Devoted followers of chef Peter Chang need absolutely no introduction to this beloved Chinese restaurant. For many Atlantans, this is where they first fell in love with Sichuan food. Head here for classic hot and numbing Sichuan dishes, including dan dan noodles, cumin lamb, and braised fish in chili oil. Don’t skip the dried fried eggplant. And make sure to order a round or two of dumplings. Those looking for Peking duck with all the traditional fixings will find it here, too, in both half and whole portions.

Beer, mead, and cider lovers will find happiness and a great selection at the Smyrna Beer Market in the Smyrna Market Village. While there, keep an eye out for burritos and salsas from chef Andre Gomez (formerly of Porch Light Latin Kitchen) in the cold cases. The chef closed his beloved Smyrna restaurant to focus on building his burrito, salsa, and chimichurri brand José Sucio.

The Original Hot Dog Factory in Smyrna has about 20 varieties of hot dogs. Among the creatively adorned dogs are the Jamaican jerk chicken with grilled pineapples and island sauce and the taco dog with chili, cheese, and guacamole. Throw in a side of beer battered onion rings.

This family-owned and operated restaurant serves Haitian dishes fused with American comfort food favorites. Start with the plantain nachos topped with jerk chicken, pico de gallo, and drizzles of cilantro lime crema or conch fritters dressed with peppers and onions. Sandwiches at Zeke’s include the Haitian, a pork and brisket combo topped with Monterrey jack cheese, pikliz (Haitian relish), and black pepper aioli, and a blackened grouper and fried green tomato sandwich. For entrees, try the stewed chicken, Zeke’s spaghetti tossed with smoked sausage and peppers and onions, or the restaurant’s take on steak frites garnished with chimichurri served with yucca fries. The bar at Zeke’s serves a mean rum Old Fashioned and a tropical riff on the mule using dark rum.

Jamaica native chef Chris Campbell includes not just the flavors of the island, but cultural inclusion of the region in his cuisine. The menu features fried fritters made with Bajan saltfish or Bahamian conch, soups such as pumpkin chicken, and the delightfully acidic Belizean lime cucumber salad, along with a selection of jerk and curry dishes. The jerk chicken crispy egg rolls are popular at Campbell’s restaurant, stuffed with perfectly seasoned poultry and shredded vegetables served with a burst of freshness in the side of Caribbean reggae slaw.

Muss and Turners has been a Smyrna staple for well over a decade now. This deli-by-day, high-end, casual bistro by night really knows its way around a sandwich. Try the Swifty’s dream — a pulled pork sandwich topped with barbecue sauce, horseradish slaw, and bacon. Head behind the cooler door in the evenings for a cocktail at the restaurant’s full-service bar called Eleanor’s.

Adolfo Gonzalez opened Taco Cantina to return to the dishes of his childhood after working his way up through Buckhead Life Restaurant Group’s kitchens. Beyond tacos with corn tortillas and classic fillings like chorizo and barbacoa, other standard menu items include tortas, burritos, and nachos.

This no-frills taqueria attracts hordes of people every day it’s open, and for good reason. The tacos are just that good here, but the restaurant also serves sought-after birria tacos and a birria taco pizza.

Cafe Comma is a minimalist coffee shop located in Vinings. Classic coffee beverages are available here, including lattes like brown sugar and caramel creme, and harder to find drinks like the espresso tonic. There are several toasts to choose from on the food menu, too, such as smoked salmon and cream cheese and brie and apricot.

101 Steak in Vinings is upscale yet unpretentious. Choose among classic cuts of steak like filet mignon, New York strip, and steak Delmonico and pair it with the ultra-creamy pimento macaroni and cheese with smoked bacon.

Ph’east is a one-stop shop for a variety of Asian fare. Located at the Battery Atlanta, the mini food hall includes stalls from Poke Burri and Lifting Noodles Ramen, as well as Fan T’Asia from Muling Zhao and Man Fai Yan of popular Buford Highway Chinese restaurant BoBo Garden. Grab a beer or cocktail at the Taps at Ph’east, which typically has its TVs tuned to the Braves, Atlanta United, Atlanta Hawks, the Falcons, or college football throughout the year.  

Is it a bookstore with a coffee shop or a coffee shop with a bookstore? Either way, the cozy Read Shop in Vinings Jubilee features plenty of precisely made coffee beverages and books to peruse. Fun fact: Read is the sister store to intown market the Merchant at Krog Street Market.

C&S specializes in raw bar favorites like oysters and shrimp cocktail, as well as boiled seafood platters, whole fish entrees like pan-seared red snapper, Maine lobster tails, and even steaks. The Vinings location relocates to Galleria on the Park in 2024 and a new location is opening in Brookhaven in 2023.

An Atlanta institution for over 20 years, Canoe is on the border of Buckhead and Vinings and is a longtime favorite for those seeking Chattahoochee riverfront fine dining. The brunch is celebrated for its pastry basket and cornmeal pancakes. By night, Canoe is all about the meats, including the peppercorn-crusted kangaroo.

Korean flavors meet Southern barbecue at critically acclaimed Heirloom Market BBQ, located about two miles from the Battery Atlanta and Truist Park in the Cumberland area. It’s a takeout-only establishment, so plan to enjoy standout items like the 12-hour smoked brisket and spicy Korean barbecue pork sandwich at home or in the car. It’s not uncommon to see people eating in the parking lot. Make sure to keep an eye on Instagram for daily specials.