When people find out you live on Atlanta’s Westside, they sometimes ask, “How in the world do you choose a restaurant? With all those great ones, you must go to a different place every night.” Well, it is true that for many living in townhomes in Atlanta, dining out is a recognized indoor sport. It reminds us a little of the feeling we noticed among residents of Bermuda going out to eat. It is part simple pleasure, part luxury, part pride in our community – and all enjoyment.

And yet, almost no one tries to go to them all. The way it works seems like this: Everybody has five or six favorites; they go back time after time, whether for a signature dish, a surprising menu, or just for that special welcome, that insider’s feeling famously described as, “Where everybody knows your name.” Then, every few months, one or two restaurants on your short list of favorites will change. You make a date to meet friends at a spot that might be new to you, and voila! Your short list gets different.

A Personal Selection

As a result, any guide to Westside dining destinations is going to be highly personal – and subject to change on any given evening. Let’s use the evening itself as our guide and start with a cocktail-hour favorite or two, and then move on from there.

A change of pace evening might well begin at Little Trouble in the Westside Provisions District, a futuristic, sci-fi-inspired environment, where the crafty cocktail menu comes with Japanese subtitles. Tempting the palate at Little Trouble is an array of hors d’oeuvres that could be described as Japanese tapas. You may find, as we do sometimes, that the space-age fantasy of Little Trouble goes well at the end of the evening, instead, as the sophisticated fun carries on until midnight.

Another great place to start or complete an evening is the Barcelona Wine Bar on North Highland. Inspired by the culture of Spain and cuisine of the Mediterranean, Barcelona offers delicious small plates to pair with your selection of wines – or vice versa. Though the tradition is Spanish tapas, the array of the menu changes with the seasons, the availability of fine ingredients, and the inspiration of the chef.

Covering the Basics

Our current favorite steakhouse is Marcel, on Howell Mill Road, where beef is celebrated in a refined, yet enthusiastic atmosphere and where the décor was inspired by a French boxer’s illustrious career. For seafood with as much variety as Atlanta townhomes, we like Six Feet Under – which is a funny name for seafood place on a rooftop. Their patio seating there has grown an even greater following during pandemic precautions. For that casual, seaside feel, it’s The Optimist on Howell Mill Road.

For many Westsiders, a taste of Mexico now and then makes the week complete, and a favorite for that is Taqueria del Sol, where Chef Eddie’s creations landed the Taqueria on the Conde Nast Traveler list of Atlanta’s best restaurants. For flavors from closer to home, it’s Miller Union, where indoor and outdoor dining, and a la carte take-out are all options that we’re glad to have.

Perennial Favorites

Some restaurants stay on our short list year after year, or return to it again and again. Among these, we find the West Egg Café with its reliable American renditions. We like that they serve breakfast all day, and the covered patio there has been a real resource recently.

In a completely different mood, and with the encouragement of a Michelin star to testify to the quality we find there, how can we resist Bacchanalia? Not only is it an experience that becomes memorable on the palate, but it also serves to testify that Atlanta no longer defers to Charleston or Savannah as the hotbed of excellent cuisine in the South.

We hope you enjoy exploring this list as much as we look forward to revising it time and again as life in the Westside continues to set the pace for how to live well in Atlanta. And if you’d like to explore the Monte Hewett homes that comprise The Interlock – some say the epitome of Westside living – just call us at 404-845-7724 or find out more at theinterlockatl.com.