Asante
Chef Marvin Woods cooks what he calls “coastal soul cuisine of the African diaspora,” which is better in concept than execution, but fascinating nonetheless.
250 Park Ave. West, Atlanta. 404-893-0022, asanteatl.com
Atlas
The return of fine dining, with all the coddling service, finessed cuisine and gorgeous furnishing you could want, but with the comfortable vibe Atlantans love.
88 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-600-6471, atlasrestaurant.com
Bezoria
A sleek, fast-service falafel and shawarma spot in the heart of Midtown, answering the prayers of office workers.
903 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-464-5190, bezoria.com
The Cafe at Linton’s in the Garden
Linton Hopkins' Atlanta Botanical Garden cafe is under renovation and should be open again in May, 2016. Call or check the website.
1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-585-2061, lintonsinthegarden.com
The Cockentrice
Butcher Kevin Ouzts has opened the city’s most exciting restaurant — a wonderland of glorious meat like none other.
99 Krog St., Atlanta. 470-428-2733, thecockentrice.com
Cooks & Soldiers
This fun, sophisticated take on Basque cooking is the crowning achievement of the Castellucci family and one of the city’s hottest reservations.
691 14th St., Atlanta. 404-996-2623, cooksandsoldiers.com
Community Smith
Micah Willix shows off his great grilling skills at this latest restaurant, which inhabits the central if cavernous space inside the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.
866 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 678-412-2402, communitysmithatl.com
Dish Dive
This excellent, inexpensive and tiny BYOB is the kind of restaurant Atlanta has long needed.
2233 College Ave., Atlanta. 404-957-7918, dishdivekitchen.com
The El Felix
Ford Fry’s heartfelt Tex-Mex eatery dishes up fajitas, margaritas and puffy tacos that could make even non-Texans homesick.
1130 Avalon Blvd. No.1030, Alpharetta, 678-248-5239, theelfelix.com
Grain
The food at this terrific cocktail bar — including a daily selection of oysters — surpasses all expectations.
856 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-881-5377, grain-bar.com
Gypsy Kitchen
This cavernous restaurant, upstairs in Buckhead Atlanta, may not evoke an intimate Spanish tapas bar, but it’s good to know about when you just want salami and wine for dinner.
3035 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-939-9840, gypsykitchenatl.com
Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall
This Beltline restaurant promises the kind of campfire cooking that one-ups summer camp: Think hazelnut butter fluffernutters, Navajo fry bread and other treats.
684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta. 404-458-6838, ladybirdatlanta.com
Last Word
Despite some changes in the kitchen, this Lebanese small-plates restaurant continues to impress with its unique vision.
701 Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-343-1274, lastwordatl.com
Le Bilboquet
Look for all the trappings and the classic fare of a real French brasserie, along with a deliriously happy Buckhead crowd.
3035 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-869-9944, lebilboquetatlanta.com
The Luminary
Eli Kirshtein’s French-Southern brasserie offers a chill respite from the madness that has become Krog Street Market.
99 Krog St., Atlanta. 404-600-6199, theluminaryatl.com
Made Kitchen & Cocktails
A smart, appealing menu distinguishes this new Spanish offering from Northside restaurant mogul Chris Sedgwick.
45 Roswell St., Alpharetta. 770-452-6233, madekc.com
Oak Steakhouse
Splurge on the dry-aged steaks at this satellite of a well loved Charleston cow palace.
950 3rd St., Alpharetta. 678-722-8333, oaksteakhouseatlanta.com
Paces & Vine
Tom Murphy and Ian Winslade bring the vibe of Virginia-Highland’s Murphy’s to this Vinings newcomer.
4300 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-205-8255, pacesandvine.com
The Pig and the Pearl
How about some ceviche, raw oysters and barbecue? Yes, please, and throw in a craft cocktail as well.
1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta. 404-541-0930, thepigandthepearl.com
Superica
A near replica of the El Felix: lots of Tex, lots of Mex.
99 Krog St., Atlanta. 678-791-1310, supericaatl.com
Yalla
Todd Ginsberg and Layla Walk serve the Mediterranean food popular in Israel, including falafel, shawarma and loads of salads.
99 Krog St., Atlanta., 404-506-9999, yallaatl.com
