Where to Find the Best Fried Chicken in Atlanta

Atlanta takes fried chicken seriously. Whether you’re a local craving a crispy comfort meal, a visitor trying to taste classic Southern flavors, or someone comparing neighborhoods by their chicken spots, this city offers everything from white-tablecloth takes to counter-service legends.

This guide focuses on where to get the best fried chicken in Atlanta, what styles you’ll find, how to navigate ordering (spice levels, sides, wait times), and a few practical tips so you get exactly what you’re craving.

What “Best Fried Chicken” Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, “best” can mean different things depending on what you value:

• Crispy Southern-style bone-in chicken with traditional sides
• Hot chicken (Nashville-inspired) with heat levels from mild to “handle at your own risk”
• Fast-casual fried chicken sandwiches
• Soul food and meat-and-three restaurants with fried chicken as the star
• Upscale restaurants that treat fried chicken like a special-occasion dish

Most Atlantans end up with a short personal list of go-to spots—one for quick weekday takeout, another for a sit-down Sunday-style meal, and maybe a special “bring out-of-town guests” favorite.

Classic Southern Fried Chicken Spots

These places lean into traditional, bone-in fried chicken with familiar Southern sides. If you want the “this tastes like somebody’s grandma made it” experience, start here.

Busy Bee Cafe

Busy Bee Cafe
810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Phone: (404) 525-9212

Opened in the 1940s, Busy Bee is a soul food institution. The fried chicken is known for:

• Well-seasoned, crisp skin
• Juicy meat without being greasy
• Classic sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, and cornbread

What to know:

• Expect a wait, especially at peak lunch and weekend hours.
• Portions are generous; many people leave with leftovers.
• Parking can be tight; give yourself extra time if you’re driving.

The Colonnade

The Colonnade
1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: (404) 874-5642

The Colonnade is a long-running meat-and-three–style restaurant known for its crisp, no-nonsense fried chicken.

Highlights:

• Classic Southern style: not overly spicy, very crispy
• Wide range of sides: fried okra, green beans, squash casserole, slaw, rolls
• Comfortable for mixed groups, families, and multi-generational gatherings

What to know:

• Portions are large, so sharing is common.
• It’s popular with both longtime Atlantans and newer residents—expect it to be busy on weekends.

Hot Chicken & Spicy Options

If you’re looking for heat with your crunch, Atlanta has several spots influenced by Nashville hot chicken and other spicy styles.

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Little Five Points & West Midtown)

Little Five Points Location
299 Moreland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (404) 343-1269

West Midtown Location
711 10th St NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: (678) 888-4884

Known for multiple heat levels, from no spice up to extremely hot.

What to know:

• Heat levels are noticeable even at mid-range. If you’re sensitive, start mild.
• Popular for fried chicken plates, sandwiches, and tenders.
• Lines can form, especially on weekends and at peak dinner times.

Good for:

• Groups where some want very spicy and others don’t
• Visitors wanting a recognizable “hot chicken” experience in Atlanta

Soul Food & Meat-and-Three Favorites

Many Atlantans get their best fried chicken at places best known for soul food, where chicken is just one option in a lineup of home-style dishes.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Mary Mac’s Tea Room
224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 876-1800

Mary Mac’s is often described as a classic Atlanta dining room serving Southern favorites. The fried chicken is:

• Comfort-focused: golden, crunchy, and mild in spice
• Paired with a broad list of sides, from fried green tomatoes to black-eyed peas

What to know:

• It’s centrally located near Midtown, popular with tourists and locals.
• Can be busy on weekends and game days; planning around peak times helps.

Paschal’s Restaurant

Paschal’s Restaurant
180 Northside Dr SW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 525-2023

Located near Downtown and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium area, Paschal’s has a long history tied to Atlanta’s civil rights era and is widely associated with fried chicken and soul food.

Expect:

• Seasoned, crispy bone-in chicken
• Classic sides and desserts
• A setting that often attracts both locals and visitors before events

What to know:

• Convenient if you’re staying Downtown or attending events nearby.
• Good choice when you want fried chicken plus a full soul food spread.

Fried Chicken Sandwich & Fast-Casual Standouts

Sometimes you don’t want a whole plate—just a sandwich with serious crunch. Atlanta has plenty of fast-casual fried chicken options.

The Varsity (For Nostalgic Atlanta Fast Food)

The Varsity – Downtown
61 North Ave NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 881-1706

The Varsity is better known for chili dogs and onion rings, but its fried chicken and chicken sandwiches are part of the classic Atlanta drive-in experience.

Best for:

• Visitors wanting “iconic Atlanta” more than gourmet perfection
• Quick, casual meals near Georgia Tech or Downtown

What to know:

• The menu is extensive and fast-paced; know roughly what you want before you reach the counter.
• Parking is on-site but can get busy during events and game days.

Upscale & Special-Occasion Fried Chicken

Some Atlanta restaurants treat fried chicken as a signature dish on a broader Southern menu. These aren’t always the cheapest options, but they’re popular for celebrations or impressing guests.

South City Kitchen (Multiple Locations)

Midtown Location
1144 Crescent Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 873-7358

South City Kitchen is known for elevated Southern cuisine, and its fried chicken is a consistent favorite.

What to expect:

• Often served with traditional sides like mashed potatoes and collards
• Crisp, well-seasoned coating with tender meat
• Dining rooms that feel more polished than a casual counter-service spot

Other locations (such as in Vinings and Buckhead) offer similar menus, convenient for different parts of the metro area.

Comparing Styles: Quick Reference

Use this simple overview to match your mood to an Atlanta fried chicken style:

How to Choose the Right Fried Chicken Spot in Atlanta

When you’re deciding where to go, think about a few practical details.

1. Location and Traffic

Atlanta traffic can change a 15-minute drive into a 40-minute trip.

• Downtown/Midtown: Mary Mac’s, South City Kitchen (Midtown), The Varsity, Paschal’s
• Westside: Hattie B’s (West Midtown)
• Eastside/Little Five Points: Hattie B’s (L5P)
• Cheshire Bridge/Northeast: The Colonnade
• West End / Near AUC area: Busy Bee Cafe

If you’re visiting, it can be easiest to pick a restaurant close to your hotel, event, or MARTA stop to avoid unpredictable traffic.

2. Dine-In vs. Takeout

Many Atlantans grab fried chicken to-go for family meals, picnics, or watch parties.

Check for:

• Whether the spot has takeout-friendly packaging that keeps chicken crisp
• How long they say it typically takes to prepare a chicken order
• If there’s a separate to-go counter or parking area (some busier spots have this)

Tip: 🍗 If you’re driving more than 20–30 minutes, slightly vent the box so the coating stays crisper.

3. Spice Tolerance

Hot chicken spots like Hattie B’s offer several heat levels. General Atlanta patterns:

• “Mild” still has noticeable seasoning.
• “Medium” can be fairly spicy for those not used to heat.
• Upper levels are meant for people who actively seek out very spicy food.

If you’re unsure, start lower—you can always add hot sauce or order spicier next time.

4. Sides Matter

In Atlanta, people care almost as much about sides as the chicken:

Common favorites:

• Mac and cheese
• Collard greens
• Candied yams
• Mashed potatoes or rice and gravy
• Fried okra
• Cornbread or rolls

If you’re ordering for a group, mix richer sides (mac, yams) with lighter ones (greens, green beans) for balance.

Tips for Visitors Seeking the “Best Fried Chicken in Atlanta”

If you’re not from Atlanta and want to experience the city through its fried chicken:

• Plan around peak times.
  Lunch (11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) and Sunday after church can be very busy at popular spots.

• Try at least one classic soul food restaurant.
  Places like Busy Bee or Mary Mac’s give you fried chicken plus a broader taste of Atlanta-style Southern cooking.

• Don’t overlook parking and rideshare access.
  Some restaurants have limited lots or tight turns. Rideshare is common in central neighborhoods.

• Ask about portion sizes.
  Atlanta portions can be large. Splitting plates or ordering fewer sides can be enough for many people.

Ordering Fried Chicken for Groups & Events

Fried chicken is a go-to option for gatherings in Atlanta—office lunches, watch parties, family celebrations.

When planning:

• Ask about large-order policies:
  • How far in advance to order (often required for big trays)
  • Whether they offer party packs or family meals
• Confirm pick-up timing:
  • You want the chicken ready as close to your serving time as possible
• Clarify utensils and serving needs:
  • Some places include plates, cutlery, and sauces; others don’t by default

If you’re hosting out-of-town guests, pairing local fried chicken with regional items (sweet tea, peach desserts, or locally made hot sauces) can make the meal feel distinctly Atlanta.

How Locals Typically Decide “Best”

Ask around Atlanta, and you’ll find that everyone has strong opinions about best fried chicken, shaped by:

• Neighborhood loyalty (what’s closest and most consistent)
• Family traditions (where they’ve gone for years)
• Style preference (extra crispy, extra spicy, or extra sauced)
• Atmosphere priorities (casual vs. more polished dining rooms)

For most people, the “best fried chicken in Atlanta” ends up being a shortlist, not a single place. Many locals keep:

• One soul food go-to (e.g., Busy Bee, Mary Mac’s, Paschal’s)
• One hot chicken or sandwich spot (e.g., Hattie B’s)
• One special-occasion Southern restaurant (e.g., South City Kitchen, The Colonnade)

If you live in Atlanta, it’s worth trying a few options in each category and building your own list based on taste, distance, and how you like to eat—quick counter meals, sit-down dinners, or large takeout orders.

Atlanta’s fried chicken scene is broad enough that you can find exactly the style and setting you want, whether you’re here for a day or for the long term. Start with a few of the places above, pay attention to what you like—crust thickness, spice, sides, atmosphere—and you’ll quickly figure out what “best fried chicken in Atlanta” means for you.