Unearth The Voyage
Georgia’s culinary landscape has exploded with incredible dining destinations that food lovers everywhere are talking about. From Savannah’s historic charm to Atlanta’s modern innovation, these restaurants represent the very best of Southern hospitality mixed with world-class cooking. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood by the marsh, Michelin-starred tasting menus, or creative takes on classic comfort food, this list covers the spots earning the most buzz and reservations right now.
1. The Grey (Historic District) – Modern Southern in an Art-Deco Landmark
Chef Mashama Bailey transformed a forgotten Greyhound bus terminal into Savannah’s most celebrated dining room, and the accolades keep rolling in. The 1930s Art Deco bones provide a stunning backdrop for her inventive Southern cooking that honors tradition while pushing boundaries.
Every dish tells a story, from smoky grilled oysters to perfectly seared pork chops finished with unexpected seasonal touches. The space itself feels alive with history, yet the menu stays firmly rooted in what’s fresh and available right now.
Reservations disappear quickly through OpenTable, so plan your visit weeks ahead. Walk-ins occasionally snag bar seats, but don’t count on luck alone. This is essential Savannah eating that lives up to every bit of hype it receives nationwide.
2. The Olde Pink House (Downtown) – Iconic Lowcountry Classic
Built in 1771, this rosy Georgian mansion has welcomed diners for generations, and stepping inside feels like traveling back to old Savannah society. Candlelight flickers across brick walls and original heart-pine floors while servers deliver plates that define Lowcountry cooking.
She-crab soup arrives rich and silky, the kind that spoils you for any other version. Pecan-crusted chicken balances sweet and savory in ways that make perfect sense once you taste it. Even the setting alone would be worth the visit, but the kitchen backs up the atmosphere with serious skill.
Book directly through their official website to secure your table. The basement tavern offers a cozier vibe with live piano music most evenings, perfect for pre-dinner cocktails or a full meal in a more relaxed setting.
3. Common Thread (Thomas Square/Starland) – Seasonal, Thoughtful Plates
The team behind FARM Bluffton brought their farm-driven philosophy to a beautifully restored Victorian home, and the result feels like dining in a friend’s elegant house. Small plates showcase whatever local growers are bringing in that week, composed with care and real creativity.
Menus shift constantly because the kitchen refuses to compromise on peak-season quality. One visit might feature heirloom tomatoes at their summer best, while fall brings roasted squash preparations that make vegetables the star. Portions encourage sharing, so come hungry and order across the menu.
The intimate scale means just a handful of tables fill the dining room each night. Reservations through their website are strongly recommended, especially for weekend dinners. Service strikes the perfect balance between knowledgeable and unpretentious, guiding choices without ever feeling stuffy.
4. Fleeting (Eastern Wharf) – Riverfront Date-Night Favorite
Perched inside the Thompson Savannah hotel, this riverfront stunner delivers views and cooking that both deserve your attention. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the water while the kitchen focuses on ingredients at their absolute peak, changing menus to match what’s best right now.
Brunch here has become legendary among locals, with creative takes on morning classics and cocktails that justify waking up early. Dinner service leans more polished and romantic, ideal for celebrations or impressing out-of-town guests. The bar program deserves its own praise, mixing drinks with seasonal syrups and fresh juices.
Weekend reservations fill up fast, so book through their website well before your visit. The outdoor terrace operates weather permitting and offers the most dramatic sunset views in the city. Expect to spend a bit more here, but the complete experience justifies the splurge.
5. Brochu’s Family Tradition (Starland) – Fried Chicken & Fancy Seafood
Chef Darin Brochu took childhood food memories and elevated them with professional technique, creating a menu that feels both familiar and exciting. Fried chicken gets treated with the same respect as delicate seafood preparations, and somehow it all makes perfect sense on one plate.
The vibe stays relaxed and welcoming, with walk-ins accepted though reservations through Tock help avoid waits. Dishes balance nostalgia with innovation, like Grandma’s recipes reimagined by someone who trained in serious kitchens. Portions are generous without being overwhelming, leaving room to try multiple items.
The Starland location fits the restaurant’s personality perfectly, casual enough for jeans but polished enough for special occasions. Prices remain surprisingly reasonable given the quality and creativity on every plate. This is cooking that makes you smile while also making you think about technique and flavor combinations.
6. The Wyld Dock Bar (Isle of Hope marsh) – Laid-Back, On-the-Water
Savannah locals guard this marsh-side gem like a secret, though word has definitely spread about the unbeatable combination of fresh seafood and sunset views. Sitting on the dock with a cold drink while boats drift past captures the coastal Georgia experience better than any postcard.
The menu keeps things simple, letting quality ingredients speak for themselves without fussy preparations. Shrimp comes straight from local waters, oysters arrive ice-cold and briny, and the casual vibe means nobody minds if you show up in shorts and flip-flops. Winter hours shift seasonally, so check ahead before making the drive.
A weekend Italian pop-up has become a regular feature, adding unexpected variety to the seafood focus. Arrive early for prime outdoor seating, especially during golden hour when the marsh glows. This is where you take visitors who want authentic coastal dining without pretense or high prices.
7. Atlas (Buckhead, St. Regis) – Art-Filled Fine Dining
One Michelin star shines over this St. Regis showpiece, where the art collection rivals the food for sheer visual impact. Chef approaches each plate like a small masterpiece, whether you choose the tasting menu journey or build your own experience from the à la carte options.
The Buckhead setting attracts Atlanta’s special-occasion crowd, dressed up and ready for an evening that feels truly luxurious. Service operates at the highest level, anticipating needs before you voice them and explaining each course with genuine enthusiasm. Wine pairings are expertly chosen, though the by-the-glass selection allows flexibility for lighter budgets.
Reservations remain among the city’s most competitive, so plan well ahead for weekend dinners. Lunch offers a more accessible price point while maintaining the same quality and attention to detail. This is where you celebrate the biggest moments or impress visitors with Atlanta’s fine-dining credentials.
8. Bacchanalia (Westside) – Atlanta’s Long-Running Special-Occasion Temple
For over two decades, this Westside institution has represented Atlanta fine dining at its most refined, and the recent Michelin star confirms what locals always knew. The multicourse format takes you through seasonal products at their absolute best, each dish building on the last in a carefully orchestrated progression.
Chef Anne Quatrano’s commitment to pristine ingredients drives every menu decision, with many items sourced from her own Summerland Farm. Preparations showcase rather than mask natural flavors, letting perfect vegetables and proteins speak with minimal interference. The wine program deserves equal attention, with bottles chosen to enhance rather than overpower each course.
Reservations require advance planning, especially for prime weekend slots. The atmosphere balances elegance with Southern warmth, making celebrations feel special without stuffiness. Expect to spend several hours enjoying the full experience, which remains one of Atlanta’s most memorable dining investments.
9. Lazy Betty (Midtown) – Creative Tasting Menus
Modern technique meets playful creativity in this Michelin-starred Midtown gem that refuses to take itself too seriously. The tasting menu format allows the kitchen to show off their full range, moving from delicate to bold, familiar to surprising, all within one meal.
Service strikes an unusual balance, polished and professional yet genuinely relaxed and approachable. Nobody makes you feel intimidated by the wine list or confused by unusual ingredients. The room itself feels comfortable rather than stuffy, encouraging you to enjoy the experience without worrying about perfect etiquette.
Reservations move quickly, so check their website regularly for openings. The kitchen accommodates dietary restrictions with impressive creativity, never making alternatives feel like afterthoughts. This is fine dining for people who want exceptional food without the traditional formality, proving that Michelin stars don’t require uncomfortable chairs or hushed voices throughout the meal.
10. Mujo (West Midtown) – Edomae Omakase
Traditional Edomae technique gets practiced with devotion at this West Midtown treasure, where every piece of nigiri represents hours of preparation and years of training. The omakase format means surrendering control to the chef, trusting their judgment about what’s best that particular evening.
Seating splits between the main sushi bar and the more intimate koshitsu counter, both offering front-row views of the meticulous preparation. Fish quality rivals what you’d find in Tokyo’s best spots, flown in regularly and aged precisely to develop ideal flavor and texture. Rice temperature, wasabi strength, every detail receives careful attention.
Reservations are absolutely essential, released on their website at specific times that fill within minutes. The Michelin star brought even more attention to this already-popular spot. Come with an open mind and empty stomach, ready to experience sushi as high art practiced by true masters of the craft.
11. Hayakawa (West Midtown) – Intimate, Tradition-Minded Sushi
Only a handful of diners fit into this tiny West Midtown spot where tradition and precision define every aspect of the experience. Chef Hayakawa’s devotion to classical technique earned a Michelin star and created one of Atlanta’s hardest reservations to secure.
Limited seatings Wednesday through Saturday mean you’re competing with serious sushi enthusiasts for those coveted spots. The intimate scale allows the chef to customize each guest’s experience, adjusting preparations based on preferences while maintaining his exacting standards. Conversations stay hushed, focus remains on the food, and the atmosphere feels almost meditative.
Plan weeks or even months ahead to land a reservation through their booking system. Prices reflect the quality and exclusivity, positioning this firmly in special-occasion territory. If you appreciate sushi as a disciplined art form rather than casual dining, this represents Atlanta’s most authentic and accomplished expression of the tradition.
12. Talat Market (Summerhill) – Georgia Thai With a Point of View
What started as a pop-up has grown into a Michelin-recommended destination that reimagines Thai cooking through a Georgia lens. Local farm products get transformed using traditional Thai techniques and bold flavors, creating something that honors both cultures without feeling forced or gimmicky.
The menu changes with the seasons because the kitchen insists on peak-quality produce, even if that means favorite dishes disappearing until next year. Bright, punchy flavors wake up your palate, balancing heat, acid, and sweetness in ways that keep you reaching for another bite. Portions encourage sharing family-style, building a varied meal across multiple plates.
The Summerhill location keeps things casual and energetic, with reasonable prices that don’t reflect the Michelin attention. Reservations help during peak times, though the space accommodates walk-ins better than many spots on this list. This is cooking with a clear perspective, delicious and interesting in equal measure.
13. Fishmonger (Poncey-Highland) – Casual Seafood, Big Flavor
This Poncey-Highland favorite earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for delivering serious quality without the fine-dining price tag or formality. Fresh seafood gets treated with respect and creativity, whether raw in pristine crudos or rolled into inventive sushi combinations that go beyond basic California rolls.
The daily catch board changes based on what’s freshest, encouraging regulars to try something new each visit. Flavors lean bold and satisfying, with enough variety to please both adventurous eaters and those who prefer familiar preparations. The casual vibe means you can show up in whatever you’re wearing without feeling underdressed.
Prices remain shockingly reasonable given the quality, making this a go-to for weeknight dinners rather than just special occasions. The neighborhood location draws a loyal local following who appreciate having Michelin-recognized cooking without the hassle of downtown parking or jacket requirements. Reservations help but aren’t always necessary for smaller parties during off-peak hours.
