Press

Ray's Restaurants, which has been in business for nearly 40 years in metro Atlanta, surprised a 38-year beloved employee with a sporty new car recently.
Lynne Gomez started at Ray's on the River on Aug. 20, 1985, and retired this month.

With all the nuances of attending an event, sometimes the basic things get overlooked — like eating. Fret not. Here is a cheat sheet of a few restaurants not far from Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. Most are within walking distance or they are a short Uber ride away.

You can’t come to Atlanta without landing on one of the city’s many Peachtree streets, lanes, drives and circles. The most renowned is Peachtree Street itself, also known as Atlanta’s Main Street. If you lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of downtown Atlanta just do what Dorothy did in the the “Wizard of Oz’ when she followed the Yellow Brick Road. In Atlanta, follow Peachtree Street or Peachtree Road and you’ll always get where you’re going. Stick to Peachtree Street and you’ll always be in proximity to popular hotels, restaurants and businesses.

Whether you live here or are visiting, you may be wondering where to eat dinner in Atlanta on a weekday. Consider this your guide. Be sure to call the restaurant ahead of time to confirm hours and availability.

Atlanta has a wide variety of fine dining choices. Our list ranges from the Buckhead classic like Bones and The Palm to more relaxed places like Miller Union, the Staplehouse and Gunshow.

Brett Bagley (left), his mother Jill, daughter Lucy and wife Andrea decide what to eat for lunch at Fish Tales Lakeside Grille in Flowery Branch on Sunday, September 1, 2013. The restaurant, which overlooks Lake Lanier, is a popular spot to celebrate Labor Day weekend.

While Atlanta’s newer restaurants tend to capture most of the spotlight, people shouldn’t forget about those longtime dining institutions that continue to stand the test of time. From Southern comfort spots and a Buford Highway marisqueria to congenial taverns and family-owned restaurants still going strong today, these iconic Atlanta restaurants have remained beloved favorites for over two decades, and way beyond.

Restaurants offering unobstructed skyline views, secret garden patios, breathtaking riverside spots, and historic spaces for weddings

Atlanta may not be located on the coast or have the brand recognition of seafood cities like Maine, Charleston, New Orleans, or San Diego, but make no mistake—the local seafood scene is actually pretty incredible. From Kimball House to Wahoo! Grill, many of the city’s seafood restaurants pride themselves on securing the best and freshest ingredients possible, whether that means bringing in fish from the Gulf Coast or the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Having a meal at Ray’s on the River in Georgia offers up a chance to dine right on the Chattahoochee River, with some of the most scenic views around. This beloved Atlanta restaurant has been a tradition within the area since 1984 and it’s only gotten better with age.

Set along the Chattahoochee in Sandy Springs, Ray's on the River almost feels like a secret hideaway. Walk waterside along the river and for a moment, you feel like you're leagues away from Atlanta.

With so many great restaurants featuring so many great burger options in and around north Georgia, it’s rare for #BurgersWithBuck to return to a restaurant for a second time, but every now and then it happens. This week, it happened.

Rays at Killer Creek is coming up on 25 years serving delicious food in Alpharetta, and the best way to celebrate is joining them for their Sunday brunch. Executive chef Thomas Mikesell visits the Good Day kitchen to give Joanne Feldman a taste of the made-to-order omelets on the menu.

A locally-owned brunch eatery that has provided fine dining to customers in Alpharetta turned 25-years-old this month