Planet Bombay: A Local’s Guide to This Atlanta Favorite for Southern & Soul Food Lovers

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting the city and searching for a restaurant that blends comforting flavors with a cozy, neighborhood feel, Planet Bombay is a name that often comes up in conversations—especially around the southern and soul food crowd looking to branch out beyond the usual fried chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese.

While Planet Bombay is best known as an Indian restaurant, it has become part of the everyday food landscape in Atlanta, especially for people who enjoy bold, comforting, spice-forward dishes that feel as hearty and satisfying as classic Southern plates. This guide walks you through what to expect, how it fits into Atlanta’s food scene, and how to make the most of a visit.

Where Planet Bombay Fits in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Atlanta’s food culture is famous for:

• Southern and soul food staples – fried chicken, collard greens, candied yams, cornbread
• Global comfort food – Jamaican, Ethiopian, Indian, Korean, and more
• Neighborhood-driven dining – small restaurants that regulars treat like second homes

Planet Bombay sits at the intersection of global comfort food and local neighborhood spot. For many Atlantans, especially in intown areas, it’s the kind of place you might pick when:

• You’d usually go out for soul food, but want something different that’s equally rich, saucy, and comforting
• You’re with a mixed group—some craving something spicy and flavorful, others wanting milder comfort dishes
• You want a sit-down meal that still feels relaxed and not overly formal

Even though it isn’t a traditional Southern or soul food restaurant, many people in Atlanta approach Planet Bombay the same way they’d approach a beloved meat-and-three: a familiar spot where you know you’ll leave full and satisfied.

What to Expect: Atmosphere, Service, and Vibe

Most Atlantans describe Planet Bombay as:

• Casual and laid-back – suitable for weeknight dinners, takeout, or small group meetups
• Family-friendly – kids and adults can both find dishes they enjoy
• Neighborhood-oriented – a place you might return to regularly if you live nearby

If you’re used to soul food cafeterias or casual Southern restaurants in Atlanta, Planet Bombay will feel similarly accessible:

• You’re not expected to dress up
• The focus is on flavor and comfort, not fine dining theatrics
• It works for both dine-in and takeout, which is important in a city where traffic and timing can be unpredictable

How Planet Bombay Connects with Southern & Soul Food Tastes

While the menu is rooted in Indian cuisine, many dishes at Planet Bombay appeal directly to Atlanta diners who love Southern and soul food because of shared themes:

1. Bold, Comforting Flavors

Atlanta’s soul food and Indian cuisine both center on:

• Slow-cooked dishes
• Rich gravies and sauces
• Spices that build warmth and depth

If you’re used to dishes like smothered chicken, oxtails, or slow-cooked greens, you might naturally gravitate toward:

• Curries – rich, layered sauces served with rice
• Tandoori and grilled meats – smoky, charred, and marinated deeply
• Lentil and chickpea dishes – filling, earthy, and comforting

2. Sides That Feel Like “A Plate”

Southern food in Atlanta is famous for its sides—mac and cheese, dressing, green beans, black-eyed peas. Indian meals at Planet Bombay are structured similarly, with:

• Rice as the base (like rice with gravy or jambalaya)
• Bread such as naan or roti, which fills a similar role to cornbread or biscuits
• Vegetable dishes that stand alone as their own stars

Many Atlantans end up customizing plates the same way they would at a soul food spot: picking a main dish and pairing it with bread, rice, and vegetable-based items to make a balanced, filling meal.

3. Heat and Spice Options

Atlanta diners vary widely in spice tolerance. Planet Bombay typically:

• Offers dishes that can be prepared mild, medium, or hot
• Allows you to request less spice if you’re used to milder Southern comfort food
• Can amp up the heat for those who love hotter flavors, similar to Nashville-style hot chicken or spicy Cajun dishes often found around the city

If you’re new to Indian flavors but love hearty, saucy Southern dishes, you can ask staff to recommend milder, creamy options to start.

Popular Dish Styles for Soul Food Fans

The exact menu can change, so it’s best to think in terms of dish styles that typically appeal to Atlantans who love Southern and soul food.

Curry-Based Dishes

These are the closest parallel to smothered or stew-style Southern plates:

• Chicken or lamb curries – tender meat in a rich gravy, served with rice
• Vegetable curries – potatoes, peas, spinach, or cauliflower in flavorful sauces
• Cream-based curries – often milder and richer, good for first-timers

Grilled and Tandoori Items

These remind many diners of barbecue and grilled meats, which are staples across Georgia:

• Tandoori chicken – marinated, roasted meat with a smoky finish
• Seekh kebabs or grilled skewers – spiced ground meat or chunks of meat cooked over high heat

These can be a good fit if you usually go for grilled chicken plates, wings, or ribs in the city.

Lentil, Bean, and Veggie Dishes

Atlanta’s soul food restaurants often feature:

• Black-eyed peas
• Lima beans
• Collard greens
• Okra

At Planet Bombay, lentil and bean dishes can fill a similar role:

• Lentil stews (often called “dal”) – hearty, earthy, and excellent with rice
• Chickpea dishes – filling and saucy, often ordered with bread
• Spinach or mixed-vegetable dishes – rich, seasoned, and often slow-cooked

For locals who avoid pork or certain meats but still want soul-style comfort, these options can be very appealing.

Pricing, Portions, and What Atlantans Typically Experience

Planet Bombay usually falls into the moderate price range for Atlanta restaurants—more than a quick-service chain, but generally comparable to:

• Casual soul food cafés
• Neighborhood barbecue spots
• Mid-range sit-down restaurants along popular corridors

Portions tend to be:

• Substantial enough for most adults to feel full with one entrée plus rice or bread
• Often shareable—many Atlanta diners like to order a couple of dishes for the table and split, similar to sharing sides and mains at a Southern restaurant

If you’re budget-conscious, it’s common for locals to:

• Share one or two entrées and an order of bread
• Save leftovers for another meal, especially when ordering rice-based dishes

Practical Tips for Visiting Planet Bombay in Atlanta

To get the best experience as an Atlanta resident or visitor, consider the following:

1. Check Hours and Peak Times

Like many restaurants in the city, Planet Bombay may:

• Have different hours for lunch and dinner
• Be busier on weekend evenings
• Offer lunch specials on weekdays that are more budget-friendly

If you’re planning to go before or after attending events downtown, in Midtown, or in neighborhoods like Inman Park, Edgewood, or Old Fourth Ward, give yourself extra time for traffic and parking.

2. Parking and Transportation

Depending on its specific location and surrounding development at the time you visit, Atlantans typically:

• Look for street parking or shared lots in nearby commercial corridors
• Use rideshare if planning to enjoy a relaxed meal without worrying about parking
• Combine a visit with other neighborhood stops—coffee shops, bars, or dessert spots within a short drive

If you rely on MARTA, check how close Planet Bombay is to:

• The nearest rail station
• Bus routes serving that area

This is especially helpful for visitors staying downtown or in Midtown hotels.

3. Ordering Takeout vs. Dining In

Many Atlantans use Planet Bombay as a takeout go-to, especially after work or on game nights. Consider:

• Call-ahead or online ordering, when available, to reduce wait times
• Asking how long your order is likely to take, especially on weekends or holidays
• Choosing dishes that travel well—curries and rice often reheat nicely

Dining in is usually better if you:

• Want to try several dishes family-style
• Prefer your food piping hot, straight from the kitchen
• Are meeting a group and want a relaxed environment to talk

How Planet Bombay Compares to Traditional Southern & Soul Food in Atlanta

While Planet Bombay is not a soul food restaurant, it often appeals to the same crowd because it checks many of the core “comfort food” boxes Atlantans care about.

Here’s a simple comparison to help you decide if it fits what you’re craving:

If you love the feeling of a big, warm, comforting meal that anchors your day—like a Sunday plate from a favorite soul food kitchen—Planet Bombay can offer a similar experience through a different culinary lens.

Making Planet Bombay Part of Your Atlanta Food Routine

For Atlanta residents, Planet Bombay can fit into your routine as:

• A weeknight dinner spot when you want something more interesting than fast food
• A takeout option after events at venues across the city
• A “bridge” restaurant for mixed groups—those who love global flavors and those who typically stick to Southern staples

For visitors, it can be a way to:

• Experience one facet of Atlanta’s diverse food scene, beyond barbecue and soul food
• Enjoy a meal that feels comforting and familiar in structure, even if the flavors are new
• See how Atlantans incorporate global cuisines into their everyday dining, not just as special-occasion outings

If you enjoy Southern and soul food but are open to exploring, Planet Bombay offers a way to expand your tastes while staying firmly within the realm of hearty, satisfying, comfort-driven eating that Atlanta is known for.