Caroline Eubanks

Atlantans have been imbibing since before the city was officially founded, when it was known as Terminus and rough-and-tumble crowds gathered in back alley taverns. In fact, the city’s first political parties were based around being for or against alcohol. One of the first bars, the Whitehall Tavern, gave its name to a street that is still a part of the West End neighborhood. Before inventing Coca-Cola, pharmacist John Pemberton first made a wine-based drink. And that doesn’t even factor in the moonshiners that came from North Georgia to sell their goods during Prohibition, which would continue in Georgia until 1935. But it’s not all in the past. Some of these watering holes are still standing, with their secrets found behind every cocktail.

For years, the term "hotel restaurant" was a term assigned to a basic coffee shop or sports bar, little more than a front for room service. But in Atlanta, that perception has changed dramatically, with some of the city’s top dining establishments now housed in hotels, earning accolades from major publications, the Michelin Guide and the James Beard Foundation.  Hotels bring in talent from around the world to hone their culinary talents, which benefits not just travelers looking for unmatched convenience but also the local community. You might just enjoy a meal from a top chef before they become a household name. Hotel restaurants bring unique perspectives and techniques that you won’t find at every eatery. Bonus? These restaurants almost always include parking, something not easy to come by in bustling Atlanta, and have expanded hours to accommodate overnight guests.