Atlanta doesn’t have a single, traditional “Chinatown” like you might see in New York or San Francisco. Instead, the metro area has several major Asian business districts—especially along the I‑85 corridor in Doraville and Duluth—where you’ll find dense clusters of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian-owned restaurants, markets, and shops.
If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and wondering where to go for authentic Chinese food, groceries, and cultural experiences, you actually have multiple “Chinatowns” in practice, even if most aren’t officially called that.
The most commonly mentioned “Chinatown” near Atlanta is the Atlanta Chinatown Square, a Chinese-focused shopping complex just outside the city.
While not a large neighborhood, it’s a compact plaza that feels like a mini-Chinatown, with:
This is often the first stop locals suggest when someone asks, “Where is Chinatown in Atlanta?”
If you’re looking for the most diverse, concentrated stretch of Asian culture in metro Atlanta, head to Buford Highway.
Buford Highway runs through cities like Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville, just northeast of Atlanta. It’s famous for its:
From an Atlanta resident’s point of view, if there were a Chinatown, Buford Highway might be the widest version of it—just mixed with many other cultures.
Along Buford Highway, you can expect:
Beyond Buford Highway, the Duluth and Gwinnett County area has become one of metro Atlanta’s strongest Asian commercial clusters, often compared to a suburban Chinatown/Koreatown mix.
In Duluth and nearby suburbs, you’ll find:
The vibe is modern and suburban, with many plazas that are packed on weekends and evenings.
If you’re used to a dense, historic Chinatown in the downtown core, Atlanta will feel a bit different.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Typical Big-City Chinatown | Atlanta Metro Area Version |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Downtown or city-center | Mostly suburban corridors (Buford Hwy, Duluth) |
| Layout | Walkable streets, row buildings | Shopping plazas and strip centers |
| Name recognition | Officially branded “Chinatown” | Often called “Chinatown” informally |
| Mix of cultures | Mostly Chinese | Strong Chinese presence plus Korean, Vietnamese, and more |
| Transit access | Often near subways/light rail | Typically car-oriented, some bus access |
So instead of one historic Chinatown, Atlanta has a network of Asian commercial hubs spread across the northeast side of the metro area.
Here’s how to choose where to go based on what you’re looking for.
If you’re new to Atlanta or just visiting and want to experience our version of “Chinatown” in a single trip, Buford Highway is your best starting point.
You’ll find:
Parking is generally plentiful but busy, especially during peak meal times. Expect most places to assume visitors arrive by car.
Living in Atlanta and want to stock your pantry with Chinese staples?
Look along:
You’ll typically find:
Many Atlanta residents do regular weekly or monthly grocery runs to these areas, even if they live elsewhere in the city.
If you’re planning a food crawl or evening outing:
Both Buford Highway and Duluth areas lend themselves well to this kind of multi-stop outing because many shops and restaurants sit in the same plazas or next door to each other.
Most of Atlanta’s Asian districts are not in walkable downtown. To reach them, people typically:
If you’re staying downtown or in Midtown without a car, check how long a ride-share to Buford Highway or Doraville/Duluth will take. Travel times can vary significantly with traffic.
You might hear Atlanta residents say things like:
Most people use “Chinatown” loosely to refer to:
So if you ask, “Does Atlanta have a Chinatown?” you’ll usually be pointed to Buford Highway, Doraville, and Duluth, instead of a single, formally designated neighborhood inside the city limits.
Here’s a quick, action-focused summary:
Is there an official Chinatown inside the City of Atlanta?
No. There’s no large, historic Chinatown neighborhood downtown.
Where should I go for a Chinatown-like experience?
What can I do there?
If your goal is to find Atlanta’s version of a Chinatown, think less about one historic street and more about a cluster of vibrant suburban corridors, with Buford Highway and Gwinnett’s Asian plazas at the top of your list.
