Best Chinese Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Eat Right Now

Atlanta’s Chinese food scene is deep, diverse, and spread across the metro. Whether you’re craving dim sum on Buford Highway, late-night noodles in Midtown, or Sichuan heat in Duluth, you have a lot of choices.

This guide focuses on where Atlantans actually go for Chinese food, what each place does best, and how to choose the right spot for your budget, neighborhood, and cravings.

Quick Snapshot: Top Atlanta Chinese Restaurants by Type

*Specific restaurants below are examples that locals commonly seek out. Always confirm current hours, menus, and availability before heading out.

How Atlanta’s Chinese Restaurant Scene Is Organized

Atlanta’s best Chinese restaurants are not concentrated downtown. Instead, they’re spread mainly across:

• Buford Highway (Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville) – The corridor most locals think of first for authentic Chinese, Taiwanese, and pan-Asian food.
• Duluth / Johns Creek / Gwinnett County – Huge Chinese, Korean, and broader East Asian communities, with deep options for regional Chinese, bakeries, tea shops, and hot pot.
• Intown neighborhoods (Midtown, Decatur, Westside, Virginia-Highland) – More limited selection, but convenient if you live or stay in town and want modern takes and quick options.
• Suburban pockets (Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Tucker, Smyrna) – A mix of classic American Chinese and some surprisingly strong regional specialties.

If you’re visiting, it’s worth planning at least one meal around Buford Highway or Duluth, even if it means a short drive.

Buford Highway & Doraville: Atlanta’s Core Chinese Food Corridor

Buford Highway (often shortened to Buford Hwy) runs northeast through Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville. This is where many Atlanta residents go for dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, regional Chinese dishes, and specialty groceries.

What Buford Highway Does Best

• Dim sum and Cantonese
• Sichuan and Hunan dishes with serious spice
• Noodle houses (lamian, knife-cut noodles, wonton soup)
• Chinese bakeries and bubble tea spots
• Budget-friendly group meals

If you have only one day in Atlanta and want the best probability of a great Chinese meal, put Buford Highway or Doraville on your list.

Where to Go for Dim Sum in Atlanta

Dim sum is a weekend ritual for many Atlanta families, especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings through early afternoon. Expect crowds and waitlists during peak times.

Canton House (Doraville)

• Vibe: Large, bustling, group-friendly
• Best for: Classic Cantonese dim sum, special occasions, big family meals
• Typical favorites:
  • Shrimp shumai
  • Har gow (shrimp dumplings)
  • Char siu bao (BBQ pork buns)
  • Chicken feet, turnip cakes, rice noodle rolls

Locals often advise arriving earlier in the day on weekends to avoid a long wait, especially if you have a large party.

Other Dim Sum–Style Options to Look For

In the Doraville, Chamblee, and Duluth areas, you’ll find other restaurants that:

• Serve menu-based dim sum all day rather than cart service
• Offer a mix of dim sum and standard Cantonese dishes
• May not be as large as the biggest banquet halls but are easier for small groups or first-timers

💡 Tip: If you’re new to dim sum, go with a group of at least 3–4, ask for tea, and order a variety of dumplings, buns, and a vegetable dish. Many Atlantans share everything family-style.

Sichuan & Spicy Regional Chinese: Where to Find Heat

If you like mala (the numbing, tingly heat from Sichuan peppercorns), Atlanta has several strong options, especially in Buford Hwy, Duluth, and some intown neighborhoods.

What to Expect at Sichuan-Focused Spots

Dishes you’ll commonly see and that locals frequently recommend:

• Mapo tofu – Tofu in a spicy, oily, numbing sauce
• Chongqing chicken – Crispy chicken buried in dried red chiles
• Dry-fried green beans – Wok-fried with minced pork and preserved vegetables
• Spicy fish in chili oil – Often served in a large metal pot for the table

Sichuan-focused restaurants in metro Atlanta often lean toward authenticity:

• Menus may be long and photo-heavy.
• Spice levels can be intense; many places will adjust if you ask.

If you’re staying intown, you can often find at least one Sichuan-oriented restaurant in Midtown or nearby. If you’re willing to drive to Duluth or Johns Creek, you’ll usually find even broader menus, including offal dishes, dry pot, and more adventurous options.

Noodles, Dumplings, and Casual Spots

Sometimes you just want a quick bowl of noodles or a plate of dumplings without committing to a big banquet-style meal.

Hand-Pulled Noodles & Dumpling Houses

Along Buford Highway and in Duluth, you’ll find:

• Hand-pulled noodle shops featuring:
  • Beef noodle soup
  • Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat
  • Wide, chewy biang-biang or knife-cut noodles
• Dumpling houses that specialize in:
  • Boiled dumplings (shuijiao)
  • Pan-fried dumplings (guotie)
  • Soup dumplings (xiao long bao), sometimes offered but not everywhere

These spots are typically:

• Affordable – many Atlantans use them for student-friendly or everyday dining
• Quick – good for lunch or a casual solo dinner
• Relaxed – order at the counter or with a simple paper menu, eat, and go

Intown Noodles & Takeout

Closer to Midtown, Downtown, and Decatur, you’ll find smaller restaurants and pan-Asian spots with:

• Lo mein, chow fun, fried rice
• Wonton soup and simple dumplings
• Combination plates and lunch specials

These may be less regionally specific but are convenient if you don’t want to leave the city core.

Hot Pot & DIY Cooking at the Table

Metro Atlanta, especially Duluth and Johns Creek, has embraced Chinese hot pot, where you cook raw ingredients in a simmering pot of broth at your table.

How Hot Pot Works in Atlanta

• You choose a broth (mild, tomato, herbal, spicy mala, or a divided pot).
• Pick ingredients: thin-sliced beef and lamb, shrimp, fish balls, tofu skins, greens, mushrooms, noodles.
• Cook at the table and dip in customized sauces (sesame, garlic, chili oil, soy, and more).

Hot pot restaurants in the Atlanta suburbs often operate as:

• All-you-can-eat for a fixed price, or
• A la carte with per-plate pricing

These spots are especially popular with:

• Large friend groups
• College students from nearby campuses
• Families looking for a social, interactive meal

If you’re new to hot pot, staff at most metro Atlanta locations are used to first-timers and can walk you through ordering and cooking basics.

American Chinese Classics: General Tso’s and Beyond

If you’re craving General Tso’s chicken, sesame chicken, egg rolls, egg drop soup, and lo mein, you’ll find countless options throughout Atlanta’s neighborhoods.

Where to Look

• In-town neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, Westside, Old Fourth Ward) often have at least one long-standing Chinese-American restaurant.
• Suburbs (Smyrna, Tucker, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta) are dotted with strip-mall places doing classic takeout and dine-in.

What to expect:

• Combination plates with rice and an egg roll
• Familiar sauces and milder flavors
• Lots of takeout and delivery volume, especially on weeknights

💡 Tip: For delivery in Atlanta, many residents rely on major delivery apps. Menus and availability can vary significantly by neighborhood, so check recent reviews and photos if you’re particular about style and spice levels.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Halal Options

Atlanta’s Chinese restaurants vary in how they handle dietary preferences and restrictions. If you’re vegetarian or avoiding certain ingredients:

Vegetarian & Vegan

• Many dishes can be made vegetarian by swapping tofu for meat and skipping oyster sauce.
• Common go-tos:
  • Ma po tofu (confirm if it contains pork; some versions do)
  • Mixed vegetable stir-fries
  • Eggplant with garlic sauce
  • Mushroom dishes, tofu-skin, and bean curd dishes
• Some pan-Asian or modern Chinese spots intown emphasize plant-forward options and clearly mark them.

Always confirm with staff—Atlanta kitchens vary in how strictly they avoid fish sauce, oyster sauce, or chicken stock in “vegetable” dishes.

Halal-Friendly Considerations

While a few Chinese restaurants around Buford Hwy and Gwinnett may be more familiar with halal requests, options are more limited compared with other cuisines. If halal adherence is essential:

• Verify meat sourcing and preparation directly with the restaurant.
• Consider seafood or vegetarian dishes to simplify things.

Where to Shop for Chinese Ingredients in Atlanta

If you’d rather cook Chinese food at home—or want snacks and bakery items—Atlanta has several major Asian supermarkets where many local families shop.

H Mart (Multiple Locations)

While H Mart is Korean-owned, Atlanta locations typically carry:

• A wide range of Chinese sauces, noodles, and dumpling wrappers
• Prepared Chinese-style deli items depending on the store
• Fresh produce and specialty greens

Common metro locations include:

• H Mart Doraville – near Buford Hwy corridor
• H Mart Duluth / Suwanee area – convenient for Gwinnett residents

Check each store’s directory or customer service desk for exact departments and any in-store food courts.

Chinatown Square – 5383 New Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341

Atlanta’s small but historically important Chamblee “Chinatown” plaza includes:

• A Chinese supermarket
• Several Chinese restaurants and bakeries
• Occasional cultural events and holiday celebrations

This is an easy stop if you’re already exploring Buford Highway and want both a meal and some groceries.

Other Asian Markets

Around Doraville, Norcross, and Duluth, you’ll find:

• Independent Chinese and pan-Asian groceries with regional snacks, fresh noodles, frozen dumplings, and seasonings
• Specialty shops for tea, herbs, and Chinese-style baked goods

Practical Tips for Enjoying Chinese Food in Atlanta

A few local habits and logistics to keep in mind:

1. Timing and Waits

• Dim sum and popular weekend spots on Buford Hwy can have substantial waits from late morning through early afternoon.
• Many suburban Chinese restaurants close for a mid-afternoon break, reopening for dinner. Always check hours before driving out.

2. Parking

• Buford Hwy, Doraville, Duluth, and Chamblee – Most plazas have free parking lots, but they can be tight at peak times.
• Midtown and Downtown – Street parking and paid decks are more common. Factor this into your timing and budget.

3. Language & Menus

• Staff at most Atlanta Chinese restaurants are used to English-speaking customers.
• Some of the most traditional or regionally focused spots may have:
  • Bilingual menus with photos
  • A few “secret” dishes only on the Chinese side of the menu
• If you’re unsure, many locals simply point to dishes on other tables they like, or ask staff what they recommend for a first visit.

4. Payments and Tipping

• Most established restaurants accept major credit and debit cards.
• Tipping norms generally follow standard Atlanta restaurant practice.

Choosing the Right Chinese Restaurant in Atlanta for You

When deciding where to go, consider:

• Location:

  • No car / short on time? Aim for intown Midtown/Decatur spots.
  • Have a car and a free afternoon or evening? Head to Buford Highway, Chamblee, Doraville, Duluth, or Johns Creek for the deepest choices.

• Style of food:

  • Dim sum / Cantonese: Doraville and Duluth are your best bets.
  • Sichuan and bold spice: Buford Hwy and Gwinnett-area regional restaurants.
  • American Chinese comfort: Almost every neighborhood has a reliable option.
  • Hot pot: Focus on Duluth, Johns Creek, and surrounding suburbs.

• Budget & group size:

  • Tight budget or solo diners: Noodle shops and dumpling houses along Buford Hwy.
  • Large groups and celebrations: Big banquet-style restaurants in Doraville and Duluth.
  • Date night or cocktails: More modern pan-Asian or upscale Chinese-inspired spots intown.

With a bit of planning—especially around Buford Highway and Gwinnett County—you can eat your way through many of China’s regional flavors without leaving metro Atlanta.