Discovering the Best Asian Restaurants in Atlanta

Atlanta’s food scene is one of the most diverse in the Southeast, and its Asian restaurants are a big reason why. Whether you’re craving Korean barbecue in Duluth, dim sum near Doraville, or a quick bowl of pho in Midtown, you can find almost every major Asian cuisine represented somewhere across the metro.

This guide focuses on where and how to explore Asian food in Atlanta, the neighborhoods to know, and practical tips to help you decide what to try next.

Key Areas for Asian Restaurants in Metro Atlanta

While you’ll find Asian food all over the city, a few areas stand out for dense clusters of options and a strong local reputation.

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Best-Known International Food Corridor

If you only remember one name, make it Buford Highway. Running roughly from Brookhaven through Doraville and Chamblee, this corridor is famous locally for its long stretch of Asian, Latin American, and other international restaurants.

What to expect on Buford Highway:

• Chinese: Hand-pulled noodles, Szechuan and Hunan specialties, hot pot, Cantonese dishes.
• Korean: Korean BBQ, stews, fried chicken, bakeries, and dessert cafés.
• Vietnamese: Pho, banh mi, rice plates, and Vietnamese coffee.
• Thai and Lao: Curries, noodles, and less common regional dishes.
• Japanese: Ramen, sushi, izakaya-style bites.

Parking is typically in shared surface lots, and most restaurants are in strip centers rather than stand-alone buildings. Many places are very casual and family-friendly, with pricing that’s often lower than intown neighborhoods.

Duluth, Suwanee, and Gwinnett County: Korean and Pan-Asian Hubs

North of Atlanta, Duluth, Suwanee, and nearby Gwinnett communities have become go-to destinations for Korean and East Asian cuisine.

Common finds here include:

• All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ
• Late-night Korean pubs and fried chicken spots
• Taiwanese bubble tea shops
• Large Asian bakeries and dessert cafés
• Chinese and pan-Asian restaurants serving hot pot, skewers, and noodles

If you live intown, it’s a bit of a drive, but many Atlantans consider it worth the trip for the variety and late hours.

Intown Atlanta: Midtown, Inman Park, Westside, and More

If you prefer to stay closer to the city center, you’ll still find a wide mix of Asian restaurants in Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods, often with a more modern or fusion feel.

Common intown options include:

• Midtown & Downtown: Ramen bars, sushi restaurants, and Thai spots close to offices, hotels, and Georgia Tech.
• Inman Park & Old Fourth Ward: Trendy Asian-inspired restaurants, noodle shops, and small-plate concepts.
• West Midtown / Westside: Upscale Asian-influenced menus and contemporary takes on Chinese, Japanese, or Southeast Asian flavors.
• Grant Park, East Atlanta, and Decatur: Neighborhood-focused spots, often family-run, with reliable takeout and dine-in service.

Intown restaurants often emphasize atmosphere and cocktails in addition to food, and reservations may be helpful during peak times.

Types of Asian Cuisine You’ll Find in Atlanta

Asian food in Atlanta is broad and constantly evolving. Here’s what you’re likely to see and how it typically shows up around the metro.

Chinese Restaurants

Atlanta has a wide spectrum of Chinese restaurants, from casual takeout counters to large dining rooms serving banquet-style dishes.

Common experiences:

• Buford Highway & Doraville: Authentic regional cuisine (Szechuan, Hunan, Cantonese), hot pot, and dim sum-style menus.
• Suburban Gwinnett: Large, family-friendly restaurants with extensive menus and group-friendly seating.
• Intown: Modernized Chinese or Chinese-American menus, often with smaller, curated selections.

Popular dishes to look for:

• Szechuan-style spicy fish or chicken
• Hand-pulled noodles and dumplings
• Dim sum items like steamed buns, shu mai, and rice rolls

Korean Restaurants

Korean food is one of the strongest segments of Atlanta’s Asian dining scene.

Where you’ll see it most:

• Duluth and Suwanee: Heavy concentration of Korean BBQ, cafés, karaoke bars, and bakeries.
• Doraville / Chamblee / Buford Highway: Mix of BBQ, stews, tofu houses, and casual eateries.
• Intown neighborhoods: A smaller but growing set of Korean spots, often BBQ or Korean-inspired gastropubs.

Typical formats:

• Tabletop Korean BBQ: Grill meats at your own table, often with all-you-can-eat options.
• Home-style restaurants: Stews, bibimbap, cold noodles, and banchan (side dishes).
• Korean bakeries and dessert cafés: Cakes, breads, bingsoo (shaved ice), and specialty drinks.

Japanese Restaurants

Japanese food in Atlanta ranges from quick sushi lunches to dedicated ramen shops.

You’ll generally find:

• Sushi bars and restaurants across Buckhead, Midtown, and suburban areas.
• Ramen shops around Midtown, Westside, and popular commercial corridors.
• Izakaya-style spots offering grilled skewers, small plates, and drinks.

Common dishes:

• Sushi and sashimi
• Tonkotsu and miso ramen
• Donburi (rice bowls), tempura, and yakitori

Vietnamese Restaurants

Vietnamese food is especially common along Buford Highway and in pockets of Gwinnett County, with more intown options each year.

Expect to see:

• Pho shops with large bowls of noodle soup and fresh herb plates.
• Banh mi counters serving Vietnamese sandwiches on crusty baguettes.
• Family restaurants with rice and noodle plates, vermicelli bowls, hot pots, and specialty drinks.

Vietnamese restaurants are often casual, with quick service and affordable pricing.

Thai and Lao Restaurants

Thai and Lao flavors are familiar to many Atlantans, and both cuisines are well-represented.

Where they show up:

• Intown (Midtown, Decatur, Eastside): Full-service Thai restaurants with curries, stir-fries, and noodle dishes.
• Buford Highway and Gwinnett: Thai and Lao spots that may offer spicier and more regional dishes.

Menu highlights:

• Pad thai, drunken noodles, and pad see ew
• Green, red, and panang curries
• Lao specialties like larb and papaya salad at some locations

South Asian: Indian, Pakistani, and Nepali

Atlanta’s South Asian restaurants are primarily clustered in parts of Decatur, Clarkston, Duluth, and along I-85 in Gwinnett County, but there are notable intown spots as well.

Typical formats:

• Buffets or thali-style meals at lunch.
• Full à la carte menus featuring north and south Indian dishes.
• Specialized bakeries and sweet shops.
• Pakistani and Nepali restaurants offering kebabs, biryani, momos, and curries.

These restaurants can be especially convenient for groups with varied tastes, since menus are usually extensive.

Quick Snapshot: Where to Go for What

Use this simple table to match neighborhoods with the type of Asian dining experience you’re likely to find.

*Price ranges are approximate and vary by restaurant.

Practical Tips for Choosing an Asian Restaurant in Atlanta

Atlanta’s selection can feel overwhelming. These pointers can help you narrow things down more easily.

1. Decide on Neighborhood First

Because traffic can be heavy, many locals pick restaurants based on what’s convenient to where they live, work, or are staying.

• Staying near Downtown or Midtown? Focus on intown sushi, ramen, Thai, or modern Asian-inspired spots.
• Willing to drive 20–30 minutes? Buford Highway opens up a huge variety of casual, authentic options.
• Live in the northern suburbs? Duluth, Suwanee, and Gwinnett offer particularly strong Korean and pan-Asian choices.

2. Consider the Group and Occasion

Ask yourself:

• Casual weeknight or quick lunch? Look for pho, banh mi, noodle houses, or strip-center restaurants along Buford Highway.
• Celebration or date night? Intown or Westside Asian restaurants often emphasize ambiance and cocktails.
• Large family gathering? Many Chinese and Korean restaurants in Doraville, Chamblee, or Duluth have big tables and shared-plate menus.

3. Check for Reservations and Wait Times

Some Asian restaurants in Atlanta are first-come, first-served, while others take reservations—especially:

• Popular sushi spots
• Upscale or chef-driven Asian restaurants
• Busy Korean BBQ houses on weekends

If you’re going at peak hours (Friday and Saturday evenings), consider:

• Calling ahead to ask about wait times.
• Arriving a little early or later in the evening.
• Having a backup option nearby, especially on Buford Highway where many places are in the same plaza or close by.

4. Understand Parking and Transit Options

Parking situations vary around Atlanta:

• Buford Highway, Doraville, Duluth, Gwinnett: Usually free surface lots in shopping centers.
• Midtown, Downtown, West Midtown, Inman Park: Expect paid decks, street parking, or valet at some locations.
• MARTA access:
  • The Doraville MARTA Station (6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340) is close to many Buford Highway restaurants. From there, some places are within a short rideshare trip or bus ride.
  • Midtown and Downtown restaurants are often walkable from nearby MARTA rail stations.

If you’re visiting, this can help you plan whether you’ll need a car, rideshare, or if you can rely primarily on transit.

Dietary Preferences and Food Allergies

Many Atlanta Asian restaurants are used to accommodating different dietary needs, but clarity helps.

• Vegetarian and vegan:
  • Common at Thai, Indian, and many Chinese spots.
  • Some menus clearly mark vegetarian or vegan dishes; when in doubt, ask about sauces and broths.
• Gluten-conscious:
  • Some Japanese and Thai restaurants can adjust dishes by using gluten-free soy sauce or modifying ingredients.
  • It’s helpful to mention your needs clearly when ordering.
• Peanut, shellfish, or other allergies:
  • Many Asian cuisines use nuts, shellfish, and soy regularly.
  • Always inform staff clearly and early; some kitchens are more flexible than others.

If your needs are strict, calling ahead can help you determine if a particular restaurant is a good fit before you arrive.

Takeout, Delivery, and Late-Night Options

Atlanta residents often rely on takeout and delivery from Asian restaurants, especially for weeknight dinners.

What to know:

• Many places on Buford Highway and in Gwinnett are set up for quick takeout.
• Intown Asian restaurants frequently partner with delivery services; availability can depend on your exact address.
• For late-night:
  • Some Korean BBQ and Korean pubs in Duluth and along Buford Highway stay open later than typical restaurants.
  • Hours can vary widely, so checking closing times before you head out is helpful.

How Visitors and New Residents Can Explore Efficiently

If you’re visiting Atlanta or just moved to the area and want to get a feel for the Asian food scene quickly, consider this approach:

1. Dedicate one evening to Buford Highway
   Plan dinner at a restaurant there, then walk or drive within the same shopping center to explore bakeries, dessert cafés, or bubble tea shops.

2. Try one intown Asian spot
   Pick a restaurant in Midtown, Inman Park, Westside, or Decatur for a different atmosphere—often more walkable, with nearby bars, coffee shops, or parks.

3. Make one trip to Duluth or Gwinnett (if time allows)
   If you’re interested in Korean food or pan-Asian plazas with multiple options in one place, this area offers a distinct experience from intown Atlanta.

Helpful Local Contact Points and Resources

While restaurant details change frequently, a few official or stable local resources can help you stay oriented as you explore:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-330-6392
  This office helps support Atlanta’s international communities and can be a starting point if you’re interested in cultural events or festivals that often feature Asian food.

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-521-6600
  Provides visitor information, neighborhood guides, and event listings that frequently include food-related happenings.

These aren’t restaurant directories, but they can point you to neighborhood maps, cultural festivals, and international events where Asian food is prominently featured.

Exploring Asian restaurants in Atlanta can be as simple as picking a corridor—Buford Highway, Midtown, Duluth, or Decatur—and trying what looks interesting. With everything from casual late-night eats to refined tasting menus, there’s room to match almost any budget, schedule, or comfort level with new flavors.