6 Best New Bars & Restaurants in Atlanta

There’s never been a more delicious time to visit Georgia’s vibrant capital.
By Patricia Kaowthumrong

Atlanta’s dining scene is hotter than ever. Case in point: In October 2023, the prestigious Michelin Guide debuted the first-ever Atlanta guide, which features more than 40 restaurants. But the city’s dining scene has attracted well-heeled foodies long before Michelin landed in the city, thanks to its ever-evolving roster of innovative bars and restaurants. Add these six new spots to your next Atlanta itinerary.

Gene’s
Gene’s, which opened in the East Lake neighborhood in July, is getting Atlantans hooked on Vietnamese-Cajun barbecue—one plate of finger-licking ribs at a time. At the casual, colorful restaurant, share a selection of meats by the pound, such as ribs lacquered in fish sauce caramel sauce and chile-brined chicken skewers, and a couple of flavor-packed sides (we recommend the tallow beans and the green goddess potato salad). Grab a table during brunch for pillowy beignets, pulled pork breakfast tacos, and grilled red shrimp and smoky corn cheese grits.

The Porter Little Five Points
This neighborhood hangout in Little Five Points—which turned its taps back on this spring after a two-year hiatus—is a beer lovers’ paradise. The newly renovated bar and restaurant has 60 rotating beers on tap, more than 800 cellar-aged brews from across the world and a refreshed food menu. Pair something crafted in Georgia such as a New England IPA from Savannah’s Two Tides Brewing Co. with a spread of goat cheese fritters, shrimp toast and fries with Belgian aioli. Prefer to sip something less hoppy? The Porter also has a well-curated list of cocktails, wines and N/A beverages. 

Miss Conduck
Mother-and-daughter team Emily James and LaToya Franklin honor their Trinidadian roots at Miss Conduck in Old Fourth Ward. At the five-month-old restaurant, patrons can feast on Caribbean fusion fare in a space furnished with bright orange banquettes, wood floors and lush greenery. Try the zesty jerk chicken or the slow-simmered goat or shrimp curries. If you have room for dessert, indulge in the dulce de leche cake crowned with caramel chocolate–coated cereal.

View of Atlanta from Olympic Centennial Park

M by Murakami
If omakase is your forte, Tasuku Murakami is your man. The chef, who honed his skills at restaurants in Tokyo, New York City and beyond, offers an 18-course tasting menu at M by Tasuku Murakami in the Buckhead neighborhood. The exclusive experience, which launched in May, is only available Wednesday through Friday for two seatings each night. While the meal will set you back $295 per person (plus gratuity), the plates spotlighting Murakami’s talent for whipping up inventive flavor combinations and sourcing the freshest seafood in town (think: Maine lobster bathed in bourbon lobster sauce) are unforgettable.

Big Oomp Studio Kitchen
This smash burger–focused eatery was founded by Korey Robertson, aka Big Oomp and the founder of the eponymous Atlanta-based hip-hop label. Big Oomp Studio Kitchen (BOSK), which opened in September in southwest Atlanta’s SWATS area, honors the music legend’s career with furnishings such as record plaques, decorative headphones and a rap and R&B soundtrack. The menu sports stacked burgers such as the Gladys Baby topped with American cheese, chili con carne and onion rings and crave-worthy snacks, including four kinds of egg rolls.

Auburn Angel
While this culinary gem in the Sweet Auburn district has only been open since last April, the swanky restaurant has already gained a following. Make a reservation to linger over soulful dishes made with seasonal ingredients by chef Robbie Pacheco and pastry chef Pamela Moxley. Past highlights from the menu include duck confit with Luxardo cherry au jus, beet root tart with goat cheese mousse and chocolate cake with brown butter ice cream.

Where to Stay

Signia by Hilton Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center
This 42-floor, 976-room property, which opened in January 2024, has six bars and restaurants. Tuck into a plate of house-made pasta at Capolinea and sip a refreshing cocktail at the Highball rooftop bar.

Hotel Forth Club
Tucked in Atlanta’s Historic Fourth Ward District, Forth is a design-forward boutique hotel with four drinking and dining concepts. Pop into Bar Primo for wine and charcuterie before you enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired meal at Elektra.

Loews Atlanta Hotel
This Midtown Mile property, which reopened this past spring after a $13 million facelift, is situated in an eye-catching, 26-story glass building. Enjoy a meal at Saltwood Charcuterie and Bar, a casual eatery known for its cured meats and cheeses and popular salad bar.

Truist Park | Rajesh - stock.adobe.com​

EVEN Hotel Atlanta – Cobb Galleria
Situated near Truist Park, EVEN is a pet-friendly retreat near attractions such as Cumberland Mall and Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. Before or after a day on the town, fuel up on nourishing bites at the health-forward EVEN Kitchen and Bar.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: Atlanta, Georgia Skyline

Baja California, Mexico

Gastronomía premiada. A lifetime journey begins in Baja California! Awaken your senses with a one-of-a-kind experience that showcases exceptional gastronomy, celebrated for its revolutionary approach and innovative flavors.

Baja California is home to over 30 restaurants featured in the 2024 Michelin Guide, with 3 of these earning the prestigious Michelin Star: Animalón, Damiana, and Conchas de Piedra. Meanwhile, others like Lunario, Deckman 's en el Mogor and, once again, Conchas de Piedra have been awarded the Michelin Green Star, which honors sustainability. Additionally, Amores restaurant in Tecate received the “Best Service Award,” and the Best Sommelier award went to Lauren Plascencia from Animalón.

The Michelin Guide also recognizes restaurants that not only offer incredible dishes, but do so at an affordable price. Some of the restaurants awarded with the “Bib Gourmand” include “La Cocina de Doña Esthela”, a rustic spot that serves a delicious variety of heartwarming breakfasts in a cozy space, where the service is welcoming and friendly, and every bite is a surprising gift of flavors. Another is “Sabina,” where you’ll find seafood prepared with the recipes of the renowned cook Sabina Bandera, who has captivated tourists from around the world with the irresistible flavor of her seafood tostadas.

These remarkable restaurants, paying tribute to Baja California’s ingredients and rich territory in places like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Tecate, have crafted unique culinary experiences. Some, located in Valle de Guadalupe, feature their own gardens and access to top-quality products thanks to their proximity to fishing grounds, while those in Tijuana showcase their culinary creativity with iconic and legendary dishes like the Caesar Salad at Caesars Restaurant, boasting 100 years of deliciousness, and tacos such as asada and adobada, or “al pastor,” at the renowned “Tacos el Franc” taco shop.

Restaurants like Oryx and Misión 19 have built a singular fine dining experience with signature dishes, while “La Carmelita” serves delicious Mexican cuisine in a beautiful outdoor area, featuring everything from tamales to chicharrón, with nixtamal as a fundamental part of their menu.

Ensenada’s gastronomic offering ranges from delicious seafood served in colorful food carts that make the most of Baja’s finest products. “La Guerrerense” is one of the most visited carts, renowned worldwide for the quality and flavor of every fish taco, tostada, aguachile, and delicious ceviche. You can also visit cozy, charming restaurants like Madre and La Conchería near some of the city’s best spots.

In Valle de Guadalupe, cuisine meets wine to offer the best pairing experiences, featuring ingredients like seafood, prime cuts of meat, and traditional Mexican recipes crafted by renowned chefs. These chefs blend traditional techniques with modern influences, creating a fusion that has captivated the world.

A little further south, in San Quintín, you’ll find the most important oyster farms in the country. The richness of its climate and land makes their product one of the freshest and highest quality. You can visit San Quintín and explore the oyster farms to taste the bounty straight from the sea. They prepare it with salt, lemon, and a bit of sauce to bring out the best of its flavor. It’s a truly unique gastronomic experience!

From the freshest seafood caught daily along our Pacific coast to award-winning wines from Valle de Guadalupe, Baja offers a culinary adventure like no other. In Baja California, every ingredient invites you to taste the beautiful side of life!

Madrid’s Barrios: Where to Stay and What to Do in Each Unique District

By Jessica Montevago

Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital, is home to 21 unique barrios, or neighborhoods. Each area has its own character, from upscale Salamanca to trendy Chueca and bustling Princesa. Whether your client is a history buff, a literary enthusiast, or a foodie, Madrid has a barrio—and a hotel—that’s the perfect match.

Salamanca

Salamanca is arguably Madrid’s most upscale district, lined with stately façades and majestic 19^th century streets. Once a residential area designed for Madrid’s political and business elite, over the past several decades it has become a hub for luxury fashion. Visitors can splurge at designer boutiques that call Barrio Salamanca home in the area known as the Golden Mile. That’s not all the area is known for; there’s cultural institutions like the National Archaeological Museum with its collection of Iberian art and artifacts, and four restaurants that have been honored with Michelin stars.

Where to stay: Hotel Fénix Gran Meliá
This elegant hotel combines old Madrileño charm with contemporary amenities and top-notch service for the most discerning travelers. Since opening its doors more than 50 years ago, the property has welcomed famous guests from David Beckham to Bill Clinton. Guests looking for VIP treatment can stay in a luxurious RedLevel Room or Suite, including free access to an executive lounge and private check-in. These rooms boast double sinks and hydromassage bathtubs, while some have roof terraces with sun loungers and dining tables.

Chueca Barrio, Madrid | Victor - stock.adobe.com

Chueca

The trendy, LGBT-friendly barrio of Chueca is filled with galleries, cafes, bars, and a lively nightlife scene. Sample local delicacies like bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich) or classic paella at the San Antón Market. Three floors of Spanish and international food stalls sell everything from produce to tapas; visit the rooftop restaurant and lounge on the third floor for the views. The Museum of Romanticism is also a must-see in the area. Situated in a mansion that recreates life during the Romantic era in 19th-century Spain, rooms are filled with décor, clothing, and other items from that era. Of course, a visit to the area is not complete without enjoying the nightlife. ‍Black & White’s tagline is “Every day is Saturday,” which is totally fitting as they host drag and cabaret shows 365 nights a year.

Where to stay: The Principal Madrid Hotel
Next to Cheuca, The Principal Madrid Hotel sits on the famed Gran Via, a main street lined with shops, cinemas, and restaurants. Swanky and stylish furnishings welcome guests in the lobby, while luxury amenities like Egyptian cotton sheets and showers with hydro-massage jets await in the 76 rooms and suites. Premium rooms overlook the famous street in front, or guests can take in panoramic views from one of the two rooftop restaurants as they dine on tapas and Spanish wine. The hotel’s main restaurant, Ático, from two-Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa, serves a mixture of international cuisine and traditional Spanish bites.

Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter)

While not an official district, the Literary Quarter was given its moniker as an homage to the great writers that lived here in the 17^th century dubbed “the Golden Age of Spanish Literature.” Some of the streets in this neighborhood pay tribute with literary quotations from various authors engraved on the pavement. Literature lovers will feel right at home with several theaters and bookstores. Just a few steps away is Plaza de Santa Ana, home to some of the best bars in the district with live music venues from jazz to flamenco.

Where to stay: Hotel Urban 5*GL
Upon entering Hotel Urban, guests are greeted by striking Papua New Guinean statues. It’s part of the owners' private collection of artifacts and jewelry from the region, more of which is on display throughout the property. It completes the five-star hotel’s design-forward interiors, from an atrium ceiling surrounded by industrial steel beams in the lobby to teak wood and leather furniture in the guestrooms. Guests can indulge in a tasting menu at the Michelin-starred CEBO Restaurant, or sip on an expertly crafted cocktail at Glass Bar.

Pedro Calderon de la Barca famous Spanish dramatist, poet and writer of the Golden Age statue, monument at Plaza de Santa Ana

Princesa

This barrio is one of the largest tourist destinations in Madrid, for those who flock to sites like the popular Plaza de España. In the center of the square sits the grand Monument to Cervantes. It’s comprised of several statues dedicated to the iconic Spanish writer, including Cervantes' himself, as well as a bronze sculpture representing Don Quixote and his faithful squire Sancho Panza.

Where to Stay: The Social Hub Madrid & The Social Hub Madrid 4
Princesa is also home to the Ciudad Universitaria. With so many Spanish and international students in the vicinity, these two properties, connected under one roof, are designed with student accommodations in mind. Fully furnished rooms with a private bathroom are available for both long- and extended-stay options, as are a slew of amenities, including spaces to work, a gym, free bike-sharing, laundry, and rooftop pool. The dual hotel is located just in front of Palacio Real and close to Plaza de España.

Spain’s capital is home to a diverse hotel scene to meet the needs of any client. Each neighborhood offers its own set of experiences, attractions, and accommodations to suit every traveler’s preference.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: Cibeles Fountain Town Square in Madrid, Spain

​