Madeira Park

Madeira Park is the wine bar Atlanta has needed for years, brought by Miller Union's James Beard-winning chef Steven Satterfield and wine expert Tim Willard. Sommelier and GM Jade Palmer curates an ever-evolving 11-page wine list spanning familiar favorites, boundary-pushing natural wines, and collector-level bottles. The secret weapon: ask for "the book," an off-menu handwritten list of limited-run and rare wines that Palmer keeps behind the bar. Fortified wine lovers will find a deep selection of vermouth, sherry, port, and Madeira, including century-old bottled-aged Sercial and Terrantez dating back to 1899. Wines by the half-glass encourage exploration without commitment.

The vibe is high-energy and casual. This is not fine dining. But the wine program is extraordinary. Entrees like gnocchi and poulet rouge run mid-range, making it easy to spend wisely on food and splurge on the pour. The Poncey-Highland location on North Highland Ave puts it in one of Atlanta's most walkable neighborhoods.

Ask for the book. Not the menu. The book. That handwritten list of limited-run and rare wines is why Madeira Park is a Rager and not just another wine bar. Start with a half-glass of something you have never heard of, then let Jade Palmer guide you deeper. The fortified wine collection alone makes this a destination for serious wine people.