Cooks & Soldiers in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’ve heard people in Atlanta talking about Cooks & Soldiers and you’re wondering what it is, what to expect, and whether it’s worth planning a visit, this guide walks through the essentials with a local-focused lens.

What Is Cooks & Soldiers in Atlanta?

Cooks & Soldiers is a Basque-inspired restaurant located on Atlanta’s Westside, known for:

• A mix of pintxos (small bar snacks), asador-style grilled dishes, and creative mains
• A lively yet polished atmosphere suited for date nights, special occasions, or upscale dinners with friends
• A strong wine, cocktail, and gin & tonic program

It’s often mentioned among Atlanta’s more notable dining rooms, especially if you’re exploring the Howell Mill / West Midtown restaurant scene.

Where It’s Located & How to Get There

General area: West Midtown / Howell Mill corridor, Atlanta, GA

This pocket of the city has become a major dining destination, with mixed-use developments, apartments, and other restaurants all within a short walk or drive.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

• From Downtown / Midtown:
  Typically a short drive via Northside Drive or 14th Street west toward Howell Mill.
• From Buckhead:
  Many people take Peachtree Road south and cut over to Howell Mill Road or use I-75 (depending on traffic and time of day).
• From the suburbs:
  Using I-75/I-85 into the city and exiting near Northside Drive or 14th/10th Street is a common approach.

🅿️ Parking Tips

• The area mixes deck parking, surface lots, and limited street parking.
• Evening hours can be busy, so it’s common for Atlanta diners to budget extra time for parking and walking in.
• Using rideshare is popular for West Midtown dinners, especially if you plan to enjoy drinks.

What Kind of Food Does Cooks & Soldiers Serve?

The menu focuses on Basque Country flavors from the region between Spain and France, interpreted through an Atlanta lens.

Key Menu Styles

• Pintxos:
  Small bites often served on skewers or bread, meant for sharing and trying multiple flavors.
• Raciones / shared plates:
  Larger small plates that are ideal for groups who like to sample.
• Asador-style items:
  Wood-grilled or flame-kissed proteins and vegetables, reflecting Basque grilling traditions.
• Desserts:
  Typically a short but focused lineup with European-style sweets.

While the exact dishes change periodically, Atlanta diners often describe the menu as:

• Adventurous but approachable (familiar ingredients with Basque twists)
• Built for sharing—good for groups who enjoy passing plates around
• Seasonal, so options may vary depending on your visit

If you have dietary restrictions (such as vegetarian, gluten-conscious, or shellfish allergies), it’s common in Atlanta to let your server know early; many Westside restaurants, including this one, can often guide you to suitable options.

Drinks: Cocktails, Wine, and More

A major part of the experience is the beverage program, which typically includes:

• Craft cocktails with European and Spanish-inspired flavors
• A wine list with Old World options (including Spanish wines) along with familiar varietals
• Specialty gin & tonics and other house specialties

If you’re visiting from out of town and exploring Atlanta’s bar scene, Cooks & Soldiers can fit naturally into a West Midtown bar-and-restaurant crawl, especially if you start here for dinner and then walk or rideshare to nearby spots afterward.

Atmosphere: What to Expect Inside

Most Atlanta diners find Cooks & Soldiers to be:

• Upscale casual – not stuffy, but more elevated than a neighborhood pub
• Lively in the evening – background noise from conversation and the bar is normal, especially on weekends
• Fitting for:
  • Date night
  • Birthday or celebration dinners
  • Business dinners where you want something interesting but not overly formal

Dress Code

There’s not typically a strict, enforced dress code, but for Atlanta standards this setting lines up with:

• Dressy casual or smart casual
• Common choices:
  • For many: nice jeans or slacks with a button-down, blouse, or stylish top
  • Slightly dressier outfits on weekends

If you’re coming straight from work in Midtown, typical office attire generally fits right in.

When to Go: Reservations, Crowds, and Timing

In Atlanta’s current dining culture, reservations are strongly recommended for well-known West Midtown restaurants, especially:

• Friday and Saturday nights
• Prime dinner hours (roughly 7–9 p.m.)
• Holiday weekends or major event days (like big concerts or sports games nearby)

Walk-Ins

• Early evenings or weeknights may have more flexibility for walk-ins, but there’s no guarantee.
• The bar area is often an option for those who like to take their chances and don’t mind waiting.

How Long to Plan

For most Atlanta diners, a full visit usually runs:

• 1.5 to 2 hours if you're having multiple courses and drinks
• Slightly less if you’re concentrating on pintxos, a main, and heading out

Rough Cost Expectations

Exact prices can change, but compared with other Atlanta restaurants, Cooks & Soldiers usually falls into the “upscale” category.

Here’s a simple planning guide:

*These are general expectations based on similar Atlanta restaurants, not exact numbers.

To keep costs clearer:

• Share small plates if you’re exploring the menu without overspending.
• Ask your server how many plates they suggest per person or per table; Atlanta restaurants of this style are used to guiding guests through shared menus.

Tips for Locals Versus Visitors

If You Live in Atlanta

• Plan around traffic: West Midtown can be congested during rush hour and on weekend evenings, especially near Howell Mill.
• Consider turning your visit into a progressive night out, pairing Cooks & Soldiers with a nearby dessert or after-dinner drink spot.
• If you work in Midtown or Downtown, an early weeknight reservation is often easier and more relaxed.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta

• Build Cooks & Soldiers into a Westside evening:
  • Pre-dinner exploring along the Howell Mill corridor or nearby shopping areas
  • Dinner here, then a short rideshare to nightlife in Midtown, West Midtown, or The Works area
• Factor in travel time from your hotel; Atlanta’s traffic patterns can stretch even short drives depending on time of day.
• If you’re unfamiliar with the area at night, rideshare is often the easiest option rather than navigating parking.

Making the Most of Your Meal

A few practical ways Atlanta diners typically enjoy Cooks & Soldiers:

• Start with pintxos:
  Treat them like a tasting flight—try a few different bites to get a sense of the Basque style.
• Share mains and sides:
  If your group is comfortable sharing, split 1–2 mains and several sides or raciones to sample more of the menu.
• Talk to your server:
  Servers at concept-driven Atlanta restaurants are often very familiar with the menu’s background and can suggest:
  • Guest favorites
  • Good pairings with specific cocktails or wines
  • Options that match your dietary needs or spice preferences
• Time your reservation:
  • For a quieter experience, look at earlier evening or weeknights.
  • For a buzzier atmosphere, choose a later slot on Friday or Saturday.

How Cooks & Soldiers Fits into Atlanta’s Dining Scene

In the broader Atlanta context, Cooks & Soldiers is often viewed as:

• Part of the West Midtown/South Buckhead cluster of restaurants that focus on creative, chef-driven menus
• A spot that showcases an international culinary style (Basque) while still feeling accessible to diners who usually go to classic American or Southern restaurants
• A good choice if you want something more distinctive than a typical steakhouse or casual spot, without moving into ultra-formal fine dining

If you’re building a list of “must-try” Atlanta restaurants that show off different sides of the city’s food culture, Cooks & Soldiers frequently ends up on the list for its unique Basque angle, polished service style, and Westside energy.

For anyone living in Atlanta, visiting for a weekend, or planning a special dinner, Cooks & Soldiers offers a blend of Basque-inspired cuisine, thoughtful drinks, and a lively West Midtown setting that feels very much in step with the city’s modern dining scene.