Every time my friends and I have something to celebrate, we like to mark the occasion with a special meal. Atlanta does special occasion dinner spots so well that my list continually grows for this category. While these restaurants are a bit of splurge, , I have found that they are worth it for the delicious food and unique dining experiences. All of the restaurants on this list have entrees of $30+ or tasting menus at a fixed price. Many of these places have won James Beard Awards, NYT America’s Best Restaurants, and feature outstanding chefs and bars. Save these Atlanta special occasion dinner spots for those birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs or other special celebrations!.
#1 – Miller Union, West Midtown
This wonderful spot is located in West Midtown. I truly hadn’t heard of Miller Union until about a month ago when we went before a co-worker’s piano night . Miller Union’s menu changes seasonally but they are known for their farm fresh flavors with a southern take .
My experience:
For an appetizer, we split the farm egg and the grouper croquettes. I ordered spinach tagliatelle that had clams, fennel and arugula as the main entree. For drinks, I ordered the Miller Thyme and The Pimm’s Chalice. Both were very refreshing and perfect for spring. They are most known for their wine menu so when I go back, I will be ordering off that!
Cost: $$$
Miller Union’s appetizers range from $12 – $21 and the entrees range from $30 – $40. I recommend booking your reservations on Resy at least two weeks in advance to guarantee a spot.
Parking:
There are some free parking spots on 11th street near the restaurant and across Howell Mill. There is also a valet offered and a parking deck next to Snooze as well.
#2 – Georgia Boy, Poncey-Highland
When I say Georgia Boy is an experience of a lifetime, I mean it. I’ve been lucky enough to visit this amazing restaurant twice and both times the food and the wine blew me away. It is an intimate, blind-tasting experience located in the back of Poncey-Highlands Southern Belle. Reservations open 28 days in advance at noon, so I recommend setting an alert if you want a specific date and time. Georgia Boy has four seating periods a night and the largest group size is 8 people. If your group is smaller than that, you will be at a communal table. Georgia Boy does a great job with allergens if you tell them ahead of time.
My experiences:
My first time visiting last year was in 2022, my favorite courses included a delectable homemade bread, a carrot spray to represent Krog Street Tunnel and an amazing peanut butter dessert. This past March, my favorite courses included their ode to Buford highway, their take on beef and broccoli and their course dedicated to vidalia onions.
Cost: $$$$
It is $219 per person including service and it includes 15 courses. Georgia Boys’ courses are small but they all add up to a very filling meal. Georgia Boy offers a wine pairing but it is an additional $100+. Their cocktails are around $20. You have to book and pay on Resy for the meal before going so make sure you and your friends and family are fully committed.
Parking:
There is free parking located in the front of Southern Belle (the restaurant in front of Georgia Boy) as well as free street parking on Blue Ridge Avenue behind the restaurant.
#3 – Lucian Books and Wine, Buckhead
I’ll be honest, when my friend suggested this restaurant for her birthday dinner, I thought this was a wine shop that casually had books.After reading the NYT article about it being one of the top restaurants in Atlanta, I realized I was gravely mistaken. Lucian Books and Wine is located in Buckhead right off Peachtree Street near the Buckhead Village. This intimate spot has delectable small plates that perfectly pair with their amazing wine.
My experience:
We knew we wanted to try the wine and asked our server for a full bodied red one for around $70-$80 and his recommendation was spot on. Our favorite dishes included both the pasta dishes (gnudi and tagliatelle) as well as their striped bass. Lucian Books and Wine was a wonderful experience and dinner with friends for the perfect birthday celebration this year.
Cost: $$$
Their vegetarian plates are between $15 – $20 and their meat plates are all $40+. Wine is served either by the glass ($16-$34) or by the bottle ($55+). I recommend putting in a reservation at least two weeks in advance.
Parking:
There is a parking lot at the 3005 Buckhead deck that they validate for two hours which is exactly how long you have a table for dinner.
#4 – The Consulate, Midtown
For the most unique concept in Atlanta, The Consulate wins. Every 3 months, they host a special night where a randomly chosen patron spins a globe and wherever their finger lands the head chef then curates a menu based on that country’s cuisine. The Consulate keeps that menu for 3 months and then they do it again all over again. The subtle nod to James Bond in the decor and the intimate circular booths made for a great date night.
My experience:
The Consulate also keeps their “resident” menu where past countries dishes are still available to order. Right now their menu is based in Mexico (June 1 it is switching to Ireland) but when we visited they were doing the Philippines.
Cost: $$
The Consulate’s menu items range from $14 – $57 and most of their items are easily shareable with 2-4 people. I recommend putting in a reservation at least two weeks in advance.
Parking:
The last time we went here we walked from our friend’s place in Midtown. On their Instagram it says they have 3 hours of free parking and my best guess is in the Laz Public Parking Garage right next to the location. Also, it is right on top of the Midtown Marta station if you want to use public transit as well.
#5 – Bacchanalia , West Midtown
I just visited this restaurant this past week for a friend’s birthday dinner and left so full. Bacchanalia is located in West Midtown and is attached to Star Provision, so it’s hard to see the entrance from the street. This new American spot has a pre-fixed menu that includes 4 courses. Along the way the chef added on some additional amuse bouches like bread service, delectable appetizer bites and an extra dessert. The four courses were very good portion sizes and I think the price value of the food to the amount of food was well worth the money.
My experience:
We started with a caviar service. This was my first time ever trying caviar and I now understand the hype. I loved that they offered different bases like mini pancakes, chips and mini omelets to enjoy the caviar. For my first course, I ordered the crab fritter. It was so juicy and I loved it paired with the avocado and grapefruit. For my second course, I ordered the lobster. I’ve never in my life received so much lobster in a dish! It was perfectly paired with the gnocchi and asparagus in a creamy sauce. For my cheese course I ordered the five cheese plate. I couldn’t really tell the difference with the cheeses but I enjoyed the honey, strawberries and candied nuts paired with it. This definitely seemed like the choice with the most food for this course! As for the dessert, I ended with the ile flottante which had a lovely rich lemony taste.
For drinks, they had a couple of housemade cocktails, but they also had a full bar. You can order cocktails, a bottle of wine, or you can order specific wine glasses for each course. I ordered two glasses of white wine, but regret the second one and wish I had ordered a glass of red wine instead. They really let you savor the food. We were sitting for 4 hours so make sure you plan accordingly.
Cost: $$$$
The pre-fixed price starts at $110 and I think the amount of food you get for this pre-fixed menu is one of the best in the city. The wine glasses range from $15-$25 per course. I recommend making the reservations at least two weeks in advance, especially for a larger party.
Parking:
There is a free parking lot right outside the restaurant. It isn’t labeled on the main road but when you come in turn left and the restaurant is right next to Star Provisions.
#6 – 10 Degrees South, East Chastain Park
If you are looking for an amazing place to try new flavors, head up to northern Buckhead and try out 10 Degrees South. This South African inspired restaurant seems very unassuming on the outside, but has amazing flavors on the inside. I’ll be honest we haven’t been back to the restaurant since 2019, but we’ve visited it multiple times with different groups of people.
My experiences:
For appetizers we always start off with the lobster spring rolls. I love their mussels with their decadent white wine sauce. The star of the show in the entrees is the ostrich medallions. I know the name might put you off but they are so tender and delicious and worth the high price point.
Cost $$$:
Entrees cost between $39 and $50 . I recommend making a reservation at least a week in advance.
Parking:
There is a valet parking lot right in the restaurant.
#7 – Rumi’s Kitchen, Midtown, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta
This delectable spot has some of the best Persian food in the Atlanta area paired with an upscale vibe. They have several locations with the newest opening located in Colony Square in Midtown. My family and friends have visited twice in the last year for different occasions.
My experiences:
I recommend starting off the evening with some of their delicious cocktails. The shazdeh garden with aquafaba is a fantastic choice. They also have a very robust wine menu perfect to split a bottle with a group of friends. For appetizers, I highly recommend the corn ribs as well as the one of their hummus dips. For the entrees you can’t go wrong with any of the kebabs. The shish kebab has so much meat and is paired with some delectable saffron rice. If you are wanting the most mouthwatering kebab, that would be the chilean sea bass. It truly melts in your mouth and is worth the elevated price point. If you are with a group of friends who are down to try everything, order some large plates of kebabs and rice to share.
Cost: $$$
Most entrees run between $20-$45 . I recommend ordering several and splitting it between friends and the price point is perfect. I would make a reservation at least a week in advance for a small group and at least two weeks for a larger group.
Parking:
The midtown and sandy springs location both have valet parking. Rumi’s Kitchen in Alpharetta is located in the Avalon which has street, valet, and deck parking.
#8 – Marcel, West Midtown
Located in the Westside Provisions District, this beautifully decorated steak house from Ford Fry is perfect for all celebrations of life. Marcel’s menu has all the French delicacies you could ever desire. They also have a fantastic wine menu as well as cigars at the end of the night for those who choose.
My experience:
We went for a 30th birthday party, but my brother-in-law had his bachelor dinner here! This was definitely an experience and we were well taken care of by the wait staff and they really played a role in making the dinner special. They have a seasonal menu with some staples. I recommend trying the escargots as the butter sauce is lovely with the bread paired with it. I went with a group of 4 girlfriends so we ordered a lot of items to share like a salad, one type of potatoes and one vegetable and we culminated our dinner by splitting their most coveted menu item – the beef wellington! We had to order it at least 24 hours in advance and we shared it between us. Marcel’s dark atmosphere and delicious wine makes this the perfect special occasion spot
Cost: $$$$
The beef wellington is steep at $189.95 and steaks starting at $75, but other entrees range $30-$50. I recommend putting in a reservation 2-4 weeks in advance especially if you want the coveted 7pm dining slot.
Parking:
There is a parking deck next to the establishment that they will validate for.
#9 – Kimball House , Decatur
Kimball house is located in a converted train station right outside of downtown Decatur. This special occasion spot I just visited for my sister’s birthday and it did not disappoint. They are well known for their unique cocktails paired with their raw bar.
My experience:
For those of us who indulged, we each had 5 oysters. My favorite ones were the glacier point and the hamma hamma. We also all split their grandiose hawaiian roll as well as the blub crab claws to start. As for drinks, we all enjoyed several cocktails from the French 75 to the New Tokyo. My sister enjoyed my favorite white wine, the Gruner Veltniger, while I enjoyed a delicious Gamay red wine. For entrees we all ordered a variety of items. I ordered the filet mignon as my entree which was cooked to perfection and included a fun onion ring. My husband and brother-in-law both enjoyed the bouillabaisse and my sister and her friend enjoyed Kimball House’s fish dishes. Kimball House, with their New American menu, has a large variety in their menu for all to enjoy.
Cost: $$$
Oysters range from $3.25-$3.75 each and entrees range from $28-$95 for the 12 oz tenderloin steak. I recommend putting in a reservation at least 4 weeks in advance for a large group and at least two weeks in advance for a small group.
Parking:
There is free street parking on East Howard Avenue as well as North Candler Street.
#10 – Gun Show, Ormwood Park
From Kevin Gilleslie’s collection, Gunshow offers a unique dining experience. Dishes are brought around to each table and you can choose to have the servers drop it off so you can enjoy it! The kitchen is also visible from the tables so it brings an interactive feel to the restaurant.
My experience:
We went to Gunshow for my husband and my now father in law’s birthday back in 2018. We were in such awe by all the food that whatever we saw we bought. The plates of items are pretty small which means you need to order 3-4 to get a full meal. Since the menu changes day to day nothing we had will still currently be there but I remember the delicious fish and cocktails on the menu.
Cost: $$$
Each plate costs anywhere from $10-$17 and cocktails are all $14.
Parking:
There is a paid lot just behind the restaurant but you can also park for free along Glenwood Ave or any of the other side streets.
#11- Kevin Rathbun Steak, Inman Park
I remember first hearing about this restaurant on an episode of Chopped when the two brothers competed.. Located on the beltline, Kevin Rathbun Steak is the perfect special occasion dinner spot for anniversaries, graduations or any life event.
My experience:
This was one of the first special occasion restaurants I’ve been to and we went to celebrate my husband’s first bonus. I will never forget how that steak melted in my mouth. It has been a while since I have been but I loved the darker atmosphere that felt like I was in a wine cellar. Kevin Rahtbun’s filet mignon steak will always be my favorite thus far in the city. They also have a nice outdoor area coupled with fires and beltline views.
Cost: $$$$
They are known for their steaks which can range $45-$130, but they have a large seafood menu as well! They do host several larger company parties throughout the week, so I recommend booking on Resy as soon as possible if you are having a larger party.
Parking:
They offer a valet lot right next to the restaurant. If you want to park for free I recommend parking on Lake Ave and walking over.
#12 – Little Bear, Summerhill
Little Bear is a fantastic new addition to the special occasion dining spots in Atlanta. My favorite Atlanta bloggers kept raving about this spot so of course I had to go try it for my birthday last year. Their menu changes frequently based on the season and the fresh ingredients they get locally.
My experience:
Since it was my birthday I decided to go all out and order the dealer’s choice where they choose my meal from their current menu. On that day, I had a delicious mushroom based soup with a chicken entree. Little Bear’s dealer’s choice menu allowed me to try new things like bokchoy, rainbow radishes, sun choke and satsuma mandarin oranges. I also tried Little Bears’ booze package that includes 4 drinks to pair with those items. For their drink pairing, I remember we tried an “everything but the bagel” martini and it tasted exactly how it sounded. A friend recommended my readers to try the warm blondies and milk to finish your meal!
Cost: $$
The current cost of the “Dealer’s Choice” menu is $50/person with the booze pack add on for $50/person. I recommend making a reservation at least 3 weeks in advance as it is a very intimate space.
Parking:
We parked for free on Georgia Ave and many of the other local streets around it also offer free parking.
Additional Spots:
These restaurants below I haven’t tried before but come highly recommended by friends and family as special occasion dinner spots. They are all currently on my list to visit so when I do I will update this blog post!
#13 – Lyla Lila: Located in Midtown and features southern European cuisine.
#14 – Mujo: Located in West Midtown and features an intimate sushi menu.
#15 – Bones: Located in Buckhead and features a classic steak house menu.
#16 – Lazy Betty: Located in Candler Park and features a prix fixe tasting menu filled with fresh local ingredients.
#17 – Aria: Located in Buckhead and features a new american menu that updates based on the season.
#18 – Atlas: Located in Buckhead and features a 9 course tasting menu or artfully plated American food.
