The lookout: Five restaurants with amazing rooftop views in Atlanta

Photo credit: Nikolai's Roof at the Hilton Atlanta Photo by Ben Rose www.BenRosePhotography.com

Credit: Carolyn Desalu

Credit: Carolyn Desalu

Photo credit: Nikolai's Roof at the Hilton Atlanta Photo by Ben Rose www.BenRosePhotography.com
Photo credit: Fado Irish Pub

Credit: Carolyn Desalu

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Credit: Carolyn Desalu

Whether you're looking to dine and dance 125 feet above ground, find the perfect place for selfies and usies, or watch unobstructed sun set views, the following five restaurants have you covered. Be sure to visit the site for each; some offer dinner and drink specials as well as complimentary valet parking.

Nikolai's Roof: Located on the 30th floor of the Hilton Atlanta, this elegantly decorated restaurant offers unparalleled views of the city as well as a robust mix of modern American and Russian-influenced cuisine. At the bar, creative cocktails abound; the mixologist is known for mixing vodka with tea and orange, peach, caramel, lime, cinnamon, pepper corn and lemon. On Tuesdays through Fridays, guests can watch the sun set while dining on a prix fixe $39 three-course dinner.

Fado Irish Pub: The Buckhead location is a great wallet-friendly spot with a backdrop that's perfect for selfies or usies. Overlooking the nearby shopping district, diners can partake in the pub's $5 happy hour weekday specials, enjoy Fish Fridays—a buy one, get one free fish and chips promotion—or stop in for a "rehab" weekend brunch with Bloody Marys and bottomless mimosas.

Photo credit: South Main Kitchen

Credit: Carolyn Desalu

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Credit: Carolyn Desalu

Polaris: Sitting 22 stories above ground in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, the views and ambiance of this rotating restaurant are quite riveting. Known as the "Blue Dome," the restaurant offers city views at 22 stories above ground. Glass elevators transport guests "up, up, upstairs" where they can dine on a menu of chef-inspired shared plates and drink handcrafted cocktails or the best ginger beer mocktail in town. Plan to kick back for a while here; the rotation is almost imperceptible, panoramic views are photo-worthy and the oversize leather couches and bookcases offer a swanky, retro vibe that leaves the hubbub of the day, downstairs.

South Main Kitchen: Offering unrivaled views of Historic Downtown Alpharetta, this restaurant focuses on the social aspect of dining. Guests can dine at communal tables or catch a cool breeze on the rooftop while sipping cocktails made by Marcus Bifaro, a longtime mixologist who recently joined the team.

Whiskey Blue: Going up? Here, patrons enter a glass elevator that zips 125 feet above ground, taking them directly to this W Atlanta – Buckhead's rooftop lounge. Two outdoor terraces offer superlative views of Buckhead and Lenox Square on one side and midtown on the other. The dining experience rounds out with small menu items including pork belly pot stickers, mozzarella, tomato and basil pizza and crispy duck taco plus a slew of signature cocktails. Guest DJs spin an array of music so patrons may find themselves doing a two-step on the terrace too.

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