Atlanta Restaurants & Food

After 30 years, does Murphy's in Virginia-Highland stand the test of time?

Crab and Avocado toast with lemon dijon dressing and shaved spring radishes at Murphy's.(Beckysteinphotography.com)
Crab and Avocado toast with lemon dijon dressing and shaved spring radishes at Murphy's.(Beckysteinphotography.com)
By Ligaya Figueras
April 29, 2016

The cluster of shops and restaurants near the intersection of Virginia and Highland avenues is enough to make an urbanite salivate. There’s an Italian market with a fine cheese selection, a hardware store where you can catch sports games while shopping for nuts and bolts, a bike shop that sells used toe clips. And then there’s the anchor for it all: Murphy’s. I want to move in.

Murphy’s is truly a neighborhood bar and restaurant. Perhaps it’s like what Applebee’s was before it set eyes on nearly 2,000 “neighborhoods” to which it wanted to serve the same menu.

Murphy’s has existed for more than 30 years, and it has breathed life in its current location in Virginia-Highland since 1992. Time can take a toll at some neighborhood restaurants and bars, making them feel worn and dated. But, here, the food, beverages, service and décor are fresh, vibrant and full of character, very much like Va-Hi itself.

Scroll down to catch a glimpse of what to expect if you eat at Murphy's

The Wednesday special at Murphy's is Sweet Spiced Vension with quinoa tabbouleh and clementine jus. (Beckysteinphotography.com)
The Wednesday special at Murphy's is Sweet Spiced Vension with quinoa tabbouleh and clementine jus. (Beckysteinphotography.com)
The Friday special at Murphy's is veal strip loin with Vidalia onion soubise, red wine sauce.(Beckysteinphotography.com)
The Friday special at Murphy's is veal strip loin with Vidalia onion soubise, red wine sauce.(Beckysteinphotography.com)
Chicken Tortilla Soup with avocado and tortilla strips from Murphy's. (Beckysteinphotography.com)
Chicken Tortilla Soup with avocado and tortilla strips from Murphy's. (Beckysteinphotography.com)
The Murphy Audubon- Angel's Envy Murphy's blend bourbon, lillet blanc, dolin sweet vermouth. (Beckysteinphotography.com)
The Murphy Audubon- Angel's Envy Murphy's blend bourbon, lillet blanc, dolin sweet vermouth. (Beckysteinphotography.com)
Dessert Trio- bonzo cake, tollhouse pie, vanilla bean panna cotta. (Beckysteinphotography.com)
Dessert Trio- bonzo cake, tollhouse pie, vanilla bean panna cotta. (Beckysteinphotography.com)
The wine shop inside Murphy's (Beckysteinphotography.com)
The wine shop inside Murphy's (Beckysteinphotography.com)

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About the Author

Ligaya Figueras is the AJC's senior editor for Food & Dining. Prior to joining the AJC in 2015, she was the executive editor for St. Louis-based culinary magazine Sauce. She has worked in the publishing industry since 1999 and holds degrees from St. Louis University and the University of Michigan.

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