17 Great Places to Eat & Drink in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia is famous for a lot of things, including its thriving food scene. Atlanta’s restaurants offer Southern classics, Asian Fusion, tapas, BBQ, authentic Mexican food, and just about any other cuisine you can imagine. Whether you’re dressed to the nines and looking to celebrate or you just want a comforting dinner on a random Wednesday evening – you will find something in Atlanta that satisfies.
There are so many great restaurants in Atlanta, it was almost impossible to pick only a few for this post. I’m sure I’ll be back with more suggestions as we continue to travel to this great city (we only live 3 hours away). In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.
Buttermilk Kitchen
All of the food at Buttermilk Kitchen is prepared fresh from locally-sourced ingredients. For those with peanut allergies, it is reassuring to know that this restaurant is 100% free of peanuts.
For breakfast, they serve a nice variety of creative foods that are all made from scratch. For example, you can get a Pimento Cheese Omelet with bacon, pimento cheese, and red pepper jelly. Or, you could get a Chicken Biscuit (the chicken has been brined in sweet tea!). If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try the Buttermilk Pancakes or French Toast. Both are served with whiskey syrup.
For lunch, Buttermilk Kitchen offers soups, salads, and sandwiches. Try the pimento cheese, chicken salad, or lobster salad sandwich. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch on Tuesdays through Fridays. They are open for brunch on the weekends. Once a month, they offer a fancy fried chicken dinner.
Buttermilk Kitchen // 4225 Roswell Road NE – Atlanta, Georgia 30342 // 678.732.3274
Gunshow
DEFINITELY try the Banana Pudding if it’s on the menu.
If you’re an adventurous foodie and you are looking for a unique dining experience, you cannot miss Gunshow. Instead of ordering from a menu, patrons can order the dishes they want from a cart. The inventive dishes are prepared by “Hired Guns” or creative chefs from all over the US. You’ll enjoy having so many food options and interacting with the chefs.
The small plates are introduced by the chefs themselves, and the food is constantly brought to your table as soon as they are ready. The menu changes almost daily, but you can see a sample menu HERE.
Gunshow is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and pricing is a la carte/tapas/dim sum style. Reservations are highly recommended.
Gunshow // 924 Garrett Street, Suite C – Atlanta, Georgia 30316 // 404.380.1886
Double Zero
Located in Emory Village, this farm-to-table restaurant offers creative and sophisticated dishes. The menu reads like a beautiful food poem. They offer pasta, pizza, and inventive main dishes. If you’re in the mood for pasta, you should try the Tagliatelle Bolognese (a spaghetti-ish dish with beef and pork simmered in wine and beef stock).
I highly recommend that you save room for dessert. The Butterscotch Pudding, Gelato, and Chocolate Torte are fantastic! See the full menu HERE.
Double Zero’s bar provides a huge Italian wine selection and one of the largest liquor offerings in Atlanta.
In 2017, Haute Living named Double Zero the #1 Italian Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia and they have received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. See all of Double Zero’s accolades HERE.
Double Zero // 1577 North Decatur Road – Atlanta, GA 30307 // 404.991.3666
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
If you’re in the mood for some stick-to-your-ribs country cookin’ served with a side of genuine, southern hospitality, you must head to Mary Mac’s.
Patrons rave about the fried chicken, fried catfish, and tomato pie. The 35 sides include baked sweet potatoes, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and fried green tomatoes. Each table receives a basket of fresh baked goods including cornbread, dinner rolls, and mini cinnamon rolls.
In addition to its Main Menu, Mary Mac’s also offers a Gluten-free Menu.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room // 224 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE – Atlanta, GA 30308 // 404.876.1800
Mi Barrio
Mi Barrio has been serving authentic Mexican food for over 20 years. They even make their own tortillas! This hole-in-the-wall restaurant serves all of your Mexican favorites with a few surprises (ceviche, anyone?)
The restaurant’s atmosphere is very humble and very inviting. You almost feel like you’re having a meal at your grandma’s or good friend’s home.
Everything on the menu is delicious – the Pork Tamales, Steak Tacos, Carne Asada Torte, and Chicken Chimichangas. The guacamole is a must-try! Mi Barrio is also a great place to get a Mexican beer or a margarita. If you’re in the mood for Pozole, visit Mi Barrio on Saturdays and get there early. They only serve this dish on Saturdays and it sells out quickly.
Mi Barrio // 571 Memorial Drive SE – Atlanta, Georgia 30312 // 404.223.9279
White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails
White Oak serves up delicious dishes that are a creative and contemporary twist on traditional Southern comfort food. The lunch and dinner menu is small – featuring small plates, salads, entrees, and sides. Be sure to save room for dessert – you’ll want to try the Strawberry Pavlova with fennel marmalade! The cocktail menu includes beer, cocktails, whiskey, wine, and bourbon.
White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails // 270 Peachtree St NW Ste 100 Atlanta, GA 30303 // (404) 524-7200
The Varsity
No visit to Atlanta is complete without at least one stop at The Varsity. When you walk into the restaurant, you are instantly transported to the 1970s (they’ve been in business for 90 years). In addition to the retro and nostalgic vibe, Varsity offers some tried-and-true food that takes you right back to your childhood.
This Atlanta institution serves hot dogs (topped with chili or coleslaw if you choose). In addition to hot dogs, Varsity also serves burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and chicken nuggets. If you like onion rings, you should definitely order them while at the Varsity. They have a unique taste because they are fried in rice bran oil. The Orange Frosted drink and peach pie are also big favorites. See the full menu HERE.
The Varsity // 61 North Avenue – Atlanta, Georgia 30308 // 404.801.1706
Fox Brothers BBQ
You know you’re in a treat before you even set foot inside Fox Bros. BBQ. The aroma of cooking food is intoxicating. Once inside, you can decide if you want to sit in the dining room or out on the patio. The menu offers sandwiches, platters, sides, and desserts.
You really can’t go wrong with anything you order at Fox Bros. If you’re feeling carnivorous, you might want to order the chicken-fried ribs with white sauce, spare ribs, brisket, pulled pork, or chicken wings. Fox Bros’. Chili is also a big hit with patrons. They even offer a Frito Pie – a bag of fritos with chili, cheese, and onions.
The menu includes some equally delicious sides – tater tots, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and mac ‘n cheese. Fried okra is also a big favorite – if it’s in season.
The portions are generous, but try to save room for dessert. Fox Bros. serves Banana Pudding, Red Velvet Cake, Dr. Pepper Cake, and Chocolate Pecan Pie. See the full menu HERE.
All Atlanta Locations:
- Fox Bros BBQ – Dekalb // 1238 Dekalb Ave. NE – Atlanta, GA // 404.577.3030
- Fox Bros BBQ – The Works // 204 Chattahoochee Row – Atlanta, GA // 770.755.5099
- The Que-Osk // 120 Ottley Ave – Atlanta, GA // 404.358.7635
Sublime Doughnuts
I first want to apologize for the 12 pounds you will gain because of this suggestion. Sorry – Not Sorry!
These doughnuts are creative and full of flavor. Sublime does not skimp on the glazes and toppings. They do offer plain, glazed doughnuts, several specialty doughnuts, and doughnut ice cream sandwiches/”burgers”.
The eating area is home-y with lots of cute, colorful touches (wall murals and doughnut pillows, anyone?). You can also get a to-go box of doughnuts. Some prefer to take the doughnuts home to heat up since the doughnuts are served at room temperature. Don’t get me wrong – the doughnuts are wonderful as is! But, if you want a warm Cinnamon Roll with Honey drizzle, you’ll have to heat it up at home (or hotel room if traveling).
Recommendations:
- Cinnamon Swirl with Caramel & Candied Pecans
- Red Velvet
- Toffee Crunch
- A-Town Cream (reminiscent of a Boston Crème Pie)
- S’more’s Doughnut
- Dulce de Leche
- Plain Glazed
- Butterfinger
- Maple Bacon
- Strawberries & Cream
- Double Chocolate
- Any Ice Cream Doughnut Sandwich – Called Burgers. For example, they serve a White Chocolate Peach Doughnut Ice Cream “Burger”
Atlanta Locations:
Sublime Doughnuts -GA Tech // 535 10th Street NW – Atlanta, GA 30318 // 404.897.1801
Sublime Doughnuts – North Druid Hills // 2566 Briarcliff Rd NE, Suite 107 – Atlanta, GA 30318 // 404.315.6899
Umi
This Japanese restaurant is located in Buckhead. Umi is a modern, upscale lounge that serves high-quality fish and sushi. If you’re not sure what to order, you can opt for the Omakase – dishes selected by the chef. The chef will select your soup, starter, sashimi plate,
hot dish, assorted nigiri, and dessert.
Popular menu items include:
- Sushi
- Sashimi
- Chilean Sea Bass
- Baked Lobster Tempura
- Sauteed Foie Gras
- Black Cod Miso
- Petite Creme Brulee
Umi also offers artisan Lamill coffee, craft sake, and a nice selection of premium beer and wine.
This restaurant has a strictly enforced dress code – no flip-flops, ball caps, tank tops, shorts (men), sports jerseys, etc. Reservations are highly recommended.
Umi // 3050 Peachtree Road NW – Atlanta, GA 30305 // 404.841.0040
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
Put on some stretchy pants and pack your sweet tooth when taking a trip to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. You may have to wait in line for your sweet treat, but that’s just because the ice cream is THAT GOOD. While you wait in line you can watch the staff make the thick, flavorful waffle cones that are made in-house and fresh every day.
Jeni’s offers ice cream with a thick and creamy base and then packs them full of unique and delicious flavor combinations. This high-quality ice cream will keep you coming back for more!
Can’t decide on the perfect flavor for you? Ask for samples and then order the Trio which includes three of your favorite flavors. Your taste buds can thank me later!
Jeni’s even offers Vegan ice cream!
Flavors Include:
- Salted Caramel
- Jasmine
- Gooey Butter Cake
- Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk
- Peach Buttermilk
- Churro
- Brown Butter Almond Brittle
- Milkiest Chocolate
- Darkest Chocolate
- Goat Cheese with Cherries
- Intelligista Coffee
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream // 99 Krog Street – Atlanta, GA 30307 // 470.891.8105
Sweet Hut Bakery and Café
Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, Sweet Hut Bakery and Café will have something for you! This Asian/boba shop is set up with a self-serve area of gourmet desserts, pastries, and bread. You can also order drinks, burgers, and sandwiches.
The Café offers a nice variety of milk teas, pudding and jelly milk teas, fruit teas, and slushes, coffees, and frappes. In addition to drinks and sweets, they serve burgers, sandwiches, and paninis.
You must try:
- Hazelnut Nutella Doughnuts
- Limoncello Buttercream Doughnut
- Cherry Amaretto Doughnut
- Japanese Matcha Glazed Doughnut
- Vanilla Buttercream Buns with Coconut and Cranberries
- Chinese Red Bean with Salted Egg Pastry
- Mexican Milk Cream Buns
- Seaweed and Bacon Roll
- Lemongrass BBQ Pork Sandwich
- Sweet Hut Burger
See the full Bakery Menu HERE. Sweet Hut has a microwave available to heat up your sweets or bread. It is located near the condiment area.
Sweet Hut Bakery and Café // 935 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 935 – Atlanta, GA 30309 // 404.600.4800
Poor Calvin’s
Poor Calvin’s serves Asian/Southern fusion – Thai influences with a Southern flair. For example, they served Fried Green Tomatoes with Japanese aioli and Curry Mustard and Steamed Chicken and Pork Dumplings. Other favorites include Lobster Fried Rice, Fried Chicken with Mac ‘N Cheese, Duck Dynasty, and Sea Bass.
Poor Calvin’s also offers a nice selection of wine, beer, and signature cocktails.
Poor Calvin’s // 510 Piedmont Avenue NE – Atlanta, GA 30308 // 404.254.4054
Canoe
Pictured Above: Roasted Springer Mountain Chicken
Stop by for brunch for some freshly baked pastries (like Georgia Pecan Sticky Buns!). Or, make your way to Canoe for lunch for their Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Spinach & Spaghetti Squash Salad, and Citrus Pecan Vinaigrette. Come back for dinner and order the Maple Marinated Duck Breast, Sweet Gem Lettuce, Baby Carrot, and Pickled Blackberry. Save room for dessert (like the Popcorn Ice Cream Sundae, Canoe’s Peanut Cracker Jack, and Chantilly). Wash it all down with something from their wine, beer, or cocktail menu.
- Brunch Menu – Freshly Baked Pastries, Appetizers, and Main Courses
- Lunch Menu – Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Burgers, Sandwiches, and Entrees
- Dinner Menu – Appetizers and Entrees
- Dessert Menu – All are $11 each (as of 07/23)
- Drink Menu
Canoe // 4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE – Atlanta, GA 30339 // (770) 432-2663
The Colonnade
The Colonnade Restaurant has been serving good ol’ country cooking and Southern hospitality for almost 90 years. For about $15 you can get an entree, two sides, a dessert, a drink (non-alcohol), and a basket of cornbread and rolls for the table. See the full menu HERE.
Some of the favorite entrees include Southern Fried Chicken, Southern Fried Chicken, Chicken Livers (like a LOT of chicken livers), Creole Trout Almondine, Bourbon and Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Tenderloin, and Shrimp & Grits. You can also get grilled steak, pork, or shellfish.
The Colonnade offers at least 32 Side items including fresh and cooked fruits and veggies. If fried okra is on the menu, I highly recommend that you order it!
Desserts include coconut cream pie, cheesecake, key lime pie, chocolate cream pie, ice cream, hot fudge cake, apple pie, and yellow cake with chocolate frosting.
The Colonnade // 1879 Cheshire Bridge Road NE – Atlanta, GA 30324 // 404.874.5642
Staplehouse
Staplehouse offers a unique dining experience in Atlanta. They serve creative and well-orchestrated dishes. The restaurant is very popular with foodies and patrons with a very discerning palette. In addition to many other accolades, Bon Appetit even named Staplehouse as the Best New Restaurant in 2016.
Reservations are recommended as spots fill up months in advance.
Staplehouse // 541 Edgewood Avenue SE – Atlanta, GA 30312 // 404.524.5005
Bones
Bones is a great restaurant for celebrations and special occasions. It is a high-quality steakhouse and has been named one of the top 10 steakhouses in the USA. In addition to their fabulous steaks, they also offer seafood and chicken. Bones also offers a fantastic wine selection.
Try the Dry-Aged Porterhouse with a side of hash browns and asparagus. You won’t be disappointed! Bang-Bang Shrimp, Grilled Octopus, and Lobster and Crab Croissant are also favorite dishes.
Be sure to bring your appetite because the portions are generous. You’ll want to come back again and again – not only for the delicious food but also for the friendly service and genuine, Southern hospitality.
Bones // 3130 Piedmont Road NE – Atlanta, GA 30305 // 404.237.2663
What is your favorite restaurant in Atlanta? Any new restaurants I should add to the next list? Let me know in the comments!
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About The Author
KristyB
Wife. Mom. Graphic Designer. Photographer. Professional Nap Taker. Part-time Traveler (with kids in tow, of course!)
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I don’t know if I’ll ever get a chance to visit Atlanta (unless hubby and I manage to get to a NASCAR race down there) – but wow, what a selection of restaurants and eateries! Everything looks so good – I think you would need a week to try all the places you mentioned.
I really like Buttermilk Kitchen among all the places. This restaurant cooks really yummy chicken.
I have only been to Atlanta one time and that was when I was in high school. I would love to go back as an adult and experience all of this!
That would be a great trip, Becca!
*Now adding Fox Brothers BBQ, UMI and Sublime Donuts to my list of where to eat once I visit Atlanta*!
Yes! All great choices, Annabel!
Wow, all of these place in Atlanta sound amazing! I love the desserts, I’ll have to look up these places up when we are there next.
Oh, yes! Atlanta has some great sweet shoppe’s and restaurants that serve amazing desserts, Alexis!
These food are making me hungry. It is past 3 PM here now but I have yet to eat a meal for the day. Time to get off computer I guess.
Yes! Or book a flight to ATL while you’re on the computer so you can eat all of this yummy food!
I have only been to Georgia once in my life, but i was too young to remember it today, but these foods definitely make me wanna revisit soon!
I hope you make it back one day, Kelli!
All of this food looks amazing! I need to try out these restaurants!!!
Atlanta is a great city for foodies – for sure, Danielle!
I have to check every single one out. My husband is from Georgia and still surprised I haven’t been to Atlanta!
It’s a big city and traffic can get CRAZY, but we love Atlanta! It is such a fun city and the food scene is awesome! I hope ya’ll get to go soon, Deborah!
What a great guide to eateries in Atlanta! The dishes you’ve shown all look absolutely delicious. I’ll definitely check these places out if I am ever in the area.
Thanks! There’s so many more places I need to mention. I’m working on another post of great restaurants in Atlanta.
There are so many amazing choices! Atlanta really goes all out on food.
They really do, Cindy! They have a very cool food scene there!
Do you have any other places to recommend that sells perhaps fusion or even chinese/thai food?
You would like Umi, Poor Calvin’s, and Sweet Hut Bakery which are on this list. They offer Asian, Japanese, and fusion. I’ll have to look for more Chinese and Thai restaurants to try the next time I’m in Atlanta for my next list.
All of these are awesome photos of food. Looks so delicious and tasty. I really like Gunshow restaurant which looks so cute and amazing.
xo Corina
https://unbouquetdamour.com/plaids/
Yes! Gunshow is amazing!
Wow there are some delicious pictures in this post. That fried chicken is definitely calling my name! I would love to visit Atlanta one day.
Yes! It’s hard to go wrong with fried chicken! I hope you do get to visit Atlanta one day. It’s an amazing city.
Many of these spots looks incredible but I have to say the one that caught my eye the most is Cafe Sunflower. Yum – I wish we had that around us!
Oh, yeah! Café Sunflower is a great choice, Athena!
These dishes look absolutely delicious.
I hope you get to head over to Atlanta so you can try them, Blair!
Oh my goodness The Varsity brings back so many memories!! Whatdaya have Whatdayahave!! ATL rules for sure!
Hahaha! So true! Why even ask? You’re at the Varsity. A hot dog. You’ll have a hot dog. Their hot dogs and onion rings are amazing!
Some truly great suggestions and a lot of variety here as well – something for everyone!
Thanks so much! I’m sure we’ll find more great places as we keep traveling to Atlanta.
I’m looking forward to it! I’ll admit that sushi place, UMI, made me start drooling a bit. It looks so good!
Oooh…that’s a good choice!
I’ve never been to Atlanta, but now I want to go just to eat! These places look great!
Atlanta is a great city! And the food is one Big bonus!
This is such a comprehensive list! All of these places look amazing. Now I’m craving ice cream and donuts.
Thanks Christa! Yeah, me too, but I’m always craving doughnuts and ice cream!
I am not sure when I’ll be in Georgia, but I am positive I am super hungry from just looking!
The food scene in Atlanta is amazing, Lyosha!
If I ever go to Atlanta it looks like I’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste some excellent food. I love the sound of the Cafe Sunflower!
Yes. Yes you will. I love Cafe Sunflower Cafe because you can eat all you want with no guilt!
Wow, I really wish I hadn’t read this on an empty stomach! That chicken looks perfect and some of that stuff I’ve never even tried, it looks SO good! I would eat at all of these places lol
Sorry, Tiffany! I’m a big foodie so I recommend reading my blog with some fried chicken or a bowl of pasta.
These places look sooooo good, I clearly need to take a trip down to Georgia!
Yes. Yes you do. Thanks, Megan!
I have only been to Atlanta once, and it was for a concert. Unfortunately, I didn’t take the opportunity to try some of the local restaurants. I would especially like to try Fox Brothers BBQ and Sweet Hut Bakery. If I ever make it back, I will be sure to try these. Thanks for sharing!
Those are great choices, Ashley! Yeah, a lot of big artists don’t make it to Birmingham (where I live), so Atlanta is where we go for concerts too.
Hi! Great post. I can see we share 2 common interests -family travel and good food 🙂
Oh yeah, those are my two favorite things!
Mi Barrio in Georgia has been my favourite but others I haven’t tried. I will try them out too.
You can never go wrong with authentic Mexican food. There’s nothing like it!
Those are really good places to go and to eat. The food looks so delicious. Thank you for sharing this guide with us.
No problem! Thanks for reading, Diana!
All those pictures of food have made me really hungry 🙂
I know, right?!?! I’m starving and I could be in Atlanta in 3 hours…hmmmm…
This is a great post. It’s always frustrating going to new cities and not knowing where to eat. So if i’m ever in Atlanta, this will be useful
I know! One of the first things I research about a city is the food scene. I don’t like to eat at the same ol’ chain restaurants while on vacation (my hubby does). I want to try something more adventurous.