If you're a foodie, Atlanta is the place to be.

The city is home to some of the best restaurants in the country—and we're not just talking about one type of cuisine, either. You can find everything from Italian and French cuisine to Southern comfort food and Asian fusion. And if you're looking for something new and exciting, Atlanta's got that too: plenty of restaurants here offer unique dishes you won't find anywhere else.

Knowing where to start on your next trip to Atlanta can be hard with all these options. We've done the research for you by putting together this list of five must-try restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia. So why wait? Drop everything and read this article till the end!

Ecco

If you're looking for a fine dining experience, look no further than Ecco. This European-inspired restaurant offers seasonal menus with dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. The result is a truly unique and memorable dining experience. Ecco has won numerous awards over the years, including being named one of Esquire's Best New Restaurants in America and one of GQ's Best New Restaurants.

Some popular dishes you can expect in Ecco include:

• Grilled octopus with romesco sauce: This dish is a play on the classic Spanish dish, pulpo a la gallega. The octopus is grilled to perfection and served with a flavorful romesco sauce.
• Roasted chicken with mashed potatoes: This dish is simple yet incredibly flavorful and comforting. The chicken is roasted to perfection and served with creamy mashed potatoes.
• Chocolate lava cake: This dessert is a must-try. The chocolate lava cake is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
• Duck confit with cherry mostarda: It is a unique take on the classic French dish, confit de canard. The duck is perfectly cooked and served with a sweet and savory cherry mostarda.

Sotto Sotto

If you're looking for a romantic dining experience, Sotto Sotto is the place to be. You can expect classic Italian cuisine in an intimate and inviting setting. The menu features both traditional dishes and modern twists on classics. And with an extensive wine list, you're sure to find the perfect pairing for your meal.

Some popular dishes you can expect in Sotto Sotto include:

• Risotto al Funghi: This dish is a creamy risotto loaded with mushrooms, truffle oil, and parmesan cheese. It's simple yet incredibly flavorful and sure to satisfy your hunger.
• Tagliatelle all'uovo: It is homemade tagliatelle pasta served with a rich and flavorful egg yolk sauce.
• Porchetta: It is a traditional Italian roasted pork loin served with fennel and apple mostarda. It's juicy, flavorful, and sure to please any meat lover.
• Tiramisu: This classic Italian dessert is a must-try. It's made with layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and cocoa powder.

You can also check out this Atlanta restaurant directory for more options.

The Optimist

The Optimist is an ideal place if you're looking for a seafood-focused dining experience. It offers fresh, seasonal seafood dishes in a casual yet refined setting. The menu changes often to reflect what's freshest, but you can always expect it to be delicious. And with an extensive wine list, you're sure to find the perfect pairing for your meal.

Here's what you can expect here:

• Wood-grilled oysters with leeks and bacon: This dish features fresh oysters that have been wood-grilled and topped with leeks and bacon. It's a unique and delicious take on the classic oyster dish.
• Poke bowl with tuna and salmon: It is a Hawaiian-inspired poke bowl featuring fresh tuna and salmon. It's served with rice, seaweed, cucumber, avocado, and pickled ginger.
• Shrimp and grits: This dish is a Southern classic that's been given a seafood twist. The shrimp are cooked in a flavorful gravy and served over creamy grits.
• Crab cake with remoulade sauce: It features a perfectly seasoned and fried crab cake served with a tangy remoulade sauce.

Miller Union

If you're looking for farm-to-table dining at its finest, look no further than Miller Union. This restaurant sources its ingredients from local farms and purveyors, resulting in seasonal dishes that are both fresh and flavorful. The menu changes often to reflect what's freshest, but you can always expect it to be delicious.

The Miller Union boasts of these popular dishes:

• Roasted beet salad with goat cheese and pistachios: This salad is a beautiful and tasty mix of roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy pistachios. It's perfect for a light starter or side dish.
• Braised short ribs with creamy polenta: This dish is a hearty and comforting entrée that will please any meat lover. The short ribs are braised to perfection and served with creamy polenta.
• Wood-roasted chicken with root vegetables: It features a perfectly cooked wood-roasted chicken served with roasted root vegetables. It's a simple yet delicious entrée that's perfect for any night of the week.
• Chocolate pot de crème: This rich and decadent dessert is made with chocolate, milk, cream, and eggs. It's sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

The Pig & The Pearl

The Pig & The Pearl offers a unique dining experience. This restaurant offers a variety of smoked meats and seafood, as well as Southern sides and classics with a twist. And with an extensive bourbon list, you're sure to find the perfect pairing for your meal.

The menu at The Pig & The Pearl includes:

• Smoked chicken wings: These chicken wings are smoked to perfection and served with various sauces for dipping.
• Piggy Fries: These fries are covered in pulled pork, bacon, cheddar cheese, and BBQ sauce. They're a delicious and hearty appetizer or side dish.
• Smoked brisket sandwich: This sandwich features smoked brisket that's been thinly sliced and served on a toasted bun with pickles and onions.
• Shrimp & grits: This dish is a Southern classic that's been given a smoked twist. The shrimp are smoked and served over creamy grits.

Final Word

Whether you're a local or a visitor, these five restaurants are a must-try if you're looking to explore the food scene in Atlanta. From farm-to-table dining to smoked meats and seafood, you're sure to find something to suit your taste. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start exploring!