Atlanta Restaurants That Have Been Featured on TV Food Shows

Atlanta’s food scene shows up on TV a lot. From barbecue and burgers to soul food and fine dining, many Atlanta restaurants have been featured on national food shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Man v. Food, Best Thing I Ever Ate, and others.

Below is a locally focused guide to some of the most recognizable TV-featured spots in and around Atlanta, plus tips on what to order and how to plan your visit.

Quick Snapshot: Well‑Known Atlanta TV Food Spots

(Availability and menus can change, so it’s always smart to check current details before you go.)

Classic Atlanta Icons Frequently Seen on TV

The Varsity (Downtown & Other Locations)

Address (Downtown flagship):
61 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
Near Georgia Tech and easy to reach from Midtown or Downtown.

Why it’s on TV:
The Varsity is often highlighted as one of the largest drive‑in restaurants in the world and a symbol of old-school Atlanta fast food culture. TV shows and travel segments love:

• Chili dogs and chili steaks
• Frosted Orange (FO) shake‑like drink
• The rapid-fire “What’ll ya have?” ordering style
• The sprawling, retro dining rooms overlooking the Connector

Tip for locals and visitors:
Lines can wrap around during events (Georgia Tech games, big conventions). If you want the “TV experience” without the crush, try off‑peak hours (late afternoon or mid‑evening on non‑game days).

Soul Food & Southern Spots That Got TV Attention

The Busy Bee Café (Westside)

Address:
810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314

Featured on shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, The Busy Bee is often held up as a benchmark for Southern soul food in Atlanta.

On TV, it’s known for:

• Fried chicken with crisp skin and juicy meat
• Collard greens, candied yams, mac and cheese
• Cornbread, smothered pork chops, and daily specials

It’s a small, cozy space, so even before TV exposure it was common to see a line. The TV buzz just confirmed what many Atlantans already knew.

Practical tip:
Expect a wait during lunch, especially on weekends. Many locals plan a late lunch around 2–3 pm for a more relaxed experience.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Midtown)

Address:
224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

While the TV spotlight has shifted over the years, Mary Mac’s has appeared in various national food and travel segments as a classic “Southern dining room” experience.

Highlighted dishes often include:

• Fried chicken and chicken fried steak
• Pot likker and cornbread
• Peach cobbler and banana pudding

It’s frequently presented as a place to experience “old Atlanta” hospitality and recipes in a more formal dining-room setting than a typical diner.

BBQ Joints Featured on Food Shows

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (West Midtown & Other Locations)

West Midtown Address:
1238 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 (original), plus a large location in West Midtown.

Fox Bros. has been showcased on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and other BBQ-focused programs that look for regional twists on smoked meat.

What TV features tend to focus on:

• Beef brisket and pork ribs
• Smoked wings with sauce
• Hearty sides like jalapeño cornbread and baked beans
• The Texas‑meets‑Atlanta BBQ style

Because the restaurant is popular with both locals and visiting fans who saw it on TV, waits at peak times—especially weekend evenings—are common.

Planning tip:
If you’re coming from out of town and want to sample multiple TV-featured spots in a day, consider a late lunch at Fox Bros. and dinner somewhere closer to where you’re staying to cut down on traffic.

Heirloom Market BBQ (Near Vinings / Northwest Atlanta)

Address:
2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

This small spot near the Chattahoochee has drawn national attention on several cable food shows for its Korean‑influenced barbecue.

Typical TV highlights:

• Korean-style pork ribs
• Spicy Korean sauces and marinades
• Collard greens and kimchi side‑by‑side

Because it’s tiny, the long lines often become part of the on‑screen narrative—hosts love pointing out how people queue up for a small counter‑service shop tucked by the river.

Over-the-Top Burgers and Bar Food on TV

The Vortex Bar & Grill (Little Five Points & Midtown)

Little Five Points Address:
438 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

The Vortex has appeared on Man v. Food and other shows that feature outrageous burgers and challenge-style meals.

TV‑famous items:

• Coronary Bypass burgers stacked with bacon and cheese
• Sides like tater tots and fried pickles
• A bar atmosphere with a strong personality

Important note:
The Vortex is 21+ only, even during the day. TV spots usually mention the quirky rules and irreverent decor.

Grindhouse Killer Burgers (Multiple Locations, often spotlight: Edgewood)

Example Address (Edgewood):
661 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Grindhouse has appeared in regional and national burger roundups and TV segments for its customizable burgers and sliders.

You’ll see features focus on:

• Burger combinations with creative toppings
• Veggie and alternative patties
• The retro, casual counter-service vibe

This is an easy, casual stop if you’re exploring Edgewood, the BeltLine, or Downtown and want something you might recognize from TV without a long sit‑down meal.

Diners, Breakfast, and “Dives” Loved by Cameras

The Silver Skillet (Midtown)

Address:
200 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

A classic midcentury diner, The Silver Skillet has been on multiple food and travel shows because it looks like a movie set and serves traditional Southern breakfasts.

What TV usually shows off:

• Country ham, biscuits, and red-eye gravy
• Grits, eggs, and bacon plates
• Pie slices on display at the counter

Its preserved retro interior is as much a star as the food. Many out‑of‑towners recognize it immediately when they walk in.

Folk Art (Inman Park)

Address:
465 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Folk Art is often portrayed as a comfort-food brunch and lunch spot with a Southern twist.

Commonly spotlighted dishes:

• Fried chicken and waffles
• Sandwiches piled high with meat and toppings
• Hearty brunch plates

On weekends, expect a brunch crowd, especially with people who’ve seen it on TV and want to try the chicken and waffles.

International Flavors and “Hidden Gem” Features

Nani’s Piri Piri Chicken (Old Fourth Ward / Ponce Area)

Address:
Inside the Ponce City Market area (check current suite/location)

Nani’s has appeared in cable food features and online video series that explore global flavors in American cities, especially fast‑casual spots.

TV and streaming coverage usually focuses on:

• Piri piri chicken seasoned with spicy, citrusy sauce
• Rotisserie style preparation
• Sides and sauces inspired by Portuguese and African flavors

Because it’s part of a larger market complex, it’s an easy add‑on if you’re already exploring Ponce City Market or the BeltLine Eastside Trail.

Busy District Food Halls That Show Up on TV

TV crews often film in Atlanta food halls to capture several restaurants in one place. You may see rotating coverage of:

• Ponce City Market Central Food Hall
  675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  Frequently featured for its mix of Southern, international, and trendy food concepts.

• Krog Street Market
  99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
  Often highlighted for its BeltLine location, Inman Park neighborhood, and variety of stalls from dumplings to BBQ.

Specific vendors within these halls may get named on particular shows, but the overall markets are often the focus, presented as snapshots of modern Atlanta dining.

How to Track Down Even More TV‑Featured Atlanta Restaurants

Because new episodes are filmed and new places open all the time, many Atlantans use a combination of simple steps to find the latest spots:

1. Check the official show pages or episode guides.
   Look up shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Man v. Food, or Best Thing I Ever Ate, then filter by Atlanta, GA or nearby cities.

2. Search by neighborhood when you’re in town.
   Areas like Midtown, Inman Park, West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Little Five Points tend to attract TV crews because they’re walkable, busy, and visually interesting.

3. Ask locals and staff.
   Servers, bartenders, and rideshare drivers in Atlanta often know which places were recently filmed or buzzed about; some restaurants even hang plaques or photos from the show’s visit near the entrance.

4. Look for signage inside the restaurant.
   Many spots will post “As Seen On…” signs or framed stills from the show near the door or register.

Tips for Visiting Atlanta’s TV-Famous Restaurants

To make the most of your TV food tour in Atlanta:

• Plan around crowds.
  TV exposure often means longer waits at peak times. Aim for off‑hours (late lunch, early dinner, or weekday visits) when possible.

• Check current hours and locations.
  Some places move, remodel, or adjust hours. Before you head out, confirm the latest details by phone or by checking official information sources.

• Be realistic about parking and traffic.
  Spots in Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park may have limited parking and heavy traffic, especially around rush hour or big events.

• Use MARTA or rideshare when convenient.
  For heavily visited inner-city spots, many locals prefer not to drive and park at all.

• Treat the TV feature as a guide, not a guarantee.
  Menus and chefs can change over time. Many Atlantans suggest ordering both the TV-famous dish and something that regulars recommend if you want the fullest picture.

If you live in Atlanta, you might slowly work through these places over time. If you’re visiting, you can build a loose itinerary—maybe a classic diner breakfast, a TV-famous BBQ lunch, and a burger or soul food dinner—to get a real taste of how Atlanta’s food scene shows up on screen and in real life.