Restaurants Hiring in Atlanta, GA: Where to Find Restaurant Jobs Now

If you’re searching for restaurants hiring in Atlanta, GA, you’re in one of the Southeast’s most active restaurant job markets. From neighborhood spots in Grant Park and West End to high-end kitchens in Buckhead and Midtown, Atlanta’s hospitality scene constantly needs new talent.

This guide walks you through where to look, who’s hiring, how to apply, and what to expect when job hunting in Atlanta’s restaurant industry.

Types of Restaurant Jobs Commonly Hiring in Atlanta

Atlanta restaurants hire for a wide range of roles. Knowing how each job works helps you target the right opportunities.

Front-of-House (FOH) Positions

These roles focus on guest experience and service:

• Host/Hostess – Greets guests, manages reservations and waitlists
• Server – Takes orders, serves food and drinks, handles checks
• Bartender – Prepares drinks, manages bar guests, sometimes light food service
• Busser/Food Runner – Clears tables, runs food, supports servers
• Barback – Restocks and assists bartenders

FOH jobs are common in busy areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and around Ponce City Market, where restaurants see steady foot traffic.

Back-of-House (BOH) Positions

These roles are kitchen-centered and focus on food preparation:

• Line Cook – Cooks menu items during service
• Prep Cook – Preps ingredients, sauces, and components in advance
• Dishwasher – Maintains dishware, cookware, and kitchen cleanliness
• Pastry Cook/Baker – Prepares desserts and baked goods (more common in bakeries and hotels)
• Kitchen Manager/Sous Chef/Chef de Cuisine – Oversees kitchen operations and staff

BOH positions are constantly in demand at hotel restaurants in Downtown and Buckhead, neighborhood spots along Buford Highway, and high-volume chains around Perimeter Center and Cumberland.

Management and Support Roles

• Shift Supervisor
• Assistant Manager
• General Manager
• Catering Manager or Event Coordinator
• HR/Recruiting for multi-location groups

These jobs are more common with restaurant groups, hotel restaurants, and large chains that have multiple locations in the metro area.

Where to Find Restaurants Hiring in Atlanta Right Now

You can find open positions through a mix of online tools, in-person visits, and local networks.

1. Walking In: Neighborhoods With Lots of Hiring

Many Atlanta restaurants still hire through in-person applications. If you’re comfortable, walking in during slower hours (typically 2–4 p.m.) with a resume can be effective.

High-density restaurant areas where this works well:

• Midtown – Peachtree St NE, 10th St, around the Midtown MARTA Station
• Buckhead – Around Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, and Peachtree Rd
• Inman Park / Krog Street Market – Along Highland Ave NE and around the BeltLine
• Old Fourth Ward / Ponce City Market – North Ave NE, Boulevard, and the Eastside Trail area
• West Midtown – Howell Mill Rd NW and Marietta St NW
• Virginia-Highland – North Highland Ave NE
• Downtown Atlanta – Around Centennial Olympic Park, hotel corridors, and Peachtree Center

When you walk in:

• Ask to speak with a manager
• Bring a printed resume (even for entry-level roles)
• Be ready for a short on-the-spot interview or to fill out an application

2. Online Job Boards and Restaurant-Specific Platforms

Most Atlanta restaurants now post openings on popular job sites. Common filters to use:

• Location: Atlanta, GA or your specific neighborhood
• Category: Restaurant / Food Service / Hospitality
• Keywords: “server,” “line cook,” “dishwasher,” “restaurant hiring immediately”

Many local restaurants also post hiring needs on their own websites or social media pages, especially Instagram and Facebook.

3. Hotel and Hospitality Districts

Atlanta’s hotel corridors are consistent sources of restaurant jobs, especially BOH and banquet roles. These hotels typically have in-house restaurants, lounges, bars, and catering operations.

Key areas:

• Downtown – Near the Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena
• Buckhead – Around Lenox Rd NE and Peachtree Rd
• Airport Area (College Park / Hapeville) – Near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport along Virginia Ave and Old National Hwy

Search the “Careers” or “Jobs” section of major hotel brands with Atlanta locations to find restaurant-related postings like banquet server, breakfast attendant, line cook, or bartender.

4. Atlanta Food Halls and Market Hubs

Food halls and multi-restaurant complexes often have multiple tenants hiring at once:

• Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308)
• Krog Street Market (99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307)
• The Works (1295 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318)
• Chattahoochee Food Works (inside The Works)
• Politan Row at Colony Square (1197 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30361)

These spots frequently need cashiers, counter staff, line cooks, dishwashers, runners, and sometimes bar staff.

5. Buford Highway and Ethnic Restaurants

Buford Highway is known for its concentration of Asian, Latin American, and international restaurants. Many are independently owned and may:

• Hire via signs in windows (“Now Hiring,” “Help Wanted”)
• Prefer in-person inquiries
• Value bilingual staff (especially Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese)

If you’re open to these environments, driving or riding along Buford Hwy NE (from Brookhaven through Doraville and Chamblee) and stopping in is a practical strategy.

Local Resources That Can Help You Get Hired

Georgia Department of Labor – Career Center

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) offers help connecting job seekers with openings, including restaurant and hospitality positions.

Atlanta-area career centers commonly used by city residents include:

Atlanta Career Center – GDOL

• 223 Courtland St NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: (404) 232-3520

North Metro Career Center – GDOL

• 2211 Beaver Ruin Rd, Suite 160
  Norcross, GA 30071
• Phone: (770) 840-2200

Services may include:

• Job listings and referrals
• Resume help
• Information about job fairs and hiring events

Check their current hours and any appointment requirements before visiting.

Goodwill of North Georgia Career Centers

Goodwill operates several career centers around metro Atlanta that often assist with restaurant job placement and basic job readiness.

Examples include:

Downtown Atlanta Career Center

• 235 Peachtree St NE, Suite 200
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Decatur Career Center

• 2201 Lawrenceville Hwy
  Decatur, GA 30033

They typically provide:

• Free resume assistance
• Interview practice
• Listings for local employers, including restaurants
• Occasional job fairs and employer hiring events

Entry-Level vs. Experienced Roles in Atlanta Restaurants

Many Atlanta restaurants are open to hiring people with little or no experience, especially for:

• Host/hostess
• Busser
• Food runner
• Dishwasher
• Entry-level prep cook

You may see phrases like “no experience required” or “will train the right person” in these postings.

More competitive or higher-paying roles often require experience, such as:

• Bartender (especially in Buckhead, Midtown, or high-volume bars)
• Server in upscale dining rooms
• Lead line cook, sous chef, or chef de cuisine
• General manager or assistant manager

If you’re new, starting in a support role at a busy restaurant in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Buckhead can help you gain experience and move up.

Typical Hiring Process at Atlanta Restaurants

Most hiring follows a straightforward pattern, though it varies by employer and neighborhood.

Step 1: Application

You may be asked to:

• Fill out an online form
• Submit a resume by email
• Complete a paper application in person

Having a simple one-page resume listing:

• Work history (or school/volunteer experience)
• Contact information
• Any hospitality experience
  is helpful, even if not required.

Step 2: Interview

Restaurant interviews in Atlanta are usually informal. You might:

• Meet with a manager for 10–30 minutes
• Be asked situational questions (“What would you do if a guest is unhappy?”)
• Talk about your available hours, transportation, and start date

For BOH jobs, you might be asked about:

• Knife skills
• Types of cuisines you’ve worked with
• Volume/cover counts you’re used to handling

Step 3: Working Interview or Stage (for Some BOH Jobs)

In some kitchens, especially higher-end or chef-driven ones, you may be invited to:

• Work a short trial shift or
• Complete a cooking test

This is common around chef-focused areas like Inman Park, West Midtown, or Old Fourth Ward.

Step 4: Onboarding

Once hired, you’ll typically:

• Fill out tax and employment forms (I-9, W-4)
• Complete any online training modules (for chains or hotels)
• Go through orientation and receive a schedule

What to Expect: Pay, Tips, and Schedules in Atlanta

Actual pay varies widely by restaurant type, location, and your role, but here are typical patterns seen across the city.

Front-of-House Pay Structure

Most FOH positions in Atlanta use a base hourly wage plus tips structure. You might see:

• A lower hourly base (server/bartender) with significant tipped income
• Higher hourly rates with tip pooling at some modern or fast-casual concepts

Tip income often fluctuates based on:

• Location (Buckhead and Midtown can be strong for nighttime tips)
• Type of restaurant (fine dining vs. casual)
• Day of the week (weekends are usually more lucrative)

Back-of-House Pay Structure

BOH jobs are typically hourly with no tips or a small share of tip pool (depending on the restaurant’s policy). Some higher-end places or hotel restaurants may offer:

• Slightly higher base pay
• Benefits for full-time employees

Schedules and Shifts

Atlanta restaurants typically staff:

• Lunch shifts (especially in Midtown, Downtown, and near office corridors)
• Dinner shifts (citywide, especially busy Thursday–Sunday)
• Brunch shifts (very common on weekends in areas like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and Midtown)

You can expect:

• Nights, weekends, and holidays to be key working times
• Part-time and full-time schedules
• Split shifts in very busy restaurants or hotel operations

Best Practices for Landing a Restaurant Job in Atlanta

A few targeted steps can make your search more effective.

1. Tailor Your Search by Area

Consider what’s most important to you:

• High volume & strong tip potential: Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, Downtown
• Trendy, chef-driven spots: West Midtown, Inman Park, Edgewood, Old Fourth Ward
• Neighborhood vibe: Grant Park, East Atlanta Village, Kirkwood, West End
• Cultural and international cuisines: Buford Highway, parts of Doraville, Chamblee, and Clarkston

2. Prepare a Simple, Clear Resume

Include:

• Your name and phone number
• Any hospitality or customer-service roles
• Availability (days/nights/weekends)
• A short line about your goal (e.g., “Seeking server position in a busy Atlanta restaurant”)

3. Dress Appropriately When Applying in Person

You don’t need formal business attire, but aim for:

• Clean, presentable clothing
• Closed-toe shoes
• Neat appearance

4. Be Honest About Your Availability

Restaurants in Atlanta commonly ask:

• “Can you work weekends?”
• “Are you available late nights?”
• “Can you work holidays?”

Clear communication about your schedule helps you land a role that fits your life.

5. Check for MARTA-Accessible Jobs if You Don’t Drive

Many jobs are accessible by MARTA rail or bus, especially:

• Midtown and Downtown (near MARTA rail stations)
• Buckhead (Lenox and Buckhead stations)
• Ponce City Market and BeltLine-adjacent areas (via bus connections)

When looking at job postings, check if the restaurant is near a MARTA station or bus line to make commuting easier.

Quick Reference: Common Atlanta Restaurant Job Paths

When to Look: Best Times to Search for Restaurant Jobs in Atlanta

While listings appear year-round, certain times are especially active:

• Early spring – Restaurants prepare for outdoor dining and event season
• Late summer / early fall – New openings and staffing up after summer vacations
• Before major events and holidays – Around big sports events, festivals, and year-end holidays

Still, Atlanta’s restaurant industry has enough turnover and growth that any month of the year can yield solid opportunities if you’re persistent.

If you focus your search by neighborhood, role, and transportation, use both in-person and online approaches, and tap into local career centers and hospitality hubs, you can reliably find restaurants hiring in Atlanta, GA and move into a role that fits your skills and schedule.