Atlanta’s Best Fried Chicken: Where to Go and What to Know

Atlanta takes fried chicken seriously. From historic meat-and-threes to modern hot chicken counters, you can find almost every style within a quick drive of downtown. If you’re searching for Atlanta’s best fried chicken, this guide walks you through standout spots, neighborhood options, and how to choose the right plate for what you’re craving.

What “Best Fried Chicken” Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, “best” depends on what you care about most:

• Classic Southern style – buttermilk brine, seasoned flour, golden crust
• Nashville-style hot chicken – spicy oil-soaked crust, served on bread with pickles
• Korean-style fried chicken – extra crunchy double-fried wings and drums
• Meat-and-three comfort food – fried chicken plus sides like mac and cheese, collards, yams
• Quick, late-night, or airport-friendly options for travelers

When you’re deciding where to go, think about:

• Spice level: mild, classic Southern, or burn-your-lips hot
• Cut preference: wings only, bone-in pieces, or tenders/boneless
• Sit-down vs. takeout: some places lean casual counter service, others feel more like a full meal outing
• Location and parking: Atlanta traffic makes “close to me” a real factor

Iconic Atlanta Spots Known for Fried Chicken

These restaurants are widely recognized around Atlanta for standout fried chicken. Hours and menus can change, so it’s always smart to check ahead, but these names come up again and again in local conversations.

Busy Bee Café (Vine City / Downtown)

Type: Classic Southern, soul food
Known for: Crispy, well-seasoned bone-in fried chicken with traditional sides

Busy Bee Café near downtown has long been associated with old-school Southern fried chicken, served with sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and dressing. It’s a sit-down spot that can get busy at peak lunch and dinner times, so expect a crowd, especially on weekends.

This is a strong choice if you want:

• A classic Atlanta soul food experience
• Large portions and rich, comforting sides
• A dine-in meal rather than a quick grab-and-go

Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Midtown)

Type: Southern dining, meat-and-three
Known for: Traditional fried chicken plates, rolls, and a broad Southern menu

Mary Mac’s Tea Room, in Midtown along Ponce de Leon Avenue, is another long-running name for fried chicken in Atlanta. The style is classic: lightly crispy, well-seasoned, and paired with a long list of sides.

Good fit if you want:

• A sit-down experience convenient to Midtown, Downtown, and Old Fourth Ward
• Fried chicken plus a deep menu of Southern dishes
• A place to bring out-of-town visitors for a “this is Atlanta” meal

JCT. Kitchen & Bar Area & Similar Upscale-Southern Spots

Type: Upscale Southern-inspired restaurants
Known for: Elevated takes on fried chicken, often with unique sides or brines

Across Westside, Inman Park, and other intown neighborhoods, various restaurants offer “elevated” fried chicken—think specialty brines, cast-iron skillets, and chef-driven side dishes. These are ideal if:

• You’re planning a date night or celebration
• You want high-quality fried chicken with creative sides and cocktails
• You don’t mind higher prices in exchange for atmosphere

When searching, look for “Southern kitchen” or “Southern bistro” in West Midtown, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward—fried chicken is often a signature item.

Atlanta’s Hot Chicken and Spicy Options

If you’re after heat instead of just crunch, Atlanta has embraced Nashville-style and other spicy fried chicken approaches.

Nashville-Style Hot Chicken Spots

Around neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Edgewood, West Midtown, and Buckhead, you’ll find shops focused on:

• Heat levels ranging from mild to extra hot
• Chicken on white bread with pickles, often served with slaw or fries
• Tenders, wings, and sandwiches as the main formats

These are good if you want:

• Quick counter service
• The flexibility to choose your own spice level
• Late-night or game-day food

When you search for “hot chicken Atlanta”, focus on locations along the BeltLine, in food halls, or in mixed-use developments—many hot chicken concepts open in those hubs.

Korean Fried Chicken in Atlanta

Metro Atlanta has a strong Korean food scene, especially around Doraville, Duluth, and Gwinnett County, and that includes some of the crunchiest fried chicken you can get.

Expect:

• Double-fried wings and drumettes
• Sauces like sweet garlic, soy, or spicy gochujang
• Beer-friendly, shareable plates

If you’re staying intown and don’t want to drive up I‑85, smaller Korean fried chicken spots can sometimes be found in food halls or near large shopping centers. For the widest selection, though, many locals drive to the Korean business clusters along Buford Highway and Pleasant Hill Road.

This style is best if you like:

• Extra crispy skin that stays crunchy
• Sauce-heavy, sticky, or spicy flavor profiles
• Sharing wings with a group rather than a traditional meat-and-three plate

Neighborhood Guide: Where to Find Great Fried Chicken Around Atlanta

Atlanta is spread out, so it helps to match your fried chicken hunt to the part of town you’re in.

Downtown & Midtown

Best for: Visitors, office workers, and people near major attractions

Typical options include:

• Classic Southern sit-down restaurants (good for a full meal)
• Casual spots and food halls offering fried chicken sandwiches and tenders
• Hotel-adjacent restaurants that keep fried chicken on the menu for travelers

Useful if you’re near:

• Georgia World Congress Center
• State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Midtown office towers or the Fox Theatre

Westside / West Midtown

Best for: Trendy, chef-driven fried chicken and casual hot chicken

You’ll find:

• Upscale Southern restaurants with signature fried chicken
• Modern hot chicken counters with various spice levels
• Bars and breweries that offer fried chicken as a key menu item

This area is popular before and after events, so plan for potential crowding at peak hours.

Eastside (Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Edgewood)

Best for: BeltLine-friendly options and hot chicken

Common setups:

• Walkable spots off the BeltLine serving fried chicken sandwiches and plates
• Late-night chicken near Edgewood’s bar scene
• A mix of classic Southern and spicy, modern chicken

If you’re staying near the BeltLine, you can often make fried chicken part of a longer walk or bike ride.

Buckhead & North Atlanta

Best for: Sit-down meals and mixed-use developments

Expect:

• Full-service restaurants with fried chicken on more extensive menus
• Fried chicken sandwiches and tenders in shopping centers and office corridors
• Chains and local one-offs serving quick fried chicken at lunch and after work

This area works well for a business lunch or family meal when you want comfort food but also parking and ease of access.

Buford Highway & Gwinnett Corridor

Best for: Korean fried chicken and international options

Highlights:

• Multiple Korean fried chicken spots within a short drive
• Other international styles of fried chicken (Chinese, Latin American, etc.)
• Casual, group-friendly environments

If you’re willing to drive a bit from central Atlanta, this is one of the broadest fried chicken corridors in the metro area.

Airport-Friendly Fried Chicken Options

If you’re passing through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you can still find good fried chicken without leaving the terminals. Some key points:

• Several Southern-style and fast-casual spots in the concourses offer fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, or plates.
• Main security areas and food courts in Concourse A, B, and T typically have at least one concept offering fried chicken in some form.
• Many travelers grab fried chicken to-go between connections; keep a few extra napkins and allow time in case of lines.

For airport-specific details, you can call or check with:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – General Information
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
Phone: (800) 897‑1910

How to Choose the Right Fried Chicken Spot for You

Use these quick filters to narrow down your best fried chicken in Atlanta:

Practical Tips for Eating Fried Chicken in Atlanta

A few local-minded pointers can improve your experience:

• Mind the timing:

  • Lunch rush: roughly 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  • Dinner peak: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    Calling ahead for wait times can save you a long line.

• Check for bone-in vs. tenders:
  If you’re feeding kids or prefer boneless, look specifically for tenders, strips, or sandwiches on the menu.

• Order sides like a local:
  Popular pairings with fried chicken in Atlanta include:

  • Mac and cheese
  • Collard greens
  • Candied yams
  • Green beans
  • Potato salad or coleslaw
  • Biscuits or cornbread

• Plan for leftovers:
  Portions can be large. Many locals take extra home and reheat in an oven or air fryer to keep the crust crisp.

• Parking and traffic:
  Intown neighborhoods (Midtown, Westside, Old Fourth Ward) can have tight parking. Look for validated decks or street parking rules before you go.

Local Resources and Guidance

If you’re new to Atlanta or just exploring neighborhoods, these public and visitor-oriented resources can help you map out fried chicken spots along with other attractions:

ATL Airport Visitor Information Centers
Located in the Domestic Terminal North and South arrivals areas
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
Phone: (404) 530‑7300 (airport main line; ask for visitor info desk)

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visitor Information)
233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 521‑6600

Staff at these centers can provide current maps, neighborhood guides, and transit information, which is useful if you’re trying to combine fried chicken stops with visits to attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, BeltLine, or local parks.

Atlanta doesn’t have just one “best” fried chicken—it has different bests for different tastes. Whether you live here or you’re visiting, decide what style you want (classic, hot, Korean, upscale, or quick), pick the neighborhood that fits your plans, and you’ll rarely be far from a memorable fried chicken meal.