The Atlanta food scene is diverse, complex and delicious. With every neighborhood offering unique cuisines and experiences, Atlanta restaurants can be as difficult to navigate as they are easy to enjoy. We went to six neighborhoods in the Midtown cluster and tried some of their highly rated spots so you don’t have to.
Morningside: Nakato
In Morningside, we dined at Nakato, a classic Japanese restaurant that blends traditional techniques with simple, but bold flavors. From the moment we sat down, the staff was attentive and ensured we had a great experience. A small touch we loved was the warm hand towels brought right to our table, a simple, but pleasant surprise. The ambience was quiet and held an upscale feel. Some of our favorite dishes included the Nasu Dengaku, or eggplant with miso sauce, and the chu toro nigiri. Eggplant, for us, has never been a standout vegetable, but Nakato’s pairing of the tender eggplant with a sweet and savory miso sauce won us over. The fresh chu toro, or marbled tuna, melded with the perfectly seasoned sushi rice was, simply put, an unforgettable bite. Some honorable mentions go to the vegetable fried rice, which had a classic hibachi flavor, and the assorted vegetable tempura, which had a crispy batter. However, Nakato’s brilliance truly shined with their desserts. Whilst we adored their chocolate mousse cake, our favorite was the green tea creme brulee. The crisp, slightly burnt sugar combined with the smooth, perfectly sweetened green tea custard was an amazing way to end the meal. Overall, Nakato’s execution of their dishes and lovely service made for an incredible dining experience and we cannot wait to go back.
Old Fourth Ward: a mano
Old Fourth Ward is known for being deeply rooted within Atlanta’s community, but we tried a relatively newer establishment. A mano, a neighborhood Italian bistro, immediately became one of the best restaurants we dined at in 2025. After being seated in their charming outdoor pavilion, we ordered the zero-proof “hugo spritz” cocktail, which exceeded our expectations. Then came the appetizer: brussel sprouts with a bright lemon dill sauce. A mano’s mission of using traditional cooking methods to bring classic Italian cuisine to Atlanta was certainly accomplished in their aglio e calabrese and pan-roasted salmon. We immediately tasted the freshness of the ingredients, from the pasta to the grated parmesan. The calabrian chile and garlic combined seamlessly with smooth olive oil to make a sauce that delivered a spicy kick and pulled the dish together. The vegetables paired with the pan roasted salmon created a deliciously balanced entree. We finished with two desserts: a strawberry cake and a chocolate torte that blew us away. The smooth, bitter espresso and rich caramel made for the most decadent ending to an amazing meal. A mano offers an interior dining room, a bar and multiple outdoor seating options, making it a versatile restaurant for all occasions.
Poncey Highland: Big Softie
Nestled in the heart of Poncey-Highland, Big Softie provides an undeniably special dessert experience with housemade soft serve, unique topping selections and fun specialty creations. We ordered the vegan matcha soft serve with strawberry hard shell in a waffle cone and vanilla soft serve with a chocolate hard shell and cornflake streusel, which were around $7 each. Big Softie is on the pricier side for frozen treats, but the size and quality of our orders made the price worth it. The cornflake streusel added a delicious crunch to the soft serve and we were excited to try their other unique toppings, including Cheez-It brittle and rosemary caramel. We encourage trying their monthly rotation of flavors or their cult classics, all of which are incredible. One of Big Softie’s highlights was its dietary inclusivity. With over half of its options being vegan, this shop has prioritized creating high-quality flavors that can be enjoyed by all. The vegan soft serve was creamy and smooth, one of the best dairy-free options we’ve tried. Big Softie is definitely more of a grab and go restaurant, as the only interior seating option is a small counter. Nonetheless, we are excited to go back.
The Beltline: Buena Vida Tapas Bar
Buena Vida Tapas Bar puts a modern twist on a classic Spanish establishment, echoing the vibrant spirit of tapas bars that bring people together over food and conversation. Filled with colorful walls, a stunning patio, and hand-painted dishes, the ambience of Buena Vida Tapas Bar sets it apart as a brighter Spanish restaurant. We tasted eight small plates, each beautifully presented. Our favorites included the patatas bravas, which was served with a creamy dipping sauce; the fresh mahi mahi ceviche and the panko-fried cauliflower with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory crunch. Our star of the show was the braised short rib that was perfectly tender, finished with a sweet and smooth demi glace. We loved every part of Buena Vida Tapas Bar and found it has the perfect ambience for any occasion: from a first date to a girls night out.
Virginia Highland: Ash Coffee
Located on a quaint corner on the outskirts of Virginia Highland, Ash Coffee brings an eccentric and upbeat atmosphere with a variety of pastries and fun beverage creations. We visited before school, and it was the perfect start to our day. For drinks, we ordered an iced vanilla matcha and an iced vanilla latte, both served in glasses that truly reflected the whimsical vibe of Ash Coffee. Next, we tasted the broccoli cheddar quiche and strawberry danish. Whilst we loved the flaky, buttery crust merged with the light, airy cream of the strawberry danish, our favorite turned out to be the broccoli cheddar quiche. We were pleasantly surprised by how flavorful and bright a quiche could be. The egg was light and soft with tender pieces of broccoli that added a fabulous texture to an already exquisite dish. Ash Coffee has the perfect environment for studying or coffee dates, and we loved every sip and bite.
a balanced meal that perfectly complemented the chips and salsa. (Audrey Lyons)
La Fonda:
La Fonda, a Candler Park classic, is the perfect no-frills Mexican joint with quick service and delicious meals. We absolutely loved their sweet and refreshing horchata, especially after trying all three of their very heated hot sauces. After taking down an entire bowl of chips and salsa, we ordered veggie tacos and a Bocadillo Latino cubano sandwich. The tacos were fresh and flavorful, filled with melty cheese that made a simple dish truly perfect. The cuban sandwich was rich and savory with crispy bread that perfectly matched the bold flavor of the pickles and mustard. We finished the night with churros and a semi-sweet chocolate sauce, the perfect, classic Mexican dessert. We loved La Fonda’s casual, classic, charm and we cannot wait to try more.
