The Best Restaurants in Atlanta’s Upper Westside
You don’t need to be a navigator to guess that the Upper Westside is located in the northwest sector of Atlanta.
It includes the Bolton, Riverside, and Whittier Mill Village neighborhoods, which have been prominent for decades, but the Upper Westside is rapidly going from industrial (there is no shortage of plants throughout the area) to residential. When you consider the location – 10-15 minutes from West Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and Vinings/Smyrna – it makes sense why it’s becoming such a desirable place to live. Things become even clearer when you look at the diverse roster of restaurants in the area, new and iconic.
Here are a few of the very best restaurants in the Upper Westside of Atlanta.
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen
If you’ve never had Ethiopian food before, Desta is your best possible introduction. They offer a whole roster of flavors you’ve never experienced, so start with injera (their fermented flatbread) and tibs (tender cubed meats) to get your feet wet. Luckily you can’t go wrong with your order.
Star Provisions Market & Cafe
Star Provisions, from the same masterminds behind Michelin-winning Bacchanalia and W.H. Stiles Fish Camp, has an all-star lineup of soups, sandwiches (breakfast and lunch), pastries, and more. Come for the food, stay for all the other treats and trinkets you can find around the storefront.
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The Companion
There’s no greater eating than simple food executed to perfection. This is exactly what Chef Andy Gonzalez does at The Companion. They nail pub staples like the Tower of Power burger (topped with bacon, LTO, American cheese, and their housemade “Million Island” sauce) and Smothered Tater Tots; what sets The Companion apart, however, are the funkier items like Eggplant Fries and Vietnamese Wings. Additionally, the bar program is great and the patio is sprawling and perfect for groups, kids, dogs, or whoever else your companion is when you visit.
Nuevo Laredo Cantina
Nuevo Laredo is one of the finest Mexican restaurants in all of Atlanta. It’s been in business since 1992 and remains many ATLiens’ go-to spot for tacos, tortas, margs, queso, and just about everything else on the menu. The Lobster Tacos, with fresh lobster meat, black beans, onions, spinach, and cheese sauce, are hard to beat.
Frazie’s Meat & Market
Frazie’s would be a beloved neighborhood fixture if only for its market, with locally-sourced meats, cheeses, sauces, condiments, produce, beer, wine, and so much more. But then there are the sandwiches…
Oh those sandwiches! Every single one is a winner but a first-timer would be best served by ordering the Southern Gentleman, topped with Frippers smoked bologna, pimento cheese, roasted jalapeno, garlic aioli, and dressed arugula. Each bite is as good as it gets. The only way this order gets better is by getting their collards, which may very well be the best in Atlanta.
The Corner Grille
Stepping into The Corner Grille feels like stepping into the French Quarter in New Orleans. Like in the Big Easy, food is the love language, with indulgent Cajun-inspired dishes like beignets, po-boys, and gumbo. Two of the must-order menu items are the Cajun Seafood Pasta (loaded with shrimp, crawfish, and andouille sausage in a Cajun parmesan cream sauce) and the Blackened Salmon Opelousas (salmon topped with a crawfish mushroom sauce over rice; fun fact: Opelousas is the self-declared “spice capital of the world”).
Carniceria Ramirez
Carniceria Ramirez is an unassuming supermercado with a magnificent taco shop on the inside. The finest tacos are simple and these are a masterclass in simplicity: a delicious meat of your choosing (options include barbacoa, carnitas, and chicharron) and topped with diced onions and chopped cilantro with a side of salsa verde and a lime wedge. Don’t fancy things up too much…let the meat do the talking!
Public House 28
Public House 28 has everything you’re looking for in a neighborhood pub: tasty food, all kinds of drinks, and plenty of activities like karaoke and music bingo. Some of the best bites include: the aptly-named Enormous Bavarian Pretzel (served of course with spicy mustard and beer cheese), Salmon Pesto and Brussels, and Vidalia Onion Dip (served with toasted French bread).
Bellwood Coffee
Bellwood Coffee recently won Axios Atlanta’s favorite coffee shop tournament and one visit will validate that victory. The vibes are cozy yet bright and spacious, and the coffee drinks are perfectly made. Bellwood even has a monthly coffee subscription program so you can make it yourself at home…but sometimes it’s better to just let the pro baristas do it.
Westside Pizzeria + Bar
Westside Pizzeria + Bar has been one of Atlanta’s favorite pizza spots for over a decade. Not only are the pizzas fabulous, but they also make some mean wings and killer salads and they pour a crisp pint. They even offer team trivia multiple days a week
One Luv Cafe
One Luv Cafe is a Caribbean restaurant from Sandy Howard, aka “Chef Sandy Soulfood”. Their motto is “conscious food,” with an emphasis on being thoughtful about the food you put in your body. This comes through with the nutrient-rich and natural ingredients in the dishes such as jerk chicken, tropical salmon, mac and cheese, and other hearty items.
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Your 3rd Spot
Your 3rd Spot is eatertainment at its finest. The games – bowling, cornhole, arcade games, darts, and much more – would have been enough. But then the stellar crafted cocktails and amazing food, including Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Smoked Brisket Tacos, and Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, take things to the next level.
The Woodall
From Chef John Metz (also known for Marlow’s Tavern) comes The Woodall, offering “sophisticated southern luxury”. The cocktail menu is fantastic but the food is the true star, southern staples elevated with fresh ingredients and flawless preparation. Two key dishes that exemplify this approach are the Pigs in a Blanket (wagyu beef hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry and served with sweet and spicy mustard) and Prime New York Steak Frites (NY strip served with fries and green beans and topped with a cognac peppercorn gravy).
Gezzo’s Coastal Cantina
Gezzo’s, from the same team as Sweet Auburn BBQ and Tio Lucho’s, takes the beloved fare of a California taco joint and sprinkles it with pan-Asian flair. The Tater Toks are crispy tater tots topped with a Korean spicy aioli, sesame, fried shallots, and nori. And the Coconut Curry Rice Bowl is a Thai favorite piled high with Spanish rice, black beans, grilled shrimp, red coconut curry, bell pepper, pomegranate, pearl onion, cilantro, and Thai basil. Check Gezzo’s out no matter what side of the Pacific Ocean you’re hankering for grub from.
Chattahoochee Food Works
If you’re suffering decision paralysis, I can’t promise coming to this food hall will make your life any easier, but you can at least try a few different options in one meal. Every stand at the Works is unique and tasty, but some of our favorites are:
- Delilah’s Everyday Soul for the best mac and cheese in town
- Mushi Ni for airy and delicious bao buns
- Patty & Frank’s for side-sticking burgers and hot dogs
- Mochinut for one-of-a-kind donuts
- Munster Cravings for the best cookies you’ll ever eat
