Atlanta restaurants with the best playlists

Everyone’s cherished Midtown spot for coffee and wine for the past couple of years, Larakin has that home bar feel—even if you don’t live in the neighborhood. Owner Jordan Chambers has strong opinions about music and its role in setting the mood. “It’s not your personal DJ set all the time. Gotta fit the vibe. Walking into a place where the staff is playing some off-the-wall, inventive music (while I enjoy that) doesn’t make people feel good,” he says. “Also, you can’t just play the same playlists over and over like so many places do. It’s about feeling it out—some days music drives the mood, some days it doesn’t matter because it’s a beautiful day and there’s no bringing anyone down…unless you’re playing sad bastard shit.”

At this dog-friendly spot, you’ll find bops from curated playlists by DJs from around the world, courtesy of NTS Radio.

A Michelin-recognized, cozy Filipino restaurant in the Grant Park area, Estrellita is open six days a week (closed Mondays) for lunch and dinner. Want a side of stellar sounds with your pork adobo, longaniza or chicken and ribs plate? The restaurant’s owner, Hope Webb, shared, “We play everything from the Hot Club of San Francisco to evoke that bistro feel and Motown (somehow everyone young and old always knows all the words) to classic Filipino folk songs. We also jam out to lo-fi and Amy Winehouse as the night progresses.”

Summerhill’s beloved Little Bear is always a good time, and the food itself is an adventure. On the menu, you’ll find egg drop soup, blondies and whiskey milk, cocktails that use locally-sourced, seasonal fruits and some version of a moist crispy chicken. Chef-owner Jarret Stieber’s carefully curated playlists take the experience up a notch nightly. “They’re either genre-based (like Little Bear Country Vibes) or named after inside jokes (‘Little Bear Mommy’s Jetski’ is a fun one),” he says. Stieber even tailors playlists for specific service phases: early in the evening (might still be light out, maybe not full yet, but people are excited), mid-service (packed, energetic, loud) and late (winding down, it’s dark and everyone’s getting tired). “I never repeat songs either, so while many artists are found on multiple playlists, any song used will only appear once.” 

Don’t worry if you forget to Shazam a song, Stieber shares his playlist on Little Bear ATL’s Spotify account, so you’ll never miss a beat.

An Alpine-inspired restaurant in West Midtown, Avize harmonizes exceptional food—carrot bolognese, venison tartare, a black sesame and truffle tiramisu and even the bread and butter is to die for—drinks and ambiance with a soundtrack to match. Cofounders chef Karl Gorline and sommelier Taurean Philpott intertwine their musical backgrounds into every detail. 

“I went to school for audio engineering and played in several bands growing up. Music was my first choice,” says Gorline. “When it became clear I wasn’t going to be a rockstar, I knew sound would be part of my restaurant’s dining experience. At Avize, particularly now in the beginning, I think a vibey, familiar soundtrack with some nostalgic and Atlanta classics helps guests ease into a somewhat unknown territory. For example, walking into a curtained room with antlers on the ceiling and hearing ATLiens playing, it’s like, ‘Oh, okay, I can do this.’”

Philpott adds, “We see music as a texture and a further framing of the atmosphere that we’ve created. Every plate, seat, glass and even the bathroom scent is intentional, as is the music. It, like food, can trigger a memory, an environment from your childhood or another time in your life. Our mix of 80's, hip hop, deep house and beyond all look to bring up a thought or a memory as part of the experience.”

Step through the discrete black doors of Palo Santo, and you’re immediately greeted by the scent of palo santo wood from wild trees native to the Yucatán Peninsula. If you visit on an early Sunday evening, you can expect to hear Jay-Z blaring through the dining room, as well as familiar songs from other hip-hop artists. Chef Santiago Gomez has ensured that dining here stimulates all the senses, and his business partner, Eduardo Rivera, takes charge of setting the musical vibe.

“I’ve always thought playlists are portals to another time or place people relate to,” Rivera explains. “They should enhance the story you’re telling as a business. Palo Santo is a ‘new age’ Mexican restaurant in Atlanta, and we wanted those cultural aspects reflected in the music.” Rivera, a 35-year-old Mexican immigrant, draws inspiration from his own memories of MTV’s hip hop music videos and early 2000s top hits. “I believe that connections with your target demographic are made through emotional value—nostalgia from the music, the taste of your food and the warmth of the lighting,” he says.

Open for breakfast and brunch every day except Monday, Hen Mother Cookhouse (the restaurant has two locations, Alpharetta and Johns Creek) is the go-to for hearty chicken and waffles, seasonal avocado toast, a variety of bowls, sandwiches and egg plates. Inspired by music from her childhood and teenage years, Chef-owner Soraya Khoury Loyola always envisioned music being a part of her first restaurant concept. 

She says, “When Hen Mother opened, we quickly went from a generic Spotify experience to remembering bangers from my glorious youth (the best time for R&B and hip hop). My sister Sarah, also one of my partners, was a huge influence on my music appreciation, and there would be moments where she and I would spiral and just add 35 songs we had long forgotten about to our playlist. A day doesn’t go by where at least five people don’t compliment the playlist. By the way, I titled it ‘Class of ‘99!’ I choose music for me and my people. And I think overall, it’s enjoyable. Even if there is a curse here and there.”

A coastal Peruvian restaurant in Atlanta’s walkable Poncey-Highland neighborhood, Tio Lucho’s keeps locals coming back for more with classic Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado, ceviches and tiraditos and a great pisco sour. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch, dinner or the new Sunday brunch menu, you can always expect good tunes that’ll make you just want to get up and dance.

Chef Arnaldo Castillo, who grew up in Georgia, has infused Tio Lucho’s with flavors and sounds that reflect his roots. “This is our dinner playlist! It’s a combination of all genres, basically how I grew up in Georgia…salsa at the house, Young Jeezy in my friends’ cars and then a little country working in other Atlanta area restaurants.

Blueblood, a monthly pop-up by chefs Jared Warwick of Octopus Bar and Ben Skolnick of BoccaLupo at an undisclosed location, is an ever-changing dining experience heavy on creativity and spontaneity. With menus that shift dramatically from month to month—like last November’s dry-aged duck extravaganza with boozy cocktail pairings—the duo thrives on the freedom of running their own show.

Music plays an essential role in setting the tone for these dinners. Philip Frobos, the singer and bassist of Omni (a post-punk band from Atlanta) does it all—host, server, DJ and more—and brings the same passion to his playlists as he does to his band, which tours for months at a time. “For my contributions to the Blueblood playlists, I attempt to stir up time and place, in an atmosphere that could be 1950’s Havana, 1987 Glasgow or 2009 Ponce de Leon Ave. Energy and romance reflect the energy of our impeccable chefs,” says Frobos. 

“I catch myself listening to dance music, Korn or old Gucci Mane, especially during prep to set a solid pace,” Warwick adds.

Below El Ponce in Poncey-Highland, Tiendita is a hidden gem that hosts regular coffee pop-ups, tastings and community events. This basement bar, restaurant and shop features artisanal Latin and women-owned brands, alongside pupusas from La Bodega. The full El Ponce menu is also available, as well as an extensive collection of agave spirits for sipping. The atmosphere is enhanced by a soundtrack of Latin music, including classic Colombian salsa, Mexican cumbia and more, perfect for dancing or just soaking in the magic of the space. 

Owner Rosa Thurnher shares, “It’s definitely collaborative with the pop-ups we host, and my daughter is actually starting to play vinyl on the weekends in Tiendita, which is very eclectic. Since the history of the space is rooted in music, I think it’s super important to honor that.” Tiendita was previously El Bar, a dance club which shut down during the pandemic. 

Her daughter’s vinyl sets, aptly named Crate Escape, bring fresh energy to the spot. “I’m a proud mama over here,” Thurnher says.