Blue Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Find Global Flavors With a Cool, Modern Vibe

Atlanta’s international food scene is huge, and “Blue” has become a popular name for restaurants, lounges, and bars that lean into a modern, often global vibe. If you’re searching for international cuisine in Atlanta and keep seeing places with Blue in the name, it can be confusing to tell them apart or know which ones fit what you’re looking for.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to “Blue” restaurants and lounges that lean international in flavor, atmosphere, or both—plus tips on what to expect, how to choose, and how to plan your visit.

What “Blue” Usually Signals in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

In Atlanta, you’ll see “Blue” used in the names of:

• International or globally inspired restaurants
• Cocktail bars and lounges with a world-spanning drink menu
• Nightlife spots that combine food, music, and drinks
• Fusion concepts that mix flavors from different cultures

While each business is different, places with “Blue” in the name often share a few traits:

• A modern or upscale-casual atmosphere
• Cocktails or wine programs with international influences
• Menus that might blend global flavors or highlight a specific region
• A focus on ambience—lighting, music, and decor are usually part of the draw

If you’re in Atlanta and searching for “Blue restaurant international cuisine”, you’re likely looking for:

• A spot with non-American, globally influenced food
• Somewhere you can sit down for a meal and stay for drinks
• A place that feels a little special—good for date nights, visitors, or group outings

Types of “Blue” International Spots You’ll Find in Atlanta

Because businesses open, close, and rebrand, you’ll see different “Blue” places at any given time, but they tend to fall into a few categories.

1. Blue-Themed International Bistros & Restaurants

These are sit-down restaurants where the food is the main draw and the “Blue” name is part of a modern, slightly upscale brand.

Typical features:

• Global or fusion menus, often mixing American dishes with international sauces, spices, or sides
• Small plates or tapas-style options to sample multiple flavors
• Wine lists or cocktails that may reference European, Latin American, or Asian ingredients
• Decor with blue lighting, blue accents, or a sleek, lounge-like feel

These are good fits if you:

• Want a full dinner rather than just bar bites
• Are taking out-of-town guests who want to experience Atlanta’s global food side
• Prefer table service and reservations instead of a walk-up or counter-service model

2. International Lounges and Bars With “Blue” Branding

Some “Blue” spots in Atlanta lean more toward nightlife or lounge experiences than full restaurants, but still offer international flavors in their drinks or bar menus.

Common traits:

• Cocktail-focused menus, sometimes with:
  • Japanese whisky
  • Caribbean rum
  • Latin American–inspired margaritas or mezcal cocktails
  • Mediterranean-style gin drinks
• Small international plates: sliders, wings, flatbreads, skewers, or bites inspired by global street food
• Late-night hours, music, and sometimes DJs or live performances

These work well if you:

• Want to try global flavors in a more social, nightlife setting
• Prefer drinks first, food second
• Are planning a birthday, friends’ night out, or pre-club meet-up

3. Blue-Branded Spots in International Neighborhoods

Atlanta has several areas where international communities and cuisines cluster, such as:

• Buford Highway (Doraville, Chamblee area): Known for Latin American, East Asian, and Southeast Asian restaurants
• Parts of Midtown and Downtown with hotel and business traffic, which often lean toward global menus
• Perimeter and Cumberland areas, where many national and international visitors stay for work

When a place in these areas uses “Blue” in its name, it often:

• Caters to a mixed crowd of locals and travelers
• Offers a menu that feels familiar but with international twists
• May combine American staples (burgers, salads) with global sides or seasonings

This can be helpful if you’re:

• Hosting people who are not adventurous eaters but want some international flair
• Looking for a safe “middle ground” option that works for a group
• Staying at a nearby hotel and want walkable dining with a modern feel

How to Narrow Down the Right “Blue” Spot in Atlanta

Because “Blue” is a common brand name, it’s important to be specific when you search or make plans.

Key Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Are you prioritizing food or atmosphere?

   • If you care most about authentic international dishes, focus on places that describe themselves as restaurants first, not just lounges.
   • If you want music, drinks, and a scene, look for lounge, bar, or club language in descriptions.

2. Do you need kid-friendly or family-friendly options?

   • Many blue-branded spots in Atlanta skew adult-oriented, especially at night.
   • If you’re dining with kids, look for:
     • Earlier hours
     • Mention of family-friendly or casual dining
     • Clear food-focused descriptions

3. What part of the city are you in?
   Traffic and parking shape most Atlanta dining decisions.
   Decide whether you want something in:

   • Downtown/Midtown: Good for visitors, hotels, MARTA access, and pre-event dinners
   • Buckhead: Typically more upscale, with more lounge and nightlife options
   • Perimeter/Cumberland: Business traveler–friendly, with plenty of sit-down spots
   • Buford Highway corridor: Great if you want to combine a blue-branded spot with more traditional international eateries nearby

4. What time of day are you going?

   • Some “Blue” lounges really only come alive at night and may not offer robust lunch service.
   • If you’re planning brunch or an early dinner, confirm that:
     • The kitchen is open
     • The menu fits what you want (not just snacks)

What to Expect From International Menus at “Blue” Restaurants

Menu details vary, but many Atlanta “Blue” spots with an international angle share similar themes.

Common Global Influences

You might see:

• Mediterranean touches: hummus, falafel, grilled meats, olive-based dips
• Asian influences: bao buns, dumplings, soy-ginger glazes, Korean-style wings
• Latin American flavors: tacos, plantains, chimichurri, ceviche-style dishes
• Caribbean notes: jerk seasoning, tropical fruit-based sauces, rum-focused drinks

Rather than strictly authentic regional cooking, many menus:

• Use familiar formats (tacos, sliders, flatbreads) with global seasonings
• Create “world tour” menus where each dish nods to a different country or region
• Highlight international ingredients while keeping the dishes approachable

Drinks and Desserts

Drinks often play a major role:

• Cocktail lists may feature:
  • Japanese or Scottish whisky
  • Italian amaro
  • French or Spanish wines
  • Tequila, mezcal, and rum from across the Americas
• Non-alcoholic options can sometimes include:
  • Fruit-based mocktails
  • Herbal teas influenced by Middle Eastern or Asian traditions

Desserts might borrow from multiple cuisines, like:

• Tiramisu-inspired sweets
• Latin-style tres leches twists
• European-style tarts with tropical flavorings

Quick Planning Checklist for an Atlanta “Blue” Night Out

Use this simple table as a planning snapshot:

Getting Around: Transportation Tips for Blue-Themed Dining

If you’re heading to a “Blue” restaurant or lounge in Atlanta, keep logistics in mind.

MARTA and Public Transit

• MARTA Rail can be useful if:
  • The spot you’re visiting is in or near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport area.
  • You want to avoid parking fees or driving after late-night drinks.
• Nearby stations to many nightlife corridors include:
  • Peachtree Center (Downtown)
  • Midtown and North Avenue (Midtown)
  • Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center (for Buckhead-area spots)

For trip planning or service questions, you can reach MARTA Customer Service at:

• Phone: 404-848-5000
• Address: MARTA Headquarters, 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Parking and Ride-Sharing

• In busy areas like Midtown, Buckhead, and Downtown, expect:
  • Paid decks or valet
  • Limited free street parking, especially at night
• If you’re planning to drink:
  • Many Atlanta diners use ride-share services to avoid DUI risk and parking stress.
  • Some lounges design their experience assuming most guests arrive by car service.

Tips for Locals vs. Visitors

If You Live in Atlanta

• Use “Blue” spots as a middle ground between casual and special-occasion dining.
• Consider them for:
  • Date nights
  • Pre-show dinners before concerts, theater, or State Farm Arena events
  • Friends’ nights out when you want both food and a scene
• If you’re exploring international cuisine more seriously, you can:
  • Start at a blue-branded global-fusion spot
  • Then branch out to more specialized international restaurants on Buford Highway, West Midtown, or Decatur for deeper dives into specific cuisines.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta

• Check how the restaurant or lounge describes itself:
  • If you see “lounge,” “hookah,” “bottle service,” or “late-night,” expect a nightlife-heavy environment.
  • If the website or listing leads with “kitchen,” “restaurant,” or “dining room,” it’s more food-first.
• Ask your hotel front desk or concierge:
  • Whether they’ve had recent guest feedback about the specific “Blue” place you’re considering.
  • How long it usually takes to get there with traffic at your planned time.

How to Avoid Common Frustrations

Because “Blue” is a common restaurant and lounge name, Atlantans sometimes run into similar issues:

• Mix-ups between locations with similar names
  When making plans, always share:

  • The exact street name and neighborhood
  • A screenshot or written address in group chats

• Underestimating traffic

  • Aim to arrive 15–20 minutes early if you have reservations.
  • On Friday and Saturday nights, budget extra time for parking decks and valet lines.

• Surprises about noise and dress code

  • If you want conversation-focused dining, look for quieter, restaurant-style descriptions.
  • If you’re dressing up, confirm whether there’s:
    • A casual or smart-casual expectation
    • Any notes about no athletic wear or similar policies

By focusing on the type of experience you want—international flavors, nightlife energy, or a mix of both—and narrowing down by neighborhood, hours, and menu style, you can use the many “Blue” branded restaurants and lounges in Atlanta as an easy gateway into the city’s global dining scene.