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18 Atlanta Restaurants and Pop-Ups Worth the Splurge for a Special Occasion

Whether celebrating a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or recent promotion, restaurants often play a central role in marking a special occasion

by Beth McKibben and Sarra Sedghi Updated Mar 20, 2024, 2:33pm EDT

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Lazy Betty’s roasted beet salad

| Andrew Thomas Lee

by Beth McKibben and Sarra Sedghi Updated Mar 20, 2024, 2:33pm EDT

Whether celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, graduation, new job, or a recent promotion, restaurants often play a central role in marking a special occasion or life achievement. The following list features Atlanta and metro area restaurants and pop-ups in which to splurge on a lavish meal, some with wine pairings or personal attention from the chef. Don’t forget to make a reservation first.

Don’t see a favorite special occasion restaurant listed? Send Eater Atlanta an email via the tipline.

Read more: Where to Head for Fancy Group Dinners With Friends in Atlanta

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Spring Restaurant

Co-owned by chef Brian So, Spring features a tight, seasonally driven menu of dishes paired with an equally curated list of natural and biodynamic wines. Start with dishes like foie gras terrine and sockeye salmon crudo before moving on to entrees such as grilled wagyu flatiron steak and braised short rib or a whole fish course. Never skip dessert at Spring. The small dining room lends itself nicely to intimate dinner dates and small celebratory meals over a bottle of wine.

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36 Mill St, Marietta, GA 30060

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Canoe

Canoe in Vinings has been serving farm-to-table cuisine since before that term was even coined. The riverfront fine dining institution includes an unusual menu item for Atlanta: peppercorn-crusted kangaroo. The dish is an homage to executive chef Matthew Basford’s Australian roots. Seating is available in the dining room as well as on the garden patio overlooking the Chattahoochee River.

4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bacchanalia

Fine dining institution Bacchanalia and its epic tasting menu are better than, even after more than two decades on the scene in Atlanta. Located next door to market and cafe Star Provisions, reservations are necessary for a table at this Blandtown restaurant. Once seated, indulge in a four-course tasting menu that includes oysters and dishes like the popular crab fritter, Maine lobster with caviar and brioche, and a rotating array of in-season entrees, desserts, and cheeses. There’s even a private area at Bacchanalia for groups gathering to celebrate. Bar open for walk-in seating.

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Also featured in:

Bovino After Dark

Diners would be remiss to underestimate Chris McCord and Alex Sher’s underground supper club, located inside Hop City West End. As low-key as the space and operation feel, the team behind Bovino After Dark clearly knows what it’s doing, and even a night with a few members missing hums smoothly. Standout courses include the opener, a low country chawanmushi that’s a crab-heavy, savory spectacle, and the ricotta and mushroom-stuffed crystal dumpling served in a broth offering ripples of Parmesan and pesto. Don’t miss out on the caviar intermezzo, a sweet and savory addition balancing notes from ingredients like sesame ice cream, miso-sherry sauce, and beet foam. The experience seats 10-12 people, making it difficult to snatch up a reservation on weekends, so stay tuned to Bovino After Dark’s Instagram feed to track cancellations. $65 per person. Wine pairings and caviar optional for an additional charge. Reservations required.

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1000 White Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30310

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Mujō

Reservations are absolutely required to dine at this Howell Mill Road sushi bar and Japanese restaurant. At just 15 seats, Mujo is the perfect spot for an intimate, celebratory omakase feast guided by chef J. Trent Harris and his team. Even the petite cocktail bar is reserved exclusively for those dining at the restaurant. A meal starts with several courses of nigiri prepared in the edomae sushi style, broken up by dishes like hakurei turnip tartlets and buta nikomi with braised iberico pork. Nods to Japanese culinary traditions include a tamagoyaki (Japanese shrimp and egg cake similar to an omelette,) followed by dessert paired with konacha green tea.

691 14th St NW c, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Hayakawa

Chef Atsushi “Art” Hayakawa relocated his beloved eponymous Buford Highway restaurant to Star Metals on Howell Mill Road in 2023. Now simply called Hayakawa, the new location in the city is much more intimate with just a small sushi bar focused on the omakase experience. But people can still expect to see the charming Chef Art behind the counter preparing extravagant courses of sushi throughout the meal with interludes of other Japanese small bites and cooked dishes.

1055 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Also featured in:

Prefecture Japanese Steakhouse

Prefecture Japanese Steakhouse offers a tasting menu featuring cuts of wagyu beef prepared in a variety of ways. Think course after course of Zabuton chuck center with Fuji apple ponzu, garlic oil, crispy shallots, and chives, New York strip aburi with caviar and chips, and a truffle wagyu slider for $175 per person. Prefecture also features a la carte dishes of wagyu beef, pork belly, and fresh fish flown in from ports around the world, as well as sushi and sashimi.

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2277 Peachtree St NE ste a, Atlanta, GA 30309

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Also featured in:

20 Restaurants Around Atlanta for a Sensational Steak Dinner

Nan Thai Fine Dining

Owned by chef Nan Niyomkul and her family, Nan Thai Fine Dining has been a staple on the Midtown restaurant scene for two decades. It’s a great spot for celebrating any occasion or day of the week over dishes of panang talay with jumbo prawns, sea scallops, and calamari and Thai barbecue lamb chops (geah yang) with a lime honey glaze. Don’t skip the cocktails at Nan Thai.

1350 Spring St NW #1, Atlanta, GA 30309

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La Grotta Ristorante

After more than 40 years on Peachtree, La Grotta is still one of Atlanta’s most beloved fine dining restaurants. With tables clad in white linens, impeccable service, and an impressive wine list to pair with dishes of lobster pappardelle and black truffle risotto, La Grotta has grown into a regular spot for family and friends gathering to celebrate everything from momentous occasions to just being together on a Wednesday evening in Atlanta.

2637 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305

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Also featured in:

Polaris

This iconic downtown Atlanta restaurant roared back to life after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic in 2022, and it might be better than ever these days. First opened in 1967, Polaris resembles a flying saucer and makes a full rotation every 45 minutes 22 stories above the city streets at the Hyatt Regency hotel. As for food, start off with the confit Spanish octopus or a selection of local cheeses and charcuterie. Order steak for dinner accompanied by local vegetables or sous vide wild boar and sweet potato gnocchi, before indulging in a slice of sweet potato cheesecake or the chocolate mousse encased in a blue dome of honey caramel fashioned after Polaris. Follow the signs in the hotel lobby for Polaris and check in at the desk by the elevators.

265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Lazy Betty

Recently relocated to the former Empire State South space in Midtown, Lazy Betty was built for date night and celebratory dining. Choose between two highly curated tasting menus with optional wine pairings. There’s also champagne and caviar service, which comes served with steamed milk buns and scallion pancakes.

999 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Atlas

Located at the swanky St. Regis hotel in Buckhead, Atlas is always a solid choice for a celebratory, splurge-worthy dinner. Think Kristal caviar, Westholme wagyu, and desserts like a take on Chocolate Rocher. For a real treat, book the chef’s table experience at Atlas, an elaborate tasting menu feast which also comes with dessert and wine pairings. Afterwards, pop over to the Garden Room next door for one last drink. Dress code.

88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Lucian Books and Wine

Since opening in June 2021, Lucian Books and Wine has become one of the hottest spots for wining and dining in Buckhead. For those looking to splurge on both wine and food (and do a little book shopping afterwards,) Lucian is hard to beat. The menu progresses from oysters and raw hamachi with seasonal fruits to salads and gnudi to entrees like roast duck. It’s like compiling a personal tasting menu for dinner. Choose from over 250 wines by the bottle or 15 wines by the glass, all curated by co-owner and sommelier Jordan Smelt. Dessert is a must at Lucian, as are the crispy fries, which pair perfectly with a glass of champagne.

3005 Peachtree Rd NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Wick & Nick's Blue Blood

Ben Skolnick (BoccaLupo) and Jared Warwick’s (Octopus Bar) pop-up supper club series pushes boundaries with both its multi-course food and drink pairings. Examples include Parmesan with mezcal, arrabbiata sauce with lobster and Riesling, and romanesco with foie gras mousse. If you get full halfway through, just let someone know — they’ve got plenty of containers on hand to take stuff home, and the courses so more than hold up the next day. The grapefruit sorbet, paired with warm brie and citrus, is a statement-making closer. Keep up with Wick and Nick’s, and all future events, on Instagram. $125 per person. Reservations required.

Open in Google Maps

300 Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30312

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Also featured in:

The 11 Hottest New Restaurants Around Atlanta, April 2024

Aria

Aria continues to be one of Atlanta’s most popular destinations for celebratory dining. After years of serving as a white table cloth, fine dining restaurant, chef Gerry Klaskala remodeled this Buckhead staple to appeal to a younger generation of diners. Now it’s a bit more relaxed and casual — the bar and lounge area is open for impromptu drinks and snacks and the occasional pop-up. While the vibe in the dining room has changed, the service is still impeccable and the kitchen consistently cranks out Aria favorites, like butter braised lobster, slow braised pork, and lump crab cakes. Aria also carries one of Atlanta’s most comprehensive wine lists.

490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Kevin Rathbun Steak

Chef Kevin Rathbun’s eponymous restaurant on the Eastside Beltline is one of the city’s chicest steakhouses, and with a top-notch wine list. Located in a converted warehouse with a Beltline-facing patio, Kevin Rathbun Steak offers a variety of generous cuts of steak, along with classic sides, including a wedge salad and accompaniments such as lobster tail, seared foie gras, and Hollandaise sauce.

154 Krog St NE STE 200, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Georgia Boy

Georgia Boy is only accessible via its sister restaurant Southern Belle at the Plaza on Ponce. People enter this intimate tasting restaurant from behind a bookcase beyond the bar at Southern Belle. Arriving at the waiting area to the chefs counter, diners are ushered into Georgia Boy for a 16-course tasting created by chef and owner Joey Ward with sake, cider, and wine pairings. Four seatings are available nightly.

1043 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Alden

The Alden comes from Atlanta native and chef Jared Hucks. The restaurant serves dishes on its dinner menu like Maine sea scallops, sweet breads, tortellini primavera, and lavender-baked chicken. But for something truly special, consider reserving a seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings at the chef’s counter.

Open in Google Maps

5070 Peachtree Blvd Suite B-140, Chamblee, GA 30341

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Also featured in:

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Spring Restaurant

36 Mill St, Marietta, GA 30060

Co-owned by chef Brian So, Spring features a tight, seasonally driven menu of dishes paired with an equally curated list of natural and biodynamic wines. Start with dishes like foie gras terrine and sockeye salmon crudo before moving on to entrees such as grilled wagyu flatiron steak and braised short rib or a whole fish course. Never skip dessert at Spring. The small dining room lends itself nicely to intimate dinner dates and small celebratory meals over a bottle of wine.

Open in Google Maps

36 Mill St, Marietta, GA 30060

Visit Website

Canoe

4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Canoe in Vinings has been serving farm-to-table cuisine since before that term was even coined. The riverfront fine dining institution includes an unusual menu item for Atlanta: peppercorn-crusted kangaroo. The dish is an homage to executive chef Matthew Basford’s Australian roots. Seating is available in the dining room as well as on the garden patio overlooking the Chattahoochee River.

4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Visit Website

Bacchanalia

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30318

Fine dining institution Bacchanalia and its epic tasting menu are better than, even after more than two decades on the scene in Atlanta. Located next door to market and cafe Star Provisions, reservations are necessary for a table at this Blandtown restaurant. Once seated, indulge in a four-course tasting menu that includes oysters and dishes like the popular crab fritter, Maine lobster with caviar and brioche, and a rotating array of in-season entrees, desserts, and cheeses. There’s even a private area at Bacchanalia for groups gathering to celebrate. Bar open for walk-in seating.

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Bovino After Dark

1000 White Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30310

Diners would be remiss to underestimate Chris McCord and Alex Sher’s underground supper club, located inside Hop City West End. As low-key as the space and operation feel, the team behind Bovino After Dark clearly knows what it’s doing, and even a night with a few members missing hums smoothly. Standout courses include the opener, a low country chawanmushi that’s a crab-heavy, savory spectacle, and the ricotta and mushroom-stuffed crystal dumpling served in a broth offering ripples of Parmesan and pesto. Don’t miss out on the caviar intermezzo, a sweet and savory addition balancing notes from ingredients like sesame ice cream, miso-sherry sauce, and beet foam. The experience seats 10-12 people, making it difficult to snatch up a reservation on weekends, so stay tuned to Bovino After Dark’s Instagram feed to track cancellations. $65 per person. Wine pairings and caviar optional for an additional charge. Reservations required.

Open in Google Maps

1000 White Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30310

Visit Website

Mujō

691 14th St NW c, Atlanta, GA 30318

Reservations are absolutely required to dine at this Howell Mill Road sushi bar and Japanese restaurant. At just 15 seats, Mujo is the perfect spot for an intimate, celebratory omakase feast guided by chef J. Trent Harris and his team. Even the petite cocktail bar is reserved exclusively for those dining at the restaurant. A meal starts with several courses of nigiri prepared in the edomae sushi style, broken up by dishes like hakurei turnip tartlets and buta nikomi with braised iberico pork. Nods to Japanese culinary traditions include a tamagoyaki (Japanese shrimp and egg cake similar to an omelette,) followed by dessert paired with konacha green tea.

691 14th St NW c, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Hayakawa

1055 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318

Chef Atsushi “Art” Hayakawa relocated his beloved eponymous Buford Highway restaurant to Star Metals on Howell Mill Road in 2023. Now simply called Hayakawa, the new location in the city is much more intimate with just a small sushi bar focused on the omakase experience. But people can still expect to see the charming Chef Art behind the counter preparing extravagant courses of sushi throughout the meal with interludes of other Japanese small bites and cooked dishes.

1055 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Prefecture Japanese Steakhouse

2277 Peachtree St NE ste a, Atlanta, GA 30309

Prefecture Japanese Steakhouse offers a tasting menu featuring cuts of wagyu beef prepared in a variety of ways. Think course after course of Zabuton chuck center with Fuji apple ponzu, garlic oil, crispy shallots, and chives, New York strip aburi with caviar and chips, and a truffle wagyu slider for $175 per person. Prefecture also features a la carte dishes of wagyu beef, pork belly, and fresh fish flown in from ports around the world, as well as sushi and sashimi.

Open in Google Maps

2277 Peachtree St NE ste a, Atlanta, GA 30309

Visit Website

Nan Thai Fine Dining

1350 Spring St NW #1, Atlanta, GA 30309

Owned by chef Nan Niyomkul and her family, Nan Thai Fine Dining has been a staple on the Midtown restaurant scene for two decades. It’s a great spot for celebrating any occasion or day of the week over dishes of panang talay with jumbo prawns, sea scallops, and calamari and Thai barbecue lamb chops (geah yang) with a lime honey glaze. Don’t skip the cocktails at Nan Thai.

1350 Spring St NW #1, Atlanta, GA 30309

Visit Website

La Grotta Ristorante

2637 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305

After more than 40 years on Peachtree, La Grotta is still one of Atlanta’s most beloved fine dining restaurants. With tables clad in white linens, impeccable service, and an impressive wine list to pair with dishes of lobster pappardelle and black truffle risotto, La Grotta has grown into a regular spot for family and friends gathering to celebrate everything from momentous occasions to just being together on a Wednesday evening in Atlanta.

2637 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Polaris

265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

This iconic downtown Atlanta restaurant roared back to life after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic in 2022, and it might be better than ever these days. First opened in 1967, Polaris resembles a flying saucer and makes a full rotation every 45 minutes 22 stories above the city streets at the Hyatt Regency hotel. As for food, start off with the confit Spanish octopus or a selection of local cheeses and charcuterie. Order steak for dinner accompanied by local vegetables or sous vide wild boar and sweet potato gnocchi, before indulging in a slice of sweet potato cheesecake or the chocolate mousse encased in a blue dome of honey caramel fashioned after Polaris. Follow the signs in the hotel lobby for Polaris and check in at the desk by the elevators.

265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Visit Website

Lazy Betty

999 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Recently relocated to the former Empire State South space in Midtown, Lazy Betty was built for date night and celebratory dining. Choose between two highly curated tasting menus with optional wine pairings. There’s also champagne and caviar service, which comes served with steamed milk buns and scallion pancakes.

999 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Visit Website

Atlas

88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Located at the swanky St. Regis hotel in Buckhead, Atlas is always a solid choice for a celebratory, splurge-worthy dinner. Think Kristal caviar, Westholme wagyu, and desserts like a take on Chocolate Rocher. For a real treat, book the chef’s table experience at Atlas, an elaborate tasting menu feast which also comes with dessert and wine pairings. Afterwards, pop over to the Garden Room next door for one last drink. Dress code.

88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Lucian Books and Wine

3005 Peachtree Rd NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305

Since opening in June 2021, Lucian Books and Wine has become one of the hottest spots for wining and dining in Buckhead. For those looking to splurge on both wine and food (and do a little book shopping afterwards,) Lucian is hard to beat. The menu progresses from oysters and raw hamachi with seasonal fruits to salads and gnudi to entrees like roast duck. It’s like compiling a personal tasting menu for dinner. Choose from over 250 wines by the bottle or 15 wines by the glass, all curated by co-owner and sommelier Jordan Smelt. Dessert is a must at Lucian, as are the crispy fries, which pair perfectly with a glass of champagne.

3005 Peachtree Rd NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Wick & Nick's Blue Blood

300 Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30312

Ben Skolnick (BoccaLupo) and Jared Warwick’s (Octopus Bar) pop-up supper club series pushes boundaries with both its multi-course food and drink pairings. Examples include Parmesan with mezcal, arrabbiata sauce with lobster and Riesling, and romanesco with foie gras mousse. If you get full halfway through, just let someone know — they’ve got plenty of containers on hand to take stuff home, and the courses so more than hold up the next day. The grapefruit sorbet, paired with warm brie and citrus, is a statement-making closer. Keep up with Wick and Nick’s, and all future events, on Instagram. $125 per person. Reservations required.

Open in Google Maps

300 Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30312

Visit Website

Aria

490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Aria continues to be one of Atlanta’s most popular destinations for celebratory dining. After years of serving as a white table cloth, fine dining restaurant, chef Gerry Klaskala remodeled this Buckhead staple to appeal to a younger generation of diners. Now it’s a bit more relaxed and casual — the bar and lounge area is open for impromptu drinks and snacks and the occasional pop-up. While the vibe in the dining room has changed, the service is still impeccable and the kitchen consistently cranks out Aria favorites, like butter braised lobster, slow braised pork, and lump crab cakes. Aria also carries one of Atlanta’s most comprehensive wine lists.

490 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Related Maps

Kevin Rathbun Steak

154 Krog St NE STE 200, Atlanta, GA 30307

Chef Kevin Rathbun’s eponymous restaurant on the Eastside Beltline is one of the city’s chicest steakhouses, and with a top-notch wine list. Located in a converted warehouse with a Beltline-facing patio, Kevin Rathbun Steak offers a variety of generous cuts of steak, along with classic sides, including a wedge salad and accompaniments such as lobster tail, seared foie gras, and Hollandaise sauce.

154 Krog St NE STE 200, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

Georgia Boy

1043 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Georgia Boy is only accessible via its sister restaurant Southern Belle at the Plaza on Ponce. People enter this intimate tasting restaurant from behind a bookcase beyond the bar at Southern Belle. Arriving at the waiting area to the chefs counter, diners are ushered into Georgia Boy for a 16-course tasting created by chef and owner Joey Ward with sake, cider, and wine pairings. Four seatings are available nightly.

1043 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Visit Website

The Alden

5070 Peachtree Blvd Suite B-140, Chamblee, GA 30341

The Alden comes from Atlanta native and chef Jared Hucks. The restaurant serves dishes on its dinner menu like Maine sea scallops, sweet breads, tortellini primavera, and lavender-baked chicken. But for something truly special, consider reserving a seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings at the chef’s counter.

Open in Google Maps

5070 Peachtree Blvd Suite B-140, Chamblee, GA 30341

Visit Website

Related Maps