Planet Bombay: A Local Guide to This Atlanta Indian Restaurant Favorite

If you’re craving flavorful Indian cuisine in Atlanta, Planet Bombay is one of those long-standing spots many locals eventually hear about or stumble into on a night out in Little Five Points. This guide walks you through what to expect: the food, the vibe, how to get there, and how it compares to other international dining options around the city.

Where Planet Bombay Fits Into Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta has an impressive range of international restaurants, from Buford Highway’s global strip malls to destination dining in Midtown and Decatur. Within that mix, Planet Bombay is:

• An Indian restaurant with a focus on classic North Indian dishes, plus some Indo-Chinese and tandoori options.
• Located in or near Little Five Points, an area known more for music venues, vintage shops, and bars than white-tablecloth dining.
• A casual, approachable spot where people often go:
  • Before or after a show
  • During a night out with friends
  • For a relaxed sit-down Indian meal in-town, without driving out to the suburbs

If you’re staying in neighborhoods like Inman Park, Candler Park, Old Fourth Ward, or Virginia-Highland, Planet Bombay can be a convenient nearby choice for Indian food without heading up to the Perimeter.

Location, Parking, and Getting There

Planet Bombay is typically associated with the Little Five Points area, one of Atlanta’s most walkable and distinctive neighborhoods.

Getting There

You have a few realistic options from around Atlanta:

• 🚗 Driving
  • From Downtown/Midtown: Usually 10–20 minutes, depending on traffic, via Freedom Parkway or Moreland Avenue.
  • From Decatur: Often 10–15 minutes via Moreland Avenue or DeKalb Avenue.
• 🚆 MARTA + Walking/Ridehail
  • The closest MARTA rail stations are usually Inman Park/Reynoldstown or Candler Park on the East/West line.
  • From there, many people use a short rideshare trip or, in decent weather, walk or bike.

Parking Tips in Little Five Points

Parking in Little Five Points can be tight at peak hours:

• Expect a mix of:
  • Small paid lots behind or near businesses
  • Street parking on nearby residential streets (watch for signs and time limits)
• On weekends and evenings, arriving a bit earlier than your planned meal can make parking much less stressful.
• If you’re unfamiliar with the area, many Atlanta diners prefer to:
  • Use a rideshare service, especially at night or on busy weekends.
  • Combine dinner with walking around to visit shops and venues nearby.

What’s on the Menu at Planet Bombay?

Planet Bombay is generally known for classic Indian restaurant staples more than experimental or fusion dishes. While menus can change, expect categories like:

Popular Starters

Common appetizer options usually include:

• Samosas – Fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas.
• Pakoras – Lentil or vegetable fritters, often onion or mixed veg.
• Mixed appetizers – Shared platters with a combination of fried snacks.

These are typical picks for sharing at the table while everyone decides on mains.

Main Dishes: Curries and Tandoori

Many Atlanta locals and visitors gravitate toward:

• Chicken Tikka Masala / Butter Chicken
  Rich, tomato-based gravies with marinated chicken—often the “entry point” for people new to Indian food.

• Saag (Spinach) Dishes
  Such as saag paneer (with cheese) or saag chicken, built around pureed, seasoned spinach.

• Lamb and Goat Curries
  For those who want something beyond chicken, there are usually lamb vindaloo, lamb curry, and similar dishes.

• Vegetarian Entrées
  Often a strong part of Indian menus:

  • Chana masala (chickpeas in tomato-onion gravy)
  • Aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower)
  • Dal (lentil-based dishes)
  • Paneer dishes (cheese in various sauces)

• Tandoori Items
  Cooked in a clay tandoor oven, you may see:

  • Chicken tikka
  • Tandoori chicken
  • Mixed grilled platters

Bread, Rice, and Sides

Indian meals at Planet Bombay typically pair mains with:

• Naan (regular, garlic, or stuffed)
• Roti or paratha (griddle breads)
• Basmati rice served alongside curries
• Raita (cool yogurt sauce) to soften spice levels
• Chutneys (mint, tamarind, etc.) that come with many appetizers or as side condiments

If you’re ordering family-style, locals often share 2–3 curries plus several naan and rice orders for a group of 3–4.

Spice Levels and Dietary Considerations

Like many Indian restaurants in Atlanta, Planet Bombay typically lets you choose a spice level—often labeled mild, medium, or hot.

Managing Spice in Atlanta’s Heat 🌶️

• Mild – Usually comfortable even if you rarely eat spicy food.
• Medium – A good balance for many people, with noticeable heat.
• Hot – Can be quite spicy; experienced spice-lovers in Atlanta sometimes request this.

If you’re sensitive to spice, it’s worth clearly stating “very mild, please” when you order.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Aware Options

Indian cuisine naturally includes many vegetarian dishes, and Planet Bombay is usually no exception. In Atlanta, common patterns to expect:

• Vegetarian items often center around lentils, chickpeas, paneer, potatoes, and spinach.
• Some dishes can be prepared without dairy, but you’ll want to ask staff which entrées can be made vegan.
• Many curries are naturally gluten-free, but:
  • Naan is wheat-based.
  • Sauces may occasionally use a thickener, so checking with the server is reasonable if you have dietary restrictions or allergies.

Because recipes and preparation methods can vary over time, it’s smart to speak directly with staff about any allergy or dietary questions when you arrive.

Atmosphere: What It’s Like to Dine at Planet Bombay

Planet Bombay tends to lean informal and relaxed, fitting the Little Five Points neighborhood:

• Dress code: Casual—jeans and T-shirts are common.
• Noise level: Can be moderate, especially during weekend evenings when the area is busier.
• Groups: Works for:
  • Small groups of friends
  • Pre- or post-concert dinners
  • Casual dates

Because seating can vary, larger groups in Atlanta often call ahead to ask about space and any practical timing considerations.

Takeout and Delivery for Atlanta Residents

Many Atlantans use Planet Bombay as a takeout or delivery option, especially if they live nearby in neighborhoods like Inman Park, Candler Park, Edgewood, or Old Fourth Ward.

Common patterns:

• Phone orders for pickup; you can often ask how long the wait will be before you leave.
• Third-party delivery apps sometimes list Planet Bombay within a certain radius; availability may depend on your address.

If you live in a busy, traffic-heavy area like Midtown or Downtown, it can occasionally be faster to schedule pickup during off-peak times (for example, early evening on weekdays instead of Saturday at 8 p.m.).

When to Go: Timing Your Visit

Little Five Points has its own rhythm:

Quieter Times

• Weekday lunches and early dinners (before 6 p.m.) tend to be calmer.
• Easier street and lot parking, shorter waits, and more relaxed service pace.

Busier Times

• Friday and Saturday evenings
• Days when there are events, concerts, or festivals nearby

If you’re planning to eat before a show at a local venue (like Variety Playhouse or a nearby festival), consider:

• Arriving 45–60 minutes earlier than you think you need.
• Letting your server know if you’re on a schedule.

How Planet Bombay Compares to Other Indian Options in Atlanta

Atlanta has several pockets known for Indian food:

• Buford Highway – A broad mix of international cuisines, including some Indian restaurants and markets.
• Decatur / North DeKalb – Home to a number of Indian grocery stores and restaurants, especially along Lawrenceville Highway and in nearby suburbs like Tucker.
• North Fulton / Gwinnett – Areas such as Johns Creek, Duluth, and Suwanee have growing South Asian communities with multiple Indian dining options.

Where Planet Bombay fits:

• It’s a central, in-town option for Indian food, convenient if you’re staying near the heart of Atlanta.
• It offers a traditional sit-down experience rather than a buffet or ultra-modern concept.
• It’s especially appealing if you want Indian food without leaving the city core or driving up I-85 or GA-400.

Practical Tips for Atlantans and Visitors

Here’s a quick-reference overview to plan your visit more easily.

Nearby Atlanta Spots to Pair With Your Visit

If you’re already heading to Planet Bombay, you might also want to:

• Explore Little Five Points
  Walk around before or after dinner for:

  • Vintage shops
  • Local record stores
  • Street art and murals

• Visit surrounding neighborhoods
  Combine your meal with:

  • A walk or bike ride on the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail (short drive away)
  • Coffee or dessert in Inman Park, Cabbagetown, or Virginia-Highland

This can turn a simple dinner into a full evening out without much extra driving.

How Atlantans Typically Use Planet Bombay

In practice, people in Atlanta often turn to Planet Bombay when they:

• Live intown and want Indian food without a long freeway drive.
• Want something filling and flavorful before a concert, comedy show, or bar-hopping in Little Five Points.
• Are hosting out-of-town visitors and want to show a neighborhood with character plus approachable international food.
• Are nearby residents looking for takeout or delivery on weeknights.

If you’re in Atlanta and considering Indian food, Planet Bombay is a centralized, familiar-style option that fits naturally into a Little Five Points outing, with a menu that works for both first-time Indian food diners and those who already know their favorite curries by name.