Sip the Experience: Exploring International Flavors in Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is a city where you can taste the world one sip at a time. From Ethiopian coffee ceremonies and Japanese tea, to Caribbean rum punch and Turkish ayran, “Sip the Experience” in Atlanta means using drinks—both nonalcoholic and alcoholic—as a way to explore international cuisine, culture, and community.

Below is a guide to how you can sip your way around the globe without leaving metro Atlanta.

What “Sip the Experience” Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, international drinks are often an entry point to international cuisine. Many residents and visitors discover new cultures first through:

• A specialty coffee drink at a neighborhood café
• A traditional tea service at an Asian or Middle Eastern restaurant
• A cocktail built around ingredients from Latin America, the Caribbean, or Africa
• Fermented or herbal drinks tied to a specific culinary tradition

Instead of just ordering “something to drink,” you can treat each sip as part of the experience—asking about origins, preparation, and how the drink fits with traditional dishes.

Key Types of International Drinks You Can Find in Atlanta

1. Coffee Traditions from Around the World

Atlanta’s coffee scene goes well beyond classic drip coffee.

Common international coffee experiences include:

• Ethiopian and Eritrean coffee

  • Often served at Ethiopian restaurants along Buford Highway, in Midtown, and in Clarkston
  • May be roasted and brewed in-house, sometimes as part of a coffee ceremony
  • Tends to be rich, aromatic, and served black, sometimes with popcorn or small snacks

• Turkish coffee

  • Typically available at Mediterranean, Turkish, or Middle Eastern restaurants
  • Finely ground coffee simmered in a small pot (cezve) and served unfiltered
  • Often sweetened and occasionally flavored with cardamom

• Latin American-style coffee

  • Cafés with Mexican, Colombian, Cuban, or Brazilian influence sometimes serve:
    • Café con leche
    • Strong, sweetened espresso shots
    • Iced coffee drinks with spices or condensed milk

• Vietnamese coffee

  • Frequently found in Vietnamese restaurants and bakeries, especially along Buford Highway
  • Commonly made with dark roasted coffee and sweetened condensed milk, served hot or iced

👉 Tip: When you visit an international restaurant in Atlanta, ask if they offer a traditional coffee preparation from their home country—even if it’s not the main focus of the menu.

2. Tea Rituals and Specialty Tea Drinks

Tea is another major way to “sip the experience” in Atlanta’s international restaurants and cafés.

Tea styles you might encounter:

• Chinese and Taiwanese teas

  • At some Asian restaurants and tea shops, you may find oolong, jasmine, pu-erh, and bubble tea
  • Bubble tea (boba) shops are common, especially in Chamblee, Duluth, and Midtown

• Japanese teas

  • Green teas like sencha and matcha appear in Japanese restaurants across metro Atlanta
  • Some places may offer matcha lattes or traditional whisked matcha

• Indian chai

  • Spiced milk tea (masala chai) is frequently served in Indian restaurants and South Asian bakeries
  • Flavors usually blend black tea with spices like cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon

• Middle Eastern and North African mint tea

  • Common in Moroccan, Tunisian, and some Mediterranean restaurants
  • Often sweet and served hot, sometimes in decorated glassware

3. Fermented and Cultured Drinks

International cuisine in Atlanta often includes fermented or cultured beverages, which can have a tangy, complex flavor.

Common examples:

• Lassi (India and South Asia)

  • Yogurt-based drink, sweet or salty
  • Found in many Indian restaurants around Decatur, North Druid Hills, and the Perimeter area

• Ayran (Turkey and nearby regions)

  • Savory yogurt drink mixed with water and salt
  • Sometimes available in Turkish or Mediterranean eateries

• Kombucha and similar drinks

  • While not limited to one country, many international cafés and health-focused spots in Atlanta carry kombucha
  • Some Korean restaurants and markets may offer similar fermented drinks

• Mexican and Central American drinks

  • Stores and restaurants may carry drinks like tepache (lightly fermented pineapple drink), though availability varies

4. Juices, Sodas, and Nonalcoholic Specialties

Many Atlanta residents and visitors prefer nonalcoholic ways to explore international flavors.

You’ll frequently see:

• Agua fresca (Latin America)

  • Light fruit, grain, or seed-based beverages (e.g., horchata, hibiscus/jamaica, tamarind)
  • Popular at Mexican and Central American restaurants across Atlanta

• Caribbean fruit punches and ginger drinks

  • Found at Caribbean restaurants and bakeries, particularly in areas with strong West Indian communities
  • Often made with sorrel (hibiscus), ginger, or tropical fruits

• Asian fruit and herbal drinks

  • Lychee, longan, basil seed, grass jelly, and other drinks in Asian supermarkets and restaurants, especially along Buford Highway and in Doraville

• European-style mineral waters and sodas

  • Italian, French, or Eastern European restaurants may stock imported sodas and sparkling waters
  • Flavor profiles can differ significantly from mainstream U.S. brands

5. International Cocktails and Spirits

For those who drink alcohol, Atlanta’s international restaurants often highlight spirits and cocktails tied to specific cuisines.

Common examples:

• Mezcal and tequila-based drinks at Mexican restaurants
• Pisco cocktails at Peruvian or South American spots
• Soju at Korean restaurants and karaoke bars
• Sake at Japanese restaurants and sushi bars
• Rum-based drinks at Caribbean restaurants
• Ouzo, raki, grappa, or other regional spirits at Greek, Turkish, or Italian establishments

Each of these tends to be closely linked to the food, so staff can often suggest pairings that feel authentic to their culinary tradition.

Where to Find International Drink Experiences in Atlanta

While offerings change over time, many Atlanta neighborhoods and corridors are well-known for international food and drink.

Neighborhoods and Corridors to Explore

You don’t need to know exactly what you’re looking for. Walking or driving through these areas and checking menus for specialty drinks can quickly turn into a tasting tour.

How to “Sip the Experience” Like a Local

1. Ask About the Story Behind the Drink

Many Atlanta restaurant staff members enjoy explaining their traditional beverages. Good questions include:

• “Is there a traditional drink from your home country that you recommend?”
• “How is this usually served or enjoyed back home?”
• “Is there a specific dish this drink is meant to go with?”

This can turn a simple order into a small cultural exchange.

2. Pair Drinks with Food Thoughtfully

International drinks often make more sense alongside the food they were designed to accompany.

Examples:

• Try masala chai with savory Indian snacks or desserts
• Enjoy Ethiopian coffee after injera-based main dishes
• Order sake with sushi or yakitori at a Japanese restaurant
• Sip a Caribbean ginger beer or sorrel with jerk chicken or oxtail

You can simply say: “What drink best matches this dish?” and let the server guide you.

3. Explore Markets and Food Halls

Beyond sit-down restaurants, Atlanta has international markets and food halls where you can sample drinks or buy them to take home.

Common options include:

• Asian supermarkets (Doraville, Duluth, Chamblee): canned coffees, teas, herbal drinks, and specialty sodas
• Latin American markets (various parts of metro Atlanta): aguas frescas, imported sodas, and regional juices
• Middle Eastern and Mediterranean stores: ayran, specialty juices, and regional soft drinks
• Food halls: Some stalls focus on drinks or include unique beverages as part of their menus

Staff at these locations can usually point you to popular drinks from specific countries.

4. Be Mindful of Ingredients and Preferences

When trying new drinks, especially with international cuisine:

• 🥤 Ask about sweetness – Many drinks are much sweeter or less sweet than typical U.S. options
• 🌶️ Check for spices and heat – Some drinks, like ginger-based or chili-infused beverages, can be intense
• 🥛 Clarify dairy content – Lassi, chai, and many milk teas contain dairy or dairy alternatives
• 🍸 Confirm alcohol content – Some drinks may appear nonalcoholic but contain spirits or fermented ingredients

If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, staff can often suggest an alternative that keeps the authentic flavor profile while fitting your needs.

Using Local Information Resources

If you want to plan an international drink-focused outing in Atlanta, you can use:

• City visitor centers like the ones around Downtown Atlanta and near major attractions for printed dining guides
• Neighborhood business associations (such as those representing Buford Highway or Decatur) that sometimes publish maps or directories of local restaurants
• Public libraries, including branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, where staff may help you find local food and culture resources, cookbooks with drink recipes, and community event listings

These resources can help you discover less obvious spots that specialize in drinks tied to specific countries or regions.

Simple Ways to Start Sipping Internationally in Atlanta

If you’re unsure where to begin, here are easy starting points that work for most people:

1. Visit an Ethiopian restaurant and ask for traditional coffee after your meal.
2. Stop by a bubble tea shop in Midtown, Chamblee, or Duluth to try a milk tea or fruit tea with toppings.
3. Order masala chai at an Indian restaurant or bakery in Decatur or along North Druid Hills.
4. Try agua fresca or horchata at a Mexican or Central American restaurant on Buford Highway.
5. Ask for house-made nonalcoholic drinks (like ginger beer or sorrel) at a Caribbean restaurant.
6. If you drink alcohol, pick one spirit that’s new to you (like soju, pisco, or sake) and try it with the traditional dishes it’s meant to accompany.

By choosing your restaurants and cafés with intention and asking a few questions, you can use Atlanta’s diverse dining scene to sip the experience of global cuisine—one drink, and one neighborhood, at a time.