The makings of a great day begin with lunch at this airy raw bar that gets all the details just right. In downtown Birmingham next door to their flagship restaurant Helen, Rob and Emily McDaniel direct their attention to pristine seafood and freshly shucked oysters. Whole-fish butchery and a passion for seasonality yield superb dividends, and one could make feast out of a series of small plates.

This idyllic bistro makes good on its promise of comfort and quality. Tiled flooring, quaint little tables and cabinets lined with wine bottles match the French ethos. Thanks to a partnership with sister spot Bandit bakery, anything involving bread or pastry is worth ordering: flaky croissants, tomato and goat cheese tarts, fruit galettes. Roasted half chicken with potato gratin is an assured crowd-pleaser but so too is the dry-aged cheeseburger or the boudin blanc with aligot potatoes.

From the parking lot, you can smell the sweet smoke that billows out of the restaurant’s two roaring, wood-burning ovens. In what feels like a backyard oasis fit with a spacious patio, find a hazy, sun-lit dining room where Chef Chris Hastings pulls inspiration from Spain and Latin America. Much of the food is cooked in cast-iron skillets.

This rambunctious pizzeria in Mercantile on Morris is a stylish spot built out of hard, warehouse floors and exposed brick. In lieu of traditional preparations, the kitchen takes a maximalist approach to toppings. Pesto, mortadella and pistachios or chorizo with romesco and chopped Castelvetrano olives arrive on a fine sourdough crust that’s been turned and crisped in a hot electric oven. Though the pies are serious and sizeable, meatballs are also a must-order for the table, as are desserts.

Chef/owner Chris Rainosek has been championing the products from nearby farms for more than a decade at The Noble South, and ethical and organic practices are at the root of everything he does. It's passionate, not preachy here, where brick walls, wood tables set with metal chairs and a friendly staff add to the warm, welcoming ambience. Start with a cocktail before selecting from the well-edited, ever-changing menu featuring snacks, small plates and entrees.

Located in Home Park, with owner Giovanni Di Palma's other concepts like Gio’s and Café Antico tucked into that same corner, Antico Pizza Napoletano promises exactly that. Walk through two sets of doors right up to a counter with the menu posted overhead—it's where you'll decide between rosso and bianche pizzas. After picking your preference, find a seat in the cavernous dining room which shares space with the prep kitchen.

Once a pop-up and a food stall, this popular breakfast and brunch restaurant has moved down the street from their original brick-and-mortar location in Grant Park. The new space may be larger and more contemporary, but that freshly baked vibe remains. The menu shows off simple but successful plates ranging from breakfast sandwiches to brunch plates with fried chicken and other staples. Baked goods, like cinnamon rolls with a thick, tangy cream cheese glaze, are exceptional.

It's a tiny space, but Owners Hope Webb and Walter Cortado have fashioned a likable space with a modern bent at Estrellita. Equally small but mighty is the kitchen, which turns out Filipino classics and meat-forward dishes. There are always specials to keep an eye out for, and patience is key, as the kitchen team is often handling to-go and catering orders simultaneously. It's walk-in only, so pull up a chair to enjoy roasted pork belly lechon cooked Cebu-style.

It's part fish market, part casual restaurant here, where a single communal table and stools lined up at the windows await guests. Order at the back counter from a compact, seafood-focused menu listing oysters, crudos, sandwiches and soups. This is not your typical fried fish shack, though, and many of the dishes have a Southern slant to them. Peel and eat shrimp is a good standby, while tuna melts level up.

Located in the Krog Street Market, what this contemporary space lacks in size it makes up for in charm. The concept is straightforward: sandwiches of all varieties from burgers and oyster po'boys to bahn mi and cheesesteaks. Each one is messy-delicious and over the top in the best possible way, as in the pimento cheese club with house-made pimento cheese, roasted poblanos, fried green tomatoes and bacon sandwiched between bread and seared.

Co-Chefs Cody Taylor and Chef Jiyeon Lee have cooked up something entirely new at Heirloom Market. Blending their Southern and Korean heritage and flavors, they've created a mash-up that's nothing short of fantastic inside a small spot that happens to share space with a liquor store. What it lacks in size it delivers in flavor, though, and it's easy to see why the Korean pork, smoked and braised in a sweet-spicy sauce, is a signature dish.

Chef Jarrett Stieber pulls inspiration from around the globe at this restaurant, nestled within the Summerhill area. He presides over an open kitchen where an eclectic, contemporary menu is frequently changing and a prix fixe offering includes dishes not found on the à la carte. You may dine on items such as house-cured rainbow trout with kraut yogurt, shaved cured egg yolk, and everything bagel powder or pork döner sausage with hoppin’ john fried rice.

There's nearly a dozen of these popular spots around, but it's this original at Krog Street Market that started it all. There is a contemporary industrial feel here, with high ceilings, a large bar, and an open kitchen. A buzzy vibe adds to the amiable ambience, but it's the food that lures the crowds—Tex-Mex cooking that is as enjoyable as it is approachable. Start with the paper-thin tortillas and salsa that arrive almost immediately before moving on to shareable queso fundido.

In the hospitality business, restaurants often come and go, but not The Busy Bee. Open since 1947, it's an Atlanta institution. Everyone has come through these doors, including Martin Luther King Jr. It may be big on heart, but this spot, with tile floors, booths, a stool-lined counter and walls hung with framed photos, is tiny. Still, they're making a big impression with old-fashioned Southern/soul food. Plenty come time and again for their favorites, but daily specials are worth a try.

Make no mistake— Whoopsie's is a fun, quirky spot where you'll yearn to be a regular. If you do, you won't be bored, as their menu is a constantly evolving mix of cold dishes, hot dishes that also work well as sides, and a daily changing protein (think prime rib one day and roasted chicken thighs with golden-brown skin another), plus a sandwich of the day. You won't leave hungry, as the portions are generous, and the cooking is humble but well executed.

Founder/owner Lis Hernandez dials up the charm at Arepa Mia in Avondale Estates. Warm hospitality is a hallmark here, where bright walls and colorful metal chairs and tables instantly boost your mood. The Venezuelan menu is all about the namesake arepas, grilled and filled with everything from yucca and plantain flour-encrusted chicken to pernil with caramelized onions. Other items include patacones and cachapas. The cooking and ingredients are quality driven, and the portions are generous.

A long-standing favorite for mouth-numbing Sichuan specialties, Masterpiece is a bit out of the way in Duluth in an unassuming strip mall but it's worth the drive. Inside, it's appointed with light tile floors, while creamy yellow walls are lined with red "leather" booths but make no mistake: You're here for the food not the feels. The hearty Sichuan food is served family style with care.

Head to Roswell to find this gem, located inside a converted home, then step inside for Southern charm at its very best. It's packed with a host of well-heeled guests, all chatting and celebrating. Chef Woolery “Woody” Back mans the stoves in a kitchen that focuses on seasonal, elevated Southern food. Cornbread or hogs 'n quilts make for ideal openers, but if you're leaning into the seasons, opt for dishes like asparagus bisque, a piping hot bowl of spring-minded goodness.

Are we in Bywater or Mexico? Pastel pink tile, gorgeous stonework and striking breeze walls set a stylish, dramatic stage for Chef Ana Castro. Not to be outdone by the room’s good looks, she offers an inspired, seafood-driven menu that showcases equal levels of boldness and flair. Consider the superb “al pastor” hamachi tostada, the corn for which is nixtamalized in-house.

Set within a corner of a large warehouse in the Central Business District, Cochon charms with exposed brick and wood-paneled walls, black floors with rust accents, and a mix of tables, booths and banquettes. It's Southern food at its finest here, where you'll find everything from wood-fired oysters to fried alligator. Order a drink from their wide selection of whiskey, rye and bourbon, then settle in for a snack like chili-dusted cracklins with Steen's cane syrup.

How does one possibly decide at Donald Link’s beloved butcher and deli? Open since 2009, the nose-to-tail charcuterie program is impressive, and one could make a meal out of thin slices of mortadella and gorgeous wedges of head cheese. But it would be a mistake to fill up just on appetizers and miss the many sandwiches heading your way. A superb muffuletta layered with house meats and an olive salad stands as one of the city’s very best. It could feed two.

There are some places that have earned cult status for their offerings, and Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar, opened since 1918, is one of them. Here in their humble sandwich shop on a corner of Uptown, they serve a small menu of sandwiches. They're not just any sandwiches, of course. These are po'boys, and they're legendary. Walk in, chat with the friendly staff and place your order for a shrimp po'boy—it's what everyone else is here for too.

The legacy of Leah Chase shines as bright as ever. In the 1960s, her dining room hosted countless Civil Rights activists and leaders. Today, it is under the care of her grandson Chef Edgar Dook Chase IV, who continues the family tradition of cooking heartwarming Creole cuisine. Gumbo, red beans and rice, and golden fried chicken strike honest chords alongside mustard greens and peach cobbler.

Is subtlety overrated? Chef Mason Hereford makes a compelling case at this kitschy restaurant on Magazine Street. Those familiar with his sandwich sensations at Turkey and the Wolf will not be surprised to find a similar kind of culinary maximalism. Big, bold, loud flavors that adhere to no one cuisine course through the cooking and consistently harmonize into something delicious.

Two friends with a passion for food and respect for their roots. That's the origin story of Lufu, or "let us feed you," Nola. Aman Kota and Sarthak “Shan” Samantray originally did pop-ups but after adding partner and chef Sachin Darade, the three opened this brick-and-mortar in the Central Business District. This is craveable Indian cooking. Tandoori-grilled naan, charred and puffy, wafts with the scent of garlic and butter. Then, if you only get one thing, let it be the dosa.

Who is not having a great time at Mister Mao? Miles away from the French Quarter in Uptown, find a lively dining room painted top to bottom in bubblegum pink and emerald green. The colorful setting is as vibrant and upbeat as the cooking. This is not food that fits into a tidy box, as inspiration leans Asian and Indian with detours all over. Fried chicken dumplings with date and poblano chile chutney are as satisfying as garlicky egg noodles glossed in butter, oyster and fish sauce.

Like many places in New Orleans, Parkway Bakery and Tavern has a storied history, first opening for business in 1911. Current owner Jay Nix purchased it in 1995 and has kept the legacy strong. Parkway is designed for a crowd, both inside and out, and the crowds come. It's a neighborhood gathering place where people come to have a few drinks, catch a Saints game and eat poor boy sandwiches and other traditional fare like jambalaya.

For the last decade, the city has feasted on Alon Shaya’s hummus served with puffy pita bread charred in a wood-burning oven. Creamy and smooth, this time-tested combination is immensely satisfying. At Saba, which means “grandfather” in Hebrew, blue crab and lemon butter take this classic dish to another level. Where has this twist been all this time? Much of the menu at this expansive restaurant in Uptown reads straightforward but what lands on the table is vibrant and refreshing.

In a city where sandwiches have their own fabled history, this kitschy kitchen in the Irish Channel quickly made a mark of its own shortly after opening in 2016. First timers must swing for the collard green melt, a trademark favorite with pickled cherry peppers, coleslaw, Russian dressing, and toasted rye. Fried bologna is another must-order. It is a towering, crunchy sensation brushed in hot mustard and stacked with potato chips.

There is no such thing as a bad day at Elvie’s. This handsome restaurant runs with all the class, ease, and heart of a bistro. You could drop in for a morning pastry, savor a cheery lunch, or stop by the marble bar for a snack of duck fat French fries, a few oysters, and a round of cocktails. Dinner is a more upscale affair. Start with a stack of superb little gems dressed in a smoked oyster dressing. Everyone orders the redfish almondine — and rightly so.

Sitting on the other side of the train tracks along an empty stretch of highway in Pocahontas, find this impressive salute to Texas-style barbecue. Sure, the menu has burgers, loaded potatoes, and even some delicious smoked chicken wings, but don’t let anything distract you from the excellent meats sold by the half pound. Melting slices of brisket sport dark-red edges and impressively charred barks. Pork butt arrives soft and smoky and sings with the Carolina-inspired mustard sauce.

There's something uplifting about this cozy neighborhood spot. Maybe it's the cheerful yellow facade or perhaps it's the number they hand you on a playing card after you've ordered at the counter. No matter the reason, Little Chango is a delightful place for casual Latin American fare. Choose from items like arepas with shredded ropa vieja and "lunch boxes" with rice and meat selections.

Luminosa is located at the recently reopened Flatiron Hotel, originally built in 1926. It's an elegant space, with an L-shaped marble bar counter and a dining room that unfolds into several areas with an open kitchen, brass fixtures, black leather seating, and windows dressed with cafe curtains. Executive Chef Graham House and his team strive for zero-waste, butchering whole cows in-house, and sourcing from local farmers' markets.

Find this charming establishment housed in a former garage in the South Slope district. The flat-roofed structure with its white painted brick exterior beckons with ample outdoor seating, while a wide garage door is left open to create a pleasant indoor/outdoor vibe. Heidi Bass is Mother's master baker and her passion for sourdough bloomed during the pandemic, leading to a successful home operation and now this thriving venture. Her partner here, Brett Watson, handles the wine program.

Lang Van feels like more than just a restaurant in the Plaza Shamrock neighborhood. Maybe it's the thank you notes from loyal diners that paper the walls. Or maybe it's co-owner Dan Nguyen's warm hospitality. The extensive menu of Vietnamese favorites is yet another reason. Nguyen is something of a legend here, having first joined the restaurant as a team member before she and her husband Chef Tuyen Tran became the owners.

Pitmaster Christopher Prieto relocated from his native Texas to North Carolina, setting up Prime Barbecue just outside Raleigh in Knightsdale. You'll need to arrive early, be prepared to wait and know that once they've run out of food, they'll close for the day. Expect all of the classics, including brisket and ribs plus pulled pork, all sold by their weight or ordered as a "meat and 2" with two scrumptious side dishes.

Mala Pata brings a taste of Mexico to Gateway Plaza. This upbeat spot has a lively vibe that spills over to the cocktail bar next door. Plan to start or end your evening with a mezcal mule or pisco sour. As for the food, Mala Pata takes ingredients quite seriously, importing corn from Oaxaca and grinding it in house to make their own tortillas, tostadas and chips. Sip a cocktail and order one of the botanas (snacks) like guacamole or Colombian bunuelos.

It's all in the family at Sam Jones BBQ, where three generations of the same family have been perfecting their 'cue. This spot in downtown Raleigh (and another in Winterville) specializes in cooking Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue pork. They've been doing it their way, slow cooking the whole pig over burning embers, then chopping it all up and serving it with a vinegar-based sauce to cut through the richness of the meat, for years.

When the garage doors are up, doors and windows wide open, and the breeze blowing right through, this oyster bar has few equals. Naturally, the seafood is well-sourced at what once was a filling station. But what draws us in again and again are the small culinary twists that go a long way. A hearty smoked mahi mahi dip comes with, of all things, fried saltine crackers.

A mural of a steer watches over the parking lot with the words “All Hail the King” in bold lettering, and firewood stacked to the roof overlooks a gravel patio set with picnic tables. A thick haze of smoke wafts in the air. Welcome to Texas by way of the Lowcountry. John Lewis, who earned a name for himself when he opened LA Barbecue in Austin, has brought with him all things smoke and beef. Beautiful, near-melting slivers of brisket and the weekend-only beef rib are essential orders.

Rodney Scott’s whole-hog barbecue is a rite of passage for anyone who lives in or visits South Carolina, though true fans will drive 1.5 hours north to the original in Hemingway. Scott has hog in his blood: His parents raised them and opened a variety store and restaurant in 1972. The menu today is expansive, but the real gem is the pulled pork, which arrives soft as cotton candy, ready to be sopped in an electric sauce of vinegar, lemon juice, and spices.

You could come to this Little Elmo spot for its view of Lookout Mountain alone, but then you'd miss out on some seriously good Tex-Mex cooking. Erik and Amanda Niel's Little Coyote is all about smoked meats, house-made corn tortillas and tempting cocktails. Familiar favorites like fajitas and queso make an appearance, and since it's all intended for sharing, order with abandon. Consider kicking off the meal with a stuffed avocado, made vegetarian or with brisket or tender, smoky carnitas.

With more than a decade of history behind it, this stylish looker in Brookhaven Circle is a feast for the senses. Light rushes in through countless windows with generous seating and attractive booths stretching from the lively bar to the bustling dining room. A wood-burning oven chars puffy pies dressed with the likes of pepperoni and honey or pork belly with eggs. The kitchen’s knack for creative, bold combinations extends beyond pizza.

Married couple Brian Lea and Leina Horii are behind this popular restaurant that fills quickly and doesn't accept reservations. It's all about Japanese comfort food, with a nod to a kissaten, or a cozy tea shop. Their menu is concise and designed for sharing. This a team who cares about the details, and from ingredient quality to execution, it's all done with a simplified finesse. Don't miss the onigiri with three triangles of rice with different fillings.

At first glance, it might be easy to dismiss this restaurant set at the base of a nondescript apartment building in East Nashville, but don't. The first bite will certainly convince you otherwise. Broadly focused on the Iberian Peninsula, the cooking is creative and pulls influences from around the globe for its tapas-style dishes. Buckle up for plates powered by character that take unexpected twists and turns, as in a bold opener of endive, fried and covered in a koji foam.

There is typically a line out the door at this Cleveland Park spot. Named for a Willie Nelson song and album, the vibe is laidback and slightly quirky (think diner style with chili pepper lights strung above). It's a small spot but great care is taken with everything from house-made hot sauces to tortillas. Watch the chef making those terrific flour tortillas in the main dining room or sit outside on the patio to savor Chef Brian Lee Weaver's Tex-Mex menu.

The curious name of Chef Sean Brock's pizza restaurant is derived from the Japanese word “shokunin,” which represents a person’s full commitment to every detail of a craft. This is indeed a thoughtful approach to Neapolitan-style pizza, but with its own distinct personality. It starts with the dough, slowly cold fermented, then baked in a wood-fired oven, resulting in a light, tender, utterly appealing crust.

Fried chicken in Nashville is far from a stretch, but SS Gai deals in Thai street-style fried chicken for an unexpected twist. Located in a refurbished car wash with vendors in the former bays, this spot has a one-track mind. It's all about Thai-style chicken, and while fried is the signature, it also comes grilled. Order at the window and select two or four pieces of gai tod that's impossibly crispy and bursting with flavor.

Memphis-born but Sicilian to his core, Chef Michael Hanna opened St. Vito’s in the Gulch with one mission in mind: to bring his version of sfincione, a Sicilian street food, to Nashville. It's far from your average slice of pizza. Instead, imagine focaccia studded with fontina and then topped with breadcrumbs and pecorino. It's all on display in the exposed kitchen where you can watch the chefs fold the dough. There are four varieties, such as spicy tomato with burrata or roasted potato cream.

This restaurant in East Nashville promises something different, specializing in authentic Uzbek cuisine in a space with a stunning patio. Originating in Islamic China and traveling across to the Middle East, this is a cuisine that features some of the usual suspects (think kebabs) as well as standouts like Uyghur-style, hand-cut noodles. Kick off the meal with a tandir samosa, a flaky shell stuffed with ground beef and onion and sided by a spicy red sauce.