From casual to fancy, these are the best restaurants in Vinings and Smyrna.
Looking for a reason to break out of the usual chain restaurants you end up at every time you head out to dinner? Want a chic new eatery for date night? Just looking to widen your net when it comes to area hot spots? You’ve come to the right place. Here are the best restaurants in Vinings and Smyrna as voted by YOU, the Vinings Lifestyle Magazine readers.
Best New Restaurant: Porch Light Latin Kitchen
Maybe it’s the fresh ingredients or the cozy atmosphere, but either way this Pan-Latin hotspot has taken Smyrna by storm. Porch Light Latin Kitchen offers unique dishes and drinks from Puerto Rico, Argentina, Mexico and other far flung places in South and Central America.
Runner up: Grub Burger Bar
Best Italian Restaurant: Scalini’s Italian Restaurant
For those who want traditional, old-world Italian fare and a restaurant which serves delicious portions guaranteed to make you say “Mangia!” visit Scalini’s Italian Restaurant. And for those who have a ‘bambino’ on the way, they are famous for their eggplant parmigiana dish inducing labor.
Runner up: Mezza Luna Pasta and Seafood
Best Asian Restaurant: House of Chan
Want classic Chinese food like egg drop soup & moo shu pork in an old-fashioned, informal dining room? House of Chan is the place to go. They serve lunch and dinner and are as affordable as they are tasty.
Runner up: L’Thai West Organic Cuisine & Wine Bar
Best Latin Restaurant: Los Bravos Mexican Restaurant
LosBravosMexicanRestaurant.net
Los Bravos Mexican Restaurant is where you bring the whole crew for casual Mexican food like tacos, fajitas, and of course a margarita (or two). This family-run business serves consistently delicious, hearty dishes and is a proud sponsor of many Smyrna schools and organizations.
Runner up: Porch Light Latin Kitchen
Best Seafood: C & S Oyster Bar
Whether you are looking for a raw bar or a well-done steak, C&S Oyster Bar is the place to go. Combining classic New York and Paris brasserie-style cuisine, this old school restaurant makes everything it serves in house, even the cocktails and sauces, with the freshest ingredients.
Runner up: Hook Line and Schooner
Best Steakhouse: Ray’s on the River
RaysRestaurants.com/RaysOnTheRiver
While the address to this well-loved establishment is technically in Sandy Springs, since it hugs the banks of the Chattahoochee, we claim it as part of the Vinings area. Since 1984, Ray’s on the River has been the go-to place for upscale, special occasion dining including elevated southern cuisine, and according to Vinings Lifestyle Magazine readers, the best steaks in the area.
Runner up: Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
Best Cocktail: Muss & Turner’s
Nominated in three categories, it’s clear Muss & Turner’s is a favorite of Vinings Lifestyle readers. This chic bistro offers some of the best sandwiches and upscale southern food, but real fans know it is also a fantastic place for a handcrafted cocktail. Want to feel extra special? Head to the back of the restaurant into Eleanor’s, a back room bar where everyone really does know everyone’s name.
Runner up: Canoe
Best Sushi: Kuroshio Sushi Bar & Grill
Vinings Lifestyle readers love the hand-crafted sushi made fresh daily at Kuroshio Sushi Bar & Grill. The wide variety of other Japanese specialties, and upscale yet casual setting complete with flat screen TVs and free WiFi make this a great gathering spot.
Runner up: Minato Japanese Restaurant
Best Bakery: McEntyre’s Bakery
Don’t come to this family-run bakery on a diet! Their custom-made cakes, cookies, pastries and breads will send your taste buds to heaven. Plus they have sandwiches at lunch!
Runner up: Piece of Cake
Best Dessert: South City Kitchen
Did you think South City Kitchen was just the place to go for mouth-watering fried chicken? Think again. The homemade desserts in this elegant Sourthern eatery are specially crafted by executive pastry chef Eric Wolitzky.
Runner up: Smallcakes
Best Brunch: Canoe
For a special brunch experience head to this storied restaurant on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. The only thing better than this fabulous brunch is the elegant garden setting you will eat it in.
Runner Up: First Watch
Best Burger: Five Guys
This no-frills, affordable fast-food chain specializes in a few things: made-to-order burgers, fries, hot dogs, and milkshakes. And they do them well. They also give you free peanuts while you wait.
Runner Up: Muss & Turner’s
Best BBQ: Jim n’ Nick’s Bar-B-Que
Check out this downhome, laid-back eatery for finger licking good “bar-b-que”. Come for the slow-cooked barbecue, stay for the cheese biscuits. And for convenience sake, they even have a drive-thru!
Runner Up: Ebony & Ivory’s Chicken, Catfish & BBQ
Best Pizza: Blue Moon Pizza
This pizzeria serves up thin-crust pizzas (but not too thin) with tons of different topping options available. Not feeling like a “pie”, try their toasted sandwiches made with pizza dough.
Runner Up: St. Angelo’s Pizza
Best Sports Bar: Taco Mac
Come by this restaurant for genuine food, craft beer on tap, and what our readers have deemed the best sports watching environment in Smyrna/Vinings! PS: Get the wings!
Runner Up: McCray’s Tavern
Best Coffee: Rev Coffee Roasters
You don’t have to go to Midtown for a funky coffeehouse. We have one right here in Smyrna! Rev Coffee is located in a converted garage and serves house-roasted beans which readers insist is the best coffee around.
Runner Up: Chattahoochee Coffee Company