Man what can I say. I don't know why it took me so long to get to Poor Calvin's, but I'm glad I did. They are without doubt one of the best restaurants in the downtown section of Atlanta. From the service, to the food, you always are taken care of, from the parking lot to when you exit. Our server Andre was phenomenal. He knew every inch of the menu and what paired well. He even took care of my wife, who had a hard time choosing a dish, due to her shellfish allergy. For starters, I had the fried calamari, and my wife had the chicken & pork dumplings. Both were fantastic. For entrees, my wife did the ribs, which came with broccoli and jasmine rice. Ribs were perfect. I had the lobster fried rice, which was served in a huge portion. I couldn't even finish it, so took half of it home. We tried a dessert after seeing so many come out that looked amazing. We did the toasted pound cake, and it was some of the best we've had anywhere! Even the Baileys infused ice cream served with it was good. I will definitely be back, as everything looked so good, and the experience was top notch.

Absolutely amazing experience. Food was delicious and beautifully plated. Drinks were potent and yummy. I could go on and on about the wonderful staff. We were seated immediately and courteously. Every meal was described in intricate detail, by a super friendly wait staff. Even the greeter made us feel welcome! We can’t wait to come back!

I absolutely love Poor Calvin’s! It’s one of my favorite Asian fusion restaurants in Atlanta. Aside from the great service, the food is always cooked to order and very fresh! Parking is limited but there’s a lot around the corner as well. Every time I visit, it never disappoints! 10/10

The best. End of review. Seriously. The food - amazing. Service - amazing. Atmosphere - amazing. We had a group of 10. Split a bunch of appetizers, all had individual entrees and drinks, and not a single thing was wrong. I can only think that the 1 star reviews of this place are from people being ridiculous. The pictures I'm putting up with this review speak for themselves. Our server was Ashley (sp) and she was the best server I've ever had. She was wildly well versed in the menu, special offerings, and possible allergen issues. She made great recommendations based on tastes, and was the epitome of southern hospitality. We were never left wanting on refills, and always felt like we were the center of attention - impressive given how busy this place was! This was arguably the best food and dining experience I've had in my life, and I'm a fat dude who loves food. 11/10 would recommend.

Delicious drinks and excellent service. Our waiter Enoch made wonderful recommendations that left our entire table happy and satisfied! The fried chicken and lobster wonton were my favorite dishes. I would skip the deviled eggs if I went back again.

I don’t know why it took me forever to do this review but here it is. First things first, it may be called Poor Calvin’s but don’t come if you’re poor. I’m joking but this is on the higher end of casual dining. The drinks were great well mixed and potent. We were disappointed in the seafood appetizer, as there was more sweet potato than sweet pieces of seafood… My friend had the chef’s special which was a blackened salmon dish however the salmon was a little too charred and we asked for a replacement. I had the sea bass which was fantastic and surprisingly filling considering the lack of actual sides. The venue itself is a little trendy spot with Asian inspirations. It’s definitely cozy and can feel a little stuffy depending on the crowd. Overall I would definitely recommend a visit if you’re in Atlanta.

Divine! Met some colleagues here while in town for a trade show and was blown away by both the food and the service. Truly one of the best meals of my life. I can personally vouch for the Manhattan (best I’ve ever tasted), the Thai-inspired cocktail, the vegan fresh rolls, and the vegan curry. The chunks of vegan meat were expertly cooked. Wish this place was closer to home because I’d be a regular for sure.

Stop what you are doing and make reservations NOW! This is a MUST visit restaurant if you are in Atlanta. The food is made to order and absolutely delicious! I have no complaints. The waiter was well versed in the dishes on the menu and was very helpful when it came to selecting an entree. I have a shellfish allergy and the waiter was able to guide me in selecting the safest items for me. The dumplings were marvelous! I ordered the crispy beef dish and my taste buds are still tingling from the thought of the delicious spices used to make this dish from heaven. The desserts were also out of this world!!!! I will be back!!!!!

This was a birthday experience for me! The atmosphere has a great vibe! Our waiter Jojo was incredible! The few vegan options available were very enjoyable! I can always appreciate any restaurant that takes the time to curate dishes that tailor to all forms of dietary restrictions. We ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes, with some adjustments of course, as well as, the Arugula Salad for our appetizers. For our main course, we ordered Vegan Curry and the Vegan Pad See Ew. We also had the privilege of meeting some amazing people sitting next to us from Maryland. I absolutely cannot leave out the phenomenal host of the night Griffin Collins III. His welcoming and customer service was superb! I cannot wait to return here for another dinner experience in the near future!

Poor Calvin's is a specialty chef-run restaurant. Everything is made unique to the restaurant and the service is outstanding from the host, server and everyone. Everyone is very knowledgeable and proud of their menu items. You will have to book reservations in advance. Note that a mandarory 18% gratuity is charged with your meal. This is a great business choice as it holds ALL staff accountable to provide excellent service (which they sure did). We could tell the chef worked hard all day preparing the meals for the day. He has a European background and brings all the good things here. A dining experience to remember. Valet parking is also available.

We had the fried green tomatoes and crab for starters. Then the curry shrimp and lobster… and crispy beef as entrees. The food was very flavorful and the service from Anthony was excellent! The atmosphere is really pretty and homey at the same time.

My husband and I were looking for somewhere to eat last minute and he found this place. We called and they said they were booked but we could sit outside. So we did, with our baby in his stroller. It was fine until it started to drizzle. The staff was amazingly accommodating and got us right inside! We ordered drinks and a couple of entrées. Everything was so delicious! 5 stars on food, service, and atmosphere!

Poor Calvin’s certainly lived up to their reputation. Fine dining in a modern yet quaint little spot that is still spacious enough that you don’t feel enclosed. Customer service was exceptional with very good details on selections of all items including desserts. The food was excellent, especially the lobster mac and cheese. It should be noted that the food portions were very generous. I highly recommend making a reservation and there is a automatic 19% gratuity added to all bills.

WOW. My experience at Poor Calvin’s was top tier. From the ambiance to the service to the food, nothing missed a beat. My friends and I were in Atlanta for the night and wanted a delicious meal. The positive reviews are what brought us in but the highest quality customer service and fantastic food is what will bring us back. Our server, Enoch, was hands down the best server I’ve ever had. He explained every dish in such great detail, he even explained the cocktails with such vivid imagery and gave pairing suggestions. He was so kind and thoughtful and really made our experience. You must try the lychee martini and the peach empanadas, the dumpling and the curries. We will absolutely be coming back. Thank you so much, Enoch!

THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS! The service/bartenders/mangers/owner all so nice and worked really hard during a super busy time. We went at 5:30 on a Sunday and it was PACKED. The only con was that we sat at the bar and people hovered the entire time we were there (we are a couple and it would’ve been nice to enjoy our meal without all the people ordering drinks over our shoulders). Other than that- best meal in ATL.

This is one of the best restaurants my family and I have ever visited! We really enjoyed the innovative ways that the chef combined influences of Asian and Southern cuisine to create dishes that are truly unparalleled in their excellence. He is truly a mad food genius! Five stars!

I came here for the first time with a friend on Wednesday, 10/18/2023. Parking is located on a very small lot which at the time I arrived, was full. And so I had to circle around twice to find street parking. It wasn’t convenient but because the restaurant was located on one way street, I didn’t have any other options. Our server was Clayton and he was very friendly and attentive, without being overbearing. We enjoyed his service very much! I ordered the deviled eggs, chicken and pork dumplings, seafood curry soup and jasmine rice. However, my jasmine rice had a hard piece of clear plastic in it, which I bit into :(. I was shocked bc I wasn’t using any plastic utensils. I notified Clayton who then notified management, per my request. I asked for a discount off of my meal. But the manager told me that she would give me a free dessert instead. I accepted that and had the suspension cake, which was delicious. I am contemplating returning here again at some point. But I am worried about having found an inedible/plastic object inside of my rice that I could have swallowed. And truthfully I couldn’t eat the new rice they gave me because I was anxious that something foreign could be in that batch as well. I believe the owner needs to address this with the cook staff, as it was unacceptable truly. If I do return, hopefully it will be better next time..

The food is phenomenal. We got the lobster Mac and cheese, pad Thai and fried grouper. They were all out of this world! Our server Enoch was exceptional. The way he described the dishes sold the food! He was very knowledgeable and friendly. He is definitely an asset to this restaurant. I will definitely visit again!

This place always looks exciting from the outside when it’s warm (there’s an outside area facing the front), so I decided to try it. A friend and I went on a chilly day though, which made the small interior pretty crowded with people - especially at the entrance. The seating is cozy, but nice and intimate. I’ve heard recommendations for the Mac & cheese, but I got the scallops. I love scallops. lol. These were a bit rubbery if I’m honest, but the rest of the dish was great. They also have a nice drink menu to choose from as well as an option to sit at the bar.

Visited for the first time and loved it. From the drinks to dessert. Everything was great! The food was so full of flavor and unique! I was there with a group of friends. We shared appetizers, entrees, and a dessert. Everything was delicious. Our server was so knowledgeable and described everything we ordered. I will be back!

Absolutely delicious!! I had the duck dynasty and it was so good. My mother had the pad Thai and my nephew had the Lobster Fried Rice… Definitely worth the money…

This is not your typical brunch spot: It's like Penn Asian meats, soul food. I had a chicken and pandan waffle. My friend had the seafood omelette. The meal was delicious and the sangria was beautiful. The chef is famous for not customizing any of its dishes. Our waiter, Enoch, with friendly, efficient and very knowledgeable. I was tempted to deduct a star for the location. It's a block from a seedy strip club and there is very little parking

Poor Calvin where the taste is so different, even fried chicken was different. This restaurants in Atlanta five stars for me. Customer service was exquisite the cooks the chef was awesome everything was so delightful this is a must try in my book might hit your pockets a little bit but a must try please go online and review the menu. Reservations are needed Valet parking was great, the restroom was the only thing that wasn't clean.

It's been a long while since I've had such a dining experience as I had here. This may be a new holiday tradition for us. The pricing is reasonable for the culinary experience. The lobster fried rice is beyond any rating. The atmosphere is perfect and rather cozy. The bartenders and staff are welcoming and know their menu, and the mixed cocktails with fresh ingredients knock this venue out of the park. The photos don't do our dining experience justice. This is one stop all should make. You won't regret the suggestion. I look forward to seeing the staff again, and one must not forget the delicious menu and drinks. Cheers! 🍻🥃

I swear, just perfect!! I booked a table online a few weeks ago for my partner's birthday. Because I don't live in the States, it was so easy for me to book a take online. He has a friend who used to work there, it was great to take him. We dressed up and made our way. We were seen straight away, shown to the table and introduced to our waiter. Water at the table right away. Cocktails were great. We ordered our food and it all came out, nice and hot. We had the spring roll starter, I had the vegan meal for my main with vegan duck and my partner had the lamb chops. He was raving about them for days after. Because it was his birthday, he got a dessert and a big happy birthday. The atmosphere was perfect. It wasn't too busy, as it was a Wednesday. We felt important and attended too. On my next visit to Atlanta, we will definitely be back.

I took my husband here for his 30th birthday and he said it was some of the best food he has ever had in his life! Our waitress Louise was very nice and recited the menu items like she was reading a poem. All of our food was delicious. My favorites was the lobster Mac and cheese, wontons, lamb, and lobster fried rice. We will be back when our pockets recover from the cost but it was worth every penny!

Wow! You have to get the cocktail here! I found this place close to where I was staying. Seated by the bar for dinner and was immediately blown away by the attentive bar service and he knew the menu at the top of his head, amazing cocktail options I was recommended their house gin & tonic and it was just WOW. Ordered Thai seafood curry and their portion was generous, those smokey grilled seafood paired really well with their mildly spicy curry…yum! It was packed on a Sunday night! Highly recommended! Be ready to pay +19% gratuity fee but it’s all worth the experience and justified by their service level.

After dining at Poor Calvin's I understand the waiting for your complete party to be present and the 2 hour limit we had to eat. All that does not matter once you get your drinks and appetizers. I can write a while dissertation on Poor Calvin's. If you are a. true foodie, you will want to experience the flavor, the seasonings, the creativity the chef produced. The Lobster Ravioli was a chef special, and it did not disappoint. My brain and taste buds had a beautiful experience. The dessert which you see was demolished what something I can not put into true words. It was exquisite. I was truly amazed by this restaurant. They make their on Ginger Beer. The El Diablo will take you on a journey. The Ginger snap ice cream was a match made with the pound cake. From presentation to taste of the dishes left you waiting more. The flavor profile was not 1 dimensional. I have not come across a restaurant yet in Atlanta that's better than Poor Calvin's.

I took my wife here for her birthday and the staff made sure she was taken care of. Parking is very limited but we made reservations for 6 and was lucky enough to get a parking spot on the side of the building. We were sat immediately and we were taken care of from that point on. The food was flavorful with generous portions. 19% gratuity was added so be prepared for that. The service was on point though. They are pricey so we will definitely only go for special occasions. However, overall, fantastic experience.

I wasn’t sure what to think… but I will definitely be coming back when in Atlanta! We had the special as an appetizer (not pictured) and their yummy chicken and pork dumplings! Also not pictured :/ For the main dishes we had the lobster pad Thai and the lamb chops. Phenomenal- especially the lamb. The pad Thai is not traditional but is very very tasty. Linda was our server and she was incredibly knowledgeable on the menu and so pleasant to be with. 10/10 recommend

The first time I had this place was over four years ago and I’ve been wanting to go back ever since but it was never the right time lol and getting a reservation on a weekend can be difficult if you don’t plan in advance. I finally was able to try it again and it was just as good! I would recommend making a reservation for as soon as they open and getting there about 15 minutes early so that you can park in their small parking lot. The seating can be tight but the decor is beautiful!!! The “special” or “seasonal” dumplings they had for a starter were amazing! I couldn’t choose between all the appetizers they have but went with these and was really pleased. I also had a honey, ginger cocktail which was sooo good. For my entree I ordered the lamb chops with everything on it. It’s really impressive how all of the food was so appetizing, and the quality of the food is top notch. I even tried some of my husband’s fried chicken with Mac and cheese and it was delicious too! Our server was very knowledgeable and attentive. A must try in Atlanta.

Our server was fantastic! He knew the menu dishes to include ingredients by heart; I was impressed😁 The food and cocktail presentation was impeccable. I enjoyed lobster mac & cheese, Siam fried grouper wok toss w/Jasmine rice and a Jasmine Manhattan... Oh! One of my dinner partners shared her fried wontons with caviar...they were divine as well! Poor Calvin's provided a great experience!

Decided to visit this restaurant after reading all the good reviews. I recommend prior reservations, it busy and it can take a long time to get a good seat. We made a last minute decision to visit here and got a place at the bar but it turned out the best experience. The bartenders are fun to be around and loved their food and drink recommendations. Definitely recommend their lobster fried rice and Thai curry seafood. The portion size is huge. The lobster wontons were good too. The drinks were good, i tried their daily specials.

My girlfriend and I eat out quite often, but Poor Calvin’s really stood out as one of our best dining experiences. The service was the best we’ve had since the start of the pandemic. The food was perfectly prepared and brought out really quickly. We tried the following: Lobster wontons 10/10 (red wine jelly is amazing) Mussels 10/10 Shaky Shrimp 10/10 Deviled Eggs 10/10 Lobster Fried Rice 8/10 Lamb chops 100/10 All in all I didn’t have a single complaint. Our server, Linda, was knowledgeable and remembered everything while serving our large party. Please go and have the lamb chops🤌🏽. And if you see us there every Tuesday….mind your business 😂😂😂 Follow me on IG: @liminndinin

Poor Calvin's was a nice outdoor dining experience. The Calamari appetizer was prepared well and has deep fried pickles slices and yellow pepper slices. The seafood spring roll was presented well, my guests liked it, but there something too fishy in it for my taste. The fried chicken was dry, and had far too much batter. My other guest ordered lamp chops, she said usually the chops are tender and juicy, but this time they were dry and tough ordered med-well. She replaced it with the Lobster fried rice. I actually ordered the Lemongrass steamed mussels, I really enjoyed these, well prepared in a light coconut curry sauce, the Tom Yum soup, bore little resemblance to Thai Tom Yum (Talay) it did have a hint of the sweet/sour flavor, there was almost no spicieness. Now for the annoying part, the menu has good descriptions of the menu item, but when you make your order it appears the sever is obligated to give you the entire description like this is some posh restaurant. Overall, I feel like the prices are far too high for the quality of the food, it just feels like Calvin's is trying to be something they're not. At least the service was good, and the drinks were strong.

This is one of me and my wife's favorite places to go. We just recently celebrated our anniversary and we brought our whole wedding party here years ago when we got married. Their favorite place too. It never disappoints and always top knotch service and Quality of dishes. Drinks are great. Desert is great. Specials are always great. We have had just about everything on the menu. Amazing place!! Must try again and again. Thanks team you all were amazing as usual!

This is such a romantic place to dine in the city. The ambiance is amazing we got in on a wymb without reservations. I do recommend making reservations beforehand because this place is pretty popular. The food was exquisite and our server Zubear was beyond delightful. We will be back again for delicious drinks and fantastic food. Check out my food photos for some tempting irresistible cuisine.

One of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta! Their lamb chops are so good. I went last week after not going for a while and our server was amazing as well as the food and drinks. I wish i remembered our servers name because his service and recommendations were on point. I tried the mussels for the first time and as a mussel lover, they were 10/10. Our first cocktail was OK but the server recommended something else and it was delicious. Can’t wait to return.

I'm not sure where to start because it was all so amazing! We had a weekday early dinner reservation so we parked in the adjacent lot. They don't have a lot of spaces but they have valet for busier weekends. The ducks were good and reasonable. The smoked duck was the appetizer specialty and it was delicious! The shrimp and lobster tail curry was literally one of the best I've ever had and I've had authentic Thai curry in Bangkok. The peach cobbler empanada was excellent - highly recommend!! The service was phenomenal and the over all experience was one of the best I've had in the Atlanta area. Adding to my short list of favorite restaurants in Atlanta. I'll definitely be back.

My wife and I decided to eat at poor Calvin’s tonight for our anniversary. It was amazing! From our dinner to our server Andre! The entire experience was a A1 from start to finish! Andre had GREAT recommendations and was super personable and funny! As far as our food… everything was delicious and the portions were huge! 10/10 would recommend!

Never knew of this place prior. Went there to meet some friends from out of town who saw it had great ratings online. The place was hopping on an early Saturday evening. Food is an excellent Mashup of Asian and Southern cuisine. Kudos to the chef! Service was excellent with very personable wait staff who knew the menu inside out. It is a lively spot, so if you're looking for a quiet, intimate spot, this is probably not it! Only negative is the parking, which is very limited, so give yourself some extra time to find a spot.

First off the staff were super friendly and their service was very professional. The food was amazing..... from the coconut seafood soup, lobster wontons, the Korean beef fried green tomatoes as the starters. To the duck dynasty which was so juicy and delectable, as well as the salmon which was very delicious. I enjoyed this experience here and will definitely be back because there are daily specials all the time.

First of all, the name POOR CALVIN'S, you CAN NOT be poor and eat here. We spent $200 for 2 people. We arrived without reservations and were seated immediately as long as we left by 730pm. That was fine with us. The waiters were attentive, helpful and knowledgeable of the food selections. 10/10 Lobster Fried Rice 🦞 9/10 Lobster Pad Thai- the Lobster was almost raw. 10/10 Crab Won Ton 10/10 Streamed Crab Dumplings 10/10 Ice Tea 5/10 Lobster MacNCheese Overall, we would come everyday 🌟 🌟, this was the best restaurant in Atlanta that we had visited. The food was superb 👌🏾 😋. Everything made our taste buds excited and please. Everything was Great. Cons: Parking could be challenging

Guys this place is a must try!!! I literally had an outer body experience eating the food it was so amazing. And let me tell you...I am not easily impressed with food these days. It was so good that I had the lamb chops that came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Then I also got the lobster fried rice to go. I convinced myself it was for the kids but who are we fooling 😅. I had lychee martini for drinks and it was delicious. I only regret not getting a dessert. Enjoy!

Justin was our server and his level of service matched the level of food. Had the duck and Tiger shrimp, the mussels, and by his suggestion the duck wonton appetizer special. Definitely my favorite restaurant in Atlanta close to downtown. Glad gratuity was included because he deserves nothing less than 20 percent and we even added extra because he was that good. Keep up the great work Poor Calvin’s!

Calvin's was great. I was especially grateful that my allergy was accommodated as this goes a long way for those of us with allergies who aren't able to eat just any and everything. It's the little things that make up the big things. Our waiter was great on explaining the dishes and guided us pretty well. Our food was flavorful and lacked nothing-- not even salt. Great way to end my birthday weekend all planned out by my bf. Happy birthday to me. ☺ 🎉 🎂

The food and drinks are everything!! I had a margarita but it kept giving me heartburn; and I kept drinking 🍸. Customer service gives Chick-fil-A a run for their money. Above & pass beyond. I had the crispy beef w/white rice. A date spot, celebration, chill vibe outside.

This is the third DragonCon in a row that my wife and I have been here. This time we brought a larger group with us for the experience and everyone loved the experience. Plus, this time we actually had Calvin himself come out for our omakase! Everything was absolutely fantastic!!! The food here has so many great flavors combined. This time around my wife and I ordered specials for the majority of our dishes. We had appetizers of duck bao buns (with a side watermelon salad) as well as the shaky garlic tofu. The bao buns were so tasty! The bao bun was very crispy, not very oily, and had a lovely sauce as well as a bit of fresh veg including some cilantro that that really brought the whole dish together. There was a watermelon salad that accompanied the bao, which contained a bit of mango and some acidity to really bring the whole appetizer together. The shaky tofu was phenomenal! With the balance of salty, garlicky, and umami the flavor was second to nothing. Maybe it could have used a tiny bit more of a crisp? However, there was plenty of crisp to it considering it was soft/silky tofu. For the omakase, there were three dishes: App, soup, main noodle dish. The first dish/appetizer was a roti shell filled with crispy Peking duck. The duck had been cooked for several hours then flash fried to get an extra crisp skin. The duck was carved in front of us by Calvin himself! There were pieces of duck, veg mix including some daikon radish, and two wonderful sauces wrapped in the roti. The sauces were a passionfruit sauce, which was reminiscent of a sweet chili sauce, and a peanut sauce which went unbelievably well with the passionfruit sauce. There was a second course of a coconut soup. The size was around and about a standard sized "crock" for French onion soup. The soup had great flavor combinations. There was the perfect amount Thai basil within the soup. Gave a bit of licorice flavor to cut the powerful flavors of the soup itself. It all blended so well. Third course was a duck noodle dish that used the remainder of the duck that had not been used for the roti app. Wide noodles with a load of crispy skin and delightful duck meat. Sauce was fantastic and went very well with the bits of Thai basil and green onions. Throughout the meal I ended up drinking two different drinks, both were fantastic. A Midnight Overture and a Strawberry Fields(?) were the two drinks during the meal. The Midnight Overture had a wonderful foam floating on top. The Strawberry Fields(?) had great floral flavor to it with a sprig of mint. Solid flavors all around. With the whole meal being spectacular. No members of our party had anything bad to say about the meal or the service. We'll have to come back if I the area again.