Best Restaurants Near Emory University & Virginia-Highland | Atlanta
Best Restaurants Near Emory University for Parents, Visitors, and Nights Out
If you're visiting Emory University for Family Weekend, a campus tour, move-in or graduation, finding a good restaurant nearby is usually somewhere on the list.
Emory Village and Emory Point have several great options within walking distance of campus. And if you're willing to go about 10 minutes south, Morningside and Virginia-Highland open up a much larger collection of restaurants, bars and patios along North Highland Avenue.
We've been part of this neighborhood since 2017, so we know the area pretty well. Here are four restaurants we'd recommend depending on what you're looking for.
Whiskey Bird — Morningside / Virginia-Highland, About 10 Minutes from Emory
We'll start with ourselves.
Whiskey Bird is a New American restaurant with Asian influences on North Highland Avenue in Morningside, just north of the heart of Virginia-Highland and about 10 minutes from Emory.
Our food is familiar but pulls inspiration from across Asia, with a menu designed to surprise and delight. Depending on the season, you'll find dishes like yakitori, gyoza tacos, ahi tuna poke bowls, miso-grilled salmon, panko fried chicken, seasonal vegetables, and fresh salads alongside a cocktail program that has always been a big part of who we are.
For parents visiting Emory, we think Whiskey Bird works particularly well when you want dinner to feel a little special without being formal. You can order several things for the table, settle in for cocktails and dinner, and actually catch up.
Our patios are also some of our favorite seats in the restaurant when Atlanta weather cooperates.
Brunch Near Emory
Weekend brunch is another good reason to make the short trip from campus.
We serve brunch Friday through Sunday from 10:30am to 2:30pm, with dishes like miso-glazed salmon Benedict and lemon ricotta pancakes alongside brunch cocktails, wine and plenty of coffee.
It's a good option after a morning campus event or when everyone needs a slower start after a busy weekend.
Private Dining and Group Dinners
If you're organizing a recruiting dinner, graduation celebration, department dinner or family gathering, we also have several spaces that work well for groups:
- Canopy Room: up to 16 guests
- Back Patio: up to 30 guests
- Front Patio: up to 25 guests
- Full restaurant buyouts: available for larger events
For group dining, please click here to submit an inquiry.
1409 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Make a reservation at Whiskey Bird | View our menus
The General Muir — Emory Point, Adjacent to Campus
The General Muir is probably already familiar to a lot of Emory families.
Located at Emory Point across from the CDC, it's one of the easiest good meals near campus and works particularly well for breakfast, lunch or brunch.
The restaurant is a modern take on a classic New York Jewish deli, with pastrami cured and smoked in-house, hand-rolled and kettle-boiled bagels, a very good burger and plenty of deli classics.
Chef Todd Ginsberg has been a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast, and The General Muir has received Michelin recognition.
The restaurant works for almost any time of day, and TGM Bread next door makes it easy to grab pastries, bread or something to take home afterward.
For parents dropping off a student, meeting them for breakfast or just trying to stay close to campus, it's hard to beat the convenience.
1540 Avenue Place, Suite B-230, Atlanta, GA 30329
Double Zero — Emory Village, Across from Campus
If you're looking for a sit-down Italian dinner that you can walk to from campus, Double Zero is an easy choice.
Located directly in Emory Village on North Decatur Road, the restaurant focuses on pizza, pasta and contemporary Italian food in a space that feels a little more like a night out than most restaurants immediately around campus.
The pizzas are a highlight, made with fior di latte mozzarella and dough using an heirloom yeast starter and double-zero flour.
There's also a full cocktail and wine program, which makes Double Zero particularly useful for admitted-student dinners, parent dinners or evenings when you want to stay close to Emory without feeling like you're eating on campus.
1577 N Decatur Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Wagaya — Emory Village, Across from Campus
Wagaya is another Emory Village favorite and one that many students already know well.
The Japanese restaurant serves sushi, ramen and izakaya-style small plates in a casual, energetic setting. It's an easy choice for dinner with a student, especially if you're looking for something approachable and reasonably priced.
The menu ranges from tonkotsu ramen and sushi rolls to small plates like agedashi tofu, so it's also easy for everyone at the table to find something they want.
It can get busy, particularly around dinner, so going early isn't a bad idea during major Emory weekends.
1579 N Decatur Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
When Parents Visit: Emory's Biggest Weekends
There are certain weekends when seemingly every parent arrives in Atlanta at once. If you're visiting during one of them, making restaurant reservations early is worth it.
Family Weekend — Fall
Family Weekend is one of the busiest times around campus. Between university events and families spending time together, nearby restaurants fill quickly.
For dinner, we'd recommend booking at least a couple of weeks ahead, particularly for larger groups.
Move-In Weekend — August
Move-in weekend is hot, busy and usually involves a lot more boxes than anyone anticipated.
After a day on campus, getting a few minutes away from the Clifton Road traffic for a proper meal and a cold drink can be very welcome. Morningside and Virginia-Highland are both close enough to Emory to make that easy.
Commencement — May
Graduation dinners are a different story.
If you're celebrating with a larger group, I'd start planning at least a month ahead. Private dining rooms and patios throughout the area book early, including our Canopy Room and Back Patio at Whiskey Bird.
Admitted Student Days — Spring
For families visiting while deciding whether Emory is the right fit, exploring the surrounding neighborhoods is worth making time for.
Emory Village is convenient, but spending an evening in Morningside or Virginia-Highland gives you a better feel for some of the neighborhoods and restaurants just beyond campus.
Homecoming — Fall
Homecoming brings alumni back to Atlanta, many of whom are looking for a mix of old favorites and places that have opened since they graduated.
Campus Tours — Year-Round
If you're simply in town for an information session or campus tour, you have plenty of good options without going far.
Stay around Emory Village or Emory Point if convenience is the priority. Head a few minutes south to Morningside and Virginia-Highland if you have more time and want to explore.
Getting from Emory to Morningside and Virginia-Highland
Whiskey Bird is roughly three miles from Emory's campus and about a 10-minute drive depending on traffic.
From campus, head toward North Decatur Road and North Highland Avenue. Whiskey Bird is located at 1409 N Highland Avenue NE in Morningside Village, immediately north of the heart of Virginia-Highland.
If you don't want to drive, Uber or Lyft is easy. Once you're on North Highland, Morningside and Virginia-Highland have plenty of restaurants, bars and neighborhood businesses within a relatively compact area.
Whiskey Bird also has free surface parking available across the street and behind the restaurant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants near Emory University?
There are several good options depending on what you're looking for. The General Muir is a convenient choice at Emory Point, while Double Zero and Wagaya are directly across from campus in Emory Village. Whiskey Bird is about 10 minutes away on North Highland Avenue, just north of Virginia-Highland, and offers New American food with Asian influences, cocktails, brunch and private dining.
Where should parents eat during Emory Family Weekend?
If staying close to campus is the priority, Double Zero, Wagaya and The General Muir are all convenient options. For a dinner away from the immediate campus crowd, Whiskey Bird is about 10 minutes south on North Highland Avenue in the Morningside / Virginia-Highland area and works particularly well for families who want a fun, neighborhood dining experience with creative food and cocktails. Reservations are strongly recommended during Family Weekend.
Are there good brunch restaurants near Emory University?
Yes. The General Muir at Emory Point is a popular breakfast and brunch option close to campus. Whiskey Bird serves brunch Friday through Sunday from 10:30am to 2:30pm on North Highland Avenue, about 10 minutes from Emory and just north of Virginia-Highland.
Can I host a private dinner or recruiting event near Emory?
Yes. Whiskey Bird has several options for private and semi-private events, including the Canopy Room for up to 16 guests, the Back Patio for up to 30 and the Front Patio for up to 25. Full restaurant buyouts are also available. Click here to visit our private events page and submit an inquiry.
How far are Morningside and Virginia-Highland from Emory University?
Morningside is roughly three miles from Emory University, with Whiskey Bird typically about a 10-minute drive from campus. Virginia-Highland begins just south and continues along North Highland Avenue.
What type of restaurant is Whiskey Bird?
Whiskey Bird is a New American restaurant with Asian influences on North Highland Avenue in Atlanta's Morningside neighborhood, just north of Virginia-Highland. The menu combines familiar American dishes with flavors and techniques inspired by Asia, along with craft cocktails, and weekend brunch.
Where can I eat near Emory for a date night?
Double Zero is a good date-night option if you want to stay within walking distance of campus. For something a little farther away, Whiskey Bird offers a relaxed dining room, two patios, creative cocktails and a fun New American menu about 10 minutes from Emory, just north of Virginia-Highland.