Roswell, GA Best Restaurants Guide
Roswell is a place where you come to slow down and enjoy life. As a former food writer, I have eaten at some of the top restaurants in the country. With a city feeling and small-town charm, Roswell has a unique collection of eateries whose food is matched by its ambiance. Canton Street, the heart of Roswell, is charming, quaint, and allows its visitors the ability to hop from place to place with ease.
We moved to the area 3 years ago from the city and have had no qualms thanks to the kindness of the locals, the food scene, and all of the natural beauty Roswell has to offer.
In honor of Roswell’s Restaurant weeks, I’m sharing some of my favorite local eateries. Roswell Restaurant weeks will take place from Jan 11 – Feb 11. Participants in the event are denoted below with RRW*. For more information about the event, visit their website, http://www.roswellrw.com/.
VG Bistro
RRW
VG Bistro + Bar is a French destination of sorts, tucked just off of Canton Street. The ambiance is unmatched in the area and every room feels like a new experience. Their soaring ceilings are grounded with stunning cloth-covered chandeliers and the aroma of fresh-cooked bread from the brick pizza oven fills the air. Chef Jordan Chen keeps the menu fun and exciting by switching it up seasonally. They are always pushing the envelope with new dishes, such as the vanilla poached pears served with burrata and flaked salt. Along with their delicious menu offerings comes a unique and wonderful wine selection. The servers are all extremely knowledgeable about the perfect pairing for your meal.
We were spoiled with an eight-course dinner that was truly an unforgettable experience. When we arrived, our server brought us a crowd-favorite, the Canape au Fromage, which is a whipped goat cheese drizzled with truffle oil and balsamic reduction and served with a fresh baguette. Who knew something so simple could be so delicious?
If presentation is something of interest, I highly suggest their Sole Meuniere, which was served as a full fish, carefully deboned at our table and topped with a lemon butter parsley sauce. It was deliciously flaky and made for a fun dinner show. VG Bistro + Bar is the perfect spot for a romantic date night out, a family gathering, or an intimate night with friends.
Monkey 68
Monkey 68 is a hip and trendy refined Asian dining spot located on Green Street. The restaurant has a “big-city”, youthful feel to it with cool music, eclectic artwork, and creative sushi names. The restaurant is spacious, yet feels intimate thanks to the panel dividers. Everything about this place is an experience - from the Hidden Dragon cocktail that emits smoke as it’s poured to the water feature in the outdoor dining area.
With only four coveted seats at the sushi bar, it’s also a perfect spot for a romantic dinner with a show. They offer deliciously unique sushi rolls with even more unique names, such as the Rolls Royce and the She-Sho Fresh. For appetizers, I highly suggest trying the Korean Meatballs and the Angry Ribs. Monkey 68 is the perfect place to go on a date, with your parents, or with a group of friends.
The Fickle Pickle
RRW
The Fickle Pickle is a great lunch spot located on Canton Street in an adorable historic home painted powder blue. It’s a southern deli and cafe known for its delicious homemade pickles.
The Fickle Pickle offers strong southern flavors that you’ll hate to admit, is better than your Grandma’s cookin’. I’ve tried just about everything on the menu and can assure you, it’s all incredible! Their cajun fried pickles with home-made creole remoulade sauce are sure to keep you coming back for more. One of my personal favorites is the homemade tomato soup topped with a pesto drizzle, croutons, and parmesan cheese.
If you’ve got a big appetite, try one of their hot or cold sandwiches. My go-to is the grilled chicken and avocado sandwich. With abundant outdoor space, it’s a great place to dine outdoors on a beautiful day in Roswell.
NOCA
RRW
Noca offers an atmosphere that is upscale and approachable with a casual fine dining experience. Their outdoor setup is perfect for al fresco dining no matter the temperature. With a firepit and several outdoor heaters, you can enjoy their patio dining and people watch on Canton Street.
As a cheese lover, we were told we had to try their amazing cheese board. The ingredients are rotated seasonally, so no two boards will ever be the same. For dinner, I ordered the Grouper and my husband ordered the Pot Roast. They were both delicious. The Grouper had a pistachio crust and was served with basil mashed potatoes - I mean, can you even? Their bone-in short rib fell right off the bone.
One thing I love about Noca is all of their weekly specials! They offer half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays, live music on Wednesdays and the very popular $25 lobster night on Thursdays. Noca is the perfect spot for families, a date night, or dinner with friends and family.
Houck's
RRW
Houck’s Grille is an American grill and sports bar located near VG Bistro + Bar. They started Houck's in 1986 and have been standing strong ever since. Some of their famous items include the Black and Bleu Chips and the Baby Back Ribs. They have big TVs making it the perfect spot for sitting at the bar and watching the game. Also, their outdoor covered patio area is perfect for bringing the whole family.
Lola’s Burger & Tequila Bar
RRW
Lola’s is a burger and tequila bar packed with personality. Along with Houcks, this is another great place for watching sporting events because of their large TVs. One of their most popular dishes is the Jalisco Burger served with bacon, jack cheese, chipotle ranch, topped with lettuce, and tomato. Their Lola’s Crispy Fried Onion Loaf is another crowd-pleaser. Another popular dish is their Canton Street Chips which are fresh cute waffle chips smothered in Lola’s queso, carnitas, and chives. They have a lot of beers on draft, making it the ideal place to grab a cold one with some friends.
Gate City Brewery
Gate City Brewery was the first brewery to hit the scene in Roswell. They rotate their beer list often, but keep the classics - so you’re always in for a fun surprise. With creative names like the “F2020” and “Gourd Vibrations” I always find myself with a smile from the second I walk through the door. Being a huge IPA fan, my favorite beers from Gate City are the Citrus Maximus and the OTP IPA.
The brewery’s indoor garage with picnic tables is super spacious and the perfect hangout for a large group. Aside from the garage, they have another building across the alley from the main brewery for private events or a quieter brewery experience. With a large alley located outside, there’s plenty of room for people and kids to play. Because of how it is zoned, it’s the perfect place to come chill or to get your party on. They host a cornhole league (you can sign up here: http://www.cornholeatl.com/) and will be adding an ax-throwing league in the spring!
Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Company
Deep Roots Wine Market & Tasting Co. is one of my favorite places to enjoy a great glass of wine. As a Napa Valley native, Dana, the owner wanted to bring the essence of a relaxed and approachable wine tasting experience to Roswell. Deep Roots is tucked right off of Canton Street and is a relaxing place to go when you are looking for good conversation and great wine.
They have a delicious curated mix of wines that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a great place to go when you want to be adventurous with your palate because they allow you to taste the wine with their enomatic wine dispensers. Deep Roots also presents itself as a wine shop with grab-and-go bottles. If you decide to stay and drink your bottle, the team serves small bites to complement your drink perfectly. Janet Erdman Charcuterie is now available for your tasting experience. Call in advance to order a board for your night at the wine market or to take home. Each one of her boards is perfectly put together to pair great with any wine you choose.
Deep Roots is the perfect place for the novice, the professional wine drinker, or the person somewhere in between.
Fellow's
Fellows Cafe is also located on Green Street across from Monkey 68. It’s a great place to grab breakfast and a great cup of coffee. With spacious outdoor seating, Fellow’s is great for catching up with friends or enjoying the beautiful weather. Fellow’s is unique in that they make their own sourdough bread and coffee flavorings that are far superior to your average coffee shop.
My favorite breakfast is The Usual - two scrambled eggs, half of an avocado, roasted sweet potatoes, dressed arugula, and a slice of rustic sourdough bread. I don’t know how they manage to do it, but their avocados are always perfectly ripe. The food quality is very consistent and I find myself craving Fellows regularly.