Where to Eat & Drink in Atlanta Right Now: Part 1
I'm a glutton for great food and because you're reading this, I'll assume that you are, too. Bookmark for Cuban pastries, natural wine & tinned fish, and all the juicy, savory Mediterranean fare.
Back in November/December I was in the interview process for a job I really wanted. It’s a national food and beverage publication with a local Atlanta page and I like to read their guides and reviews when I’m searching for a dimly lit wine bar or a cool, new hyper-specific restaurant to visit with friends, no matter the city. If you’re not a writer, you may not know that the interview process for full-time gigs in my field sometimes includes writing tests. This particular company requested a few and I actually enjoyed writing them (sometimes you just don’t).
I’ve worked on these things too often to count and usually I just scrap them after, but then I thought, I’m offering up some pretty great restaurant advice, and I spent a lot of time doing the research… so why wouldn’t I share it with you here? The restaurants are real, I’ve dined at them all on my own dime (except for one, which was a media dine), and my opinions are my own—not hypothetical, theoretical, or anyone else’s.
I’ll be sharing in three parts based on the instructions provided to me (3 short reviews for 3 restaurants in different Atlanta neighborhoods; a full restaurant review/feature with a food rundown; and 3 additions/updates to a date night restaurant guide) so you can expect to see two more of these in the coming weeks!
Kyma, Buckhead
It’s lively. It’s loud. It will not disappoint. Whether you're on a date night, a girls' night, or a scandalous "let's gossip about so-and-so's divorce” night, Kyma sets the stage. A Buckhead staple for 20+ years, Kyma’s Greek architecture-inspired facade and blue-and-white interiors will immediately transport you to Santorini while a drink at the restaurant’s Ouzo Bar will have you seriously considering a Mediterranean retirement. With Greek spreads, mezze, juicy watermelon and feta salad, creamy lemon potatoes and tons of fresh seafood, you can’t go wrong. The chef blends family history with Michelin-starred expertise, resulting in a menu that's serious about flavor without being stuffy. And there’s more: the restaurant has recently cranked up the fun with Thursday night Champagne Socials and monthly Lamb Dinners. Your calendar just filled up fast. Opa!
Buena Gente, Decatur
Cuban food is comfort food and we just don’t have enough of it in the city—yet. But Buena Gente, which started as a “rolling ventanita” (basically a window on wheels) is changing the narrative by bringing coastal Caribbean flavors to a Decatur strip mall in pastry form. Arrive early for pastelitos bursting with beef, cheese, and guava; tostadas that are flattened to perfection—crunchy on the outside, gooey and buttery on the inside; Cuban sodas; ham-filled croquetas; and tropical milkshakes in flavors so exotic (mamey, soursop, papaya) they might just remind you of visits to your grandparents’ house. Buena Gente is a celebration of Cuban culture. Stop in for a piping hot cafe con leche to sip while chit-chatting with friends or grab a tray of assorted goodies to go for a holiday gathering. Every bite enjoyed inside this family-owned spot embodies love and tradition. Get it before it sells out.
Larakin, Midtown
Think of Larakin as the new Cheers, if Cheers were in Atlanta. The coffee shop and wine bar just celebrated one year (and also very recently transitioned from BYOB to having a working wine license) and is a hangout for both industry peeps and Midtown residents alike. The dog-friendly gem has a sprawling outdoor patio, a DJ on Sundays and a delightful tinned fish menu with a whopping 40+ options. Slurping sea creatures from a can not your thing? On any given day you’ll also find focaccia, breakfast sandwiches and pizzas on the evolving menu–along with a bangin’ by-the-glass beer, vermouth, and natural wine list. Everyday's a party at Larakin. Come early and stay late, time flies when the weather’s good and the vibes are high.