Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Alpharetta

Located on the banks of Chattahoochee River, Canoe's beautiful historic setting makes it the perfect spot for any occasion. Dark wood and white tablecloths are featured in the dining room, which offers spectacular views of the river and the riverside gardens. Seafood selections highlight the contemporary American menu, and Southern specialties are offered on both the dinner and dessert menus. Selected as one of the country's best new restaurants by the James Beard Foundation, Canoe offers a romantic culinary treat for any occasion.

Jackets are required at this ultra-elegant spot in Buckhead. The lavish garden setting creates an unforgettable ambiance, one of many reasons La Grotta Ristorante Italiano has been named Atlanta's best Italian restaurant for many consecutive years. Pristine white tablecloths are set under fine china and crystal, an appropriate stage for the contemporary regional cuisine from all corners of Italy. Delicate pastas and an outstanding variety of veal preparations highlight a world-class menu, while an excellent wine list is also available.

This happening Midtown joint really packs them in, and is quickly garnering a reputation as a can't-miss destination on the local dining scene. The best way to describe the food is creatively modern Southern, but that doesn't really do it justice. The kitchen turns out such remarkable signature dishes as seafood bisque with sherry and scallops over stone ground grits with garlic gravy. Make reservations early on theater nights, as space fills up quickly. South City Kitchen surely promises a different spin on Southern cuisine.

Delicious barbecue and mesmerizing music have combined to make this Midtown spot a local legend. Patrons queue up for a dozen yards outside the door eager to sample their award-winning ribs, and it is well worth the wait. Opt for their ribs slab or pork sandwich with Brunswick stew and collard greens washed down with a chilled beer. Don't leave without a bottle of Fat Matt's secret sauce so you can try their pit-roasted wonders at home. Some of the best local blues bands perform here nightly for your dining enjoyment.

An evening at this trendy spot, Buckhead Diner, may reveal a celebrity or two, as well as some of Buckead's most dressed-up diners. Funky Art Deco decor spices up this glorified diner, with booths and sassy waitresses to match. The menu covers the basics, but pulls some creative twists. Try the famous homemade potato chips with Maytag bleu cheese dressing, or Atlanta's fanciest meatloaf, comprised of veal and wild mushrooms. A diner-style bar with swivel stools serves cocktails to Atlanta's chic and stylish as they endure the frequent wait for a table.

The inviting atmosphere of the rustic and old-fashioned Table and Main beckons one to go all out with the food. There is a Preservation Plate on the menu, with a serving of cured meats, cheese, pickled vegetables, Vidalia bacon jam, and thick country bread. For dinner, feast on grilled lamb chops, savor shrimp and grits, or indulge in country fried veal with pickled onions. End on a sweet note with the pie of the day. Complement your meal with a choice from the surprisingly healthy wine and beer list.