Circle Poke in Atlanta: Where to Find Fresh Poke Bowls and What to Know

If you’re searching for “Circle Poke” in Atlanta, you’re most likely looking for a poke bowl restaurant or a spot that serves Hawaiian-style poke and other international, seafood-focused dishes. While there may not be a city-famous restaurant with that exact name, Atlanta has a growing number of poke-focused eateries and Asian- and Hawaiian-inspired spots that offer similar experiences.

This guide explains how poke fits into Atlanta’s international cuisine scene, where to look for poke bowl restaurants around the city, what to expect on the menu, and how to choose a spot that works for your budget, schedule, and neighborhood.

What Is Poke, and How Does It Fit Into Atlanta’s Food Scene?

Poke (pronounced “po-kay”) is a Hawaiian dish traditionally made with cubed raw fish, usually tuna or salmon, marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, onions, and other add-ins. Modern poke bowl restaurants let you:

• Pick a base (rice, salad, sometimes noodles)
• Choose a protein (tuna, salmon, tofu, cooked shrimp, chicken)
• Add toppings (seaweed salad, avocado, cucumber, edamame, pickled veggies)
• Finish with sauces (spicy mayo, ponzu, shoyu, citrusy dressings)

In Atlanta, poke fits naturally into the city’s international cuisine landscape, especially in areas already known for Asian and fusion dining. You’ll most often find poke:

• In or near Midtown and Downtown, where quick, customizable lunch options are popular
• Around Buckhead and Perimeter, mixed in with other fast-casual international concepts
• Along the Buford Highway corridor, which is known for diverse Asian and global food options

Where to Find Poke Bowl Spots in Atlanta

You might not find a widely recognized restaurant called exactly “Circle Poke,” but you will see several places around Atlanta that:

• Specialize in poke bowls
• Offer poke as part of a broader Asian, Japanese, or Hawaiian-inspired menu
• Operate as fast-casual, build-your-own-bowl concepts similar to what someone might imagine by “Circle Poke”

Here’s how the distribution typically looks:

Hubs and Neighborhoods to Check

1. Midtown Atlanta
Midtown is a common area for poke and international fast-casual spots, thanks to:

• Office workers needing quick, customizable lunches
• Students from nearby Georgia Tech and Georgia State
• Residents who prefer light, fresh meals over heavier options

You’ll often find poke places near major streets like Peachtree Street, near Tech Square, and along 10th–14th Streets where other lunch spots cluster.

2. Downtown & Georgia State Area
Downtown and the Georgia State University area tend to have budget-conscious and grab-and-go options. Poke here is likely to be:

• Geared toward students and office workers
• Close to Peachtree Center, Five Points, and the Fairlie-Poplar district
• Available both as standalone poke shops and as part of mixed Asian fusion menus

3. Buckhead and Lenox/Pharr Road Area
Buckhead leans more toward polished, trendy spots, including some that serve poke bowls alongside sushi or other seafood:

• Close to Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza
• Along Peachtree Road NE, Pharr Road NE, and nearby side streets
• Usually offering poke in a more sit-down or semi-casual setting

4. Perimeter / Sandy Springs / Dunwoody
Around Perimeter Mall and major office parks, you’ll find poke-style places that cater to:

• Office workers looking for healthy, fast lunches
• Residents who want takeout-friendly bowls in the evenings

These restaurants are often located in strip centers near the mall and along Ashford-Dunwoody Road and Perimeter Center West/East.

5. Buford Highway & Chamblee/Doraville
While Buford Highway is best known for long-established Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Mexican restaurants, some spots include poke in their menus, often:

• As a fusion dish within Japanese or Asian cafes
• With more traditional-style marinades and toppings

Typical Poke Restaurant Experience in Atlanta

A poke place in Atlanta—whether or not it’s called “Circle Poke”—generally follows a familiar pattern.

Build-Your-Own vs. Signature Bowls

Most poke spots offer both:

• Build-your-own bowls
  You choose base, protein, toppings, and sauces. This is good if you have dietary preferences, such as gluten-conscious, dairy-free, or vegetarian.

• Signature bowls
  Pre-designed combinations, like:

  • Spicy tuna with avocado and cucumber
  • Salmon with mango and ponzu
  • Tofu bowls with veggies and sesame-based sauces

These are useful if you’re new to poke and don’t want to guess on ingredients.

Common Ingredients You’ll See in Atlanta Poke Shops

Bases:

• White rice
• Brown rice
• Mixed greens or salad
• Sometimes sushi rice or cauliflower rice

Proteins:

• Raw tuna
• Raw salmon
• Cooked shrimp
• Spicy tuna or salmon (marinated with chili sauce)
• Tofu or sometimes other vegetarian options

Toppings:

• Seaweed salad
• Edamame
• Cucumber, carrots, radish
• Avocado (often at an extra charge)
• Pickled ginger, jalapeños
• Sesame seeds, crispy onions, tempura flakes

Sauces:

• Shoyu (soy-based)
• Ponzu (citrusy soy)
• Spicy mayo
• Wasabi mayo
• House “signature” blends

Price Range and What to Expect to Pay in Atlanta

In the Atlanta area, poke bowls are typically priced similarly across many fast-casual concepts.

Approximate ranges you might see:

• Regular bowl: often in the $12–$16 range, depending on:
  • Number of proteins
  • Premium toppings (like extra avocado or crab salad)
• Large or double-protein bowl: can move toward $16–$20
• Add-ons like seaweed salad, miso soup, or drinks may increase the total.

Neighborhoods like Buckhead and parts of Midtown may skew toward the higher end of that range, while more student-heavy or suburban areas may be slightly lower.

Dine-In, Takeout, and Delivery Options

Most poke-oriented businesses in Atlanta are built around convenience.

Common Service Formats

• Counter-service dine-in:
  You order at the counter, watch your bowl being assembled, and then choose to eat in or take it to go.

• Takeout:
  Bowls are typically packaged in durable containers that travel well across short drives, whether you’re going back to the office, a hotel, or home.

• Delivery & apps:
  Many Atlanta poke spots work with major delivery services that operate throughout the city, particularly in:

  • Midtown
  • Downtown
  • Buckhead
  • Perimeter/Sandy Springs

If you’re staying in a hotel or near MARTA stations like Midtown, Arts Center, Buckhead, or Dunwoody, delivery options are usually strong.

How to Choose a Good Poke Spot in Atlanta

Since poke is generally a raw or lightly handled seafood dish, quality and freshness matter.

Here are factors Atlanta locals often consider:

1. Location and Convenience

• If you’re commuting on MARTA, focus on areas near heavy rail stations:
  Midtown, Arts Center, Five Points, Peachtree Center, Buckhead, Dunwoody.
• If you drive, consider:
  • Parking availability (Buckhead and Midtown can be tight)
  • Whether the restaurant is in a shopping center with easy in-and-out access

2. Ingredient Transparency

Look for places that:

• Clearly label protein options and whether they’re raw or cooked
• Indicate common allergens (soy, sesame, shellfish)
• Offer simple ingredient lists for signature sauces if you ask

3. Customization Options

If you have dietary needs or preferences, consider:

• Whether you can choose mixed greens instead of rice
• Availability of tofu or other non-meat options
• Sauce on the side or low-sodium / mild options
• Ability to skip crunchy toppings if you want a simpler bowl

4. Portion Size and Value

In Atlanta, portion sizes can vary between spots, even at similar prices. If you’re unsure:

• Start with a regular-sized bowl to gauge how filling it is
• Ask if the restaurant offers half-and-half proteins (for variety) without charging for a full double portion

Poke Bowls and Dietary Preferences in Atlanta

While poke is rooted in seafood, many Atlanta poke concepts cater to a range of preferences.

Vegetarian or Plant-Forward

Common options:

• Tofu or similar plant-based proteins
• Extra edamame, avocado, and seaweed salad
• Veggie-heavy bowls with greens instead of rice

If you’re vegetarian or focusing on plant-centric meals, you can easily build a meat-free bowl at most places.

Gluten-Conscious Choices

Some sauces and toppings may contain gluten (often in soy sauce or imitation crab). If this matters to you, you can:

• Ask for plain sesame oil, citrus, or oil-based dressings
• Choose toppings like fresh vegetables and avocado
• Avoid imitation crab and certain marinated add-ons if their ingredients aren’t clear

When Poke Fits into Your Atlanta Plans

Poke can be a smart pick in several Atlanta-specific scenarios:

• Before or after events
  If you’re going to a show at the Fox Theatre, a game at State Farm Arena, or a concert at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, you can often find poke-style spots within a short drive or quick rideshare distance for a relatively fast meal.

• Workday lunch
  In Midtown, Downtown, and Perimeter office clusters, poke is popular for:

  • Short lunch breaks
  • Team lunches where people want different levels of spice or portion sizes

• Travel days
  If you’re staying near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or at hotels near College Park or the Airport MARTA station, you may find nearby fast-casual bowls, including poke or similar rice-bowl formats.

Quick Reference: What to Expect from a Typical Atlanta Poke Spot

How to Search for “Circle Poke”–Style Restaurants in Atlanta

If you’re trying to track down a specific place you heard about—maybe under the name “Circle Poke”—or you just want that style of food, here’s a practical approach:

• Use mapping tools and search terms like:
  • “poke bowl near me”
  • “poke restaurant Midtown Atlanta”
  • “Hawaiian poke Atlanta”
• Focus your search radius around:
  • Midtown and Downtown for central access
  • Buckhead and Perimeter if you’re staying or working there
• Check recent opening hours and reviews to see:
  • If the place is still operating
  • How consistent the quality and service seem to be

If a restaurant with the exact name “Circle Poke” has opened or rebranded in Atlanta, these search steps will usually surface it quickly, along with its address and contact details.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta who is curious about international cuisine and fresh, customizable meals, poke bowl shops are a practical, widely available option—even if the name on the door isn’t “Circle Poke.” Use the neighborhoods, price ranges, and tips above to find a spot that fits your schedule, tastes, and part of town.