Best Atlanta restaurants avoiding construction

[UnConundrum]

This is a big weekend for Atlanta with the NRA convention in town.  There are a lot of great restaurants in the ares, but most seem to be on the other side of the construction.  Any suggestions for the best on the downtown side of the construction?

[Brown Hornet]

I'm assuming you're referring to the bridge construction on interstate 85.  Assuming that, there are tons of great places on the downtown/midtown side -- frankly most of the best ATL places are on that side although there are not great options in the immediate vicinity (i.e. walking distance) of the convention itself.  Here's a list by rough location:

 

Westside/Midtown -- a short drive from GWCC heading north up Marietta St. to Howell Mill/Northside:

 

Cooks & Soldiers -- Spanish/Basque.  If you haven't had this before I'd loosely describe it as upscale tapas, lots of woodfire grilled options.  One of my favorites for groups.

The Optimist -- seafood.  Probably best seafood in ATL but is inconsistent.

Miller Union -- Upscale/refined southern, very very good.

Better Half -- small & funky, modernist dishes, but in an extremely casual atmosphere 

Antico -- really great pizza.  Best in town and some of the best I've had anywhere

Marcel --  Steakhouse -- relatively new restaurant but inspired by old-school (as in prewar 20th century) steakhouses.  Bring a fat wallet though 

 

East/Old 4th Ward/Inman Park -- from the GWCC head east on Edgewood again a short drive

 

BoccaLupo -- fantastic pasta

Staplehouse -- flat out probably the best restaurant in ATL, but books out well in advance.  That said, they have first come first serve seating at a small bar every night. Very high end food, but casual environment. 

One-Eared Stag -- a bit hard to describe -- very quirky funky take on southern food.  One of my top 3-5 restaurants in town -- but definitely for more adventurous eaters as many dishes feature game or odd animal parts.  If you're still in town on Sunday they have a great brunch.

Fox Bros. BBQ -- a decent southern style bbq joint.  We southerners are pretty particular about bbq, and Fox Bros. isn't the best in any particular category but it is uniformly good and is a fine place to get your fix of southern style bbq.

Rathbun's Steak -- honestly not my favorite steak among ATL steakhouses, but has the best sides/appetizers of steakhouses.   

 

FoodHalls -- There are also two fantastic food halls on this side of town: Krog Street Market and a little north of that Ponce City Market.

 

Krog Street Market -- My favorites are Superica (tex mex), Fred's Meat and Bread (awesome sandwiches/burgers) and Ticonderoga Club (great cocktails). Also a killer beer shop/bar Hop City

 

Pone City Market -- highlights are WH Stiles Fish Camp, El Super Pan, Biltong Bar, Hop's Chicken

 

I could go on but that should give you more than enough options to consider.  Enjoy your visit should be good weather this weekend