Absolutely loved this place! My boyfriend and I were in Atlanta to celebrate our anniversary, and we were very pleased with the service, hospitality, and food. We arrived early for dinner and were surprised to see that the downstairs was a smoke lounge/bar area. The host took us upstairs for more formal dining, which was very interesting!Showed the dynamic, multi-style service they provide. I truly love that they offer two different kinds of experiences. We were seated and had a little sign that said "Happy Anniversary." We loved the recognition. Not even a second after we sat down, a waitress came by to fill our water, and then our server greeted us and brought a basket of bread while we looked over the menu. After a few moments, our server returned to walk us through the specials. We ended up ordering the Caesar salad, fried rock shrimp and lobster, chicken Marsala, prime rib, and a side of mashed potatoes. Our server was very prompt, friendly, and attentive to everything we requested. The food arrived in a timely manner, our drinks were always refilled, and the overall service was excellent. The food was delicious! I'd highly recommend the prime rib. The portions were generous and very flavorful. For dessert, we were surprised with a complimentary cheesecake from the staff to celebrate our milestone. We truly loved the experience, it made our trip to Atlanta even more special. I would definitely love to come back and would highly recommend this place to family and friends. read more

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If you're thinking of going here, you should just do it. The food here is out of this world! The restaurant was packed! It has live music as well which is also a plus. Our server was so nice and funny. He took great care of us and made the experience amazing! Their Georgia peach martini was the best martini! It wasn't too sweet and wasn't too strong. It was made just right! They bring out this garlic bread to start that was so addicting! It's crispy, crunchy, buttery, and just the right amount of garlic. I had to stop myself from eating too much cause it was so good! Appetizers: Lobster Special - I'm not sure what this was but it was so amazingly good. I would come back just for this dish. It was like honey walnut shrimp, but a lobster version. The sauce was this light lemon garlic cream sauce that you just want more of. Calamari - was crispy and had this really good marinara sauce you could dip it in. Caesar was pretty good. Pretty standard nothing spectacular. Shrimp remoulade was kinda like individual shrimp cocktails. Main Dishes - Blackend Ribeye - I got my ribeye blackened and I'm so glad I did. It was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection! It had the right amount of lean and fat to it. It had a nice crispy sear on top that I couldn't get enough of. Filet - this was so tender and melt in your mouth good You can't go wrong with any of the sides. They were all so good! I really like the lobster Mac and cheese, brussels and creamed spinach. The mashed potatoes were really good and creamy. The asparagus was a little over cooked. There's always a separate stomach for dessert lol you can't go wrong with any of the desserts either lol the desserts weren't too sweet I think my favorite was the crème brûlée and chocolate cake. The cheesecake and tiramisu were pretty good too. The restrooms are in an odd location. It's behind the curtain in a back area. If you're in the area, you gotta try this place! It won't disappoint! read more

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Hal's is one of those steaks you have to sit and savor before you clean your plate. Had the opportunity to come for Christmas dinner with family and everything delivered. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere is old school, dimly lit, and elevated surrounded by history and art, the kind of place that sets the tone before the food even arrives. The steak was perfectly cooked, no complaints on any of the sides and there was plenty to share amongst the table. We started with oysters and their signature Lobster Le'Beaux which was memorable and one I'd come back for without hesitation. Drinks were crafted well to close it out. -Mr. read more

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I'm not sure there are enough words to describe the meal we had last night. For about 10 years, one of my favorite steakhouses in the country has been in Atlanta--but the last couple of times it just didn't hit the same. So last night, we decided to level up. And wow... did we ever. Hal's "The Steakhouse" is officially my new favorite steakhouse in the country. Hands down one of the best meals I've had in a very long time. Our server, Jeff F, was fantastic, friendly, personable, knowledgeable, and just an all-around great guy. The entire staff is top tier. You're greeted by every single person you pass on the way to your table and thanked as you leave. An empty plate doesn't sit on the table for more than 60 seconds before it's cleared. The service is polished without feeling stuffy exactly how it should be. We started with the Lobster Le'Beaux, a fried fresh lobster tail topped with lemon beurre blanc and jumbo lump crabmeat. It's their signature appetizer, and arguably one of the best appetizers I've ever had. Absolute showstopper. Next up was a wedge salad--perfectly dressed, crisp, and delicious. Since they're a New Orleans inspired steakhouse, I went with the blackened filet medallions. And let me tell you... one of the best steaks I've had in a long time. Tender, flavorful, and seasoned to perfection. Every bite was incredible. We also ordered the Brabant potatoes with blue cheese. I'm a huge blue cheese fan, but this one just wasn't my favorite. (And honestly, that's saying something when it's the only thing that didn't completely wow me.) I truly can't say enough good things about Hal's. I'll be back in Atlanta in July and it's already at the top of my reservation list. read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - Lobster Le'Beaux - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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This place is everything the hype is about! Food is awesome steak was amazing large serving and cooked to perfection, my appetizer lobster lebeaux was actually the best thing I had there and the garlic bread. Service was a 14/10 very good service. I will definitely be back. Asparagus was just ok. But everything else was awesome! It is super dark on this restaurant but they do have little candles on the table to help see. read more

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Having made reservations the day before for our 15th wedding anniversary, we were looking forward to trying this restaurant out for our special day for the first time. We were greeted with a nice "Happy Anniversary" card at our table and our server was friendly. However, my husband and I both ordered the Escargot for our appetizer and only received one. We waited and waited, until I had to ask our server where the second order of Escargot was. He was like, "oh you both wanted the Escargot?" Um, yes we did. So we had to wait once more for the second order to arrive. Both my husband and I ordered the Filet Mignon and for our sides we ordered the Asparagus and Mushrooms which we shared. Overall, our dinner was just okay especially for the price we paid for everything! Will we go back? Probably not. We've had better tasting steaks at other restaurants in the Atlanta area and the sides we felt were a little on the bland side. We really wanted to enjoy our anniversary dinner, but we left disappointed Not sure why people are okay spending $70+ dollars on a mediocre steak. read more

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Parking: $5 Valet + whatever you decide to tip the awesome valet guys Was seated promptly for our 9:30pm reservation on a Saturday evening. It was very lively inside with live music and lots of people enjoying their time. Definitely seems like a cute place for date night, girls night, or to celebrate a special occasion. The atmosphere was so lively, you'd even have a good time sitting at the bar probably. I didn't get a chance to go upstairs this time, but would guess it was pretty packed up there too. Food: I had the House Salad w/ a piece of blackened salmon. I was a little skeptical about the vinaigrette but it wasn't as tart as I was expecting with a creaminess. It complimented the salad well. This was a house salad unlike any other I've ever had and I can't say I'd order it again. It was missing the blue cheese and just seemed like odd veggies put together. It was edible and I loved that everything was cut into bite sized pieces. The star of the show for me was the salmon! It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. I would recommend it to anyone who isn't a huge steak fan like myself. It also came with a complimentary side of mashed potatoes or creamed spinach. I opted for the creamed spinach and that was delicious also. Very creamy, well seasoned and something I'd order again. Unfortunately, I did not get the name of our server but he was great! read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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The food and service was great. I usually don't crave steak but this was amazing. I've been here twice in the last month. The atmosphere feels like a dive bar! read more

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This is still one of my favorite places to dine in or take out! This day we did take out love how convenient they have it set up where you can call in advance, and someone comes out to you with the check and the food. The Lobster Le'Beaux is a must have every single time we come here! They use such high quality seafood it just melts in your mouth I ended up having the Seabass super buttery and flaky just how I like it and my husband went with the ribeye he said it was cooked to perfection very tender. Overall a great experience as always! read more

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We've lived in Atlanta for a few years, and we love trying all the best restaurants. We've heard Hal's often at the top of people's list, but for some reason we hadn't made it there yet. Well, last week we finally got to eat there, and wow, it did not disappoint! This is a true New York City style fine steakhouse dining experience. The food was impeccable-- absolutely perfect. We had ribeye, filet, and New York strip, and they all were cooked to perfection. Every side dish, every appetizer, every dessert, wine and cocktail a 10/10 also. But what sets elite restaurants apart from other places with equally good food is their professional server staff, and we had one of the best servers we've ever had in any major city. Willie J. Ellington (yes, sounds like a jazz or blues star!) absolutely made our night not just a good experience, but a fantastic one. One of the finest gentlemen and servers I've ever come across. An absolutely gem. Thank you Hal's for a superb evening, and Thank you Willie Ellington!! We will be back VERY SOON! read more

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This place was so good. Everyone says it's the best steak in Atlanta and they are not lying. Yes ofc it's expensive but you pay for quality. The inside is so cute. Upstairs is more intimate dining and downstairs they have live music and a bar. Very fun. Our server Jeff was amazing. He had great recommendations. I would come back and get everything again. My only thing is the potatoes felt more like breakfast potatoes but other than that everything was amazing. read more

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I had such a wonderful experience at Hal's. It was literally the best steak of my life. The service was great and the vibe was nice. It checked all the boxes. For started we had the lobster lebeaux which was very tasty. I only wish it was a larger portion because we ate it so far but it was very buttery and good chunks of crabmeat. Then my sister and I split the 22 oz ribeye. They served it already cut which was great. We got medium plus. This steak was seasoned perfectly and was so juicy. It needed no sauce or anything. It was amazing. We got a side of asparagus which were also very good. They also gave us a cheesecake since it was my sister's birthday and it was very tasty as well. We left full and satisfied. It's been a week and I'm still thinking bout that steak. read more

Hal's mirrors the NYC Steak Houses I am so fond of. They offered a one page menu and a 20 page Wine List. Hal's is much the same with Tables close to one another, the atmosphere is energetic , the service is professional, steaks are wonderful and side dishes that match up well. Not the most expensive nor the least expensive, it's comfortably in the middle. read more

I am extremely disappointed with my recent experience at How's The Steakhouse. I booked a private dining room for a surprise birthday celebration with a confirmed 8:00 PM reservation. When we arrived at 8:00 PM, we were told the room was not available. We waited about 30 minutes before it was ready. That delay completely ruined the surprise. Guests began arriving while we were standing around waiting, and the birthday guest quickly realized what was happening. The entire purpose of booking a private room was lost before we even sat down. Once we were finally seated, we had one server for 12+ people. He was polite and doing his best, but he was clearly overwhelmed. We did not place food orders until around 9:15 PM. We ordered a bottle of champagne that was left sitting on the table warm instead of being placed on ice. It was forgotten. Again, understandable given the workload, but that falls on management for poor staffing. I spoke with a manager about the situation. His response was nonchalant. Instead of stepping in to fix the issue, he had a justification for everything. I explained that one server for a large private party is not realistic. He said he would send a second server. The second server arrived only after food was delivered, which made it pointless. For a private room with an $1,800 minimum that we met, I expected a seamless experience. The food was good. The service was not. I honestly believe we would have had a better experience in the main dining room. Another frustrating issue involved the contract. I booked the private room the same day and was grateful they had availability. I asked the event coordinator earlier in the afternoon to send the contract. He said he would. I did not receive it. After a couple of hours, I called back. It was finally sent at 5:18 PM. I reviewed, signed, and returned it within about 15 minutes. When we arrived, they referenced the timing of the signed contract as if it was my fault for returning it "after 5 PM." I did not receive it until 5:18 PM. If same day private dining cannot be properly executed, it should not be offered. Blaming the customer for internal timing issues is unacceptable. At no point did management apologize or take accountability. I never felt like they cared. The food was good. The experience was not memorable in a positive way. For the amount spent, this was not acceptable. read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Went back to Hal's this week and I had to update my review. Still loud, great apps, great salad (Had the Hal's chopped without asparagus) terrific. Steak, I had the 12oz Filet Au Poivre, and this steak was undoubtedly, the best steak I have ever had. We do dinners at great steakhouses all over the country as we travel and take our customers out. This was the best steak I ever had. Good Cheesecake and but that Chocolate cake was just insane. read more

We had a wonderful experience at Hal's Steakhouse! We had reservations for 5:30 and were seated right away. The service was impeccable--our server, Kyle, was attentive, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations throughout the evening. Nick ordered the filet mignon, and I had the veal piccata. Both dishes were perfectly prepared and full of flavor. We shared the lyonnaise potatoes and the recommended Brussels sprouts, and we also enjoyed the garlic bread that came with the meal. Everything was so delicious that we kept eating long after we were full. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the food was outstanding, and the service was top-notch. I would absolutely recommend a trip to Howell's, especially for the filet mignon--it was one of the best we've ever had! read more

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The BEST Steakhouse in Atlanta! Location and Parking Located in Buckhead, parking is valet only. There isn't a charge but I tipped for friendly and convenient service. Venue and Atmosphere Hal's is a gorgeous establishment. It is very dim and provides an intimate setting for any occasion, in this case an anniversary dinner date. It isn't too loud either, which allows you to engage in conversation without having to yell. All around us were parties having business dinners or celebrating other occasions, which solidified my choice of a wonderful restaurant. Service Upon walking in, the host warmly greeted us and escorted up upstairs to our table. The restaurant is spacious but the tables are a bit close together. It was packed on a Wednesday night, which really speaks to the popularity of Hal's. The waiter arrived very happy, upbeat, super engaging and with a huge smile. He was very knowledgeable about the wine list and gave excellent recommendations for dinner. He even guided us to the perfect after dinner beverage; the service was impeccable from start to finish. Food and Beverages The food was absolutely AMAZING. My wife and I ordered raw oysters, bone in ribeye, lobster mac and cheese, broccolini, and filet mignon. The meat was cooked medium to our liking with perfect amount of char. The flavor was robust and palate pleasing, allowing you to fully experience each well seasoned bite. The lobster mac and cheese is sensational and the broccoli was also delicious. We paired all of this with a smooth cabernet sauvignon, and our delicious meal was complete. Verdict Hal's has ruined every other steakhouse for me, and I am NOT joking. Every steak that I bite into I say, "it's good but it's not Hal's!" read more

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Booked a last min reservation for a late nite birthday dinner at Hal's on a Wednesday night. I've been to Hal's 2 or 3 times and it's always consistent. We really enjoyed our time there especially with it being last minute. There was live music downstairs and of course cigars so we opted to sit upstairs which had a more quiet and intimate feel. We orders some wine and started with the Lobster Lebeaux and Oysters Bordelaise appetizers. For dinner we ordered Lamb, Snapper With Artichokes And Mushrooms, and Lobster Bisque. For sides we had Brussels Sprouts and Mac and Cheese. If you enjoy dining at an old school more down to earth steakhouse you'd love Hal's. The birthday girl enjoyed her 40th bday dinner and can't wait to return! read more

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This was one of the best meals I've had. Definitely recommend to anyone! We went here to celebrate my husband getting a new job and everything was 1000/10. Service was great as well. We had salmon, steak, mashed potatoes, spaghetti, Brussels, lobster appetizer and dessert. I recommend all of it read more

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We took our daughter to her birthday celebration. Service-Excellent Smoky area upon entering. Yes, they smoke at this establishment on the first floor. Sat at the very top floor so no smoky smell. Appetizer-lobster Drink-Lemon Drop Main Meal-Filet Minion Medium Well Mashed potatoes, asparagus, garlic bread read more

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Atmosphere was awful - don't understand why they put so much effort on the dress code when the vibes are not classy at all. Came here for a date and could not even hear anything over the cackling and yelling from the tables around us. Lowkey feels like the restaurant was divided and we were out with the other minorities. Servers were kind but food was salty read more

Hal's is a true classic, old world steakhouse. We come here every year for the SECCG pregame celebrations on Friday night. Never disappoints. Deion took care of us and was the best! Great service and very charismatic. He needs his own parking space! The steaks are amazing but I went with the rack of lamb and was overwhelmed with the rich flavors. Thanks to Hal's for another delicious meal!! read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - Rack of lamb - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Hal's steakhouse is known for their outstanding steak, warm customer service and intimate ambiance - this was my first time eating here and I couldn't agree more. I will certainly be back! Everything suggested to us was amazing and I can't thank my friend enough for introducing me to this place! From the steak to the seafood options, the food was outstanding. Pictures do not do this place justice, you must experience it for yourself. The only mishap we had unfortunately was our wait time, we had reservations for 8:00 pm and unfortunately we weren't sat until 8:45 pm. It was a busy night for the restaurant (understandably, because the food is just so good) however this was a little disappointing. Despite that, I will be returning and bringing friends! read more

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So I finally get to review my favorite restaurant, which is Hal's steakhouse. I've gone multiple times over the years and have eventually come to the conclusion that this is my favorite restaurant for multiple reasons. First and foremost, the food is amazing. It's the best steak that I've honestly ever had and especially in Atlanta. Most other steakhouses to me are a bit overhyped but to me, Hal's is underhyped. I don't hear people talk about it very much, but the steak is really good. I feel like they always cook it at the actual temperature that I request while many other places overcook my steak without fail. The steak is always very juicy and flavorful as well and the sides are huge and tasty. You can literally get pasta as a side! It's great. The ambience is also very lively as well. Especially if you go on a weekend it almost feels like a bar because everybody is so friendly and it's just an exciting atmosphere for a steakhouse especially. The bar is also usually very filled up as well. The service is also top notch here. I have never had a waiter that did not give me prime customer service by being extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu as well. They seem to always hire really enthusiastic waiters because they truly do seem like they care and want you to enjoy your experience. This is for sure fine dining and the prices reflects that.. it is expensive and I will definitely point that out because that's important but again that's where the amazing customer service comes in. They really do give you your money's worth from the taste of the food to the service you receive as well. Definitely try Hal's if you enjoy great steak and want to have a good time. read more

If you are going to try and sit at the bar, make sure to get there early! It was packed to the brim on a Friday evening. We had an 8pm reservation and weren't seated until 8:45pm, and I'm sure it was due to the volume of people in the restaurant. But I can understand why. They more than made up for it with the food and service. Our waiter, Porter, was simply amazing. Only great things to say about him. He recommended the Lobster Le'Beaux as an appetizer and the Chilean Sea bass for the entree. I had both and both were AMAZING! All sides were tasty & great drinks. Great ambiance in the restaurant, not too loud. Great for a birthday dinner or dinner for two. Would dine here 10 times over. read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - Chilean Seabass - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Excellent dinner. Could do without the cigar smoke at the bar, but it does add to the vibe and the dining area was smoke free. My guest and I spilt a wedge salad. She had the escargo and shrimp cocktail appetizers, and enjoyed both. Then we split a 12 ounce filet au poivre, which was superb and we both agreed was one of the best steaks we've ever had. She also had the rack of lamb which she enjoyed. She also had a grilled lobster tail, also delicious. Great wines, a cab and a Pinot noir, recommended by our server, and espresso martinis for dessert. We were full! We'll be back soon. read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

This restaurant is very elegant. Great for date night or birthday dinner. The food was great service was good also.

I've never had this level of satisfaction with food. I didn't realize food could taste this amazing. The lamb had the most perfect sauce that I'm now obsessed with. In one night this has become my favorite restaurant. I'm going here for birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries etc. only $5 valet bc they know the star of the night is the food and service. Live music with live piano. Amazing staff with helpful knowledgeable personalities a buzz. Just wonderful. Everything was wonderful read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - Surf n turf and Rack of Lamb - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Wow. Ambiance was great, service was great. I ordered the muscles with linguini and though it wasn't officially on the menu they made it happen. Presentation was 10/10! Will definitely be returning read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

This place is old and cozy. Seats are comfortable. Lights are dim and the atmosphere just feels nice to spend hours. It can get very busy. Steaks I hear you asked; best you will ever have. But better than Steaks, the sides. Do yourself a favor and go to Hal's :-) read more

We made a reservation for 8:30 PM and were seated promptly upon arrival. The table size was appropriate for the amount of food we ordered. The service was excellent, the drinks were okay, and the food was served hot and well prepared. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium temperature as requested, and everything was delivered efficiently and in a timely manner. We will definitely be returning. read more

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This is a staple in Atlanta Buckhead. You can still smoke in here so that should tell you the vibe. The service is good and the food is actually so good. Not healthy in the least lol. But worth it. Truffle Mac and cheese was so good. The bathroom is in the kitchen which is so weird. And their old fashions come with multiple ice cubes. read more

Reservations are recommended. A very tight space. Our server was cool for the most part I always like to acknowledge any server by their name he told us one name there was another name on the tab. Lots of offering for fish of the day and preparation. They do offer wagyu at $40/oz. I did order a ribeye that was overcooked but sucked it up to eat because I was looking forward to having dinner and got there to be disappointed. it was my husbands birthday and there was no acknowledgment of it even when I put it on the reservation. But a table was flipped quick next to us from birthday to anniversary signs dessert and candles. We sat at a very small table my flowers on the table was getting cooked by the candle. Au poivre was bland it was like watered down package gravy no body no richness for $4 I could have skipped it. read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner. Valet parking is available. This restaurant has 2 floors. We were seated upstairs. Our server was very knowledgeable and patient. I ordered the Lobster Le'Beaux and the NY Strip. The Lobster Le'Beaux was not my favorite, however, the steak was delicious. The steak was perfectly cooked and overall had a wonderful flavor. I would recommend this restaurant. read more

Best steak I have had!!! Cooked to perfection great char and flavor. My husband and i both got the 22oz bone in ribeye , mashed potatoes , Brussels sprouts and truffle Mac and cheese. You could cut through the steak with a fork , literally . The flavor was amazing on everything, we probably will get the mashed potatoes vs the truffle Mac next time only because we felt it went with the steak a little better but everything was amazing. They served garlic bread as well that was really good. The lemon drop was great,not too sweet but not too overpowering. I ordered two! The atmosphere was great, they do live music which we missed because we ate a little earlier in the evening, will try to catch that next time. Our server was really good, he explained everything on the menu u very well and gave extra info on each cut of steak so you knew exactly what you were getting. Can't wait to get back for our anniversary next month. read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Hals is slipping. Just not the same quality anymore. $60 for 12 scrawny roasted oysters? All cheese, overcooked. Drinks are really expensive. But you can smoke at the bar-only reason to go. Suggest well brands or beer and eat somewhere else. read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - $60 oysters - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

5 Stars We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary at Hal's, and it was unforgettable--from the rainbow we saw on the way there to the final bite of cheesecake. My love affair with Hal's Steakhouse has officially been reignited. There's just something magical about the place--if it ain't broke, don't fix it! The nostalgia hits in all the right ways, and the experience was seamless from start to finish. Jeff C. was our incredible server (shoutout to Jake, his attentive assistant), and they made us feel truly taken care of. The drinks were on point , and the valet service made arrival a breeze. We dove into the Surf n Turf--perfectly seasoned steak and the Lobster Le Beaux were absolute standouts. The chargrilled oysters were smoky and rich, the chopped salad crisp and fresh, and the sides (mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms ‍) were just as memorable. We finished with a slice of cheesecake that hit all the right notes--rich, creamy, and the perfect ending to a wonderful night. Even the restrooms were spotless--Hal's thinks of everything. Highly recommend for a special occasion or anytime you're craving a flawless meal in a timeless setting. read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - Cheesecake with Three Delicious sauces!! - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Hal's was SO GOOD! This is the perfect Atlanta steakhouse. The steaks were amazing and such large portions. I definitely could have split one! The second half of my steak was great for leftovers. The vibe is dark and like a speakeasy in the middle of Buckhead. Very cool spot to bring a group. I will definitely be back! I believe you do have to valet. read more

Hal's The Steakhouse - Mussels and Chargrilled Oysters - American Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Hal's The Steakhouse gave a true classic Atlanta dining experience. The staff was attentive, the atmosphere was warm and upscale, and everything we ordered came out fresh and full of flavor. The mac and cheese was creamy with a perfect crust, the mushrooms were rich and seasoned just right, and the asparagus was crisp and well cooked. Even the mussels were a hit, paired nicely with the martini. The star of the night was the steak juicy, tender, and cooked perfectly. Every bite showed why Hal's is known for its steaks. Great food, great service, and an experience worth coming back for. read more

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I had a great time at Hal's "The Steakhouse," formerly known as Hal's on Old Ivy. For a classic, local steakhouse experience in Atlanta, I recommend this place. That's all you need to know. If you want details, keep reading. At the time of writing this, Hal's has a 4.0-star average rating from 930 Yelp reviews. I can see why some people would rate this place "only" four stars. For example, my wife's reasons for giving Hal's four stars are: (1) there was no cocktail menu, (2) the Lyonnaise Potatoes weren't the best (still good, just not as good as she was expecting), (3) her empty cocktail glass sat on our table for the whole dinner and she was never asked if she wanted another drink, (4) the servers appeared stretched thin and she felt like we were just another cog in the wheel (her comment: "The service did not match the food."), and (5) the interior (e.g., the carpet) was dingy, worn, and musty. That's all true, but I thought the food, especially the steaks, really stole the show and the old-school atmosphere, for me, was a lot of fun. Hal's opened in North Buckhead in 1989. It's still located on Old Ivy Rd NE, so I'm not sure why the name change. A second location opened in Nashville this year (2024). Hal's is hidden off the main roads, Piedmont and Roswell. Parking is valet only. Bring cash. It costs $5 plus tip. I saw one guy not have cash on him. He paid and tipped using his phone, which wasn't ideal since it held others up. Our party of four had a Saturday reservation at 6:15pm. We arrived on time and the place was packed. At one point, the downstairs bar was standing room only. We ended up not being seated until close to 6:45pm. A little annoying. Book your reservation using OpenTable and earn dining points which can be used to redeem restaurant discounts, Amazon gift cards, hotel stays, and more. Hal's awards points - not all restaurants on OpenTable do - so that's a plus. This is a two-story restaurant. There are bars and dining rooms both upstairs and downstairs. We started off at the downstairs bar, getting drinks and watching baseball on TV. There were young, attractive female bartenders wearing leggings and tops showing off cleavage (some midriffs), very typical of a Buckhead bar/club. It was an interesting dichotomy to what the older male staff wore: dress shirts, dress pants, and neckties. It's all part of the "old-fashioned" vibe of this place. At the time we dined here, Hal's website said Hal's is "where Atlanta's power dinners happen." That wording has since been removed. Now it says Hal's is "the epicenter of Atlanta's most influential gatherings." Dining here, I felt like I was in an episode of The Sopranos (and I loved it). We dined upstairs, next to the elevator and entrance to the French Quarter, New Orleans-style indoor patio. Here's what we had: Cocktails * Woodford Reserve Bourbon Old Fashioned x3 ($16.50 each) * Hendrick's Gin ($13), French 75 cocktail (+$1) Appetizers * Oysters Bordelaise x2 (3 for $15; we got 6) - oysters dusted with cornmeal, flash fried, topped with garlic sauce * Escargot ($13) - baked and served out of the shell in a garlic butter sauce Salads * Caesar Salad ($12) - romaine lettuce topped with homemade croutons and tossed in Hal's tangy Caesar dressing * Hal's Chopped Salad ($13) - greens, carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, asparagus, blue cheese, Hal's Vinaigrette Beef, Lamb, & Poultry * Filet Mignon (12 oz, $72) - center-cut filet mignon grilled and finished with a butter sauce; cooked medium, with Mashed Potatoes * Filet Mignon Au Poivre (12 oz, $72), add Broiled Lobster (+$43) - center-cut filet pressed in peppercorns, pan-seared and served with a cognac sauce; cooked medium rare with Creamed Spinach * Prime Bone-In Ribeye x2 (22 oz, $88 each) - grilled and finished with a butter sauce; both cooked medium rare and both with Creamed Spinach Sides * Sauteed Mushrooms ($12) * Onion Rings ($12) * White Truffle Macaroni and Cheese ($14) * Lyonnaise Potatoes ($11) * Brussels ($13) Desserts * Bread Pudding ($11.95) * Chocolate Cake ($11.95) After Dinner Drinks * Espresso Martini ($18.50) - Ketel One vodka * Irish Coffee ($14) - Jameson whiskey The food was amazing. Our Prime Bone-In Ribeyes were up there among the best steaks we've had in Atlanta. They were perfectly cooked and seasoned with outstanding flavor and texture (juicy, tender, rich). In general, all of the food was incredibly rich and flavorful. I thoroughly enjoyed the Oysters Bordelaise and Escargot. My favorite side was the White Truffle Mac and Cheese (highly recommend). As for the drinks, they were nice and strong. Even the Bread Pudding, made with bourbon sauce, was quite strong. The Chocolate Cake came with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. We came to indulge and, all around, I thought Hal's delivered. Even their complimentary garlic bread was exceptional. It was just saturated in butter. Warm, crispy, scrumptious. The servers seemed overwhelmed and very busy during our visit. read more

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