Locals in Atlanta love to eat everything from Southern comfort food to fresh sushi, barbecue, street-style food, and Atlanta-style pizza. Whether it’s first thing in the morning or late at night, there are plenty of great local spots to eat in Atlanta.
For breakfast and brunch, locals head to places like West Egg Café, Home Grown GA, and Busy Bee Cafe. Lunch and dinner options include Fat Matt’s Rib Shack, Krog Street Market, and Elmyr. For great nightlife, check out spots like Jack’s Pizza and Wings, 8ARM, and Elliott Street Deli and Pub.
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Fat Matt’s Rib Shack
Sample delicious barbecue and beer
- Families
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack is a cosy barbecue and beer joint north of city centre Atlanta. This no-frills spot is locally owned and is known for nightly live music performances and classic Southern comfort foods.
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack specialises in pork ribs, from rib sandwiches to full and half slabs, as well as a variety of chicken entrees. Sides include classic fare like baked beans, collards, mac 'n' cheese, and potato salad. Beer options range from domestic, premium, and craft bottles to jugs. You'll also find sweet dessert options such as old-fashioned sweet potato pie. Locals say to be prepared to wait in line on weekends at this busy hot spot.
Location: 1811 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, USA
Open: Daily from 11 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 404-607-1622
Mapphoto by Eric Sonstroem (CC BY 2.0) modified
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Krog Street Market
Try delicacies from all over the world
- Couples
- Families
- Nightlife
Krog Street Market is a mixed-use development with a variety of restaurants and cafés located off the BeltLine in Atlanta. Inside a converted 1920s warehouse, Krog Street Market is known for its West Coast-style market with a variety of vendors and goods from produce to prepared food.
Dining options include Gu’s Dumplings, Jai Ho Indian Kitchen, Suzy Siu’s Baos, and Superica. Colourful nightlife spots at Krog Street Market include Hop City Beer & Wine, Bar Mercado, and the Ticonderoga Club. Don’t forget to stop for some sweet treats at the Little Tart Bakeshop, Sweet Inman’s Sweets, and Xocolatl Small Batch Chocolate.
Location: 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
Open: Monday—Thursday from 7 am to 9 pm, Friday from 7 am to 10 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 9 pm
Mapphoto by LittleT889 (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
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West Egg Café
Have a Southern comfort breakfast
- Families
West Egg Café serves up Southern comfort breakfast and brunch fare in West Midtown. Located in the Westside Provisions District, this popular Atlanta brunch spot offers indoor and outdoor dining along with a full bar and lounge.
West Egg Café’s all-day breakfast menu ranges from classics like shrimp and grits, fried chicken biscuits, and the Georgia Benedict to playful options like banana bread, French toast, and churro waffles. The café’s Build Your Own Biscuit options are popular with locals and visitors alike. Vegetarian options are also available, as are a large variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Location: 1100 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA
Open: Wednesday—Friday from 8 am to 3 pm, Saturday—Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm (closed Monday—Tuesday)
Phone: +1 404-872-3973
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Atlanta Food Lorry Park and Market
Sample the best food-truck fare in the city
- Couples
- Families
- Nightlife
The Atlanta Food Lorry Park and Market is a weekend vegan and vegetarian food lorry market located in the Food Lorry Park off Howell Mill Road. The market’s weekend events draw visitors from across the city for food, brews, and live music.
The Atlanta Food Lorry Park and Market offers an ever-changing range of vendors, from Southern specialities and plant-based fare to freshly made lemonade, baked goods, and ice cream. On Friday nights, the market hosts the weekly Midnight Snack, a late-night vegan food court where locals hang out and enjoy live music and a diverse offering of fresh street-style food.
Location: 1850 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA
Open: Friday from 9 pm to 1 am, Saturday from 1 pm to 8 pm, Sunday from 2 pm to 8 pm (closed Monday—Thursday)
Phone: +1 678-883-8471
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Busy Bee Café
Indulge with Southern favourites
- Families
Busy Bee Cafe has been serving up fried chicken and soul food in city centre Atlanta since 1947. This restaurant is an Atlanta staple, often seeing wait times for dine in and takeaway alike, but locals assure that the food is worth the wait.
Busy Bee Cafe offers Southern favourites ranging from chicken and waffles, barbecue ribs, and signature chicken dishes to fried shrimp and catfish fillets. Classic sides include baked macaroni and cheese, cornbread dressing, fresh collard greens, and fried okra. You won’t want to miss their old-fashioned desserts, from banana pudding and sweet potato pie to peach and blackberry cobblers.
Location: 810 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA
Open: Daily from 11 am until 7 pm
Phone: +1 404-525-9212
Mapphoto by istolethetv (CC BY 2.0) modified
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8ARM
Try trendy Japanese delights
- Couples
- Nightlife
8ARM is an izakaya, sushi lounge, and natural wine and cocktail bar located near Ponce City Market. 8ARM offers both full-service dining and a separate sushi lounge, as well as regular pop-up events for speciality dining and drink options.
This trendy hot spot offers a variety of Japanese dishes, including vegan and vegetarian fare. 8ARM’s generous drink menus range from sake to fortified wine, cider and beer, spirits, and mixed cocktails. Reservations are accepted for full-service dining in the main dining room, while the outdoor dining and sushi lounge are first come, first served.
Location: 710 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA
Open: Tuesday—Thursday from 6 pm to midnight, Friday—Saturday from 6 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 1 pm to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)
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Elliott Street Deli and Pub
Cheer your favourite team with brews and bites
- Nightlife
Elliott Street Deli and Pub is a pub and sports bar in Atlanta next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Especially popular on game days at the stadium, this restaurant is known for live music, sporting events, and a casual atmosphere.
Menu options at Elliott Street Deli and Pub range from classic sandwich options like Cubans, French dips, and turkey clubs to salads, hot dogs, and vegetarian entrees. Growler draft beers are available, as is a full bar. Some free on-street parking is available at the restaurant, and there are also nearby paid lots and garages.
Location: 51 Elliott St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
Open: Monday from 11 am to 2 pm, Tuesday—Thursday from 11 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday from 11 am to midnight, Saturday from noon to 10 pm, Sunday from noon to 6 pm
Phone: +1 404-523-2174
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Jack’s Pizza and Wings
Enjoy casual bar food and cocktails
- Nightlife
Jack’s Pizza and Wings is a hip restaurant and dive bar in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward. This local no-frills dive is known for its Atlanta-style pizza and wings, dollar beers, and cheap well shots.
The casual vibe at Jack’s Pizza and Wings draws an eclectic crowd of locals for inexpensive, quick bites and drinks and socialising, with the restaurant offering a variety of unique speciality pies and baked wings. A varied event calendar ranges from live music and sports events to festivals and holiday celebrations.
Location: 676 Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA
Open: Monday—Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm, Sunday from noon to midnight
Phone: +1 404-525-4444
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Elmyr
Try classic Mexican dishes
- Nightlife
Elmyr is a casual Mexican restaurant and cantina in Little Five Points. This trendy dive bar offers indoor and outdoor seating as well as an indoor smoking area within the restaurant.
Elmyr’s menu includes classic Mexican fare from nachos and burritos to enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas, with vegetarian and vegan options available. A full drink menu includes margaritas, tequila, and cocktails, along with draft and bottle beer, and wine. The restaurant offers a free car park behind the building, a rarity for the area.
Location: 1091 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA
Open: Daily from noon to 11 pm
Phone: +1 404-588-0250
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Home Grown GA Restaurant
Enjoy authentic Southern breakfast foods
- Budget
- Families
Home Grown GA offers Southern-style breakfast and brunch fare in city centre Atlanta. What sets them apart from many other restaurants is their use of home-grown ingredients, operating their own organic garden that supplies some of the restaurant’s dishes, and sourcing additional locally grown ingredients.
Home Grown GA’s cosy atmosphere and low-priced dishes draw locals from across the city for a fresh, ever-changing menu. Past menu options have included fried pickles with spicy ranch, seasoned and grilled trout, Salisbury steak, biscuits and gravy, and classic breakfast hash.
Location: 968 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, USA
Open: Wednesday—Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm (closed Monday—Tuesday)
Phone: +1 404-222-0455
Mapphoto by Daniel Lobo (CC BY 2.0) modified