Restaurants in Atlanta.

Established in 1968, the restaurant is housed in a former church. Stained-glass windows and celestial music played by a harpist in the former choir loft reinforce the ambience. Dishes range from the dramatic lobster claw salad with mâche, mango, and apple to a grilled elk chop with dauphinoise potatoes and turnips. Desserts, such as the white chocolate and roasted banana napoleon, let you finish a meal with sweet abandon. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

ACE Barbecue Barn
30 Bell St. NE, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/659-6630
Under $20
Downtown
Barbecue

This slightly worn, down-home restaurant features delicious ribs and chopped rib tips, baked chicken and dressing, and sweet-potato pie. No credit cards. Closed Tues.

Aria
490 E. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/233-7673
Over $35
Buckhead
Contemporary

Formerly known as the ultraformal Hedgerose, this restaurant was recently reinvented with a contemporary flair. Delectable entrées by chef Gerry Klaskala include pan-roasted salmon and lobster noodle soup. Don't miss the mouthwatering dessert menu created by renowned pastry chef Kathryn King. Reservations essential. Jacket and tie. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.

Atlanta Grill
181 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/659-0403
Over $20
Downtown
Southern

With an outdoor veranda overlooking Peachtree Street, this restaurant in Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta has taken dining in the hotel from formal to casual. Chef Peter Zampaglione focuses on regional Southern ingredients and specializes in grilled seafood and game. Sweet corn beignets are a nod to Creole cooking, while sweet-potato spoon bread acknowledges Southeastern traditions. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Bacchanalia
1198 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/365-0410
Over $35
Downtown
Continental

A favorite among dining critics, this swank restaurant is newly situated in an impressive former industrial space. Dazzling dishes inspired by Mediterranean and occasionally regional cuisines fill the four-course prix-fixe menu. The plentiful options may include sautéed foie gras, Georgia white shrimp, veal sweetbreads, or American farmstead cheeses. Desserts are incredible - as are most other items on the menu. Reservations essential. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.-Mon. No lunch.

Brasserie Le Coze
3393 Peachtree Rd. , Lenox Sq., near Neiman Marcus, Buckhead, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/266-1440
Under $50
Buckhead
French

Shoppers stream into this glowing, wood-paneled space with comfortable banquettes and comforting bistro-style fare. Traditional dishes include quiche, onion tart, mussels, coq au vin, and warm chocolate soufflé cake. Vacherin (meringue rings placed on a pastry base) filled with ice cream is just one of many extravagant desserts. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

Canoe
4199 Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 770/432-2663
Under $50
Buckhead
Eclectic

This popular spot on the banks of the Chattahoochee River brims with appreciative patrons nearly all day. In nice weather, the outdoor dining spaces allow the best view of the river. The restaurant's national reputation is based on such dishes as sea scallops with asparagus risotto, mushroom risotto with quail, and ravioli of roast rabbit. Sunday brunch is superb. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

City Grill
50 Hurt Plaza, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/524-2489
Over $20
Downtown
Southern

This posh, breezy restaurant has made the most of its grand location in the elegantly renovated historic Hurt Building. An impressive wine list accompanies the equally impressive menu. City Grill is a top Atlanta power-lunch spot. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.

Colonnade Restaurant
1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/874-5642
Under $35
Buckhead
Southern

For traditional Southern food such as oyster stew, ham steak, and turkey and dressing, insiders head for the Colonnade, an Atlanta institution since 1927. The interior, with patterned carpeting, feels like a stylish version of a classic 1950s restaurant. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards.

Dining Room, The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
3434 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/237-2700
Over $50
Buckhead
Continental

This elegant, restrained dining room, with formal hunt scenes on the walls, romantic lighting, and generously spaced tables, comes across like an old gentlemen's club. Having worked in Bangkok, chef Joel Antunes brings an Asian touch to French fare. Lately, though, such regional dishes as squab with collard greens have appeared on the menu. Reservations essential. Jacket and tie. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.

Eclipse di Luna
764 Miami Circle, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/846-0449
Under $20
Buckhead
Mediterranean

Tucked at the very end of Miami Circle, a "trade-only" design center, this hot spot has captured the fancy of twenty-somethings, who flock here on weekends. Lunch is sandwiches and salads, and evening fare is tapas ($3) and wine by the glass. Patatas bravas (potatoes with olive oil and spicy sauce), tender braised chicken with saffron and garlic, and flan will take you to Castile. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon.

The Flying Biscuit
1655 McLendon Ave., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/687-8888
Under $20
Midtown
Eclectic

This garage-sale-decorated spot was formerly an all-day breakfast café. Now open for dinner, its huge hits are egg dishes, turkey sausage and bean cakes with tomatilla salsa, as well as a side item called Pudge, a dense mound of mashed potatoes and rosemary. The biscuits, big and fluffy, are credited with the hour-long wait on weekends. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Food Studio
887 W. Marietta St. , Studio K-102, King Plow Arts Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/815-6677
$20 to $50
Downtown
Contemporary

A piece of a former plow factory, this stylish restaurant gleams with high-tech and industrial touches. The Studio is known for innovative American food, but has added a few more traditional dishes. The grilled veal chop with broccoli and spaghetti squash is a prime example. Desserts range from the parfaitlike frozen lemon basil bombe to chocolate gold mousse cake. Reservations essential. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Heaping Bowl and Brew
469 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/523-8030
Under $20
Midtown
Eclectic

This eatery in the newly established, ultrahip East Atlanta Village has become a favorite. Meals are served in big, comfortable bowls, be it noodles, seared salmon, mashed potatoes, or Southwestern chicken. Specials often depend on what's fresh from the garden that day. AE, D, MC, V.

Horseradish Grill
4320 Powers Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/255-7277
$20 to $50
Buckhead
Southern

Once a red horse barn, this establishment is now painted gray with white trim and has arched windows across the front that brighten the space. Some find it a bit noisy, but this place is a must for upscale Southern dishes that retain authenticity. Autumn venison stew and Carolina-style barbecue topped with coleslaw are examples from the seasonal menu. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Indigo Coastal Grill
1397 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/876-0676
Under $50
Midtown
Eclectic

You can sample the world's coastal cuisines at this lively Virginia-Highland eatery. The menu has sushi and Thai food along with fresh deep-fried seafood, such as cornmeal-crusted oysters with jalapeño tartar sauce. For Sunday brunch there's jalapeño cheese grits, and for dessert, key lime pie. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

La Grotta
2637 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/231-1368
Over $20
Buckhead
Italian

Overlook the location on the ground level of a posh condominium: This is one of the best-managed dining rooms in town. The interior is elegant and sophisticated, with a burgundy and cream decor. Old northern Italian favorites are the core of the menu. Savor prosciutto with grilled pears and mascarpone cheese, then try roast quail stuffed with Italian sausage, and finish with zabaglione. Reservations essential. Jacket required. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun., last wk in June, and first wk in July. No lunch.

Le Saint Amour
1620 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/881-0300
Over $35
Midtown
French

Bright colors - warm pink, orange, and teal - decorate this charming, intimate bistro. Young staff members, many still struggling with English, offer friendly service. The food is country French, with such dishes as duck confit with sautéed truffles and coquilles St. Jacques (scallops) in wine sauce. Reservations essential. AE, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.

Luna Sí
1931 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/355-5993
Under $50
Buckhead
Seafood

The emphasis is on fun at this New York loft-style restaurant, where Latin music blares and customers are encouraged to write on the walls. The menu, which changes weekly, is dominated by seafood. Signature items include salmon with a ginger crust, roast chicken and mashed potatoes, excellent foie gras, and homemade biscotti. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.

Mary Mac's Tea Room
224 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/876-1800
Under $20
Midtown
Southern

Local celebrities and ordinary folk line up for the country-fried steak, fried chicken, and fresh vegetables. Here, in the Southern tradition, lunch is called "dinner," and the evening meal is referred to as "supper." Waitresses will call you "honey" and pat your arm to assure you that everything's all right. It's a great way to plunge into Southern food and hospitality all at once. No credit cards. No dinner Sun.

Max Lager's American Grill & Brewery
320 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/525-4400
Under $50
Downtown
American/Casual

Line up a tasting of the house brews - the pale ale and brown ale are tops - and then order the Gulf Coast gumbo, the excellent fish-and-chips, or for lunch the vegetarian pita pocket. This lively brewpub near the city's major high-rise buildings is hopping after business hours. It brews its own root and ginger beers. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Mumbo Jumbo
89 Park Pl., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/523-0330
$20 to $50
Downtown
Seafood

A long bar skirts the left side of this establishment, guiding the eye to the rear dining room. Sleek young staffers conduct guests to tables. The menu emphasizes game in cool weather, fish and shellfish in summer, and regional ingredients and locally grown produce all year round. Dishes that tempt include heirloom tomatoes with milk-sweet buffalo mozzarella, rabbit, and the famous Mumbo Gumbo, a light seafood gumbo. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Nickiemoto's
990 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/253-2010
$20 to $35
Midtown
Pan-Asian

Sitting on a patio at the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont avenue in Midtown is not a bad way to pass a warm afternoon. Add the taste of steamed dumplings stuffed with vegetables and chicken, or a coconut broth with black mussels, or a tasty stir-fry, and life can be really good. AE, D, MC, V. Nickiemoto's At the Buckhead location, you can enjoy a variety of fare that includes good sushi, cold soba noodles with peanut sauce, deep-fried catfish, and black mussels in coconut broth seasoned with keffir lime. 247 Buckhead Ave., East Village Square, PHONE: 404/842-0334. No lunch. AE, D, MC, V.

Seeger's
111 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/846-9779
Over $50
Buckhead
Contemporary

Celebrated chef Guenter Seeger, formerly at the Dining Room in the Ritz-Carlton, presides over this sophisticated place. Some find the sleek space a bit noisy, but you'll forget about the volume after the first fragrant, flavorful bite. Dishes such as a roulade of foie gras and smoked salmon are outstanding. Local ingredients appear, as in grilled lamb chops with Vidalia onions. Prix fixes include a vegetable menu and, in season, an entire menu based on truffles. Reservations essential. Jacket and tie. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.

Sotto Sotto
313 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/523-6678
Under $35
Midtown
Italian

Atlanta's hot spot close to downtown brings a fresh, authentic approach to Italian food. The former commercial space hops with patrons dining on grilled scallops with white beans and truffle oil, spaghetti with sun-dried mullet roe, and perfect panna cotta (a custard of cooked cream). Reservations essential. AE, MC, V. No lunch.

South City Kitchen
1144 Crescent Ave., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/873-7358
$20 to $50
Midtown
Southern

The culinary traditions of South Carolina's Lowcountry inspire the cooking at this bright restaurant. The clean, spare, art-filled interior attracts a hip crowd. This is the place for fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and she-crab soup. Catfish comes prepared in a variety of intriguing ways. The crab hash, served with poached eggs and chive hollandaise, is a classic. Don't miss the chocolate pecan pie. AE, MC, V.

Thelma's Kitchen
768 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/688-5855
Under $20
Downtown
Southern

After losing her original location to the Centennial Olympic Park, Thelma Grundy moved her operation down the road to the street level of the somewhat renovated Roxy Hotel. Brighter, spiffier, and more cheerful than the earlier spot, it has okra pancakes, fried catfish, "cold" slaw, and macaroni and cheese that are among the best in town. Thelma's desserts are stellar. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards. Closed weekends. No dinner.

Toulouse
2293B Peachtree Rd. , Peachtree Walk, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/351-9533
Under $35
Buckhead
French

Open spaces enclosed by warm, rough-brick walls characterize this attractive dining spot. The food is inspired in theory by the cooking of southwestern France but seems more American in execution. The country potato soup is a perfect cold weather meal. Especially wonderful are the roast chicken, duck confit with blueberry vinaigrette, and crème brûlée. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Veni Vidi Vici
41 14th St., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/875-8424
Under $50
Midtown
Italian

Gleaming woods, contemporary styling, and an outdoor boccie court and dining patio create the perfect setting for an indulgent Italian meal. Start with piatti piccoli, savory small dishes such as veal meatballs or herbed goat cheese in marinara sauce. Then, try a pasta dish such as gnocchi with Gorgonzola cheese, or order one of the fragrant rotisserie meats. Finish with a dessert that will soothe the soul. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Vino!
2900 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/816-0511
Under $35
Buckhead
Mediterranean

Mediterranean colors create a warm, intimate atmosphere. The focus is on tapas and wines by the glass, but you can eat a full meal here, too. Tapas ($5-$6) are traditional; among the best are the meat-stuffed pastries called empanadas, and Serrano ham, a Spanish meat similar to prosciutto. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

Watershed
406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404/378-4900
Under $35
Midtown
Contemporary

Indigo Girl Emily Saliers and three of her friends launched this casual restaurant-cum-gourmet shop. Chef Scott Peacock makes the planet's best shrimp salad, homemade flat bread, chicken salad with white truffles, homemade pimento cheese with sharp cheddar and egg, and desserts (these alone are worth the trip). Also an enoteca (wine bar), it sells wine both retail in bottles and by the glass at the comfy bar. When she's not in the recording studio, Saliers makes a fine sommelier and loves to talk about wine. AE, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Zocalo
187 10th St., Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 404/249-7576
Under $20
Midtown
Mexican

A unique open-air patio restaurant (which manages to stay warm in the frigid winter months with pillar-size heaters), Zocalo offers some of the best Mexican fare to be found in the city. Spicy chipotle-pepper shrimp and creamy poblano pepper soup are just a sampling of the chef's culinary artworks. The bar has an excellent selection of epicurean tequilas. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, MC, V.