Golden Buddha Chinese Restaurant in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

Looking for a classic Chinese restaurant in Atlanta with a long local history? Golden Buddha Chinese Restaurant is one of those names many Atlantans recognize, especially if you’ve spent time around Emory, Toco Hills, or North Druid Hills.

Below is a practical guide to what Golden Buddha is, where it fits in Atlanta’s dining scene, and how to decide if it’s the right spot for your next meal.

Where Golden Buddha Fits in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Golden Buddha is best understood as a traditional Chinese-American restaurant that leans into familiar favorites rather than trendy fusion or ultra-regional specialties. For many locals, it’s known as:

• A sit-down Chinese restaurant with a long-standing presence
• A place for comfort dishes like fried rice, lo mein, and sweet-and-sour plates
• A convenient option if you’re in or near the Emory / North Druid Hills / Toco Hills area
• An alternative to driving out to Buford Highway when you want something closer and more familiar

If you live in Atlanta, especially inside the perimeter, Golden Buddha often shows up when people talk about old-school Chinese restaurants that have served generations of students, families, and office workers.

Location, Access, and Getting There

Golden Buddha’s exact details can shift over time (for example, hours or suite numbers can change), so it’s wise to double-check a recent map or phone listing. In general, expect the restaurant to be in the northeast Atlanta / North Druid Hills corridor, not far from:

• Emory University
• Toco Hills shopping area
• Briarcliff and North Druid Hills Road corridors

Getting There from Common Atlanta Areas

• From Downtown / Midtown:
  Typically about a 15–25 minute drive, depending on traffic. Many drivers use I-85 North or Ponce / Briarcliff as main routes.

• From Buckhead:
  Often 15–20 minutes via Lenox / Cheshire Bridge or I-85.

• From Decatur:
  Generally 10–15 minutes, often using Clairemont, North Decatur Road, or Lavista Road.

🅿️ Parking:
Most Golden Buddha locations historically have had surface lot parking in a small shopping center or strip mall-style setup. This is usually easier than street parking in more congested intown neighborhoods, but the lot can get busy around weekend dinner hours.

🚍 Transit:
MARTA access typically involves:

• A bus connection from a nearby MARTA rail station such as Lindbergh Center, Decatur, or Doraville, depending on route and schedule.
• If you rely on MARTA, it’s helpful to check bus routes and timing in advance, as frequencies can vary.

What Kind of Food to Expect

Golden Buddha’s menu falls into the Chinese-American comfort zone rather than highly regional or experimental Chinese cuisine. You’ll usually find:

Core Chinese-American Dishes

Common categories include:

• Appetizers

  • Egg rolls
  • Spring rolls
  • Fried wontons
  • Crab rangoon
  • Potstickers / dumplings

• Soup & Sides

  • Egg drop soup
  • Hot and sour soup
  • Wonton soup
  • Steamed or fried rice
  • Plain lo mein or chow mein

• Chicken Dishes

  • General Tso’s chicken
  • Sesame chicken
  • Sweet and sour chicken
  • Kung pao chicken
  • Moo goo gai pan

• Beef, Pork, and Shrimp

  • Beef with broccoli
  • Pepper steak
  • Mongolian beef
  • Sweet and sour pork
  • Shrimp with lobster sauce
  • Kung pao shrimp

• Vegetarian-Friendly Options

  • Mixed vegetable stir-fries
  • Tofu with vegetables
  • Vegetable lo mein or fried rice (ask about egg and sauces)

How It Compares to Buford Highway Options

If you’ve spent time on Buford Highway, you know the area is packed with regional Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and other international restaurants serving everything from hot pot to hand-pulled noodles.

Golden Buddha is different in that it:

• Focuses on classic American-Chinese dishes that many people already know
• Tends to appeal to families, students, and groups looking for something familiar and easy
• Is often more about comfort and convenience than culinary exploration

For someone visiting Atlanta who wants one “old-school Chinese restaurant” experience close to Emory or Midtown, Golden Buddha can fill that niche.

Dining Experience: What It’s Like Inside

While decor can change over the years, the general experience at Golden Buddha usually feels like a traditional neighborhood Chinese restaurant, not a high-end or ultra-modern space.

Atmosphere

• Casual, sit-down service with tables and booths
• Suitable for:
  • Weeknight dinners
  • Student meetups
  • Small family gatherings
• Noise levels can rise during:
  • Weekend dinners
  • Holidays like Christmas or New Year’s, when Chinese restaurants often see heavier traffic in Atlanta

Service and Timing

Common patterns Atlanta diners report at similar restaurants:

• Lunch: Usually faster-paced, with more emphasis on lunch specials and quick turnaround
• Dinner: Slightly slower but still casual; can get busier from 6:30–8:00 pm on weekends
• Takeout: Popular, especially for people living in nearby neighborhoods like:
  • Emory / Druid Hills
  • North Decatur
  • Toco Hills
  • Morningside / Virginia-Highland (a short drive away)

If you’re timing around Atlanta traffic, many locals order takeout and schedule pickup for after rush hour instead of dining out during peak commute times.

Menu Pricing and Portions

Exact prices change over time, but Golden Buddha typically sits in the moderate / affordable range for Atlanta.

What Atlanta Diners Usually Notice

• Entrées: Often priced around what you’d expect from a classic sit-down Chinese spot in the city, with generous portions that can often be shared or saved as leftovers.
• Lunch specials (if offered): Usually include an entrée plus rice and sometimes soup or an appetizer at a discounted daytime price.
• Takeout value: Many locals consider Chinese takeout a good per-person value, especially when sharing multiple dishes family-style.

💡 Money-Saving Tips:

• If you’re a student at Emory or work nearby, ask about lunch specials or early weekday deals.
• For families, ordering 2–3 entrées plus rice and sharing can be more economical than individual dishes for each person.

Dietary Considerations and Customization

Golden Buddha primarily serves Chinese-American dishes, but many restaurants in this category are willing to adjust when asked. If you live in Atlanta and have dietary needs, it helps to be specific.

Common Requests You Can Ask About

• Vegetarian or mostly plant-based meals

  • Vegetable lo mein without meat
  • Tofu-based dishes
  • Stir-fried mixed vegetables with steamed rice
  • Ask if fish sauce, oyster sauce, or chicken stock are used in certain dishes

• Lower-sodium or lighter dishes

  • Request sauce on the side
  • Ask for less soy sauce or less salt
  • Choose steamed instead of fried where available

• Gluten awareness

  • Traditional soy sauce and many fried items may contain gluten
  • If you are sensitive or avoiding gluten, ask:
    • Which dishes are prepared without batter
    • If any dishes can be made with no soy sauce / wheat-based thickeners

Servers at Atlanta’s older Chinese restaurants may not always use detailed dietary labels, so clear, simple questions tend to work best.

Golden Buddha vs. Other International Cuisine Options in Atlanta

If you’re thinking about Golden Buddha, you may also be weighing it against other international cuisine options around the city.

Here’s a quick comparison to set expectations:

If your goal is comfort food close to Emory or North Druid Hills, Golden Buddha is a logical choice. If you want to explore regional Chinese cuisine, consider adding a Buford Highway trip to your Atlanta itinerary.

When Golden Buddha Makes the Most Sense

Golden Buddha can be a good fit for you in Atlanta if you:

• Live or stay near Emory, Druid Hills, North Decatur, or Toco Hills
• Want familiar, Chinese-American dishes rather than experimental or high-end dining
• Need a casual spot for a group with varied tastes
• Prefer easy parking and a laid-back sit-down environment
• Are craving Chinese takeout and want something close by

If you’re visiting Atlanta, think of Golden Buddha as part of the city’s older, neighborhood restaurant scene—especially convenient if you’re spending time on the east side of the city and want a straightforward Chinese meal without a long drive.

Before you go, it’s smart to:

• Confirm the current address, hours, and phone number via a recent local listing or map app
• Check whether they’re offering dine-in, takeout, or both, as operations can change over time
• Call ahead if you’re planning a larger group or family gathering, to ask about seating and timing

That way, your visit to Golden Buddha fits smoothly into your Atlanta plans, whether you’re here for a weekend, a semester at Emory, or you’ve just moved into the neighborhood and need a reliable Chinese stand-by.