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This is a city known for its food; many a trip to Atlanta is planned around meals in its barbecue shacks, upscale diners, and chic urban eateries. Traditional Southern fare—including Cajun and creole, country-style and plantation cuisine, coastal and mountain dishes—thrives, as do Asian fusion, traditional Ethiopian, creative ve
This is a city known for its food; many a trip to Atlanta is planned around meals in its barbecue shacks, upscale diners, and chic urban eateries. Traditional Southern fare—including Cajun and creole, country-style and plantation cuisine, coastal and mountain dishes—thr
This is a city known for its food; many a trip to Atlanta is planned around meals in its barbecue shacks, upscale diners
This is a city known for its food; many a trip to Atlanta is planned around meals in its barbecue shacks, upscale diners, and chic urban eateries. Traditional Southern fare—including Cajun and creole, country-style and plantation cuisine, coastal and mountain dishes—thrives, as do Asian fusion, traditional Ethiopian, creative vegan, and mouth-scorching Indian food. Catch the flavor of the South at breakfast and lunch in diners and other modest establishments that serve only these meals.
Many restaurants will accept you just as you are; dress codes are extremely rare in this casual city, except in the chicest of spots. Although many restaurants accept reservations, some popular spots operate on a first-come, first-served basis on weekends. Waits at some hot dining locales can exceed an hour, especially if you arrive after 7 pm.
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Midtown and Westside
Sweet Auburn, the Old Fourth Ward, and East Atlanta
West Egg is a great place to come for one of the city's best breakfasts, especially if you're staying in Midtown. It serves breakfast all day—locals swear by the blue-plate special and the old-fashioned oatmeal. For lunch or dinner, be sure to try the pimento cheese, particularly good on the fried green tomato BLT. The dining room is popular, so come early to avoid a wait.
1100 Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, Georgia, 30318, USA
Dark wood and a welcoming vibe make this cavernous bar with above-average food and a well-curated beer menu feel like a place you can sink into and stay awhile. Ask for their favorite bottled or on-tap brew, or take them up on an offer to sample one that's piqued your interest.
470 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta, Georgia, 30316, USA
Take an order card, grab a pencil, and decide what you want in your tacos; bartaco offers everything from falafel and fish to cauliflower and chorizo. You'll want at least two, even though it's easy to fill up on the unforgettable guacamole. The chopped salad tossed with lime vinaigrette is also a great choice, especially if you ask to have some seasoned shrimp added in.
299 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, Georgia, 30307, USA
When you see the lilac building, you’ll know you’re in the right place. Inside, say hello to the giant neon sign that reads “Fancy Service,” and settle into the eccentric atmosphere. Bon Ton is perfect for a night on the town—starting or capping off the evening with a round of fun cocktails—or digging into Cajun-style food with Vietnamese flair. Try the boiled peanuts appetizer, then indulge in a blackened catfish banh mi.
If you’re looking for a pit stop after exploring all Edgewood Avenue, the BeltLine, or Krog Street Market has to offer, Chrome Yellow has you covered. This cool coffee shop hides within a generic black brick building, but once you walk inside, its aesthetic really shines with white paint, industrial metal, and light wood decor. Pastries aren’t always available, so when they are, they tend to go fast.
501 Edgewood Ave. SE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30312, USA
Dr. Bombay’s is full of whimsy. From the outside, it’s cute, but unassuming. Once you walk inside, you’re met with rows of bookshelves with all books available for purchase and upside-down umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. This offbeat café offers various types of teas and private tea parties, or high tea reservations. A percentage of every sale also goes toward The Learning Tea, a scholarship program that supports women’s education in Darjeeling, India.
1645 McLendon Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30307, USA
There's a long wait on weekends at this spot, which is famous for its biscuits served with cranberry-apple butter. Dinners may include roasted chicken or turkey meat loaf with pudge (mashed potatoes). There are also plenty of vegetarian options. Next door is a bakery serving biscuits to go, as well as freshly baked muffins and cookies; the bakery closes at 2 pm.
Southern comfort food at its finest can be found at this bright, old-school diner. Cheese grits with a good cheddar bite, fluffy biscuits that can be stuffed with anything from sausage and gravy to perfectly fried chicken, and hunks of made-from-scratch cake are just a few of the reasons locals flock to Home grown. Before you leave, browse the in-house thrift store—an appropriate backdrop to the eclectic atmosphere and crowd at this restaurant. Arrive before 11 for the shortest wait, or grab a seat at the counter.
Smoothies, fruit cups, and sandwiches—Lottafrutta has a fresh take on them all, and the brilliant colors of the exterior mimic the hues you’ll find in those tasty fruit cups. If you prefer a smoothie, options are plentiful. This spot on the outskirts of the MLK historical district has a funky, colorful vibe you can’t miss.
The yellow door of the old Atlanta & West Point Railroad station where this coffee shop is housed will undoubtedly draw the eye. Muchacho offers West Coast retro vibes and an assortment of breakfast tacos, matcha lattes, and daily frescas in a bright space.
Don't let the long lines outside this counter-service eatery discourage you. They move quickly, and once you get in you'll be rewarded with a full bar, a wide selection of tacos and enchiladas, and unusual sides like spicy collard greens and jalapeño coleslaw. You can also sample a fabulous trio of salsas and not-to-be-missed chunky guacamole. Don't grab a table before you order or you'll get glares from those waiting in line.
1200-B Howell Mill Rd., Atlanta, Georgia, 30318, USA
Scrappy and lots of fun, this bar has a hearty menu of classic pub food. A favorite here is the Greenie Meanie Chicken, a grilled chicken breast topped with roasted poblano peppers and salsa verde. In the back bar you'll see the country's best up-and-coming indie acts.
488 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta, Georgia, 30316, USA
You haven't really lived, or at least tested the limits of your heart's health, until you've tried the Heap: a sizzling skillet full of eggs, buttery veggies, and potatoes. Add a fluffy biscuit on the side, and this is one of the city's best breakfasts. Thumb's Up also has good lunch options, including tamari-flavored tofu served on a bed of raw spinach.
573 Edgewood Ave. SE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30312, USA
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