Big Easy Restaurant in Atlanta: Where to Find New Orleans Flavor in the City

If you’re craving New Orleans–style food in Atlanta and searching for something like a “Big Easy Restaurant,” you’re really looking for Cajun and Creole cuisine—gumbo, po’boys, étouffée, beignets, and that laid-back Louisiana vibe—without leaving metro Atlanta.

This guide explains:

• What “Big Easy”–style food usually means
• Where you can find New Orleans / Cajun / Creole flavors in and around Atlanta
• How to choose the right spot based on neighborhood, price, and atmosphere
• Tips for ordering if you’re new to Cajun and Creole food

What “Big Easy Restaurant” Usually Means in Atlanta

You won’t find a major, citywide chain in Atlanta literally called Big Easy Restaurant in the same way you’d find national brand names. Instead, Atlanta has a mix of:

• Cajun and Creole restaurants
• New Orleans–inspired spots that lean into the “Big Easy” theme
• Seafood and po’boy shops with strong Louisiana influence
• Bars and music venues that serve New Orleans classics alongside live jazz or brass bands

When Atlanta locals say they want a “Big Easy–type restaurant,” they often mean:

• Casual, sometimes lively atmosphere
• Seafood-heavy menus (shrimp, oysters, crawfish when in season)
• Iconic dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, and po’boys
• Cocktails like Hurricanes or Sazeracs at more bar-focused spots

Key Atlanta Neighborhoods for “Big Easy”–Style Food

You’ll find Cajun and Creole options scattered across metro Atlanta, but certain areas make it easier to plan a visit.

Downtown & Midtown Atlanta

If you’re staying near Peachtree Street, Downtown, or Midtown, you can usually walk or take MARTA to spots that feature:

• Gumbo, jambalaya, and blackened fish on sit-down menus
• Bars with New Orleans–inspired cocktails
• Occasional live jazz or brass-style music, especially on weekends

Midtown’s dense mix of restaurants makes it a good first stop if you just want to sample a Cajun or Creole dish without committing to a full-on themed restaurant.

Decatur, Edgewood, and Eastside

On the east side of Atlanta, especially around:

• Downtown Decatur
• Edgewood
• The Memorial Drive corridor

You’ll often find cozy, neighborhood-style restaurants that:

• Put their own Atlanta twist on New Orleans staples
• Offer brunch menus with items like shrimp and grits or beignets
• Are popular with locals who live ITP (inside the Perimeter)

These spots tend to be easy to reach via MARTA rail plus a short walk or rideshare.

Suburbs and Metro Atlanta

If you’re staying OTP (outside the Perimeter), especially in areas like:

• Sandy Springs / Dunwoody / Perimeter Center
• Marietta / Smyrna / Cumberland
• Norcross / Duluth / Lawrenceville
• College Park / Hapeville

you can usually find a seafood or Cajun-influenced restaurant in large shopping corridors or near major interstates (I‑75, I‑85, I‑285). Many of these places lean into:

• Boiled seafood with Cajun spices
• Fried catfish, shrimp, and oysters
• A relaxed, family-friendly environment

Typical “Big Easy”–Style Dishes You’ll See in Atlanta

If you’re not familiar with Cajun and Creole food, here’s what to look for and how it’s often described on Atlanta menus.

Classic Mains

• Gumbo
  A hearty stew with a dark roux, usually containing sausage, chicken, or seafood, served over rice. Spice level can vary.

• Jambalaya
  Rice cooked with sausage, chicken, and sometimes shrimp, similar to a spicy, smoky rice pilaf.

• Crawfish Étouffée
  Crawfish tails in a rich, buttery, roux-based gravy, also over rice. Some Atlanta spots swap in shrimp.

• Red Beans and Rice
  Slow-cooked red beans with smoked sausage or ham, served with white rice; a staple Monday dish in New Orleans that many Atlanta restaurants offer daily.

• Blackened Fish or Chicken
  Protein coated in Cajun spices and seared in a very hot pan for a dark, flavorful crust.

Sandwiches & Small Bites

• Po’boys
  New Orleans–style sandwiches on French bread, typically stuffed with fried shrimp, oysters, catfish, or roast beef, dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo.

• Beignets
  Square-shaped fried dough, heavily dusted with powdered sugar. In Atlanta, these are common at brunch at New Orleans–themed spots.

• Boudin Balls or Sausages
  Cajun-style sausage, sometimes formed into balls, often served fried with dipping sauces.

Desserts & Drinks

• Bread pudding, often with a bourbon or rum sauce
• Pecan-based desserts with a Southern twist
• Hurricane-style cocktails, rum punches, and classic Sazeracs at bar-forward places

Quick Comparison: Types of “Big Easy” Experiences in Atlanta

Use this to match your expectations with the type of “Big Easy” style restaurant you choose.

How to Pick the Right New Orleans–Style Spot in Atlanta

When you’re browsing options in Atlanta that advertise Cajun, Creole, or New Orleans food, consider:

1. Atmosphere

Ask yourself:

• Do you want lively (TVs, music, bar scene) or quiet (date night, conversation-friendly)?
• Are you okay with a messy seafood boil experience (bib, gloves, shells everywhere), or do you prefer plated dishes?

Atlanta restaurants often list whether they’re family-friendly, bar-focused, or fine dining on their own sites or menus.

2. Spiciness Level

Cajun food is known for bold flavors, but not every dish is extremely hot.

Tips:

• Look for menu notes like “mild,” “medium,” or “extra spicy.”
• Many Atlanta spots will adjust spice if you ask when you order.
• If you’re cautious, start with gumbo or red beans and rice, which are often seasoned more moderately.

3. Location & Transportation

In Atlanta, traffic and parking matter:

• Downtown / Midtown: You may rely on MARTA rail, street parking, or paid decks.
• Suburbs: Usually free parking in shopping centers.
• If you’re visiting without a car, choosing something near a MARTA station (Peachtree Center, Midtown, Arts Center, Decatur, etc.) can make your night easier.

4. Dietary Needs

Many New Orleans–style dishes use shellfish, pork, and dairy. If you have restrictions:

• Check menus for grilled or blackened fish, salads, or chicken dishes.
• Ask whether the roux (base) is made with butter and flour or other ingredients if you avoid dairy or gluten.
• Look for restaurants that clearly list allergens on their menus, which is increasingly common in Atlanta.

When to Go: Timing Your Visit

Atlanta’s “Big Easy”–style spots can feel different depending on when you visit.

Lunch and Early Evening

• Usually quieter, easier to find parking
• Good for families and those who want to talk without shouting over music
• Often have lunch specials or smaller plates

Nights and Weekends

• More likely to have live music or a louder crowd, especially near Downtown, Midtown, and popular bar districts
• Better if you want a New Orleans bar feel with sports on TV or live bands
• Consider reservations for upscale or popular dinner spots

Practical Tips for Ordering “Big Easy”–Style in Atlanta

If you’re new to this cuisine, a few simple combinations can give you a broad taste of New Orleans in one meal:

For First-Timers

Try this lineup:

1. Cup of gumbo to start
2. Shrimp or catfish po’boy with fries
3. Beignets or bread pudding for dessert

You’ll cover soup/stew, a classic sandwich, and a signature sweet.

For Seafood Fans

Look for:

• Seafood gumbo or crawfish étouffée
• Fried oyster or shrimp po’boy
• Boiled seafood platters at Cajun boil spots

Ask which seafood is fresh or in season; Atlanta restaurants are used to this question.

For Lighter Eaters

If you don’t want a heavy, roux-based dish:

• Choose blackened or grilled fish with vegetables
• Try a small plate of shrimp or a half po’boy if available
• Share a dessert rather than ordering your own

How to Find a “Big Easy”–Style Restaurant Near You in Atlanta

Because restaurant lineups change over time, it helps to use location and cuisine filters to find what you want on any given night.

In and around Atlanta, Georgia, you can:

• Search for “Cajun restaurant near [your neighborhood]” or “New Orleans restaurant near Midtown Atlanta” in your preferred map app.
• Filter by “Cajun,” “Creole,” or “New Orleans” cuisine.
• Check whether a spot highlights signature items like gumbo, jambalaya, po’boys, étouffée, or seafood boils.

For visitors staying in hotels near:

• Downtown (Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park area)
• Midtown (near 10th Street, Arts Center, or Georgia Tech)
• Buckhead (Lenox / Phipps area)

ask the hotel front desk or concierge for nearby Cajun or New Orleans–style restaurants; they usually have up-to-date suggestions within a short rideshare or MARTA trip.

Local Logistics: Getting Around to Eat in Atlanta

To reach New Orleans–style restaurants around the city:

• MARTA Rail

  • North–South line (Red/Gold) connects Airport, College Park, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs.
  • Good if you’re staying near a rail station and don’t want to drive.

• MARTA Buses

  • Serve many neighborhood corridors where smaller, local Cajun spots may be located.
  • Routes and schedules are available from the MARTA Headquarters at 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 or by phone at (404) 848‑5000.

• Driving & Parking

  • Common in metro Atlanta; most suburban “Big Easy”–style places are in shopping centers with free parking.
  • In-town areas like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, and Downtown use a mix of street parking, private lots, and parking decks—check signage to avoid tickets.

Making the Most of Your “Big Easy” Meal in Atlanta

To get a New Orleans feel without leaving Georgia:

• Choose a spot that matches your vibe: quiet dinner, family meal, or lively bar.
• Start with classic dishes like gumbo, po’boys, or red beans and rice if you’re new to the cuisine.
• Ask staff about spice levels and specialties—many Atlanta servers are used to guiding first-time Cajun or Creole diners.
• Consider timing: early evenings for a laid-back experience, later nights for a more energetic, Big Easy–inspired atmosphere.

Whether you live in Atlanta or are just visiting, you can find plenty of New Orleans–influenced restaurants that deliver that “Big Easy” flavor—from casual po’boy shops to upscale Creole dining—without ever crossing state lines.