Muss and Turner’s is a great spot to grab a meaty sandwich at lunch, like the Funky Chicken topped with bacon and provolone cheese or a reuben complete with sauerkraut. Make sure to pair it with a side of fries served with a choice of dipping sauce, including garlic crema, horseradish aioli, and remoulade, or even a Greek salad.

This mainstay restaurant in College Park serves a menu mixed with Cajun-leaning dishes and pub grub with a Southern twist, including seafood gumbo, Cajun seafood and andouille pasta, cheeseburgers, and even lemon pepper chicken and broccoli. There’s often a daily special on the menu during lunch, like blackened salmon atop cheese grits and Cajun country fried steak. Just ask the server what’s on special today.

There’s a steady stream of people piling into this small Southern-Korean barbecue restaurant in the Cumberland area of Cobb County for spicy Korean pork sandwiches and brisket platters paired with kimchi slaw, Brunswick stew, and sweet and spicy tofu. Lunch often feature specials, including fried bologna sandwiches, chili cheese dogs, and kalbi beef rib sandwiches. Follow on Instagram to keep updated.  

Serving a menu of Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, tamales, and plates of mojo pork and fried tilapia with rice and beans, Mami’s La Cubana is popular stop for a quick, but hearty bite in Hapeville. Head here for weekday lunch specials starting at 11 a.m., including ropa vieja (shredded flank steak) on Mondays, carne con papas (beef and potatoes) on Wednesdays, and chicken fricassee on Fridays.

Only open for lunch through the mid-afternoon, Rico Rico Latin Kitchen operates from a small kitchen and takeout window set-up at the Zone 3 Car Wash. The menu here changes daily, but offers everything from Cuban sandwiches and fish tacos to beef empanadas and plates of the day, like fish escabeche, rice, and beans and spicy shrimp and crab salad tostones.

This vegetarian restaurant on Peachtree serves dishes influenced by the flavors and cuisines of southeast Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and the American Southwest. During lunch, start with steamed dumplings filled with Asian cabbage, tofu, black mushrooms, and spinach served with a soy-ginger dipping sauce or artichoke and spinach dip using vegan cheese. Next, order a square of orzo eggplant lasagna, a bowl of spicy pad Thai noodles, or a gyro wrap stuffed with marinated seitan. End the meal with a slice of carrot cake. Menu indicates soy-free, nut-free, or gluten-free items.

Regulars to Nova II Sushi Bar in Midtown swear by the daily lunch specials on the menu, like the sushi and sashimi combo that comes with one regular roll, three rolls for $17, or the teriyaki or tempura bento boxes coming in just under $18.

A Jonesboro institution, La Oaxaquena Taqueria continues to be the spot on the southside of Atlanta for a taste of Oaxaca, including the restaurant’s popular tlayuda — a pizza-like Oaxacan dish seeing a toasted tortilla topped with refried beans, cheese, meat, and lettuce. An entire section of the menu is dedicated to the mid-day meal offering dishes like chile relleno, a sope and tamal plate, and pollo asado marinated overnight and topped with grilled onions and jalapeños served with rice, refried beans, and fresh tortillas.

While a mano might be known more for its pastas, cocktails, and wine list during dinner, the Old Fourth Ward restaurant serves an excellent lunch. Starting at 11 a.m., order sandwiches like the meatball parmesan, a muffuletta, or the pressed sandwich the Roman stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato chutney, and pesto. Lunch here does include a handful of the restaurant’s most popular pastas, including the cacio e pepe and spaghetti and meatballs made with beef and pork. For the best meal deal, order a sandwich combo during lunch, which comes with chips and a snickerdoodle for dessert or as a soup and half sandwich combo.

After nearly 30 years on Ponce, this landmark restaurant continues to serve hearty, affordable meat-and-three combos throughout the week in an unpretentious environment. In addition to the regular menu that includes the restaurant’s popular lemon pepper and jerk chicken plates, expect daily specials here, like spaghetti and meatballs on Monday, jerk tilapia on Fridays, and chicken alfredo with garlic bread on Saturdays.

Those seeking ramen during lunch on the southside of Atlanta should definitely check out Kawa 18 for tonkotsu, miso, and vegetable ramen paired with bubble tea. Try the black miso ramen with black garlic oil, the curry chicken rice ramen, or the tonkotsu red laced with red hot chili oil. There’s mochi ice cream for dessert.

Only open for lunch, this beloved luncheon spot in Roswell gave folks a scare when original owner Annelies McMorran announced she was closing it 2020. Now back open under new ownership, people continue to head in to Anna Lee’s for daily lunch specials, soups, and sandwiches paired with sweet tea and slices of the restaurant’s delicious cakes.

Billed as a Jewish-style deli, the General Muir serves up meaty reubens, turkey clubs, and pastrami sandwiches paired with herby matzoh ball soup complete with a giant cornbread dressing dough ball. There’s also excellent poutine and deviled eggs here, too. Walk in and grab a seat at the counter for a quick lunch. A location is also open in Sandy Springs.

Part of the Shular Institute culinary school, Farmed Kitchen and Bar opened in 2020 in the former Le Cordon Bleu space in Tucker. For those seeking hearty but superbly prepared lunch fare, head over to Farmed Kitchen for a smoked bacon burger topped with bourbon-red pepper barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, and gouda cheese, kale pesto chicken salad, and pizzas, like the roasted eggplant and fennel topped with charred tomatoes and pickled onions drizzled in lemon-basil oil. Weekend brunch and dinner is served here, too.

This pizzeria in Stone Mountain typically offers weekday lunch specials until 3 p.m., including a slice of pizza and salad with a drink or a hot sub, like the Buffalo chicken or steak and cheese, paired with a drink, for between $7 and $8. There’s whole pies, pasta, calzones, wings, and pretzel bread, too.