Cooks & Soldiers is an upscale Basque restaurant at 691 14th Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, at Howell Mill Road in West Midtown. Opened in 2014 by the Castellucci Hospitality Group, it draws on the cooking traditions of the Basque Country across northern Spain and southwestern France. Come for pintxos, wood-grilled sharing plates, and a dinner that moves from small bites to substantial cuts from the asador. Its name references San Sebastián’s Tamborrada festival, whose costumed drummers include cooks and soldiers.
What to Expect at Cooks & Soldiers
The menu’s two organizing ideas are pintxos, the small dishes associated with Basque bar culture, and asador, cooking over a wood fire. A longtime signature is the Bikini: a pressed sandwich combining white American cheese, jamón serrano, and black truffle. Chistorra in a Blanket gives the familiar pastry-wrapped sausage a Spanish accent. Treat these rich bites as a beginning rather than the entire meal, leaving room for grilled meat, seafood, and vegetables from the changing menu.
The contemporary dining room has an animated, social atmosphere rather than the formality of a hushed tasting-menu restaurant. Bar and patio seating offer another way to experience it, especially during Txikiteo Happy Hour, named for the Basque practice of moving between bars for small drinks and bites. Spanish wines, including Basque txakoli, make natural companions to the food. Dedicated vegetarian and gluten-free menus help diners plan, although anyone managing celiac disease or allergies should discuss shared preparation surfaces with the staff.
- Bikini sandwich: A signature combination of melted cheese, jamón serrano, and black truffle in crisp, pressed bread.
- Wood-fired asador: Larger grilled dishes give the meal its centerpiece and reward ordering together.
- Txikiteo Happy Hour: Monday–Friday, 5–7 p.m., exclusively at bar and patio seats.
- A Fuego Burger: A happy-hour exclusive, offered alongside specially priced pintxos and drinks.
- Wine-focused evenings: The restaurant schedules wine dinners and events in addition to regular dinner service.
Cooks & Soldiers at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 691 14th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 |
| Neighborhood / Area | West Midtown / Westside, at Howell Mill Road |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Thursday 5–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 5–11 p.m.; Sunday 5–9 p.m. |
| Admission / Price Range | À la carte dining; $$$, upscale pricing. See the official menus for current dish prices. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | MARTA Arts Center station, Red and Gold lines, followed by a connecting ride; valet entrance on 14th Street. |
| Official Website & Phone | Cooks & Soldiers; +1 404-996-2623 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve through the official website for Friday or Saturday dinner, celebrations, and larger parties. A 5 p.m. arrival works well for an early meal; happy-hour pricing applies only to bar and patio seats, not every reservation. Order in stages, asking your server to balance smaller plates against the size of the grilled dishes. Smart-casual clothing fits the setting. Discuss separate checks before ordering shared food, and check the current menus for dietary choices and prices.
Drivers should approach the valet entrance from 14th Street. Arts Center is a useful MARTA rail gateway, but it is not a short station-to-door walk; arrange an onward ride west. The restaurant occupies street level, with dining-room and patio seating; wheelchair users should request a step-free route and suitable table clearance when booking. For a pre-dinner walk, explore Westside Provisions District, its pedestrian bridge overlooking the rail corridor, and Howell Mill Road’s restaurant storefronts, all roughly 5–10 minutes away. Watch for busy crossings and uneven pavement between redeveloped industrial blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when should I visit?
Dinner begins daily at 5 p.m.; closing is 10 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday–Saturday, and 9 p.m. Sunday. Arrive at opening for an early dinner or weekday bar-and-patio happy hour, which ends at 7 p.m.
How expensive is dinner, and do I need a reservation?
This is a $$$ restaurant with à la carte pintxos and larger sharing dishes. Reserve ahead for prime weekend tables, and consult the official menu before choosing your mix of grilled dishes, wine, and smaller plates.
How much time should I allow?
Allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a shared dinner with drinks. A few happy-hour plates can make a shorter stop, while a group meal with several grilled courses deserves the longer window.
Is it suitable for dietary restrictions and families?
Vegetarian and gluten-free menus are available; discuss allergies directly before ordering. Families comfortable with shared plates can dine here, though the lively evening setting is better suited to an unhurried dinner than a quick children’s meal.
When planning your Atlanta travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Atlanta, pair this stop with standout local spots including Hilton Atlanta, Omni Hotel at the Battery Atlanta, The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Bellyard, West Midtown Atlanta, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (0.1 km away).
