Ultimate Guide to Date Night Restaurants in Atlanta
Published January 17, 2025
Last Updated February 5, 2025
Artículo disponible en español.
Are you in charge of date night dinner plans? For some reason, I always am, too. Either I am planning dinner for date night with my husband or I am helping a friend coordinate the perfect spot to grab a bite with an online dating match. The vibe, food and experience can make it or break a date so it’s essential to ask a trustworthy source for recommendations.
Here is the list of recommendations I give my friends for a date night dinner in Atlanta. Whether it is your first date or 50th wedding anniversary, there is a vibe for you:
Dress Up and Be Fancy: Going All Out
Top-notch Dining: Your Way to Their Heart
Cozy and Intimate: Dim Lights and Relaxed Vibes
Fun and Casual: Keeping Things Chill
Be Super Cool: Out of the Ordinary
Dress Up and Be Fancy: Going All Out
Nothing is more fun than getting a text that reads, “Dress up to the nines – we have fancy dinner plans.” Here are some of my favorite spots in the city to show off my highest heels and sparkly dress. You and your special one will feel like royalty.
Atlas
From the moment you step in, you will feel like royalty. I love dates at Atlas because they always make me feel so special. It’s elegant but not stuffy. It’s luxury but approachable. The MICHELIN-Star dishes by chef Freddy Money give you so much to talk about, making the night unforgettable. (P.S. Always get the cheese cart. So worth it.)
Where: 88 West Paces Ferry Road NW
Brasserie Margot
More than a restaurant, Brasserie Margot is a Parisian experience with so much Atlanta flare. Located inside the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, there is nothing more sexy than entering the hotel and going up the magnificent stairs – it really sets the tone. The new restaurant is located across from Bar Bargot on the second level. The beautiful decor gets you in the mood, the intimate vibe is sophisticated and the exciting menu has great dishes by Chef Jon Novak, like the unbelievable steak. The tableside Crêpes Suzette flambéed with Grand Marnier by Chef Eric Snow is such a show – a delicious show. My date and I tried several of the cocktails, and The Feather cocktail quickly became one of my favorites in the city.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
Capolinea
I absolutely love this place. Make sure to book dinner around sunset. The views of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium are stunning, the cocktails cart is such an experience and the food is on point. Leave room for dessert because executive pastry chef Daniella Lea Rada is one of the absolute best in town. You will not want to miss her and her team’s creations.
Where: 159 Northside Drive NW
The Garden Room
A magical corner of the world, The Garden Room is a playful, whimsical restaurant where you can enjoy fancy cocktails and exquisite food surrounded by trees and flowers. My favorite nights are those with live entertainment and a DJ — definitely a fun way to impress a date.
Where: 88 W Paces Ferry Road NW
Lazy Betty
Another Michelin-starred restaurant, Lazy Betty offers stunning and delicious dishes in a welcoming and fresh environment. Chefs Aaron Phillips and Ron Hsu have created the perfect date restaurant. Arrive a little early and grab some of the best cocktails in town at the bar while you wait for your date. Tell Mr. Ford behind the bar that I sent you.
Where: 999 Peachtree St. NE
Steak Market
Dress to impress and then be impressed at Steak Market. I love this steak house because I am always in awe. Everything from the cocktails to the food and the dessert is an experience that surprises — an excellent spot for a good time and a perfect restaurant to impress someone.
Where: 793 Juniper St. NE
Top-Notch Dining: Your Way to Their Heart
There’s no pressure, but the food must be good on date night. Here are some restaurants I recommend that are elegant but not overly extravagant and will never disappoint your taste buds.
THE CHASTAIN
The magic of THE CHASTAIN is that I can go for coffee and pastries in the morning, or for lunch or dinner, and each experience feels different and unique. I can do a casual breakfast date and sit by the fire in the cold weather, sneak in a lunch date while the kids are at school or dress up and enjoy a delightful dinner by chef Christopher Grossman with great wine. If the weather permits, I can sit in the garden. It’s romantic and beautiful.
Where: 4320 Powers Ferry Road NW
Little Bear
The food is so good, and, best of all, the restaurant’s vibe is so laid back. Chef Jarrett Stieber, selected as the Best Young Chef by the MICHELIN Guide 2023, has too much fun with the menu, creating dishes based on what produce is brought to him by local farms. It’s not your usual dishes, which makes it so much fun. I love Little Bear for a date because it brings all the great vibes.
Where: 71 Georgia Ave. SE
Madre Selva
A newer restaurant in Atlanta, Madre Selva is the perfect spot for those who love seafood and great cocktails. Parking is easy, the decoration is stunning and the food is memorable. Plan ahead and pick the chef’s table. You’ll get to see all the action.
Where: 570 Main St. NE
Marcel
I feel so fancy when I go to Marcel. The vibe is sexy and mysterious. Come hungry because the steak is why you came.
Where: 1170 Howell Mill Road
Cozy and Intimate: Dim Lights and Relaxed Vibes
Step away from the craziness of life and find an intimate nook in the city where there will be no distractions between you and your date. Here are some restaurants where you can connect.
Aria
Led by chef Gerry Klaskala, Aria is an institution in Atlanta and a must-try. It is great for picky eaters, and the dishes are nostalgic and flavorful. The environment is intimate and elegant, and Aria does a fantastic job of making celebrations extra special. Ask for Andres Loaiza; he’ll recommend the best wine to impress your date.
Where: 490 East Paces Ferry Road NE
Ecco
I vividly remember a gnocchi dish from Ecco that I had two years ago. Sadly, it is not on the menu anymore, but I keep going back to Ecco to explore other memorable dishes. The lighting and vibe are perfect for a romantic date, and the Midtown location is ideal for going before or after a show at Fox Theatre.
Where: Midtown, 40 Seventh St. NE; Buckhead, 3586 Peachtree St. NE
Palo Santo
Palo Santo sets the tone for a hot date. Chef Santiago Gomez has created beautiful Asian-influenced dishes using imported Mexican ingredients. I love this place because the experience starts from the moment you open the door. Dress up for an intimate dinner, then head to the rooftop for tunes and more delicious cocktails with beautiful city views. (P.S. Always offer to take a picture of your date on the sexy stairs up to the rooftop.)
Where: 955 West Marietta St. NW
Southern Belle
Chef Joey Ward is super creative, and the menu shows it. I love this place for a cute dinner date after a movie at the Plaza Theatre. While the decor is beautiful, the highlight is always the food. The chef use slocal ingredients that bring so much flavor to the table. It is always a good place to fall in love — with the food and your date.
Where: 1043 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Fun and Casual: Keeping Things Chill
Do you just want to lay back and hang out? Here are some restaurants I like to go to for a date when I need amazing food, chill vibes and excellent customer service. These places make me feel at home –without having to do the dishes.
Antico Pizza
When I want a date night, but I want to stay in my jeans and comfy sweatshirt, we head to Antico Pizza. In my opinion, Antico make some of the best pizza in Atlanta. Order at the counter, get a bottle of wine and sit in the communal space to chat it up with your date. There is not much privacy, as you are practically sitting in the kitchen next to other diners, so don’t expect to have an intimate conversation here. However, this is the spot to relax. It’s like Netflix and chill, but without Netflix.
Where: 1093 Hemphill Ave. NW
BoccaLupo
My date and I drank the entire cocktail menu in one sitting, and you can, too. The cocktails are absolutely phenomenal, and you will want to keep exploring. They don’t tell you what the liquor is, so spend some time trying to figure it out with your date. I fell in love with BoccaLuppo from the moment I stepped in because the vibe was just so laid back, yet there was nothing chill about the food. It was delicious and memorable. There is a reason why reservations are so limited — book in advance.
Where: 753 Edgewood Ave. NE
El Ponce
Mexican food is always a good idea, and especially for dates. Start your date at El Ponce with the mezcal margarita, and everything will go uphill from there. Tell Rosa, the owner, that I sent you. She will show you the intimate shop downstairs, where you can buy your date a cute Mexican gift from a woman-owned small business. That will definitely score you some brownie points. If you plan accordingly, sign up for one of the special dinners and tastings. They are a very fun experience on the patio.
Where: 939 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
El Tesoro
If a date takes you to El Tesoro, it is an immediate green flag. Grab a drink for you and your date at the side bar while you wait in line to order. If it’s chilly, snuggle up next to the fireside. If you feel adventurous, get a tequila or mezcal tasting with a side of chapulines (grasshoppers). That will certainly set the tone for the date.
Where: 1374 Arkwright Place SE
Iberian Pig Buckhead
Iberian Pig is open and ready to host you and your date any given day of the week. I love the dark brown walls, long drapes and Jamon Iberico hanging from the ceiling, but more than anything, I love the service. My first time there, I was on a date with my husband. The manager realized it was a rare occasion for us, and made it extra special. Since that day, I became a fan. Always ask for the specials because chef Josue Peña likes to have fun with new dishes.
Where: 3150 Roswell Road NW
Kamayan ATL
At Kamayan ATL, you can eat with your hands, enjoy the moment and share dishes. The flavors will give you plenty to talk about. Located in the heart of Buford Highway, this is a phenomenal experience.
Where: 5150 Buford Highway NE
La Metro
The new spot by chef Hector Santiago is such a cute little spot for a date. If it’s your first date and you want to go to a very public place, how much more public can it get than the smack middle of Ponce City Market? La Metro is an ode to Spain, so enjoy some tapas and good drinks and let the energy flow with your date.
Where: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Lingering Shade
The Beltline is always a great date idea, and the dining options there are endless. Lingering Shade is one of my favorites when I just want to lay back and let loose, pretending I am on a beach somewhere. Located right on the corner of everything happening, just steps from Krog Street Market, the energy and vibe are relaxing. It’s great for people-watching dates outdoors.
Where: 660 Irwin St .NE
Little Rey
A date once took me to Little Rey, and even though we broke up later, the best thing out of that relationship was my introduction to Little Rey. You’ll have time to chat it up while waiting to order; the food will not disappoint and the frozen margaritas will undoubtedly make it a good time. It’s one of my favorite chill date spots in Atlanta. Order the Queso Primo and be unforgettable.
Where: 1878 Piedmont Ave. NE
Postino
This is the spot where wine lovers fall in love. It offers sharable bites, unique wines and industrial vibes, making it perfect for a casual date.
Where: West Midtown, 1000 Marietta St. NW; Buckhead, 3655 Roswell Road NE
Talat Market
If your date goes wrong, at least you’ll have amazing food to distract you. Talat Market always feels like I am eating at a friend’s house — a friend who is incredibly talented at cooking and went to Thailand to learn the real deal. Well, that friend is chef Parnass Savang and chef Rod Lassiter.
Where: 112 Ormond St. SE
Be Super Cool: Out of the Ordinary
Do you want your date not to stop talking to their friends about your evening together? Then, make it extra special and out-of-the-box. Here are some recommendations for making dinner an experience, not just a meal.
Gunshow
This is always a good idea for a date. The setting is out of the ordinary, the food is great and the service is relaxed. The same chefs that prepare your food bring it to your table to see if you want to try it. You just say yes to the dishes you want to eat. It’s hard to say no to the chefs, so come hungry. Great memories are made at Gunshow. If you’ve never been and you’re going with a partner, don’t worry; the staff is amazing and will explain everything to you.
Where: 924 Garrett St.
Hayakawa
It is not the fanciest restaurant in town, but it is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy omakase, with one of the freshest fish offerings in the city. It’s a small family business with limited seating, but the experience is memorable. Chef/owner Atsushi Hayakawa personally serves and touches every guest’s experience, which makes it worth the splurge.
Where: 1055 Howell Mill Road
Lucian Books and Wine
A restaurant in a bookstore. Or a bookstore in a restaurant. Whichever, it’s a cool experience. I went for a lunch date, and my date was transported to what felt like London. It’s small, intimate and perfect for a first or 100th date. The martini is a must.
Where: 3005 Peachtree Road
Mujō
This is a one-of-a-kind, intimate and sophisticated experience to share with your date. It’s definitely a splurge, but it’s so worth it. The MICHELIN-Star restaurant, led by chef J. Trent Harris, serves high-end omakase sushi and nigiri. In a place where no more than 15 people fit, a dedicated chef prepares the dishes before you and hands them directly to you. The fish you are eating was probably swimming 24 hours ago across the world, and now it is on your plate — the perfect place for a memorable date.
Where: 691 14th St. NW
Pata Negra
If your date is into mezcal, then this is the perfect spot for you. As the only mezcaleria in Georgia, Pata Negra offers an impressive selection of mezcals and tequilas that you will not find anywhere else in the state. Get the Murcielago (tasting cart) and upgrade the experience. The food is an ode to Mexican food from all corners of the Mexican Republic, and the vibe is intimate and mysterious.
Where: 1777 Peachtree St. NE
Polaris
A rotating restaurant at the top of Hyatt Regency Atlanta Downtown is as romantic as it gets. Sit down for a fantastic dinner and tour the site from your table. This is also a perfect spot for a proposal. Wink. Wink.
Where: 265 Peachtree St .NE
Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View
The 360-degree views of the city set the tone at Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View. It has been around for a long time and continues to amaze couples. It is a perfect place for a proposal — just saying.
Where: 210 Peachtree St. NW
Tiger Sun
Nothing is more out-of-the-ordinary than having a date in a remodeled bus that sits behind a restaurant. The prix-fixe menu is themed and changes periodically, so it’s a good place to keep returning to and still be surprised. The setting is romantic and fun, but the space is very limited, so make sure you book in advance.
Where: 904 Memorial Drive SE
I am always looking for more restaurants to add to my recommended list of date-night Restaurants, so if I am missing any of your favorites, please let me know. I am always excited to discover more.
Plan your date using our Ultimate Guide to Date Night in Atlanta.
Daniela is the content manager and bilingual editor for Discover Atlanta. As an award-winning bilingual journalist, she is passionate about shinning light on untold stories about culture, food and Atlanta.
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