These 5 Restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia May Be the Next Michelin Star Recipients

The first ever Michelin Guide for Atlanta was released in 2023. Many of the city’s best restaurants are making their way onto Michelin’s radar, but earning a Michelin Star isn’t the only way a restaurant can distinguish itself.

The James Beard Culinary Award recognizes exceptional chefs, restaurateurs, authors, and journalists in the United States. Earning a James Beard Award is no small task, as those in the running must go through many rounds of judging. The awards are based on certain criteria to ensure that they are being given to chefs and restaurants who represent the best of the best in terms of their mission, values, and inclusivity in the kitchen.

The restaurants included on this list have been reviewed or shortlisted by the James Beard Foundation. While none of them have Michelin Stars yet, many locals believe they could receive Michelin Stars in the future, as found in a survey collected by Eater . Read on, try them out, and decide for yourself.

Little Bear

71 Georgia Ave SE Unit A, Atlanta, GA 30312

Little Bear is a cozy neighborhood eatery that offers a seasonal menu and a great drink selection. Its chef and owner Jarrett Stieber has earned accolades the likes of the “Zagat National 30 Under 30 Award”, and a mention in the StarChefs of Atlanta in 2023. Steiber was also a semifinalist in the James Beard Awards for the title “Best Chef: Southeast” (via Tasting Collective ).

Little Bear received the Eater Award for “Best New Menu” in 2021 and continues to be a leader in the sustainable food efforts of local Atlanta eateries. On the Eater survey, Little Bear is predicted to be up for at least one Michelin Star. In fact, Little Bear has already distinguished itself in the Michelin Guide, earning Bib Gormound status in 2023.

Speaking of their menu, Little Bear’s food is categorized by the sections “savory,” and “sweet.” The current savory offerings start with options like chilled soups, salad with coffee tahini dressings, and a chicken liver custard with pickles, and hot sauce. You can also try seasonal ratatouille with harissa broth and herbs, or their sweet and sour eggplant with pork sauce, strawberry dressing, and peppercorns. Try their peach sambal chicken, or sausage with fried rice, mushrooms, shishito peppers, squash, and dill. The flavors are varied and vivid, with creative pairings and thoughtful presentation.

Moving onto the sweets, save room for house-made blondies with whiskey milk, red pea panisse with pickled blueberries, spicy granola, or golden curry custard with meringue, peaches, nasturtium sauce, and other “pretentious flowers,” – their words, not ours! It’s easy to see why Little Bear is on the projected list for future Michelin Star restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia.

Lyla Lila

693 Peachtree Street, NE Unit 118, Atlanta, GA 30308

Lyla Lila is another one of the restaurants in Atlanta that deserves a Michelin star, via the Eater survey. Lyla Lila was up for the “Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages” category in the 2023 James Beard Awards (via Resy ). Their chef Craig Richards was up for the 2022 James Beard Award under the “Best Chef: Southeast,” category. This upscale restaurant is located in midtown Atlanta and serves Southern European food. They focus on seasonal and local ingredients for their menu. Lyla Lila is dedicated to both hospitality and creating high-quality food.

Their menu features a nice spread between vegetarian and meat-based dishes. There’s also an array of flavorful desserts. Start off with rosemary ciabatta with a smoky olive butter and sea salt combo. There’s broccoli and fennel salad, a peach, beet, heirloom tomato, and chicken liver tartine, crispy artichokes, and Wagyu beef tartare, among many other delicious offerings. For mains, sample their duck lasagna with carrot-coriander puree, squid ink spaghetti, scallops, snapper, and veal.

Sweet treats include a lemon cheesecake with ginger snaps as the crust, cannoli with ricotta cheese, candied oranges, and pistachios, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and gelato or sorbet options. Their alcohol list is extensive, and their cocktail menu features unique pairings and creative ingredients.

Gunshow

924 Garrett St, Atlanta, GA 30316

Gunshow ‘s Chef Kevin Gillespie was nominated in 2022 for the “Outstanding Restauranteur” category in the James Beard Awards (via Explore Georgia ). The restaurant has also repeatedly made it on Eater ‘s list of “Essential Restaurants in America.” It is described as “a dinner and a show, all in one.” Gunshow features dishes being prepared in real-time for dinnergoers. There’s also a bar car where mixologists can discuss their art as they create their concoctions. The dining room features a wide open kitchen space and communal tables. There’s always something to learn and see at this unique restaurant.

The menu changes depending on seasonal ingredient availability. A sample menu includes starters, mains, and sweet dishes at the grand finale. Begin your Gunshow experience with sweet bread served with goat yogurt, cucumbers, and shishito peppers. There’s softshell crab in a ramp gribiche cold egg sauce, duck bao, beef tartare, and oysters served with watermelon chamoy. For heartier dishes, enjoy their fried bison in foie gras gravy, or their pastrami lamb ribs. There’s also golden tilefish with lamb sausage in a lobster bearnaise reduction sauce. For desserts, take your pick from cream puffs with pimento cheese wiz, banana pudding, brioche brûlée French toast, or strawberries over sesame rice.

Miller Union

999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Miller Union is a new American eatery that serves seasonal ingredients in traditional and innovative Southern dishes. Its chef and co-owner Steven Satterfield won the Best Chef: Southeast” in the 2017 James Beard Award cycle. Miller Union has been open since 2009 and made its way onto the notable lists of Eater, Bon Appétit, Esquire, and Food & Wine Magazine. Chef Satterfield dedicates his time to supporting local farmers through his restaurant model, focusing on organic, seasonal produce to create his refined, yet approachable, menu. These values are apparent in the homey environment of the converted industrial warehouse where Miller Union operates.

The menu begins with charcuterie boards and mezze platters. There’s pork belly, fish croquettes, cornmeal fried okra, and some beautiful seasonal salads. The main dishes feature a seasonal fish plate served with vegetables in a sweet corn soubise. There’s sautéed quail with cornmeal and scallion griddle cakes, roasted poulet, grilled pork loin, and roasted poulet rouge with stone fruits, feta, and za’atar. Try their Georgia shrimp with a fresh salad, or their grass-fed steak. Sides include okra, creamed corn, butter, beans, and potatoes. For the most important section, desserts feature chocolate sorbet buttermilk cake, rum cake with peach compote, and raspberry vanilla glazed donuts with streusel and varying ice creams. No wonder Miller Union is on Eater ‘s survey of potential Michelin Star restaurants in Atlanta.

Ticonderoga Club

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Although Ticonderoga Club does not yet have a Michelin Star, it has several noteworthy honors. The restaurant received a James Beard nomination for “Outstanding Bar” in 2019 and “Outstanding Hospitality” in 2022, according to Explore Georgia . On the Eater survey, Ticonderoga Club received a spot in the Top Ten Michelin Mentions.

Greg Best and Regan Smith announced their intentions to open Ticonderoga Club in 2014. According to Atlanta Magazine, Best helped to usher in the city’s craft cocktail scene years earlier. Other cocktail experts joined the team, making it clear that Ticonderoga Club would be a fantastic spot for a drink.

However, Ticonderoga Club isn’t just notable for its libations. Atlanta Magazine mentions dry-aged roasted duck that “nearly bests” the Peking variety served in Beijing and a chuck wagon “glistening in maître d’ butter.” The Michelin Guide notes the restaurant’s steak tartare and “mussels steamed in a flavorful sake broth.” Ticonderoga Club has already distinguished itself in Atlanta and its mention in the Michelin Guide means that it is at the very least in the running for a possible star in the future.

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