Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View

01/28/2008 Posted by stylistocrat

We arrived for our dinner slightly early (30 min). We were told we could go to the bar and wait and have a drink. We had 2 drinks (ok in price 22 dollars in total). I asked the server if she could notify us when our table was ready, to which she replied, no it would be better if we were there when our time was up. I kinda didn’t like that but hey, it’s their rules I thought. Anyway, the food was good and the service from an Asian gentleman named Peter was good. Hopefully you will get him. He stated he has been there awhile and he really knew his stuff. He even managed to take pictures of us and told us what picture shot would work best. All is all a fair restaurant at a decent price (100 bucks in total). The only thing that turned me off was the whole bar experience and the comments that the server made. If you want to have a 5 star restaurant... you need total 5 star service from top to bottom. Because of this, I rate them as average.

Pros: Valet parking paid when you dine in

Cons: bar staff not very pleasant

01/04/2008 Posted by luckygirl33

I can not say enough about how great the service we recieved while dining at the Sundial. The service along with amazing food (don't miss the mushroom ravioli if available) and the view on a clear night made this an incredible experience. I would recommend going here at least once.

Pros: the food , the view , and service

Cons: price

10/16/2007 Posted by sinfonia1

My girlfriend and I were spending a wonderful evening out on the town. We had a great ride up from Milledgeville. We were on our way to another restaurant, which will remain nameless. They didn't treat us well at all, even though we had reservations. It was horrible experience. So we decided not to eat there. We took a carriage ride around downtown and the attendant spoke highly of the Sun Dial restaurant. We were intrigued so we decided to eat there. The elevator ride was fantastic. It was great to look out on this great city. Our wait time to be seating was about 2-3 minutes. We were seated. Our host was well mannered, funny, and on point. Our night was fantastic. The food, especially the rib eye steak, was "oh my gosh, mouth watering". The view atop was beautiful. My girl was looking so lovely in the romantic setting of the Sun Dial as it turned. We had a great conversation. The atmosphere was perfect and its moments like those that should be treasured. If you ever get to go, it is worth the time and money.

05/28/2007 Posted by alex21_81

The reason I decided to try Sun Dial, because I used to visit places like this (revolving restaurants) in Moscow and St. Petersburg! We were in Sun Dial a few times by now! The first thing, you get into Westin Hotel, and elevator takes you to the highest floor! The restaurant itself does not spin, only the bar, which is upstairs.. We spend on our dinner over 200$ and food wasnt that great, not even close to be the same quality as it in Nicolai’s roof, or Eugene restaurant. I mean, it was OK! Bar upstairs was much more fun and of course crowded. The same jazz band always playing such an EXCELLENT music!!! The minimum cost of a drink no less than 12$. The night Atlanta view from bar is so Romantic. I recommended go to that place at the night time only! No day! Service was so-so.. but our waitress was very beautiful looking girl. So, no complains from our side about slow and poor bar service.

04/25/2007 Posted by annjand

My husband and I had dinner there while we were dating (1994) and it was wonderful... food, service, view, atmosphere... all spectacular. We returned in 2005 hoping for a similar experience and were very disappointed. We had good service from our waiter, and the view was, of course, wonderful, but the food left much to be desired. For entrees, my husband ordered a filet, and I ordered the petite filet. His was pretty good, but mine was very tough. I took a couple of bites to be sure it wasn't just a corner of the steak that was bad, and my husband tried it too and thought the same... not worth eating. The waiter asked how the food was, so I was honest. He said he'd get the manager. She came and asked the problem, I told her, and she said, "Well, you've eaten, what, half of it? So maybe I could give you a free dessert or something, but I can't give you the steak." I think she thought I had ordered the regular (non-petite) filet, but I had not asked her to give me the steak or anything else, and was too offended at her implication to even answer back. We just said nothing else was needed, and left shortly afterward. I am an easy-to-please person when it comes to food, and can't remember the last time I sent something back anywhere, but to have such a horrible experience with a manager when paying the price we were paying for the food was so upsetting that I am certain I will never go back. I also had the asparagus, which were not good, but thank goodness I kept my mouth shut about those... she probably would've thrown me out! In other words, go just for drinks or something so you can enjoy the view, but skip the pricey, tasteless food so you won't have any run-ins with the management. ATL has MUCH better food to offer elsewhere.

Pros: view

Cons: food, management

02/18/2007 Posted by alexrgs1

I dined at the Sun Dial for the first time last night, and I can say with absolute conviction that this is the most overrated restaurant in the city. The restaurant lives off the gimmick of being situated 723 feet above ground level and offering a spectacular panoramic view of Atlanta. Certainly, the view is great, but everything else was average or worse. Firstly, the atmosphere, other than the view, leaves a lot to be desired. There is a lounge above the restaurant, and it is filled with loud, obnoxious tourists. From boisterous conversation to nearly unending flash photography, the presence of other people did little to provide the kind of intimate environment I think of when I imagine a romantic dinner. Additionally, the décor and design of the place feels incredibly sterile, like you’re in a really fancy lobby at an airport. Secondly, the food was mediocre. I spent $9 on a Caesar salad that I could have gotten at a diner in terms of its quality of dressing, cheese, and lettuce, $36 on a New York Strip steak that was bland and uninspired in its preparation, $8 on a cheesecake that was eminently forgettable, and $98 on a bottle of wine that was good, but not $98 good. Factor in my fiancée’s meal and tip, and I walked out of the Sun Dial having spent $268 on a decent meal. I expect a large bill at a good restaurant, but I also expect to be impressed by the creativity and caliber of the cooking. I was not at all impressed by the Sun Dial. Finally, the service was okay, but not very polished. My suspicion is that Sun Dial assumes they don’t have to be polished because of the view and its clientele base of unsophisticated tourists and nouveau riche Atlantans who can’t tell the difference between fine dining and refined service and pomp and circumstance belying mediocrity…which the Sun Dial ultimately is. If you fancy yourself a connoisseur of fine dining, avoid the Sun Dial like the plague.

Pros: The View

Cons: Everything Else

01/11/2007 Posted by jaymaygm

Last Saturday night, was our first trip back to The SunDial Dial(View To Some), atop the Peachtree Plaza Hotel, seventy-floors up, since the 1996 Olympics. Lots of tourists, yes, and locals, businessmen and convention goers. Who cares. This is the only place in the ATL, for the most awesome overall view of the city. We had dinner reservations later at the little intimate Fleurs de Les French Bistro, a few blocks away, but wanted drinks at this most unique romantic bar in the city. The drinks are pricey, but very good, and the views in early evening after five, are more than inspiring. We had two martini's each, which is equal to one full rotation of the bar/restaurant. From Stone Mountain, to Buckhead towers, to Hartsfield-Jackson, you see it all with this outstanding view. It's a place for romance, for good friends, or just to unwind from a busy day at the office. The dinner menu looked fine, but we were here just for that ultimate view, and martini's.

Pros: The Ultimate Atlanta View For Cocktails! An ATL Landmark!

Cons: Pricey Drinks, but Well Worth It!

12/29/2006 Posted by lunchbox11

We did not have dinner here, only drinks. It took about 30 minutes for the waitress to take our drink order, and they were pretty expensive...I guess you're paying for the view. Although the drinks were tasty, the whole experience was not up to par. There was only 1 bartender and 1 server for about 50 people. No one was friendly. The decor looks like it hasn't been changed since the 1970's, and could use a good cleaning. The view is obviously great, and the signs indicating what you're looking at are helpful. I actually thought the bar spun too quickly--I started to get dizzy after awhile. The room is decorated with information about Atlanta and its history. The displays look very outdated--is this the Cyclorama? This is definitely a spot for tourists, and locals new to Atlanta should go once, but never again. TOURIST TIP 1: For a better experience and equally amazing view, go to Nikolai's Roof at the Hilton instead. TOURIST TIP 2: If you do try the Sundial, wait until after sunset--the sun coming through the windows is blinding and hot. Since the bar rotates, you can't get away from it.

Pros: The view

Cons: Service, value, atmosphere--yuck!

12/28/2006 Posted by sttarlite

Overall, my dining companion and I were pleased. He liked both red wines he tried, including the house Merlot. My appetizer of sweet potato tortellini was the food highlight of the night. It was simply fabulous. My companion said his grits cake was good. The entree portions were generous, but for the price they should have been. I'd rate the entrees average for taste for "fine dining." I had the organic chicken in chicken au jus with mashed potatos and white beans. The au jus went really well with the chicken and beans, but the mashed potatos tasted a little funny. My dining companion said his seafood dish was average. The service was friendly, attentive, and timely. The view was spectacular! Still, we thought the restaurant was overpriced. I suppose you pay for the view and ambiance. I don't know if we'd go back again for a meal, but we will be back for appetizers and drinks in their lounge.

Pros: Ambiance, Good Service, Incredible View

Cons: Average Food, Overpriced

12/16/2006 Posted by sweetsixteen06

A tad too expensive in my opinion, and the food wasn't fabulous either. Great service though, they were very nice and the service was prompt. It was very neat to have such a great view of the city! Cool restaraunt, but, like the other reviewer, not that great of food!

Pros: great service, short line

Cons: expensive, food not worth the money