Exploring Food & Beverage in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to International Cuisine

Atlanta’s food and beverage (F&B) scene is one of the most diverse in the Southeast. If you’re interested in international cuisine in Atlanta, you’ll find everything from authentic street food to refined tasting menus representing countries around the world—all within a short drive of downtown or the suburbs.

This guide focuses on how F&B in Atlanta works from an international perspective: where to go, what neighborhoods to explore, and how locals typically navigate the city’s global dining landscape.

How Atlanta’s International Food & Beverage Scene Is Organized

Atlanta’s F&B landscape isn’t centered in just one “international district.” Instead, it’s spread across a few key areas:

• Intown neighborhoods with trendy global spots (Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West Midtown)
• Ethnic corridors with dense clusters of specific cuisines (Buford Highway, Duluth, Norcross, Chamblee)
• Mixed-use developments that blend local and international food (Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, The Battery Atlanta)
• Suburban hubs in DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Cobb counties with strong immigrant communities and specialty groceries

If you’re planning where to eat or drink in Atlanta, knowing which area to target is often more important than seeking out a single restaurant.

Key Atlanta Neighborhoods for International Food & Beverage

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Global Food Corridor

For many locals, Buford Highway is synonymous with international cuisine. Stretching roughly from Brookhaven through Chamblee and Doraville, this major road is lined with independent restaurants, markets, and bakeries.

You’ll commonly find:

• Chinese, Taiwanese, and Cantonese spots
• Vietnamese pho and bánh mì shops
• Korean BBQ, tofu houses, and soju bars
• Mexican taquerias and Central American restaurants
• Peruvian, Colombian, and other Latin American eateries
• Bubble tea shops and dessert cafés

Getting there:

• Accessible by car from I-85 or I-285
• MARTA rail stops nearby include Brookhaven/Oglethorpe, Chamblee, and Doraville, often followed by a short ride-share trip

Buford Highway is ideal if you want casual, authentic, and often very affordable F&B options. Many places are family-run, and menus can be highly specialized, focusing on a specific region or style of cooking.

Midtown & Downtown: Upscale, Trendy, and Global

If you’re staying or working near Midtown or Downtown Atlanta, you’ll find:

• Upscale international concepts (Japanese, Italian, Spanish, French, modern Mediterranean, etc.)
• Rooftop bars and craft cocktail lounges with globally inspired menus
• Hotel restaurants that often feature fusion or international twists
• Quick-service international spots for lunch and pre-event dining near venues like State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Midtown in particular is known for:

• Walkable streets with restaurants clustered along Peachtree Street and the surrounding blocks
• A strong bar and lounge scene, including wine bars, beer-focused spots, and cocktail programs that pull from global traditions

This area works well if you want a polished dining experience, brunch with international influences, or a night out that combines dinner and drinks in one neighborhood.

West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and BeltLine Areas

These areas attract locals who want creative, chef-driven takes on global food:

• West Midtown: Industrial-style spaces with refined menus, often inspired by European and Asian culinary traditions
• Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park: Clustered around the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, with international small plates, tacos, ramen, and more
• Krog Street Market & Ponce City Market: Food halls that bring together multiple international vendors under one roof

These spots are popular for:

• Group outings and date nights
• Sampling multiple cuisines in one visit
• Pairing food with craft cocktails, local beer, or natural wines

If you’re visiting Atlanta, these neighborhoods offer a convenient way to experience Atlanta’s modern F&B culture without needing a car for every stop.

Suburban International Food Hubs: Duluth, Norcross, and Beyond

North and northeast of the city, especially in Gwinnett County, you’ll find some of the most concentrated international F&B communities in metro Atlanta.

Common highlights:

• Duluth: Known for Korean BBQ, Korean bakeries, late-night cafés, and specialty markets
• Norcross and Peachtree Corners: Latin American, Caribbean, and Asian restaurants spread across shopping centers
• Tucker and Clarkston (DeKalb County): Strong representation of Ethiopian, East African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cuisines

These areas are more car-dependent but offer deep variety and authenticity, especially if you’re interested in exploring grocery stores, bakeries, and cafés in addition to restaurants.

Types of International Food & Beverage You’ll Commonly Find in Atlanta

Atlanta’s F&B scene covers most major world cuisines. While menus and specific venues change over time, some reliable patterns include:

Asian Cuisine in Atlanta

You’ll frequently see:

• Chinese and Taiwanese: Noodle houses, dim sum, hot pot, and regional specialties
• Korean: BBQ, fried chicken, tofu stews, and Korean cafés with desserts and specialty drinks
• Japanese: Sushi bars, ramen shops, izakaya-style small plates
• Vietnamese: Pho, vermicelli bowls, bánh mì, and modern café-style concepts
• Thai: Neighborhood staples both intown and in the suburbs, often with takeout and delivery options
• Indian and South Asian: Buffets, vegetarian-focused menus, chaat houses, and regional specialties in corridors like Decatur and parts of DeKalb

These are heavily concentrated along Buford Highway, Duluth, Chamblee, Doraville, and in pockets of Decatur and Midtown.

Latin American & Caribbean Cuisine

Around metro Atlanta, you’ll find a broad range of Latin and Caribbean F&B options, such as:

• Mexican: From street-style tacos and tortas to upscale regional Mexican concepts
• Central American: Salvadoran pupuserías, Honduran and Guatemalan eateries
• South American: Peruvian chicken and ceviche, Brazilian steakhouse-style spots, Colombian bakeries
• Caribbean: Jamaican jerk stands, Trinidadian and other island cuisines in various parts of the metro area

These restaurants often cluster in Norcross, Buford Highway, and West Atlanta, as well as mixed-use areas near downtown and Midtown.

European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern

Atlanta also has a strong selection of:

• Italian and French: Trattorias, bistros, wine-focused restaurants, and bakeries
• Greek and broader Mediterranean: Gyros, mezze, grilled seafood, and modern Mediterranean menus
• Turkish and Levantine: Kebabs, pide, hummus, and shared-plate concepts
• Eastern European: A smaller but growing presence, often in niche spots or bakery-style operations

You’ll see these spread across Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown, and in select suburban corridors.

Food Halls and Markets: Sampling Many Cuisines at Once

If you’re short on time or traveling with a group that has different tastes, Atlanta’s food halls and markets are an efficient way to experience multiple international options.

Notable Multi-Vendor Spaces

These locations are particularly useful if you:

• Want variety in a single stop
• Need a place where kids, adults, and different diets can all find something
• Prefer counter-service or casual dining over formal reservations

Food & Beverage Beyond Restaurants: Groceries, Bakeries, and Cafés

Atlanta’s international F&B ecosystem goes beyond sit-down restaurants.

International Grocery Stores

Across metro Atlanta, especially along Buford Highway, Pleasant Hill Road, and Jimmy Carter Boulevard, you’ll find:

• Large Asian supermarkets with fresh seafood, produce, and prepared foods
• Latin American markets with butcher counters, panaderías, and hot-food sections
• Indian and South Asian grocers with spice aisles, frozen snacks, and takeaway curries

Locals often pair a restaurant visit with stopping by a nearby market to buy spices, sauces, snacks, or beverages to take home.

Bakeries and Dessert Shops

Atlanta has an expanding mix of international bakeries and dessert spots:

• Korean, Japanese, and Chinese bakeries for breads, cakes, and specialty drinks
• Latin American bakeries for pastries, tres leches, and breads
• French-style patisseries clustered in intown areas and some suburbs
• Bubble tea shops, rolled ice cream, and modern dessert cafés throughout the city

These are usually informal and suitable for walk-ins, studying, or casual meetups.

Drinks: Bars, Breweries, and International Beverage Trends

While food often gets top billing, Atlanta’s beverage scene also pulls heavily from international influences.

Craft Cocktails and Spirits

In Midtown, Buckhead, and West Midtown, many bars focus on:

• Classic cocktails with European, Caribbean, or Japanese twists
• Menus featuring mezcal, pisco, shochu, soju, and amari
• Pairings with international bar bites like tapas, yakitori, or mezze

Breweries and Beer Halls

Atlanta’s breweries primarily focus on craft beer, but:

• Some offer German-inspired lagers, Belgian-style ales, or British pub influences
• Food trucks or on-site kitchens often serve global street food, from tacos to Korean-inspired dishes

Non-Alcoholic and Café Culture

Non-drinkers still have plenty of options:

• Bubble tea and milk tea cafés along Buford Highway and in Duluth
• Third-wave coffee shops with beans and brewing styles from around the world
• House-made sodas, mocktails, and specialty teas at many full-service restaurants

Practical Tips for Navigating Atlanta’s F&B Scene

Getting Around

• Car travel is still the most common way to reach many international spots, especially in the suburbs.
• MARTA rail and buses can get you reasonably close to some intown and Buford Highway areas, but you may still rely on ride-share or short walks.
• Traffic along I-85, I-285, and major arterials like Buford Highway can be heavy during peak commuting times; many locals plan dinners slightly earlier or later to avoid congestion.

Reservations, Lines, and Hours

• Upscale or highly popular international restaurants in Midtown, Buckhead, and West Midtown often recommend reservations, especially on weekends.
• More casual spots on Buford Highway and in Duluth may be walk-in only, with short waits during peak times.
• Late-night dining is more common in Korean, some Latin, and certain 24-hour or extended-hour cafés, but hours vary, so checking ahead is wise.

Dietary Needs and Communication

In many international spots around Atlanta:

• Staff are often familiar with common dietary requests like vegetarian, pescatarian, or gluten-sensitive options, especially in areas with heavy tourist or business traffic.
• In smaller, family-run places, menus may not always note every allergen; locals often ask specific questions about sauces, broths, and preparation methods if they have strict needs.

Local Resources and Points of Contact

If you’re trying to understand the broader F&B environment in Atlanta, a few local entities can be useful for context, events, and neighborhood information:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Film, Entertainment & Nightlife
  City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main City Hall phone: (404) 330-6000
  This office helps oversee nightlife-related issues and can be a reference point for regulations affecting late-night venues.

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 521-6600
  Provides visitor information, neighborhood overviews, and can help orient out-of-towners to major dining districts.

• City of Atlanta Office of Buildings – Permits & Licensing
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: (404) 330-6150
  This office manages permits that restaurants and bars need to operate within city limits, which can matter if you’re exploring F&B from a business standpoint.

For suburban international hubs (like Duluth, Norcross, or Chamblee), you can also look up each city or county’s local government offices for zoning, business licensing, and community event information that often highlights food festivals and cultural gatherings.

Atlanta’s F&B scene is constantly evolving, but the overall pattern remains stable: a mix of dense, global corridors like Buford Highway, trendy intown districts for elevated dining and drinks, and suburban pockets where immigrant communities shape a rich, everyday food culture. Whether you live in Atlanta, you’re visiting for a few days, or you’re assessing the city from a food and beverage perspective, you’ll find a broad, accessible range of international cuisine and beverage experiences across the metro area.