Hard to Get Reservations in Atlanta

La Grotta might be in an unassuming space—it’s in the basement of a condo building—but walking in, you’ll be transported. This is a Northern Italian restaurant with romance and glamour in the air, where you’ll dine on vitello tonnato and burrata and tortelloni stuffed with onions, prosciutto, and mascarpone, all served up by seasoned, friendly staff.

When you’re looking for caviar service, starched white tablecloths, and an unparalleled view of the city, head up to Nikolai’s Roof, the fine-dining restaurant on the top floor of the Atlanta Hilton hotel. This is a special-occasion restaurant in every sense of the word, with dishes like Maine lobster bisque, herb-crusted lamb chops, and Grand Marnier souffle bringing that air of old-school luxury.

What do you get when you open a restaurant in Porsche’s new North American headquarters? You get Restaurant 356, a swanky, modern, fine-dining spot with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out right onto the roadway. Dine on global-inspired, Southern-influenced dishes like boiled-peanut hummus, fried green tomatoes with red-miso chutney, and ham-hock osso bucco before hitting the road yourself.

Housed in the historic Georgia Terrace hotel in Midtown, Livingston Restaurant is named after Livingston Mims, a mayor of Atlanta during the 19th century known for his hospitality and connoisseurship. Dining in a room this grand—a space that feels both modern and timeless—you’ll start to channel your inner gourmand. The menu features elevated versions of Southern-inspired dishes, such as wild-mushroom mac and cheese and creole-scallop carbonara, and the restaurant is particularly known for its brunch.

Since UMI opened in 2013, it’s been one of Atlanta’s hottest restaurants, and it’s not hard to see why: the vibe is chic and modern, and chef Fuyuhiko Ito is making some of the best Japanese food in the city. You’ll find your traditional sashimi and nigiri alongside dishes like shrimp tempura and grilled miso cod, and you may even spot a celebrity or two.

Suite Food Lounge is a full-service restaurant, with basics like burgers, tacos, and fried chicken, but you’re really there to drink and dance. In addition to the main dining room, you’ll find two bars, a VIP lounge, a private-dining space, and a private/VIP sky deck. Head here for a night out on the town.

If you’re looking to dine on seafood platters and lobsters, there are few places in Atlanta as enjoyable as Chops Lobster Bar, found downstairs from Chops, its sister steakhouse. The tiled, vaulted ceiling brings to mind the Grand Central Oyster Bar in New York City, and sets the perfect setting for downing fresh, briny oysters, meaty crab claws, and, of course, plenty of lobsters, served whole or tail-only in various preparations.