Hovan Gourmet in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re in Atlanta and searching for Southern and Soul Food but also craving something a little different, Hovan Gourmet is an interesting stop. It’s known primarily for Mediterranean-style wraps and platters, yet many locals treat it the way they’d treat a soul food spot: a comfortable, affordable, flavor-packed regular on their lunch or dinner rotation.

This guide walks through what Hovan Gourmet offers, how it fits into Atlanta’s restaurant scene, what to expect when you visit, and how to get the most out of a meal there.

Where Hovan Gourmet Fits Into Atlanta’s Food Scene

Atlanta has a strong Southern and soul food tradition—think fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, and slow-cooked meats. At the same time, the city has a large and growing Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dining community, especially around:

• Midtown and Downtown
• The Perimeter area (I-285)
• North Druid Hills and Decatur
• Buford Highway and the northeast suburbs

Hovan Gourmet sits at the crossroads of those worlds. While its menu isn’t traditional soul food, many Atlantans approach it the same way they do a soul food restaurant:

• It’s comfort food—hearty, filling, and familiar once you’ve been a time or two.
• It often offers simple, consistent dishes that are easy to order on the go.
• Pricing and portions can make it a regular, not just a special-occasion spot.

If you live in Atlanta or are here for a visit, Hovan Gourmet can be a good option when you want a break from fried plates but still want something warm, satisfying, and flavorful.

What Hovan Gourmet Typically Serves

Menus vary by location and over time, but most Hovan Gourmet spots in and around Atlanta focus on Mediterranean-inspired fast casual food. You’ll usually see:

Core Menu Items

1. Hovan wraps
Their signature item is often a thin, rolled wrap (sometimes called a Hovan roll) made with a flatbread or lavash-style bread. Inside, you might find:

• Sliced or ground beef
• Chicken
• Turkey or cold cuts
• Vegetarian fillings, like cheese and herbs

They’re usually rolled tight and sliced into small pieces, which makes them easy to share or snack on.

2. Mediterranean platters
These feel closest to “comfort food” plates and often include:

• Gyro or chicken shawarma over rice or salad
• Falafel with tahini and veggies
• Kofta or kabob-style meats
• Sides like hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, rice, and pita

For an Atlantan used to meat-and-three soul food spots, this is the Mediterranean version of a plate special: a main protein plus a couple of hearty sides.

3. Salads and lighter options
If you want something less heavy:

• Greek or Mediterranean salads
• Chicken or gyro-topped salads
• Simple cucumber, tomato, or mixed veggie salads

These are common picks for people who might usually go to a soul food restaurant but want something less fried and more vegetable-forward that day.

4. Sides, snacks, and baked items
Depending on the location, you might also see:

• Hummus and pita
• Stuffed grape leaves
• Cheese or spinach pies
• Small pastries or baked rolls

How Hovan Gourmet Compares to Traditional Soul Food in Atlanta

Even though Hovan Gourmet is categorized under Southern and Soul Food on some local listing sites, the food itself is Mediterranean-focused. Still, for an Atlanta diner, there are some familiar parallels.

Similarities

• Comfort factor: Warm bread, seasoned meats, and creamy dips deliver the same comforting feeling as mac and cheese and gravy.
• Hearty portions: Many Atlantans treat it as a full meal stop, not just a snack.
• Everyday pricing: It’s typically in the range of everyday lunch and casual dinner spots, similar to many soul food counters and cafeterias around the city.

Differences

• Fewer fried items: You’re more likely to see grilled meats and baked wraps than fried chicken or fried fish.
• Different flavor profile: Expect garlic, lemon, herbs, and tahini instead of hot sauce, gravy, and smoked meats.
• More Mediterranean staples: Chickpeas, pita, olive oil, and fresh herbs take the place of cornbread, collards, and black-eyed peas.

If you love soul food but want to mix up the flavors without losing that “stick-to-your-ribs” satisfaction, Hovan Gourmet can be a good rotation choice.

What to Expect When You Visit Hovan Gourmet in Atlanta

While each location may operate a little differently, most Hovan Gourmet spots in the Atlanta area follow a fast-casual, counter-service model.

Ordering and Service Style

You can usually expect:

• Order at the counter, then pick up your food when it’s ready.
• A menu board above the counter with combinations, platters, and wraps.
• The option to eat in or take out; some locations may also offer delivery through local services.

⭕ Tip: If you’re new, start with a combo plate (for example, gyro or chicken plate with two sides). It gives you a balanced introduction to the menu without having to choose too many separate items.

Atmosphere

Hovan Gourmet locations are typically:

• Casual and low-fuss—more practical than fancy.
• Popular with people who work or run errands nearby, especially lunchtime crowds.
• Designed for quick meals, not long, drawn-out dinners.

If you’re used to sit-down soul food restaurants with table service, Hovan Gourmet will feel more like a deli/café or fast-casual spot.

When Hovan Gourmet Works Best in Your Atlanta Routine

Because of its style and menu, Hovan Gourmet tends to shine in a few specific situations:

1. Workday Lunch in the City

If you’re based in offices around Downtown, Midtown, or the Perimeter, Hovan Gourmet can be a:

• Faster alternative to a full soul food lunch
• More substantial option than just grabbing a salad or a snack
• Convenient stop if you want to eat something warm and filling without a long wait

2. Casual Dinner or Takeout

For people living in or near the neighborhoods where Hovan Gourmet operates, it works well when:

• You want takeout that’s more substantial than fast food
• You’re feeding a mix of preferences—some want wraps, others want platters
• You’re trying to avoid heavy fried meals but still want comfort-style food

3. Visitors Exploring Atlanta

If you’re visiting and staying near major office districts or commercial centers, Hovan Gourmet can offer:

• A quick, predictable meal between sightseeing stops
• Something more interesting than a generic chain, but still easy to order
• A break from heavier traditional Southern meals if you’ve already had a few

Example: How a Local Might Use Hovan Gourmet vs. Soul Food

Here’s a simple way an Atlanta local might plan meals during the week:

This kind of rotation is common: traditional soul food some days, Mediterranean comfort food others, depending on mood and how heavy of a meal you want.

How to Order Smart at Hovan Gourmet in Atlanta

If you’re new to the menu, here are some practical ways to order without overthinking it.

Good “First-Time” Combos

• Chicken or gyro plate + 2 sides

  • Pick a protein (chicken, gyro, or mixed)
  • Add a starch (rice or potatoes, if offered)
  • Add a dip or salad (hummus, tabbouleh, or a small salad)

• Hovan wrap + side

  • Choose a meat or vegetarian wrap
  • Add hummus, small salad, or another light side

• Falafel plate (if available)

  • Good option if you don’t want meat
  • Often comes with salad and dips

If You Usually Eat Soul Food

If your go-to soul food plate is fried chicken, mac and cheese, and greens, you might like:

• Chicken shawarma or gyro over rice instead of fried chicken
• Hummus or baba ghanoush as a creamy side instead of mac and cheese
• Tabbouleh or a side salad instead of greens

You’re still getting warm, seasoned, filling food, just in a different style.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Diners

Here are a few Atlanta-specific considerations that can help you plan your trip to Hovan Gourmet:

1. Time Your Visit Around Traffic

Atlanta traffic is notorious, especially:

• Weekdays from roughly 7:00–9:30 a.m. and 4:00–7:00 p.m.
• Around busy interchanges like I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector, I-285, and GA-400

If the Hovan Gourmet you’re visiting is near a major highway or office park, try to:

• Plan lunch slightly earlier or later than noon to avoid peak rush at the counter.
• Add extra travel time if you’re crossing town in the late afternoon.

2. Parking and Transit

Depending on location:

• Some Hovan Gourmet spots are in shopping centers with free parking.
• If you’re near MARTA rail or bus routes, it may be easier to ride than to park, especially in busy parts of the city.

Check whether your nearest location sits near a MARTA station or main bus line if you’re staying in a hotel or don’t want to deal with parking.

3. Ordering for Groups

If you’re feeding coworkers, family, or a small group:

• Consider wrap trays or multiple platters so everyone can sample a bit of everything.
• Mix meat and vegetarian options to cover different preferences.
• Ask about larger-format orders if you’re bringing food to a meeting or casual get-together.

How Hovan Gourmet Fits Into an Atlanta Food Plan

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, you don’t have to pick between soul food and Mediterranean comfort food—most people rotate between both:

• Use Hovan Gourmet when you want quick, filling, counter-service Mediterranean dishes that still feel like comfort food.
• Turn to classic Southern and soul food restaurants when you’re craving fried chicken, smothered meats, cornbread, and traditional sides.

Thinking about Hovan Gourmet as a “Mediterranean cousin” to soul food spots makes it easier to decide when it’s the right choice: when you want warm, affordable, everyday comfort food but in a lighter, more herb-and-spice-focused style that fits well into Atlanta’s diverse dining rhythm.