Best Food in Atlanta, Georgia: Where to Eat and What to Try

Atlanta’s food scene is one of the most diverse and exciting in the South. Whether you live here or are just visiting, you’ll find everything from classic Southern comfort food to global street eats, refined tasting menus, and late-night spots that locals actually use.

This guide focuses on where and what to eat in Atlanta, Georgia, with practical ideas organized by cuisine, neighborhood, budget, and occasion.

What Makes Atlanta’s Food Scene Unique?

Atlanta stands out because it blends:

• Deep Southern roots – fried chicken, biscuits, barbecue, meat-and-threes.
• Black culinary traditions – from historic soul food to modern Black-owned fine dining.
• Immigrant communities – Buford Highway alone offers dozens of cuisines.
• Modern, chef-driven restaurants – tasting menus, creative small plates, and rooftop dining.

If you’re searching for the best food in Atlanta, think in terms of what you’re craving + what part of town you’re in + how much time you have.

Classic Atlanta & Southern Favorites You Shouldn’t Miss

These are the “must-try” Southern styles of food most visitors and new residents look for first.

1. Fried Chicken & Biscuits

Atlanta takes fried chicken seriously. Expect crispy, juicy chicken often paired with:

• Buttermilk biscuits
• Collard greens
• Mac and cheese
• Mashed potatoes or grits

You’ll find strong versions of fried chicken and biscuits in neighborhoods like Midtown, West Midtown, Virginia-Highland, East Atlanta, and Decatur. Many Southern-style restaurants also serve:

• Chicken and waffles
• Shrimp and grits
• Pimento cheese as a starter

Tip: 🍗 Weekend brunch is prime time for fried chicken–based dishes, but you’ll also find them on dinner menus throughout the week.

2. Soul Food & Meat-and-Threes

A meat-and-three is a classic Southern plate: one meat, three sides, cornbread or a roll, and maybe dessert.

Common dishes include:

• Fried or baked chicken, pork chops, or turkey wings
• Sides like collards, yams, green beans, mac and cheese, black-eyed peas, cabbage, and rice & gravy

You’ll find soul food institutions around the Westside, downtown, Southwest Atlanta, and near HBCU campuses like Clark Atlanta and Morehouse.

Look for:

• Cafeteria-style counters
• Daily specials written on boards
• To-go plates piled high

Many spots are cash-friendly, and lunch is often the busiest time.

3. Southern Breakfast & Brunch

Atlanta brunch is a full event, especially on weekends. Aside from chicken and waffles, typical Atlanta brunch menus feature:

• Shrimp and grits
• Biscuits and gravy
• Breakfast bowls with cheese grits and eggs
• French toast or pancakes with peach toppings
• Mimosas and brunch cocktails

Popular brunch areas:

• Inman Park
• Old Fourth Ward
• Midtown
• West Midtown
• Buckhead
• Decatur Square

Plan ahead: ⏰ In Atlanta, brunch waits of 30–60 minutes on weekends are common at popular places. Many accept call-ahead lists or reservations.

Barbecue in Atlanta: Smoked Meats & Classic Sides

You can find good barbecue in many parts of Metro Atlanta. Styles vary, but you’ll regularly see:

• Pork ribs
• Pulled pork
• Smoked chicken
• Brisket (Texas influence)
• Smoked sausage

Typical sides:

• Baked beans
• Coleslaw
• Mac and cheese
• Potato salad
• Brunswick stew (a Georgia staple)

You’ll encounter barbecue in:

• Intown neighborhoods (Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward, West End, West Midtown)
• Suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, and Smyrna

Many BBQ joints have counter service, casual seating, and takeout-friendly options. Some offer family platters that work well for groups or game days.

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s International Food Corridor

If you want the best international food in Atlanta, you’ll hear one name again and again: Buford Highway.

This major corridor runs through parts of Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville and is known for:

• Mexican, Central American, and South American restaurants and taquerias
• Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, and Taiwanese spots
• Latin bakeries, Asian bakeries, and dessert shops
• Grocery stores and food courts with stalls and small vendors

Some of the most sought-after foods on Buford Highway include:

• Tacos, tortas, and elotes
• Pho, bun bo hue, and banh mi
• Korean BBQ and hot pot
• Dumplings and hand-pulled noodles
• Bubble tea, shaved ice, and specialty desserts

Practical tips:

• 🚗 Driving is easiest, and parking is usually in shared strip-mall lots.
• Many spots are casual and affordable, with generous portions.
• Lunch and dinner are both good times to explore; late-night options exist but vary by day.

Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood: Where to Look for Great Food

Atlanta’s food scene is neighborhood-based. Knowing where you are (or want to be) helps narrow good choices.

Downtown & Centennial Olympic Park Area

Best if you’re near: State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame

What to expect:

• Casual Southern and American restaurants
• Burgers, wings, and sports bar–style menus
• A mix of quick-service spots and sit-down restaurants
• Some hotel dining rooms with more upscale menus

This area is convenient if you’re catching a game or staying in a hotel, but many locals travel a few minutes to nearby neighborhoods for more character.

Midtown

Best for: Central location, walkability, and variety

You’ll find:

• Upscale Southern and New American restaurants
• Sushi, ramen, and pan-Asian spots
• Pizza, burgers, and modern comfort food
• Rooftop and patio dining with city views

Midtown is popular with residents, office workers, and visitors. Peachtree Street and nearby side streets hold many well-known places.

West Midtown & Howell Mill Area

Best for: Trendy, industrial-chic atmosphere and chef-driven spots

What’s common here:

• Creative small plates and tasting menus
• Modern American and Southern-inspired dishes
• Stylish cocktail programs
• Food halls and mixed-use developments with multiple dining options

Parking can be busy at peak times; rideshare is often easier in the evenings.

Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward & BeltLine Eastside Trail

Best if you like: Walking, patios, and variety in one area

Along and near the Eastside BeltLine, you’ll see:

• Brunch-friendly spots
• Tacos and Tex-Mex
• Italian, pizza, and Mediterranean
• Ice cream and dessert shops
• Trendy bars with good bar food

You can park once and walk between several restaurants, cafes, and bars, especially around Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market.

Virginia-Highland & Morningside

Best for: Neighborhood feel with strong food options

Expect:

• Gastropubs
• Brunch spots
• Pizza and casual dinners
• A mix of long-time neighborhood institutions and newer concepts

This area works well for relaxed date nights, small groups, or casual dinners.

Buckhead

Best for: Upscale dining, steakhouses, and special-occasion meals

In Buckhead you’ll find:

• High-end steakhouses
• Sushi and modern Asian spots
• Upscale Southern and American restaurants
• Hotel restaurants aiming at business travelers and celebrations

Dress codes vary, but many Buckhead restaurants expect smart casual at minimum in the evenings.

Decatur

Just east of Atlanta, the City of Decatur has a walkable downtown square packed with restaurants.

Here you’ll see:

• Chef-driven Southern and New American
• Global cuisines in a compact, strollable area
• Popular family-friendly options
• Cafes, bakeries, and dessert shops

Decatur is on the MARTA rail line, making it easy to reach without a car from downtown or Midtown.

Where to Find the Best Food by Category

Here’s a simple overview to guide your search, depending on what you’re craving:

Atlanta Food Halls: Easy Way to Sample a Lot at Once

If you’re indecisive or with a group, food halls are one of the easiest ways to discover great food in Atlanta.

Common features:

• Multiple vendors under one roof
• Shared seating
• Options ranging from burgers and fried chicken to ramen, tacos, and vegan dishes

Well-known food hall areas include:

• Ponce City Market (along the BeltLine Eastside Trail)
• Krog Street Market (Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward)
• Westside-based complexes that combine retail, bars, and eateries

Food halls are good for:

• Families with different tastes
• Visitors who want to sample several ATL-style dishes at once
• Casual dates and group meetups

Vegan, Vegetarian, and Health-Conscious Eating in Atlanta

Atlanta has become much more accommodating to plant-based and health-focused eaters.

You’ll find:

• Fully vegan cafés and restaurants, especially on the Eastside and Westside
• Soul food spots that offer vegetarian sides and meatless plates
• “Build-your-own bowl” concepts featuring grains, roasted veggies, and proteins
• Juice bars and smoothie shops near busy office and residential areas

Many mainstream restaurants now mark vegan or gluten-free options clearly on their menus, particularly in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Decatur.

Late-Night & Game-Day Food

Late-Night Eats

Atlanta isn’t a 24-hour city, but you can still find late-night food in:

• Downtown and around the stadiums on event nights
• Midtown (late-night pizza, bar food, burgers)
• Buckhead (where nightlife and kitchens run later)
• Some college-adjacent areas, where wings and fried food stay available later

Options usually include:

• Wings
• Burgers
• Tacos
• Pizza
• Breakfast-all-day diners in some corridors

Game-Day Food Near Mercedes-Benz Stadium & State Farm Arena

Before or after a game, people commonly head to:

• Downtown for sports bars, quick-service places, and chain restaurants
• The nearby Castleberry Hill neighborhood for more local spots
• Westside and Old Fourth Ward if you’re willing to travel a few minutes for more variety

TIP: 🏈 When there’s a big game or concert, kitchen wait times and parking can spike. Arriving early or eating slightly off-peak helps.

Practical Tips for Eating Well in Atlanta

A few local patterns can make your search for the best food in Atlanta easier:

1. Reservations vs. Walk-Ins

• Upscale and popular brunch spots often require or strongly recommend reservations, especially Thursday–Sunday.
• Many casual places and Buford Highway restaurants are walk-in only.
• For large groups, call ahead to ask about wait times or if they take call-ahead seating.

2. Getting Around

• Inside the city, traffic can be heavy during rush hours. Plan more time if you’re crossing town for a specific meal.
• MARTA rail is useful for reaching areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Decatur.
• For Buford Highway, westside districts, and many soul food or barbecue spots, driving or rideshare is usually easiest.

3. When to Go

• Brunch: Expect peak crowds late morning to early afternoon on weekends.
• Lunch: Many soul food cafeterias and barbecue spots are at their best and busiest.
• Dinner: Prime slots for popular restaurants are usually from 7–9 p.m.; earlier or later seatings are often easier.

4. Price Ranges

In Atlanta, you can find:

• Budget-friendly: Tacos, food trucks, Buford Highway spots, casual soul food and BBQ.
• Mid-range: Most neighborhood restaurants in Midtown, Decatur, Virginia-Highland, and Inman Park.
• High-end: Buckhead steakhouses, tasting menus, and certain West Midtown and Midtown fine-dining restaurants.

How Locals Discover the “Best” Food in Atlanta

If you’re new to Atlanta or visiting, you can use the same strategies locals use:

• Ask people who live or work in the area you’re visiting (hotel staff, rideshare drivers, coworkers, neighbors).
• Explore one neighborhood at a time instead of crisscrossing the entire metro.
• Use busy BeltLine sections, Buford Highway plazas, Decatur Square, and food halls as starting points.
• Follow seasonal events and festivals, such as food and wine festivals or neighborhood food events, which often highlight strong local restaurants.

Atlanta’s best food is spread across its neighborhoods, from historic soul food kitchens and barbecue joints to international strip-mall treasures and polished dining rooms. If you match your cravings with the right part of town—Southern classics in Westside and Downtown, global eats on Buford Highway, modern dining in Midtown and West Midtown, walkable variety on the BeltLine and in Decatur—you’ll experience exactly what makes Atlanta, Georgia one of the South’s most rewarding cities to eat in.