Atlanta’s most popular restaurants help guests declare freedom from the kitchen over the Fourth of July weekend with a variety of food and drink specials and star-spangled parties to honor America’s independence.

5Church Atlanta dishes up perfection with its ricotta and lemon ravioli. The dish comes with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, English peas, hedgehog mushrooms and basil pesto to deliver a flavorful and filling entrée sure to make guests want to come back for more.

Chido and Padre’s is ready to add a little fiesta to happy hour. From 4-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, the Buckhead restaurant that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Mexico’s heartland is offering $5 happy hour drink and appetizer specials at the bar.

Although known for serving the highest quality seafood available, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar’s side items are a hidden gem. The restaurant’s Kung Pao broccoli with peanuts and jalapeño have the perfect amount of flavor and kick to accompany any of the seafood entrées on the menu.

Fresh and fabulous, the Mother Nature bowl from HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is nutritious and delicious. With red and gold quinoa, charred broccolini, butternut squash, marinated tomatoes, piri piri sauce, pickled onions and avocado, this dish is one not to be missed.

The team at 5Church Atlanta is pleased to announce the opening of a second location in Buckhead this fall. The popular modern American restaurant and hot spot will serve its special brand of inventive cuisine and gracious hospitality at 3379 Peachtree Road.

Looking to spice up your brunch game? Lazy Llama Cantina’s chilaquiles will certainly do the trick. This entrée kicks it up a notch with tortilla chips, green chile sauce, two eggs, cotija cheese, sour cream and pico de gallo.

They say sharing is caring, but you may be tempted to keep Storico Vino’s manzo carpaccio all to yourself. This picture-perfect plate features herb-crusted beef, arugula, Parmigiano and Worcestershire mayo for a striking flavor experience.

Summertime welcomes a new happy hour menu from Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. Every Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m., the popular taqueria known for creative tacos and unexpected flavors is offering mouthwatering food and drink specials.

The classics never get old, and the classic vanilla ice cream from Big Softie on Georgia Ave. in Summerhill is no different. This sweet treat is complemented by any of Big Softie’s unique and delicious toppings.

Cowboy Chicken—known for its wood-fired rotisserie chicken and handcrafted sides—quenches summer thirsts with a new cucumber jalapeño lemonade. Delicious on its own or spiked at home for more spirited occasions, this sweet, tangy and slightly spicy new beverage boasts fresh-squeezed lemonade infused with fresh cucumber and jalapeño to create a perfect summer drink.

ICYMI: FOX 5 Atlanta’s Burgers with Buck recently stopped by Aria in Buckhead to sink teeth into the restaurant’s new, first-time burger offering. Tempt taste buds and watch the full Burgers with Buck segment online.

Healthy definitely doesn’t mean flavorless and boring. The baby kale salad from 5Church Atlanta blends flavorful ingredients for a not-so-average side, or make it a meal with the addition of chicken, shrimp or salmon.

Hank Clark, vice president of operations at Marlow’s Tavern and the Woodall, was recently named chairman of the board of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA). Clark previously led as chairman of the board of GRA in 2013 and will help guide the valuable organization as it serves as a unified voice for Georgia’s restaurants in advocacy, awareness and education.

When you’re looking for the perfect beach cuisine, look no further than Chiringa’s Cuban sandwich. Roasted mojo pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, yellow mustard and mayonnaise all come together between two pieces of buttered Cuban bread for a savory sandwich you won’t want to put down.