The Best Meals Atlanta Eats Staff Had All Year (2023)
At Atlanta Eats, we get to enjoy a ton of great food, but only one meal can stand out as the very BEST. Here were staff picks for the best food all around ATL.
1. Breaker Breaker’s Hushpuppies, Gulf Fish Ceviche, Cabbage & Crispy Rice Salad, and Key Lime Cup
There wasn’t much Hannah didn’t love about Breaker Breaker, a new standout seafood spot right on the Atlanta Beltline. Aside from falling for a litany of delicious items, Hannah loved that, “I can walk to it, great patio and vibes, awesome slushie drinks!”
2. Dutch Monkey Doughnuts’ Cinnamon Twist
Abby indulged in her sweet tooth this year at Dutch Monkey: “These doughnuts are above and beyond anything I’ve tried anywhere else – and I LOVE doughnuts. The cinnamon twist is a thing of beauty – huge, beautiful yeasty texture, just the right amount of sweet.” A pro tip from Abby? “Also slices up amazing to be turned into French toast at home the next day – should you find a way to have any left over.”
3. Grana’s Rigatoni, Ricotta Gnocchi, and Meatball tasting
Becca embraced the basics this year with her love for Grana: “I was hesitant to to say this was my favorite meal I ate all year because it seemed basic, but sometimes things are basic because they are just that good! My family went to Grana for my mom’s birthday this year so we got a handful of dishes and went family style. The pastas… I think about them often. We did the rigatoni which is done with a vodka sauce, sausage, garlic and basil. It came out so quick and was piping hot and the portion size was perfect, because there was enough for me to take home and enjoy the next day. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. We also did an order of the ricotta gnocchi which was so rich and delicious, I remember eating it so slowly because I just wanted to savor every single last bite. And lastly we got the meatball tasting which you just have to do if you go to Grana. Each one was different from the next with such unique flavors, but all perfect in their own little meatball way.”
4. Lazy Dog’s Bison Burger and Huckleberry Mule
You gotta love a good chain restaurant, especially one that doesn’t cut corners and has a scratch kitchen! For our video editor Kate, it was the bison burger and Huckleberry Mule that was her go to this year: “It’s so fresh and authentic western food. The restaurant is decorated so perfectly; makes you feel like you’re in a ski lodge!”
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5. Little Sparrow (x2) and their Dover Sole Meunière and Burger
Chef Ford Fry creates yet another hit. His newest stylish venture, Little Sparrow, was a huge hit with Atlanta Eats staff. For Megan, she loved everything about the Dover Sole: “They score and butcher it at the table. it is an entire fish and the presentation is unlike anything I’ve seen in Atlanta before.” For Jon, he loved the “amazing service and perfectly cooked & portioned burger that made EVERY bite memorable!”
6. Manchester Arms’ Meat Loaf
Homey, cozy College Park pub has a menu full of comfort food. For OJ our editor, the meat loaf was “Simple. On point. Just spectacular!”
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7. Palo Santo’s Lobster Aguachile
For Kyle, stylish and sexy dinner and drinks spot Palo Santo in West Midtown took the cake: “All the dishes have unique flavors you don’t find a ton of other places in Atlanta. Also fun atmosphere and great service.”
8. Papi’s Cuban Grille’s Jerk Chicken
Multiple Locations
What’s not to love about Papi’s? This cozy, colorful Cuban staple has been operating in the Atlanta area for years and years and years. Though you can’t go wrong with any of their ridiculously tasty Cuban classics, it was the Jamaican jerk chicken that our editor, Rachel, loved the most!
9. Tio Lucho’s Corn Ceviche and Chaufa
675 North Highland Avenue Northeast Suite 6000, Atlanta, GA 30306
For Trisha, Tio Lucho’s was the winner: “So many delicious flavors! So excited to be able to get delicious Peruvian cuisine intown. The ceviche with cancha corn, causa, and seafood fried rice or chaufa de mariscos blew me away.”
10. Umi (x2) and their omakase and butter poached maine lobster tail
For both our content writer Joey and our founder/host Steak Shapiro, Umi was the best meal of the year. For Joey: “Saying that my best meal of the year was at Umi is like saying The Godfather is my favorite movie. Cliche, but come on…it’s a classic for a reason! So many dishes on the menu are the stuff of dreams – Lobster Toban-Yaki, Yellowtail Jalapeño, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice– but the best bite I had must have been the Butter Poached Maine Lobster Tail and Diver Scallop. The two are so delicate and packed to the brim with flavor, plus the unique sauce (made with sea urchin…naturally) envelops the seafood and your tastebuds in a warm hug.” For Steak, he gave out the brand new private Omakase tasting room a spin, which has quickly turned into the hottest table in town. 3 nights a week, Chef Tasuku Murakami serves up an outstanding 17- or 18-course omakase with only eight seats. It’s every bit worth the splurge.
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11. Waffle Bar’s Red Velvet Waffle
“So fluffy. Little bits of chocolate chips plus whipped cream and they’re open until 2am. My favorite munchie,” says our digital director, Jorge.
12. Wahoo! Grill’s Ahi Tuna, Parmesan Chicken, Aged NY Strip, and Pimento Cheese Fritters
The Wahoo! Grill in Decatur served as our business development specialist, Courtney’s favorite meal for sentimental (and delicious) reasons: “I got married on May 27th at Wahoo! Grill in Decatur and the food was incredible! They served Ahi Tuna, Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Cellentani in Vodka Cream and aged NY Strip with mashed potatoes, squash, and one of the best summer salads I’ve ever had. The best part was they packed a picnic basket with leftovers for my husband and I to enjoy later. Our guests loved the meal, and I still have dreams of the Pimento Cheese Fritters they served for apps.”
