Discover Sandy Springs’ culinary gems: 10 must-try restaurants

There’s a world of great food and drink waiting for you in Sandy Springs! Put some of the following spots on your list, and you may just discover new favorites!

Casi Cielo

As its name suggests, one of the key aims of this Oaxacan eatery is to deliver a slice of heaven and culinary memories that will last a lifetime. Try the tlayuditas with wagyu steak, tuna or huitlacoche, or go for the tacos with portobellos, mahi-mahi tempura or steak. Add sides like white rice, cilantro and corn; sweet plantains; rustic potatoes; and seasonal vegetables. Round out your meal with a full drink list including extensive tequila and wine choices.

Location: Casi Cielo; Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Website: casicieloatl.com

NoriFish Sushi

Omakase sushi meets tapas-style dining: Try a small plate of chu toro and quail egg toast for the table. Sushi dishes range from madai (sea bream ginger, sudachi, yuzu sal) to hirame (flounder, pink salt, yuzu kosho vinaigrette) to o-toro (bluefin tuna belly, truffle salt, caviar, nikiri). Or go for a rice plate. Add on a matcha sundae for dessert!

Location: NoriFish Sushi; Hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 5-10 p.m.; Website: norifishsushi.com

Food Terminal

Get to know Malaysian cuisine with the peanut satay chicken skewers or the crispy pig ear with sweet and sour sauce. Accompany your choice with a satisfying bowl of soup: wonton mee, curry tofu noodle or garlic bone marrow noodle. Feel like filling up? Try a hot plate: tomato braised rice heaped under chicken or shrimp and veggies or cheese. An extensive dessert menu offers a gamut of mango ice cream to chocolate ganache cheesecake.

Location: Food Terminal Sandy Springs; Hours: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday - noon to 10 p.m.; Website: foodterminal.com

il Giallo Osteria and Bar

Antipasti, insalate, primi, secondi: try the entire progression of Italian food here. Between a start of freshly baked focaccia, crisp calamari or a fresh caesar salad to a hearty main dish, you’ll find all kinds of satiating choices. Try the hearty spaghetti with optional meatballs or the gnocchi with gorgonzola cream and potato dumplings. Or go for the roasted chicken with whipped truffle butter and parmesan potatoes. Whatever you choose, you’ll leave fulfilled!

Location: il Giallo Osteria & Bar; Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 5-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5-10 p.m.; Sunday 5-9 p.m. and closed on Monday; Website: ilgialloatl.com

Pisco Latin Kitchen and Ceviche Bar

Start your visit with beef picadillo or chicken turnover empanadas and move into a Peruvian wok with rice, lo mein or fries and steak, seafood, chicken or veggies. And don’t forget this eatery’s signature offering - ceviche featuring seafood or fish in a marinade of ginger, lime and peppers.

Location: Pisco Latin Kitchen & Ceviche Bar; Hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday - noon to 9 p.m.; Website: piscolk.com

Samad Mediterranean Grill

House specials include vegetarian fasoulia (a Lebanese stew over rice) and the lesley plate (grilled chicken gyro, hummus, tabouleh and pita bread). Or pick up a wrap - try the chicken shawarma or fish. And flavorful kabobs, including lamb, shrimp and beef, are an option, too! Accompany your choice with sparkling juice or a Turkish coffee.

Location: Samad Mediterranean Grill; Hours: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Website: samadgrill.com

Beef Grill

Find out what authentic Brazilian barbecue tastes like, and enjoy a few other delicacies at Beef Grill! Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere perfect for family and friend groups. The restaurant’s website calls its Brazilian-style meats the “star of the show,” and these cuts - prepared over an open flame - are worth trying first. Chicken, pork and lamb offerings round out the menu.

Location: Beef Grill Restaurant; Hours: Monday to Thursday - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday - 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday - noon to 6 p.m.; Website: beefgrill.org

La Petite Maison

Stop in for a lunch date and go for a soup and salad - French onion and croque poulet (chicken breast with Swiss cheese and bacon). Or try the quiche Lorraine with a simple, fresh, mixed-greens salad. Pasta like the linguini saumon or the hearty Burger “Petite Maison” will fill you up as you continue your day!

Location: La Petite Maison; Hours: Lunch, Monday to Saturday - 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dinner, Monday to Thursday - 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Dinner, Friday and Saturday - 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Website: lapetitemaisonbistro.com

Yalda

Good times and great Middle Eastern and Persian food combine to make for an experience you’ll return to again and again at Yalda. Jump in with a plate of naan with a spread - kashk bademjoon, hummus, mast mousir. Move on to a mezze - lamb loghmeh, falafel or chicken wings. Or try a beef koobideh or veggie shawarma wrap. Specialty entrees cooked over an open flame include the salmon kabob, veggie stew, and fish and rice. An extensive drink menu will have you set up with your favorite red or white or a new and flavorful cocktail.

Location: Yalda Sandy Springs; Hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., 4-9:30 p.m.; Friday - 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., 4-10:15 p.m.; Saturday - noon to 10:15 p.m.; Sunday - noon to 9:30 p.m.; Website: yaldaatl.com

Banana Leaf Thai + Bar

Thai food + affordable prices = a dining experience you won’t soon forget! Start out with the Thai wings or edamame, and progress to the Red Ocean (scallops and shrimp sauteed with veggies and chili sauce) or a traditional Thai curry. For vegetarians, there’s a section of the menu featuring dishes like the Garden at City Walk (fried tofu and mixed veggies in brown sauce). Like it hot? Use the menu key to judge spiciness before you order. A full drink menu gives you access to cocktails, wines and spirits.

Location: Banana Leaf Thai + Bar; Hours: Tuesday to Thursday - noon to 9 p.m.; Friday - noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday 3 p.m .to 10 p.m.; Sunday - 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Website: bananaleafatl.com