Where to Find Good Chinese Restaurants in Atlanta

Atlanta has a seriously underrated Chinese food scene. Whether you’re craving hand-pulled noodles, dim sum with friends, crispy Sichuan dishes, or American-style takeout classics, you can find it somewhere in the metro area.

This guide focuses on good Chinese restaurants in Atlanta, organized by style, neighborhood, and experience so you can match your cravings to the right spot.

Quick Snapshot: Types of Chinese Food You Can Find in Atlanta

Key Areas for Chinese Food in and Around Atlanta

Buford Highway (Doraville / Brookhaven)

If you live in metro Atlanta, you’ve probably heard that Buford Highway is the place for global eats—and that absolutely includes Chinese restaurants.

Stretching roughly from Brookhaven up through Doraville, Buford Highway offers:

• Family-run Chinese restaurants
• Regional specialty spots (Sichuan, Cantonese, Northern-style)
• Strip-mall gems with excellent value

Many Chinese restaurants here are clustered near Plaza Fiesta, Pinetree Plaza, and northward toward Doraville and Chamblee.

Helpful landmarks along Buford Highway for Chinese food:

• Doraville area (near I-285) – Known for Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese spots in close proximity.
• Chamblee / Chinatown Square – Includes a Chinese-focused shopping center that often houses restaurants, bakeries, and markets.

If you’re visiting, you can plug Doraville, GA 30340 into your navigation as a starting point and explore up and down Buford Highway from there.

Chamblee and “Chinatown” Area

Chamblee, especially near New Peachtree Road and the intersections around Buford Highway, has a concentration of Chinese markets and eateries.

You’ll often find:

• Sit-down Chinese restaurants with big menus and family-style round tables
• Chinese BBQ, roast duck, and specialty meats
• Bakeries and bubble tea shops nearby

A commonly used reference point is the “Chinatown” complex in Chamblee, roughly in the 30341 ZIP code area. This hub and the nearby plazas are good places to walk around and pick a restaurant that matches your preferences.

Duluth and Gwinnett County

If you’re willing to drive a little north from the city, Duluth and parts of Gwinnett County have:

• Many newer Chinese restaurants and chains that have opened to serve a growing Asian community.
• Places specializing in hot pot, skewers, and modern Chinese cafes.
• More group-oriented options with large dining rooms, ideal for family outings and celebrations.

Use central Duluth (for example, Duluth, GA 30096) as a starting area and look along Pleasant Hill Road and surrounding intersections.

Inside the Perimeter: Midtown, Downtown, and Intown Neighborhoods

If you prefer to stay closer to central Atlanta, you still have solid options, especially for:

• Noodles, dumplings, and Sichuan-style dishes in Midtown and nearby areas.
• Chinese restaurants that blend traditional and American Chinese dishes.
• Lunch-friendly spots near office districts and colleges.

In-town Chinese restaurants are often:

• Smaller and more casual
• Focused on quick service and takeout
• Well-suited to a fast lunch, solo meal, or pre-event dinner

Look around Midtown, Downtown, and along Peachtree Street corridors for convenient locations if you’re staying in a hotel or working in the city.

Types of Chinese Restaurants You’ll Find in Atlanta

1. Traditional Family-Style Chinese Restaurants

These are the places with:

• Large tables (sometimes with lazy Susans)
• Extensive menus with sections for seafood, pork, beef, tofu, and vegetable dishes
• Good options for big groups or family gatherings

You’ll see these most often:

• Along Buford Highway
• In Chamblee and Doraville
• In shopping centers in Duluth

They’re ideal if you want to order several dishes to share, like:

• Stir-fried greens (bok choy, Chinese broccoli)
• Whole fish in sauce
• Mapo tofu
• Kung pao chicken or cashew chicken

💡 Tip: If you’re with a group, let each person pick one dish and share everything family-style. It’s often the best way to sample more of the menu.

2. Dim Sum and Weekend Brunch-Style Chinese

Atlanta does have dim sum options, though they’re more concentrated in the suburbs than in central neighborhoods.

Typical features:

• Carts or menus featuring dumplings, buns, rice rolls, and small plates
• Best on weekends, especially late morning to early afternoon
• Works best with 3–6 people so you can try more items

You’ll primarily find dim sum:

• In Doraville and Chamblee, near Chinese shopping centers
• In parts of Duluth and Gwinnett County

Because dim sum service and hours can change, it’s a good idea to call ahead and ask:

• “Do you serve dim sum?”
• “What days and hours is dim sum available?”
• “Is it traditional cart service or off a menu?”

3. Sichuan and Spicy Chinese Restaurants

If you like chili oil, peppercorns, and bold flavor, seek out restaurants that specialize in Sichuan or “Szechuan” dishes.

Common dishes at these spots:

• Mapo tofu with numbing peppercorns
• Spicy fish or boiled beef in chili broth
• Cold noodles with chili oil and garlic
• Dry-fried green beans

You’ll typically find Sichuan-focused places:

• Along Buford Highway
• In Midtown and nearby intown areas
• In Duluth plazas with multiple Asian restaurants

🔥 Spice tip:
If you’re sensitive to heat, you can usually ask for “mild” or “less spicy”. Many Atlanta restaurants are used to adjusting spice levels for mixed groups.

4. Noodle and Dumpling Shops

For something casual and filling, Atlanta has several noodle-focused and dumpling-centric Chinese restaurants.

Expect:

• Hand-pulled noodles in rich broths
• Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat
• Dumplings, potstickers, and buns
• Quick, counter-style ordering in many cases

You’ll find these mostly:

• On and around Buford Highway
• In Duluth and Gwinnett County
• Scattered in Midtown or near colleges and office areas

These are great if you:

• Want a quick, solo meal
• Prefer lower prices than large full-service restaurants
• Like focusing on one or two specialties instead of a huge menu

5. American Chinese Takeout and Neighborhood Spots

All around Atlanta—city neighborhoods and suburbs alike—you’ll find:

• Strip-mall Chinese takeout
• Small family-run neighborhood restaurants
• Delivery-focused spots

They typically serve:

• General Tso’s chicken
• Sweet and sour chicken
• Lo mein and fried rice
• Egg rolls and crab rangoon

These are convenient if you:

• Want delivery to your home, hotel, or office
• Prefer familiar American Chinese flavors
• Need something fast and straightforward

You’ll see them practically everywhere, from West Midtown and Decatur to Sandy Springs, Marietta, and beyond.

How to Choose a Good Chinese Restaurant in Atlanta

Consider Location and Traffic

Atlanta traffic can be intense. When picking a restaurant, think about:

• Time of day: Buford Highway and major corridors can be slow during rush hours.
• Proximity to MARTA: For car-free travel, look around stations like Doraville, Chamblee, and Brookhaven/Oglethorpe for Buford Highway access.

If you’re staying in central Atlanta without a car, intown Chinese restaurants in Midtown, Downtown, and Old Fourth Ward may be more practical, with rideshare or short drives to Buford Highway for special outings.

Check the Menu Style

Before you commit, look for indication that the restaurant matches your cravings:

• Want traditional or regional dishes?
  Look for mapo tofu, cumin lamb, cold appetizers, offal, or whole fish on the menu.

• Want American Chinese comfort food?
  Combo plates, lunch specials, and dishes like General Tso’s, sesame chicken, and beef with broccoli are a good sign.

• Want dim sum or hot pot?
  Make sure the restaurant specifically mentions those services, since they’re not automatically offered everywhere.

Ask About Group Seating and Reservations

Many of the better-known Chinese restaurants get very busy on:

• Friday and Saturday evenings
• Weekend lunch, especially at dim sum spots
• Major holidays like Lunar New Year

To avoid long waits, you can:

• Call ahead to ask if they take reservations or call-ahead seating
• Mention if you need a large round table or private room for a big group

Practical Tips for Eating Chinese in Atlanta

Parking and Access

• Buford Highway, Doraville, Chamblee, and Duluth:
  Most Chinese restaurants are in shopping centers with surface parking lots. Parking is usually free, but lots can fill up at peak times.

• Midtown and Downtown:
  Expect a mix of paid street parking, decks, and rideshare drop-offs. For larger parties, factor in extra time to park.

Payment and Tipping

Most established Chinese restaurants in the Atlanta area:

• Accept credit and debit cards
• Follow standard U.S. tipping practices (many diners tip around 15–20% at sit-down restaurants)

Some smaller or very casual spots may:

• Have minimum charges for card use
• Prefer cash for small orders

If you’re unsure, calling ahead or checking at the counter before ordering is helpful, especially for large group meals.

Dietary Preferences and Restrictions

Atlanta’s Chinese restaurants often accommodate:

• Vegetarian: Tofu, vegetable stir-fries, and noodle dishes can often be made without meat.
• Pork-free or other restrictions: You can ask if dishes can be made without pork, shellfish, or certain sauces.

When you order, be as clear and specific as possible, for example:

• “No oyster sauce, please.”
• “Please cook this without egg.”
• “Is there meat or fish sauce in the broth?”

How Visitors and New Residents Can Navigate the Scene

If you’re new to Atlanta or just in town for a few days:

1. Start with Buford Highway
   Use Doraville, GA or Chamblee, GA as your GPS target and explore the strip malls and plazas along Buford Highway for Chinese and other Asian cuisines.

2. Use MARTA where practical

   • Doraville Station (MARTA Gold Line): From here, it’s a short rideshare to many Chinese restaurants on Buford Highway.
   • Chamblee Station: Also close to a cluster of Chinese and other Asian restaurants and markets.

3. Ask locals
   Atlantans often have strong opinions about favorite Chinese spots. Asking coworkers, hotel staff, or classmates can surface lesser-known neighborhood places worth trying.

4. Plan ahead for big outings
   For dim sum, hot pot, or special celebrations, call ahead to:

   • Confirm hours
   • Check on wait times
   • Ask about group seating

Simple Planning Checklist ✅

Before heading out to a Chinese restaurant in Atlanta, take a moment to:

• Decide what kind of Chinese food you want (dim sum, spicy Sichuan, noodles, American Chinese, etc.).
• Choose an area:
  • Buford Highway / Doraville / Chamblee for variety and authenticity
  • Duluth / Gwinnett for many modern and group-friendly spots
  • Midtown / intown for convenience and quick meals
• Check hours, especially for dim sum and hot pot.
• Factor in traffic and parking.
• If going with a large group, call to ask about reservations and table size.

With these basics in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to find good Chinese restaurants in Atlanta that match your taste, location, and budget—whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through.