I have one night next week for dinner in Atlanta. What is the one can't miss place?

Help me help you:

What kind of food do you want? Where are you staying?

Atlanta is a huge city.

The Varsity!!!

I'm landing early evening, staying far north (Duluth) so I'd like to swing by somewhere on my way out there.

I like everything.. Steak, gastropubs, seafood, Asian, BBQ, Italian, breakfast, etc, etc. I'm big into beer and cocktails. I'd like to keep it moderately priced ($30ish on food) and get something uniquely Atlanta or exceptionally good. Think you're best friend who loves food and drink has never been to Atlanta and you get one or two places you can take him...

Holeman & Finch Public House: awesome burger and great drinks
King & Duke: cool spot, good drinks, good food
Empire State South: more upscale, also great bar, Hugh Atcheson

The problem is the direction you're headed. Duluth is the nice northeast golf club suburbs, but also the land of either chain restaurants or neighborhood eateries. The unique stuff is either going to be deep in town, or straight north through Buckhead/ Roswell. If you're coming from the airport, look for top-rated places in and around Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highlands. It would be impossible to give you driving directions (nothing runs square with the world out here), but GPS will guide you right in.
My top rated place would be Rathbun's (Dallasites will remember brothers Kevin and Kent from great places in the '90s). Kevin moved out here around 2000 and has established himself as a preeminent chef/owner in town. May jump out of your budget just a little, but great stuff.
Other places "uniquely Atlanta" would be around Piedmont Park in the aforementioned Virginia-Highlands neighborhood.

Look up Serpas, One-Eared Stag, Two Urban Licks, South City Kitchen, Murphy's, Fontaine's, and the other selections mentioned above.

Local Three: one of the best restaurant bars you'll find, delicious food
Muss & Turner's: low-key, again: good mix of food and drink
Gunshow: if you're feeling adventurous

Thanks for the recommendations! A lot of good looking options. Based on logistics and gut feeling, here is the narrowed down list I am entertaining...

Holeman & Finch
King & Duke

Gunshow

The Porter Beer Bar
One Eared Stag
Two Urban Licks
Rathburn's

I really enjoyed Two Urban, but it's been about 4 years since I've been there.

Anthony Bourdain went to H&F and had a great time. My wife and I were at King & Duke on Saturday and had a great experience. You'll enjoy most any if the places you listed.

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Anthony Bourdain went to H&F and had a great time. My wife and I were at King & Duke on Saturday and had a great experience. You'll enjoy most any if the places you listed.

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Those were the two that stood out to me most from looking online.

Two Urban Licks and The Porter Beer Bar have been recommended by multiple people.

It's not swanky or a hole in the wall, but I can't go to Atlanta without eating Taco Mac.

Two urban licks

For Craft Beer go to 3 Taverns, Wrecking Bar or the Brickstore. For Bourbon, Local 3.

Restaurants listed are already the right ones. Optimist for seafood. Any of the Ford Fry restaurants for trendy foodies. Murphy's, Gladys Knight Chicken and Waffles or Merrymac Tea Room for real southern food (grits, fried green tomatoes, etc)

Brick Store Pub in Decatur.