By George: Exploring International Cuisine in Atlanta, GA

If you’re searching for “By George” in Atlanta, you’re most likely looking for By George Restaurant & Bar, the international-style restaurant located inside the historic The Candler Hotel downtown. This spot brings together European-inspired cooking, French touches, and a broad international feel right in the heart of Atlanta.

Below is a clear guide to what By George offers, how it fits into Atlanta’s international cuisine scene, and what to know before you go.

Where “By George” Fits in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Atlanta has an increasingly global food culture—Korean barbecue in Duluth, Indian and Pakistani spots along Buford Highway, West African restaurants on the south side, and modern European bistros scattered throughout intown neighborhoods.

By George sits in this landscape as:

• An upscale, international/European-inspired restaurant
• Located in a restored historic building downtown
• A good fit for hotel guests, business diners, pre-theater meals, and visitors staying in the city center

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying downtown, or you live in the city and want a polished, international-style meal without leaving the urban core, By George is one of the more convenient options.

Location, Access, and Practical Details

By George Restaurant & Bar

• Neighborhood: Downtown Atlanta
• Setting: Inside The Candler Hotel, near Peachtree Street and major office towers
• Typical guests: Business travelers, tourists, nearby residents, and locals coming in for special occasions or a night out downtown

Because it’s in a hotel and dense part of downtown, many diners get there by:

• MARTA: The Peachtree Center or Five Points stations are usually the closest depending on your route.
• Rideshare / Taxi: Common choice, especially at night or for visitors unfamiliar with downtown streets.
• Driving: Public garages and hotel valet are typical—be prepared for paid parking.

If you plan to combine dinner with a concert, game, or show, downtown access makes it relatively easy to reach:

• State Farm Arena
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Tabernacle, Rialto Center, or other performance venues

Always check current hours and parking options in advance, especially during large events when downtown is busier than usual.

What Kind of Food Does By George Serve?

By George’s menu leans toward European and international cuisine with a modern, American-leaning twist. While specifics change over time, you can generally expect:

Core Style

• French and European influences: Sauces, presentations, and techniques inspired by classic European kitchens
• International flavors: Ingredients and dishes that reference multiple regions rather than one single country
• Hotel-restaurant flexibility: A menu that appeals to a wide range of travelers and locals—recognizable dishes prepared with a more refined touch

Typical Meal Structure

You’ll often see a structure like:

• Small plates / starters – soups, salads, and shareable appetizers that may include European flavors, seasonal produce, and international spices
• Main courses – dishes built around seafood, poultry, beef, or vegetarian components that balance comfort with more global inspirations
• Desserts – classic sweets with refined plating; often European-leaning (tarts, chocolate-focused desserts, custards, or seasonal fruit options)

Because the restaurant serves both hotel guests and Atlanta residents, menus are usually approachable rather than overly experimental, but still styled with an international edge.

Atmosphere: What to Expect Inside

By George is shaped as much by its setting in The Candler Hotel as by its menu. For someone trying to decide if it fits their plans in Atlanta, these points are useful:

Vibe

• Elegant but not overly formal – suitable for date nights, business dinners, or a dressier night out
• Historic-meets-modern – high ceilings, architectural details from the early 1900s building, and updated interiors
• Mixed crowd – hotel guests, out-of-towners, and city residents, especially from downtown and nearby neighborhoods

When It Works Best

Many Atlantans and visitors use By George for:

• Pre-event dinners before heading to a concert, game, or show downtown
• Work-related meals with colleagues or clients staying at The Candler or nearby offices
• Travel-friendly dining if you’re staying downtown and want a solid international-style meal without traveling to other neighborhoods

Dress is generally smart casual—you won’t need formal wear, but most diners lean on the polished side, especially in the evening.

Comparing By George to Other International Cuisine Options in Atlanta

If you’re deciding where to explore international cuisine in Atlanta, it helps to understand how By George compares to other areas and restaurant clusters.

Quick Overview

If you’re staying downtown or want an international-style meal with a polished setting and easy transit access, By George is convenient. If you’re more interested in deep-diving into specific cuisines (for example, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, or Ethiopian), you’ll likely want to explore Buford Highway, Doraville, or other neighborhoods by car or rideshare.

When Is By George a Good Choice for You in Atlanta?

By George can be a strong fit in several common Atlanta scenarios:

1. You’re Staying Downtown Without a Car

If your hotel is downtown—near Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park, or the State Capitol—reaching more far-flung international spots (like Buford Highway) may require rideshare or a longer MARTA trip.

In that case, By George offers:

• A walkable option from many downtown hotels and attractions
• A menu that feels more “special night out” than a typical hotel restaurant
• A chance to enjoy international flavors without navigating Atlanta’s traffic

2. You Need a Business-Friendly International Restaurant

For work dinners, client meetings, or convention-related meals, By George is:

• Close to major hotels and offices
• Polished enough for professional gatherings
• Centrally located for people coming from Midtown, Downtown, and the airport via MARTA

If your group prefers something global rather than strictly Southern or steakhouse-style, this can be a practical downtown choice.

3. You Want a Historic Atlanta Setting

The Candler building is one of Atlanta’s older landmark towers, and dining at By George lets you:

• Experience historic architecture without leaving the city center
• Combine a sightseeing day (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, National Center for Civil and Human Rights) with a more refined meal nearby

Tips for Dining at By George in Atlanta

To make your visit smoother and more enjoyable, especially if you’re planning from out of town:

Reservations and Timing

• Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekends, busy convention weeks, and nights with big events at nearby venues.
• If you’re catching a show or game, consider booking your table at least 90 minutes–2 hours before you need to leave, depending on how full downtown is expected to be.

Parking and Transit

• If you’re driving, factor in downtown traffic and event schedules—large events can significantly affect travel time and parking availability.
• Using MARTA or rideshare can reduce stress, especially at night. MARTA’s airport connection makes By George relatively easy to reach if you’re just arriving in the city and staying downtown.

Dietary Needs

As with most international-leaning, hotel-based restaurants, By George generally aims to:

• Offer vegetarian or lighter options
• Provide some flexibility for common dietary restrictions (gluten-avoidant choices, adjustments to sauces, etc.)

If you have strict dietary needs, it’s wise to call the restaurant ahead, so you know what’s possible before you commit your group there.

How By George Fits Into Planning an International Food Day in Atlanta

If you’re building an international-food-focused day around Atlanta, By George can serve as the central or final stop if you’re staying downtown:

• Start your day at Buford Highway for casual Asian or Latin American lunch.
• Explore attractions or neighborhoods in the afternoon.
• Finish with an international-style dinner at By George downtown for a more elevated, sit-down experience.

For locals, it can also be part of a staycation: booking a night at a downtown hotel, walking around Centennial Olympic Park or the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail earlier in the day, then enjoying a dressed-up dinner at By George.

In short, By George is Atlanta’s downtown answer to international, European-inspired dining in an elegant, historic setting. It won’t replace the hyper-specialized global eateries you’ll find in Buford Highway or other outer neighborhoods, but for a central, polished, international-style restaurant within easy reach of hotels, offices, and attractions, it fits smoothly into how people actually eat, meet, and explore in Atlanta.