Oral Pleasures

In a time where mobile technology reigns supreme, it is common to see humans glued to their phones at the dinner table. But imagine a simpler time, when the dinner table was a chance for conversation and community. In this year’s Oral Pleasures, we hope to carry on and expand those traditions – not just to offer our readers a chance to sample the diversity of ATL’s restaurants, but to bring people together from all cultures to break bread and share food. If there’s one thing that we know, it’s that food is essential to survival. So why not eat something delicious?

— Lauren Leathers, Events Editor

Featured

Hawks and Friends Advertorial Content

Thursday October 4, 2018 03:02 PM EDT 10/04/2018 3:02 PM

Atlanta Hawks players Kent Bazemore, John Collins, and Trae Young tell us what they feel are the 5 best things about Atlanta. | more...

Who is Atlanta’s Best Local Musician-Artist? Advertorial Content

Thursday October 4, 2018 04:36 PM EDT 10/04/2018 4:36 PM

Creative Loafing asks Atlanta Hawk’s players Kent Bazemore, John Collins, and Trae young their picks. | more...

Best 24-hour Restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Mama’s Restaurant

Best Bagel BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Emerald City Bagels

If Dorothy followed the yellow brick road and ended up at Emerald City Bagels she’d forget about Kansas in a heartbeat. Skip over to their EAV retail shop exuding retro NYC charm and sink your teeth into a rosemary bagel with cream cheese washed down with an egg cream. You’ll be tapping your rubymore...

Best Baker BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Sarah Dodge

Best Bakery BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

La Calavera (Permanently Closed)

Best Bar Food BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar - Virginia Highland

Atkins Park gets a bad rep for food because it’s mostly known as a bar. It’s honestly one of the best restaurants in Atlanta, way beyond bar food. We’d never recommend chicken fingers, but we break the rule here. Get the Texas fingers tossed in Thai chili sauce, fries, and ranch. Best tomato soupmore...

Best Bar- Best Bartender/Mixologist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Ticonderoga Club (Temporarily Closed)

Pat Hinson is able to talk to anyone because he’s into so many awesome hobbies, and always gives above and beyond service.

Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

GQ’s Bar B Que (Where to Eat Recommendation)

GQs is a straightforward smoked meats shop with a friendly staff and incredible food, and their five-dollar Pittsburgh Plate is the meal you need.

Best Bed & Breakfast BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

The Social Goat Bed and Breakfast (Permanently Closed)

Best Beer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Monday Night Brewing (Featured)

Monday Night Brewing is a leader of innovation and productivity in the local beer industry, between the IPA-centric Black Tie Series pouring out of the West Midtown Hop Hut, and the newish Monday Night Garage barrel-aging program. In the last year alone, Monday Night has brewed more than 100 of somemore...

Best Biscuits BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Happy Donuts (Permanently Closed)

Best Breakfast BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Rise-n-Dine (Permanently Closed)

Step foot in Rise N Dine and take a breath of fresh air, sweet with the smell of pancakes and maple syrup. It’s not often that you can walk into a place and feel completely at home; gender, race, politics, and everything else aside. Rise N Dine provides a welcoming and positive environment, giving us the ability to focus on the simple things we can all agree on in life: love, kindness, and quality breakfast food. Not only is grub consistently incredible, but the staff also provides excellent service with warm smiles. less...

Best Brew Pub BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Wrecking Bar Brewpub (Featured)

Best Brunch BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Le Petit Marche (Permanently Closed)

Best Burrito BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

El Myr

I often buy El Myr’s burritos two at a time because I know I’ll want another the following day. The place has had regulars since day one. People simply cannot stop eating here. Wash it all down with a cold Grizz and celebrate this treasure of a burrito bar.

Best Cajun BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Bon Ton (Featured)

If a trip to New Orleans is not in your future, head to the casual eatery in Midtown Atlanta serving Louisiana-style seafood and stiff cocktails at the former TopFlr location. It’s not all fried po’boys here like most other Cajun spots – there are global influences on the menu like the falafelmore...

Best Caribbean BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

TasteBuddz Atl (Permanently Closed)

Best Cheap Eats BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Dish Dive (Permanently Closed)

Kirkwood’s gem undoubtedly serves up the city’s most innovative food at affordable prices. Here you’ll find clever takes on comfort food dishes, like shakshuka made with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, bell pepper, corn, and fried egg. The restaurant is small and bare bones (hence Dive) butmore...

Best Cheese Steak BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

The Cheesesteak Place

Best Chef BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Maricela Vega

Honestly, Maricela Vega of Chicomecoatl has been continuously blowing us away with her cuisines of late. Her food is always incredibly fresh, inspiring, delicious, and beautiful to the eye. She’s very conscious of her food from start to finish. She sources her produce, daily, from local farms likemore...

Best Chinese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Ming’s BBQ Doraville (Where to Eat Recommendation)

You’ve never had ‘real’ Chinese in America until you’ve had Ming’s BBQ on Buford Highway. The fried rice is not brown nor over-fried and soy-sauced, and it’s made with real, freshly sauteed large shrimp, not those tiny, fake-dried, were-they-ever-even-really-alive-shellfishies in other friedmore...

Best Cocktail Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Ticonderoga Club (Temporarily Closed)

Best Cocktails BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Ticonderoga Club (Temporarily Closed)

Best Coffee House/Coffeeshop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Ebrik Coffee Room (Permanently Closed)

Best Cookie Dough Place BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Batter Cookie Dough Counter

Best Cuban BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Havana Sandwich Shop (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best Cupcakes BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Dulce Vegan Bakery & Cafe (Featured)

Best Deli BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Muss & Turner’s - Smyrna (Featured)

Best Desserts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Golden Eagle (Permanently Closed)

Best Diner BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Majestic Diner (Featured)

This diner has been serving customers their breakfast favorites 24/7 since 1929. The red booths, neon signs, and long counter top are sure to give you a burst of nostalgia. Whether it be 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., stop by and order an omelet or their breakfast special to decide for yourself whether Majestic Dinermore...

Best Doughnut BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Revolution Doughnuts & Coffee - Decatur

Best Ethiopian BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen (Where to Eat Recommendation)

When Ethiopian- born Nega and Demise started Desta, they had the capacity for only eight guests - and now have expanded to 250. Go to Desta anytime on a weekend, and you will see young international crowds gathered for celebrations. The food is modern Ethiopian, served in individual portions and alwaysmore...

Best Experimental Food BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Brown Sugar

Best Falafel BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Yalla (Where to Eat Recommendation)

This colorful spot puts a modern spin on traditional Middle-Eastern cuisine and features fresh, seasonal ingredients and well-seasoned, generous portions. Omnivores, vegans, and vegetarians alike can rejoice in the abundance of delicious options.

Best Farm-To-Table Restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

The Spindle (Featured)

Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

West End Farmer’s Market ATL

Best Food Fest that hasn’t happened yet BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Hot Dog Fest @ATLHotdogfest

Best Food Festival/Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Japan Fest

Best Food Truck BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Sunshine Alchemy (Featured)

You don’t have to be a vegan to appreciate the plant-based magic coming out of Sunshine Alchemy’s truck. The brainchild of Jasmine Beck, Sunshine Alchemy relies on fresh, seasonal ingredients to create delectable ‘veganish’ dishes and cocktails. Mouthwatering treats on their menu include BBQ jackfruit nachos and dreamy juice concoctions like matcha blended with cashews, coconut cream, and pineapple. Don’t skip the CBD oil booster if you?re into that sort of thing. less...

Best French BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Cafe Alsace (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Best French Fries BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

The Porter Beer Bar (Temporarily Closed)

Best Fried Chicken BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Alluvia restaurant

Best Fro Yo BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

TCBY

Best Getting Funky w Fish BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

POKE BURRI (Featured)

Poke Burri has taken the local sushi market by storm, offering quick and affordable sushi rolls, poke bowls, and sushi burritos from its spot in the East Atlanta Village We Suki Suki Global Grub Collective. The madmen behind the concept have started experimenting with sushi doughnuts, sushi pizza, andmore...

Best Hamburger BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Grindhouse Killer Burgers (5 ATL Locations)

Grindhouse wins every year for a reason, it’s f*cking delicious. We don’t know what kind of crack Alex Brounstein puts on his grill, but we’re totally addicted. Disclaimer: They do not serve crack it’s just really good. Now that we’ve decided the Impossible Burger is like eating negative calories,more...

Best Hand Poke BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Lauren Visconti

Best Ice Cream BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

the Plant Based Princess

We stumbled upon this vegan ice cream place a couple of months ago, and can’t imagine why more people aren’t talking about it. The concoctions are original, and the flavors are tasty and not super rich. Much love to the butter pecan and peach cobbler. You get all the benefits of ice cream withoutmore...

Best Indian BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Chinese Dhaba (Featured)

This place serves Indo-Chinese, a hyper-local cuisine of Western India which is basically Chinese food made spicier. South Asians order familiar Hakka noodles, chili chicken, or American chop suey, mainly for the nostalgia factor. With the growing awareness and popularity of its unique flavors, Chinesemore...

Best Italian BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

BoccaLupo (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Is there anything more crave-worthy than Bruce Logue’s 20-yolk tagliatelle with wild mushrooms and Tuscan kale kimchi? We think not. This Inman Park treasure has been open for nearly five years and reservations are still mandatory.

Best Japanese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Sushi Hayakawa (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Yet another excellent Buford Highway eatery, Sushi Hayakawa serves classic Japanese cuisine and was founded by the masterful Atsushi ‘Art’ Hayakawa, who is the sole chef at the establishment. If you’re lucky enough to get in - walk-ins are usually turned away - and the wait for a reservation is about three weeks, you will enjoy authentic, no-frills sushi with a highlight on the fish’s subtle flavor. Avid sushi lovers take note: this past May, Hayakawa introduced a 14-course omakase, a two-and-a-half hour dining experience for two. Reservations are mandatory. less...

Best Japanese Izakaya BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Shoya Izakaya (Where to Eat Recommendation)

Izakaya is the Japanese equivalent of tapas, if you have to compare. It’s more a vibe and a way of eating, small portions and beverages consumed in large quantities. Shoya is the closest in atmosphere and taste to the backstreets of Tokyo. The only thing missing - thankfully - is the clouds of cigarettemore...

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