Tavola means 'table' in Italian, a simple name that belies the innovative flair of this elegant restaurant. It is a popular spot for dinner or cocktails, with exposed brick and wooden floors creating an authentic trattoria feel. The covered patio is less crowded, but also less romantic. Italian dishes are prepared in the classic style, perhaps best personified by the veal saltimbocca or the classic torelloni. An extensive wine list provides many companion options, and you can order by the glass or the bottle.

There's always a crowd of people milling about the corner of Virginia and Highland on weekend mornings; they're waiting for brunch at Murphy's, a handsome white-and-green house. The charming dining area has been kept roomy, creating a comfortable environment but also resulting in slightly longer waits. Chicken, lamb and vegetable dinner specialties are well prepared. Murphy's wine tasting is a highlight so is their freshly baked cakes and baked items!

Popular for Asian fusion at shoestring prices, this trendy spot blends elements from the cuisine of many Asian nations to produce a truly unique menu. The noodle soups and mixed Asian pastas are great, or try one of several cabbage wraps or the Chinese scallion pancakes as an appetizer. Don't let the crowd scare you away; the line moves quickly. The cozy interior features tiny tables arranged with little elbowroom. For more space, wait a few minutes for a seat on the elevated patio that looks out over Highland Avenue. See website for detailed menu, other locations and daily drink specials.

This white-tiled, quintessentially American diner has been in constant operation since 1929, and it serves up a down-home menu 24 hours a day. The long counter in front faces Ponce de Leon Avenue and backs up on the kitchen, where your order will appear hot off the grill. Pick a stool up front or slide into a booth along the sidewalk picture window. The Majestic is known best for its generous breakfast menu, and there's no better place for a heavy and hearty meal first thing in the morning. Try the meatloaf plate if you're the adventurous type.

Situated in an intimate setting just off the main strip of the Virginia Highlands, this small indoor-outdoor restaurant serves up some delightful variations on traditional Thai cuisine. Enter the bar under a long rose-covered trellis and take a table in the dimly lit restaurant, or ask to be seated on the secluded patio. The main restaurant will remind you of an open-air tiki lounge, with a central bar and a spattering of tables surrounding it. Outside, the carefully attended to shrubs and flowers help create a truly romantic dining atmosphere.

This is a great find in the north Virginia-Highlands for the serious lover of authentic Mexican. The dining area features cantina decor and tables barely large enough to support the generous platters. Atlanta's extended outdoor season, as well as a burrito as big as a rolled-up newspaper, ensure the back deck is never a lonely place to be. A pair of dueling bars in the front of the restaurant dish out a full line of south-of-the-border brews and frozen concoctions.

The dark wooden walls and dim lights give this place the look and feel of an old traveler's stopover, but the mood is lively and fun. Have a drink at the full island bar inside the front door or settle in the back to feast on anything from nachos to steaks. Better yet, take your party outside. The porch seating climbs up three floors and offers great nighttime views of the skyline. The basement houses a separate, much rowdier bar with live, local bands nightly.

Located a few blocks from the old City Hall, this traditional corner bar was known as the hub of Atlanta's political scuttlebutt for more than 50 years but is now a homier, neighborhood-type place. The row of cozy booths opposite the room-length bar is a great spot to catch a pint and a Braves game. Several dining rooms set off from the bar make the place much more family friendly than in years past, and the kitchen serves up a surprisingly diverse grille menu. Try the grilled tuna steak with black bean nachos at the Manuel's Tavern, and you will surely return for more.

There seems to be a new wave of up-and-coming Thai restaurants in Atlanta, but Surin of Thailand stands out as special. The fare is unique and expertly done, including such dishes as soft shell crabs with asparagus sauce and spicy papaya salad. The no-nonsense dining room is simple and romantic. It can get crowded here, but the wait almost serves as part of the experience. More upscale than most Thai joints, Surin is a bit pricier. They also have a full bar.

This place is one of the best people-watching spots in the Highlands, one where you can sip your tequila sunrise or margarita in the dining room or lounge out on the patio. The filling Southwestern dishes and Mexican appetizers tend to run USD8-10, so don your sombrero and bring the family. For the young ones, the special Kids Taco Menu is always a favorite choice. Taco Mac also features one of the best beer lists to be found anywhere, and it can get rowdy as locals crowd the porch in fair weather.