Best Upscale Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Book Your Next Special Night Out

Atlanta’s dining scene has grown into one of the most exciting in the country, and its upscale restaurants are a big reason why. Whether you live in-town and want a memorable date night, you’re visiting for a weekend, or you’re planning a client dinner, there are plenty of refined spots that deliver both style and substance.

Below is a guide to some of the best upscale restaurants in Atlanta, organized by neighborhood and dining style, plus tips on what to expect, how to dress, and how to choose the right place for your occasion.

What “Upscale” Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, “upscale” usually means:

• Thoughtful service and attention to detail
• High-quality ingredients and polished presentation
• Refined ambiance (anything from sleek and modern to classic and cozy)
• Higher price point than casual dining

You’ll see everything from tasting menus and chef-driven Southern cuisine to high-end steakhouses and chic hotel restaurants. Many of these spots are concentrated in Buckhead, Midtown, Inman Park, West Midtown, and Downtown, with a few destination spots elsewhere in the metro area.

Quick-Glance Guide: Upscale Dining by Area

Buckhead: Classic Upscale Power Dining

Buckhead has long been Atlanta’s center of luxury dining, with high-end malls, hotels, and offices all nearby. It’s a strong choice if you want a traditional upscale feel.

Top Buckhead Upscale Picks

Steakhouses & Classic American

• Expect: White tablecloths or sleek modern dining rooms, extensive wine lists, and prime cuts.
• Good for: Client dinners, anniversaries, celebrations with out-of-town guests.

Refined Southern & New American

• Many Buckhead spots reinterpret Southern ingredients with a modern twist—local produce, creative sides, and seasonal menus.
• You’ll often find:
  • Elevated takes on fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or Gulf seafood
  • Upscale brunch on weekends
  • Patio seating during nicer weather

Tips for Buckhead Dining

• Reservations are usually a must, especially Thursdays–Saturdays and during holidays.
• Valet parking is common at higher-end spots, especially near Peachtree Road, Lenox Road, and around Buckhead Village.
• Dress codes lean toward dressy casual to business casual: collared shirts, dresses, nice jeans or slacks are typical.

Midtown: Upscale Restaurants Near the Arts and Nightlife

Midtown is ideal if you want to pair dinner with a show or museum visit. It’s walkable and close to the Fox Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, and the High Museum of Art.

Why Locals Choose Midtown

• Central location, easy to reach by MARTA (Arts Center and Midtown stations).
• A mix of romantic date-night spots and more energetic restaurants that transition into late-night scenes.
• Menus that often reflect modern American, Mediterranean, or fusion influences.

Types of Upscale Midtown Spots

• Pre-theater restaurants: Many offer efficient service to get you to curtain time if you mention your show.
• Chef-driven dining rooms: Seasonal menus, artful plating, and open kitchens are common.
• Hotel restaurants: Some Midtown hotels host elevated restaurants with polished service and quiet dining rooms, good for business dinners or when you want a more private feel.

Midtown Dining Tips

• Parking can be tight; consider ride-share or MARTA.
• Dress tends to be smart casual—stylish but not overly formal.
• If you’re going to a show, book an early reservation to avoid rushing.

Inman Park: Upscale with a Neighborhood Feel

Inman Park is one of the city’s prettiest historic neighborhoods, and its restaurant scene reflects that charm. Upscale restaurants here feel lively but not stuffy, with a strong focus on local ingredients and creative cooking.

What to Expect in Inman Park

• Chic but relaxed dining rooms—think exposed brick, big windows, and open kitchens.
• Menus that lean toward new American and Southern, often with global influences.
• Easy access to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, so you can walk to or from dinner.

When Inman Park Works Best

• Date nights where you want a “special” place but don’t want to dress up too much.
• Showcasing Atlanta’s modern food scene to visiting friends or family.
• Birthdays or small celebrations at restaurants with shared plates and tasting menus.

Parking is a mix of street and small lots—arrive a bit early or plan for a short walk.

West Midtown: Industrial-Chic, Foodie-Friendly

West Midtown (sometimes called Westside) has evolved from warehouses and rail yards into one of Atlanta’s most creative dining districts. Upscale restaurants here often have:

• Industrial-chic interiors with high ceilings, exposed beams, and stylish bars.
• Menus that highlight Southern ingredients, wood-fired cooking, and inventive cocktails.
• A crowd that skews local and “in the know,” particularly around Howell Mill Road and Marietta Street.

Why Consider West Midtown

• Excellent for group dinners and celebrations (many restaurants have large tables and semi-private spaces).
• Strong cocktail programs and bar seating if you’re open to dinner at the bar.
• Close to attractions like Atlanta Contemporary and a short drive from Georgia Tech.

Upscale here generally means dressy casual—nice jeans and a polished top are fine, but you’ll also see people in dresses and sport coats for special occasions.

Downtown & Hotel Fine Dining

Downtown Atlanta caters heavily to business travelers, conventions, and tourists, so it’s full of high-end hotel restaurants and classic steakhouses.

When Downtown Upscale Works Well

• You’re staying near State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or the Georgia World Congress Center.
• You need a polished spot for a client dinner or networking meal.
• You want a more formal setting without leaving the core of the city.

Most upscale Downtown restaurants are within or near major hotels, with:

• Quiet, well-appointed dining rooms
• Menus built around steaks, seafood, and recognizable upscale dishes
• Professional service geared toward business and event guests

Parking tends to be in hotel garages or paid lots; valet is very common.

Upscale Southern & Modern American: A Signature Atlanta Experience

If you’re trying to decide what kind of upscale restaurant to try in Atlanta, modern Southern is one of the most distinctive choices. Many high-end spots in the city highlight:

• Local produce from Georgia farms
• Gulf seafood and regional specialties
• Creative riffs on dishes like:
  • Shrimp and grits
  • Fried green tomatoes
  • Pimento cheese
  • Braised greens and cornbread

These restaurants range from cozy and intimate to airy and modern, but they all aim to present the flavors of the South in an elevated way. For visitors, this is often the most memorable style of upscale dining in the city.

High-End Steakhouses and Seafood Restaurants

Atlanta has a strong steakhouse culture, especially in Buckhead and Downtown, which suits both locals and business travelers. You’ll find:

• Prime and dry-aged steaks
• Raw bars with oysters and chilled seafood
• Lobster, crab, and classic steakhouse sides

These restaurants are ideal for:

• Business dinners where a traditional upscale setting is expected
• Celebrations with multiple generations (steakhouses tend to feel familiar and comfortable)
• Evenings when you want predictable luxury—linen tablecloths, big booths, and formal service

Dress is often a bit more formal here—collared shirts and dresses are standard, and some spots may discourage very casual attire like athletic wear.

Upscale Restaurants with Great Views and Ambiance

If atmosphere matters as much as the menu, Atlanta offers several view-focused and atmosphere-rich options:

• Skyline views: Some high-rise or rooftop restaurants and bars overlook Midtown or Downtown, especially in and around Buckhead and Downtown. These are perfect for sunset drinks followed by dinner.
• Garden or patio settings: In neighborhoods like Inman Park, West Midtown, and parts of Buckhead, you’ll find lush patios and courtyards that feel special in good weather.
• Art-filled or design-forward interiors: Midtown and West Midtown, in particular, have restaurants where interior design and lighting are part of the experience.

When booking, you can often request a window seat, patio table, or bar seating for the ambiance you prefer, though it’s not always guaranteed.

Dress Codes & Dining Etiquette in Upscale Atlanta Restaurants

Most upscale restaurants in Atlanta follow a “dressy casual” to “business casual” standard, even if they don’t publish a strict dress code.

Typical Expectations

• ✅ Appropriate:
  • Collared shirts, blouses, or nice tops
  • Dresses, skirts, and neat slacks
  • Dark jeans with dress shoes or nice flats
• ❌ Sometimes discouraged:
  • Athletic wear, gym shorts, and tank tops
  • Extremely casual flip-flops
  • Ball caps in dining rooms (more acceptable at the bar, depending on the spot)

If you’re unsure, aim for slightly more polished than casual. Atlanta’s upscale scene is stylish but generally not as formal as old-school fine dining cities that still require jackets or ties.

How to Choose the Right Upscale Restaurant in Atlanta

When you’re deciding where to book, think through a few key questions:

1. What’s the Occasion?

• Romantic date night: Look for intimate seating, dimmer lighting, and strong dessert or cocktail programs.
• Business dinner: Steakhouses and hotel fine-dining rooms often have quieter atmospheres and private spaces.
• Birthday or celebration with friends: West Midtown and Inman Park offer lively, stylish spots with shareable plates.
• Family celebration: Larger dining rooms in Buckhead and some Midtown locations work well for varied ages and tastes.

2. Neighborhood Convenience

• Staying near Downtown or Midtown? You may want to avoid cross-city traffic and stay within a short ride.
• Living on the north side? Buckhead or Perimeter-area upscale restaurants may be easier weeknights.

Atlanta traffic can be heavy at dinner time, especially along GA-400, I‑75, and I‑85, so build in extra travel time for weekend evenings.

3. Dietary Needs and Preferences

Most upscale restaurants in Atlanta are used to handling special diets, including:

• Vegetarian and vegan options
• Gluten-free dishes
• Dairy-free or nut-free requests

When you book, you can mention dietary needs in the reservation notes or call ahead—staff at higher-end spots are often prepared to help, within the bounds of what their kitchen can accommodate.

Practical Tips for Upscale Dining in Atlanta

A few local habits can make your experience smoother:

• Book early for weekends and holidays. Popular spots in Buckhead, Midtown, Inman Park, and West Midtown can fill up weeks in advance for prime times.
• Check parking or transit options.
  • Buckhead and West Midtown: mix of valet and self-park lots.
  • Midtown and Downtown: more garages and paid lots; MARTA can be a good option.
• Plan for traffic. If you have a show, concert, or game afterward, choose a restaurant close to the venue and book an earlier table.
• Call ahead for large groups. Many upscale restaurants can arrange prix fixe menus or semi-private spaces for birthdays, graduations, or corporate events.
• Confirm hours and policies. Upscale spots may adjust hours around holidays or major events, and some may have specific policies about cancellations or large parties.

Where Locals Tend to Go for Upscale Nights Out

While tastes vary, many Atlanta residents gravitate to:

• Buckhead for classic steakhouses, polished hotel restaurants, and special-occasion dining.
• Midtown for pre-theater dinners, arts district outings, and chic date nights.
• Inman Park & West Midtown for chef-driven, creative restaurants with a modern feel.
• Downtown when convenience near arenas, stadiums, or convention centers matters most.

Whether you want a Southern tasting menu, a traditional steak dinner, or a stylish night out with craft cocktails and shared plates, Atlanta has an upscale restaurant to match your plans. The key is picking the neighborhood, atmosphere, and style of cuisine that fit your occasion—and booking ahead so you can relax and enjoy the experience once you arrive.