Sometimes outshined by another DeKalb County town beginning with a "D," Dunwoody has long been looked upon as home to the Perimeter Mall with hoards of mega-chain restaurants in tow. Dunwoodians have made strides in shaking off the dastardly OTP stigma and chain persona in favor of a more cultured and local feel. In the years since releasing Ryan Seacrest into the wild, the land of families, swim and tennis clubs and hyphenated roads is evolving into not only a nicer place to live, but also to eat.
Near the mall is an outpost of Alon Balshan's celebrated Morningside bakery. It's a glitzy European specialty market with polished glass cases filled with gourmet ready-made foods to-go, dozens of artisanal cheeses, pastries, breads, cakes and cookies. There is a wine bar and a chocolate room. Yes, a chocolate room.
A sibling of Hankook Taqueria, The marriage of Mexican and Korean cuisines makes for one of the spicier spots in town. "Takos" tout a variety of tasty combinations with creative specials like salmon with pineapple pico and Sriracha aioli. Kimchi fried rice, sesame fries with chipotle ketchup, and bulgogi-inspired nachos are a few other amalgamated dishes. Margaritas have just as much flare, with varieties like jalapeno and blueberry.
Chef Riccardo Ullio of Sotto Sotto and Fritti fame opened this hybrid of the two concepts earlier this summer. Striking tile floors and a wide-open floor plan keeps the vibe lively. Dozens of fire-kissed Neapolitan style pizzas are offered; from the classic Margherita, to a playful Paperino, topped with hot dogs and fries for the kids. Homemade pasta dishes and appetizers are more grown up in the style of Sotto Sotto. A wine bar features a state-of-the-art enomatic machine which allows for sampling any bottle in their cellar.
Cornered in the quaint Shops of Dunwoody strip mall, this spot offers Vietnamese dishes with colonial French and Chinese influences in both cuisine and ornate decor. Although no longer owned by the folks of the original Com on Buford Highway, the menu is rife with similar dishes and Vietnamese classics.
Here you can find hand-formed, fresh Angus beef patties and hand cut fries. It has a true mom and pop vibe with counter service and a young staff that lends to the beachy summer vacation, flip-flop feel. The parking lot patio seating is made more palatable with some frozen custard in hand.
These ethical carnivores stake their reputation on burgers made from grass fed beef, dry-aged and ground fresh; Farm Burger offers a chef-driven menu, seasonal and sourced from local farms. GMOs are a no-no, and more sustainable food buzzwords that you can shake a pitchfork at. It evokes an American Gothic spirit, but with craft beer.
April through October, the rad fad of food on the move takes shape at Brook Run Park, bringing the community together with a revolving selection of eats on wheels.
Interested in more Dunwoody restaurants? Check out our site and be sure to catch Atlanta Eats every Saturday and Sunday on Peachtree TV at 10:30 a.m.!
