Woodfire Grill in Atlanta: What to Know About This Beloved Local Restaurant

If you search for “Woodfire Grill” in Atlanta, you’re usually looking for one of two things:

1. Information about the former fine-dining restaurant that helped shape Atlanta’s modern food scene, or
2. A wood‑fired grill experience in Atlanta today—restaurants that cook over live fire, serve grilled meats, and highlight smoky, charred flavors.

This guide walks you through both: a look at what Woodfire Grill meant to Atlanta, and how to find similar grill experiences now if you live in or are visiting the city.

What Was Woodfire Grill in Atlanta?

Woodfire Grill was a well-known contemporary American restaurant in Atlanta that focused on:

• Cooking over a wood-burning grill
• Seasonal, often locally sourced ingredients
• A chef-driven tasting menu and elevated dining style

It helped popularize the idea that grilling with wood could be more than burgers and ribs—it could be fine dining with complex flavors and careful plating.

Many Atlantans still search for “Woodfire Grill” because:

• They remember dining there and want to know what’s replaced it
• They’ve heard the name and wonder if it’s still open
• They’re trying to find a similar restaurant using wood fire and open-flame grilling

As of recent years, the original Woodfire Grill is no longer operating, but the style of cooking it showcased—live-fire, wood‑fired grilling—is very much alive across Atlanta.

Understanding Wood‑Fired Grilling in Atlanta

If you’re trying to recreate a Woodfire Grill–style experience, it helps to understand what sets wood‑fired grilling apart from other restaurants.

What Makes a Woodfire Grill Different?

A true wood‑fired grill focuses on:

• Fuel: Hardwoods like oak, hickory, or pecan instead of gas or charcoal
• Flavor: Smoke and flame add deep, layered flavor to meat, seafood, and vegetables
• Technique: Chefs manage live fire, moving items around based on hot and cool zones
• Texture: Proper wood grilling creates charred edges and juicy interiors

In Atlanta, you’ll see this style used in:

• Steakhouses with wood-burning grills
• Southern and New American restaurants featuring grilled vegetables, fish, and meats
• Barbecue spots that blend traditional smoking with open-fire grilling

Where to Find a Wood‑Fired Grill Experience in Atlanta Today

While the original Woodfire Grill is gone, you can still find restaurants in Atlanta that highlight wood‑fire or open‑flame cooking. Menus and concepts change often, so always confirm current offerings, but you can use this as a reference for what to look for and how to search locally.

Common Areas to Explore

If you’re staying or living in these neighborhoods, you’re well-positioned to find wood‑fire–focused restaurants:

• Midtown Atlanta – High concentration of chef-driven spots and upscale dining
• Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward – Trendy restaurants, often with open kitchens and visible grills
• West Midtown (Westside) – Many modern American and Southern-inspired restaurants, some featuring live-fire cooking
• Buckhead – Steakhouses and upscale grills that may use wood or hybrid wood/gas systems

How to Tell if a Restaurant Uses a Woodfire Grill

When you’re searching for a Woodfire Grill–style place in Atlanta:

• Look for menu phrases like “wood‑fired,” “hickory grilled,” “live-fire,” “oak-grilled,” or “from the hearth”
• Check whether they mention a wood-burning grill or oven in the restaurant description
• Call ahead and ask directly:
  • “Do you cook steaks or mains over a wood‑fired grill?”
  • “Is your grill gas, charcoal, or wood-burning?”

This is especially useful in Atlanta, where many restaurants use gas or infrared grills but still highlight grilled items on the menu.

Typical Woodfire Grill Dishes You’ll See in Atlanta

If you’re trying to recreate the feel of Woodfire Grill, pay attention to what’s on the menu, not just the equipment.

Popular Wood‑Grilled Options

Many Atlanta restaurants with wood‑fired setups feature:

• Steaks and Chops

  • Ribeye, filet, New York strip, pork chops
  • Often served with charred vegetables, red wine reductions, or compound butters

• Seafood

  • Wood‑grilled salmon, whole fish, or scallops
  • Paired with citrus, herb oils, or seasonal sides

• Vegetable-Forward Dishes

  • Charred carrots, grilled okra, wood‑roasted mushrooms, or whole cauliflower
  • Common in Midtown and BeltLine-area restaurants with modern American menus

• Small Plates from the Grill

  • Grilled skewers, flatbreads from a wood oven, grilled shrimp, or smoky wings
  • Ideal if you want the Woodfire flavor without committing to a large entrée

Example Flavors and Styles

Atlanta chefs tend to blend Southern influences with wood‑fire cooking. You may see:

• Pecan-smoked meats or vegetables
• Grilled items finished with hot honey, sorghum, or pimento cheese accompaniments
• Seasonal grilled produce sourced from Georgia farms

How to Choose a Wood‑Fired Grill Restaurant in Atlanta

If your goal is to find a place that evokes the feel of Woodfire Grill, focus on the experience, not just the name.

Key Things to Consider

When comparing options:

• Style of Dining
  • Do you want white-tablecloth fine dining, a casual neighborhood spot, or a lively bar-and-grill?
• Menu Focus
  • Steaks, seafood, small plates, or vegetarian-friendly options?
• Neighborhood and Access
  • Are you staying near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport?
  • Will you be walking, ridesharing, or driving and parking?
• Price Range
  • Live-fire and wood‑fired concepts often lean mid- to high-end, especially in Buckhead and Midtown
• Ambiance
  • Open kitchen with a visible grill
  • Quiet and intimate vs. busy and energetic

Quick Comparison Guide

Use this simple table to narrow down what type of wood‑fired grill experience fits you in Atlanta:

Finding Wood‑Fired Grilling Near Key Atlanta Landmarks

If you’re visiting and want something like Woodfire Grill near where you already are, use these general pointers.

Near Downtown and the Georgia Aquarium / CNN Center

You’re close to:

• Classic steakhouses and grills that may use high-heat or wood‑assisted grills
• Hotel restaurants that often emphasize grilled meats and seafood

Downtown locations tend to be convenient if you’re attending conventions or events, and many are within walking distance or a short rideshare from State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Near Midtown and the Fox Theatre

Midtown is a strong area if you’re seeking a modern interpretation of what Woodfire Grill represented:

• Chef-driven American and Southern-inspired spots
• Restaurants that highlight seasonal menus and may use wood‑fire elements
• Good options before or after a show at the Fox Theatre or visits to the High Museum of Art

Along the BeltLine (Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland)

Here you’re more likely to find:

• Trendy spots with open kitchens
• Menus that call out grilled or fire-roasted items
• A mix of casual and mid-range dining, walkable from Ponce City Market and surrounding paths

Tips for Enjoying Wood‑Fired Grilling in Atlanta

To get the most out of a wood‑fired grill meal in Atlanta, keep these practical tips in mind.

1. Ask About the Grill and Specials

Servers in Atlanta’s chef-driven restaurants are often familiar with the grill setup and nightly specials. Helpful questions include:

• “What’s your signature grilled item?”
• “Is there anything off-menu from the grill tonight?”
• “Which dishes show off your wood‑fired oven or grill best?”

You’ll often be guided toward seasonal vegetables or special cuts of meat that aren’t immediately obvious from the printed menu.

2. Time Your Reservation

Wood‑fired grills run hottest and busiest during prime dinner hours. Consider:

• Earlier reservations (5:30–7:00 p.m.) if you want a quieter atmosphere
• Later reservations if you enjoy a more energetic, crowded dining room

In areas like Midtown, Inman Park, and Buckhead, reservations are strongly recommended for popular live‑fire spots, especially on weekends and event nights.

3. Plan for Traffic and Parking

Atlanta traffic can significantly affect your arrival time, particularly:

• On weekdays from 4:00–7:00 p.m.
• Around big events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and the Fox Theatre

If you’re driving, check:

• Whether the restaurant offers valet parking
• If there are nearby parking garages or street parking time limits

Using MARTA can sometimes make sense if you’re dining in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead near rail stations.

Considering a Wood‑Fired Experience at Home in Atlanta

If your interest in “Woodfire Grill” is more about the technique than dining out, you can approximate the style at home.

Getting Wood and Equipment

In the Atlanta area, most big hardware or home-improvement stores, plus some specialty grill shops, carry:

• Hardwood chunks or splits (oak, hickory, pecan)
• Charcoal plus wood combinations for hybrid grilling

You can:

• Use a charcoal grill with added hardwood chunks for a smoky flavor
• Invest in a kettle or ceramic grill that holds steady temperatures for longer cooks

🔥 Safety reminder: Always follow local fire codes, use grills in well-ventilated outdoor areas, and observe any burn restrictions that may apply during very dry periods.

If You’re Searching Specifically for the Former Woodfire Grill

Many long-time Atlantans search “Woodfire Grill” out of nostalgia or curiosity. If that’s you, here’s what to keep in mind:

• The original restaurant is no longer open
• Its influence lives on in Atlanta’s chef-driven, live‑fire cooking scene
• You can recreate aspects of the experience by choosing restaurants that emphasize:
  • Seasonal, local ingredients
  • Open-flame or wood‑fired grilling
  • Thoughtful wine or cocktail pairings

When exploring menus and neighborhoods like Midtown, West Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Buckhead, look for keywords like “wood‑fired,” “hearth,” “live fire,” “oak-grilled,” or “from the grill” to find places that capture the spirit of what Woodfire Grill brought to Atlanta.

By focusing on those elements, you can still enjoy that distinctive woodfire flavor and elevated grill experience in Atlanta today—even if the original namesake restaurant is part of the city’s culinary history.