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Hot Spot Restaurants to Eat at in Atlanta

Food is an important part of Atlanta's history and culture. In 1886, pharmacist Dr. John Stith Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in Atlanta, launching the soda pop empire. In 1946 Truett Cathy opened the first Chick-Fil-A (then known as Dwarf Grill), which has since become a mall staple. Over time, Georgia's capital city has blossomed to include restaurants that cater to every taste, from soul food to steakhouses to international cuisine.

TWO Urban Licks
- TWO Urban Licks has blues music Tuesdays through Saturdays.
  
  Given four out of five stars by OpenTable, TWO Urban Licks serenades eaters with live blues music Tuesday through Saturday while serving such dishes as seared mahi-mahi, jerk chicken coupled with mac 'n' cheese and baby back ribs topped with a spicy sauce. It is also famous for the 14-foot wood pit that sits in the center of the dining area and its winery, composed of 42 barrels of wines from around the world. The restaurant is also popular for its desserts, such as the banana chocolate bread pudding swimming in chocolate mousse and vanilla ice cream.
  
  TWO Urban Licks
  
  820 Ralph McGill Boulevard
  
  Atlanta, GA 30306
  
  404-522-4622
  
  twourbanlicks.com
Eclipse di Luna
- Belly dancers perform every Sunday at Eclipse di Luna while patrons dine on tapas.
  
  A sophisticated tapas bar, Eclipse di Luna plays up its Spanish ambiance with frequent flamenco guitar performers and "Mediterranean Nights" every Sunday that feature belly dancers shimmying to live drummers. The tapas plates lean towards the exotic. Examples include Ceviche Sangrita, a dish of shrimp and bay scallops seasoned with chili peppers, tomatoes and ginger; fried calamari with Pico de Gallo; ciabatta bread for dipping in Spanish olive oil; and Pao de Queijo, Brazilian cheese rolls that can be ordered with or without Serrano ham. Wine selections include Espuela Del Gaucho from Malbec, Argentina, and Ercavio, a red wine from Tempranillo, Spain.
  
  Eclipse di Luna
  
  4505 Ashford - Dunwoody Road, Suite 11
  
  Atlanta, GA 30346
  
  678-205-5862
  
  eclipsediluna.com
Thelma's Kitchen and Rib Shack
- Biscuits are synonymous with southern soul food.
  
  Soul food is a culinary fusion of old-fashioned southern cooking and Africa-American food. Staples include sweet potato pie, black-eyed peas, fried catfish and sides of grits. Listed by 10 Best, Thelma's Kitchen and Rib Shack is an Atlanta soul food oasis. Its menu is stocked with fried pork chops, barbecue ribs, sweet potato souffle and sides of corn bread, biscuits and dirty rice, a Cajun dish that mixes white rice, onions and peppers.
  
  Thelma's Kitchen and Rib Shack
  
  302 Auburn Avenue Northeast
  
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  
  404-688-5855
Gladys and Ron's Chicken and Waffles
- There is a touch of the celebrity at Gladys Knight and Ron Winans' chicken and waffles restaurant. The chicken and waffles dish originated in Harlem, New York, in the 1930s when down-on-their-luck performers finished a late-night gig and wanted an inexpensive meal. When patrons were unable to decide between dinner and breakfast, restaurateurs simply combined a bit of both. At this eatery, noted on the Soul Food and Southern Cooking website, in addition to the chicken and waffle staple, other entrees are catfish baskets, fried green tomatoes and spicy, garlic shrimp.
  
  Gladys and Ron's Chicken and Waffles
  
  529 Peachtree Street Northwest
  
  Atlanta, GA 30308
  
  404-874-9393
  
  gladysandron.net