Zagat's 9 Totally Unique Restaurants in Atlanta

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." So goes some party-pooping bit of ancient cynicism. But while many restaurants these days can blend into samey-samey exposed-brick this, farm-to-table that, there are still some wonderfully weird places under that hot Georgian sun. These are some of ATL's more unique restaurants, all worth at least one visit.

After perusing this list of Atlanta's most idiosyncratic restaurants, check out the Zagat Atlanta look at Atlanta's most unique bars.

• Photo by: Truett's Luau

  
  
  
  
  Truett's Luau
  
  
  Have you ever thought you love Chick-fil-A, but wanted the chicken chain to take more inspiration from its Polynesian dipping sauce? In one suburb south of Atlanta, that's exactly what happened. Named after Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy — and inspired by his love of South Pacific kitsch — this full-service restaurant serves chile-roasted shrimp, kalua pork and a burger topped with bacon and pineapple…all alongside an expanded Chick-fil-A menu (including off-the-wall dishes like a cream-drenched interpretation of a hot brown and a chicken pot pie made with Chick-fil-A nuggets).
  
  
  Side note: On the other side of Fayetteville, you'll find Truett's Pizza Café — another Chick-fil-A spin-off. It was originally named Upscale Pizza, but was recently renamed in honor of its founder. The joint features a pizza buffet on Tuesdays and Saturdays and has a pizza called The Legacy topped with Chick-fil-A fried chicken and pickles.
  
  
  600 W. Lanier Ave. #103, Fayetteville; 770-461-5828
  
  
  
  Photo by: Angie Mosier
  
  
  
  
  
  Gunshow
  
  
  The ever-changing creative food at Top Chef fan fave Kevin Gillespie's Glenwood Park restaurant is top notch, but it's the experience that sets Gunshow apart. Executive chef Joey Ward, a Zagat 30 Under 30 honoree in 2014, and his team of culinary pros roam the restaurant with multiple dishes, offering just-cooked small plates from table to table, interacting with guests and discussing the food. It's personal, surprising, unpredictable and completely unlike any other spot in town.
  
  
  ​924 Garrett St.; 404-380-1886
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Auto Spa Bistro
  
  
  Do you need a car wash? Do you also need a meal? Auto Spa Bistro in Home Park is just what you're looking for. The plush purple-velvet surroundings and glittery interior read like Tom Haverford's ideal "Treat Yo'self" way to run an errand. A full menu offers breakfast dishes named after cars, multiple burgers, a red-velvet waffle and globally inspired pub fare — plus, a breakfast cocktail beats a months-old copy of Golf Digest any day.
  
  
  348 14th St.; 678-974-8187
  
  
  
  Photo by: Instagram/thedi51
  
  
  
  
  
  Abdullah the Butcher House of Ribs & Chinese Food
  
  
  This no-frills West Atlanta spot's claim to fame comes courtesy its owner, '80s wrestling icon Abdullah the Butcher (aka Larry Shreve). The cuisine combines crowd-pleasing barbecue and ribs with populist American Chinese food. The ever-hospitable Abdullah roams the dining room charming tables, mugging for selfies and delivering his "It's Fork Time" catchphrase.
  
  
  2387 Fairburn Rd SW; 404-629-2332
  
  
  
  Photo by: Flickr/toorayray
  
  
  
  
  
  The Vortex Bar & Grill
  
  
  Ever since the Vortex drew the attention of Man vs. Food and other stunt-food TV shows, the Little Five Points restaurant had a line out the door. (The Midtown location's not as crowded, but doesn't sport a giant skull.) The burger spot's Triple Coronary Bypass Burger is a show-stopper, but the Vortex also deserves credit for being one of the first restaurants in Atlanta to think beyond the typical lettuce-cheese-tomato accoutrements for a burger. It's been drawing crowds since the '90s with creative toppings, and its 21+ policy and idiosyncratic house rules make for a unique environment.
  
  
  438 Moreland Ave. NE; 404-688-1828
  
  
  
  Photo by: Ben Rose
  
  
  
  
  
  Polaris
  
  
  Polaris isn't Atlanta's only rotating restaurant located atop a Downtown hotel (there's also theSun Dial), but it's the only one that looks like a retro-futuristic flying saucer. This resurrected, space-age Atlanta gem reopened after years of absence from the city's scene, offering a one-of-a-kind experience in a 360-degree space split into a lounge, bar and restaurant spinning around an open kitchen and great views.
  
  
  265 Peachtree St. NE; 404-460-6425

February 13- Valentine's Day at the Wrecking Bar

Love this spot in Little 5 Points!  Quaint brewpub underneath an event space.  During the summer it is nice to sit at a patio table but in winter the inside is warm and inviting with a fireplace and sometimes live music.  They are known not just for mixologist cocktails and beers but also for vegetarian night and really good fries.  They are having a special Valentine's day menu (on the day before) if you are so inclined:

You'll fall in love with the tempting menu Chef Jeremiah created for Valentine's Day. 

• Lobster bisque with Tarragon Creme Fraiche 
• Blood Orange Salad: local arugula, Anson Mills rye wheat berries, Decimal Place goat cheese, shaved fennel, pecans, grapefruit-champagne vinaigrette 
• Fried Whole Lobster with Celeriac and ricotta puree, Meyer lemon sabayon
• and for dessert, Jeremiah's chocolate and coconut pound cake

http://www.wreckingbarbrewpub.com/

The Wrecking Bar Brewpub Vegetarian Tuesday's

Even if you aren't a vegetarian I highly recommend Wrecking Bar Brewpub's weekly event.  Every Tuesday they have an awesome vegetarian menu and of course their award winning brews and cocktails.  It's a great place for groups or to belly up to the bar.  Sometimes their menu has vegan selections as well.  I have had the seitan wrap and that with fries is so yummy.  On a side note, it is a great date spot or catch up with friends spot around the bar.  

Check out their interesting building history here:  wreckingbarbrewpub.com

The Porter Beer Bar

                               

I love this little hidden gem in Little Five Points. On the outside it looks like a tiny bar but when you walk through it's actually a pretty big space with tables. They have over 800 beers so this is a beer lover's paradise. My friend had a beer that tasted like chocolate. I had the beer flight (pictured above) which was awesome.  We also had the hush puppies with apple sauce, which is almost like a dessert.  Check it out, I highly recommend it!

Full menu here:  http://www.theporterbeerbar.com