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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 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.
A coffee shop, restaurant and market all in one, Le Bon Nosh is all elegance and French flair. As soon as you step into the stunning, open space, you’re immediately transported. The aesthetics wow, but the service, food and drinks are memorable as well. Everything is simple yet dynamic, made with the freshest local ingredients. Pastries are made in-house, ranging from savory to sweet, and the espresso bar is a must.
With three locations around Atlanta, Little Tart’s flagship store in Grant Park is beloved for many reasons. The first being the multitude of pastries and drinks offered, and the second being its prime location convenient to everything from Zoo Atlanta to Oakland Cemetery. With a humble start at local farmer’s markets, Little Tart now offers everything from classic croissants to galettes and scones. And, of course, tarts, their namesake. Pair a pastry with one of the many coffee and tea options offered, including the summer favorite iced strawberry matcha drink.
Chattahoochee Food Works is nestled inside an 80-acre, mixed-used development that contains everything from dining to retail. The space—preserved in some of the Westside's historic industrial buildings—is where the sprawling, 31-vendor food hall highlights the best of Atlanta’s food scene. Just outside the food hall is Your 3rd Spot, a social dining experience. Make a reservation and spend hours playing yard and arcade games while enjoying shareable small plates.
Revolution” refers to their dedication to doughnuts made by people, not machines. Every hand-crafted doughnut is made with natural, organic ingredients, from the glaze to the filling. With each bite of these artisanal baked goods, you can taste the difference in craftsmanship and care. Hard work goes into every doughnut, as well as a breadth of creativity and uniqueness.
ATLiens (both meat eating and vegan) were delighted when this popular food truck expanded to a brick-and-mortar Westview location in 2019. The mission behind its coquettish name is to prove that plant eaters can still indulge in good, rich food, and, with a menu of charbroiled Impossible Burgers loaded with special sauce, vegan cheese, sweet plantains and more, Slutty Vegan achieves just that. Lines out the door at this fun and lively place mean long waits and a fairly limited menu, but the food is worth it.
Amanda Wilbanks has come a long way from entering her buttermilk pie in local competitions—she’s now the owner of three storefront locations and the author of a cookbook. There’s a variety of sweet and savory choices at this chic Buckhead Village location (even a Pie-of-the-Month club). Favorites include the caramel pecan pie, original buttermilk pie, and chicken pot pie (the shop only sells whole pies, which start at $39.95).
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