The Select Atlanta: What to Know About This Popular Atlanta Dining Spot

If you live in metro Atlanta or you’re planning a visit and someone mentions “The Select Atlanta,” they’re almost always talking about the stylish restaurant and bar in Sandy Springs that’s become a go‑to for date nights, business dinners, and celebratory brunches.

Below is a clear, locally focused guide to what The Select is, where it is, what to expect, and how to plan a visit if you’re in or around Atlanta.

What Is “The Select Atlanta”?

The Select is a European-inspired American restaurant and bar just north of the Atlanta city limits, in Sandy Springs. It’s known for:

  • A design-forward interior (chandeliers, art, and a “Parisian” feel)
  • A cocktail-focused bar program
  • A menu that blends New American and European-style dishes
  • A location that fits well into a night out, thanks to nearby theaters, shopping, and MARTA access

Even though it’s technically in Sandy Springs, many people in the metro area casually refer to it as “The Select Atlanta” because it serves the broader Atlanta dining crowd and is an easy drive from neighborhoods like Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Midtown.

Where The Select Is Located in the Atlanta Area

The Select sits in the City Springs development, a mixed-use area that includes government offices, performance venues, and restaurants.

Basic location details:

  • Area: Sandy Springs (north of Buckhead)
  • General region: North Atlanta suburbs along GA‑400

While exact addresses can occasionally change with suite designations or development updates, you can reliably look for The Select within the City Springs / Sandy Springs City Hall area off Roswell Road near the Mount Vernon Highway intersection.

If you’re using a map app, searching “The Select Sandy Springs” or “The Select City Springs” typically brings up the correct spot.

Getting to The Select from Around Atlanta

Because Atlanta is so car-centric, most people drive, but there are a few realistic options depending on where you’re coming from.

1. Driving

From key Atlanta areas:

  • From Midtown / Downtown:

    • Take GA‑400 North and exit at the Sandy Springs exit (often labeled for Sandy Springs / Glenridge / Hammond, depending on your route).
    • Head toward Roswell Road and follow signs for City Springs.

  • From Buckhead:

    • Drive north on Roswell Road for a straight shot into Sandy Springs.
    • City Springs is on the left as you approach the core of Sandy Springs.

  • From Brookhaven / Chamblee:

    • Many locals cut across using Johnson Ferry Road or Windsor Parkway to reach Roswell Road and head north into Sandy Springs.

Parking in City Springs typically includes structured parking garages with short walks to the restaurant. Guests often check signage at the garage entrances for restaurant parking guidelines and validation options if available.

2. Using MARTA

If you prefer not to drive:

  • Take the Red Line northbound to Sandy Springs Station or North Springs Station.
  • From the station, most visitors use:
    • A short rideshare trip (a few minutes), or
    • A local bus route along Roswell Road, then walk to City Springs.

MARTA schedules and routes can change, so checking the MARTA website or app before heading out is useful if you’re relying solely on transit.

What to Expect at The Select

Atmosphere

The vibe is generally:

  • Upscale casual – polished, but not stiff
  • Lively in the evenings, especially on weekends
  • Popular for:
    • Date nights
    • Pre- or post‑show dinners for events at Byers Theatre or other City Springs venues
    • Brunch meetups

Dress codes aren’t typically enforced in a strict way, but locals tend to lean toward “smart casual”: nicer jeans, dresses, button-downs, or fashionable casual wear.

Food and Drink

The menu changes over time, but guests often find:

  • New American entrees with European touches
  • Sharable plates and appetizers
  • Seasonal or chef-driven specials
  • A well-developed cocktail list along with wine and beer

Because menus can shift, it’s a good idea to check the most current offerings through The Select’s official channels before visiting if you have strong preferences or dietary needs.

When People in Atlanta Typically Go

While hours can change, locals commonly plan The Select for:

  • Evening dinners during the week and weekend
  • Brunch on weekends
  • Happy hour or early evening drinks before a show or community event at City Springs

For many in Atlanta, The Select is used as a “destination restaurant” when they’re already planning to be in Sandy Springs—for example, seeing a performance at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center—or as a special-night-out pick if they live in northern neighborhoods.

Reservations, Wait Times, and Planning Ahead

Because it’s a popular spot, especially around weekends and holidays:

  • Reservations are commonly recommended for:
    • Friday and Saturday nights
    • Larger groups
    • Special occasions
  • Walk-ins may be possible, particularly on weekdays or off-peak times, but waits can occur during prime dining hours.

If you’re planning around a show or timed event in City Springs, consider:

  • Booking an earlier reservation to avoid rushing
  • Letting the restaurant know you’re heading to a performance and have a timetable

It’s also helpful to build in a buffer for parking and walking time from the garage to the restaurant and, if needed, to nearby venues.

Typical Costs and Budget Expectations

Exact prices change over time, but you can generally expect:

  • Cocktails and beverages: Moderately priced for an Atlanta cocktail bar
  • Starters and small plates: Mid-range restaurant pricing
  • Entrees: In line with other upscale casual spots in north Atlanta

Locals often treat The Select as:

  • A special occasion or “nicer” dinner
  • A brunch splurge spot
  • A place where you’re paying partly for the ambiance and experience in addition to the food

If you’re budgeting, factor in:

  • Food and drink
  • Tax and standard tipping ranges
  • Parking costs, if applicable

Dietary Considerations

The Select, like many modern Atlanta restaurants, usually offers some accommodation for dietary needs, such as:

  • Vegetarian or pescatarian options
  • Potential gluten-conscious substitutions or dishes

Since offerings change, those with allergies, religious dietary restrictions, or strict medical needs typically:

  • Review the latest menu in advance
  • Call the restaurant ahead of time to ask specific questions
  • Confirm ingredients with the server before ordering

This helps ensure that the final choice aligns with your needs without relying on assumptions.

How The Select Fits into the Atlanta Dining Scene

For someone trying to understand how The Select fits into Atlanta’s overall restaurant landscape:

  • It’s comparable in feel to other design-driven, cocktail-forward restaurants you’d find in Buckhead, Midtown, or Inman Park, but located in Sandy Springs.
  • It’s part of the broader trend of mixed-use development dining in metro Atlanta—similar in concept to restaurants clustered around Avalon (Alpharetta), The Battery (by Truist Park), and Ponce City Market (in the city).
  • It tends to attract:
    • North Fulton and Perimeter-area residents
    • Atlantans who don’t mind a short drive north for a specific experience
    • Visitors staying in Perimeter Center or Sandy Springs hotels

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying closer to downtown or Midtown, adding The Select to your plans means one intentional trip north, often paired with a performance or a walk around the City Springs area.

Practical Tips for Visiting The Select in the Atlanta Area

Here are quick, actionable pointers if you’re planning a visit:

  • 📅 Make a reservation for weekend evenings or special dates.
  • 🚗 Plan your route from your part of Atlanta and give extra time for GA‑400 or Roswell Road traffic at peak hours.
  • 🅿️ Check parking signs in City Springs garages to see where restaurant guests should park and whether validation is available.
  • 🕒 Build in a buffer if you’re heading to or from an event at the nearby performing arts center.
  • 🥗 Ask about current menu options if you have specific dietary needs or preferences.
  • 👗 Dress smart casual so you feel comfortable in the setting without being overdressed.

If You’re New to Atlanta and Wondering Whether It’s Worth a Visit

For new residents and visitors trying to get a feel for “The Select Atlanta”:

  • It’s a notable choice if you want:
    • A stylish atmosphere
    • A cocktail-driven night out
    • A North Atlanta experience outside the core city neighborhoods
  • It can be a good introduction to how many metro Atlantans spend a night out in Sandy Springs and the northern suburbs, especially when combined with City Springs events.

If your time in Atlanta is limited to just a few meals, you might balance The Select with restaurants in intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or West Midtown to get a broader sense of the city’s dining personality.

But if you’re staying or living north of the city—or you’re interested in a polished, suburban-urban mix of dining and entertainment—The Select in Sandy Springs is one of the better-known options people mean when they say “The Select Atlanta.”