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Atlanta Suburbs' 10 Best Kept Restaurant Secrets

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Far from the bright lights of Atlanta, the deep suburbs hold countless high-quality, low-key restaurant options that have managed to sneak under the city's radar. Many are situated in lesser-known ethnic corridors such as the Korean and Vietnamese neighborhoods of Duluth and heavily Mexican-populated midtown Roswell. Below, catch some of the Northern outskirts' best eateries you may not know about, but should.
Joe Duffy


· All Eater Maps [-EATL-]
· Related Coverage: Where to Eat on Buford Highway [-EATL-]

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Taste of Italy

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No longer affiliated with any other locations with the identical moniker, this must-try pizzeria belongs in every discussion of “best New York style pizza in metro Atlanta,” yet never gets the acclaim it warrants.

Elaina's Cafe

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This mother and daughter undertaking puts out the best tamales in town. It's a part of Roswell’s little-known "tamale and taco trail."

Disco Latino Panaderia Bakery

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Disco Latino Panderia has not only a cornucopia of baked goodness, but also a food menu replete with Salvadorian, Haitian, and Mexican options. Pupusas are the highlight of this great restaurant hidden in a sleepy shopping center.

Samad Mediterranean Grill

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Kibbeh ball soup and garlic sauce are among the distinguished items offered at this Mediterranean restaurant. Samad Grill is yet another gem of an eatery wedged in the middle of a mostly dormant, borderline dilapidated strip mall.

Lotus Vietnamese Cuisine

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BuHi ITP gets all the attention, but those in know are aware that Gwinnett has evolved into the epicenter of Asian and Latin revelations. Bánh bèo and pho have erudite food lovers longing for more.

Uptown Cafe

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Regulars bemoan the inconsistent hours. However, the gyro and falafel make the trip up I-85 more than worthwhile.

Dominican Restaurant and Bakery

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For years, food lovers flocked to Mi Pilon for top-shelf but "secret" Dominican cuisine— until the big city newspaper finally revealed it by calling it a top restaurant. One wonders how long it will be before this Lilburn restaurant meets the same fate.

Oh! My SamGyupSal

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Perhaps the metro area’s best-named restaurant, this Korean jewel is also the hub of all things pork belly.

Thai Ginger

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To the surprise of many, Acworth has several good hole-in-the-wall restaurants along the Bells Ferry/Highway 92 corridor. It's finally getting some respect, but word has not dispersed quickly enough about this preeminent Thai restaurant.

Baba's Gyro & Kabob‎

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Throw away all the 1980s stereotypes about Cumming and head over to this Mediterranean delight. Trust in the name and get the gyro.

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Taste of Italy

No longer affiliated with any other locations with the identical moniker, this must-try pizzeria belongs in every discussion of “best New York style pizza in metro Atlanta,” yet never gets the acclaim it warrants.

Elaina's Cafe

This mother and daughter undertaking puts out the best tamales in town. It's a part of Roswell’s little-known "tamale and taco trail."

Disco Latino Panaderia Bakery

Disco Latino Panderia has not only a cornucopia of baked goodness, but also a food menu replete with Salvadorian, Haitian, and Mexican options. Pupusas are the highlight of this great restaurant hidden in a sleepy shopping center.

Samad Mediterranean Grill

Kibbeh ball soup and garlic sauce are among the distinguished items offered at this Mediterranean restaurant. Samad Grill is yet another gem of an eatery wedged in the middle of a mostly dormant, borderline dilapidated strip mall.

Lotus Vietnamese Cuisine

BuHi ITP gets all the attention, but those in know are aware that Gwinnett has evolved into the epicenter of Asian and Latin revelations. Bánh bèo and pho have erudite food lovers longing for more.

Uptown Cafe

Regulars bemoan the inconsistent hours. However, the gyro and falafel make the trip up I-85 more than worthwhile.

Dominican Restaurant and Bakery

For years, food lovers flocked to Mi Pilon for top-shelf but "secret" Dominican cuisine— until the big city newspaper finally revealed it by calling it a top restaurant. One wonders how long it will be before this Lilburn restaurant meets the same fate.

Oh! My SamGyupSal

Perhaps the metro area’s best-named restaurant, this Korean jewel is also the hub of all things pork belly.

Thai Ginger

To the surprise of many, Acworth has several good hole-in-the-wall restaurants along the Bells Ferry/Highway 92 corridor. It's finally getting some respect, but word has not dispersed quickly enough about this preeminent Thai restaurant.

Baba's Gyro & Kabob‎

Throw away all the 1980s stereotypes about Cumming and head over to this Mediterranean delight. Trust in the name and get the gyro.

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