Beleza

Beleza is one of my new «favorite» bars in Atlanta. It’s cool, it’s laid back, it’s sexy, and it creates a vibe that is totally undeniable.
It also is very easy to miss if you dont know where the hell you are going. Sitting right next to Lupe, Beleza is sorta like Lupe’s the cooler, but less flashy brother.
I am not sure if they sell food here, but you can definitely try this spot out for some tasty cocktails.
The bartender was pretty amazing, and seemed to be at ease contributing to conversational topics while making some of the best cocktails in Atlanta.
The drinks have a brazillian influence, and this was my first time having a caipirinhas, if you love mojitos, caipirinhas are like the next best thing.
I love this place.

THe food– I have had everything on the menu. Travis is amazing. –5
Drinks– Navarro is a beast and a gentleman. –5
Needs a better wine list and more diverse beer list-​2
Trey is cute and funny;) What he lacks for in mixology he makes up for in always perfect hair and charm.
Vibe– wished they were drumming more business –4
Music– Hit or miss –3
I will cry if the food goes away. Hard. really hard. like ugly cry:(

It’s all about the caipirinhas here. However, last Wednesday night I was all about the wine. I wanted to be all about the sauvignon blanc, but it didn’t come by the glass and I wasn’t sure if it was a «drink a whole bottle by myself» type of night. I didn’t want my new friends in Atlanta to think that we’re lushes back in Chicago– even though we are. ;) And so I settled for a glass of Riesling instead.
I was also all about the décor here. I had visions of putting their cool modern light fixtures in my condo and the rain forest in the back corner was a nice touch.
So yeah, good wine, cool décor…and tasty food too! Since I hadn’t eaten in a few hours it was time for my feeding and Kathleen M was kind enough to share the avocado dip with me. It was basically guacamole, but tasted much lighter and healthier so you don’t feel guilty about eating it.
Oh, one strange thing…
They didn’t open their doors on this particular Wednesday night until 7:30pm and I think you’ll all agree that good wine and wine in this fun atmosphere should be enjoyed earlier in the evening.

I’m glad I finally made an excuse to grab a cocktail at Beleza when Andrea R was in town. The space was smaller than expected, but I couldn’t help but stare at the gorgeous light fixtures. Seriously, they were like those little bug zappers and I was a skeeter… I just couldn’t look away! So. pretty.
Okay, enough about the lighting. The drinks were tasty and creative, most were light and fruity: perfect for a hot summer day. The avocado dip was like a refreshingly light guacamole, and the other plates I saw sampled looked to be equally delish. This is an absolutely perfect little spot to grab a great cocktail before or after dinner, and considering it’s only a few blocks from my place, I’m sure I’ll be back sooner rather than later.
nb: despite the website claiming otherwise, they didn’t open up shop till 7:30. If you’re planning an earlier evening, I’d recommend calling in advance to double check their hours.

Honestly, if you have any social skills, you will like your experience at Beleza. The bartenders know what their doing. You can actually customize your drinks… have a conversation with your bartender… it’s a bar. The crowd is mixed and it’s not hard to strike up a conversation with someone at the bar or hanging outside.
What I will say is that this place is a neighborhood spot. If you’re looking for instant action at all times, this might not be the place for you. If you would like a good drink, willing to strike up a convo or chill with the person/​group that you’re with, you’ll like this place. A loud rancorous good time can be had here too.
I’ve visited before sundown for a quick drink and I’ve stumbled in there at 2am just in time to tie one on and I’ve received the same great service. Once you get over the thought that this bar just has to be pretentious… you’ll have a good time realizing that it’s not.
*the owner has been known to pass around shots… can’t go wrong there.

I really want to give this place more stars because the staff was so nice and attentive. But… I was quite disappointed with the food. I should have known that Beleza is better known for their drinks (which were not bad) and not gone here for dinner too. We practically ordered every plate on the menu and aside from the beet salad, everything else was just meh.
I DO however recommend this place if you’re going out with a group and looking for a fun place with drinks. It’s also a great place if you have the appetite of a bird and prefer organic ingredients.
Complimentary valet!

The drinks here are 5 stars. Some of the best in town, and one of the few places that you can get a drink that’s both strong and refreshing. I’m a capirinha enthusiast, and their caipirinhas and mojitos are as good as they get outside of the tropics. If you want to go easy or don’t feel like an exotic drink, they’ve got a pretty sound bottled beer selection and a full bar as well, and also some fresh juices and homemade sodas to enjoy. The bar staff is knowledgeable and creative, and a special shout-​out goes to Navarro. I’ve been to several bars he’s tended bar at, and with the palette he’s got at Beleza, your palate will surely be pleased by his inventions.
The food is well-​made, but I’m not that into it. I enjoyed the Bhutanese Red Rice (not sure if that’s still on the menu) and I liked the taro and yucca chips but found the pineapple salsa too sweet for my taste. I’m not saying they should make it differently, just saying it wasn’t for me, but I’m a fairly particular eater.
The atmosphere is solid. It’s a great place to take a date for after dinner drinks and conversation, and maybe even a little dancing, as they often have DJs in.

I just got back from a most glorious happy hour at Beleza. It’s a rainy Friday evening, so my party was the only one in the place — which was PERFECT!
We shared several dishes including the beet salad, ceviche and the chocolate tart. The beet salad was completely divine — even for beet-​haters, it’s worth a try. I can’t eat ceviche, and heard conflicting reviews but it is either good or awesome. The chocolate tart was spectacular with sea salt — surprising, I know!
And the drinks. Oh, the drinks! Thanks to Navarro for interpreting our totally mysterious blatherings and turning out delicious cocktails for us all.
We sat at the bar where we could watch all the food being prepared. Beleza is not only cool and delicious — but educational too! The staff is knowledgeable and willing to share. We left full and happy — the perfect end to a crazy week and segue into a great weekend. It is a great after work spot in Midtown if you are in need.

I’ve never had dinner here, but the drinks were interesting. Not the normal selection of bar fare, these were more organic and more unique in nature.
The mojitos were muddled and ugly like a true mojito. The scene is very trendy, I feel like I’ve walked into some kind of garment disctrict hangout when I’m there.
That’s a double edged sword though, it’s almost too trendy. I wonder if a place can survive because the trendiness will blow away and what’s left for it?
Also another bizarre aside is the establishment’s weird obsession with fashion/​art photography. They seemed to be very proud of their «calendar» that they created. However, the calendar seemed more like a satire of modern fashion pinup shots than the real deal.
It’s like an upscale mojito joint mated with «America’s Next Top Model»
It would be an impressive place for a date if they are into that kind of thing… but go quick, because I’m not sure how long it’s going to last.
If nothing else its worth 1 trip to see the scene.

The menu was limited and had been changed from what was online, so I was let down (went and ate next door check out my review of Cuerno). This is a nice spot for people that are into these types of spots. I found a lot of the crowd to be uptight and the space is small. The bartenders were nice (Hey Navaro:) and were whipping up some pretty interesting drinks. The DJ was fine. I’d rather read a book or have friends over at home for dinner and drinks than hang in these type spots. But I have never been a bar person and don’t drink enough to get into the whole bar vibe.
I wouldn’t make it a point to go here unless I was invited to something.

VERY easy to find in Midtown Atlanta. I’d been hearing about Beleza from a few friends and finally had a chance to check it out. Interestingly enough, where they are located is «mixed use» commercial and residential. The sign, on the entrance door, asking patrons not to make excessive outside made me chuckle.
Walk in and sit at the end of the bar, near the wall. To me, this was a perfect vantage point to see the entire bar and to chat it up with the cool bartenders. Sort of cool to see how these guys make their drinks. They do take their time, so don’t expect a quick mixed drink. I had a few of their Caipirinha’s, they’re VERY good and comparable to any I’ve had in the Atlanta area.
Their food is yummy, although a little off-​putting when you realize some of it is coming from Cuerno, just a few steps away. Just odd to see someone walk in the door with ham croquettes, for instance, that you’re about to consume.
The music is vibrant and groovy, really put me in a nice mellow mood to enjoy a good conversation and catch up with a friend.
And finally, the parking situation is a towering inferno of frustration. There’s ONE valet guy working and that poor guy is trying to catch up on the backlog. Street parking is at a premium in this part of town, unfortunately.

Oh Beleza! The cocktails here are sneaky, you think you’re sipping on a friendly, ‘TrailMix’ weird, looking concoction… then BAMMMMMMMMM! I’m…oops, you’re…it doesn’t matter.
Live music, djs spinning… very cool.
The crowd here is friendly, social and super fun, I’ve always had a great time.
¹²⁄₁₉
I want to thank Adam for being the creative, generous mixologist that he is. Thank you for getting me drunk on free tastings!
The cocktail list (I just found out) is updated seasonally. There is also a new dinner menu, which I haven’t tried yet, but I’m sure is fantastic.

I came here on a Wednesday night for dinner, and I left almost as hungry as I came. For drinks and light, expensive small plates, I’d give this place 4 stars. However, if you’re hungry and want some substantial grub, Beleza gets 2 stars.
The drink list is extensive, and I recommend their caipirinha (a Brazilian drink with lime juice, agave, and cachaca). The food menu is very limited, and the portions are very small. Although I do recommend getting at least 2 dishes per person, the cost will climb quickly. I ordered the lobster ceviche for $ 10, and it was delicious, light, and fresh, but I needed more! One of my friends ordered the salmon and was disappointed to see that it was served as sushi rolls (the menu did not hint at this). Also, for raw food, you’d think it wouldn’t take about 30 minutes to bring to the table…
The ambiance is one of Beleza’s highlights; the décor is modern, and it’s a very small and romantic layout. Our waitress was a bit pretentious and impatient and the food took forever, so I can’t say much about the service. It is a very unique concept, and there’s nothing else quite like it in Atlanta. I am glad I tried it, but I can’t say I’ll be a frequent customer. Overall, I recommend this place as a post-​date drink and light bite, but not the place to go if you’re truly hungry.

This was a restaurant I had been very excited about. I saw it months before and had been hoping for a chance to eat there, and that chance finally came for my birthday. Everything about it seemed to be right up my alley; organic, fresh, and local.
As we got there (pretty much right on time, might have been 5 minutes late), we were shocked at how tiny the restaurant was. They had informed us this over the phone, but wow, this is inconveniently small. They also then decide to sit our group at two different tables. This was stated on the phone, but that it would be two tables pushed together. Instead it was two tables next to each other, but far apart enough to be awkward.
The food was either a complete hit or complete miss. Same with the drinks. Some I would rate a 10 and some were about a 5. The service was INSANELY slow. I want to love this place, I will go back, and I appreciate the theme so much I can’t give it a bad rating. But it’s definitely not a good place for groups of more than 5, and you’ve got to have experimental friends.

Since Beleza opened, I stop by and get my drink on whenever Im have a «healthy week»… you know, we all have those spurts where we are determined to exercise everyday, eat organic grubs, etc, etc… well, mine usually lasts for about a week, then Im over it and in the zesto drive thru after a night of tequilas on the rocks somewhere on Buford Highway. Beleza is heaven on a light feathery pillow… the atmosphere is calm and clean, the food is fresh and interesting, and the cocktails — are something to be reckoned with.
A close friend of mine built their booze list when they first opened, and its still running strong to this day, for all the right reasons. The focus mirrors the theme of the joint: fresh, organic, clean, crisp and for the most part, raw. All of the fruits and veggies are prepped right in front of you at the hybrid bar/​kitchen. Kumquats, meyer lemons, chilies, herbs, lemon grass, ginger, agave, and acerola are just some of the stars you might spot.
On a colder night my favorite is the Hanging Mary, a play on a bloody mary in martini form: pepper and celery vodkas, spiced tamarillo juice, pink peppercorns, and sea salt.
On Warmer, summer and especially spring evenings, the Caipirinhas cal my name… my choice of which is most definitely the meyer lemon or the key lime and coconut: both made traditionally with Cachaca, and muddled with fresh fruits and crushed ice.

I had never heard of this place until I attended a friend
s art show a few doors down at Vankin gallery. We decided to go there afterwards for drnks, since we scored free parking in the dect across the street by saying we were eating there. This place was a pleasant surprise. On a Wednesday night the place was pretty laid back, a few people dining and drinking at the bar. We had Caipirinhas which were fabulous and my friend who is a true connoisseur of such things (meaning she’s actually been to Brazil several times and can order them with the perfect accent) said they were unbelievable.
The Shrimp Moqueca was really good and a bit bigger than the other tapas sized portion. After dinner we sat outside and finished our drinks. It was a nice atmosphere to connect with a friend and have a new experience. I don’t know that I’ll make plans to go again, midtown bars are not my thing on a regular basis, but if I’m in the area, stopping for drinks or a light bite would be just the thing here.

Did I take a plane to Miami in my sleep? Wha? Where? Where am I?
After stepping into Cuerno, kinda like the momentary panic you get when waking up in an unfamiliar place, as did that happen when stepping through the doorway.. . definitely a nice departure from the usual.
Munching our way through the menu and a whole bunch of tapas sized portions gave us a nice tour de menu, and who knew I liked kale? Plates are the right size for a pre dinner drink and munch, or for an after dinner cocktail. Or order a few per person to enjoy a full-​on meal. Lots of raw fish, seafood for the sea loving set, too.
Definitely somewhere I’d return (but next time in much sassier attire — the restaurant shouldn’t look sexier than I do, right?!), and also what I’d make a choice for a ladies night out cocktail or a date-​ish drink.

HOTlanta indeed.
Beleza’s grapefruit & tupelo honey martini was sublime. The nuevo-​Latino modern décor helped create a chic and indulgent feel about the place. Their shrimp moqueca was the winning dish of the night for me. Also, don’t miss the amberjack crudo.
This spot oozes sexiness, even if you’re dining at the early-​bird hour of 5:30PM.

I love their concept. There food and drinks are so different than anything I have ever had. They had a drink that looked like pineapple juice with a slice of star fruit on the side… it tasted like chocolate! There is a fruit that tastes like chocolate, who knew?!
Everything is in sight, chefs bartenders… its great. They use high quality ingredients that account for great tasting dishes.
I enjoyed this place with a group of friends during the week and it was perfect. The only thing I will say is they are new and you could tell, no big deal though.

Beleza:
Your mojito alone may keep me coming back for more, but I can’t promise I’ll dine on more than liquid.
The small venue is cool … no other way to say it. Love the decorating, love the vibe. The food, however, leaves much to be desired.
I’ve dined at Beleza twice. I made the mistake of sitting at the bar during my second dining experience. It is here that you witness the mixologists at work (very cool), but it’s also the prime spot to check out the guy in charge of plating the crudo. I found it a bit unappetizing to watch him go in and out of a mini fridge to retrieve raw fish in Tupperware. I’ll be fair though … the tuna crudo with beets and lemon zest is quite delectable.
Many a diner goes for the «forbidden rice»: black rice, squash, yellow raisins, pistacios, and cilantro pesto. I found it to be a bit too crunchy.
Now back to my beloved mojito, which is served over round, so-​tempting-​to-​chew-​me pieces of ice (definitely a plus). Natural sweeteners and exotic ingredients top off the tasty buzz/​sugar high in a glass.
They’re open ’til 3 a.m. Tuesday — Saturday. Good to know for late-​night mojito cravings…