clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

These Atlanta Restaurants Feature Fireside Dining on the Patio

Bring on the Beer From These Breweries and Brewpubs Around Atlanta

The Best Bets for Ramen Around Atlanta

More in Atlanta See more maps
Chicken liver tart at Staplehouse
Chicken liver tart.
Staplehouse

30 Totally Iconic Dishes From Restaurants Around Atlanta

From a broiled half pineapple stuffed with grilled seafood and cheese to a Korean BBQ sandwich

by Beth McKibben Updated
View as Map
Chicken liver tart.
| Staplehouse
by Beth McKibben Updated

Diners looking for staples of Atlanta's food scene, take notice. It’s time to round up a few of the dishes defining ATL’s culinary scene at the moment. Some have been around for years, while other dishes have just recently achieved “icon” status. Atlanta is full of great food, and there’s not a list large enough to contain every dish making Atlanta and its sprawling metropolitan area a great place to dine. From tlayuda south of town to a chicken liver tart in the Old Fourth Ward, check out these iconic dishes found at restaurant in and around Atlanta.

This list is updated twice a year to keep it fresh with new dishes to try.

Don’t see an iconic Atlanta dish listed here? Email Eater Atlanta the details to check out for the next update via the tipline.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Birria tacos at Birria El Gordo

Copy Link

People drive to and then stand in line for the birria tacos here. Slowed-cooked and stewed, tacos come stuffed with beef, goat, chicken, or jackfruit birra at this counter-service spot. Make sure to order a side of consomme for dipping the tacos and an aguas frescas. Try the crunchy taco dorados and vampiros (tostadas filled with a choice of meat, cheese, and guacamole) here, too.

350 Pat Mell Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30060
(678) 503-0114
(678) 503-0114

Also featured in:

Lemon pepper wet wings at LT's Wings

Copy Link

The debate over who has the best lemon pepper wet wings in Atlanta will forever rage, but the three places most people agree on are LT’s Wings on Fairburn Road and any location of J.R. Crickets or American Deli. This quintessential Atlanta dish caused a nationwide wings craze when it was featured on Season 1 of “Atlanta” in the scene where Paper Boi and Darius go to J.R. Crickets for an order of lemon pepper wet.

1160 Fairburn Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
(404) 349-0006
(404) 349-0006

Crab rice at Virgil's Gullah Kitchen & Bar

Copy Link

Located along the bustling Main Street of College Park, Virgil’s serves soul food takes on Gullah-Geechee cuisine on the menu. Owner Gee Smalls, who owns the restaurant with husband Juan, hails from Charleston and proudly showcases his Gullah Geechee roots through the food here. Order the crab rice spiced with Gullah seasonings and the Gullah egg rolls stuffed with red rice, fried cabbage, and white shrimp. The red rice at Virgil’s is also worth the order. The rice is cooked in tomato sauce and mixed with onions, peppers, bacon, and smoked sausage. There’s now a second location near Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 228-4897
(404) 228-4897

Also featured in:

Korean BBQ pork sandwich at Heirloom Market BBQ

Copy Link

Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee’s Southern-Korean barbecue restaurant offers a must-try spicy Korean pork sandwich on its menu with chopped rib meat marinated in fermented chile paste, topped with kimchi coleslaw, black sesame seeds, and a sliced scallion. Order the sandwich with a side of sweat and spicy crispy tofu, pickled cucumber-radish salad, or kimchi slaw.

2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 612-2502
(770) 612-2502

Also featured in:

Crab fritter at Bacchanalia

Copy Link

The crab fritter has become a staple dish on the tasting menu at Bacchanalia. This dish is a must to kick off the four-course tasting at chef Anne Quatrano’s Blandtown establishment. The beautifully fried, crispy fritter is filled with juicy crab meat and accompanied by a fresh burst of citrus and sliced avocado. It might be the perfect bite.

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW #1, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 365-0410
(404) 365-0410

Also featured in:

Lemon pepper wet pizza from Phew's Pies

Copy Link

This westside Atlanta pizza pop-up from Matthew “Phew” Foster slings handmade pies, including pizzas topped with lemon pepper wet wings and oxtails and ricotta. His signature pizzas, the lemon pepper wet and hot lemon pepper wet, are made using butter sauce, chopped chicken, and mozzarella with wings dotting the center. Order online for pick up. Location provided upon ordering. Follow on Instagram for menu updates and pop-up locations.

873 Victoria Pl SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 333-2101
(404) 333-2101

Also featured in:

Frango Catupiry at Brasiliana Pizza

Copy Link

Owned by Thiago Machado and Nicollie Conovalow, Brasiliana Pizza blends Brazilian and Italian ingredients and flavors together to create a unique pizza style that’s savory, sometimes subtly sweet, and often bringing heat. With a long-fermented crust, the order here is the Frango Catupiry topped with shredded chicken, bacon bits, squeezes of creamy Brazilian Catupiry cheese, and lots of oregano. Order the Brigadeiros for dessert boasting a thick layer of gooey chocolate fudge and chocolate sprinkles, based on the Brazilian truffle of the same name. All of the pizzas here are meant to be eaten with a knife and fork. In fact, it’s encouraged. Takeout and delivery only.

800 Forrest St NW Suite K07, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 445-5211
(404) 445-5211

Also featured in:

Fried chicken at Busy Bee Cafe

Copy Link

In business since the 1940s, this Vine City staple serves some of Atlanta’s best fried chicken. Busy Bee has had plenty of time to perfect its fried chicken recipe. Take the yardbird to the next level by ordering it smothered with pan gravy. The restaurant is always bustling, so be prepared to wait. But that fried chicken is worth it.

810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA
(404) 525-9212
(404) 525-9212

Also featured in:

Farm egg in celery cream at Miller Union

Copy Link

The farm egg at James Beard award winner chef Steven Satterfield’s Miller Union is a must-order. This seemingly simple dish is made with fantastic ingredients — a farm egg swimming in celery-infused cream and a side of crusty bread.

999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA
(678) 733-8550
(678) 733-8550

Also featured in:

Kubaneh at Aziza

Copy Link

Located beneath Marcel at Westside Provisions District, Aziza serves a menu filled with wood-fired dishes inspired by owner Tal Baum’s childhood in Israel. Every meal at Aziza (or bar snack) should start with the warm and buttery pull-apart bread kubaneh. This fluffy, towering hunk of bread comes with a side dish of zesty grated tomato topped with spicy schug, a hot sauce made with chili peppers, cilantro, and a variety of spices.

1170 Howell Mill Road Suite P10b, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 968-9437
(404) 968-9437

Also featured in:

Seasonal galette at Little Tart Bakeshop

Copy Link

What started as pastry chef Sarah O’Brien’s farmers market stand has since grown into three locations in Atlanta: at Krog Street Market, in Grant Park, and in Summerhill. The Summerhill location also includes a small cafe. With cases filled with fresh-baked pastries, it can be difficult to choose what to order. The chocolate pistachio croissant is always a winner. But for something truly outstanding, order the seasonal galette. This flaky pastry akin to a mini pie comes filled with everything from baking-spiced apples in the fall and sweet strawberries during the spring to juicy peaches and tangy tomatoes bursting with every bite in the summer.

68 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 348-4797
(404) 348-4797

Also featured in:

Shrimp chips at Talat Market

Copy Link

Each week, chefs Parnass Lim Savang and Rod Lassiter create around a dozen or so Thai and Thai-influenced dishes for Talat Market, featuring soups, salads, relishes, curries, stir-fries, and desserts, along with a couple of larger entrees, like yum khao thawt (crispy rice salad) and whole fish preparations. This is where the traditional dishes and flavors of Thailand meet local and Southern ingredients in Atlanta. Those looking for a great bar snack to pair with a glass of wine, an ice-cold Leo beer, or Talat Market’s outstanding martini, crush a bowl of the crispy shrimp chips made daily here. These chips aren’t always listed on the menu, but they’re always available and often sell out.

112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
(404) 257-6255
(404) 257-6255

Also featured in:

Chilean sea bass at Rumi's Kitchen

Copy Link

This restaurant, owned by chef Ali Mesghali, helped catapult Persian food onto the Atlanta dining scene when it opened in Sandy Springs nearly 20 years ago. Now with three locations, Rumi’s continues to be one of the best spots in Atlanta to indulge in Persian food and hospitality, along with a great list of wines and stellar cocktails. The Chilean sea bass is a longtime menu staple here, which sees the fish marinated in saffron and savory onions, charbroiled, and served over baghali polo (fava beans and dill rice).

6112 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 477-2100
(404) 477-2100

Also featured in:

Tlayuda at La Oaxaquena Taqueria

Copy Link

Owned and operated by chef Rosalia Ruiz in Jonesboro, La Oaxaquena Taqueria is a favorite place for tacos and great Mexican in the south metro. Come here for a taste of Oaxaca, which includes their extremely popular tlayuda—a pizza-like Oaxacan dish consisting of toasted tortilla typically topped with refried beans, cheese, meat, and lettuce. This is a dish people from around metro Atlanta travel to Jonesboro for just to eat.

605 Mt Zion Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 960-3010
(770) 960-3010

Also featured in:

Chicken liver tart at Staplehouse

Copy Link

The award-winning restaurant on Edgewood Avenue transformed into a neighborhood market and counter-service spot in 2021 selling everything from artisan pantry ingredients, fresh breads, cheeses, and charcuterie to daily food specials, meaty sandwiches, and even wood-fired pizzas. All of it can be paired with wine, beer, or a cocktail listed on the drinks menu and enjoyed in the garden patio out back. But one of the former restaurant’s most sought-after and memorable dishes is still available at the market: the chicken liver mousse tart. It’s a beautifully garnished indulgence worth every bite.

541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 524-5005
(404) 524-5005

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Shoyu tamago at Ruby Chow's

Copy Link

People were heartbroken when chef Guy Wong closed his pioneering Old Fourth Ward restaurant Miso Izakaya in 2018, and were equally sad to lose one of its most defining dishes: the shoyu tamago. Wong revived the beloved dish in 2020 on the menu at his new restaurant Ruby Chow’s, which sees a perfectly jammy soft-boiled egg marinated in soy sauce sitting atop crispy rice. Don’t skip the Peking duck bun, another Miso Izakaya favorite now served at Ruby Chow’s.

620 Glen Iris Dr NE Unit C-1, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 585-7829
(404) 585-7829

Also featured in:

Jerk chicken plate at Eats

Copy Link

Now considered an Atlanta institution, and one of the few good and affordable restaurants still standing near trendy Ponce City Market, Eats is where to head for hearty meat-and-three combos for around $10 each. The restaurant’s jerk chicken platter is the move here, with choice of two vegetables, like collards, broccoli casserole, or black eyed peas. Order the special which comes with black beans, rice, and cornbread and choice of meat.

600 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 888-9149
(404) 888-9149

Also featured in:

20-yolk tagliatelle at BoccaLupo

Copy Link

BoccaLupo quickly became both a neighborhood favorite and a destination restaurant when it opened in 2013 on Edgewood Avenue. Head in for the fresh pasta like the black spaghetti or pappardelle in bolognese gravy. However, it’s the 20-yolk tagliatelle that is now an Atlanta classic.

753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
(404) 577-2332
(404) 577-2332

Also featured in:

Comfy chicken biscuit at Home Grown

Copy Link

Home Grown is a breakfast favorite among Atlanta’s diners and restaurant industry folks. And, it’s home to one of the city’s must-try dishes: the comfy biscuit topped with fried chicken smothered in sausage gravy. Read more about the comfy biscuit here.

968 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA
(404) 222-0455
(404) 222-0455

Also featured in:

Blackened grouper sandwich at Fishmonger

Copy Link

Nhan Le, Skip Engelbrecht, and chef Brad Forsblom struck gold with the opening of seafood market and cafe Fishmonger when it opened in Poncey-Highland in 2022, followed by a second location at Pratt Pullman District later that same year. Much of this success can be linked to the delicious blackened grouper sandwich. The delicate filet is dipped in nori butter and sprinkled with a blend of ten spices before hitting a hot skillet to crisp the skin. The spice blend features everything from Sichuan pepper, cumin, fennel, and black pepper, to cinnamon, cloves, coriander, and fresh onion bits. The fish is then topped with zesty Florida sauce, herb salad, and pickled peppers and served on a buttery toasted bun smeared with more nori butter. A third location of Fishmonger is opening soon on Howell Mill Road.

674 North Highland Avenue Northeast Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30306
(678) 705-9538
(678) 705-9538

Also featured in:

Wood-fired pizzas at Argosy

Copy Link

Regulars to this East Atlanta Village hangout know it’s been quietly serving some of the best versions of popular comfort foods for years. This includes a tight list of wood-fired pizzas. Order the Boss Hogg topped with Spotted Trotter bacon and fennel sausage, onions, and Calabrese peppers. The Butternut Pie comes topped with roasted butternut squash, tangy red onions, asiago cream, and black truffle pancetta.

470 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 577-0407
(404) 577-0407

Also featured in:

Sunday cheeseburger at Evergreen Butcher + Baker

Copy Link

Located in the heart of the Kirkwood neighborhood, this butcher shop and bakery offers a small selection of sandwiches and pastries throughout the day. But it’s the double cheeseburger that has people lining up on Sunday afternoons, no matter the weather. The all-beef burger is topped with gooey cheese, house pickles, onions, and aioli sandwiched between a long-fermented sesame seed bun. One hundred cheeseburgers are typically available every Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. Just look for the burger flag flying out front.

2011 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317
(404) 996-2442
(404) 996-2442

Also featured in:

Cuban sandwiches at Buena Gente Cuban Bakery

Copy Link

Even when Buena Gente was a food trailer, it was consistently serving some of the best Cuban street eats in the city. Owners Manny Rodriguez and Stacie Antich finally took Buena Gente permanent in Decatur and continue offering their flaky and buttery empanadas, croquetas, and beef pastelitos there. But make sure to order one of the meaty Cuban sandwiches served on the bakery’s freshly baked crusty bread with a side of plantain chips.

1365 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
(678) 744-5638
(678) 744-5638

Also featured in:

Khao piek at Snackboxe Bistro

Copy Link

Located in the Super H Mart plaza in Doraville, the menu here is a mix of traditional Laotian dishes and street foods, including the khao piak, a comforting chicken rice noodle soup, and laap (meat salad). Try the pork belly or the minced tofu laap. Both are tossed in toasted rice powder, chili pepper, fish sauce, lime juice, kaffir, and fresh herbs.

6035 Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30360
(770) 417-8082
(770) 417-8082

Also featured in:

Kaldereta at Kamayan ATL

Copy Link

Many people credit Filipino food pop-up Kamayan ATL, owned by Mia Orino and Carlo Gan, for finally bringing the country’s cuisine to the forefront in Atlanta. Now open as a restaurant on Buford Highway, Orino and Gan continue to draw people in with their exemplary takes on traditional Filipino dishes and kamayan feasts. For something hearty yet comforting, order a bowl of the kaldereta — a tomato-based broth beef stew brimming with peppers, potatoes, and olives garnished with jalapenos, chilis, and fresh herbs.

5150 Buford Hwy NE A230, Doraville, GA 30340
(678) 231-2122
(678) 231-2122

Also featured in:

Hand-tossed noodles at LanZhou Ramen 兰州拉面

Copy Link

Located in the Pine Tree Plaza shopping center just down from Supermarket Chicago, this is where to head for heaping plates of some seriously long-as-your-arm, hand-pulled noodles. Try the pork or oxtail noodles or a hot bowl of duck or pork noodle soup. Watch the chef roll, twist, pull, and whip those noodles into shape through the window overlooking the kitchen.

5231 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340
(678) 691-2175
(678) 691-2175

Also featured in:

Taiwanese-style hot chicken sandwiches at Java Saga

Copy Link

Hit the takeout window at Java Saga for a Taiwanese-style hot chicken sandwich that comes in four levels of heat: lifeline (mild), crypto (hot and numbing), octane (very hot), and predator. Each sandwich is topped with Java Lava Saga sauce and sweet pickles served on brown sugar milk toast. Order coffee or tea drinks or a mango smoothie to curb the heat. Owner Alvin Sun is relocating Java Saga to the former Master Bakery space on Buford Highway in Doraville soon, the same complex as I Luv Pho.

3781 Presidential Pkwy FP-318, Atlanta, GA 30340
(678) 825-2438
(678) 825-2438

Also featured in:

Dolsot bibimbap at Stone Bowl House 운암정 스톤 볼 하우스

Copy Link

Woo Nam Jeong or Stone Bowl House serves traditional Korean fare created by the restaurant’s longtime chef Young Hui Han, lovingly referred to as “grandma”. Regulars to this Korean restaurant know to order its signature dish: the dolsot bibimbap. The dish is served in a searing hot cast iron stone bowl allowing the rice to become nice and crispy before mixing. Han makes all of the complimentary banchan herself, too.

5953 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340
(678) 530-0844
(678) 530-0844

La piña rellena at Mariscos La Riviera Nayarit

Copy Link

This Norcross marisqueria opened in 2011 serving everything from giant platters filled with shrimp, crab legs, and lobster to whole red snapper rubbed in chile marinade. But, for something truly indulgent, order the la piña rellena — a broiled, half pineapple stuffed with grilled seafood and topped with melted cheese. It’s over-the-top and good. There’s a second location in Lawrenceville.

5385 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30093
(770) 662-0086
(770) 662-0086

Also featured in:

Soup specials at Sun City Caribbean

Copy Link

Sun City offers patties in the expected formats (beef, chicken, coco), small and large portions of Jamaican classics, and a few specialties, including barbecued jerk ribs. However, it’s the weekly soup specials which really shine at this restaurant. On Thursdays, the restaurant serves a thick red pea soup. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s fish soup — referred to in Jamaica as “fish tea”.

6201 Memorial Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
(770) 755-5897
(770) 755-5897

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Birria tacos at Birria El Gordo

350 Pat Mell Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30060

People drive to and then stand in line for the birria tacos here. Slowed-cooked and stewed, tacos come stuffed with beef, goat, chicken, or jackfruit birra at this counter-service spot. Make sure to order a side of consomme for dipping the tacos and an aguas frescas. Try the crunchy taco dorados and vampiros (tostadas filled with a choice of meat, cheese, and guacamole) here, too.

350 Pat Mell Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30060
(678) 503-0114
(678) 503-0114

Lemon pepper wet wings at LT's Wings

1160 Fairburn Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

The debate over who has the best lemon pepper wet wings in Atlanta will forever rage, but the three places most people agree on are LT’s Wings on Fairburn Road and any location of J.R. Crickets or American Deli. This quintessential Atlanta dish caused a nationwide wings craze when it was featured on Season 1 of “Atlanta” in the scene where Paper Boi and Darius go to J.R. Crickets for an order of lemon pepper wet.

1160 Fairburn Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
(404) 349-0006
(404) 349-0006

Crab rice at Virgil's Gullah Kitchen & Bar

3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337

Located along the bustling Main Street of College Park, Virgil’s serves soul food takes on Gullah-Geechee cuisine on the menu. Owner Gee Smalls, who owns the restaurant with husband Juan, hails from Charleston and proudly showcases his Gullah Geechee roots through the food here. Order the crab rice spiced with Gullah seasonings and the Gullah egg rolls stuffed with red rice, fried cabbage, and white shrimp. The red rice at Virgil’s is also worth the order. The rice is cooked in tomato sauce and mixed with onions, peppers, bacon, and smoked sausage. There’s now a second location near Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 228-4897
(404) 228-4897

Korean BBQ pork sandwich at Heirloom Market BBQ

2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee’s Southern-Korean barbecue restaurant offers a must-try spicy Korean pork sandwich on its menu with chopped rib meat marinated in fermented chile paste, topped with kimchi coleslaw, black sesame seeds, and a sliced scallion. Order the sandwich with a side of sweat and spicy crispy tofu, pickled cucumber-radish salad, or kimchi slaw.

2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 612-2502
(770) 612-2502

Crab fritter at Bacchanalia

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW #1, Atlanta, GA 30318

The crab fritter has become a staple dish on the tasting menu at Bacchanalia. This dish is a must to kick off the four-course tasting at chef Anne Quatrano’s Blandtown establishment. The beautifully fried, crispy fritter is filled with juicy crab meat and accompanied by a fresh burst of citrus and sliced avocado. It might be the perfect bite.

1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW #1, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 365-0410
(404) 365-0410

Lemon pepper wet pizza from Phew's Pies

873 Victoria Pl SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

This westside Atlanta pizza pop-up from Matthew “Phew” Foster slings handmade pies, including pizzas topped with lemon pepper wet wings and oxtails and ricotta. His signature pizzas, the lemon pepper wet and hot lemon pepper wet, are made using butter sauce, chopped chicken, and mozzarella with wings dotting the center. Order online for pick up. Location provided upon ordering. Follow on Instagram for menu updates and pop-up locations.

873 Victoria Pl SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 333-2101
(404) 333-2101

Frango Catupiry at Brasiliana Pizza

800 Forrest St NW Suite K07, Atlanta, GA 30318

Owned by Thiago Machado and Nicollie Conovalow, Brasiliana Pizza blends Brazilian and Italian ingredients and flavors together to create a unique pizza style that’s savory, sometimes subtly sweet, and often bringing heat. With a long-fermented crust, the order here is the Frango Catupiry topped with shredded chicken, bacon bits, squeezes of creamy Brazilian Catupiry cheese, and lots of oregano. Order the Brigadeiros for dessert boasting a thick layer of gooey chocolate fudge and chocolate sprinkles, based on the Brazilian truffle of the same name. All of the pizzas here are meant to be eaten with a knife and fork. In fact, it’s encouraged. Takeout and delivery only.

800 Forrest St NW Suite K07, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 445-5211
(404) 445-5211

Fried chicken at Busy Bee Cafe

810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA

In business since the 1940s, this Vine City staple serves some of Atlanta’s best fried chicken. Busy Bee has had plenty of time to perfect its fried chicken recipe. Take the yardbird to the next level by ordering it smothered with pan gravy. The restaurant is always bustling, so be prepared to wait. But that fried chicken is worth it.

810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA
(404) 525-9212
(404) 525-9212

Farm egg in celery cream at Miller Union

999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA

The farm egg at James Beard award winner chef Steven Satterfield’s Miller Union is a must-order. This seemingly simple dish is made with fantastic ingredients — a farm egg swimming in celery-infused cream and a side of crusty bread.

999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA
(678) 733-8550
(678) 733-8550

Kubaneh at Aziza

1170 Howell Mill Road Suite P10b, Atlanta, GA 30318

Located beneath Marcel at Westside Provisions District, Aziza serves a menu filled with wood-fired dishes inspired by owner Tal Baum’s childhood in Israel. Every meal at Aziza (or bar snack) should start with the warm and buttery pull-apart bread kubaneh. This fluffy, towering hunk of bread comes with a side dish of zesty grated tomato topped with spicy schug, a hot sauce made with chili peppers, cilantro, and a variety of spices.

1170 Howell Mill Road Suite P10b, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 968-9437
(404) 968-9437

Seasonal galette at Little Tart Bakeshop

68 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

What started as pastry chef Sarah O’Brien’s farmers market stand has since grown into three locations in Atlanta: at Krog Street Market, in Grant Park, and in Summerhill. The Summerhill location also includes a small cafe. With cases filled with fresh-baked pastries, it can be difficult to choose what to order. The chocolate pistachio croissant is always a winner. But for something truly outstanding, order the seasonal galette. This flaky pastry akin to a mini pie comes filled with everything from baking-spiced apples in the fall and sweet strawberries during the spring to juicy peaches and tangy tomatoes bursting with every bite in the summer.

68 Georgia Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 348-4797
(404) 348-4797

Shrimp chips at Talat Market

112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Each week, chefs Parnass Lim Savang and Rod Lassiter create around a dozen or so Thai and Thai-influenced dishes for Talat Market, featuring soups, salads, relishes, curries, stir-fries, and desserts, along with a couple of larger entrees, like yum khao thawt (crispy rice salad) and whole fish preparations. This is where the traditional dishes and flavors of Thailand meet local and Southern ingredients in Atlanta. Those looking for a great bar snack to pair with a glass of wine, an ice-cold Leo beer, or Talat Market’s outstanding martini, crush a bowl of the crispy shrimp chips made daily here. These chips aren’t always listed on the menu, but they’re always available and often sell out.

112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
(404) 257-6255
(404) 257-6255

Chilean sea bass at Rumi's Kitchen

6112 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328

This restaurant, owned by chef Ali Mesghali, helped catapult Persian food onto the Atlanta dining scene when it opened in Sandy Springs nearly 20 years ago. Now with three locations, Rumi’s continues to be one of the best spots in Atlanta to indulge in Persian food and hospitality, along with a great list of wines and stellar cocktails. The Chilean sea bass is a longtime menu staple here, which sees the fish marinated in saffron and savory onions, charbroiled, and served over baghali polo (fava beans and dill rice).

6112 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 477-2100
(404) 477-2100

Tlayuda at La Oaxaquena Taqueria

605 Mt Zion Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30236

Owned and operated by chef Rosalia Ruiz in Jonesboro, La Oaxaquena Taqueria is a favorite place for tacos and great Mexican in the south metro. Come here for a taste of Oaxaca, which includes their extremely popular tlayuda—a pizza-like Oaxacan dish consisting of toasted tortilla typically topped with refried beans, cheese, meat, and lettuce. This is a dish people from around metro Atlanta travel to Jonesboro for just to eat.

605 Mt Zion Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30236
(770) 960-3010
(770) 960-3010

Chicken liver tart at Staplehouse

541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

The award-winning restaurant on Edgewood Avenue transformed into a neighborhood market and counter-service spot in 2021 selling everything from artisan pantry ingredients, fresh breads, cheeses, and charcuterie to daily food specials, meaty sandwiches, and even wood-fired pizzas. All of it can be paired with wine, beer, or a cocktail listed on the drinks menu and enjoyed in the garden patio out back. But one of the former restaurant’s most sought-after and memorable dishes is still available at the market: the chicken liver mousse tart. It’s a beautifully garnished indulgence worth every bite.

541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 524-5005
(404) 524-5005

Related Maps

Shoyu tamago at Ruby Chow's

620 Glen Iris Dr NE Unit C-1, Atlanta, GA 30308

People were heartbroken when chef Guy Wong closed his pioneering Old Fourth Ward restaurant Miso Izakaya in 2018, and were equally sad to lose one of its most defining dishes: the shoyu tamago. Wong revived the beloved dish in 2020 on the menu at his new restaurant Ruby Chow’s, which sees a perfectly jammy soft-boiled egg marinated in soy sauce sitting atop crispy rice. Don’t skip the Peking duck bun, another Miso Izakaya favorite now served at Ruby Chow’s.

620 Glen Iris Dr NE Unit C-1, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 585-7829
(404) 585-7829

Jerk chicken plate at Eats

600 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Now considered an Atlanta institution, and one of the few good and affordable restaurants still standing near trendy Ponce City Market, Eats is where to head for hearty meat-and-three combos for around $10 each. The restaurant’s jerk chicken platter is the move here, with choice of two vegetables, like collards, broccoli casserole, or black eyed peas. Order the special which comes with black beans, rice, and cornbread and choice of meat.

600 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 888-9149
(404) 888-9149

20-yolk tagliatelle at BoccaLupo

753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA

BoccaLupo quickly became both a neighborhood favorite and a destination restaurant when it opened in 2013 on Edgewood Avenue. Head in for the fresh pasta like the black spaghetti or pappardelle in bolognese gravy. However, it’s the 20-yolk tagliatelle that is now an Atlanta classic.

753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
(404) 577-2332
(404) 577-2332

Comfy chicken biscuit at Home Grown

968 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA

Home Grown is a breakfast favorite among Atlanta’s diners and restaurant industry folks. And, it’s home to one of the city’s must-try dishes: the comfy biscuit topped with fried chicken smothered in sausage gravy. Read more about the comfy biscuit here.

968 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA
(404) 222-0455
(404) 222-0455

Blackened grouper sandwich at Fishmonger

674 North Highland Avenue Northeast Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30306

Nhan Le, Skip Engelbrecht, and chef Brad Forsblom struck gold with the opening of seafood market and cafe Fishmonger when it opened in Poncey-Highland in 2022, followed by a second location at Pratt Pullman District later that same year. Much of this success can be linked to the delicious blackened grouper sandwich. The delicate filet is dipped in nori butter and sprinkled with a blend of ten spices before hitting a hot skillet to crisp the skin. The spice blend features everything from Sichuan pepper, cumin, fennel, and black pepper, to cinnamon, cloves, coriander, and fresh onion bits. The fish is then topped with zesty Florida sauce, herb salad, and pickled peppers and served on a buttery toasted bun smeared with more nori butter. A third location of Fishmonger is opening soon on Howell Mill Road.

674 North Highland Avenue Northeast Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30306
(678) 705-9538
(678) 705-9538

Wood-fired pizzas at Argosy

470 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Regulars to this East Atlanta Village hangout know it’s been quietly serving some of the best versions of popular comfort foods for years. This includes a tight list of wood-fired pizzas. Order the Boss Hogg topped with Spotted Trotter bacon and fennel sausage, onions, and Calabrese peppers. The Butternut Pie comes topped with roasted butternut squash, tangy red onions, asiago cream, and black truffle pancetta.

470 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 577-0407
(404) 577-0407

Sunday cheeseburger at Evergreen Butcher + Baker

2011 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317

Located in the heart of the Kirkwood neighborhood, this butcher shop and bakery offers a small selection of sandwiches and pastries throughout the day. But it’s the double cheeseburger that has people lining up on Sunday afternoons, no matter the weather. The all-beef burger is topped with gooey cheese, house pickles, onions, and aioli sandwiched between a long-fermented sesame seed bun. One hundred cheeseburgers are typically available every Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. Just look for the burger flag flying out front.

2011 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317
(404) 996-2442
(404) 996-2442

Cuban sandwiches at Buena Gente Cuban Bakery

1365 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033

Even when Buena Gente was a food trailer, it was consistently serving some of the best Cuban street eats in the city. Owners Manny Rodriguez and Stacie Antich finally took Buena Gente permanent in Decatur and continue offering their flaky and buttery empanadas, croquetas, and beef pastelitos there. But make sure to order one of the meaty Cuban sandwiches served on the bakery’s freshly baked crusty bread with a side of plantain chips.

1365 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
(678) 744-5638
(678) 744-5638

Khao piek at Snackboxe Bistro

6035 Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30360

Located in the Super H Mart plaza in Doraville, the menu here is a mix of traditional Laotian dishes and street foods, including the khao piak, a comforting chicken rice noodle soup, and laap (meat salad). Try the pork belly or the minced tofu laap. Both are tossed in toasted rice powder, chili pepper, fish sauce, lime juice, kaffir, and fresh herbs.

6035 Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30360
(770) 417-8082
(770) 417-8082

Kaldereta at Kamayan ATL

5150 Buford Hwy NE A230, Doraville, GA 30340

Many people credit Filipino food pop-up Kamayan ATL, owned by Mia Orino and Carlo Gan, for finally bringing the country’s cuisine to the forefront in Atlanta. Now open as a restaurant on Buford Highway, Orino and Gan continue to draw people in with their exemplary takes on traditional Filipino dishes and kamayan feasts. For something hearty yet comforting, order a bowl of the kaldereta — a tomato-based broth beef stew brimming with peppers, potatoes, and olives garnished with jalapenos, chilis, and fresh herbs.

5150 Buford Hwy NE A230, Doraville, GA 30340
(678) 231-2122
(678) 231-2122

Hand-tossed noodles at LanZhou Ramen 兰州拉面

5231 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Located in the Pine Tree Plaza shopping center just down from Supermarket Chicago, this is where to head for heaping plates of some seriously long-as-your-arm, hand-pulled noodles. Try the pork or oxtail noodles or a hot bowl of duck or pork noodle soup. Watch the chef roll, twist, pull, and whip those noodles into shape through the window overlooking the kitchen.

5231 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340
(678) 691-2175
(678) 691-2175

Taiwanese-style hot chicken sandwiches at Java Saga

3781 Presidential Pkwy FP-318, Atlanta, GA 30340

Hit the takeout window at Java Saga for a Taiwanese-style hot chicken sandwich that comes in four levels of heat: lifeline (mild), crypto (hot and numbing), octane (very hot), and predator. Each sandwich is topped with Java Lava Saga sauce and sweet pickles served on brown sugar milk toast. Order coffee or tea drinks or a mango smoothie to curb the heat. Owner Alvin Sun is relocating Java Saga to the former Master Bakery space on Buford Highway in Doraville soon, the same complex as I Luv Pho.

3781 Presidential Pkwy FP-318, Atlanta, GA 30340
(678) 825-2438
(678) 825-2438

Dolsot bibimbap at Stone Bowl House 운암정 스톤 볼 하우스

5953 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Woo Nam Jeong or Stone Bowl House serves traditional Korean fare created by the restaurant’s longtime chef Young Hui Han, lovingly referred to as “grandma”. Regulars to this Korean restaurant know to order its signature dish: the dolsot bibimbap. The dish is served in a searing hot cast iron stone bowl allowing the rice to become nice and crispy before mixing. Han makes all of the complimentary banchan herself, too.

5953 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340
(678) 530-0844
(678) 530-0844

La piña rellena at Mariscos La Riviera Nayarit

5385 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30093

This Norcross marisqueria opened in 2011 serving everything from giant platters filled with shrimp, crab legs, and lobster to whole red snapper rubbed in chile marinade. But, for something truly indulgent, order the la piña rellena — a broiled, half pineapple stuffed with grilled seafood and topped with melted cheese. It’s over-the-top and good. There’s a second location in Lawrenceville.

5385 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30093
(770) 662-0086
(770) 662-0086

Soup specials at Sun City Caribbean

6201 Memorial Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Sun City offers patties in the expected formats (beef, chicken, coco), small and large portions of Jamaican classics, and a few specialties, including barbecued jerk ribs. However, it’s the weekly soup specials which really shine at this restaurant. On Thursdays, the restaurant serves a thick red pea soup. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s fish soup — referred to in Jamaica as “fish tea”.

6201 Memorial Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
(770) 755-5897
(770) 755-5897

Related Maps