Famous Food in Atlanta, Georgia: What to Eat and Where to Find It

Atlanta’s food scene is a mix of classic Southern comfort, Black culinary traditions, and new-school, globally inspired dishes. Whether you live in the city or you’re planning a visit, knowing the famous foods Atlanta is known for will help you eat like a local, not just a tourist.

Below is a practical guide to Atlanta’s most iconic foods, what makes them special here, and where you’re likely to find great versions around the city.

The Core of Atlanta Food Culture

Atlanta’s famous foods come from a few overlapping traditions:

• Southern “meat-and-three” comfort food
• Soul food and Black Southern cooking
• Barbecue culture
• New South / modern Southern restaurants
• Immigrant and international neighborhoods, especially for Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, and Indian food

You’ll see the same dishes repeated all over town, but the way they’re seasoned, prepared, and served in Atlanta is what gives them a local identity.

Classic Southern & Soul Food Staples in Atlanta

Fried Chicken: A City-Wide Obsession

What it is in Atlanta:
Crispy, well-seasoned chicken—often marinated, double-breaded, and fried to order. In Atlanta, it’s tightly tied to soul food and Sunday-style family meals.

Typical sides you’ll see with fried chicken:

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

You’ll find fried chicken:

• At soul food restaurants around Downtown, West End, and Southwest Atlanta
• In meat-and-three diners across the metro area
• On brunch menus in Midtown, Inman Park, West Midtown, and along the BeltLine

If you’re visiting, ask locals which spot they like for fried chicken; Atlantans often have very strong opinions and family traditions.

Soul Food Plates: Meat-and-Three in Atlanta Style

A “meat-and-three” is a classic Southern plate: one main protein and three sides.

In Atlanta, some especially famous soul food dishes include:

• Smothered pork chops
• Fried catfish or whiting
• Oxtails
• Turkey wings
• Lima beans, black-eyed peas, or pinto beans
• Rice and gravy
• Cornbread dressing (especially around holidays)

These plates are common near:

• Historic West End and Southwest Atlanta, which have long-standing soul food spots
• Downtown and Old Fourth Ward, where many visitors stay but locals still eat regularly
• Near historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) like the Atlanta University Center area, which often have affordable, filling soul food options nearby

When you walk into a soul food spot in Atlanta, expect a cafeteria-style line or a daily chalkboard menu, usually with rotating specials.

Biscuits, Grits, and Southern Breakfast

Atlanta breakfast and brunch culture is strong, and these items are at the center:

• Buttermilk biscuits – often huge, flaky, and used for breakfast sandwiches
• Cheese grits or shrimp and grits – a staple on brunch menus across the city
• Country ham, sausage, or bacon – usually part of a classic Southern plate
• Chicken and waffles – technically brunch, but extremely famous in Atlanta

Where you’ll find them:

• Neighborhood breakfast diners throughout the city
• Brunch-focused restaurants in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Grant Park, and West Midtown
• Hotel-adjacent spots Downtown that cater to visitors but are still popular with locals

If you want a very Atlanta breakfast, look for a plate with grits, eggs, biscuits, and some kind of pork or fried fish.

Barbecue: Atlanta’s Take on Southern BBQ

Atlanta isn’t a single-style barbecue town like some other Southern cities. Instead, you’ll find a mix of influences:

• Pork ribs and pulled pork (often with a tomato-based sauce)
• Beef brisket (influenced by Texas-style barbecue)
• Smoked chicken and turkey
• Burnt ends, sausage, and smoked wings on many menus

Common Atlanta barbecue sides:

• Baked beans
• Slaw (creamy or vinegar-based)
• Brunswick stew
• Potato salad
• Cornbread or Texas toast

You’ll find barbecue:

• In intown neighborhoods like Grant Park, West Midtown, and East Atlanta
• In suburban corridors both north and south of the city
• At food trucks and pop-ups, especially during events or festivals

If you’re new to Atlanta, ordering a rib plate or a pulled pork sandwich with Brunswick stew is an easy way to start tasting local barbecue flavor.

Brunswick Stew: A Distinctive Southern Side

Brunswick stew is one of the most distinctive regional dishes you’ll see in Atlanta barbecue joints.

Typical Atlanta-style Brunswick stew:

• Thick, almost like a meaty vegetable soup
• Usually includes shredded pork or other barbecue meat
• Often has tomatoes, corn, lima beans, and potatoes

You’ll usually find it:

• As a side item on barbecue menus
• Served with barbecue plates or sandwiches

If you’re exploring Atlanta’s famous foods, trying Brunswick stew at least once is highly recommended—it’s one of those dishes that people associate strongly with Georgia and nearby regions.

Southern Desserts and Sweet Treats

Atlanta is known for rich, comforting desserts that show up on soul food and Southern menus all over the metro area.

Peach Cobbler (and Georgia Peach Everything)

Even though peach production is spread around Georgia, Atlanta fully embraces the peach theme.

Common peach-focused desserts:

• Peach cobbler – often with a sweet, syrupy filling and a thick crust or biscuit topping
• Peach ice cream or milkshakes
• Peach pies or peach tarts

You’ll see peach cobbler:

• On soul food dessert menus
• At Southern restaurants and buffets
• At summer events and festivals around the city

Other Classic Southern Desserts

Popular Atlanta dessert choices include:

• Banana pudding – layered with vanilla wafers and whipped or custard-style cream
• Pound cake – often lemon, plain butter, or cream cheese-based
• Red velvet cake – frequently served at soul food restaurants and bakeries
• Sweet potato pie – a holiday favorite that appears at many Black-owned restaurants year-round

Most soul food restaurants will have at least one of these on a rotating dessert list. Many locals wrap up a heavy meal with a small serving of banana pudding or cobbler.

Wings, Lemon Pepper Everything, and Late-Night Eats

Atlanta is famous for its chicken wings, especially among locals. The city’s wing culture is strong enough that visitors often seek them out specifically.

Lemon Pepper Wings: An Atlanta Signature

The most talked-about style is lemon pepper wings, especially:

• Lemon pepper wet – tossed in a mix of butter (or sauce) and lemon pepper seasoning
• Lemon pepper dry – coated in dry lemon pepper seasoning

What to expect from Atlanta wing spots:

• Long lists of sauces and rubs (mild, hot, honey hot, garlic parmesan, teriyaki, and more)
• Combo meals with fries and a drink
• Many places open late into the night, especially in and around the city core

You’ll find wings:

• At dedicated wing restaurants and takeout spots all over Atlanta, from Buckhead to South Atlanta
• Connected to sports bars and lounges, often popular on game days
• Near college areas like Georgia State University and Georgia Tech

If you want a distinctly Atlanta bite, order lemon pepper wings at least once.

The “Meat-and-Three” and Blue-Plate Special Tradition

Atlanta’s meat-and-three tradition is so common that you’ll see it in diners, cafeterias, and lunch counters on both sides of the perimeter.

Common meat options:

• Fried chicken
• Country-fried steak
• Baked chicken
• Pot roast
• Fried catfish

Common sides:

• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Collard greens, turnip greens, or mixed greens
• Macaroni and cheese
• Green beans
• Corn, okra, or stewed tomatoes

Lunch hours can be especially busy on weekdays near:

• Government buildings in Downtown and Midtown
• Corporate offices in Buckhead and Perimeter Center
• Hospital districts where staff want quick, filling meals

If you’re in Atlanta for work, grabbing a meat-and-three lunch is a convenient way to eat like locals do on weekdays.

New South & Modern Atlanta Cuisine

While classic Southern food is a big part of Atlanta’s identity, the city is also known for modern takes on Southern ingredients.

Common “New South” elements on Atlanta menus:

• Pimento cheese on burgers, sandwiches, or as a starter
• Fried green tomatoes with creative toppings
• Local or regional seafood with Southern sides
• Farm-to-table vegetables, often from Georgia farms
• Creative variations on shrimp and grits, biscuits, and cornbread

You’ll see this style heavily in:

• Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and the BeltLine area
• Midtown and West Midtown
• Grant Park and nearby neighborhoods

For locals, these spots are popular for weekend brunches, date nights, and special occasions, blending Atlanta’s heritage with contemporary dining.

International and Immigrant-Driven Food Scenes in Atlanta

Atlanta’s famous foods also include whole neighborhoods known for international cuisines.

Buford Highway: One of the City’s Best Food Corridors

Just northeast of central Atlanta, Buford Highway (often called “BuHi”) is widely known for its variety of:

• Korean barbecue and tofu soups
• Vietnamese pho, banh mi, and noodle dishes
• Mexican and Central American tacos, tortas, and panaderías
• Chinese regional cuisines
• Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani restaurants and grocery stores

What makes Buford Highway special:

• Many places are casual and affordable
• Menus often focus on specific regional dishes or home-style cooking
• It’s normal to see people visiting multiple spots in one trip—tacos at one place, dessert or bubble tea at another

For anyone staying in or near central Atlanta, Buford Highway is accessible by car from the city and is a major food destination for locals and visitors.

Other Notable International Food Areas

Across Atlanta, you’ll also find:

• Indian and South Asian food in areas like Decatur, Chamblee, and along certain suburban corridors
• Ethiopian and East African cuisine in parts of the city and nearby neighborhoods
• Caribbean and Jamaican restaurants scattered through Southwest Atlanta and surrounding areas
• Latin American bakeries and taquerías across the metro area

While these cuisines may not be “famous Atlanta foods” in the same way as fried chicken or peach cobbler, they are a major part of how Atlantans actually eat today.

Iconic Atlanta Food Experiences Beyond Restaurants

Atlanta’s food culture isn’t limited to sit-down meals.

Farmers Markets and Produce

Local residents often visit farmers markets and public markets for fresh and prepared foods, such as:

• Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park (a large regional produce market)
• Neighborhood markets that feature Georgia-grown fruits and vegetables when in season

Georgia peaches, peanuts, and seasonal produce often find their way into:

• Home-cooked dishes
• Restaurant specials
• Market stalls and baked goods

Food Halls and Multi-Vendor Markets

Atlanta has several food halls where you can try multiple cuisines under one roof. These often include:

• Local burger stalls
• Taco stands
• Southern-comfort counters
• Dessert and coffee vendors

These spaces are useful if:

• You’re with a group that wants different kinds of food
• You’re new to the city and want to sample several Atlanta-style dishes in one outing

Quick Reference: Famous Atlanta Foods & Where You’ll See Them

Practical Tips for Enjoying Famous Food in Atlanta

• Plan around traffic: Many of Atlanta’s best spots are spread out. Aim for non-peak driving times when crossing the city.
• Expect crowds at popular brunch and soul food spots: Weekend waits are normal, especially in Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and West Midtown.
• Ask locals for neighborhood favorites: Different parts of Atlanta have their own long-time go-to places.
• Try at least one classic + one modern dish: For example, get fried chicken or a soul food plate one day, and a chef-driven New South meal another day.
• Include a wing run if you’re visiting: Wing culture is such a big part of Atlanta that skipping it means missing a piece of the city’s food identity.

Exploring Atlanta’s famous foods gives you more than just good meals—it offers a window into the city’s history, communities, and everyday life. Whether you’re here briefly or you live in the metro area, there’s always another local favorite to discover.