Oral Pleasures

Every night is a busy night at Holeman & Finch Public House. Burger pilgrims arrive hours early to reserve one of the limited-edition, double-patty delights in advance. They camp out at the bar or around high-top tables, waiting elbow to elbow for an amplified voice to announce that Burger Time has arrived at last. Regulars chuckle at the nightly spectacle.

Atlanta diners are an enthusiastic bunch. Hip to the latest hot spots, the fooderati flock to newly opened restaurants, always hungry for what's next. Holeman & Finch was no exception when it opened to a packed house and much fanfare back in 2008. But five years later, it's still tough to find a seat in the house that former bar manager Greg Best, Linton Hopkins, and team built.

In the last few years, we've seen Atlanta's restaurant culture evolve and reinvent itself with an explosion of exciting new restaurants. In many ways, staying power is a restaurant's true currency these days. This year, when setting out to highlight the best Atlanta has to offer, we searched for restaurants that anchor our current dining scene and will continue to mold it for years to come.

Empire State South remains a bastion of modern cooking in the South, tackling three meals a day like nowhere else. Tasty China in Marietta reminds us that we're still willing to venture OTP in the name of incredible ethnic food. We were once again seduced by the harmony of Octane Coffee and Little Tart Bakeshop. There are newcomers, too. This year we found smart, memorable cocktails at Paper Plane, daring and authentic Italian at BoccaLupo and Storico Fresco Pasta. Deft hands at the General Muir brought us a refined take on the Jewish deli.

Every year, it gets harder to create the list of Best of Atlanta winners. But having too many great restaurants to choose from is a problem we're happy to have.

— Stephanie Dazey

Best Neighborhood for Food Lovers BOA Award Winner

Year » 2013
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2013 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Decatur

We have Decatur envy. The small epicenter of downtown Decatur is home to some of the most creative and downright delicious restaurants and bars in town. It's been a longtime beer geek destination thanks to the fabled Brick Store Pub, which opened 16 years ago. The last several years have seen a steadymore...

We have Decatur envy. The small epicenter of downtown Decatur is home to some of the most creative and downright delicious restaurants and bars in town. It's been a longtime beer geek destination thanks to the fabled Brick Store Pub, which opened 16 years ago. The last several years have seen a steady procession of new (and equally destination-worthy) watering holes joining in the Decatur fun. All within a few blocks of each other you'll find Paper Plane's retro-vibe cocktail den, the beer/cocktail dual threat of Leon's Full Service, and the neighborhood cocktail bar nearly perfected at the Pinewood Tippling Room. And don't forget Mac McGee's impressive collection of more than 350 whiskeys. (The pub's list is heavy on bourbon, Irish, and Scotch varieties, so, you've been warned.) As for eats, try the tender chicken with smoky gravy at Paper Plane or stop by the Iberian Pig for crispy eggplant fries, tender pork cheek tacos, and other tasty tapas. You'll find contemporary Italian cuisine at No. 246 (try the meatball), elegant, farm-driven fare at Cakes & Ale, and tasty bar food and sandwiches at Victory Decatur. The rich and diverse Your Dekalb Farmers Market beckons down the way for all the food lovers who can resist eating and drinking out seven nights a week. www.decaturga.com. less...

Best Japanese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2013
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2013 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Yakitori Jinbei

The home-style dishes at Yakitori Jinbei keep Japanese expats and their yakitori-loving brethren coming back. The restaurant offers old-school favorites such as fried pork cutlets, curry bowls, and gorgeous homemade pork dumplings. At night, the space morphs into a yakitori restaurant where you can getmore...

The home-style dishes at Yakitori Jinbei keep Japanese expats and their yakitori-loving brethren coming back. The restaurant offers old-school favorites such as fried pork cutlets, curry bowls, and gorgeous homemade pork dumplings. At night, the space morphs into a yakitori restaurant where you can get chicken skin and other delicacies grilled over white binchotan charcoal. less...

Best Korean BOA Award Winner

Year » 2013
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2013 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Woo Nam Jeong Stone Bowl House