Exploring Atlanta’s Best Asian Restaurants: A Local Guide

Atlanta’s Asian restaurant scene is one of the most diverse and exciting in the Southeast. From Buford Highway’s mom-and-pop gems to sleek intown spots, you can find everything from late-night Korean BBQ to refined omakase—often within a short drive of each other.

This guide focuses on where and how to explore Asian restaurants in Atlanta, what to expect in different neighborhoods, and practical tips for getting the most out of the city’s food scene.

Key Areas for Asian Restaurants in Atlanta

1. Buford Highway: The Heart of Atlanta’s Asian Food

If you only choose one area to explore, make it Buford Highway. Stretching through northeast Atlanta, Brookhaven, and Doraville, this corridor is known locally as the city’s go-to destination for Asian and other international cuisines.

You’ll find clusters of:

• Chinese (Cantonese, Sichuan, Taiwanese, regional specialties)
• Vietnamese (pho, banh mi, rice plates, coffee shops)
• Korean (BBQ, fried chicken, bakeries)
• Thai and Lao
• Japanese (ramen, sushi, izakaya-style spots)
• Multiple Asian bakeries, dessert shops, and tea houses

Most restaurants here are in strip malls and shopping centers, often with several great options in the same plaza. Parking is usually free and plentiful, and prices tend to be more casual than intown.

Buford Highway basics:

• General area: Starts around the intersection of Buford Highway NE and Sidney Marcus Blvd NE and continues northeast through Brookhaven and Doraville.
• Closest MARTA stations: Brookhaven/Oglethorpe and Doraville (you’ll usually still need a short rideshare or bus ride to many restaurants).
• Good for: Exploring multiple spots in one trip, group dining, trying new cuisines, large portions at relatively modest prices.

2. Doraville & Chamblee: Koreatown Vibes and Pan-Asian Plazas

Just beyond Buford Highway, Doraville and Chamblee have grown into major hubs for Korean and broader Asian dining.

You’ll see:

• Large Korean supermarkets with food courts and bakeries
• Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurants, many open late
• Korean fried chicken and soju bars
• Chinese and Vietnamese spots mixed into the same centers

Notable anchors include Hmart and Assi Plaza–style shopping centers, which often have:

• Full grocery store
• Food stalls and small counters
• Bakery and snack shops
• Casual sit-down restaurants

These areas are especially useful if you want to combine grocery shopping with a meal or explore several Asian food options in one stop.

3. Midtown, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward: Trendy & Upscale Options

If you’re staying or living intown, you’ll find a growing number of modern Asian and Asian-fusion restaurants in neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward.

Common styles in these areas include:

• Contemporary Japanese (omakase, ramen, lounge-style bars)
• Modern Chinese and Southeast Asian–inspired menus
• Pan-Asian small plates and craft cocktail programs
• Refined Thai or Vietnamese with elevated presentations

These restaurants often:

• Take reservations (and may fill up on weekends)
• Have valet or paid deck parking
• Offer extensive cocktail and wine lists
• Price higher than Buford Highway or suburban spots

If you’re planning a date night, business dinner, or special occasion, this is where many Atlantans look first.

4. Decatur & Eastside Neighborhoods: Cozy, Neighborhood Spots

Decatur, East Atlanta, Kirkwood, and the broader eastside have their own share of:

• Neighborhood Thai restaurants
• Casual sushi and ramen spots
• Family-friendly Chinese and Vietnamese places
• Quick-service and takeout-friendly options

These are often smaller, locally established restaurants that serve surrounding neighborhoods. If you live on the east side, you may not need to cross town to find reliable Asian food for weeknight dinners or takeout.

5. North Fulton & Suburbs: Johns Creek, Duluth, and Beyond

North of the city, especially around Duluth, Johns Creek, Suwanee, and Alpharetta, you’ll find another major concentration of Asian restaurants.

These areas are known for:

• Korean and Chinese restaurants, bakeries, and dessert cafés
• Bubble tea and dessert shops open late
• Hot pot, barbecue, and large-format dining for groups
• Growing variety of Indian and Pan-Asian choices

If you live or are staying north of the Perimeter (I-285), this area can feel like a second center of gravity for Atlanta’s Asian food scene.

Types of Asian Restaurants You’ll Find in Atlanta

Chinese Restaurants

Across Atlanta, you’ll see both American-style Chinese takeout and regional Chinese cuisine.

Common styles:

• Cantonese: Dim sum, roast duck, seafood
• Sichuan: Spicy dishes, numbing peppercorn, hot pot
• Taiwanese: Noodle soups, braised pork rice, snacks
• Noodles & dumplings: Handmade noodles, hand-pulled noodles, dumpling houses

Where to look:

• Buford Highway and Doraville for authentic regional menus
• Intown neighborhoods for modern Chinese and fusion
• All over the metro area for takeout-focused Chinese-American menus

🔎 Tip: If you want more traditional dishes, look for menus that include items like hot pot, dry pot, hand-pulled noodles, or “chef’s specials” in Chinese and English.

Korean Restaurants

Atlanta has one of the stronger Korean food scenes in the region.

You’ll find:

• Korean BBQ: Grilled meats at the table, often with all-you-can-eat options
• Korean stews and soups: Kimchi jjigae, tofu stews, bone soups
• Korean fried chicken: Double-fried, crispy, and often served with beer or soju
• Cafés and bakeries: Cakes, breads, coffee, and Korean desserts

Where to look:

• Doraville, Chamblee, and Duluth for the broadest selection
• Buford Highway for mixed Korean and other Asian plazas
• Select intown spots for trendy Korean-inspired menus and bars

🕒 Tip: Many Korean restaurants and lounges stay open late, especially on weekends, making them a popular option for late-night dining.

Japanese Restaurants

Japanese restaurants in Atlanta range from casual sushi to specialty ramen shops and high-end omakase.

Common formats:

• Sushi bars: From strip-mall takeout to chef-driven counters
• Ramen shops: Focused on a handful of broths and toppings
• Izakaya-style: Small plates, skewers, drinks
• Omakase and tasting menus: Reservations usually required, higher price point

Where to look:

• Midtown and Inman Park for higher-end Japanese dining
• Buford Highway for ramen, casual sushi, and Japanese grocery stores with prepared foods
• Suburbs like Johns Creek and Duluth for neighborhood sushi and ramen

Vietnamese Restaurants

Atlanta’s Vietnamese food is centered heavily around Buford Highway and extends into the suburbs.

You’ll see:

• Pho shops: Noodle soups with beef, chicken, or other toppings
• Banh mi bakeries: Vietnamese sandwiches, coffee, and pastries
• Rice and noodle plates: Grilled meats, vermicelli bowls, broken rice dishes
• Dessert and drink spots: Che drinks, Vietnamese iced coffee

Where to look:

• Buford Highway, Doraville, and Chamblee for clusters of pho and banh mi spots
• Decatur and eastside for smaller, neighborhood Vietnamese restaurants
• North Fulton for newer Vietnamese cafés and bakeries

☕ Tip: Many Vietnamese spots in Atlanta offer strong iced coffee and café drinks, often at very reasonable prices.

Thai, Lao, and Southeast Asian

Thai food is widely available across metro Atlanta, often in small, locally owned restaurants.

Typical offerings:

• Curries (red, green, panang, massaman)
• Pad Thai and stir-fried noodles
• Papaya salad, larb, and grilled meats (especially when Lao or Isan influences are highlighted)
• Fried fish and whole-fish preparations

Where to look:

• Neighborhoods all over Atlanta for Thai takeout and dine-in
• Buford Highway and the northeast suburbs for Thai and Lao restaurants with more regional dishes
• Intown areas for modern Thai-inspired menus with cocktails

South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi)

While some people group South Asian food separately, many Atlanta diners look for it alongside broader “Asian restaurant” searches.

You’ll find:

• North Indian and South Indian restaurants (dosas, curries, tandoori, biryani)
• Buffet-style lunch at some locations
• Vegetarian and vegan–friendly menus
• Pakistani and Bangladeshi spots with grilled meats and rice dishes

Where to look:

• Decatur and Tucker for clusters of Indian restaurants and groceries
• North Fulton (Alpharetta, Johns Creek) for a wide range of South Asian dining
• Pockets along Buford Highway and in Chamblee for mixed South Asian and Middle Eastern plazas

Practical Tips for Eating at Asian Restaurants in Atlanta

Getting Around

• Driving: Most Asian dining corridors (Buford Highway, Doraville, Duluth, Johns Creek) are car-oriented. Expect strip malls and large parking lots.
• Transit:
  • Use MARTA to reach nearby stations (e.g., Doraville, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe) and add a short bus or rideshare ride.
  • Intown spots in Midtown, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward are easier to reach via MARTA rail plus walking or short rideshare trips.
• Parking:
  • Often free in suburban areas and Buford Highway strip malls.
  • Expect paid decks or valet in busy intown neighborhoods.

Reservations vs. Walk-Ins

• Buford Highway and most strip-mall restaurants:
  • Many operate on a walk-in basis.
  • Busy times: weekend evenings and major holidays.
• Upscale or chef-driven Asian restaurants (especially Japanese and fusion):
  • Frequently use reservations.
  • Popular omakase or tasting menus may need booking days or weeks in advance.
• Large groups:
  • For Korean BBQ, hot pot, or group Chinese meals, calling ahead can help secure larger tables—especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ordering and Menu Navigation

Many Atlanta Asian restaurants offer bilingual menus, but there are a few typical patterns:

• Picture-heavy menus: Common in hot pot, BBQ, and casual spots—helpful if you’re new to the cuisine.
• Specials board or separate menu: Some of the most regional or traditional dishes may appear in a separate section or specials sheet.
• Spice levels: At Thai, Indian, and some Chinese or Korean restaurants, you can often request mild, medium, or hot.
• Sharing plates: Many cuisines (Chinese, Korean, some Southeast Asian) are designed for family-style sharing, so larger groups can try more dishes.

📝 Tip: Servers at busy Buford Highway restaurants are used to diners new to the cuisine. It’s common for people to ask for recommendations or explanations of regional dishes.

Dietary Considerations

Asian restaurants across Atlanta vary widely in how they handle dietary needs. Generally:

• Vegetarian / Vegan:
  • Many Indian restaurants have extensive vegetarian options.
  • Some Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese spots can adapt dishes if you ask.
• Gluten-free:
  • Menus may not always label items; it’s best to ask staff about soy sauce, breading, and noodles.
• Allergies (peanut, shellfish, etc.):
  • Common ingredients in several Asian cuisines.
  • Inform staff clearly; some kitchens are better equipped than others to accommodate strict allergies.

If you have severe dietary restrictions, calling ahead can help you decide whether a particular restaurant is a good fit.

Price Ranges & What to Expect

Use this general guide for Atlanta-area Asian restaurants (prices can vary by location and concept):

Tipping norms are generally the same as other Atlanta restaurants, and many places now print suggested tip percentages on the receipt.

Takeout, Delivery, and Late-Night Options

• Takeout:
  • Widely available—especially Chinese, Thai, sushi, and pho restaurants.
  • Many spots still prefer phone-in ordering, though online ordering is increasingly common.
• Delivery:
  • Third-party delivery apps cover most of Atlanta, including Buford Highway and suburbs.
  • Some restaurants work directly with delivery drivers or offer in-house delivery.
• Late-night Asian food:
  • Concentrated around Korean BBQ, Korean fried chicken, and some hot pot spots in Doraville and Duluth.
  • Limited intown late-night options, but a few ramen and bar-forward Asian restaurants stay open later on weekends.

If you’re looking for food after 10 p.m., Korean and certain North Asian spots north of the city are often your best bet.

How Locals Explore Atlanta’s Asian Food Scene

People in Atlanta often approach Asian restaurants in a few ways:

• “Buford Highway nights” to try multiple spots in one evening—boba at one place, dinner at another, dessert somewhere else.
• Weekend group outings for Korean BBQ, hot pot, or large-format Chinese dishes.
• Neighborhood go-tos for Thai, sushi, or Indian during the week.
• Special occasion reservations at intown modern Asian or Japanese restaurants.
• Grocery + meal trips to Hmart-style centers, combining shopping with lunch or dinner.

If you’re new to the city or visiting, starting with Buford Highway or Doraville for variety, then branching into Midtown or Inman Park for a more polished night out, gives you a solid sense of what Atlanta offers.

Useful Local References and Logistics

While there’s no single official directory just for Asian restaurants, these local resources and landmarks can help you orient yourself:

• City of Atlanta & DeKalb County Health Departments:
  • Maintain restaurant health inspection scores, which many diners check before trying new places.
• MARTA customer service:
  • Can help you plan routes to stations closest to Buford Highway and other corridors if you’re using transit.
• Chambers of commerce and local business associations in Doraville, Chamblee, and Duluth:
  • Often highlight local dining clusters, including Asian restaurants, on printed maps or websites.

These resources are especially helpful if you prefer to combine dining with public transit, walking, or exploring specific neighborhoods.

Atlanta’s Asian restaurant landscape is constantly evolving, but the main patterns stay consistent: Buford Highway and the northern suburbs for breadth and authenticity, intown neighborhoods for modern and upscale experiences, and scattered neighborhood spots for everyday meals. Whether you live here or are just passing through, you can explore everything from comforting classics to regional specialties—often within a short drive.