KG,
You're from one of the world's fine culinary cities, I'm afraid ATL can't compete with Boston on the food scene. I won't even try seafood with you!
Funky local restaurant/barsThe Vortex - really good burger, really
far out crowd late at night
The Highland Tap - bar is noted for martini's and draft, restaurant has a great burger, but all the menu is tasty for mid price and another people watching plce for locals.
Steak Houses, - Bone's, Chop's, Morton's all represent the classic steakhouse at it's best.
Italian - I hesitate to even mention Italian to you, but we have several noteworthy. La Grotta - Classic Northern Italian. Bacchanalia - one of the cities best. Tough to get in. Sotto-Sotto - Italian/Euro.
Japanese - (Why do I bother???
) Umi - Should meet your standards
ATL Staples - Ray's on the River (American), The Capital Grille (American steak/seafood) Nokolai's Roof (Continental) ATL Fine dining staple for decades. All of these are expense account joints
Unique dining - The Imperial Fez - Moroccan themed with pillows to sit on and a belly dancer. Think Casablanca. Sidney Greenstreet would run it, not Bogart.
More "eat where the locals eats" - Wrecking Bar Brew Pub, Fox Bros BQQ
Music and Food - Fat Matt's Rib Shack - BBQ, cold beer and Blues! Hole in the wall worth checking out.
For you,
Your DeKalb Farmer's Market. I think you'd enjoy seeing that. Foodstuff from everywhere. Short drive/Uber from downtown.
