Good Eats in Atlanta: A Local Guide to International Cuisine

Atlanta’s food scene is one of the most diverse in the Southeast. If you’re looking for good eats with an international flair, you can find everything from authentic Korean barbecue and Ethiopian injera to regional Chinese, West African stews, and elevated Latin American small plates—all within a reasonable drive.

This guide focuses on international cuisine in Atlanta, Georgia, with practical tips on where to go, what to expect, and how to explore the city’s global food neighborhoods like a local.

How to Navigate Atlanta’s International Food Scene

Atlanta is spread out, so it helps to think in terms of clusters of global restaurants rather than one single “international district.”

Some of the most important areas for international cuisine include:

• Buford Highway (Doraville, Chamblee, Brookhaven corridor)
• Duluth / Johns Creek (northern suburbs, strong Korean and Chinese presence)
• Clarkston & Decatur area (East African, Middle Eastern, global markets)
• West Midtown & Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward (modern fusion, Latin, Mediterranean)
• Downtown & Midtown (more upscale international dining, hotel-adjacent options)

If you’re visiting, plan around traffic and parking. If you live here, consider exploring one corridor at a time—you’ll find more variety and better value than hopping randomly around the city.

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

Buford Highway is often the first stop Atlantans recommend for global food. Running roughly from Brookhaven through Chamblee to Doraville, it’s lined with restaurants and markets representing Asia, Latin America, and beyond.

What You’ll Find on Buford Highway

You can expect:

• Regional Chinese (Sichuan, Cantonese, Dongbei, dim sum)
• Vietnamese (pho, bánh mì, bún, vegetarian-friendly options)
• Korean (BBQ, tofu stews, fried chicken, late-night spots)
• Mexican and Central American (tacos, pupusas, tortas, panaderías)
• Bubble tea shops and Asian dessert cafés
• Small Latin American and Asian grocery stores with snacks, spices, and fresh produce

📍 The core stretch: generally along Buford Highway NE from around Clairmont Road up to I-285.

Tips for Eating on Buford Highway

• Go at off-peak times if you’re new—weekend evenings can be busy.
• Many places are casual and family-friendly, with shared plates and large portions.
• Parking is usually in shared lots; look for center-wide parking areas rather than individual storefront spots.
• Cash and card are both usually accepted, but some smaller businesses may have minimums for card payments.

Korean Food in Atlanta: Beyond BBQ

Metro Atlanta has a large Korean community, especially in Duluth, Suwanee, and Johns Creek, plus a solid presence along Buford Highway. If you’re craving good Korean eats, you’ll find everything from tabletop BBQ to homestyle soups.

Where Korean Food Is Concentrated

• Duluth / Pleasant Hill Road area – dense cluster of Korean BBQ, bakeries, and markets
• Buford Highway (Chamblee/Doraville) – mix of Korean BBQ, tofu houses, and quick-service spots

You’ll commonly see:

• Korean BBQ with gas or charcoal grills at the table
• Hot stews like soondubu (soft tofu stew) and kimchi jjigae
• Korean fried chicken with spicy or soy-garlic glazes
• Korean bakeries offering pastries, cakes, and coffee

Practical Tips

• For BBQ, expect shared platters and a variety of banchan (small side dishes).
• Many Korean spots are open late, especially in Duluth.
• Some restaurants allow call-ahead seating for larger groups; this can be useful on weekends.

Authentic Chinese, Vietnamese, and Other Asian Cuisines

Atlanta’s Asian food scene is broad and still growing. You can find traditional dishes, modern takes, and regional specialties.

Chinese Food in Atlanta

Look for:

• Dim sum service, typically during lunch on weekends
• Sichuan restaurants offering spicy, numbing flavors
• Noodle houses with hand-pulled or knife-cut noodles
• Cantonese and Hong Kong-style cafés with rice plates and baked goods

Main clusters are along:

• Buford Highway (Chamblee–Doraville)
• Pleasant Hill Road (Duluth)

Vietnamese Food

Vietnamese restaurants are well represented in the metro area. You’ll commonly find:

• Pho (beef noodle soup)
• Bánh mì (crisp baguette sandwiches)
• Vermicelli bowls with grilled meats or tofu
• Spring rolls and iced coffee with condensed milk

Key corridors:

• Buford Highway NE, especially near Chamblee and Doraville
• Pockets in Norcross and Duluth

Other Asian Options

Depending on where you are in Atlanta, you can also find:

• Thai and Laotian restaurants in central and suburban areas
• Japanese spots for ramen, izakaya-style dishes, and sushi
• Indian and Pakistani restaurants, particularly along stretches of North Decatur Road, Lawrenceville Highway, and in the northern suburbs

For most of these, you can expect casual settings, moderate prices, and strong takeout options.

Latin American and Caribbean Eats Across Atlanta

Atlanta’s Latin American and Caribbean food options range from quick taquerias to weekend-only specialty stews.

Mexican & Central American

You’ll find:

• Taquerias serving street-style tacos and quesadillas
• Panaderías (bakeries) with sweet breads and pastries
• Pupuserías for Salvadoran pupusas
• Small grocery stores with prepared foods and snacks

Common areas:

• Buford Highway (for a dense mix of Latin American spots)
• Various corridors around Norcross, Doraville, and Sandy Springs

Caribbean and South American

Caribbean and South American food is more spread out, but you can find:

• Jamaican restaurants with jerk chicken, oxtails, and patties
• Trinidadian and Guyanese bakeries and roti shops in select pockets
• Brazilian steakhouses in Buckhead and the northern suburbs
• Peruvian rotisserie chicken and ceviche-focused restaurants dotted around the metro

Most of these are casual to mid-range, with a focus on hearty plates and grilled meats.

Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African Options

If you’re craving falafel, shawarma, kebabs, or mezze, Atlanta has a wide spread of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean eateries.

Where These Cuisines Show Up

• Along North Druid Hills and Briarcliff
• In and around Decatur and Tucker
• Scattered through Midtown, West Midtown, and Buckhead

You’ll often find:

• Casual counter-service spots with platters and wraps
• Baklava, kanafeh, and Turkish coffee in dessert cafés and bakeries
• Hookah lounges that also serve food, especially late-night

Pricing is typically moderate, and many places are friendly to vegetarian and vegan diners.

African and African Diaspora Food in Atlanta

Atlanta has a growing selection of West African, East African, and pan-African restaurants, plus food from the broader African diaspora.

East African (Ethiopian, Eritrean)

Ethiopian restaurants are largely clustered around:

• Parts of Decatur
• The Clarkston area
• A few spots closer to the city center

Dishes often feature:

• Injera (spongy flatbread)
• Wats (stews) with meat, lentils, and vegetables
• Shared platters that are eaten communally, often with your hands

West African

You can find:

• Nigerian restaurants with jollof rice, egusi, and fufu
• Ghanaian and other West African cuisines in select spots around the metro area

Many are in strip centers and may not be immediately obvious from the street; exploring areas like Clarkston, Stone Mountain, and parts of Southwest DeKalb can reveal a number of these restaurants.

Modern, Upscale, and Fusion International Dining

If you’re looking for date-night or special-occasion international dining in Atlanta, focus on:

• Midtown and Downtown – restaurants in and around Peachtree Street and hotel districts
• Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Poncey-Highland – walkable neighborhoods with modern global concepts
• West Midtown – warehouses turned into polished restaurants and bars

Here you’ll find:

• Latin American-inspired small plates
• Mediterranean and coastal European menus
• Asian-fusion spots incorporating Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Chinese flavors
• Tasting menus and chef-driven global cuisine

Expect higher prices, reservation systems, and more emphasis on presentation and cocktails.

International Markets and Groceries in Atlanta

Exploring international grocery stores is one of the best ways to expand your food options at home.

Common types of markets around metro Atlanta include:

• Large pan-Asian supermarkets with produce, seafood, and prepared foods
• Korean supermarkets with banchan bars and baked goods
• Indian and South Asian markets with spices, lentils, and frozen items
• Latin American markets with fresh tortillas, meats, and specialty produce
• Smaller Middle Eastern and African groceries carrying hard-to-find ingredients

These are especially concentrated along:

• Buford Highway
• Pleasant Hill Road (Duluth)
• Corridors in Decatur, Tucker, and Clarkston

Many markets have food courts or in-store kitchens, which can be a low-cost and authentic way to try new dishes.

Practical Tips for Enjoying International Cuisine in Atlanta

To make the most of Atlanta’s global food scene:

1. Plan Around Traffic and Transit

• Peak traffic times (roughly 4–7 p.m. on weekdays) can make cross-city trips slow.
• If you don’t drive, look for MARTA bus and rail connections to corridors like Buford Highway; some segments are reachable by bus from stations along the Gold and Red lines.

2. Understand Common Payment and Service Norms

• Tipping is standard in sit-down restaurants, including most international spots.
• Many casual eateries use counter service; you order at the register and seat yourself.
• Some smaller restaurants may have limited English menus, but staff are often helpful if you ask questions.

3. Try Lunch Specials and Weekday Deals

A lot of international restaurants in Atlanta offer:

• Lunch specials with smaller portions at lower prices
• Weekday discounts outside of peak hours

If you’re on a budget, this can be an ideal time to explore new cuisines.

4. Be Open to “Hole-in-the-Wall” Locations

Some of the best international food in Atlanta is served in unassuming strip malls or low-key storefronts. Don’t be put off by simple décor; many locals look for:

• Busy parking lots at mealtimes
• Menus posted in multiple languages
• A steady mix of community regulars and curious newcomers

Quick Reference: Where to Find Different International Cuisines in Atlanta

How Locals Discover New “Good Eats” in Atlanta

If you’re trying to keep up with Atlanta’s constantly shifting restaurant scene:

• Drive or walk corridors like Buford Highway, Midtown, or West Midtown and note spots that look busy.
• Check festival and market lineups, such as international food festivals, which often feature local restaurant vendors.
• Visit international grocery stores and look at the flyers or bulletin boards; many advertise nearby restaurants and bakeries.

For residents and visitors alike, Atlanta’s international cuisine is easiest to enjoy when you treat the city like a set of mini food districts. Pick a neighborhood—Buford Highway for variety, Duluth for Korean and Chinese, Decatur/Clarkston for African and Middle Eastern—and give yourself time to explore. The more you venture beyond the main roads, the more “good eats” you’ll uncover.