Restaurant Jobs in Atlanta: How to Find Work in the City’s Food Scene

Atlanta’s restaurant scene is one of the busiest in the Southeast, which makes restaurant jobs in Atlanta a steady option for work—whether you want a full-time career or a flexible side job. From Midtown high-rises to neighborhood spots along Buford Highway and the Westside, there are opportunities across skill levels and schedules.

This guide walks you through the types of restaurant jobs in Atlanta, what they pay, where to find them, and how to stand out when you apply.

The Atlanta Restaurant Landscape

Atlanta’s food industry is shaped by a few key factors:

• Year-round demand thanks to a large local population and steady tourism
• Diverse cuisines (Southern, Korean, Mexican, Ethiopian, Caribbean, and more)
• Clustered restaurant districts like Midtown, Buckhead, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, and along Buford Highway
• Mix of big-name groups and independent restaurants, from fine dining to quick-service

Because of this, you’ll find:

• Entry-level positions with on-the-job training
• Tip-heavy front-of-house roles
• Skilled kitchen and management careers with long-term growth potential

Common Restaurant Jobs in Atlanta

Front-of-House (Guest-Facing) Roles

These jobs deal directly with guests and often include tips:

• Server / Waiter – Takes orders, explains the menu, and manages tables
• Bartender – Makes drinks, manages the bar, often with strong tip potential
• Host / Hostess – Greets guests, manages reservations and seating
• Busser / Runner – Clears tables, resets, and runs food from kitchen to table
• Barback – Supports bartenders with restocking and glassware

Good for:
People who are outgoing, communicate well, and can handle fast-paced, busy shifts—especially nights and weekends.

Back-of-House (Kitchen) Roles

These jobs focus on food preparation and consistency:

• Line Cook – Works a specific station (grill, sauté, fry, etc.)
• Prep Cook – Prepares ingredients, sauces, and basic components
• Dishwasher / Steward – Handles dishwashing, basic cleaning, and support
• Pastry Cook / Baker – Works on desserts or baked goods (more common in hotels or bakeries)
• Kitchen Manager / Sous Chef / Executive Chef – Oversees kitchen operations, ordering, and staff

Good for:
People who like structured tasks, teamwork, and don’t mind physical work and heat.

Management & Support Positions

Once you gain experience, Atlanta restaurants also offer:

• Shift Lead – Supervises a shift, supports staff
• Assistant Manager / General Manager – Runs daily operations, scheduling, training
• Beverage Director / Bar Manager – Oversees bar program, inventory, and staff
• Catering Manager / Event Coordinator – Handles private events and off-site catering
• HR / Payroll / Office Manager (more common in restaurant groups and hotels)

Typical Pay Patterns in Atlanta Restaurant Jobs

Pay can vary widely by role, restaurant type, and location in the city. While exact numbers differ, you’ll usually see:

In busier areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, and the BeltLine corridor, tips may be higher because of:

• Higher check averages
• Business travel and convention guests
• Weekend nightlife traffic

Quieter neighborhoods may offer steadier work but slightly lower tips.

Best Atlanta Neighborhoods for Restaurant Jobs

If you’re job hunting, it helps to know where restaurants cluster in the city:

• Midtown – Upscale spots, hotel restaurants, high-volume bars, and casual chains
• Downtown – Hotel restaurants, convention-focused dining, quick-service spots
• Buckhead – High-end dining, lounges, steak houses, and hotel restaurants
• Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park – Trendy, chef-driven restaurants, many along the BeltLine
• West Midtown – Warehouses turned into restaurants, breweries, and event spaces
• Virginia-Highland / Morningside – Neighborhood pubs and mid-range sit-down restaurants
• Buford Highway (Doraville/Chamblee area) – Wide range of international restaurants
• East Atlanta Village / Edgewood – Bars, late-night spots, and casual eateries

If you don’t have a car, choosing an area served by MARTA rail or frequent buses (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, parts of the BeltLine) can be a big help.

How to Find Restaurant Jobs in Atlanta

1. Online Job Boards & Apps

Many Atlanta restaurants post jobs on:

• Large job boards (search for “restaurant jobs Atlanta” with role titles like “server,” “line cook,” or “host”)
• General classified sites with local job sections
• Restaurant-focused or hourly-work apps (often used by chains and larger groups)

Use filters such as:

• Location (Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, West Midtown, etc.)
• Job type (full-time, part-time, seasonal)
• Experience level (entry-level if you’re new)

2. Walk-In Applications

In Atlanta, “now hiring” signs are common, especially in:

• Busy corridors like Peachtree Street, the BeltLine, Howell Mill Road, Ponce de Leon Avenue, Cheshire Bridge, and Buford Highway
• Shopping centers and mixed-use developments such as Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, The Battery Atlanta, and Colony Square

Tips for walk-ins:

• Go during slow hours (between lunch and dinner, usually 2–4 p.m.)
• Bring a printed resume if you have one
• Dress neat and clean, even if not formal
• Be ready for a short, on-the-spot conversation with a manager

3. Networking in the Local Scene

Atlanta’s restaurant community is connected across:

• Current and former coworkers moving between restaurants
• People you meet at bars, coffee shops, and industry nights
• Local hospitality groups that own multiple venues

If you’re already in the industry, let friends and former colleagues know you’re looking; many positions never get posted publicly and are filled by referrals.

Getting Hired With No Restaurant Experience

It’s common in Atlanta to start in entry-level roles and move up quickly if you show reliability and a good attitude.

Good beginner positions include:

• Host / Hostess
• Busser / Food Runner
• Dishwasher
• Counter staff at fast-casual or quick-service spots

To make yourself more appealing:

• Highlight customer service experience (retail, call centers, events, volunteering)
• Emphasize reliability, punctuality, and weekend availability
• Be honest about your experience but show you’re willing to learn and take feedback

Schedules, Shifts, and Lifestyle in Atlanta Restaurants

Restaurant work in Atlanta often means:

• Evening and weekend shifts (especially Friday–Sunday)
• Late nights in nightlife areas like Buckhead, Midtown, and Edgewood
• Brunch shifts that start early on weekends (often popular for tips)
• Seasonal surges around football season, conventions, concerts, and holidays

If you rely on MARTA or buses:

• Check your last train or bus times for your route (especially important after closing shifts)
• Consider restaurants near MARTA rail stations (Midtown, Arts Center, Buckhead, Peachtree Center, Five Points, etc.)

Training, Certifications, and Requirements in Atlanta

While many jobs are train-on-the-job, some basic requirements are common.

Food Safety & Alcohol Serving

Many employers prefer or require:

• Food handler training – Basic food safety, temperature control, hygiene
• Alcohol server training (for bartenders and some servers) – Checking IDs, responsible service

Some courses are available online or through in-person providers around Atlanta. Many restaurants will pay for or provide the training once you’re hired.

Age Requirements

In Georgia, typical patterns include:

• 18+ for most serving or kitchen roles
• 21+ often preferred for bartending or roles serving alcohol directly

Individual employers may set stricter rules even if the law allows younger employees in certain positions.

Where to Get Help and Support in Atlanta

If you’re new to the workforce, between jobs, or looking to move into hospitality from another field, there are local resources that can help.

Georgia Department of Labor – Atlanta Offices

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) offers job search assistance, resume help, and access to local openings, including restaurant and hospitality roles.

One central location in the metro area is:

• Atlanta Career Center (GDOL)
  223 Courtland Street NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 232-3500

You can call ahead to confirm hours and ask about job search workshops or referral programs.

Workforce Development & Training Programs

In the Atlanta area, several workforce and community organizations periodically offer:

• Job readiness workshops
• Hospitality and customer-service training
• Help with resume writing and interview skills

Search locally for workforce development programs serving Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties, and ask specifically about restaurant or hospitality job training.

Tips to Stand Out When Applying in Atlanta

A few small steps can make a big difference:

• Bring a short resume, even for entry-level roles
• Note any Atlanta neighborhoods you can easily commute to
• Make clear if you’re open to nights, weekends, and holidays (big plus for managers)
• When dropping off an application, ask politely:
  • “Is a manager available for a quick introduction?”
• Follow up with a short phone call 2–3 days later if you haven’t heard back

📝 Pro tip: Many managers in busy Atlanta restaurants look first for reliability and attitude, then teach the skills. If you show up on time, look put-together, and communicate clearly, you’re already ahead of many applicants.

Growing a Restaurant Career in Atlanta

Once you’re in the door, Atlanta offers room to grow:

• Move from busser → server → bartender
• Move from dishwasher → prep cook → line cook → sous chef
• Transition from server or bartender to shift lead, assistant manager, or general manager
• Join a restaurant group with multiple locations across the metro area for more promotion options

If you stay in the industry, Atlanta’s mix of local restaurants, hotel dining, corporate catering, stadiums, and event venues gives you choices beyond a single style of restaurant.

If you live in Atlanta or are moving here, restaurant jobs can provide flexible hours, quick entry into the workforce, and a path to long-term roles in a fast-growing city. Start with the neighborhoods that fit your commute, apply widely, and stay open to learning on the job.