Lazy Betty, Atlanta’s one-MICHELIN-star restaurant from Chef-Partners Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips, is set to open on Saturday, March 16 in its new Midtown space on the corner of Peachtree and 10th Streets. The move will bring Lazy Betty’s acclaimed tasting menus and affable ambiance and service style to the center of the city. An a la carte food menu in the bar lounge and a patio will debut at a later date, and reservations are now available here. 

The 4,300-square-foot space features a 70-seat main dining room anchored by an expansive bar lounge, a semi-private dining room and a private Chef’s Dining Room. Kat Blue of Blue Lantern Studios designed the space, weaving modern elements with hints of nature. Inspired by the principles of biophilic design, the restaurant is trimmed with manicured greenery and natural textures, evoking a sense of harmony with the outdoors. Large windows fill the room with natural light, while earthy tones and organic materials will welcome guests.

With sustainability in mind, Kat utilized authentic and natural materials throughout; heart pine floors were refinished to their original character, the stone bar top was reworked and repurposed, and a steel and glass window was utilized to house a new wine display. The bar lounge is the focus upon entering and features lush plants along the back bar, brass and wood accents that provide texture and a hand-crafted birds sculpture installation by Jennifer Thoem. The main dining room showcases warm terracotta plaster paint on the walls, shades of teal velvet on banquettes and rich walnut and marble furnishings. Above, large light discs painted by local artist Christina Kwan hang from the ceiling.

The semi-private and private Chef’s Dining Rooms will offer guests a new way to dine at Lazy Betty. Velvet drapes give guests privacy in the semi-private dining room, and the Chef’s Dining Room provides a separate room featuring a hand-painted mural by Christina Kwan and a repurposed steel and glass window that provides a glimpse into the action of the main dining room. The semi-private dining room accommodates 30, while the private dining room can fit up to 18. For larger groups, the two rooms can be connected to seat 50. 

The move to Midtown comes five years after Lazy Betty’s initial brick-and-mortar opening in March 2019 in Atlanta’s Candler Park neighborhood. Chefs Ron and Aaron met in 2011 while working at New York City’s acclaimed Le Bernardin and relocated to Atlanta, Ron’s hometown, to open the restaurant. Since, Lazy Betty has served creative tasting menus showcasing modern culinary techniques, intentionality, finesse and a variety of cuisines using the highest quality ingredients available. 

Each course can be presented with a wine pairing or zero-proof cocktail pairing for a truly guided experience, or guests can order from the restaurant’s beverage book including inventive cocktails, beer, wines by the glass and bottle, wine & spirits flights, dessert wines, zero-proof options and more. Overall, the team seeks spirits, beers and wines from small producers who are thoughtful about sustainability and environmental stewardship. The award-winning wine program features a good selection of fine, hard-to-find wines from classic regions alongside surprising gems from around the world. The team focuses on offering wines from family-owned wineries that are women- or minority-led and at least practicing organic and/or Biodynamic methods. This approach helps steer the wine list while allowing for a range of tastes, from traditional to adventurous.

The innovative cocktail and zero-proof cocktail lists push the boundaries of what’s possible in cocktail production, while aiming to reflect what’s done in the kitchen and keeping sustainability in mind by using kitchen trim and excess ingredients to make cordials, syrups and more. Lazy Betty also boasts a large bourbon portfolio and rare and allocated spirits, including the Boss Hogg lineup, Pappy Van Winkle, the Clase Azul Collection, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and more.

Now a staple in Atlanta’s culinary scene, Lazy Betty and its team have received great acclaim across the country. Most recently, the restaurant was one of just five restaurants in town to receive one MICHELIN star during the guide’s inaugural year in Atlanta. In 2023, Chefs Hsu and Phillips were named James Beard Award semifinalists for Best Chef Southeast and StarChefs Restaurateur Rising Stars. In 2020, the restaurant was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. That same year, Atlanta Magazine named Lazy Betty “Best New Restaurant" (here) and Eater Atlanta awarded it “Restaurant of the Year” (here). It also was awarded three-star reviews from both The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (here) and Atlanta Magazine (here). Nationally, the restaurant has been covered by Travel Channel, Eater National, bon appétit, New York Times, HuffPost, Garden & Gun and more.

Beyond the kitchen, Hsu and Phillips are advocates for equitable pay in the industry and sensory-inclusive restaurants. Among just a few places to use this model in Atlanta, Lazy Betty’s pricing includes a 20 percent service fee, which helps level the pay disparity typically seen in restaurants between the front- and back-of-house, and ensures everyone on the team receives more consistent pay and a liveable wage. 

Like its previous location, Lazy Betty’s Midtown space will be Sensory InclusiveTM certified by KultureCity®. The leading non-profit is recognized nationwide for using its resources to revolutionize and effect change in the community for those with sensory needs. The new certification has equipped Lazy Betty’s team to provide a more comfortable and accommodating dining experience for those who experience sensory overload situations often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions.