Atlanta Delis: Where to Find Great International Sandwiches, Meats, and More

Atlanta might be best known for Southern food, but the city also has a growing deli scene with strong international flavors—from New York–style Jewish delis and Italian markets to Middle Eastern, Latin, and Eastern European spots.

Whether you live in the metro area or you’re just visiting, you can find an “Atlanta deli” that fits what you’re craving: a loaded pastrami on rye, a Turkish doner, or a pressed Cuban sandwich.

Below is a practical guide to understanding how delis work in Atlanta, what kinds of international cuisine you can expect, and where to look.

What “Deli” Usually Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, “deli” can mean a few different things:

• A classic sandwich shop (often with Boar’s Head–style meats and cheeses)
• A Jewish or New York–style deli with pastrami, corned beef, matzo ball soup, and bagels
• An Italian deli/market with cured meats, fresh mozzarella, subs, and imported groceries
• An international grocery with a deli counter, often serving ready-to-eat dishes from a specific region (Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Latin, etc.)
• A corporate or hospital café-style deli (common in Midtown and Downtown office towers)

If you’re searching for international cuisine in deli form in Atlanta, you’ll mostly find it in:

• In-town neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park
• Dense commercial corridors like Buford Highway, Chamblee, and parts of Doraville and Tucker
• Suburban pockets with strong immigrant communities (e.g., Norcross, Duluth, Clarkston)

Major Types of International Delis in Atlanta

Jewish & New York–Style Delis

These are the places to look for:

• Pastrami, corned beef, and brisket sandwiches
• Bagels, lox, and whitefish salad
• Matzoh ball soup, knishes, latkes, and rugelach

In the Atlanta area, Jewish and NY-style delis are often clustered in:

• Sandy Springs / Dunwoody (north of the city, along Roswell Road and near I-285)
• Toco Hill area (around North Druid Hills Road and LaVista Road)

Expect:

• Counter service with options to dine in or take out
• Traditional deli sides—potato salad, coleslaw, pickles
• Early opening hours for breakfast and closing by dinner or early evening

These spots are popular before and after synagogue services and during Jewish holidays, so calling ahead or checking hours can help you avoid long waits.

Italian Delis & Markets

Italian delis in and around Atlanta often combine a sandwich counter with a small market selling:

• Imported olive oil, pasta, canned tomatoes, and sauces
• Cured meats like prosciutto, salami, capicola
• Cheeses such as provolone, mozzarella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Freshly made sub sandwiches on Italian bread

You’ll usually find them in:

• In-town neighborhoods like West Midtown and Old Fourth Ward
• Northside suburbs such as Roswell, Alpharetta, or Marietta

Common offerings:

• Classic Italian subs (ham, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, oil & vinegar)
• Meatball or chicken parm sandwiches
• Take-and-bake lasagna, baked ziti, and other prepared meals

Italian delis are good options if you want both lunch now and groceries for later.

Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Delis

Atlanta’s Middle Eastern and Mediterranean delis are some of the most diverse in the city’s international food scene. Many operate as grocery-plus-deli hybrids, especially along Buford Highway and in areas like Decatur, Tucker, and Clarkston.

Typical deli counter items include:

• Shawarma, gyro, and kebabs
• Falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, and dolmas
• Fresh pita bread and flatbreads
• Prepared salads, dips, and grilled vegetables

What to expect:

• A grocery section with spices, grains, olives, and halal meats
• Generous combo platters with rice, salad, and a choice of protein
• Often very affordable lunches compared to more formal restaurants

These are especially useful if you’re:

• Grabbing a quick hot meal along Buford Highway
• Stocking up on ingredients for Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cooking at home
• Looking for vegetarian and vegan-friendly deli options

Eastern European & Russian-Style Delis

In the greater Atlanta area, Eastern European delis are often tucked into international plazas in suburbs north and east of the city.

Common deli offerings:

• Smoked sausages and cured meats
• Pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, and salads
• Baked goods like rye breads, piroshki, and sweets
• Specialty items from Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and other nearby regions

These delis usually function as community hubs for expats and people seeking specific imported brands, but they welcome curious newcomers. If you’re unfamiliar with an item, staff are often willing to explain how it’s traditionally eaten.

Latin & Caribbean Delis

Latin and Caribbean delis in the Atlanta area may appear under different names—“panadería,” “cafeteria,” “tienda,” or “bodega”—but many offer deli-style prepared foods.

You might find:

• Cuban sandwiches, media noche, and pressed ham-and-cheese sandwiches
• Empanadas, tamales, pupusas, or arepas, depending on the origin of the shop
• Rice plates with beans, plantains, and stewed meats
• Fresh salsas, sauces, and bakery items

These delis are more common:

• Along Buford Highway and Jimmy Carter Boulevard
• In neighborhoods with strong Latin American and Caribbean communities

They’re a reliable option for hearty, inexpensive hot meals and snacks, often available from morning through late afternoon or evening.

Where to Find International Delis in and Around Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview of key areas where you’re likely to find good deli options with an international focus:

If you’re unsure where to start, Buford Highway and the Toco Hill / north DeKalb area are two of the most efficient places to explore multiple international deli styles in a single trip.

How Atlanta Delis Usually Operate

Ordering Style

Most Atlanta delis follow one of these formats:

• Counter service with a number ticket
  You order at the counter, wait to be called, then pay and sit or take out.
• Order-at-the-counter, pay first, then food is brought out
  Common in Italian and Mediterranean delis.
• Buffet-style or hot bar within a grocery
  You fill a plate or box, pay by weight, then eat at small tables or take home.

If you’re new to a specific deli:

• Look for signs indicating whether you should grab a menu, get in line, or take a number.
• Don’t hesitate to ask what’s most popular—staff are usually used to first-timers.

Hours & Peak Times

In Atlanta, many delis are:

• Open for breakfast and lunch, with some closing by late afternoon
• Busier on weekdays around noon in business-heavy areas (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead)
• Crowded around holidays in ethnic communities (e.g., Passover and Rosh Hashanah for Jewish delis, religious and national holidays for others)

If you plan to visit:

• 🕒 Arrive a little before noon on weekdays to avoid the main lunch rush.
• 📞 Call ahead for large orders, especially before major holidays or game days.

Dietary Needs and Special Considerations

Atlanta’s international delis can be a good fit for many dietary preferences, but it helps to know how to ask for what you need.

Vegetarian & Vegan Options

You’re likely to find plant-forward choices at:

• Mediterranean delis (falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, salads, stuffed grape leaves)
• Indian or South Asian deli counters (lentil dishes, vegetable curries, samosas)
• Some Italian delis (caprese sandwiches, grilled vegetable panini)

Tip: Ask whether sides or mains are made with chicken stock or animal fats, especially in traditional recipes.

Halal & Kosher Availability

Atlanta has a visible Muslim and Jewish community, so you can find:

• Halal delis and markets, especially along Buford Highway, in Clarkston, and in parts of Norcross and Duluth
• Kosher delis and markets concentrated around Toco Hill and the north I-285 corridor

To verify:

• Look for halal or kosher certification signs inside the store.
• Ask directly which items meet specific religious guidelines.

Practical Tips for Getting the Most from Atlanta Delis

1. Use Local Clues When Searching

When you’re scanning maps or local listings, add neighborhood names or road corridors to narrow things down, such as:

• “deli Buford Highway Atlanta”
• “Italian market near Old Fourth Ward”
• “kosher deli Toco Hill”

This helps you quickly find internationally focused spots instead of only generic sandwich chains.

2. Check for Take-Home Meals

Many international delis in Atlanta offer prepared meals and family-size portions, ideal if you:

• Want easy dinners for a few nights
• Need party trays (sandwich platters, mezze spreads, charcuterie, etc.)
• Are staying in an extended-stay hotel or Airbnb and prefer not to cook from scratch

Look for sections labeled:

• “Family Meals”
• “Catering”
• “Take-and-Bake” or “Heat & Serve”

3. Be Ready for Parking Quirks

Atlanta’s layout means deli parking situations can vary:

• In-town neighborhoods: Expect street parking, small lots, or shared parking with other businesses.
• Strip malls and plazas along Buford Highway and in the suburbs: Typically ample free parking but sometimes busy entrances and tight turns.
• Downtown/Midtown office towers: You may need to use paid garages with validation options for certain shops.

If you’re short on time, calling ahead for takeout can cut down how long you need to be parked.

4. Take Advantage of Off-Peak Hours

For the best experience:

• Visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon instead of right at noon.
• Plan larger shopping trips to international grocery delis on weekdays, when aisles and counters are less crowded.

You’ll often get more time to ask questions, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the cuisine.

How Delis Fit into Atlanta’s Food Culture

Atlanta’s delis are part of a broader international food ecosystem that includes:

• Farmers markets with global vendors (e.g., large indoor markets in the metro area)
• Ethnic grocery stores with full-service butcher and deli counters
• Casual sit-down restaurants that operate partly like a deli, partly like a café

For residents, delis are:

• A weekday lunch staple
• A source for specialty items you can’t always find in standard supermarkets
• A way to connect with specific cultural communities and traditions

For visitors, they’re:

• A lower-cost, lower-commitment way to sample international cuisine
• Often faster than a full restaurant meal, but more interesting than a typical chain sandwich shop

If you’re new to Atlanta or exploring a part of the metro you don’t know well, starting with an international deli can give you a feel for the neighborhood and its culinary influences.

Quick Checklist for Choosing an Atlanta Deli

When you’re trying to decide where to go, ask yourself:

• What style of international cuisine am I craving?
  Jewish, Italian, Mediterranean, Latin, Eastern European, etc.
• Do I need a quick grab-and-go lunch or a sit-down meal?
• Am I also shopping for groceries or specialty ingredients?
• Do I have dietary restrictions (halal, kosher, vegetarian, etc.) that might steer me to certain neighborhoods or markets?
• Where am I already going to be in the city?
  Midtown for work, Buford Highway for a food crawl, north suburbs for errands, etc.

Answering these will help you zero in on the right type of Atlanta deli for your situation, whether you’re stocking your fridge for the week or just grabbing a world-class sandwich between meetings.