Cooks & Soldiers in Atlanta: A Local Guide to Modern Basque Dining on the Westside

If you’re looking for international cuisine in Atlanta that feels both adventurous and approachable, Cooks & Soldiers on the Westside is one of the city’s most distinctive options. Inspired by the food culture of Spain’s Basque region, it combines grilled meats, seafood, and inventive small plates with a relaxed, city-minded atmosphere.

This guide walks through what to expect, how to plan a visit, and how Cooks & Soldiers fits into Atlanta’s broader dining scene.

Where Cooks & Soldiers Fits in Atlanta’s Restaurant Landscape

Atlanta has no shortage of global flavors, but Basque cuisine is still relatively rare here. Cooks & Soldiers stands out because it:

  • Focuses on the Basque Country (Northern Spain/Southern France) rather than broad “Spanish” food
  • Balances traditional techniques (like live-fire grilling) with modern plating
  • Fits nicely into the West Midtown / Westside cluster of destination restaurants, breweries, and bars

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, this is the kind of place you might choose for:

  • A special dinner out on the Westside
  • A pre- or post-event meal if you’re near Atlantic Station, Midtown, or the Georgia Tech area
  • Exploring international cuisine beyond the usual tapas or Italian spots

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Neighborhood: West Midtown / Westside Provisions–adjacent
General area: Near Interstate 75/85 and convenient to Midtown, Buckhead, and Downtown

You’ll typically find Cooks & Soldiers:

  • Along Howell Mill Road in the West Midtown corridor
  • Close to other well-known restaurants, lofts, and design-focused shops

Getting There from Around Atlanta

  • From Midtown: Expect about a 5–15 minute drive depending on traffic. Surface streets like 10th Street and Northside Drive often provide a workable alternative to the interstate during peak times.
  • From Downtown: Usually a 10–20 minute drive. Northside Drive and the connector (I‑75/85) are the most common routes.
  • From Buckhead: Plan for around 15–25 minutes via Peachtree and Northside or via I‑75.

Parking Tips

Parking in West Midtown can be tight at peak hours, but diners commonly use:

  • On-site or shared decks/lots associated with nearby mixed‑use developments
  • Valet services when available, especially on busy evenings or weekends
  • Rideshare (Uber, Lyft), which many Atlanta locals prefer for Friday/Saturday nights to avoid parking and traffic headaches

If you’re bringing visitors or meeting a group, it can help to:

  • Build in a 10–15 minute buffer for parking and walking
  • Clarify which deck or entrance you’ll use, since some lots have multiple access points

What Is Basque Cuisine, and How Does Cooks & Soldiers Interpret It?

Basque food comes from a region along the Bay of Biscay, straddling Spain and France. It’s known for:

  • Pintxos: bite‑sized bar snacks or small plates, often served on bread or skewers
  • Wood‑grilled meats and seafood
  • Generous use of olive oil, peppers, seafood, and seasonal produce

Cooks & Soldiers brings that to Atlanta in a way that feels:

  • Familiar – grilled steaks, crispy potatoes, seafood, charcuterie
  • Different – Basque sauces, unique flavor combinations, and pintxos you don’t see everywhere

Menu Overview: How to Order Like a Local

Menus can change with the season, but the structure tends to include:

Pintxos and Small Plates

These are ideal if you:

  • Want to share with the table
  • Prefer to sample a variety instead of committing to one large entrée
  • Are pairing food with a glass of wine or a cocktail

Common features include:

  • Skewered or on-toast bites with seafood, cured meats, or vegetables
  • Crisp, fried, or grilled items with bold sauces
  • Vegetarian-friendly options among the smaller dishes

In Atlanta, diners often build their entire meal around small plates—especially if they’re catching a show or going bar-hopping afterward in the area.

Larger Plates and Grilled Items

For a more traditional entrée-style dinner, you’ll usually see:

  • Grilled meats (such as steak or pork) cooked over live fire
  • Seafood with Basque-inspired accompaniments
  • Larger-format plates that can be shared, which is common in Basque-style dining

If you’re celebrating a birthday, date night, or special occasion in Atlanta, these bigger plates are often what people gravitate toward.

Sides and Add‑Ons

You can expect:

  • Potato dishes, roasted or fried
  • Vegetable sides that follow seasonal produce availability
  • Bread and spreads that round out the meal

These are practical to order if you’re with a group of Atlantans who have varied appetites—some can focus on small plates, while others share a larger entrée and sides.

Drinks: Wine, Cocktails, and More

Cooks & Soldiers generally pays special attention to its beverage program, making it a draw for Atlanta locals who enjoy pairing food and drink.

Wine

You’ll typically find:

  • Spanish and Basque wines highlighted, including reds, whites, and sparkling
  • A range of Old World selections that pair well with grilled meats and seafood
  • By-the-glass options suitable for a casual weeknight out

If you’re not familiar with Basque wines, servers are usually prepared to explain what pairs well with particular dishes, which is helpful if you’re just exploring international wine.

Cocktails and Other Beverages

Expect:

  • Cocktails that reflect local and Spanish/Basque influences
  • Beer, often including European styles plus domestic options
  • Non-alcoholic choices like sodas, juices, and sometimes house-made drinks

In Atlanta, it’s common for people to come here for a full dinner and drinks or to start the evening with cocktails and small plates before moving on to another Westside spot.

Reservations, Wait Times, and When to Go

With its location and reputation among Atlanta diners, Cooks & Soldiers can get busy.

Reservations

Many guests choose to reserve ahead, especially if:

  • It’s a Friday or Saturday night
  • You’re bringing a group
  • You want a specific time before or after a show, concert, or game

For quieter experiences, Atlantans often aim for:

  • Early weekday dinners (around 5:30–7:00 p.m.)
  • Later seatings after the early rush

Walk‑Ins

Walk‑ins may be possible, especially:

  • At the bar or high-top seating
  • On weeknights or during earlier hours

If you prefer spontaneity, you might still get in, but it’s smart to have a backup in mind elsewhere in West Midtown.

Ambiance and What to Expect Inside

Cooks & Soldiers typically leans into a modern, warm, and lively environment—consistent with other higher‑end Westside restaurants.

You can expect:

  • A bustling dining room during peak hours
  • An interior that blends contemporary design with rustic or wood elements
  • A mix of dates, groups of friends, coworkers, and food-focused visitors

Dress in Atlanta usually ranges from:

  • Smart casual (jeans and a nice top/shirt)
  • To dressier for occasions (dresses, button-downs, jackets)

There’s no need for formal attire, but most people dine here as if they’re going to a nice city restaurant rather than a casual fast-casual spot.

Dietary Preferences and Considerations

While menus change, Cooks & Soldiers generally offers sufficient variety for different preferences.

You can often find:

  • Vegetarian options, especially among pintxos and vegetable sides
  • Some gluten-conscious choices, depending on preparation
  • Seafood-forward dishes if you prefer to avoid red meat

If anyone in your Atlanta group has specific dietary needs, it’s prudent to:

  • Review the current menu in advance
  • Mention restrictions to your server at the start of the meal
  • Ask how certain dishes can be adjusted (sauces on the side, skipping certain toppings, etc.)

Staff at restaurants like this are typically used to questions from guests about allergies or preferences.

Example Visit Scenarios for Atlantans

To give a sense of how Cooks & Soldiers fits into local routines, here are a few common ways people use it:

1. Westside Date Night

  • Park once in West Midtown
  • Share pintxos, one larger grilled dish, and a bottle or glasses of wine
  • Walk or ride a short distance to another bar or dessert spot nearby

2. Pre‑Event Dinner

  • Early reservation if you’re headed to:
    • A concert at State Farm Arena or Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (with a drive afterward)
    • A show at The Fox Theatre
  • Order mainly small plates to keep the timing flexible
  • Opt for a simple drink so you can comfortably make it to your event on time

3. Group Celebration

  • Book a table for a birthday or job celebration
  • Share a mix of pintxos, sides, and a few large plates
  • Use rideshare to avoid multiple cars and parking coordination in West Midtown

How Cooks & Soldiers Compares to Other International Options in Atlanta

Within Atlanta’s international dining scene, Cooks & Soldiers offers a different experience compared with:

  • Buford Highway spots (typically more casual, broad range of Asian and Latin cuisines)
  • Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Midtown restaurants that lean Italian, French, or Pan-Asian
  • Tapas bars elsewhere in the city that have a broader Spanish identity rather than a Basque focus

For locals and visitors looking to explore beyond the usual favorites, Cooks & Soldiers adds:

  • A distinct regional identity (Basque)
  • A mix of shareable plates and serious entrées
  • A setting that feels in step with the design-forward, urban atmosphere of West Midtown

Practical Tips for a Smooth Experience

To make the most of a visit to Cooks & Soldiers in Atlanta:

  • Reserve ahead for weekends or special occasions
  • Aim for off-peak hours if you prefer a quieter room
  • Use rideshare on busy nights to simplify parking and traffic
  • Plan to share – building a meal around several pintxos and a shared entrée lets you try more of the menu
  • Ask about seasonal items – many Atlantans enjoy seeing what’s new or locally sourced

For anyone living in Atlanta, visiting for a weekend, or planning an evening in West Midtown, Cooks & Soldiers is a strong choice when you want international cuisine with a clear point of view and a dining experience that feels distinctly urban and local at the same time.