Famous Foods From Atlanta: What to Eat (and Where to Find It)

Atlanta’s food scene blends Southern comfort, Black culinary traditions, and global influences, all layered over a city that loves big flavors and casual, welcoming spots. Whether you live in Atlanta or you’re in town for a few days, there are certain iconic Atlanta foods you’ll hear about again and again.

This guide walks through the most famous foods from Atlanta, what makes them unique, and where locals typically enjoy them around the city.

Atlanta’s Must-Try Iconic Foods at a Glance

1. Lemon Pepper Wings: Atlanta’s Modern Signature

If one food captures Atlanta right now, it’s lemon pepper wings.

What Makes Atlanta Wings Different

In Atlanta, wings are:

• Heavily sauced or seasoned, not lightly coated
• Often ordered “lemon pepper wet” (fried wings tossed in lemon-pepper plus a buttery or hot sauce)
• A go-to for late-night meals, game days, and casual get-togethers

You’ll find wings on menus everywhere: sports bars, neighborhood grills, and small counter-service spots all over Metro Atlanta.

Tips for Ordering Wings in Atlanta

• ✅ Know your style:
  • “Lemon pepper” – dry seasoning
  • “Lemon pepper wet” – tossed in sauce plus seasoning
• ✅ Heat levels vary by spot; ask how hot their “hot” really is.
• ✅ Blue cheese vs. ranch is a real debate; Atlanta leans heavily toward ranch.

If you’re visiting, wings are one of the easiest ways to taste current Atlanta flavor without spending a lot or dressing up.

2. Classic Southern Fried Chicken

Before wings took over, fried chicken was the standard Atlanta comfort food. It still is for many locals.

What to Expect

Atlanta-style fried chicken is typically:

• Double-seasoned (in the flour and often in a brine or marinade)
• Crispy outside, juicy inside
• Often served with:
  • Biscuits or cornbread
  • Mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or collard greens
  • Gravy or hot sauce on the side

You’ll see fried chicken at:

• Soul food restaurants
• Buffets
• Sunday brunch spots across the city

If you’re new in town, paying attention to how a place does its fried chicken is a quick way to understand its style and roots.

3. Soul Food and Meat-and-Three Plates

Soul food is a central part of Atlanta’s identity. A typical meat-and-three plate lets you pick one main protein and three sides, often with bread included.

Common Soul Food Staples in Atlanta

You’ll see these on menus all over the city:

• Mains

  • Fried or baked chicken
  • Smothered pork chops
  • Fried fish
  • Meatloaf

• Sides

  • Collard greens (often cooked with smoked meat)
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Candied yams
  • Black-eyed peas
  • Green beans
  • Cornbread or biscuits

• Desserts

  • Peach cobbler
  • Banana pudding
  • Pound cake

Many Atlantans grow up with a favorite soul food spot, and visitors often make a point of trying at least one meat-and-three while they’re in town.

4. Atlanta Barbecue: Pork, Ribs, and More

Atlanta’s barbecue scene is influenced by Georgia, the Carolinas, and other Southern states, so you’ll find a lot of variety in one city.

What You’ll Typically Find

• Pulled pork sandwiches or plates
• Pork ribs – spare ribs or baby back
• Smoked chicken and turkey
• Increasingly, brisket and burnt ends
• Classic sides like:
  • Baked beans
  • Coleslaw
  • Potato salad
  • Brunswick stew

Sauce Styles Around the City

Sauces vary by restaurant, but you’ll usually encounter:

• Tomato-based, slightly sweet sauces
• Sometimes mustard-based options (a nod to nearby South Carolina)
• Vinegar-based sauces at some spots

If you live in Atlanta, exploring different barbecue places is almost a hobby; if you’re visiting, one barbecue meal will give you a good sense of local flavor and friendly, casual dining rooms.

5. Chili Dogs and Slaw Dogs: Old-School Atlanta Favorites

Atlanta has a long drive-in and diner history, and chili dogs and slaw dogs are a big part of it.

What They Are

• Chili dog: Hot dog topped with beef chili (usually no beans), onions, and mustard
• Slaw dog: Hot dog topped with coleslaw, sometimes plus chili

Expect:

• Soft, steamed or lightly toasted bun
• A hot dog that’s more about the toppings and chili than fancy sausage
• Messy, comforting, quick meals at the counter or in the car

Locals often pair dogs with onion rings or crinkle-cut fries and a soft drink.

6. Pimento Cheese: The “Caviar of the South”

Pimento cheese is found in home kitchens and restaurant menus all over Atlanta.

What It Is

A spread made from:

• Shredded cheese (often cheddar)
• Mayonnaise
• Diced pimentos
• Seasonings (garlic, onion, and sometimes a touch of hot sauce or cayenne)

How It Shows Up in Atlanta

You’ll see it:

• As a dip with crackers or veggies
• On burgers and sandwiches
• In grilled cheese-style melts
• As part of charcuterie or snack boards

If you’re visiting from outside the South, trying pimento cheese in Atlanta is a simple way to experience a regional flavor that locals treat as everyday food.

7. Peaches Done Every Way: Cobbler, Ice Cream, and More

Georgia’s nickname as the “Peach State” shows up on dessert menus throughout Atlanta, especially when peaches are in season.

Peach Dishes You’ll Commonly See

• Peach cobbler – baked peaches with a biscuit or pastry topping
• Peach pie
• Peach ice cream or milkshakes
• Peaches in salads or on cheese boards
• Peach preserves used on biscuits or in sauces

In summer, many Atlanta bakeries, cafes, and ice cream shops highlight local peaches. If you’re here during peach season, it’s worth asking what’s made with fresh fruit.

8. Pecans and Pecan Pie

Georgia is known for pecans, and Atlanta bakeries, candy shops, and restaurants use them in all kinds of desserts and snacks.

Common Pecan Treats in Atlanta

• Pecan pie – rich, sweet pie with a crunchy top
• Pralines and candied pecans
• Pecan-topped brownies or cookies
• Pecan-crusted fish or chicken at some restaurants

If you’re looking for a food gift to bring home from Atlanta, locally sourced pecans or pecan candies are a practical, easy-to-pack option.

9. Waffles and Chicken & Waffles

Breakfast and late-night meals in Atlanta often revolve around waffles and chicken & waffles.

What to Expect

• Crisp waffles served with:
  • Butter and syrup
  • Fresh fruit or whipped cream
• Chicken & waffles plates:
  • Fried chicken (tenders or bone-in)
  • Waffles
  • Syrup, sometimes hot sauce

You’ll find waffles:

• At 24-hour diners
• At breakfast spots across the metro area
• On many brunch menus, especially on weekends

If you’re out late or up early, waffles are one of the most reliable, familiar comfort foods in the city.

10. Sweet Tea and Atlanta’s Beverage Culture

In Atlanta, sweet tea is as common as water at many casual restaurants.

Sweet Tea Basics

• Brewed black tea
• Sweetened with sugar (usually while hot)
• Served cold, often over ice
• “Half and half” or “Arnold Palmer” mixes sweet tea with lemonade

You’ll also notice:

• Strong presence of Coca-Cola products, given the company’s long history in Atlanta
• Locally roasted coffee served at cafes throughout in-town neighborhoods
• Increasingly, mocktails and non-alcoholic drink options at restaurants and bars

For many Atlanta locals, a glass of sweet tea is just standard with lunch, dinner, or a mid-afternoon meal.

11. Where to Experience Atlanta Food Culture Day-to-Day

You don’t have to hunt down only “famous” spots to eat like an Atlantan. The city’s everyday food culture shows up in a few key places.

Neighborhood Restaurants

Across neighborhoods like Midtown, Westside, East Atlanta, Decatur, College Park, Buckhead, and others, you’ll find:

• Small soul food spots
• Wing joints
• Taquerias, Vietnamese cafes, and Caribbean restaurants reflecting Atlanta’s diversity
• Brunch-centric places popular with locals on weekends

Food Halls and Markets

Large food halls and markets around the metro area often house:

• Local chefs and small food businesses
• A mix of Southern classics and global cuisines
• Easy options if your group has different tastes

These can be helpful if you’re short on time and want to sample multiple Atlanta-style dishes in one visit.

Grocery Stores and Specialty Shops

If you’re staying longer or you live in Atlanta, you can find local flavors at:

• Major grocery chains with sections of Southern products (like regional hot sauces, pimento cheese, and local ice cream)
• Specialty stores that stock Georgia-grown peaches (in season), pecans, and preserves

This is often the most budget-friendly way to keep enjoying famous local foods at home.

12. Practical Tips for Enjoying Famous Atlanta Foods

A few simple strategies help you make the most of the city’s food scene:

• ⭐ Ask locals: Hotel staff, rideshare drivers, and coworkers often know reliable spots for wings, fried chicken, and soul food.
• ⭐ Plan around traffic: Atlanta traffic can be heavy; consider where you’ll be before picking a dinner spot on the other side of the city.
• ⭐ Weekends fill up fast: Popular brunch and dinner places may have long waits on Fridays and Saturdays; arriving early or being flexible helps.
• ⭐ Try at least one “meat-and-three” and one wing spot: Those two meals alone will give you a strong feel for classic and modern Atlanta.

Whether you’re here for a day or you’ve called Atlanta home for years, exploring these famous local foods is one of the most direct, enjoyable ways to understand the city’s character and culture.