International Eats in Atlanta: Where to Find Global Flavors Around the City

Atlanta’s food scene has grown into one of the most diverse in the Southeast. If you’re looking for international eats in Atlanta, you can find everything from late-night Korean barbecue to West African stews, regional Chinese noodles, and refined tasting menus inspired by cuisines from around the world.

This guide walks through where and how to explore global cuisine in Atlanta, organized by neighborhoods, types of food, and practical tips to help you get the most out of the city’s international restaurant scene.

Where to Start: Atlanta’s Top Areas for International Cuisine

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Global Food Highway

If you’re serious about trying international food in Atlanta, Buford Highway is usually the first stop. Stretching roughly from Brookhaven through Doraville and Chamblee, this corridor is packed with restaurants and markets.

You’ll find:

• Chinese: Dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, Sichuan-style dishes
• Korean: Korean barbecue, fried chicken, late-night spots
• Vietnamese: Pho, banh mi, rice plates, bubble tea
• Mexican & Central American: Taquerias, bakeries, snacks
• Latin American: Colombian, Peruvian, Guatemalan, and more
• Other Asian cuisines: Thai, Malaysian, Burmese, and fusion concepts

Buford Highway is largely car-oriented. MARTA buses run along parts of it, but most locals drive and park in front of individual plazas. Expect strip malls where each plaza has multiple independent restaurants and markets.

Midtown, Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park: Trendy Global Spots

Closer to the city core, you’ll find chef-driven and modern international restaurants:

• Midtown – Upscale Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, and Indian restaurants, often with cocktail programs and refined menus.
• Old Fourth Ward / Poncey-Highland – Internationally inspired small plates, ramen, sushi, and “new American” menus with global influences.
• Inman Park – Walkable area with European-style cafés, Spanish tapas, and globally inspired brunch spots.

These areas are easy to reach by MARTA rail (Midtown, North Avenue, Inman Park/Reynoldstown stations) or by rideshare. Street parking and pay-to-park decks are common.

Westside & Howell Mill: Modern, Upscale International Eats

The Westside (Howell Mill Road, West Midtown) has become a hub for:

• Contemporary Italian and French-inspired kitchens
• Asian fusion and pan-Asian menus
• Modern Mexican and Latin American restaurants

Most places here are in redeveloped industrial buildings and mixed-use centers. Parking is typically in structured decks or surface lots.

Decatur & East Atlanta: Cozy, Neighborhood Restaurants

East of downtown, Decatur, Kirkwood, and East Atlanta Village offer:

• Casual Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian restaurants
• Global comfort food with vegetarian and vegan options
• Family-friendly spots with diverse menus

Decatur is particularly walkable, with a MARTA rail station (Decatur Station) in the center of downtown. Many residents in these areas build regular routines around one or two favorite international restaurants close to home.

A Quick Look at Atlanta’s International Food Landscape

Below is a simple overview of major cuisines and where you’ll commonly find them:

This isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a helpful mental map if you’re planning where to explore.

International Cuisines You Can Find All Over Atlanta

Asian Eats: From Street Food to Specialty Dishes

Chinese Food in Atlanta

Atlanta’s Chinese food scene covers:

• Sichuan: Spicy dishes with chili oil and numbing peppercorn
• Cantonese / Dim Sum: Steamed dumplings, buns, and small plates
• Northern-style: Hand-pulled noodles and dumplings

Most of the broader regional variety is concentrated north and northeast of the city (Buford Highway into Gwinnett County), though you’ll find American Chinese staples in almost every neighborhood.

Korean Food

Korean food is easy to access if you’re willing to drive slightly outside Atlanta’s center:

• Doraville & Chamblee (along Buford Highway)
• Duluth & Suwanee (further into Gwinnett County)

Expect:

• Korean BBQ with grills at the table
• Korean fried chicken and beer
• Late-night spots that stay open much later than most intown restaurants

Japanese & Ramen

Intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, Westside, and Old Fourth Ward offer:

• Sushi and sashimi bars
• Ramen shops with tonkotsu, shoyu, and miso broths
• Izakaya-style menus with skewers and snacks

Reservations are common for popular spots on weekends.

Vietnamese, Thai, and Other Southeast Asian

• Vietnamese: Concentrated along Buford Highway and in pockets around Norcross and Doraville. Expect pho, vermicelli bowls, and strong iced coffee.
• Thai: Scattered across the metro area, with many options in Midtown, Decatur, and the Eastside.
• Other Southeast Asian: Depending on when you’re visiting, you may find Malaysian, Indonesian, or fusion spots that rotate in and out of food halls or shared kitchens.

Latin American & Caribbean Eats in Atlanta

Mexican & Latin American

In metro Atlanta, you’ll find:

• Neighborhood taquerias across the city, particularly in south and west Atlanta and along Buford Highway
• Contemporary Mexican with creative tacos and cocktails in Intown areas
• Central and South American options (Peruvian, Colombian, Salvadoran, Guatemalan) mostly clustered on and around Buford Highway and in Norcross and Doraville

Caribbean

Caribbean cuisine appears in various pockets:

• West and South Atlanta for Jamaican and Caribbean soul food
• Select spots in Decatur, Stone Mountain, and surrounding DeKalb County communities

Expect jerk chicken, patties, rice and peas, and seafood dishes, often in small casual spaces or takeout-focused restaurants.

Indian, Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Eats

Indian Cuisine

Atlanta offers a mix of North and South Indian:

• Decatur & North DeKalb – Several long-standing Indian restaurants and grocery stores
• Midtown & Buckhead – Upscale Indian-inspired concepts and modern menus
• Suburbs like Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Duluth – Larger clusters of Indian restaurants and sweet shops

Buffets (mainly at lunch), vegetarian options, and tandoor dishes are common.

Mediterranean & Middle Eastern

You’ll find:

• Mediterranean grills and cafés across Midtown, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Buckhead
• Menus featuring shawarma, falafel, hummus, kebabs, and mezze
• Some bakeries and groceries that sell imported ingredients and fresh bread

These spots tend to be approachable and are popular for quick lunches and casual dinners.

African Eats: East, West, and Beyond

Atlanta’s African restaurants reflect the city’s global communities:

• Ethiopian & Eritrean: Concentrated around Decatur and North DeKalb, with injera-based platters and shared plates.
• West African (Nigerian, Ghanaian, etc.): Found in South DeKalb, Clarkston area, and parts of Southwest Atlanta, featuring jollof rice, stews, and grilled meats.
• Other regions: Smaller clusters from across the continent appear in various suburbs and along common immigrant corridors.

If you’re new to these cuisines, many restaurants are patient about explaining dishes and helping you order.

Practical Tips for Enjoying International Restaurants in Atlanta

Getting Around: MARTA, Car, or Rideshare?

• Intown neighborhoods (Midtown, Inman Park, Decatur): Often reachable by MARTA rail plus a short walk.
• Buford Highway and most suburban clusters: More practical by car or rideshare. Sidewalks exist in some sections but can be inconsistent.
• Traffic can be heavy on weeknights around dinner time and on weekends. Planning a slightly earlier or later meal can make parking and seating easier.

Reservations, Walk-Ins, and Peak Times

• Popular chef-driven spots in Midtown, Westside, and Inman Park often work on reservations, especially Thursday–Sunday evenings.
• Many Buford Highway and neighborhood restaurants are walk-in only, with short waits at peak times.
• For large groups, it’s wise to call ahead, even at casual places, to confirm seating and any large-party policies.

Dietary Needs: Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal, and Gluten-Sensitive Options

In Atlanta’s international restaurants, you’ll often find:

• Vegetarian & Vegan:
  • Indian, Mediterranean, Ethiopian, and some Asian restaurants naturally have strong plant-based choices.
• Halal:
  • Some Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African restaurants offer halal meats. Calling to confirm is the most reliable approach.
• Gluten-sensitive:
  • Many rice-based cuisines (Ethiopian, some Indian, Vietnamese, some Mexican dishes) can work for gluten-aware diners, but cross-contact varies by kitchen. Always verify directly with staff.

For specific needs, calling ahead during off-peak hours usually leads to clearer answers than asking at the busiest point of service.

Exploring on a Budget vs. Special-Occasion Dining

Budget-friendly options in Atlanta’s international scene include:

• Taquerias and lunch specials along Buford Highway
• Vietnamese and Chinese noodle shops
• Casual Indian, Mediterranean, and Ethiopian restaurants offering combo or platter-style meals that feed more than one person

Special-occasion options often appear:

• In Midtown, Buckhead, Inman Park, Westside, and parts of Decatur
• With multi-course menus, tasting menus, or wine pairings
• In highly designed spaces, often with advance reservation requirements

This makes Atlanta flexible: you can eat globally whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a celebratory dinner.

Finding and Contacting International Restaurants in Atlanta

Using Local Resources

To navigate Atlanta’s restaurant landscape, many residents and visitors combine:

• General map apps to search by cuisine (e.g., “Ethiopian near Decatur”)
• Local food blogs and city guides that highlight new or notable openings
• Social media for recent menus, hours, and photos

Because independent restaurants can change hours or offerings, it is smart to check same-day details before driving across town.

Helpful Local Agencies and Offices

While there isn’t a single “international restaurant office,” a few official Atlanta and Georgia organizations help you better understand dining areas and business districts:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of International and Immigration Affairs (MOIIA)
  City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-330-6100
  This office helps connect international communities and can be a starting point if you’re interested in cultural neighborhoods and events that often include food.

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-521-6600
  Offers visitor information about major dining areas, food festivals, and neighborhood overviews.

• DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau (useful for Decatur, Clarkston, and surrounding areas)
  1957 Lakeside Pkwy, Suite 510, Tucker, GA 30084
  Phone: 770-492-5000
  Provides regional information, including dining and cultural attractions east of Atlanta.

For permits, inspections, and safety information related to restaurants:

• Fulton County Board of Health – Environmental Health Division
  10 Park Pl S SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-613-1303

• DeKalb County Board of Health – Environmental Health
  445 Winn Way, Suite 320, Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: 404-508-7900

While most consumers don’t contact these offices directly for dining choices, they maintain public information about restaurant safety and inspections in their jurisdictions.

How to Make the Most of Atlanta’s International Eats

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta and want to experience its global food scene:

• Start with Buford Highway for a dense, casual, and authentic range of cuisines.
• Use MARTA and rideshare to access intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, and Decatur for more modern, chef-driven takes on global food.
• Be open to exploring strip malls and side streets—some of the best meals are in small, unassuming spaces.
• Call ahead when you have dietary needs, large groups, or a specific dish you want to try.

With a bit of planning and curiosity, Atlanta offers a broad, constantly evolving range of international eats that can fit nearly any budget, schedule, or taste preference.