In my search for a great Downtown Atlanta dinner experience, I came across Alma Cocina and it is…read moredefinitely that: Latin soul food. The ambience is warm and vibrant, and the bar creates unique, fresh cocktails that immediately set the tone. I indulged in the chicken tinga tacos and sweet plantains, and the savory aroma and bold flavors were extraordinary. The colors, the energy, and the presentation transport you straight to a Mexican fiesta. The exquisite food was accompanied by great ambiance and excellent customer service.

The mole was simply tender and amazing. It was the right amount of food after a long day of travel,…read moretoo. A must-try with a flight of mezcal as well. It is a true, balanced, and great combination. The service was equally fun with Joshua. He was very accommodating with the large table and had great energy, too.

Dinner before a show at the Fox. The walk from the Fox was reasonable but definitely a small hike…read more About .5 miles. Reservations for 5 so the dining room was pretty empty when we came in. It started filling up over the course of the hour. Service was stellar. Cool upscale Latin vibe inside. We did a combo of tapas and entree. For tapas we had the toro guacamole, patatas bravas with harissa, black beans and calimari. All were super tasty and came out quick and hot. The entrees took quite some time to come out, a little too long. But I had the pollo al horno. The chick was delicious! The pickled vegetables were awesome and a nice acid break from the chicken and rice. Super good entree. Wife had the el toro vegetariano which she loved. Over than the entree taking. Bit too long to come out, all in all it was a great meal. Great cocktails, great service and I hear a fire show we missed at 7:30.

I got to the bar and took a moment to take my order. That set the tone for the evening without me…read moreknowing. I got a drink and waited on a friend to join. My friend arrived and took a moment to get her drink order. I placed a paella bowl order along with my friend drink. The paella came out and it was not cooked right, it was cooked with too much water so I could not even find the individual rice grains, needless to say I did not try to eat it. It got returned. I explained what was wrong with it and was told they were cooking more so I waited on the second batch. My friend was also finally able to order, she got the guacamole and she liked it. I got paella from the "second" batch and it looked a little better ONLY, I tasted it and it tasted like water, I tried the shrimp and it was water logged too so I just put it to the side and did not complain anymore. The beef empanadas were good, so was the chicken empanadas according to my friend. I also got a shrimp taco and a bbq taco, they were good just too little. The disc was as big as a mayonnaise jar lid not a good value for $4 each. I will not complaint about the drinks, those were good. That affected me the most was the wait. We had to try and make some type of contact with the bartender to order. I was getting upset so I asked for the check which took FOREVER to get. That was something else, I only looked that the items were correct and nothing else. I was not warned that 20% tip was added already so I double tipped. MY FAULT, I WILL NEVER go back.

Our experience was fantastic from the start! We were running a couple of minutes late so we called…read morethe hostess. Her name was Shay. She was very friendly over the phone and made sure that we had a tiny bit later reservation in case we didn't make it within the next 15 minutes. We made it in five! Our next experience was with Arda, he was a fantastic waiter could not have had a better one there! He gave us suggestions on our top and it was the perfect meal for us! We also had interaction with the management. I did not get their names, but they were fantastic as well. I would go back here 1 million times! Angie Comer

Carlos was AMAZING!! Service 20/10! He was very attentive and made sure our table was good! When…read moreyou visit ask for Carlos!

I was worried this was not going to live up to the hype, but it 100% did…read more The service was great, took less time than I thought it would, and was just a cool spot to hang out with friends while we ate. We got a whole bird to split between four people, along with a side of chips and esquites. I made tacos out of my quarter thigh/leg, and added rice, beans, pico, and the various salsas on each bite. Everything was phenomenal. Only thing I would do different next time is get more beans, and possibly a side of guac, which looked crazy expensive, but might have been a nice bright touch.

Honestly didn't think this place lived up to the hype. We order a quarter chicken meal with breast…read moremeat, chips and guac, and their special beef soup of the day. Based on other reviews, I figured everything would be pretty bland or lack salt. Boy was I wrong. Everything was WAY too salty, even the rice and beans somehow. The chicken was a bit dry and wasn't as flavorful as it looked. We were overall left disappointed and wouldn't go back. There is very minimal seating inside so I would plan on taking the food to go unless it's nice out, they have a patio on the front.

I'm giving this 5 stars because this place is part of the fabric of our neighborhood. No, it isn't…read morenecessarily a 'destination' spot you'd drive across town for, but it is a lovely local gem for inexpensive margaritas and solid food. I adore sitting on the patio and soaking in the neighborhood's vibrancy. Watching the e-bikes whiz by with kids on the back and teenagers loitering the mini-market gives the whole scene a modern Norman Rockwell feel. The margs are cheap, the food is a great value, and everything always comes out quickly. The service is attentive, too--you'll have multiple people checking in to ensure you're happy. As a regular, I've tried most of the menu. One of the 'secret' standout items is the salmon salad (insider knowledge passed down to me!). The quesadilla is my other go-to, though I do wish they'd finally start cutting the darn thing into triangles! Bottom line: this is a place to just hang and relax. Don't expect anything over-the-top; it's simply a very comforting, reliable neighborhood staple.

We decided to start with the chicken soup, and wow -- what a pleasant surprise. It was warm,…read morecomforting, and packed with flavor in the best way. Honestly, it almost stole the show. I could have happily ordered a full bowl as my main dish and left completely satisfied. For my entrée, I went with the Original Paella. Overall, it was very enjoyable and nicely seasoned. The flavors were there, and it was definitely pleasing to eat. I will say, I was expecting a bit more protein. Everything tasted good, but a slightly more generous portion of protein would have taken it to the next level for me. I'd give the paella an 8/10. We also tried the Enchiladas de Pollo. The flavor was definitely there -- the seasoning and filling were enjoyable -- but the tortillas didn't seem as fresh as I'd hoped. Because of that, the enchiladas lost some of their structure and would fall apart before you could really get a solid bite with your fork. It didn't ruin the dish, but it did take away a bit from the overall experience. The atmosphere was really nice. They offer seating on the first floor (inside and outside), plus a second-floor outdoor option. If you're worried about being cold upstairs, don't be -- they have ceiling heaters, which is a thoughtful touch. We went during lunch, so it wasn't too busy, and it felt relaxed. I can only imagine how charming it must feel at night with the city views -- I'd definitely love to come back in the evening to experience that. The food came out quickly, which is always appreciated, and parking wasn't too bad to find. I could see it being a little more challenging during peak hours, but for us, it worked out well. Overall, I'd give this place a 4.2/5. I'd absolutely return -- especially for that chicken soup -- and I'm excited to explore more of the menu next time.

This place was fantastic, from the moment we walked in it was a fabulous experience. The cocktails…read morewere superb, the tapas impressed and we ended the evening with a fabulous dessert. 9/10

Yum .... Everything was delicious n the drinks was good too. My favorite would have to be the…read moreoctopus. I got the salad n steak with octopus to go

Atlanta is so blessed to have a restaurant like this in its ranks now. If I could give more than 5…read morestars on this app, I'd be lighting it up! I went on a holiday, which was super busy, but even so, service was prompt and attentive. I ordered a pasaflora to drink, which had a beautiful flower in it, queso blanco with chips, al pastor mushroom tacos, chochoyotes, and flan for dessert. Every single dish was inspired, layered with flavor, creative, and truly unique. The presentation was also lovely and each bite felt thoughtful and well-executed. I would order everything a million times over! One thing that especially stood out was the flan's texture, which was silky, delicate, and perfectly balanced. I was also pleasantly surprised to see fried green tomatoes on the menu. It felt like such a special nod to the restaurant's Southern location, blending regional influence in a really cool way. The owner was super nice, which made the experience even better. The decor is gorgeous and so inviting, with intimate, cozy lighting. The whole space feels clean, artistic, and thoughtfully designed. This is an amazing date-night spot that I truly hope sticks around for a long, loooong time. Everything about the atmosphere and experience makes it perfect for a special evening out. I'm already planning to go back and explore more of the menu, but based on my first visit alone, I might even dare to say this is the best vegan restaurant in Atlanta. The jury's still out, but I'm more than happy to keep doing the research to confirm!! lol Last thing I'll say is that I was so grateful not to have to wade through a bunch of non-vegan menu options to figure I it what I could actually order. I also don't have to wonder if my food was being cooked next to a slab of dead animal, which is not the case most places I go. So, thank you for being ALL vegan. The food is so good that there is no chance a non-vegan will feel they've missed out on meat anyway. Logistical stuff: I saw a little bit of street parking, but not a ton. Parking in the deck is definitely the easiest option. You could theoretically bike/skate the Beltline and just walk a couple of blocks to get there. The space is on the smaller side, so I'd recommend making a reservation to be safe if you're visiting on a Friday/Saturday night.

We enjoyed sitting at the bar for a light Friday dinner…read more Ambience is fun and tropicalish. Bartender was very pleasant and explained the various menu items along with his recommendations. Personally, the menu is fairly limited in scope with the same ingredients presented in different dishes. Not very healthy either with plenty of fried options. Despite the plant based hoopla, it does not come close to similar concepts. Meh

I came here for lunch. You order at the kiosk. The guys…read morebehind the counter helped me, as it can get a bit confusing. Like, you can't go back and edit your order, I didn't see the toppings for the tacos at first because you need to scroll down. I ordered the grilled chicken taco and the snapper taco. I got a combo and asked for refried beans and coleslaw. The tacos were good, a little bland, but I added the green salsa that she put on the table and that made them perfect. The coleslaw was a little sweet. I was hoping for a more traditional Mexican coleslaw with vinegar, so I didn't eat much of it. I got black beans instead of refried beans, but they were really good! I put a little on my tacos and they were delicious! I really like Mexican food. I try it wherever I go. I'm in town for the week and this place is we think walking distance from my hotel (the Westin). The servers are very nice. The inside is just an average hole in the wall. But the food is good, and the prices are very reasonable. My combo meal was $14.

Super fast service for a pick-up lunch order of fish tacos…read more Fish tasted good and was seasoned well. Too much "sauce" on the tacos but overall solid.

The food is terrific, the owners are incredible and the staff is phenomenal. We've been going here…read moresince the early 2000s. The first server I had here welcomed me to Atlanta. It was a rainy day and my dad and I had arrived before I started grad school at Ga Tech. Our server was an Electrical Engineering student at Tech. It was appreciated after the typical chaos of moving to a new city that he happened over here my dad and I talking and he shared he went to Tech. Over the 2 decades since, I've brought friends who live here and from outside the city to enjoy the great serving and kitchen staff. My wife and I have been many times including on the restaurant's anniversary night last fall. We are sorry to hear the landlord has decided to raise the rent and sell the property. Heather has been our server multiple times. She was our server tonight as we celebrated my wife's birthday with her parents, aunt and sister. From calamari to the desert platter and entrees in between, the food was incredible. The fried lobster tails are a must. The mouse has been my wife's favorite for years. The one note is Jacob the General Manager needs to learn to trust his servers. At the beginning of the meal I let Heather know despite being a party of 7 to just bring the check to me and I'll settle up with the other guests via Venmo. And, at as we were finishing dessert, Heather came by letting me know the next party for our table was had arrived and could she bring our check. I said yes. While Heather was getting our check ($490 Food & $600+ after tip) the Manager came by telling us we needed to finish up and have our check brought. When I asked the Manager to not make this an unpleasant experience and that coming by after Heather had just communicated the situation and I had agreed she told me I should share this feedback with the General Manager. She, Jacob (GM), and I stood on the front patio where I explained what I'm sharing now: Trust your Servers. He said they were front facing and so the management likes to meet the guests. Having your Manager tell us we need to get our check and leave is not the way to meet your guests. Chef Jack and his wife (the owners) are hospitable and trust and appreciate their staff. Jacob having his Manager micromanage the servers management of tables is nowhere close the focus on service the owners have had for 26 years. I hope that Jacob and the Manager take this as a learning moment that if you hire talented people your trust talented people to bring their talents to their job. Sure it was busy. But, that's why Chef Jack hired the staff he hired. Jacob the GM needs to increase the communication with his talented team instead of using the excuse of being front facing to ever overstep their bounds on the relationship his servers have built with his guests. Heather introduced herself when we sat down. Jacob did not - nor should he have. Heather did a phenomenal job making us feel welcome, have food and drink we enjoyed, and even recognizing my wife's birthday with her favorite desert. And when the time came she handled coordinating bringing the bill and having us free the table so a new group could enjoy an evening at Agave. Jacob and the Manager need to trust their staff more. Micro-management is never a good look for your staff's morale or your guests' impressions. Please go see them for Jan 31st 2026 when they close. The servers are all wonderful as are the owners. And the food is like nothing else in Atlanta. The management simply needs to trust the talented staff from front to back of house with whom they get to work. If they're ever in doubt if a server is either providing the level of service they expect or turning tables at the rate needed to keep pace with reservations then talk to the server. The server needs to own their tables. Management should truly be of service to their staff - and you can only do that with trust and communication. Customers should never know management had a single question if the sever was doing what's needed. Because it's a bad look to come by twice about being the check. Especially when the 2nd time is in between the 1st ask if they could and the server bring the check. Of note, I already had my credit card out so that I could hand it to Heather as soon as she returned with the check. And in front of the manager, I handed Heather my credit card. Everything else was great. But, why rush guests?

This is one of my favorite go to spots in Atlanta, the food, drinks nor the service never…read moredisappoints. I encountered Brandon the host, he was soo kind. Our party arrived early and he didn't hesitate to look for seating. We landed a seat in the loft. Yayyyy. He later came by to check on us. Corey was hands down the best waiter he was extremely attentive, the food was served quickly. Shout out to the cook and the bar tender (Sharhara, I think )as well!!! Everything was delicious, the drinks ,appetizers , the meals, and the dessert. The manager,Tatum, came up to check on us and this sealed the deal to the best experience ever. The entire staff was just amazing. The ambiance was great, as I stated we landed in the loft overlooking the restaurant. I've been here more times than I can count and I'd never had the opportunity to sit up there. I choose a good spot to celebrate my birthday.

Extended telework day meant going to a trusted source for a filling + delicious meal!…read more I got my usual and was sure to take pics . I also tried the coconut bun with tofu. Okay, but not my fav. I didn't like the cucumber or pumpkin seeds - could have used more sauce. All else was delicious!

The food was a 10/10!!! Crescent (like the moon) was amazing and she makes a fabulous margarita!!…read more I gave four stars because of the price point. The create your own bowl and a skinny margarita was $49.56. That is a bit much for lunch for one- in my opinion. It's a small space inside the food court. There is seating at the bar for about 6-8 people. Because the food was SO good and the service was amazing, I will be returning!!