The Betty: A Stylish Midtown Atlanta Destination for Classic American Fine Dining

If you’re looking for a polished, throwback-style fine dining experience in Atlanta, The Betty in Midtown is one of the city’s go-to spots. It blends a retro, supper-club vibe with modern cooking, craft cocktails, and a convenient location that works just as well for date night as it does for a business dinner or pre-theatre meal.

This guide walks through what to expect at The Betty, how it fits into Atlanta’s fine dining and celebrity-chef restaurant scene, and practical tips for locals and visitors.

Where The Betty Fits in Atlanta’s Dining Scene

Atlanta has a growing roster of celebrity-chef restaurants and elevated dining rooms, especially around Midtown, Buckhead, and the Old Fourth Ward. The Betty stands out because it offers:

  • A classic American menu with a modern twist
  • A stylish, mid-century–inspired dining room
  • A focus on cocktails and a strong bar program
  • A location that’s convenient to Midtown offices, cultural venues, and hotels

It’s the kind of place Atlantans might choose for:

  • Special occasions
  • Client dinners
  • Pre- or post-show meals near the Fox Theatre or Alliance Theatre
  • A polished night out where you still feel comfortable, not stiff

Location and Atmosphere

Neighborhood: Midtown Atlanta
General area: Near Peachtree Street and several major hotels, offices, and arts venues

The Betty is housed in a sleek, design-forward setting that channels a mid-century hotel bar or upscale supper club. Expect:

  • Low lighting and warm tones that feel cozy but upscale
  • A mix of booths, tables, and bar seating
  • A crowd that ranges from dressed-up couples to business diners and hotel guests

Dress typically skews smart casual to dressy. Jeans are common, but they’re often paired with nicer tops, jackets, or heels. If you’re headed there before or after a show in Midtown, you’ll fit in wearing what you’d wear to the theater.

The Betty’s Menu: What You’ll Typically Find

Menus change with the season, but The Betty tends to focus on updated versions of classic American and continental dishes. You’ll usually see:

Starters and Small Plates

Common themes include:

  • Raw bar or seafood options, such as shrimp cocktail or crudo
  • Salads with a twist, like wedge, Caesar, or seasonal greens with upscale add-ons
  • Plated appetizers like beef tartare, crab cakes, or roasted vegetables

These are designed to share or to set the tone for a more traditional three-course meal.

Main Courses

You can expect a mix of:

  • Steak and chops – often center-cut filets, ribeyes, or a shared steak for two
  • Seafood mains – such as roasted fish, scallops, or a shellfish-forward dish
  • Modern comfort dishes – like roasted chicken, pork, or a rich pasta or risotto

Portions generally reflect fine dining standards: generous enough for a full meal, but plated with attention to detail and presentation.

Sides

Sides typically lean into classic steakhouse-style vegetables and starches, for example:

  • Potatoes (gratin, mashed, or fries)
  • Seasonal vegetables (roasted carrots, asparagus, Brussels sprouts)
  • Richer options like mac and cheese or creamed greens

Some are sharable, making it easy to build a family-style spread at the table.

Desserts

Expect classic, comfort-driven desserts with an elevated twist, such as:

  • Chocolate-forward desserts
  • Fruit tarts or seasonal pies
  • Cheesecake or panna cotta–style options

If you’re celebrating, dessert is a natural place to linger with a coffee or another cocktail.

Cocktails, Wine, and the Bar Experience

The Betty puts serious focus on its bar program, which suits its supper-club feel.

You’ll typically find:

  • Classic cocktails with a modern spin
    • Variations on martinis, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Negronis
  • A thoughtful wine list with options by the glass and bottle
  • A selection of spirits and digestifs that pair well with a long dinner

The bar area often works well if:

  • You’re dining solo and want a full meal at the bar
  • You couldn’t secure a prime-time table but still want the experience
  • You’re meeting friends or colleagues for drinks before dinner elsewhere in Midtown

Typical Price Point and What You Get for It

The Betty is firmly in fine dining territory by Atlanta standards. While specific prices change, you can expect:

  • Starters: Moderately priced for a fine dining restaurant
  • Mains: Higher priced, especially steak and seafood
  • Cocktails: Similar to other upscale Midtown bars
  • Desserts: In line with typical restaurant dessert pricing

For many Atlanta diners, The Betty sits in the category of:

  • “Special night out”
  • “Expense-account dinner”
  • “Anniversary or birthday spot”

You’re paying for:

  • Ambience and design
  • Service and presentation
  • A curated, chef-driven menu rather than casual, everyday dining

When To Go: Dinner, Pre-Theatre, and More

The Betty typically focuses on dinner service, sometimes with:

  • Earlier reservations that work well for pre-theatre dining
  • Later seatings, especially on weekends, that appeal to people staying in Midtown or planning a night out

If you’re catching a show at:

  • Fox Theatre (Peachtree St NE)
  • Alliance Theatre (inside the Woodruff Arts Center)
  • Horizon Theatre or other intown stages

it’s worth aiming for a reservation 2–2.5 hours before showtime. That leaves enough time for a relaxed multi-course meal and a short ride or walk to your venue, depending on your plans.

Reservations, Parking, and Getting There

Reservations

Atlanta diners often book The Betty in advance, especially:

  • Friday and Saturday evenings
  • Holidays and big event weekends in Midtown
  • Times when large conventions are in town

If you’re flexible, you may sometimes find:

  • Earlier weeknight tables
  • Bar seating available for walk-ins

Parking and Transportation

Depending on the exact building setup at the time you visit, you may have access to:

  • Hotel or building valet service
  • Structured parking nearby in Midtown garages
  • Street parking where available (though it’s limited and often metered)

Many Atlantans choose:

  • Ride-share (Uber, Lyft) to avoid parking stress
  • MARTA to nearby Midtown stations, then a short walk or connecting ride

If you’re staying at a Midtown hotel, it may be walkable or a brief drive, making it convenient for visitors who don’t want to rent a car.

How The Betty Compares to Other Fine Dining Options in Atlanta

While the city has many high-end restaurants, The Betty fills a specific niche:

  • Vibe: Retro-modern, supper-club energy, stylish but not overly formal
  • Location: In the heart of Midtown, near offices, hotels, and cultural venues
  • Menu style: Comfort-driven classics with an upscale, chef-driven approach

Whereas some Atlanta fine dining spots lean heavily global, ultra-minimalist, or tasting-menu–only, The Betty tends to offer a familiar, approachable menu in a polished setting. This makes it a strong choice when your group has mixed tastes or you want a “classic night out” feel.

Tips for Atlantans and Visitors Planning a Visit

Here are practical pointers if you’re considering a reservation:

1. Think about timing.

  • For pre-theatre, aim to be seated 2 hours before curtains rise in Midtown.
  • For a late dinner, check how late the kitchen stays open on your chosen night.

2. Dress with the room in mind.

  • Smart casual is generally safe: nice jeans or slacks, dresses, skirts, collared shirts, and jackets all fit the room.
  • If you’re celebrating something special, dressing up a bit more will still feel appropriate.

3. Plan your transport.

  • Midtown traffic can be dense around rush hour and event times.
  • Build in a cushion if you’re driving, especially on weekends and during large events.

4. Budget for a full experience.

  • Many Atlantans treat The Betty as a three-course + cocktails kind of night.
  • If you want to keep costs down, you can make a meal of a shared starter, one entrée, and a cocktail or glass of wine.

5. Consider bar dining.

  • If you like a more casual feel or last-minute plans, dining at the bar can be a comfortable way to experience the menu and cocktails without a traditional table.

Is The Betty Right for Your Atlanta Night Out?

Choose The Betty if you’re looking for:

  • A refined but relaxed fine dining option in Midtown
  • A place with well-executed classics rather than experimental cuisine
  • Cocktails and ambiance that feel like an occasion
  • Convenient access to Midtown offices, hotels, and theatres

Whether you live in Atlanta and want a polished spot for a celebration, or you’re visiting and looking for a memorable dinner in the city’s core, The Betty is a strong contender in the fine dining and celebrity-chef restaurant landscape of Atlanta.