Spoon: Exploring Atlanta’s International Restaurants, One Bite at a Time

Atlanta’s international food scene is so diverse that a simple spoon can take you from Korean stews to Indian curries to Ethiopian lentils in a single weekend. If you live in Atlanta, are planning a visit, or just want to understand how international cuisine works here, knowing where and how to explore these flavors will help you get the most out of the city’s restaurants.

This guide focuses on international restaurants in Atlanta where a spoon is your best friend—think soups, stews, noodles, rice bowls, and shared dishes from all over the world.

How International Cuisine Fits Into Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Atlanta has long been known for Southern food, but in recent years it has become just as well known for its global dining options. Within a 30–40 minute drive, you can find:

• Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese restaurants along Buford Highway
• Indian, Pakistani, and Nepali spots clustered in Decatur, Chamblee, and near North Druid Hills
• Mexican, Central American, and South American restaurants spread through Doraville, Norcross, and Southwest Atlanta
• Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and East African restaurants located around Decatur, Tucker, and North Atlanta

Many of the standout dishes at these restaurants are saucy, soupy, or stew-based, and are traditionally eaten with a spoon (sometimes alongside bread, rice, or noodles).

Where a Spoon Shines: Key International Food Areas in Atlanta

Buford Highway: The Heart of Spoon-Heavy Comfort Food

Buford Highway is often considered Atlanta’s most diverse food corridor. Running through parts of Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville, it’s lined with mom-and-pop restaurants specializing in:

• Korean: tofu stews, bibimbap, kimchi jjigae
• Chinese: noodle soups, congee, hot pot
• Vietnamese: pho, bun bo Hue, rice porridge
• Mexican and Central American: soups like caldo de pollo, posole, and menudo

This is one of the top areas in metro Atlanta to explore if you want authentic, everyday dishes that are usually eaten with a spoon.

Decatur and Tucker: Indian, Ethiopian, and Beyond

In and around Decatur and Tucker, you’ll find rich, spoon-friendly cuisines that focus on shared plates and stews:

• Indian: curries, dal (lentils), biryani, and sambar
• Pakistani: nihari, haleem, and other slow-cooked dishes
• Ethiopian and Eritrean: thick stews (wats) and lentils, sometimes eaten with injera bread instead of utensils but often accompanied by spoons on request

These areas are good options if you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan meals that are still hearty and comfort-focused.

Midtown, Inman Park, and Westside: Upscale Global Twists

Closer to central Atlanta—Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and the Westside—you’ll find more contemporary and fusion-style international restaurants. Many serve:

• Ramen and other Japanese noodle soups
• Trendy Korean, Chinese, and Thai-inspired bowls
• Upscale takes on Indian, Mediterranean, and Latin dishes

These spots typically offer familiar touches (comfortable dining rooms, craft cocktails, polished service) while still centering dishes where a spoon is essential—like ramen, curries, and rich sauces.

Common International Dishes in Atlanta That You’ll Eat With a Spoon

If you’re not sure what to order, it helps to recognize some of the spoon-forward dishes you’ll commonly see in Atlanta’s international restaurants.

East and Southeast Asian Favorites

Korean

• Sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew)
• Kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew)
• Seolleongtang (milky beef bone soup)

Chinese

• Hot and sour soup
• Wonton soup or dumpling soups
• Congee (rice porridge), often with savory toppings

Vietnamese

• Pho (beef or chicken noodle soup)
• Bun bo Hue (spicy pork and beef noodle soup)
• Cháo (Vietnamese rice porridge)

Japanese

• Ramen with broth, noodles, and toppings
• Udon and soba in broth
• Japanese curry rice, which is often eaten with a spoon rather than chopsticks

South Asian and Middle Eastern Dishes

Indian & Pakistani

• Curries (chicken, lamb, fish, paneer)
• Dal (lentil dishes)
• Sambar (lentil and vegetable stew)
• Haleem (slow-cooked lentil and meat porridge)

Middle Eastern & Mediterranean

• Lentil soup
• Harira, chickpea stews, and yogurt-based soups
• Hummus and other dips, which may be eaten with bread or a spoon

African and Latin American Spoon Dishes

Ethiopian & East African

• Shiro (chickpea stew)
• Misir wat (spiced lentils)
• Key wat (beef stew)

Though traditionally scooped with injera, many Atlanta restaurants will provide spoons on request, especially if you’re new to the cuisine.

Latin American

• Caldo de pollo (chicken soup)
• Pozole (hominy soup)
• Sopa de mariscos (seafood soup)
• Brazilian feijoada (black bean stew), often served with rice and eaten with a spoon

Quick Overview: Where to Find Spoon-Friendly International Foods

Below is a simple summary of where in Atlanta you’re most likely to find certain types of international cuisine that feature spoon-based dishes:

Use this as a starting point when you’re deciding which part of the city to explore for a particular type of international food.

How to Navigate International Menus in Atlanta

Even if you’re comfortable dining out, some international menus can feel unfamiliar. In Atlanta, servers and staff are generally used to helping diners who are trying a cuisine for the first time. Here are practical tips:

Ask About Spice Levels and Ingredients

Many international dishes in Atlanta can be adjusted for heat. When you order:

• Ask whether a dish can be made mild, medium, or spicy.
• Mention any dietary constraints (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut concerns).
• For soups and stews, you can ask if they are meat-based or vegetable-based and whether dairy is included.

Learn a Few Key Words

Recognizing a few basic terms can make menus less intimidating:

• “Pho,” “ramen,” “udon,” “jjigae,” “soup,” “stew,” “curry,” “dal,” “wat” usually indicate spoon-forward dishes.
• Words like “dry noodles,” “stir-fry,” “grill,” “sautéed” often mean fork or chopsticks will be more prominent than a spoon.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Utensils You Prefer

In many Atlanta international restaurants, your table may be set with chopsticks or just a fork. If you feel more comfortable using a spoon—especially for brothy or saucy dishes—you can simply ask. Most places will readily bring:

• A soup spoon (often deeper, sometimes ceramic)
• A standard tablespoon
• A spoon plus chopsticks or fork combination, if you’d like both

Staff in Atlanta’s international restaurants are generally familiar with guests who are new to a cuisine and are accustomed to making small adjustments.

Practical Tips for Dining at International Restaurants in Atlanta

Timing Your Visit

• Weeknights are usually quieter, making it easier to ask questions and explore the menu at your own pace.
• Weekend evenings on popular corridors like Buford Highway, Midtown, and Inman Park can be busy; you may want to plan some extra time for parking and waiting.

Parking and Access

• Many Buford Highway and suburban strip-mall restaurants have surface parking lots right out front.
• Midtown, Inman Park, and Westside restaurants more often rely on paid decks, street parking, or valet.
• If you’re using MARTA, look for restaurants near stations like Doraville, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe, Midtown, and Five Points, then check local bus routes or rideshare options to connect.

Takeout and Delivery

Most international restaurants in Atlanta now offer:

• Takeout by phone or in person
• Delivery through various third-party services

Soups, stews, and curries typically travel well, but you may want to:

• Ask to keep broths and noodles separate for items like ramen or pho, so they don’t get soggy.
• Be prepared with your own spoons and bowls at home, since delivery setups are often minimal.

How to Explore International Cuisines Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Atlanta offers a wide range of cuisines, which can feel like a lot to navigate. A simple step-by-step way to get started:

1. Pick one corridor (for example, Buford Highway or Decatur).
2. Choose one cuisine to focus on—Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Ethiopian, or another that interests you.
3. Start with basic, well-known dishes like pho, ramen, chicken curry, or lentil soup.
4. On your next visits, try one new dish each time, especially house specialties or stews recommended by staff.

Over a few months, you can build your own “map” of favorite spoon-based comfort foods around the metro area.

Helpful Local Points of Reference

If you want additional guidance beyond restaurant visits, you can make use of local resources in and around Atlanta:

• Atlanta Visitor Information Centers (such as the Downtown location near Centennial Olympic Park) often have printed neighborhood guides that include food recommendations.
• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (233 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303) periodically supports cultural festivals where international food vendors serve popular dishes—these can be a low-pressure way to sample multiple cuisines in one place.
• Public libraries in the Fulton County and DeKalb County systems frequently carry international cookbooks that focus on everyday dishes like soups, stews, curries, and rice bowls, letting you recreate Atlanta-style international meals at home.

Whether you’re slurping ramen in Midtown, sharing Ethiopian stews in Decatur, or discovering a tiny pho shop off Buford Highway, a simple spoon opens the door to a huge part of Atlanta’s international restaurant scene. Starting with a few neighborhoods and spoon-friendly dishes will help you navigate the city’s global flavors with confidence.