Exploring Lowcountry Southern Cuisine in Atlanta

Lowcountry cooking may have its roots along the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia, but Atlanta has become one of the best cities in the South to experience Lowcountry Southern cuisine. Whether you live here, are in town for a weekend, or are just trying to understand what “Lowcountry” means on an Atlanta restaurant menu, you’ll find plenty of local options and influences worth knowing.

What Is Lowcountry Southern Cuisine?

Lowcountry cuisine comes from the coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia, including places like Savannah, Charleston, and the surrounding sea islands. It’s shaped by:

• The Atlantic coast and marshlands
• Rice-growing history
• West African, Gullah Geechee, Indigenous, and European food traditions

Compared with other Southern food styles, Lowcountry cooking tends to be:

• Seafood-heavy (shrimp, crab, oysters, fish)
• Rice-focused rather than cornbread-focused
• Layered with aromatics and slow-cooked flavors rather than heavy breading or frying alone

When you see “Lowcountry” on an Atlanta menu, expect dishes that highlight seafood, rice, stews, and one-pot meals with deep coastal flavor.

Key Lowcountry Dishes You’ll See in Atlanta

Atlanta chefs often blend traditional Lowcountry staples with local twists. Some of the most common dishes you may encounter:

Shrimp and Grits

Probably the most recognizable Lowcountry plate in Atlanta:

• Fresh or Gulf shrimp
• Stone-ground grits (often from regional mills)
• A sauce with bacon, sausage, or andouille
• Aromatics like garlic, onion, and peppers

In Atlanta, versions range from classic, creamy, and simple to restaurant interpretations with mushrooms, tomato gravies, or spicy sausage.

Lowcountry Boil (Frogmore Stew)

A one-pot seafood feast you might see as:

• “Lowcountry boil”
• “Frogmore stew”
• Or just “seafood boil” with Lowcountry seasoning

Typically includes:

• Shrimp
• Sausage
• Corn on the cob
• Potatoes
• Often served on newspaper or trays for a casual, social meal

In Atlanta, you’ll sometimes find this at seafood spots, pop-ups, or special weekend menus.

Red Rice and Rice-Based Dishes

Lowcountry cuisine is closely tied to rice cultivation. On Atlanta menus, you may see:

• Savannah red rice: rice cooked with tomato, sausage, and spices
• Hoppin’ John: black-eyed peas and rice, sometimes with smoked meat
• Rice served as the base for seafood stews or braises

These dishes often appear as sides at Southern and soul food restaurants around the city.

She-Crab Soup

A rich, creamy crab soup traditionally made with:

• Blue crab meat
• Crab roe (when available)
• Aromatics and sherry

Not every Atlanta restaurant serves it, but when you see she-crab soup on a menu, it’s a clear Lowcountry influence.

Other Lowcountry-Inspired Items

Atlanta chefs also pull from:

• Crab cakes with coastal-style seasoning
• Oyster dishes (fried, stewed, or baked)
• Okra and tomato stews
• Field peas, collards, and seasonal vegetables cooked with smoked meats

Even when a place doesn’t call itself a Lowcountry restaurant, many of these dishes appear around Midtown, Downtown, the Westside, Decatur, and beyond.

How Lowcountry Differs from Other Southern & Soul Food in Atlanta

Atlanta is full of Southern and soul food, so understanding what makes Lowcountry distinct will help you choose where to go.

Typical Atlanta Southern/Soul Food Focus:

• Fried chicken, pork chops, barbecue
• Mac and cheese, candied yams, cornbread, biscuits
• Heavy gravies and slow-smoked meats

Lowcountry Focus:

• Shrimp, crab, oysters, fish, and sometimes alligator
• Rice-based dishes (red rice, Hoppin’ John, rice pilafs)
• Coastal stews and one-pot dishes with layered spices

Many Atlanta restaurants blend styles, so a single menu might offer fried chicken alongside shrimp and grits or red rice.

Where Lowcountry Cuisine Shows Up Around Atlanta

While this style started on the coast, Atlanta’s role as a regional hub means you can find Lowcountry flavors across neighborhoods. You’re most likely to encounter them in:

• Seafood-focused restaurants
• Southern and soul food restaurants with coastal influence
• Brunch spots that feature shrimp and grits or crab cakes
• Upscale Southern restaurants that reference regional traditions like Charleston and Savannah

Because menus and concepts change over time, it’s helpful to:

• Check for words like “Lowcountry,” “coastal Southern,” “Gullah,” “Carolina-Georgia coastal,” or “Savannah-style”
• Look for menu sections highlighting shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, Lowcountry boil, and red rice
• Call ahead if you’re specifically seeking a Lowcountry boil or a particular dish

Typical Lowcountry Dishes and When You’ll See Them in Atlanta

Finding Lowcountry Flavors Near Atlanta Landmarks

If you’re planning your meals around major spots in the city, Lowcountry-style dishes are relatively easy to work into your day.

Near Downtown & the Tourist Core

Around major draws like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, many Southern and hotel restaurants lean into:

• Shrimp and grits as a signature dish
• Crab cakes and seafood starters
• Rice-based sides and seasonal vegetable plates

If you’re staying in a Downtown or Midtown hotel, the in-house restaurant often has at least one Lowcountry-influenced entrée on the menu.

Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and the BeltLine

These neighborhoods tend to feature modern takes on Southern cooking, including:

• Brunch shrimp and grits with creative sauces
• Seasonal fish dishes inspired by coastal cooking
• Small plates that nod to Gullah Geechee and Lowcountry traditions

Walking the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine, you can often find Southern-inspired restaurants that weave in a few Lowcountry dishes.

West Midtown and Upper Westside

This area has a growing cluster of restaurants that focus on:

• Local ingredients with Southern roots
• Elevated seafood and rice dishes
• Shared plates inspired by coastal flavors

You may see Lowcountry words on the menu descriptions, especially for seafood, sides, and specials.

Tips for Ordering Lowcountry Food in Atlanta

If you’re new to the style or trying to choose wisely:

1. Start with shrimp and grits

   • It’s the most reliable Lowcountry-style dish you’ll find across Atlanta.
   • Great for brunch or dinner.

2. Ask about the stock and seasoning

   • Many Lowcountry dishes use homemade stocks and slow-cooked bases.
   • Servers can explain whether a dish is mild, smoky, or spicy.

3. Share a Lowcountry boil

   • When available, it’s usually meant for two or more people.
   • Ideal for a group dinner or casual celebration.

4. Explore rice dishes as a side

   • If you’re not ready to commit a whole entrée, try red rice or Hoppin’ John on the side.

5. Mind dietary needs

   • Lowcountry cooking is often shellfish-heavy. Ask about substitutions if you have allergies or avoid certain ingredients.

Lowcountry Cuisine at Atlanta Events and Festivals

Atlanta regularly hosts food and cultural events that highlight Southern and coastal traditions. At larger festivals and markets, you may find:

• Food trucks or stands serving shrimp and grits, crab cakes, or Lowcountry boil
• Seasonal offerings around New Year’s (Hoppin’ John) and summer gatherings (seafood boils)

Local event spaces, neighborhoods, and civic venues in and around Atlanta that often host food-centered events include:

• Atlanta Civic Center area (historic and surrounding spaces)
• Piedmont Park (especially for festivals and food events)
• Grant Park and Old Fourth Ward (community festivals and markets)

Event lineups change year to year, so it’s useful to review current festival and market schedules if you’re specifically hoping for a Lowcountry-themed food event.

Learning More About Lowcountry and Gullah Geechee Culture from Atlanta

If Lowcountry cuisine sparks an interest in the cultural roots behind it, you can explore that further from Atlanta.

Some practical ways:

• Visit exhibits or programs at major Atlanta institutions that sometimes highlight African American foodways and coastal culture, such as:

  • Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
    • 101 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
    • Phone: (404) 613-4001
  • Atlanta History Center
    • 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
    • Phone: (404) 814-4000

• Look for talks, book events, or panels in the metro area focused on:

  • Southern food history
  • Gullah Geechee traditions
  • Georgia coastal heritage

These resources can help you understand how Lowcountry cuisine connects Atlanta to the Georgia coast, from historic rice fields to today’s restaurant menus.

How to Plan a Lowcountry-Focused Food Day in Atlanta

If you want a full day centered around coastal Southern flavors:

1. Breakfast or Brunch

   • Choose a spot with shrimp and grits or crab cakes and eggs.
   • Add a biscuit or seasonal fruit if you want something more familiar alongside it.

2. Afternoon Snack or Happy Hour

   • Look for crab cakes, oysters, or fish bites on bar or small-plate menus.
   • This is a lighter way to sample seafood without a huge meal.

3. Dinner

   • Seek out a restaurant that highlights Lowcountry or coastal Southern in its description.
   • Ask if they offer Lowcountry boil, she-crab soup, or red rice.
   • Consider sharing a seafood entree and a rice-based side to taste multiple dishes at once.

4. Weekend Option

   • If you’re here over a weekend, keep an eye out for restaurants advertising:
     • “Seafood boil night”
     • “Lowcountry seafood special”
     • “Carolina coastal menu”

Quick Takeaways for Enjoying Lowcountry Cuisine in Atlanta

• Lowcountry cuisine in Atlanta centers around seafood, rice, and coastal flavors, with strong roots in the Georgia and South Carolina coast.
• You’ll commonly encounter it in Southern, soul food, and seafood restaurants across neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, Westside, and Decatur.
• Shrimp and grits, Lowcountry boil, red rice, she-crab soup, and crab cakes are the key dishes to look for.
• Atlanta’s restaurants often blend Lowcountry with broader Southern and soul food traditions, giving you many ways to explore the style without leaving the city.

By knowing the core dishes and where they tend to appear, you can confidently seek out authentic Lowcountry flavors throughout Atlanta and build them into your everyday dining or your next visit.