Where to Find Great Roasters and International Flavors in Atlanta

If you’re searching for “roasters” in Atlanta, you might mean a few different things:

• Restaurants and cafés that roast their own coffee
• Rotisserie or spit-roasted meats with international flavors
• Places specializing in roasted dishes as part of global cuisines

In Atlanta, all of these fall naturally under international cuisine, thanks to the city’s diverse neighborhoods and food scene. Here’s how “roasters” work in Atlanta and where to look, whether you live here, are visiting, or are planning your next food-focused trip.

Understanding “Roasters” in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

In Atlanta, the term “roasters” usually shows up in three ways:

1. Coffee roasters – cafés and micro-roasteries that roast beans on-site or nearby.
2. Rotisserie and spit roasters – often tied to Latin American, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and African cuisines.
3. Restaurants known for roasted specialties – wood-fired, charcoal, or high-heat ovens used in international cooking.

Across the city, these are most concentrated in:

• Intown neighborhoods (Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West Midtown)
• Buford Highway corridor – international restaurants of every type
• Decatur and East Atlanta – strong mix of neighborhood spots and global cuisines
• Cobb, Gwinnett, and North Fulton suburbs – many family-run international restaurants

Atlanta Coffee Roasters: For Serious (and Casual) Coffee Drinkers

What to Expect from Coffee Roasters in Atlanta

Many Atlanta coffee shops double as small-batch roasters, highlighting beans from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. You’ll typically find:

• Single-origin coffees (from one country or region)
• Espresso blends tailored to lattes and cappuccinos
• Light, medium, and dark roasts labeled by flavor notes
• Options to buy beans by the bag to brew at home

Roasters here often focus on:

• Traceability – where the beans come from
• Freshness – roasting weekly or even daily
• Brew methods – pour-over, espresso, cold brew, and more

Neighborhood Breakdown for Coffee Roasters

Here’s a quick snapshot of where to look:

If you’re staying near Downtown or Midtown, you can usually walk or take MARTA to several roaster cafés in a single afternoon.

Tips for Choosing a Coffee Roaster in Atlanta

When you step into a local roastery, look for:

• Roast dates on bags – fresher beans usually mean better flavor.
• Staff willing to explain flavor notes – many baristas are happy to help you pick based on what you like.
• Variety of regions – Latin America, East Africa, Southeast Asia often show up on Atlanta menus.
• Roaster on-site – you might see a small roasting machine in the café itself.

☕ Quick tip: If you like a drink at a particular shop, ask which bean and roast level they used. You can often buy that same coffee to take home.

International Roasted Meats: Rotisserie, Shawarma, and More

Atlanta is especially strong in international restaurants that rely on roasting and rotisserie. These spots use vertical spits, charcoal grills, and ovens to create richly flavored dishes.

Latin American-Style Rotisserie

In and around Atlanta you’ll find:

• Peruvian-style roast chicken (pollo a la brasa) – marinated, slow-roasted, and served with green and yellow sauces
• Mexican and Central American roasters – whole roasted chickens, pork, or goat as weekend or special offerings

You’ll see clusters of these restaurants in:

• Buford Highway (Doraville, Chamblee, Brookhaven stretch)
• Norcross and Duluth in Gwinnett County
• Certain pockets of Southwest and Southeast Atlanta

Typical menu items include:

• Rotisserie chicken with rice, beans, and plantains
• Roasted pork with tortillas or rice plates
• House-made spicy and herb sauces for dipping

Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and North African Roasters

Many Atlanta-area restaurants centered on these cuisines highlight roasted meats such as:

• Shawarma – marinated meat slowly roasted on a vertical spit
• Doner and gyros – seasoned meat carved off a rotating cone
• Whole or half roasted chicken seasoned with spices like sumac, cumin, and garlic

You’ll find strong pockets of this style of roasting:

• Along Buford Highway
• In Decatur, North Druid Hills, and Tucker
• In North Atlanta suburbs such as Sandy Springs and Roswell

Common roasted specialties include:

• Mixed grill platters with roasted chicken, lamb, or beef
• Roasted vegetables (eggplant, peppers, onions) as sides or mezze
• Pita wraps stuffed with freshly shaved roasted meat

Asian and African Roasters: Where Roasting Is at the Center of the Menu

East Asian and Southeast Asian Roasted Dishes

While not always labeled “roasters,” many Atlanta Asian restaurants rely heavily on roasting:

• Chinese-style roast duck or pork
• Korean roasts and BBQ using charcoal or gas grills
• Select Thai and Vietnamese dishes that use roasted meats or charred vegetables

These options are plentiful along:

• Buford Highway (Brookhaven to Doraville) – Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and more
• Duluth and Suwanee – many Korean and pan-Asian restaurants
• Parts of West Midtown and Midtown that feature more modern Asian concepts

Look for:

• Displays of roast duck or pork hanging in windows
• Menus featuring “BBQ,” “charcoal,” “crispy,” or “roast” in the dish name
• Plate combinations with rice, pickles, and sauces built around a roasted meat

African and Caribbean Roasted Specialties

Atlanta’s African and Caribbean communities also bring strong roasting traditions:

• West African spots featuring roasted or grilled chicken and fish
• Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants with roasted meats paired with injera
• Caribbean and Jamaican restaurants where jerk chicken and pork are roasted or grilled over heat

You’ll mainly find these in:

• Clarkston, Decatur, and Stone Mountain areas (significant African and refugee communities)
• Various pockets of South DeKalb and South Fulton
• Some corridors in Southwest Atlanta

Ask about:

• House-special roasted meats (sometimes only available on weekends)
• Spice level and heat, which can vary widely
• Combo plates that include roasted protein + rice + plantains or vegetables

Wood-Fired and Charcoal Roasters in International Restaurants

Some Atlanta restaurants highlight wood-fired ovens, charcoal grills, or smokers that cross over into international cooking styles.

You’re likely to encounter:

• Neapolitan-style or wood-fired pizzas using imported techniques and ovens
• Argentinian or South American–inspired grills (parrilla-style, when available)
• Global fusion concepts combining Southern smoking techniques with international spices

These are often concentrated in:

• West Midtown and Inman Park – more experimental restaurant concepts
• Old Fourth Ward and along the Eastside BeltLine – walkable strips with wood-fired restaurants
• Decatur Square – neighborhood restaurants with international influences

Signs you’re in a “roasters” type of place:

• References to “wood-fired,” “oven-roasted,” “charcoal-grilled,” or “smoked” on the menu
• Visible ovens or grills inside the dining room
• Servers highlighting roasted specials as the signature dishes

How to Choose the Right “Roaster” Experience in Atlanta

Because “roasters” can mean a lot of things, it helps to narrow down what you’re really after.

Start with Your Priority

Ask yourself:

• Coffee or food?

  • Coffee: Look for coffee roasters or café roasteries.
  • Food: Search for rotisserie, shawarma, roast chicken, or wood-fired restaurants.

• Sit-down meal or grab-and-go?

  • Sit-down: Many international restaurants on Buford Highway and around Decatur and Midtown.
  • Grab-and-go: Smaller counters near MARTA stations, strip malls, and food courts, especially on Buford Highway.

• Budget level?

  • Affordable: Rotisserie chicken places, buffet or counter-service spots, and small ethnic restaurants often offer large portions at modest prices.
  • Mid-range and up: Trendy wood-fired restaurants and specialty coffee roasters in intown neighborhoods.

Matching Neighborhoods to Your Plans

• Staying Downtown/Midtown –
  Focus on coffee roasters and international restaurants in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and along the BeltLine. Many are transit- and walk-friendly from MARTA stations like Midtown, North Avenue, and Inman Park/Reynoldstown.

• Staying or Living Near Buford Highway –
  You’ll have direct access to one of the most diverse food corridors in the metro area. This is ideal if you want to try multiple styles of roasted meats and international cuisines in a single day.

• Living in Suburban Metro Atlanta –
  Look to nearby town centers and strip malls, especially along major roads. Many roasting-focused international restaurants are family-run and located in low-frills plazas.

Practical Tips for Eating at Roaster-Focused International Restaurants

To get the most out of Atlanta’s “roasters” scene:

• Ask about house specialties. In many international restaurants, the best roasted dishes are the ones the staff recommends first.
• Check for combo plates. These usually give you a good sample of roasted meats, sides, and sauces.
• Confirm spice and heat level. Caribbean, African, Latin American, and some Asian spots can be very spicy by default.
• Explore lunch deals. Many restaurants offer more affordable roasted-meat plates at midday.
• Take advantage of to-go options. Whole roasted chickens and large trays of roasted vegetables or meats are popular for family meals and gatherings.

Finding Locations and Planning Your Visit

While independent restaurants may open or close over time, certain corridors and districts stay consistently known for roasters and international cuisine:

• Buford Highway (roughly from Brookhaven through Doraville)
• Decatur area (around downtown Decatur and along Church St./North Decatur Rd.)
• West Midtown and Old Fourth Ward for coffee roasters and modern international spots
• Clarkston and Stone Mountain area for African and refugee-community restaurants
• Gwinnett County cities like Duluth and Norcross for Korean, Chinese, Latin American, and more

If you’re new to the area, MARTA can help you reach some of these zones, especially Midtown, Inman Park, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe, and Doraville stations. From there, short rideshare trips can connect you to dense stretches of international restaurants.

Atlanta’s “roasters” are less about one specific type of restaurant and more about a rich network of coffee roasters, rotisserie houses, and international kitchens that rely on roasting as a central technique. Whether you’re chasing the perfect espresso, a whole Peruvian-style roast chicken, or slow-roasted shawarma, you’ll find plenty of options spread across the city and its surrounding suburbs.