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    Poor Calvin's

    4.4 (5.1k reviews)
    PriceyAsian Fusion
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    POOR CALVIN'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Poor Calvin's

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    Helen G.

    Went here for a birthday and had a wonderful time with wonderful food!! To start our servers were very friendly and Jojo was very knowledgeable of the entire menu, including describing the daily specials and the flavors/ingredients of each dish we ordered. To start we got the lobster crawfish wontons and the seafood spring rolls. The lobster crawfish wontons have a Cajun cream cheese inside which was a flavor bomb, and the wontons were fried crispy but not oily. The sauce on top helped to cut through the richness of the wonton stuffing. It was a delicious appetizer!! The seafood spring rolls were massive, again a really good fry on them with the skin being thin and super crunchy but not overdone. The seafood inside was generous, but I would say the flavor was more just of the seafood itself instead of any special seasoning. Still good, but we preferred the wontons more! The mains were the lobster fried rice and the drunken noodles. The lobster fried rice had a gochujang flavoring but didn't have as much of a wok sear in my opinion, but was still good! The lobster was fried beautifully, where the meat was super soft and the fry on the outside was crunchy! It also came with these fried kale chips that were sooooo good, these chips had so much flavor!! My favorite was the drunken noodles, which had a lot of flavor from the wok sear and a slightly sweet and spicy sauce. We asked for chili on the side, and definitely think the added heat made this dish much more flavorful. The lobster here was also really good and well buttered! For dessert, we shared the matcha crème Brulee which was fantastic, strong matcha flavor that was tempered with the creaminess of crème Brulee. The torched sugar on top was superrrr well done, super crunchy and probably one of the best sugar torching on crème Brulee I have had!! In between each item, Jojo would clean our plates and table, and we saw him also ensuring everyone's dish was cooked to their liking. Everyone seemed to really care about the quality of the food and it made for a really nice experience! I would say the ambiance is dim lit casual to upscale, great for work events, date nights, etc. Overall a great place for flavor packed food with exceptional service!

    Sidéwon Andre N.

    I finally treated myself to Poor Calvin's after hearing about it for years. It's honestly a little embarrassing it took me this long, but I'm one of those people who hears about a restaurant and somehow doesn't make it there until years later. I ordered several dishes to get a good feel for the menu. Ordered: * Crab Beignets * Lobster & Scallop Drunken Noodles * Lobster Mac & Cheese * Midnight Sticky Ribs Overall, I'd give it 4 out of 5. The presentation was excellent, and I can definitely see why it's become an Atlanta favorite. However, I don't think the food fully lives up to the reputation it's built over the last decade. The crab beignets were the clear standout. They were creative, unique, and easily my favorite dish. The lobster and scallop drunken noodles and lobster mac & cheese were both flavorful, but not as memorable as I expected. My biggest disappointment was the midnight sticky ribs. They had good flavor but were noticeably overcooked and drier than I've ever had. I still think Poor Calvin's is worth trying because it's a unique part of Atlanta's food scene. I just left feeling that the food was comparable to several other great Asian fusion restaurants around the city rather than being in a league of its own. Just my two cents. I snapped a few photos below. Take a look.

    Crispy Beef
    Kineshia C.

    This was absolutely a 10/10 experience. I was staying at the Marriott Downtown for a work trip and desperately needed to catch up with my friend and eat before heading to bed. I wasn't expecting much from this place but it was the perfect gem. I wasn't expecting much able to make a last minute reservation online and we were seated immediately. The waiter was professional and so friendly--he literally knew every little thing about each dish. He provided some great recommendations and we decided to order the lobster crawfish wontons, the crispy beef, the drunken noodle with scallops and lobster tail, and the sticky ribs. I easily could have eaten all the wontons myself and the drunken noodles came large lobster tails and plenty of scallops. I ate these so fast that I forgot to take a picture. The crispy beef was a little bit on the sweeter side but it was the perfect amount of crunch and sauce that paired well with the vegetables and jasmine rice. I also really enjoyed the ribs--they were very tender and flavorful. It came with collard greens which I didn't enjoy as much but the other dishes were so good and I ate so much that I didn't mind. I also saw plenty of couples celebrating milestones together so it definitely makes for a cute night out if you're in the area looking to have a nice dinner with your partner. I hope to be back to Atlanta soon so that I can indulge again.

    Smoked old fashioned
    Pete J.

    Another year, another visit to Poor Calvin's. Once again went as part of a larger group. Tue front of house staff is very welcoming. The menu here is very nice. I think our host ordered one of everything on the starters menu. Everything I tried was great. They once again made me a smoked Old Fashioned. For my main course I had lobster, duck, bok choy, and mashed potatoes. It was delicious. Finished the evening with an espresso martini.

    Lobster Crawfish Wontons
    Jessica M.

    I enjoyed the atmosphere upon entering. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and recommended several dishes. We got the lobster wontons which were really good. For the main the lobster fried rice was amazing and even better the next day. The other main was fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and greens. The greens had a tangy flavor that was different but tasty. The drinks were also good. My only issue was the valet. The parking lot was too small and they kept moving my car to get other cars in. We watched them from the window continue to move my car which was in a parking space and bend the side mirrors back when they are automatic. One window was out the other was back. It was weird and the guys acted oblivious to the issue.

    Southern fried Chicken with lobster mac and collard greens
    Tya P.

    After long sessions at work, I was recommended to Calvin's by a close friend. When we arrived, we were seated immediately, even without a reservation. The vibe and ambiance of the place were fantastic, even though it is a small, closely-packed restaurant. Our waiter was extremely friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and took note of my allergies. I tried the Long Island; it was three drinks in one, with a spice that made it stand out. For dinner, I had chicken with lobster and greens. Mac was a little spicy, but mixing it with the greens worked well because they were sweet. I definitely will return to Calvin's; I can't call him poor because the prices are not low.

    Elaine A.

    My husband and I were in Atlanta attending a conference and doing some research when we came across Poor Calvin's online. We intentionally avoided reading reviews because we wanted to form our own opinion, and we're so glad we did. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed warmly by the host, which immediately set the tone for a great dining experience. Once seated, our waiter was attentive, personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely seemed to care that we enjoyed our meal. The food was outstanding, the drinks were excellent. Poor Calvin's delivered from start to finish. If you're visiting Atlanta or you're a local looking for a restaurant that combines exceptional food with outstanding hospitality, Poor Calvin's is well worth the visit. We left with absolutely no complaints and look forward to returning the next time we're in Atlanta.

    Crying tiger beef
    Jeremy T.

    The setting of this place is elegant and tastefull. The servers here are knowledgeable about the menu and the food was delicious. All of it. I definitely recommend checking this place out.

    Kevin W.

    I was told that this was a wonderful place. You must use the valet service. The service here is spectacular. Waiter recommended the Lobster fried rice so that is what I got. The lobster was a little chewy and fried hard. The green side was crispy but cooler than room temperature. The food tasted food but not worth the hype. Next time, I will grab a drink and order something different.

    Menu
    Sierra B.

    Poor Calvins was okay. I wasn't wowed by my food but the experience was nice and the food was good for what it was. I opted for one of their specials which was a lamb meatloaf w/ gravy ontop and it came with a lobster tail and mashed potatoes for $55. The meatloaf seem to have more filler in it and I could barely taste the lamb. The sauce ontop was okay. The mashed potatoes were bland. The best thing was the lobster tail. I got the suspension cake which was highly raved about according to the reviews. It was good but not the best dessert I've ever had. It's a HUGE slice of cake so if you order it, share it with others or take it home. I split it between the 3 of us and we still couldn't finish it. Service was great and the host was kind enough to save me a table. They get BUSY the moment they open the door, so if you don't have reservations, get there 15 minutes prior to opening. It's hard to get in there. Would I'd come back? Eh. I can't say that I was that impressed or curious enough to try anything else. It is a bit pricey but not so unaffordable.. come check l it out for yourself.

    Fried Calamari
    Stephanie G.

    The food...superb! Customer service...outstanding. Ambience...top-tier. Poor Calvin's will definitely be a staple every time I visit Atlanta. And Ariel? She deserves a raise ASAP...truly a breath of fresh air. Her energy, attentiveness, and warmth took the entire experience to the next level. Highly, highly recommend!

    Jorge S.

    This space has great reviews, and it's because of the food and the amazing service, we got the duck and lobster which the duck was to die for, I would like the mashed purée to have a little bit more butter and seasoning, but overall the whole dish was excellent. We got the mussels that was very rich and delicious,, great flavors. The dessert, we ordered the Pound Cake topped with bananas foster made that dish explode from a 10 to 100.

    Seafood curry wit pandan rice
    Maya K.

    I've been eyeing this place since I started traveling to ATL and I'm so happy I finally got to try this gem! The menu is so creative and fuses Asian and southern flavors so well and beautifully. We shared all the dishes and ordered the seafood spring rolls, lobster crawfish wontons, crab beignets, and the seafood curry. All of the dishes were so flavorful - the spring rolls were completely stuffed with all types of seafood and the sauce was a perfect pairing. The lobster crawfish wontons were creative and had huge chunks of crawfish inside... yum. The beignets were savory and paired so well with the pimento crab dip... so creative! The seafood curry was nothing like I've ever tasted - it was a mix of all types of curry flavors and included collard greens as part of the many vegetables and perfectly cooked seafood. It was an amazing dish and I highly recommend it. Ariel was the best waitstaff and she helped us pick all of our dishes and had wonderful recommendations and was super accommodating. I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a cute spot with delicious food and cocktails. I'll be back soon!

    Lobster Crawfish Wontons

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    Page 9 of 129

    Poor Calvin's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Poor Calvin's

    Any menu options for kids? modified options or a kids menu?

    What is the wait time for a table during peak hours?

    30-45 minutes

    Can you do a walk in?

    you can, but i wouldn't recommend it, especially if you don't want to wait. reservations are best.

    Is it cashless?

    I think it's both because my wife and I were there recently they accepted cash and contactless payments

    Are you smoke-free? Menu looks delish!

    yes

    Can you reserve a table?

    Yes

    Is there a corkage fee?

    Yes

    Are there vegan options at this restaurant? Traveling with someone who is.

    There are some very limited vegan options, but I do not recommend it at all for vegan or vegetarians, as the owners will make no exceptions or adjustments to their menu to cater to vegan customers.

    Do you serve halal meat?

    No, I don't think they do.

    Any chance on getting a seat without a reservation?

    Depends on the night. If you are trying on a weekend of holiday weekend I highly doubt it. The bar Possibly but expect 1-2+ hour wait

    How do I make reservation? Thank you !

    OpenTable!

    Has Poor Calvins closed down? I can't imagine?!?! This place is sooooo good. Google shows it "temporarily closed", the website doesn't exist any longer and the phone just rings and rings?!?

    They are still open

    Is there a kid's menu?

    No I don't think so.

    What seafoods are in the seafood spring rolls?

    Omggggg! I've gotten them a few times and I'm drawing a complete blank! I'm not a seafood person and i love these things. My first time trying it i cut a piece and dipped it in the sauce. Soooo amazing i never thought to ask what all was included.… 

    Is this fine dining?

    This is one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants. I would definitely not say this is a "fine" dining spot. It's more of a great brunch/ maybe casual dinner spot. The food is great and the staff is amazing. I pretty much come here about twice a month… 

    How do I book online, all I see is the page that says reservations? And they aren't picking up the phone.

    I booked through open table ... their phone VM seems to stay full with no phone answers . You will not be disappointed!… 

    Are you open for dine in during Covid-19?

    Yes they gots outdoor seating available; Must make reservation

    If you parked offsite, where did you find parking?

    They provide complimentary valet parking during dinner.

    Is this restaurant little kid friendly?

    No. Very crowded/tight seating.

    What about parking?

    It's free with dinner. I was just there and just tipped the guys.

    View All 30 Questions

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    I really wanted to like Nooduh, but the experience was mixed for me. The shrimp dumplings were…read moreexcellent and the bok choy was cooked perfectly, so there are definitely bright spots on the menu. The bartender and service were also great, so no complaints there. The problem was the main reason you come to a place like this: the noodles. My lo mein came out cold, completely lacking flavor, and the texture was mushy. Even when it came back hot, it still tasted like nothing, which is disappointing when noodles are supposed to be the star. On top of that, paying $16.99 for basic garlic vegetables feels unreasonable, especially when the food quality didn't match the price. Overall, service was solid, a couple dishes were good, but the food that should define the restaurant fell flat. With the price point being what it is, I'm not sure I'd rush back.

    Food clearly prepared by a chef and not just anyone. The egg drop soup had a subtle flavor i…read morecouldnt identify but enjoyed. My (off the lunch menu) mongolian beef also had subtle flavors but the wonderful surprise was the crispy, fresh onions and slightly rare but tender beef. Steamed rice was perfect but next time ill pay the extra $1 for the fried rice. The spring roll was crisp and tasty. But best of all, was the delight our waiter expressed when we were pleased with the food. Lovely soft quiet backgroynd music.

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    Mochi (matcha, strawberry, vanilla)
    Mochi (matcha, strawberry, vanilla)
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    Mushi Ni

    Mushi Ni

    4.7
    (309 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Welp, I wanted something flavorful and I knew Chattahoochee Food Works would have plenty of…read moreoptions. So me and my big back strutted in and came across this lovely restaurant and noticed they had an assortment of different bao. I chose three different proteins. And I thoroughly enjoyed them all! I got the pork belly bao, the beef Bulgogi style bao, and the hot honey shrimp bao. They were so flavorful and delicious and that bun so moist and perfect. Except for the wonderful lady that gave me my order, It's a pretty much non-personable restaurant. You're just pretty much placing your order at a kiosk. But it does make it easy. Just know what you want before you walk up to the kiosk because if you get a little overwhelmed with the options like me and take a long time you might end up with the long line of hungry people behind you lol Inside the hall, there's plenty of places to sit and the vibe is cool. They have events inside the hall by the way as well during the week, so if you stop by to grab a bao then maybe you'll able to take advantage of an event.

    Best dumplings that I have EVER had. Ever…read more I visited Mushi Ni one afternoon while at The Works and when I saw the dumplings, I knew I had to check them out. I initially planned for the bao buns only, but the prices were quite reasonable thanks to the $16 lunch special - so I thought I'd try a bit more. So glad that I did. Mushi Ni has an electronic ordering system which was really easy to navigate. I chose my lunch special and added in my dumplings, and poof - the order was on the way to the kitchen. I walked around the food hall for a few so I don't really know how quickly my order was completed, but when I returned, the guy behind the counter saw me and started bagging it up. I found a seat outside for some natural lighting and started snapping away. I really went to enjoy and share the bao buns but figured I'd have a quick bite of the dumplings and keep it pushing. Listen. WOW. I was immediately taken aback because, what?! They were spicy, so savory and full of pork, with a little punch of lime in there somewhere. I didn't even need to have a second bite before I decided that I *had* to order a second round. Wow. The fries were also phenomenal! Super crunchy, the seasonings on top were such a nice touch. And the trend continued with the fluffy, flavorful bao buns. Seriously just an all-around amazing experience. I thought I'd enjoy their food but this experience exceeded my expectations. I can't wait to have more of those dumplings!

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    Inside
    Inside
    Bowl with Beef Brisket
    Bowl with Beef Brisket
    Black sesame and maple custard

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    Black sesame and maple custard

    Poor Calvin's - asianfusion - Updated August 2026

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