My Favorite Atlanta Restaurants

Inspired by the recent post of my friend Lisa at LL World Tour on her favorite Chicago eats, I’ve compiled a long list of my favorite places to eat in my hometown of Atlanta. I still find this city to be an under-the-radar destination for most people and when I was working on my AFAR Guide to Atlanta last year, it helped me discover even more places for a delicious meal.

There are places to find a quick, cheap meal for under $10 and others that have been awarded by the James Beard Foundation and the like. It’s more than just fried chicken! I’ve separated them by cuisine and listed their appropriate neighborhoods and will be updating when necessary. I haven’t given Southern food its own category because almost all of these places do it well. Stars mean multiple locations, but I’ve picked my favorites.

This post has been updated as of September 13, 2018.

Brunch and Breakfast

It is, in my opinion, the best and most important meal of the day. I wait all week for brunch and it’s taken seriously here. Get there any later than 11 and you may be waiting hours. I haven’t found many under-the-radar spots to myself, so these are pretty well known.

• West Egg Cafe, Westside– Always has a wait, but delicious food for brunch, lunch and dinner.
• Ria’s Bluebird, Old Fourth Ward– Ria’s serves healthy takes on southern favorites.
• Home Grown Restaurant, Reynoldstown– Home Grown has, in my opinion, the best chicken biscuit anywhere (including Chick-fil-a).
• Biscuits & More, Marietta– Unheard of for those ITP (in the city), but suburbanites love the breakfast all day.
• Bantam + Biddy, Midtown– Located in Ansley Mall, Bantam and Biddy has a focus on chicken, like their chicken and waffles.
• Bagelicious, Marietta– Another OTP gem is the New York style deli with traditionally made bagels, pastrami and more. Don’t forget to bring cash!
• Flying Biscuit Cafe*, Candler Park– Now a chain, the original Flying Biscuit was started in collaboration with one of the Indigo Girls.
• Highland Bakery*, Old Fourth Ward– Also now a chain, but large portions for the price. Take baked goods to go also.

Cafes and Coffee Shops

For a quick bite or a nice place to spend the afternoon with a warm cuppa, check out these cafes and coffee shops.

• Australian Bakery Cafe, Marietta– I discovered the best meat pies in America before leaving for Australia and have been back for my fix ever since!
• Octane Coffee Bar at Grant Park*, Old Fourth Ward– They have a few locations but this is my favorite because it overlooks Oakland Cemetery and has delicious baked goods from Little Tart Bake Shop. Now owned by Revelator.
• Alon’s Bakery & Market*, Sandy Springs– Best croissants in the city.
• Rev Coffee is a popular spot for meetings for me because it’s close to the highway and has plenty of room to sit. It’s a hotspot for freelancers like myself.
• Chattahoochee Coffee Company*– One of my favorite secret spots, you have to be buzzed into an apartment complex to enjoy this coffee shop overlooking the river. It’s another good work spot.

Fine and Mid-Range Dining

Whether you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or just want to treat yourself, Atlanta has an underrated dining scene, including alumni of Top Chef and James Beard award winners.

• Miller Union, Westside– Named one of the city’s best restaurants, its formerly industrial warehouse space makes for a special occasion. Try one of their cocktails as well.
• The Optimist, Westside– You might not expect seafood so far from the ocean, but the oysters and fish are all on point.
• Canoe, Vinings– Set on the Chattahoochee River, this restaurant focuses on seafood and local ingredients.
• Empire State South, Midtown– Dinner is an experience all its own, but they also have brunch and coffee to go from their window.
• Agave Restaurant, Cabbagetown– Small and romantic restaurant specializing in Southwestern food.
• The Pinewood, Decatur– Small restaurant with impressive menu and an even more impressive cocktail program.

Cheap and Good Food

Good food doesn’t have to break the bank. These are cheap and fast lunch (or dinner) spots found around town.

• The Varsity*, Downtown– An Atlanta institution, the red V is one of the first things you see upon entering downtown. Grab a hot dog or hamburger before a concert or sporting event.
• Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand*, East Atlanta– Chicken sausages, breakfast all day and red velvet milkshakes. Enough said.
• Bell Street Burritos*, Buckhead– This Mission style burrito joint fills you up for just a few dollars.
• NaanStop*, Downtown– I love this quick Indian “fast food” restaurant, which always has budget friendly deals on chicken tikka masala, masala fries and, of course, naan.
• Souper Jenny*, Buckhead– Feel good and eat well at Jenny’s with fresh made salads and soups.
• LottaFrutta Gourmet Fruit House, Grant Park– Get a fresh made smoothie and a sandwich on sweet Cuban bread to go or eat on the sidewalk patio.

Barbecue and Ribs

• Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, Midtown– Institution known for cheap and tasty ribs and live blues every week.
• Heirloom Market BBQ, Marietta– Lesser known barbecue restaurant next to a convenience store fusing Korean barbecue with Southern barbecue.
• Fox Brothers Bar BQ, Little Five Points– Award winning barbecue for a reason. Their ribs are dinosaur sized and sides are as good (if not better) than the meat.

Pizza and Italian

• Double Zero Napoletana, Sandy Springs– Another Neapolitan style pizzeria with equally delicious Italian fare.
• Antico Pizza, Westside– Locals claim this as the best pizza in town and it certainly is good, with ingredients, and the oven, flown in from Italy. Tables are shared and highly coveted, plus it’s BYO.
• Ammazza, Old Fourth Ward– For a less hectic experience, try this Edgewood restaurant that also has authentic Neapolitan pizza.
• Fellini’s Pizza*, Buckhead– Cheap, good pizza found all over town.

Burgers and Sandwiches

• Grindhouse Killer Burgers*, Midtown– Decadent burgers come with samurai films on in the background and, if you dare, boozy milkshakes.
• Swan Coach House, Buckhead– The original spot for ladies who lunch makes my favorite chicken salad.
• Noni’s Bar & Deli, Old Fourth Ward– It may have a DJ booth at night, but for lunch and dinner, get a massive chicken parm sandwich with a side of garlic fries.
• Flip Burger Boutique*, Westside– Liquid nitrogen milkshakes and unique burger creations are the name of the game.
• Holeman & Finch Public House, Buckhead– The restaurant stands on its own, but their famous burgers are available only past 10 pm and on Sunday brunch (or at a Braves game).
• The Red Eyed Mule, Marietta– Locals, including Alton Brown, love this place’s burgers on Texas toast.
• The Vortex Bar & Grill*, Little Five Points– Their burgers are in the major leagues, set between grilled cheese sandwiches instead of buns.

Ethnic Eats

• El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant, Marietta– Everyone has a favorite Mexican restaurant and this is mine.
• La Fonda Latina*, Buckhead– Part of the Fellini’s family, La Fonda has Mexican, Cuban and Spanish cuisine on the same menu.
• Nick’s Food To Go, Old Fourth Ward– Only open to go, Nick’s brings a taste of Greece to a busy intersection between Cabbagetown and Old Fourth Ward.
• Hankook Taqueria, Westside– Another fusion spot, this time Korean and Mexican.
• Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft, Buckhead– The restaurant overlooks the city skyline and has some authentic, if not upscale, versions of Thai street food.
• Nuevo Laredo Cantina, Westside– Another authentic Mexican restaurant between the Westside and Smyrna.

Go-To Meals Out

• Roux On Canton, Roswell– Set in historic Roswell, Roux is always good New Orleans food, good service and good beer.
• The Brick Store Pub, Decatur– Not only is this an award winning beer bar, but the food isn’t too shabby either.
• Cypress Street Pint and Plate, Midtown– Another beer bar with great food. Try the Philly cheesesteak or the Asian salad for a lighter bite.
• Six Feet Under, Old Fourth Ward– The seafood restaurant overlooks Oakland Cemetery and has a great rooftop bar.

Markets and Food Trucks

• Sweet Auburn Curb Market, Old Fourth Ward– The market sells both produce, unique cuts of meat and other groceries as well as sit down restaurants from Arepa Mia, Grindhouse, Bell Street Burritos and more.
• Atlanta Food Truck Park and Market, Westside– Open mostly seasonally, this is the one place in town you can always find food trucks parked, as well as live music and parking.
• Buford Highway, Doraville– Atlanta’s ethnic food corridor has international groceries and stalls from cuisines throughout the world.

 Have you ever been to any of these restaurants? Did I leave any out?