Oral Pleasures

What a bizarre time in history to be alive. We can have almost anything delivered to our doorstep. We maintain many of our relationships through screens. Entertainment is endless and instant. Books, TV shows, movies; we scarcely have to wait for anything anymore. Everything is on demand. Everything is on our time. And yet, despite all the advances and all the conveniences modern life affords, why do so many of us seem to have so little time these days?

Technology has given us a way out of countless human interactions. But they still haven’t figured out a way for us to eat the same meal together remotely. An evening filled with food and friends is not an item on a delivery menu. Food is arguably one of the last holdouts of human interaction. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or where you’re from, you have to be present to eat. Maybe that’s why the allure of restaurants endures. Chefs create meals we can’t replicate or summon at will. You have to drive to a restaurant and sit down and order. Like in the old days, you have to wait. Restaurants force us to delay gratification and suspend our overloaded lives if only for the duration of a single meal.

As time lurches on, our minutes become increasingly valuable. We’re connected 24/7. Even when we take time off, we’re never truly away. We answer emails from bed soon after we open our eyes, we eat lunch at our desks. All those times that used to be reserved for rest and relaxation are disappearing. Eating together — at home or in a restaurant — is some of the only genuine leisure time we have left.

This year, Creative Loafing’s dining squad wanted to highlight establishments that have stood the test of time and restaurants we believe have what it takes to stick around. For us, the best restaurants favor quality over quantity and are vigilant in their consistency. Restaurants such as Mamak (Best overall restaurant), where you can close your eyes and point to a dish and be certain something great will show up to the table. Not just one time, but week after week after week. In Buckhead, the lavish new Atlas (Best fine dining) redefines what fine dining can be in Atlanta while the Colonnade (Best restaurant frozen in yesteryear) just three miles south continues to chug along, serving tried-and-true Southern food as it has for nearly 90 years.

Ain’t nobody got time for a bad meal.

— Stephanie Dazey, Food Editor

Best Cantonese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Canton Cooks AND Canton House

Best Caribbean BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Papi's Cuban & Caribbean Grill

Best cheap eats BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Eats

Best chef BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Kevin Gillespie AND Kevin Rathbun

Kevin Gillespie

www.chefkevingillespie.com

AND

Kevin Rathbun

www.kevinrathbun.com/restaurants

Best chinese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Chin Chin Brookhaven

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best chocolates BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co.

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best cocktails BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Kimball House

Best coffeehouse BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Revelator Coffee

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best crepes BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Julianna's Coffee & Crepes

Best Cuban BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Papi's Cuban & Caribbean Grill

Best cupcakes BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

CamiCakes Cupcakes

Best deli BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

The General Muir

Best desserts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Cafe Intermezzo - Dunwoody

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best dim sum BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Canton House Chinese Restaurant

Best doughnut BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Sublime Doughnuts

Best Ethiopian BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

Best farmers market food stall BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Emerald City Bagels AND Simply Seoul AND The Little Tart Bakeshop

Emerald City Bagels

www.emcitybagels.com

Simply Seoul

www.simplyseoulkitchen.com

The Little Tart Bakeshop

www.littletartatl.com

Best farm-to-table restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Miller Union

Best food court BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Krog Street Market

Best food festival or event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Taste of Atlanta

www.tasteofatlanta.com

Best food truck BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Yumbii @ Brookwood Hills

www.yumbii.com

Best French BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Bistro Niko

Best french fries BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Leon's Full Service

Best fried chicken BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

The Colonnade

Best frozen yogurt BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Yogli Mogli

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best gluten-free options BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

YEAH! BURGER

Best grits BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Flying Biscuit (13 ATL Locations)

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best hamburger BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Grindhouse Killer Burgers (5 ATL Locations)

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best hot dog BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

The Varsity (7 ATL Locations)

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best ice cream BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Indian BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Chai Pani

Best Italian BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

BoccaLupo

Best Japanese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Best juice bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Arden's Garden Little 5 Points

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Korean BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Sobban Restaurant - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Best local brewery BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

SweetWater Brewing Company

Best local farm BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Love is Love Farm at Gaia Gardens

Best local food advocate BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Will Edmond

twitter.com/willedmond

Best local food company BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Fresh Harvest

Best locally brewed beer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Orpheus Brewing

www.orpheusbrewing.com/beers/atalanta/

Best Mexican BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Nuevo Laredo Cantina

Best Middle-Eastern BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Rumi's Kitchen Sandy Springs

Best mixologist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Miles Macquarrie: Kimball House

www.kimball-house.com

Best new restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Superica

Best OTP restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Seed Kitchen & Bar

Best overall restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Rathbun's

Best patio dining BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Six Feet Under - Grant Park

Best pizza BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Antico Pizza Napoletana

Best place to dine alone BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Waffle House

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best place to fill your growler BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Hop City Craft Beer and Wine - The Krog District

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Best vegetarian dish at a non-vegetarian restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Fresh Veggie Plate: Bantam + Biddy

Bantam + Biddy

www.bantamandbiddy.com

Best veggie burger BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Grindhouse Killer Burgers (5 ATL Locations)

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best vietnamese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Lee's Bakery

Best way to finally take beer home from a brewery BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Senate Bill 63

Best weekly dining deal BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Grindhouse Killer Burgers (5 ATL Locations)

Best weeknight chicken dinner BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Pijiu Belly

Best wine list BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Barcelona Wine Bar

Best wines by the glass BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Vine & Tap (Permanently Closed)

Guest Critic: Danielle Oron BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Guest Critic

The chef and prolific food blogger shares her findings since moving to Atlanta in 2013

Guest Critic: Steven Grubbs BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Guest Critic

The Atlanta-born wine pro talks ATL food culture past and present

ITP ethnic invasion: Best noodles on the fly in Buckhead BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Qing Mu

ITP ethnic invasion: Best place to eat like you have a Taiwanese grandma BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Ah-Ma's Taiwanese Kitchen

ITP ethnic invasion: Best place to have fun and feel like a Bollywood star BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Masti - Indian Street Eats

ITP ethnic invasion: Best ramen without the crazy drive BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Wagaya - Westside

The end is sweet: Best globally-inspired desserts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Le Fat

The end is sweet: Best hidden gem BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Watershed on Peachtree

The end is sweet: Best place for fancified classics BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

The General Muir

The end is sweet: Best place for sweets with a local twist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Miller Union

Best Atlanta beermaker to literally buy the farm BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Wrecking Bar Brewpub

Best Atlanta food Instagrammer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

@betterhalfcook

instagram.com/betterhalfcook

Best Atlanta food Tweeter BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

@fifthgrouper

twitter.com/FifthGrouper

Best bakery BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Highland Bakery Midtown

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best barbeque BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

Best bar food BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

The Porter Beer Bar

Best beer list BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

The Porter Beer Bar

Best breakfast BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Home grown GA Restaurant

Best breath of fresh air BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Dish Dive

Best brewpub BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Wrecking Bar Brewpub

Best burritos BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Bell Street Burritos - Midtown/Buckhead

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Cajun BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Henry's Louisiana Grill

Best Cantonese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Canton Cooks AND Canton House

Best Caribbean BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Papi's Cuban & Caribbean Grill

Best cheap eats BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

El Progreso #14

Best cheap eats BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Eats

Best chef BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Kevin Gillespie AND Kevin Rathbun

Kevin Gillespie

www.chefkevingillespie.com

AND

Kevin Rathbun

www.kevinrathbun.com/restaurants

Best Chinese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Masterpiece

Best chinese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Chin Chin Brookhaven

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best chocolates BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co.

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best cocktail BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Kimball House

Best cocktails BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Kimball House

Best coffeehouse BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Revelator Coffee

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best coffee shop to escape reality BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

The Warhorse Coffee Shop

Best comeback BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

MF Sushi Atlanta

Best crepes BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Julianna's Coffee & Crepes

Best Cuban BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Papi's Cuban & Caribbean Grill

Best cupcakes BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

CamiCakes Cupcakes

Best deli BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

The General Muir

Best desserts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Cafe Intermezzo - Dunwoody

And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best dim sum BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick

Canton House Chinese Restaurant

Best do-gooders to attempt opening three restaurants in one year BOA Award Winner

Year » 2015
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2015 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick

Tipple + Rose Tea Parlor and Apothecary

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