Exploring Chinatown in Atlanta: Where It Is, What to Expect, and How to Visit

Atlanta doesn’t have a single, traditional “Chinatown” district like some older East Coast cities, but it does have a major Chinese and broader Asian cultural hub plus several key neighborhoods where Chinese businesses, markets, and restaurants are concentrated.

If you’re searching for “Chinatown Atlanta”, you’re usually looking for:

• The Atlanta Chinatown Square in Chamblee
• Nearby Asian shopping centers and plazas along Buford Highway and in Doraville
• Great spots to eat, shop, and experience Chinese culture in and around the city

This guide walks you through what “Chinatown” means in the Atlanta context and where to go for food, groceries, gifts, and cultural experiences.

Atlanta’s “Chinatown”: The Basics

Unlike cities with a dense, historic Chinese district downtown, Atlanta’s Chinese and Asian communities are spread across several suburbs, especially along the Buford Highway corridor (northeast of the city).

The main place people mean when they say “Chinatown Atlanta” is:

Atlanta Chinatown Square
5383 New Peachtree Rd
Chamblee, GA 30341

This is a Chinese-focused shopping plaza with:

• Chinese restaurants and bakeries
• A Chinese supermarket
• Herbal shops and specialty retailers
• Community-oriented businesses and services

It’s not a large, walkable urban district, but more of a suburban plaza with a central courtyard and multiple businesses under one roof and around the complex. For most locals, it’s the closest thing to a traditional “Chinatown” in metro Atlanta.

Where to Find Chinese Culture and Businesses Around Atlanta

H2: 1. Atlanta Chinatown Square (Chamblee)

Best for: A concentrated experience of Chinese food, groceries, and shops in one location.

At Atlanta Chinatown Square, you’ll typically find:

• Sit-down Chinese restaurants (Cantonese, Sichuan, and other regional styles)
• Bubble tea and dessert spots
• A Chinese grocery store with produce, meat, seafood, sauces, noodles, snacks, and frozen foods
• Shops selling Chinese herbs, teas, gifts, and household items

It’s a popular stop for:

• Families doing weekly Asian grocery runs
• People looking for authentic Chinese dishes beyond standard Americanized fare
• Visitors who want a short, manageable outing to explore Chinese culture without driving all over metro Atlanta

Practical tips:

• 🚗 Parking: Surface parking lot; it can be busy on weekends and around mealtimes, so plan a few extra minutes to find a spot.
• ⏰ Timing: Late mornings through evenings are generally liveliest. Some businesses close between lunch and dinner.
• 💳 Payment: Most places accept cards, but it’s useful to keep some cash for smaller shops.

H2: 2. Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Multicultural Food Corridor

Best for: A full day of exploring Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, and other international food options.

If you think of Atlanta Chinatown in a broader sense, you’re really thinking of the Buford Highway corridor, which runs through areas like:

• Chamblee
• Doraville
• Brookhaven

Along this stretch, you’ll find dozens of Chinese restaurants, bakeries, and markets mixed in with other Asian and Latin American businesses.

H3: Chinese Grocery Stores and Markets

On or near Buford Highway and New Peachtree Road, expect to find:

• Large Asian supermarkets with full produce and seafood sections
• Smaller Chinese grocers carrying imported condiments, teas, noodles, snacks, and frozen dumplings
• Shops selling kitchenware, woks, rice cookers, and specialty cookware

Locals often do their main Chinese grocery shopping along Buford Highway, then head to Chinatown Square for prepared foods or a sit-down meal.

H3: Chinese and Taiwanese Restaurants

The Buford Highway area is where you’ll find:

• Regional Chinese cuisines like Sichuan (spicy), Hunan, Shanghai-style, and more
• Dim sum restaurants (especially busy on weekends at brunch/lunchtime)
• Noodle and dumpling houses
• Taiwanese cafés and bubble tea shops

Because businesses change over time, it’s a good idea to check recent reviews and hours before you go, especially if you’re driving from across town.

H2: 3. Doraville and Surrounding Areas

Doraville, just northeast of Chamblee, is another area with a strong Asian and immigrant presence, including Chinese communities.

Here you’ll find:

• More Chinese restaurants and supermarkets
• Strip malls with Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese businesses side by side
• Casual spots geared more towards locals than tourists

If you’re already visiting Atlanta Chinatown Square, it’s easy to drive just a bit farther to explore Doraville’s plazas and try different restaurants.

What You Can Do in “Chinatown” Around Atlanta

H2: Food Experiences

Food is the main draw for most people seeking Chinatown in Atlanta.

Common experiences include:

• Dim sum outings with friends or family, especially on weekends
• Hot pot and BBQ dinners (often Chinese or Korean)
• Casual noodle, dumpling, or stir-fry meals
• Bakery visits for egg tarts, buns, and traditional pastries
• Sampling bubble tea and Asian desserts

If you’re new to Chinese cuisine:

• Start with dim sum for small plates and lots of variety.
• Ask staff for popular dishes if the menu feels overwhelming.
• Be prepared that some dishes are more traditional than typical American takeout.

H2: Grocery Shopping and Everyday Needs

Many Atlanta residents shop at Chinese and Asian markets for:

• Fresh produce not always found in mainstream supermarkets
• Live or fresh seafood and specialty cuts of meat
• Rice, noodles, dumplings, buns, and sauces in bulk
• Chinese snacks (chips, candies, dried fruits, instant noodles)
• Tea, herbal products, and traditional pantry staples

If you cook Chinese or other Asian dishes at home, planning a monthly or biweekly trip to Atlanta Chinatown Square or the Buford Highway supermarkets can make a big difference in ingredients and prices.

H2: Cultural Events and Community Resources

Atlanta’s Chinese community is active throughout the metro area, and events or activities may take place at:

• Cultural centers and community organizations
• Universities (such as Georgia Tech or Georgia State University) that host Chinese cultural events
• Shopping centers like Atlanta Chinatown Square during major holidays

Common cultural highlights:

• Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) celebrations with lion dances, performances, and special menus
• Mid-Autumn Festival events featuring mooncakes and cultural programs
• Occasional language, dance, or music classes run by local Chinese organizations

Event times and locations change year to year, so checking local community calendars, Chinese cultural organizations, and city event listings is often the best approach.

Getting There: Transportation and Parking

Here’s a quick overview of how to reach the main “Chinatown” destinations from around Atlanta.

Driving:
Most visitors drive. Traffic on I‑85 and Buford Highway can be heavy during rush hours, so plan visits outside peak commuting times if possible.

Transit:

• MARTA Rail:
  • Chamblee Station (Gold Line) is the closest rail stop to Atlanta Chinatown Square.
  • Doraville Station (Gold Line) is closest to many Doraville plazas.
• From stations, you may still need to walk, use a rideshare, or catch a local bus, depending on exactly where you’re going.

Tips for First-Time Visitors

If you haven’t explored Atlanta’s Chinatown-style areas before:

• ✅ Start with Atlanta Chinatown Square for a compact, approachable experience.
• ✅ Plan a meal plus a grocery run to make the trip worthwhile.
• ✅ Go with an open mind about dishes and flavors—many menus offer both familiar and more traditional options.
• ✅ Bring a small cooler bag if you plan to buy frozen or refrigerated foods and have a longer drive home.
• ✅ Expect a mix of English and Chinese signage; most businesses are accustomed to English-speaking customers.

How Locals Think About “Chinatown” in Atlanta

When someone in Atlanta says, “Let’s go to Chinatown,” they might mean:

• The Atlanta Chinatown Square plaza specifically
• The general Buford Highway Asian corridor for a meal or groceries
• A particular Chinese restaurant or supermarket in Chamblee or Doraville

The key idea is that Atlanta’s Chinatown is more of a cluster of centers and corridors than a single, historic downtown neighborhood. If you adjust your expectations from a dense street grid of Chinese storefronts to suburban plazas with rich cultural offerings, you’ll likely find the experience rewarding.

Whether you live in Atlanta or are just visiting, exploring Atlanta Chinatown Square and the surrounding Buford Highway area is one of the most direct ways to experience Chinese culture, food, and community life in the city.