Where to Find the Best Fast Food in Atlanta: Local Favorites, Classics, and Late-Night Spots

Atlanta takes fast food seriously. Between being home to major national chains and a thriving local food scene, the city offers everything from drive-thru burgers to late-night wings and elevated “fast casual” options.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting for a few days, or just passing through Hartsfield–Jackson, this guide walks through where to find the best fast food in Atlanta, neighborhood by neighborhood and by craving.

How Fast Food in Atlanta Is Different

Atlanta’s fast food scene stands out in a few ways:

• Southern influence: Expect chicken, biscuits, wings, and bold seasonings almost everywhere.
• Chain + local mix: You’ll see big national names alongside Atlanta-born favorites and small local spots.
• Late-night culture: A number of places cater to night-shift workers, students, and after-event crowds.
• Traffic reality: Easy access off major roads like Peachtree Street, I-285, and Buford Highway often matters as much as the menu.

When people search for the best fast food in Atlanta, they’re usually looking for:

• A quick, affordable meal that still tastes great
• Drive-thru or easy takeout
• Reliable options near where they live, commute, or stay
• Late-night or 24-hour choices after events, flights, or work

Quick Overview: Types of Fast Food You’ll Find in Atlanta

Atlanta’s Essential Fast Food Staples

These are the categories most Atlantans rely on week in, week out.

1. Burgers, Fries, and Drive-Thru Classics

You’ll find burger spots across the metro, from Downtown to the suburbs. If you’re staying near Peachtree Street, Howell Mill Road, or Ponce de Leon Avenue, you’ll be within a short drive of multiple quick burger options.

When comparing burger fast food in Atlanta, consider:

• Speed: Drive-thru vs. counter service vs. walk-up window
• Parking: Especially tight in Midtown, Downtown, and around Georgia Tech
• Hours: Many close earlier in residential neighborhoods than in entertainment districts

For a smoother experience:

• 🧾 Tip: During rush hour (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.), expect lines at drive-thrus near I-75/I-85 exits, the Connector, and major MARTA hubs.
• 🚗 Tip: Around major venues (State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech), plan extra time post-event.

2. Fried Chicken, Biscuits, and Southern Comfort

Atlanta is known for its fried chicken. You’ll see everything from quick-service chicken sandwiches to full plates with sides.

Common fast options include:

• Chicken sandwiches (grilled or fried)
• Tenders and nuggets
• Biscuits and breakfast sandwiches
• Family-size packs with sides like macaroni and cheese, greens, and coleslaw

Neighborhood notes:

• Downtown & Old Fourth Ward: Good if you’re near hotels, attractions, or the Atlanta Streetcar.
• South Atlanta & near the airport: Heavier concentration of drive-thrus and carry-out chicken spots, often catering to residents and airport workers.

⏰ Breakfast window: Many chicken-and-biscuit places stop breakfast service around mid-morning, so go earlier if that’s what you want.

Buford Highway and Beyond: Fast Food with Global Flavor

If you want fast food that goes beyond the typical burger and fries, Buford Highway is one of Atlanta’s best-known corridors for quick, diverse options. It runs through several cities (including Brookhaven and Doraville) just northeast of central Atlanta.

3. Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Latin American Quick Eats

All around Atlanta—especially along Buford Highway, Cheshire Bridge Road, and in parts of West Midtown—you can find:

• Counter-service taco spots
• Build-your-own burrito and bowl restaurants
• Quick-service Latin American and Caribbean places offering empanadas, arepas, and rice plates

What to expect:

• Many are order-at-the-counter with food ready in minutes.
• Some have drive-thrus, while others rely on takeout and rapid dine-in turnover.
• English and Spanish menus are common, especially along Buford Highway.

4. Asian Fast Casual: Noodles, Dumplings, and Rice Bowls

Atlanta’s Asian fast-casual scene is especially strong in and around:

• Buford Highway (Doraville, Brookhaven area)
• Chamblee
• Parts of Midtown and Westside

Typical fast options include:

• Stir-fry bowls, fried rice, and lo mein
• Dumplings and bao (buns)
• Ramen and noodle soups served in quick-casual settings
• Bubble tea and snack shops with grab-and-go bites

These spots usually offer:

• Order at the counter, then pick up when your number is called
• Fast turnover, especially at lunch
• Easy carry-out and third-party delivery options

Wings: One of Atlanta’s Signature Fast Foods

Many locals would argue that wings are Atlanta’s unofficial fast food of choice. You can find wing spots across the city, often in small plazas, gas station-adjacent locations, or as part of pizza and sub shops.

5. What to Know About Wing Spots in Atlanta

Common patterns:

• Flavor variety: Lemon pepper, hot, mild, honey garlic, barbecue, and blends are everywhere.
• Combo meals: Wings with fries and a drink are standard fast-food style meals.
• Carry-out focus: Many wing shops emphasize takeout over dine-in.

Where you’ll see a lot of fast wing options:

• Near college campuses (Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Morehouse/Spelman/Clark Atlanta, Georgia Perimeter)
• Along corridors like Campbellton Road, Memorial Drive, and Metropolitan Parkway
• Near MARTA stations and busy intersections across the city

⏰ Timing tip: Wing spots often get busiest in the evenings, especially on game days and weekends. Call-ahead ordering, where available, can save time.

Health-Conscious and Plant-Based Fast Food in Atlanta

If you’re trying to eat lighter while still moving quickly, Atlanta has a growing range of health-forward fast food and plant-based options.

6. Fast-Casual Bowls, Salads, and Wraps

You’ll find quick, customizable meals in areas like:

• Midtown (Peachtree Street, 10th Street area)
• Downtown (near Peachtree Center and office towers)
• West Midtown / Westside Provisions area
• Buckhead (Lenox, Phipps, and Piedmont Road corridors)

These places typically offer:

• Grain bowls with rice, quinoa, or mixed greens
• Protein choices including chicken, tofu, or legumes
• Build-your-own salads with lots of topping options
• Wraps and pitas assembled quickly while you order

They are often open for both lunch and dinner, with some offering breakfast bowls or smoothies in the mornings.

7. Vegan and Vegetarian Fast Food

Atlanta has a notable plant-based community, especially in:

• Midtown
• Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park
• West End / Westview
• Parts of Decatur and East Atlanta

Common vegan-friendly fast food options include:

• Plant-based burgers and sandwiches
• Vegan wings and “chik’n” tenders
• Dairy-free shakes and desserts
• Bowls and wraps with meat substitutes or hearty vegetables

Many of these spots function just like classic fast food: order at the counter, pick up within minutes, and take out or eat quickly on site.

Late-Night and 24-Hour Fast Food in Atlanta

Nightlife, flights, and shift work mean many Atlantans need food after 10 p.m. or even around the clock.

8. Where to Look for Late-Night Options

You’re more likely to find late-night or 24-hour fast food in:

• Downtown & Midtown: Near hotels, MARTA stations, and nightlife corridors
• Areas near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport: To serve travelers and airport workers
• Busy corridors like Northside Drive, Cheshire Bridge Road, and parts of Buford Highway

Food types that commonly stay open later:

• Burgers and fries
• Waffles, breakfast plates, and burgers served all night
• Pizza-by-the-slice and wings near nightlife districts
• Some drive-thru burger or taco chains at major intersections

🕒 Tip: Hours can vary by location and day of week, especially around holidays and events. It’s wise to call ahead or check posted hours before driving out late at night.

Fast Food Near Key Atlanta Landmarks and Areas

If you’re visiting and don’t know the city well, here’s where to look based on where you are.

9. Downtown Atlanta (Tourist & Business Core)

Downtown includes attractions like:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• Centennial Olympic Park
• State Farm Arena
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Georgia State University

In and around this area, you’ll find:

• Standard national fast-food chains in food courts, street-level storefronts, and along Peachtree Street NW
• Quick-service sandwich, burger, and pizza spots catering to office workers and event crowds
• Breakfast and coffee places with grab-and-go options near hotels and MARTA stations

Parking can be tight and often paid; if you’re nearby, walking or using MARTA can be easier than driving from block to block.

10. Midtown and Georgia Tech Area

Midtown is a dense mix of:

• High-rise apartments and condos
• Office towers
• Georgia Tech’s campus
• Arts and nightlife venues

Fast food here tends to be:

• Student-friendly: Wings, burgers, burritos, and quick noodle shops
• Lunch-oriented: Salad and bowl concepts for office workers
• Walkable: Many options are along Peachtree Street, 10th Street, and Spring Street

This area is also fairly transit-accessible, with multiple MARTA stations and plenty of bike/scooter options to move between fast-food spots quickly.

11. Buckhead and North Atlanta

Buckhead combines malls, hotels, offices, and dense traffic. Around Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, you’ll find:

• Food courts with familiar national fast-food brands
• Standalone drive-thru fast food along Piedmont Road NE, Roswell Road NE, and Peachtree Road NE
• Late-night spots around nightlife corridors that serve quick food after the dinner hour

Further north, along Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road, and similar corridors, suburban-style centers offer multiple fast-food options with easier parking.

12. Westside, West Midtown, and the BeltLine

West Midtown and the Westside area around Howell Mill Road and Marietta Street mix:

• Trendy restaurants and breweries
• Quick-service burger and taco spots
• Fast-casual salad, bowl, and sandwich concepts

Along the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail (connecting areas like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Poncey-Highland), you’ll also find walk-up counters, food hall vendors, and quick-service stands where you can grab food without a long sit-down meal.

Fast Food Near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

If you’re passing through Atlanta or staying near the airport, you have a dedicated cluster of fast food options.

13. Inside the Airport

Each concourse typically has:

• National burger and chicken chains
• Coffee shops with grab-and-go pastries and sandwiches
• Quick-service salad or bowl spots in some terminals

Because Hartsfield–Jackson is one of the busiest airports in the country, fast food is designed for speed and volume—but lines can still get long during peak flight times.

14. Around the Airport (College Park, East Point)

Outside the terminals along roads like:

• Virginia Avenue
• Camp Creek Parkway
• Old National Highway

…you’ll find:

• 24-hour or late-night burger, chicken, and taco drive-thrus
• Takeout wings and pizza spots
• Quick-service breakfast places catering to early flights and shifts

These areas are convenient if you’re staying in an airport hotel and want fast food without going back through security.

Practical Tips for Getting the Best Fast Food Experience in Atlanta

To make fast food in Atlanta work better for you:

1. Time your visit:

   • Avoid the main lunch window (roughly 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) near large office clusters like Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.
   • Before and after major events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena, expect long lines at nearby fast-food spots.

2. Plan around traffic:

   • Use locations close to your home, hotel, or office to avoid making long detours in rush hour.
   • Corridors like I-285, I-75/85, and GA-400 can slow everything down in the late afternoon.

3. Know your parking situation:

   • In dense areas (Downtown, Midtown, some parts of Buckhead), you may have limited or paid parking.
   • In suburban-style areas and many parts of the Westside and Perimeter, fast-food spots often share large surface lots.

4. Check hours and order methods:

   • Many Atlanta fast-food spots support online ordering and pickup, which can greatly reduce wait times.
   • Late-night hours vary widely by neighborhood, so verifying closing times is important if you’re heading out after 10 p.m.

5. Consider dietary needs:

   • If you have dietary restrictions, fast-casual bowl, salad, and plant-based burger concepts are often more flexible than traditional burger or fried chicken counters.
   • In areas with more independently owned spots (Buford Highway, West End), menus may have both traditional and lighter options.

Using Local Information Resources

If you’re new to Atlanta or exploring a new area of town, you can:

• Use maps and navigation apps to search for “fast food near me” and refine by cuisine (wings, tacos, vegan, etc.).
• Look at food hall directories (like Ponce City Market or other mixed-use developments) to find multiple quick-service options in one stop.
• Check neighborhood-specific guides, which often highlight quick and affordable places that locals actually use.

Finding the best fast food in Atlanta depends on where you are, what time it is, and what you’re craving. Whether you want classic burgers, crispy wings, quick tacos, or a vegan burger you can grab between meetings, the city offers plenty of options—with a strong dose of Southern flavor and late-night energy woven in.