Buckeye’s Getaway: Exploring International Cuisine in Atlanta, Georgia

Looking for a food “getaway” without leaving Atlanta? Buckeye’s Getaway is a useful way to think about what many locals and visitors want: a chance to escape everyday routines and explore international cuisine around the city.

Whether you live in Atlanta, are here for a weekend, or are planning a longer stay, the city offers a surprisingly global dining scene—often within just a few miles of each other.

What “Buckeye’s Getaway” Can Mean in Atlanta

Because there isn’t a widely recognized restaurant in Atlanta called Buckeye’s Getaway, the phrase works best as an idea:

In practical terms, that usually looks like:

• Planning a food-focused day or weekend around Atlanta neighborhoods known for global food
• Choosing a few international restaurants—maybe one for coffee, one for lunch, one for dinner
• Exploring areas like Buford Highway, Midtown, Decatur, Duluth, and the Westside that offer a cluster of different cuisines

If you’re trying to build your own “Buckeye’s Getaway” in Atlanta, this guide walks through where to go, what to expect, and how to plan it.

Where to Find International Cuisine in Atlanta

Atlanta’s international food options are shaped heavily by its neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs. Here are some of the most useful areas to know.

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Best-Known Global Food Corridor

For many locals, Buford Highway is the first stop for an international food “getaway.” Running through parts of Brookhaven, Doraville, and Chamblee, it’s packed with:

• Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese restaurants
• Mexican, Central American, and South American spots
• Caribbean and African eateries
• Bakeries, bubble tea shops, and specialty grocery markets

Common experiences on Buford Highway include:

• Dim sum brunch, followed by bubble tea and a stop at an Asian market
• Tacos or tortas for lunch and Korean BBQ or hot pot for dinner
• Exploring food courts inside shopping centers that house multiple small vendors

Many of the restaurants sit in strip malls, so it can look unassuming from the road. Most Atlantans rely on word-of-mouth, reviews, or simply exploring plaza by plaza.

Midtown, Downtown, and the Westside: Central International Options

If you’re staying near Downtown, Midtown, or the Georgia Tech/Westside area, you can still create a strong international-food “getaway” without leaving the core of the city.

In these areas, you’ll usually find:

• Upscale or modern takes on global cuisines (Italian, Japanese, Latin American, Mediterranean, Indian)
• Casual fast-casual concepts (bowls, noodles, kebabs, empanadas)
• Restaurants that combine Southern ingredients with global techniques

These zones tend to have:

• More walkable streets and patio dining
• Easier access via MARTA (Midtown, North Avenue, Arts Center, and Peachtree Center stations)
• A mix of business-lunch crowds, tourists, and locals

If your version of Buckeye’s Getaway includes nightlife, cocktails, or rooftop views along with international food, Midtown and the Westside are convenient starting points.

Decatur and East Atlanta: Neighborhood-Feel International Dining

Downtown Decatur, technically just east of Atlanta but closely connected, offers:

• A compact, walkable square surrounded by restaurants
• Options like Middle Eastern, Indian, Asian, Latin, and European-inspired cuisine
• A relaxed neighborhood atmosphere that works well for families or small groups

Further east, in East Atlanta Village and along Memorial Drive, you’ll find a mix of:

• Creative fusion spots
• Casual global street-food–inspired menus
• Bars and venues that pair smaller menus with drinks and music

If you’re aiming for a lower-key, neighborhood-style getaway, Decatur and East Atlanta can be ideal.

Duluth, Johns Creek, and Gwinnett: Deep-Dive into Asian Cuisine

Northeast of Atlanta, cities like Duluth and Johns Creek in Gwinnett County have become known for:

• Korean BBQ and Korean bakeries
• Chinese, Taiwanese, and pan-Asian restaurants
• Large indoor food halls and markets with multiple vendors

These areas are more car-dependent, but many Atlantans consider them must-visit destinations for a serious international food trip, especially for Korean and broader Asian cuisine.

Types of International Cuisine Commonly Found in Atlanta

Atlanta doesn’t specialize in just one type of global cooking—you can build your Buckeye’s Getaway around different themes.

Asian Cuisines

You’ll find a broad range of Asian food, especially along Buford Highway and in Gwinnett:

• Chinese: Dim sum, Sichuan, hot pot, noodle shops
• Korean: BBQ, fried chicken, stews, late-night spots
• Vietnamese: Pho, banh mi, rice plates, coffee
• Japanese: Ramen, sushi, izakaya-style small plates
• Thai and Lao: Curries, noodle dishes, grilled meats, sticky rice

Many places are casual and family-friendly, with large menus and shareable dishes.

Latin American and Caribbean

Across the metro, especially along Buford Highway and in parts of Southwest Atlanta and Norcross, you’ll see:

• Mexican taquerias and marisquerías
• Central American spots (Salvadoran pupusas, Honduran plates, etc.)
• Brazilian steakhouses and casual spots
• Caribbean restaurants featuring jerk chicken, oxtail, patties, and plantains

If you’re planning a food “getaway” with bold flavors and hearty portions, these cuisines offer plenty of options.

European and Mediterranean

Inside the city and close-in suburbs, you’ll often find:

• Italian (from pizza and trattoria-style to modern takes)
• French or French-inspired bistros and bakeries
• Greek and Mediterranean: gyros, souvlaki, mezze, hummus, grilled seafood
• Spanish or tapas-style small-plate restaurants

These can be good choices if your group wants international food that still feels familiar.

Middle Eastern, Indian, and African

Atlanta’s diversity also shows up in:

• Indian restaurants (North and South Indian dishes, vegetarian options, dosas, curries)
• Middle Eastern and Persian: kebabs, wraps, rice dishes, salads, baklava
• Ethiopian and other East African cuisines: injera with stews, lentils, and vegetables
• West African: jollof rice, suya, stews, and grilled meats

These spots can be scattered but are well-known among locals who seek them out, particularly around Decatur, Clarkston, and various pockets of DeKalb County.

Planning Your Own “Buckeye’s Getaway” Food Route in Atlanta

You can approach your getaway as one focused day, a weekend, or short evening hops across a few neighborhoods.

Step 1: Decide Your Base Area

Your starting point shapes your options:

• Staying Downtown or Midtown?
  Focus on Midtown, Westside, and quick drives or rideshares to Buford Highway.
• Driving in from the suburbs?
  Choose a corridor like Buford Highway or Duluth and spend most of your time there.
• Relying on MARTA?
  Midtown, Decatur, and parts of Buckhead are easiest to access without a car.

Step 2: Pick a Theme (Optional but Helpful)

A theme makes the day feel like a more deliberate getaway:

• 🌏 “Around Asia in a Day” – dim sum breakfast, ramen lunch, Korean BBQ dinner
• 🌮 “Latin American Day” – Mexican breakfast or brunch, pupusas for lunch, Brazilian for dinner
• 🥙 “Mediterranean and Middle Eastern” – casual falafel or shawarma lunch, Greek or Turkish dinner
• 🥖 “Café and Bakery Crawl” – global pastries, bubble tea, and coffee from several countries

Step 3: Balance Reservations and Flexibility

Especially on weekends:

• Make reservations for popular dinner spots where possible.
• Keep lunch and snacks flexible so you can adjust if you see something interesting while exploring.
• Consider earlier or later dining times to avoid peak crowds.

Step 4: Factor in Traffic and Timing

Atlanta traffic can significantly affect your plans:

• Weekday late afternoons and early evenings can be congested on major highways like I-285, I-85, and GA-400.
• If you’re moving between distant areas (for example, from Midtown to Duluth), build extra time into your schedule.
• Many international restaurants open a bit later in the morning and may stay open later at night, especially on weekends.

Practical Tips for Enjoying International Restaurants in Atlanta

A few local patterns can make your Buckeye’s Getaway smoother and more enjoyable.

Parking and Transportation

• Many Buford Highway and suburban spots are in strip malls with free parking.
• In Midtown, Decatur, and the Westside, expect paid decks, lots, or street parking.
• MARTA rail is practical for Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and Decatur, but less so for Buford Highway and the suburbs.
• Rideshare is commonly used when people want to explore multiple areas without driving.

Menu Navigation and Ordering

• Some restaurants feature photo menus or dishes displayed on the wall.
• Staff are often accustomed to helping first-time visitors and explaining dishes.
• Many international spots encourage shared plates, so going with a group lets you try more items.
• If you have dietary preferences or restrictions, ask directly—many places can suggest vegetarian, halal, or gluten-aware options, though labeling may vary.

Payment and Tipping

• Most Atlanta-area restaurants accept major credit and debit cards, but it’s useful to keep a bit of cash handy, especially for smaller bakeries or snack shops.
• Tipping customs generally follow standard U.S. patterns:
  • Full-service restaurants: people typically tip a percentage of the bill.
  • Counter-service or quick service: tip jars or digital tip prompts are common but optional.

Family-Friendliness

International restaurants in and around Atlanta are often:

• Very welcoming to families and groups
• Flexible with seating and high chairs, especially in larger dining rooms
• Casual in dress code—jeans, casual tops, and comfortable shoes are almost always acceptable

Simple Planning Snapshot: Building a One-Day International Food Getaway

Here’s a basic, visually simple summary of how you might structure a single day:

You can adjust:

• Stay entirely in one corridor (easier driving, more focused exploration), or
• Hop between two or three areas if you don’t mind extra driving or rideshares.

How Locals Often Discover New International Spots

If you live in Atlanta or visit regularly, you can treat Buckeye’s Getaway as an ongoing project:

• Explore one plaza at a time on Buford Highway and keep notes of places you want to return to.
• Use local event calendars to find cultural festivals that feature food vendors (for example, city-sponsored international festivals around the metro area).
• Ask rideshare drivers, coworkers, hotel staff, or neighbors where they eat—many of Atlanta’s best international spots are discovered by word-of-mouth.
• Follow neighborhood and community boards for updates on new openings, especially around Midtown, Westside, and Decatur.

If You’re New to Atlanta or Visiting Briefly

For a short trip, a simple, realistic Buckeye-style international getaway could look like:

• One evening on Buford Highway:
  • Early dinner at a restaurant you’ve pre-selected
  • Dessert or tea at a nearby bakery or café
• One lunch or dinner in Midtown or Decatur at an international restaurant near where you’re staying
• Optional half-day up in Duluth or Johns Creek if you have a car and want to focus on Korean or broader Asian cuisine

This way, you experience at least two very different sides of Atlanta’s global food scene without overextending your schedule.

By treating Buckeye’s Getaway as your personal theme for exploring Atlanta’s international restaurants, you can build anything from a casual afternoon outing to a full weekend food tour—without ever leaving the metro area.