Healthiest Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Eat Well Around the City

Finding healthy restaurants in Atlanta is easier than ever. Whether you live in-town, commute from the suburbs, or are just visiting for a few days, you’ll find plenty of spots that make it simple to eat well without feeling like you’re sacrificing flavor.

Below is a practical guide to some of the healthiest places to eat in Atlanta, plus tips on what to look for on menus, how to customize orders, and how healthy dining shifts by neighborhood.

What “Healthy Restaurant” Really Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, “healthy” can mean different things depending on your needs:

• Plant-forward and vegetarian/vegan
• Mediterranean-style with lots of vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil
• Fresh, made-to-order bowls and salads
• Low-oil, grilled, and lean protein options
• Locally sourced and seasonal ingredients
• Gluten-free or allergen-conscious menus

Most health-focused restaurants in Atlanta will highlight:

• Grilled over fried options
• Whole grains (brown rice, farro, quinoa) instead of only white rice or fries
• Plenty of vegetables in main dishes, not just as sides
• Lighter dressings and sauces or options on the side

Quick-Glance Guide: Healthiest Restaurant Types in Atlanta

Use this as a starting point when exploring healthy restaurants around the city.

Healthiest Restaurants in Popular Atlanta Areas

Below are examples of restaurant types and areas where you’re likely to find healthier options. Always check current hours and menus, since offerings can change.

Midtown & Downtown Atlanta

These neighborhoods are packed with options that work for office workers, students, and visitors.

What you’ll typically find:

• Build-your-own salad and grain bowl spots with many vegetable toppings
• Vegan and vegetarian cafés near Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Midtown offices
• Healthy-leaning lunch cafes with soups, wraps, and salads

Healthier ordering ideas in Midtown/Downtown:

• Choose build-your-own bowls with:
  • Base of greens or half greens/half grains
  • Grilled chicken, tofu, beans, or salmon
  • Extra vegetables (roasted, raw, or pickled)
  • Light dressings on the side
• At casual Southern or American spots, look for:
  • Grilled fish or chicken
  • Veggie sides like greens, roasted vegetables, or salads
  • Ask to sub fries for a side salad or seasonal veggies

These neighborhoods are walkable, so it’s easy to explore a few blocks and compare menus.

Buckhead & North Atlanta (Perimeter, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven)

North Atlanta leans heavily into business-lunch friendly and upscale-casual restaurants, many of which offer lighter options.

Common healthy styles here:

• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants with grilled kabobs, salads, and lentil dishes
• Modern American grill restaurants with clean, simple plates
• Chain and local salad / grain bowl concepts

Healthier ordering ideas in Buckhead & North Atlanta:

• At Mediterranean spots:
  • Start with hummus or baba ghanoush with vegetables rather than only bread
  • Choose grilled kebabs (chicken, shrimp, or vegetables)
  • Order tabbouleh, Greek salad, or lentil salad as a side
• At American grill-style restaurants:
  • Look for “simply grilled” or “wood-fired” menu sections
  • Request sauces and dressings on the side
  • Sub mashed potatoes or fries for grilled vegetables, spinach, or salad

These areas also include many health-conscious grocery stores with hot bars and salad bars that work for quick, balanced meals.

Eastside: Decatur, Inman Park, and Virginia-Highland

The eastside is known for walkable neighborhoods and ingredient-driven restaurants.

What stands out here:

• Vegetarian and vegan-forward restaurants
• Neighborhood cafés with scratch-made soups and salads
• Spots that emphasize local farms and seasonal menus

Healthier ordering ideas on the Eastside:

• Try vegetable-heavy entrées such as grain bowls, veggie plates, or tofu stir-fries
• Look for menus that mark:
  • “V” or “VG” (vegetarian/vegan)
  • “GF” (gluten-free) or allergen-friendly options
• Many cafes will adjust:
  • Swap cheese-heavy toppings for extra veggies
  • Replace white bread with whole-grain options when available

Decatur and Virginia-Highland in particular have many smaller, chef-driven spots where staff can explain ingredients and help with healthier modifications.

Westside, West End, and Beyond

West Midtown, the Westside, and the West End combine trendy eateries with long-time neighborhood spots.

Healthy-leaning options you’ll usually see:

• Farm-to-table or seasonal restaurants with vegetable-focused sides
• Brunch spots that offer omelets, grain bowls, and fruit plates
• A growing number of plant-based restaurants in the West End and surrounding areas

Healthier ordering ideas on the Westside:

• At brunch:
  • Choose egg dishes with vegetables, plus fruit or greens on the side
  • Ask to lighten butter or cheese where possible
• At farm-to-table spots:
  • Check for daily veggie plates or seasonal salads
  • Opt for grilled or roasted proteins and limit heavy sauces

Healthy Takeout and Delivery in Atlanta

If you’re ordering in from anywhere in the metro area—Smyrna, Marietta, College Park, or right in the city—many restaurants and national chains now label healthier items clearly on delivery apps.

Tips when choosing healthy delivery:

• Filter or sort by “healthy,” “vegetarian,” or “Mediterranean” where apps allow
• Check photos to see:
  • Amount of visible oil, cheese, and creamy sauce
  • Presence of greens and vegetables in main dishes
• When ordering:
  • Add a side salad or extra vegetables
  • Request sauces and dressings on the side
  • Choose steamed rice or brown rice instead of fried rice when possible

Many Atlanta restaurants will honor special instructions like “light oil” or “no added cheese,” especially when you order directly by phone.

How to Read an Atlanta Menu for Healthier Choices

No matter where you go in Atlanta—BBQ joint, taco spot, or upscale seafood—these patterns can help you make healthier choices.

Words That Often Signal Lighter Options

Look for:

• Grilled, roasted, baked, steamed, or seared
• Fresh, seasonal, market, or garden
• Simple preparation or “served with lemon and olive oil”

Be more cautious with dishes described as:

• Fried, crispy, smothered, creamy, loaded, or stuffed
• Alfredo, queso, or heavy cream sauces

Ways to Customize Your Order

Most Atlanta restaurants are used to special requests. Common tweaks that stay within what kitchens can usually handle:

• Swap sides
  • Fries → side salad, seasonal vegetables, fruit, or brown rice (when available)
• Adjust toppings
  • Ask for cheese, bacon, and creamy dressing on the side or left off
• Portion awareness
  • Split an entrée with a friend or box half to go when it arrives
• Beverages
  • Choose water, unsweet tea, or seltzer instead of sugary drinks

These small choices can turn almost any Atlanta restaurant into a reasonably healthy option.

Healthy Eating by Cuisine in Atlanta

Atlanta’s food scene is diverse. Here’s how to find healthier choices within common local cuisines.

Southern and Soul Food

Atlanta has deep roots in Southern cooking, but you can still lean healthier:

• Look for:
  • Grilled or baked chicken instead of fried
  • Collard greens, green beans, black-eyed peas, or cabbage (ask about how they’re prepared)
  • Baked sweet potatoes or okra if they’re not deep fried
• Ask if:
  • Vegetables can be prepared with lighter seasoning or less added fat

Mexican, Latin, and Tex-Mex

Common across the metro, from Buford Highway to College Park:

• Choose:
  • Grilled fish or chicken tacos on corn tortillas
  • Fajitas with lots of peppers and onions (use smaller amounts of cheese and sour cream)
  • Black beans, pinto beans, and rice over queso-heavy dishes
• Adjust:
  • Ask for guacamole and salsa instead of extra cheese dip
  • Limit fried chips, or share one basket for the table

Asian and Pan-Asian

Buford Highway, Doraville, and Chamblee, plus many intown areas, offer great Asian options.

• Healthier patterns:
  • Stir-fries with lots of vegetables, steamed rice on the side
  • Pho or clear soups with herbs and vegetables
  • Sushi rolls with more fish and vegetables, less mayo or fried toppings
• Ordering ideas:
  • Ask for less sauce or sauce on the side, especially with sweet or thick sauces
  • Choose steamed or grilled items over battered and fried dishes

Juice Bars, Smoothies, and Healthy Snacks in Atlanta

For lighter meals or snacks, Atlanta has many juice bars and smoothie shops, especially near fitness centers, colleges, and office hubs.

Healthier smoothie strategies:

• Choose whole fruit bases instead of mostly juice or syrups
• Add greens (spinach, kale) and protein (yogurt, nut butter, or protein powder if desired)
• Ask to:
  • Reduce or skip added sweeteners
  • Skip whipped cream, candy toppings, or heavy syrups

Many of these spots also sell protein boxes, salads, and grain bowls, which make quick, balanced meals.

Eating Healthy Near Major Atlanta Landmarks

If you’re visiting or running errands, it helps to know how to find healthy food near common destinations.

Near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Around the airport and College Park area, you’ll typically find:

• National chains with grilled chicken, salads, and bowls
• Local restaurants with vegetable sides and grilled items

Inside the airport, many terminals offer:

• Salads, fruit cups, and yogurt
• Grilled chicken sandwiches that can be ordered without sauces or cheese

Near Major Hospitals and Campuses

Areas around Emory University, Grady Memorial Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, and Georgia Tech usually support:

• Cafés and fast-casual spots with lighter options
• Grocery stores with salad bars and hot bars

If you’re spending long days in these areas, it can be useful to:

• Find one or two go-to spots that offer vegetable-heavy options
• Keep simple snacks on hand (nuts, fruit, whole-grain crackers) to avoid last-minute less-healthy choices

Using Atlanta Grocery Stores as “Healthy Restaurants”

Many large grocery stores in Atlanta now operate almost like casual restaurants, especially in neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs.

What you can usually get:

• Build-your-own salads with a wide range of vegetables and toppings
• Hot bars with grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and whole grains
• Packaged sushi, bean salads, and yogurt parfaits

This is often a good option if:

• You want control over portions and ingredients
• You’re feeding mixed preferences (some want comfort food, some want lighter dishes)
• You’re near a store after work or while running errands

Practical Checklist: Choosing a Healthy Restaurant in Atlanta

When you’re trying to decide where to eat, use this quick checklist:

• 🥗 Does the menu show salads, bowls, or vegetable-heavy main dishes?
• 🍗 Can you get grilled or baked proteins instead of fried?
• 🥦 Are there at least two or three non-fried vegetable sides?
• 🌾 Is there an option for brown rice, whole grains, or beans?
• 🧂 Can sauces, dressings, and cheese be served on the side?
• 📍 Is it convenient to where you live, work, or visit in Atlanta?
• 📱 Do they offer takeout or delivery for busy days?

If you can answer “yes” to most of these, the restaurant can likely support a healthier way of eating, even if it’s not marketed as a “health food” place.

By focusing on neighborhoods, cuisine types, and simple menu strategies, you can find healthy restaurants in Atlanta that match your taste, budget, and schedule—whether you’re grabbing a quick salad near Midtown, enjoying grilled fish in Buckhead, or exploring plant-based meals in Decatur or the West End.