical enjoyment brings out a wildly divergent crowd, from influencers to celebrating coworkers and groups of friends.
• The Southern Gentleman – The Southern Gentleman is a Southern-inspired gastropub in the Buckhead Village District. The concept celebrates every aspect of what it means to be from the South with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a fresh, modern take on traditional dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The bar program explores the artistry and history of classic Southern cocktails, everything from barrel-aged cocktails to bottled libations to adult beverages on tap, along with New World wines and craft beers and the “perfect” mint julep. 
•  King & Duke – Named one of the best restaurants of the year, King & Duke is a chef-owned restaurant from Atlanta’s Ford Fry, offering a seasonal dining experience in the heart of Buckhead. A 24-foot open hearth is the restaurant’s centerpiece, and its passion for cooking over wood comes through in every dish. Named after characters in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, King & Duke nods to classic literature and American traditions. The locally sourced dishes harken back to the way food used to be prepared over an open fire.                                                                                                                                                                                                 

A Few Buckhead Listings