Strip Restaurants in Atlanta: Where to Find Great International Food on a Budget

Atlanta has no shortage of upscale dining, but sometimes you want something quick, tasty, and affordable that still delivers big international flavors. That’s where “strip” restaurants come in.

In everyday Atlanta conversation, people often say “strip” to describe:

• Restaurants located in strip malls
• Casual, no-frills spots with counter service
• Places focused more on flavor than décor, often serving authentic international cuisine

If you’re searching for international strip-mall restaurants in Atlanta, this guide will help you understand what to expect, where to find them, and how to get the most out of the city’s strip-centered food scene.

What “Strip” Usually Means in Atlanta Dining

In the context of restaurants and international cuisine, “strip” in Atlanta usually refers to:

• Strip mall locations along major roads
• Small family-run or independent spots
• Casual interiors, often with simple seating or to-go focus
• Surprisingly deep menus from one particular cuisine or region

You’ll find some of Atlanta’s most beloved international food in these modest storefronts: Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Ethiopian, Indian, Caribbean, Chinese, Middle Eastern, West African, and more.

These places matter in Atlanta because they:

• Serve local immigrant communities
• Offer authentic flavors that aren’t always on mainstream menus
• Give residents and visitors a way to explore global cuisines without fine-dining prices

Key Areas in Atlanta Known for Great Strip-Mall International Food

You’ll see international strip restaurants all over metro Atlanta, but some corridors stand out.

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Best-Known International Strip

Buford Highway is often the first answer when locals talk about international strip restaurants.

Where it is:
Runs roughly from Brookhaven through Chamblee and Doraville, paralleling I-85 northeast of Downtown Atlanta.

What it’s known for:

• Latin American: Mexican taquerias, Central American spots, bakeries
• East and Southeast Asian: Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian
• Specialty markets: Large international grocery stores with food courts and counters

Many restaurants are in low-key plazas with simple signs and packed parking lots. Don’t let the exteriors fool you—this is where many Atlanta locals go for their favorite international comfort foods.

Northeast Atlanta & Duluth: Korean and Pan-Asian Strips

Head a bit farther northeast toward Duluth, Suwanee, and Johns Creek and you’ll find dense clusters of Korean and other Asian strip-mall restaurants.

What stands out here:

• Korean BBQ and table-grill spots
• Korean fried chicken shops
• Bubble tea and dessert cafes
• Japanese, Chinese, and fusion concepts

These areas are outside the City of Atlanta but very much part of the metro Atlanta food map, and they offer some of the most concentrated stretches of Asian strip dining in Georgia.

Midtown, West Midtown, and the Westside: Small Strips, Big Variety

Inside the city, you’ll still find a number of strip centers with strong international options, especially:

• Midtown and Ponce de Leon Avenue – casual Mediterranean, Asian, and Latin spots in older strips
• West Midtown / Howell Mill Road area – mixed-use developments and smaller strip clusters with global quick-service choices
• Marietta Street and the Westside – growing mix of Caribbean, Latin, and African options

These aren’t as concentrated as Buford Highway, but they’re convenient if you’re staying near Downtown, Midtown, or Georgia Tech and want international food without a long drive.

Decatur, Clarkston, and East Atlanta: Global Food in Neighborhood Strips

The east side offers another layer of international strip dining:

• Decatur (city of Decatur and surrounding unincorporated areas)

  • Indian, Nepalese, and South Asian strip-mall restaurants
  • Casual Ethiopian and other East African options

• Clarkston area

  • Known for its refugee and immigrant communities, it has small centers with Somali, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern, and other African or Asian cuisines

These areas are especially interesting if you want to try less commercialized international styles in a neighborhood setting.

Types of International Strip Restaurants You’ll Find in Atlanta

Below is a simple overview of the kinds of international strip restaurants you’re likely to encounter and where they commonly cluster.

Actual options change over time, but these patterns hold fairly steady across metro Atlanta.

How to Find Good Strip-Mall Restaurants in Atlanta

1. Use Maps, But Zoom In

When you search for “international restaurant near me” in Atlanta, zoom in on:

• Strip centers along busy roads
• Plazas with multiple restaurant names in other languages
• Areas near big international supermarkets

Pay attention to clusters. When several restaurants and bakeries from similar regions share a plaza, it’s usually a good sign that you’re in a strong community hub.

2. Look for Busy Lots at Off-Peak Hours

Locals often judge strip spots by:

• How many people are inside at non-traditional meal times (like 3 p.m. or 9 p.m.)
• Whether you see families and workers from the culture represented by the food

Full tables in a simple strip-mall space usually signal that the food is trusted and consistent.

3. Start with Markets and Food Courts

In Atlanta, many large international groceries hide excellent food in or near their strip centers:

• Counters, bakeries, or mini-restaurants inside the store
• Food courts within larger plazas

These are practical options if you’re visiting and want several cuisines in one stop without needing to know specific restaurant names.

What to Expect Inside a Typical Atlanta Strip Restaurant

Atmosphere and Setup

Strip-mall international places around Atlanta are generally:

• Casual and family-friendly
• Often with order-at-the-counter setups
• Decor focused on function: basic tables, TVs, menus on boards or laminated sheets

Don’t be surprised if:

• The menu is long and may not translate every specialty dish
• English is spoken, but you also hear other languages among staff and guests
• Some restaurants are cash-preferred or cash-friendly, though card use is common in most of metro Atlanta

Pricing

Compared to many intown restaurants, strip spots tend to offer:

• Large portions at moderate prices
• More options for sharing platters and family-style meals
• Good value for students, larger families, and groups

Tips for Ordering International Food in Atlanta Strip Restaurants

If you’re trying a cuisine that’s new to you, a few strategies help:

Ask for Guidance

Staff at Atlanta’s strip restaurants are often used to:

• First-time visitors unfamiliar with their cuisine
• Local regulars who bring friends to try new dishes

You can ask:

• “What do people order most often here?”
• “If I like spicy food, what would you recommend?”
• “Is there a good dish to share for two people?”

Look at Neighboring Tables (Discreetly)

At busy times, glance at what other guests are eating:

• Platters with multiple small dishes often work well for beginners
• You can ask, “What is that dish called?” if you see something appealing

Be Open to House Specialties

Many strip restaurants highlight:

• “Chef’s special” or “house special” sections
• Regional dishes you won’t find in more generic restaurants

For international cuisines in Atlanta, house specialties are often where local communities go for a taste of home, so they’re worth attention even if you don’t recognize every name.

Getting Around: Transportation to Strip Areas in Atlanta

Buford Highway and Northeast Corridors

• By car: Easiest option. Buford Highway parallels I-85 and is accessible from multiple exits.
• By MARTA bus: MARTA operates bus routes along parts of Buford Highway and into Doraville and Chamblee.
• Rail access points:
  • Doraville Station (MARTA Gold Line) – near several Buford Highway strips
  • Chamblee Station (MARTA Gold Line) – also connects to portions of Buford Highway

From these stations, it’s usually a short bus or rideshare ride to major restaurant clusters.

Inside the City

For Midtown, Westside, and Decatur strips:

• MARTA rail plus short walk or bus often works
• Rideshare is common, especially in the evening
• Many intown strips have limited street parking, so allow a little extra time

If you’re visiting, checking where your hotel sits relative to MARTA lines and major roads can help you plan which strip corridors are most convenient.

Practical Considerations for Atlanta Strip Dining

Hours and Busy Times

• Late-night options: Korean BBQ, some taco spots, and certain Asian cafés remain open late, especially on weekends.
• Weekday lunches: Some restaurants offer lunch specials that are more affordable than dinner.
• Religious or cultural schedules: Some spots may adjust hours for major holidays from their home countries or for religious observances.

Calling ahead, especially for larger groups, is often helpful.

Payment and Accessibility

• Payment: Most metro Atlanta strip restaurants accept major cards, but a few smaller or older spots may prefer cash.
• Parking: Strip malls almost always have surface parking, but lots can get crowded during peak weekend meal times.
• Accessibility: Many plazas are single-story with ramp access, but conditions vary by property. If accessibility is a concern, calling the restaurant or plaza management can clarify details.

Using Local Institutions and Resources to Explore

If you’re new to Atlanta or visiting and want deeper guidance:

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (Downtown Atlanta)
  Can provide general neighborhood info and help you understand major dining districts and how to reach them via transit or car.

• DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau (Decatur area)
  Useful for exploring Buford Highway, Decatur, and Clarkston food options.

• Gwinnett County tourism offices
  Helpful if you’re specifically targeting Duluth and surrounding Korean/Asian strip centers.

These offices generally offer maps, neighborhood overviews, and local event details that can affect restaurant hours or traffic patterns.

How Locals Use Atlanta’s Strip Restaurants

For people who live in Atlanta, strip restaurants often serve as:

• Regular weeknight dinner spots after work or school
• Places to introduce friends to new cuisines without high costs
• Quick solo meals or takeout on busy days
• Gathering places after shopping at nearby international markets

For visitors, they’re one of the most direct ways to experience Atlanta’s role as a multicultural city, far beyond what you’ll see in hotel districts or tourist-heavy parts of town.

Atlanta’s strip restaurants may not always look flashy from the road, but they’re central to the city’s international food culture. Whether you live here or are just passing through, exploring the strip corridors—especially places like Buford Highway, Duluth, Decatur, and Clarkston—is one of the most reliable ways to taste how global Atlanta really is.