Where to spend your birthday dinner in Atlanta
One of my favorite questions to ask people on their birthday is, “Where are you celebrating?!". The answers are all across the board from making something nice at home, going to a favorite restaurant or completely ignoring the fact that people celebrate birthdays. I love any excuse for a party and if I get to be the guest of honor, well just twist my arm fine I’ll do it! Not everyone is looking to spend tons of money or have a formal affair (or have a silent disco party in the backyard shoutout to 2022 Sept 23) so our list is going to cover a wide variety of options.
For the people who ignore birthdays..
Show up in scrubs or sweats, no one will care! This restaurant is underneath an Italian Glasses shop off Buford Highway. They have 18,000 followers on Instagram and regularly sell out of dumplings for all major holidays. Absolutely delicious!!! My favorites are the soup dumplings (a nonnegotiable you MUST get them), peanut noodles, and fried rice. You’ll thank me!
If you’re asking me, you have to go to the West Midtown location. Technically they have one in Alpharetta, Smyrna, and Tucker too. West Midtown is BYOB and has become our Valentine's Day go-to spot. We’ll bring a nice bottle of wine and split a giant pizza. I had typed out, “the best pizza of our lives including pizza we had in Italy”, but I had to delete it because Florence has a better view, and therefore the food tastes better. That’s just travel math. BUT Antico’s is the closest you’ll get to authentic Italian pizza in Atlanta! When you go, be sure to check out the bar with fresh olive oil, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes.
To be totally transparent, I’m a Superica girl myself. But if you’re going for a cheap but delicious option I feel like that’s exactly what Little Rey is for (and great catering)! You order at the counter and seat yourself. The salsa bar is extensive so don’t miss it!! We love getting the tacos rico style (aka smothered in cheese dip and peppers) and the salads are sneakily good. But not for your birthday, get something more fun! Save the salad for next time!
Located in downtown Virginia Highland, Ocean Wave is a low-key sushi restaurant with the same owners as Surin of Thailand (also a personal fav but not for this list). Ocean Wave specializes in sushi but has a lot of Thai dishes from their sister restaurant available too. Very casual and very delicious. Be sure to get their mango sticky rice as a bday treat for yourself!
If you’re somewhere in between, “My birthday isn’t a big deal” and “I mean we can do something” …
In West Midtown lies one of the best Italian restaurants in the city! Perhaps THE best! Their prosciutto has ruined all other prosciutos for me because the quality is so high. Definitely get that and the fresh mozzarella as an appetizer. The arrabbiata pasta and cappelletti spinachi is *chefs kiss*. Every Tuesday has ½ priced bottles of wine so plan accordingly. They’re also great about reservations for larger parties so invite your friends!
This Persian restaurant started in Inman Park a few years ago and has since opened a second location in Alpharetta and has another coming soon in Buckhead. It has great patio space and is almost always booked up! My go-to order is the steak kebab, the Adas Polo (rice), labneh and the french fries because the dipping sauce is soooo good. This place has amazing vibes and food that lives up to the hype.
If you’re feeling bougie and want to go to a place that matches your mood, The Chastain is a great fit. TBH I’ve only been for coffee but I hear amazing things about the dinner service! The grounds are beautiful and they have a covered patio for all seasons. The menu is “new American bistro”, so think smaller menu, intimate dining, and upscale menu items. It’s a little stuffy (in my personal opinion!) but sometimes that’s the vibe! If you go, send me your review :)
For some delicious Greek food, you can go to downtown Roswell or downtown Alpharetta to find Vaz Kouzina! It’s a great place to share so bring your friends and work your way through the menu. If it wasn’t so shareable it would probably have one dollar sign but there’s so much worth getting on the menu!! (Get the spicy feta and thank me later) To top off the vibes, they have a fun wine list with majority Greek wines so you’ll probably try something new. It’s a splurge for a weeknight but always worth it!
For those fun, fun people out there who never miss an opportunity to celebrate…
If you don’t live in the city, this one's for sure worth traveling for! You want to plan around going when you can sit outside and enjoy the grounds. It’s right on the Chattahoochee river and when the flowers are in full bloom there’s no outdoor patio that can beat it! They do a Sunday brunch which might be an easier drive depending on where you live. The food is elegant but approachable and there’s something for everyone on the menu. If you have a spring, summer or fall birthday definitely check out Canoe!
In downtown Roswell, Table and Main is a CUTE upscale Southern restaurant. It’s a historic house that’s been turned into a restaurant which allows it to have a cozy and intimate atmosphere. The patio feels private despite being directly off Canton Street because of the thoughtful landscaping around the restaurant. The outdoor fireplace also makes this patio a fun option for our fall and winter birthdays! Make a night of it and go shopping before or hit the bars after. You can’t go wrong with this Roswell staple!
West Midtown brings us a Ford Fry restaurant that’s a step above the rest. Marcel is the perfect celebration spot for any steak lover! French decor covers the walls and the dimly lit dining room will make even the youngest in the party pull out their phone flashlight. It’s all part of the vibe and it’s why you might even have a celebrity sighting here! True story - first time I came back in 2017 our table took forever because THE ENTIRE CAST OF THE AVENGERS WAS THERE. You can imagine the disappointment when people came for a photo and found little ol’ us at the table. You’ll need to book this one in advance though because they rarely have openings. You can try the bar too since every night it’s first come first served. Marcel is a perfect meal every time without any of the stuffiness of a high end restaurant! Get any of the potato dishes and you won’t be disappointed.
Pro tip, valet instead of paying for parking. It’ll be cheaper I promise.
This one is for the foodies! One of the most famous Atlanta restaurants with a Michelin star, Bacchanalia is a fine dining restaurant serving new america food. They have a prixe fixe 4 course menu with only fresh and seasonal ingredients offered for $110 a person. There’s also a highly recommended wine pairing option! Located in West Midtown, the vibes are industrial chic and the food is the most Instagramable. Each dish perfectly plated and standout service. I haven’t been yet but I’ve only heard amazing things from friends who have gone!
Atlanta has so much good food I’m sure there are some great options I missed!
Let me know what restaurants you’d add to the list :) And PLEASE comment or pop me a DM on instagram (@emilyhanley_homes) if you check any of these out. I love hearing from you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Emily
(not ai)
