Nan Thai Fine Dining in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re searching for upscale Thai cuisine in Atlanta, Nan Thai Fine Dining is one of the city’s best-known names. Located in Midtown, it’s a long-standing choice for Atlantans who want Thai flavors in a white-tablecloth, date-night setting rather than a casual noodle shop.

This guide breaks down what to expect, how to plan your visit, what’s on the menu, and tips for making the most of a night out at Nan Thai Fine Dining in Atlanta, Georgia.

Where Nan Thai Fine Dining Fits in Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta has a wide range of Thai and other international restaurants, from Buford Highway hole‑in‑the‑wall spots to sleek Midtown dining rooms. Nan Thai Fine Dining sits firmly in the “special occasion” category:

• Cuisine: Thai (with a fine-dining, chef-driven approach)
• Neighborhood: Midtown Atlanta
• Vibe: Quiet, polished, and formal compared with most Thai spots in the city
• Typical occasions: Anniversaries, business dinners, pre-theater meals, and upscale nights out

If you usually grab Thai on Buford Highway or from casual intown spots, Nan will feel very different: multi-course dinners, plated presentations, and a slower, more deliberate pace.

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Neighborhood: Midtown, just north of Downtown and convenient to many offices, hotels, and cultural venues.

Typical ways Atlantans get there:

• Driving: Many diners drive in from Buckhead, Inman Park, or the suburbs for dinner. Check for:
  • On-site or nearby parking garage
  • Valet service during peak evening hours (often available in this part of Midtown)
• Rideshare: Common for date nights or if you’re planning to have cocktails or wine.
• MARTA: If you’re staying or working in Midtown:
  • The Arts Center or Midtown MARTA stations usually offer the closest rail access, followed by a short walk or rideshare.

Because Midtown events (Fox Theatre shows, festivals, sporting events nearby) can quickly snarl traffic, plan extra time if you have a reservation during rush hour or on weekend evenings.

Atmosphere: What It Feels Like Inside

Nan Thai Fine Dining is designed to feel elegant and calm, not bustling or casual. People often describe the room as:

• Refined and quiet – good for conversation
• Romantic – low lighting, sophisticated decor
• Professional – suitable for client dinners or business meetings

Typical dress:

• Smart casual to dressy:
  • For men: collared shirt, nice jeans or slacks, or a jacket if you like
  • For women: dresses, nice blouses, or polished separates
• Athletic wear, flip-flops, and overly casual outfits may feel out of place.

If you’re coming straight from work in Midtown, business casual is right at home here.

Menu Overview: What Nan Thai Fine Dining Serves

Nan Thai Fine Dining features classic Thai dishes as well as more elaborate, restaurant-specific creations. You can expect:

Core Types of Dishes

• Appetizers

  • Spring rolls, satay, dumplings, or more intricate small plates
  • Seafood starters and shared bites for the table

• Curries

  • Red, green, or panang style curries
  • Typically offered with choices like chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu
  • Served with fragrant rice

• Stir-Fries and Wok Dishes

  • Basil chicken or beef
  • Cashew stir-fries
  • Mixed vegetables and noodle options

• Noodles & Rice

  • Pad Thai or similar rice noodle dishes
  • Fried rice variations, often with seafood or meat options

• Seafood and Chef Specials

  • Whole fish preparations or specialty seafood entrees
  • Higher-end meats and carefully plated main courses

• Desserts

  • Thai-style sweets such as mango with sticky rice (in season)
  • House desserts with more of a fine-dining twist

Spice and Customization

Most Atlanta diners find that Nan:

• Uses balanced spice levels, often slightly milder than ultra-traditional Thai spots
• Can typically adjust spice on request, especially if you ask clearly when ordering

If you’re sensitive to heat, ask for “mild” or “less spicy.”
If you enjoy strong heat, request “Thai spicy” or “extra spicy” and ask your server which dishes take spice well.

Sample Experience at a Glance

Here’s a simple snapshot of what a typical evening at Nan Thai Fine Dining in Atlanta might look like:

Price Level and Budgeting

Nan Thai Fine Dining is considered upscale for Thai cuisine in Atlanta, closer in price to other Midtown fine-dining spots than to casual Thai restaurants.

In general:

• Appetizers: Moderately priced, especially when shared
• Main courses: Higher than neighborhood Thai places, reflecting:
  • Midtown location
  • Service level
  • Presentation and atmosphere
• Drinks: Cocktails and wine are typically in line with other Midtown fine-dining restaurants

For planning purposes:

• Expect higher per-person costs than at most Thai spots on Buford Highway or in the suburbs
• Factor in:
  • Tax
  • Tip (standard ranges in Atlanta)
  • Valet or parking fees if applicable

If you’re on a tighter budget but want to experience Nan, consider:

• Sharing an appetizer and focusing on entrees
• Skipping cocktails or ordering fewer drinks
• Visiting earlier in the evening to avoid long waits and manage your timing

Reservations, Timing, and When to Go

Because Nan is popular with Midtown residents, office workers, and visitors staying in nearby hotels, timing can matter.

Reservations:

• Strongly recommended for:
  • Friday and Saturday nights
  • Special occasions (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, graduation weekends)
• Same-day reservations may be possible on slower weekdays, but it’s safer to book early.

Best times to go:

• Early evening (5:30–7:00 p.m.)
  • Often a bit quieter
  • Good if you’re heading to a show or event afterward
• Later evening (after 8:00 p.m.)
  • Can feel more relaxed once the early dinner rush thins out

If you’re meeting friends or colleagues coming from different parts of Atlanta, consider:

• Weeknights to avoid heavy weekend traffic
• Building in buffer time for parking or rideshare delays in Midtown

Dietary Needs and Preferences

Nan Thai Fine Dining, like many Thai restaurants, typically offers a range of options but may lean more toward traditional ingredients, sauces, and proteins.

Common needs and what to ask:

• Vegetarian options

  • Ask which curries, stir-fries, and noodle dishes can be made with tofu or vegetables only
  • Confirm whether fish sauce or shrimp paste is used in the dish or sauce

• Vegan

  • Clarify whether items can be made without:
    • Fish sauce
    • Oyster sauce
    • Egg
  • It’s helpful to ask the server to point out the most flexible dishes

• Gluten considerations

  • Some soy sauces and sauces may include gluten
  • Let your server know your needs so the kitchen can advise

Restaurant menus and practices can change, so in Atlanta it’s common for diners with restrictions to:

• Call ahead or note needs when reserving
• Re-confirm with the server when ordering

How Nan Compares to Other International Cuisine in Atlanta

For an Atlanta diner deciding where to book, it helps to understand Nan Thai Fine Dining alongside other international cuisine options in the city:

• Compared with casual Thai spots (many on Buford Highway, Cheshire Bridge Road, or in Decatur):

  • Nan is more formal, quieter, and higher priced
  • Portion sizes and plating may be more refined than family-style

• Compared with other Midtown international restaurants:

  • Similar overall level of polish and cost
  • Distinct because it delivers a full Thai menu in a classic fine-dining atmosphere

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying near Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, Nan can serve as your “special Thai night out” in contrast to more casual lunches or quick bites elsewhere.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

To get the best experience at Nan Thai Fine Dining in Atlanta:

• Plan ahead for traffic and parking 🚗

  • Midtown can back up quickly around rush hour and before events. Add 15–30 minutes if driving in from outside the Perimeter.

• Reserve for special dates

  • For holidays or major event weekends in Atlanta, book well in advance.

• Share a few dishes

  • Many Atlantans enjoy ordering a mix of appetizers and mains to share family-style so everyone can try different flavors.

• Communicate your spice level clearly

  • Tell your server if you prefer mild, medium, or very spicy. They’re used to working with a wide range of palates.

• Ask about house specialties

  • Chefs often have standout dishes or seasonal items that don’t always get noticed if you stick only to familiar names like pad Thai or red curry.

• Allow time to linger

  • Service at Nan is generally paced for a relaxed, multi-course experience. If you need to make a show at the Fox Theatre or another venue, let your server know your timing when you’re seated.

Who Nan Thai Fine Dining Is Best For in Atlanta

Nan Thai Fine Dining is often a strong fit if you:

• Live in the Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead area and want a nearby fine-dining Thai option
• Are visiting Atlanta and staying in a central hotel, looking for an elegant international dinner
• Need a quiet spot for business dinners where you can talk without shouting
• Are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or graduation and want Thai flavors in a formal environment

If you’re mainly looking for:

• Large, very inexpensive portions
• Ultra-casual dress and atmosphere
• Extremely spicy, highly traditional Thai dishes as you might find in certain Buford Highway strip malls

…then you may want to explore some of Atlanta’s more casual Thai or Southeast Asian restaurants instead.

For many Atlantans, though, Nan Thai Fine Dining fills a unique niche: classic Thai cooking presented with the polish and service of a Midtown fine-dining restaurant, conveniently located for both locals and visitors spending time in Atlanta’s core neighborhoods.