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Where the Chefs Like to Eat in Atlanta

From spicy Sichuan fare, Korean, and pho to pasta, oysters and cocktails, and favorite neighborhood spots

by Beth McKibben Updated Jan 5, 2023, 2:20pm EST

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by Beth McKibben Updated Jan 5, 2023, 2:20pm EST

Nani’s Piri Piri Chicken

One question Eater readers and ardent followers of Atlanta’s food scene frequently ask is where local chefs like to dine. Days off from their own restaurant kitchens are coveted by chefs, many of whom choose to spend that time exploring new restaurants on the dining scene, visiting restaurants and pop-ups led by Atlanta chefs they admire, or enjoying the comforts of a meal at their favorite neighborhood spot.

Below are 20 Atlanta restaurants chosen by ten local chefs when asked where they like to eat when dining off the clock.

Want to know where a specific Atlanta chef enjoys eating on their days off around town? Send Eater an email at atlanta@eater.com with your chef nomination for consideration on the next update.

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Miller Union

For Palak Patel, chef behind vegan Indian street food stall Dash and Chutney at Chattahoochee Food Works, it’s all about the “great vibe” at chef Steven Satterfield’s westside Atlanta institution Miller Union. “I always feel like they have the charm of a southern restaurant with a chic NYC decor. The food and wine list are always a hit for me,” Patel says.

999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Nick's Westside

Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours chef Deborah VanTrece opened two Atlanta restaurants in 2022, Oreatha’s and Serenidad in Cascade Heights. When she’s not busy running her restaurants, VanTrece hops over for a meal at neighboring westside restaurant Nick’s Westside, owned by chef Nick Leahy. “Not only is Nick’s Westside close to my restaurant Twisted Soul, I Iove that Nick works with local farms and creates dishes that pay homage to global cultures and food traditions. I can certainly appreciate that given my style of cooking and my travels that have taken me around the world,” says VanTrece

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956 Brady Ave NW STE 100, Atlanta, GA 30318

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Mujō

When Maximilian Hines isn’t leading the kitchen at the Lawrence in Midtown, folks might find him at one of his new favorite restaurants in Atlanta, Mujo. Reservations are hard to get at this restaurant, even for industry insiders, but Hines says he scored one recently for his birthday. “The moment you enter their doors and sit at their waiting bar sipping cocktails, the friendly service gets you excited before you even sit down for your omakase experience,” says Hines. “You’re relaxed, but excited wondering what awaits behind the door you’re about to dine in.” The menu changes frequently, but Hines says the kinmedai (golden eye snapper), burizuke (marinated yellow tail), and botan ebi (spot prawn) were “unforgettable bites.” Mujo was also named Eater Atlanta’s Best New Restaurant of 2022.

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691 14th St NW c, Atlanta, GA 30318

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THE CHASTAIN - New American Bistro

For Spring chef and co-owner Brian So, he heads to the Chastain in Chastain Park on his days off from the restaurant to enjoy a relaxing dinner. “I love chef Christopher Grossman’s no-nonsense approach to cooking,” says So. “Quality seems to be his only goal when it comes to his food and service. Nothing there is pretentious, and proper cooking technique is always on full display.”

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4320 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342

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APT 4B

Atlantans will also find chef Deborah VanTrece at Southern-Caribbean restaurant Apt4B in Buckhead. “I love the food and cocktails at Apt4B. Dishes like the braised oxtail pasta and the amazing ceviche are sublime,” she says. “They’re a Black-owned restaurant, and are opening a juice bar right next to my newest restaurant, Oreatha’s.”

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2293 Peachtree Rd Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30309

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Also featured in:

Grab Takeout From These 12 Newly Opened Atlanta Restaurants

El Burro Pollo

For a quick meal before heading to work, the Lawrence chef Maximilian Hines likes to frequent fellow Midtown restaurant El Burro Pollo, owned by chef Hector Santiago at the Collective at Coda food hall. “Any establishment he runs is going to have some of the best, no-holds-barred food around. I get the El Burro Pollo [burrito] or smoked tofu burrito, the cueritos, and a ceviche.” Hines also recommends not skipping any of the menu specials at El Burro Pollo.

756 W Peachtree St NW #225, Atlanta, GA 30308

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Also featured in:

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Talat Market

For Lazy Betty chef and co-owner Ron Hsu, one of his favorite restaurants in Atlanta to dine at on his days off is Summerhill Thai spot Talat Market, owned by chefs Parnass Savang and Rod Lassiter. “They do great food, like the crispy rice salad. But my favorite item on their menu is the Thai Tea. They juice their own coconuts to make it.”

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112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

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Lucian Books and Wine

When she’s not running her Meso-American pop-up, collaborating with local chefs on dinners, or making batches of fresh tortillas, salsas, and tamales to sell at farmers markets, chef Maricela Vega enjoys dinner at Lucian in Buckhead. “I am an oysters + wine + fries + good salad kind of gal and there is usually other tasty items in addition to my go-to cravings.”

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3005 Peachtree Rd NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305

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Glide Pizza

Chef Craig Richards opened his elegant Italian restaurant Lyla Lila in Midtown at the end of 2019. It’s already a favorite for neighborhood residents, city dwellers, and people attending concerts and shows at the Fox. For a low-key meal on days off, Richards says it’s all about Glide Pizza. “Glide Pizza is always a go-to pick at our house,” he says. “Whether we have friends in town or just simply don’t feel like cooking, it’s a great pizza.”

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659 Auburn Ave NE Unit 506, Atlanta, GA 30312

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Nani's Piri Piri Chicken

For Farhan Momin (aka Chef Farmo), who serves Southern, Indian, and Mexican comfort foods from his family’s halal meat market and restaurant Atlanta Halal Meat & Food, days off frequently find him at chef Meherwan Irani’s Ponce City Market stall Nani’s Piri Piri Chicken. “The Chai Pani gang has done it again with this spot,” he says. “It’s so much fun to eat and so many good side options. I wish I lived closer to visit more often.”

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Ponce City Market 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Ext. 125, Atlanta, GA 30308

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BoccaLupo

Chefs Nick Leahy (Nick’s Westside) and Palak Patel both call Inman Park darling BoccaLupo one of their favorite spots to dine in Atlanta. “Bruce [Logue] makes the best pasta in the city, among many great pasta makers we have here,” Leahy says. “I love his flavors and unique, non-traditional touches.” Patel says she’s frequented BoccaLupo for years, even when she didn’t live in Atlanta. “I lived in Italy and love good, authentic Italian food. Their pasta is inventive and delicious,” says Patel.

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753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

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Gigi’s Italian Kitchen

A favorite for chefs Maricela Vega and Ron Hsu is Gigi’s Italian Kitchen, owned by chefs Eric Brooks and Jacob Armando. “This is where I usually go! They have the whole flavor contrasts figured out, plus they always have the martini,” Vega says. “I love how intimate and charming the space is and how neighborhood-centric they are, not to mention their tiramisu,” says Hsu of Gigi’s. The restaurant was named best pop-up to permanent restaurant pivot of 2022 by Eater Atlanta and one of the best new restaurants of 2022 in America by Eater national.

1660 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

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Kimball House

When Craig Richards is looking to dine out at a restaurant on a day off, he likes to head to Kimball House in Decatur. “The cocktail program and oyster service are above and beyond,” Richards says. “I had a fantastic birthday meal there this year, which was an added bonus to be able to enjoy on a Sunday evening.”

303 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

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Phở Bắc Restaurant

Brian So counts Buford Highway Vietnamese restaurant Pho Bac among his favorite places to dine off the clock. “I make a weekly trip to Buford Highway for personal and restaurant shopping, and this is my go-to for a quick, satisfying, and usually solo meal,” he says, calling the pho here the “most consistent” in Atlanta. “The broth is always clean and never over-seasoned, meat portions always the same, and noodles never over-cooked. It’s affordable and I can be in and out in 15 minutes when I need to eat on a hectic day.”

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4897 Buford Hwy NE suite 106, Chamblee, GA 30341

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BBQ Corner 2

Like So, Maricela Vega frequently finds herself at one of her favorite Buford Highway restaurants, BBQ Corner 2. “My family and I have been going here for at least a decade. Chinese-American staples, like the vegetable lo mein, fried pork dumplings, egg drop soup, bok choy, garlic eggplant, egg fried rice, and sesame chicken are all hits.”

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5150 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

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Buford Highway Restaurants Back Open for Business

Bo Bo Garden Asian Cuisine

Buford Highway Chinese restaurant institution Bo Bo Garden is a frequent stop for Ron Hsu on his days off from Lazy Betty. “I love their dish called the Xoxo Tofu – it’s super savory and is awesome with a bowl of rice. It’s a super tender custard-style tofu, and no one else in the city makes it quite like them.” This tofu is worth the trek to the Buford Highway restaurant all on its own, he adds.

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5181 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

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LanZhou Ramen 兰州拉面

Nick Leahy counts Buford Highway stalwart LanZhou Ramen among his favorite restaurants for off-the-clock, low-key dining. “The soup dumplings, oxtail ramen, and just watching [Fu Li Zhang] hand-pull the noodles is amazing!”

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5231 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

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Also featured in:

Yet Tuh

Fu-Mao Sun, the chef behind Taiwanese-American food pop-up Mighty Hans, says he enjoys dining at Korean restaurant Yet Tuh, just off of Buford Highway. “I’ve eaten everything on the menu, but my go-to dishes are the beef rib and cabbage stew with kimchi pajeon,” Sun says. “There is an amazing variety of small dishes that arrive just before your meal is served. The servers are the nicest, and they definitely helped with ordering the first time that I went.”

3042 Oakcliff Rd, Doraville, GA 30340

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Dil Bahar Cafe

Eater 38 essential restaurant Dil Bahar Cafe is where Farhan Momin enjoys partaking in Pakistani street foods, sandwiches, and wraps. “My favorite is the hunter beef sandwich. They also have tons of South Asian desserts, like falooda, and fresh pastries,” Momin says, who credits the owners for the success of the family-owned restaurant. “It’s a family affair, with the mom who makes all the food and pastries from scratch. The dad handles the register and also serenades the guests with Indian ballads while they eat. The kids join in when they are not working/studying as well.”

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5775 Jimmy Carter Blvd Suite 220, Norcross, GA 30071

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Masterpiece

Fu-Mao Sun says Sichuan restaurant institution Masterpiece “hits the spot every time.” Among his favorite dishes are the fu qi fei pian (braised beef with scallion and tendon), kou shui chicken, and boiled fish in chili stew. “Something about the balance of Sichuan spice, sweet, sour, and salty in the dishes that just leaves you wanting to try more of the humongous menu,” Sun says. For “adventurous” eaters, there’s also braised duck tongue and stir-fried pig kidney. “Or you can just go crazy with a spice overload.”

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3940 Buford Hwy NE b103, Duluth, GA 30096

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Miller Union

999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

For Palak Patel, chef behind vegan Indian street food stall Dash and Chutney at Chattahoochee Food Works, it’s all about the “great vibe” at chef Steven Satterfield’s westside Atlanta institution Miller Union. “I always feel like they have the charm of a southern restaurant with a chic NYC decor. The food and wine list are always a hit for me,” Patel says.

999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Nick's Westside

956 Brady Ave NW STE 100, Atlanta, GA 30318

Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours chef Deborah VanTrece opened two Atlanta restaurants in 2022, Oreatha’s and Serenidad in Cascade Heights. When she’s not busy running her restaurants, VanTrece hops over for a meal at neighboring westside restaurant Nick’s Westside, owned by chef Nick Leahy. “Not only is Nick’s Westside close to my restaurant Twisted Soul, I Iove that Nick works with local farms and creates dishes that pay homage to global cultures and food traditions. I can certainly appreciate that given my style of cooking and my travels that have taken me around the world,” says VanTrece

Open in Google Maps

956 Brady Ave NW STE 100, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

Mujō

691 14th St NW c, Atlanta, GA 30318

When Maximilian Hines isn’t leading the kitchen at the Lawrence in Midtown, folks might find him at one of his new favorite restaurants in Atlanta, Mujo. Reservations are hard to get at this restaurant, even for industry insiders, but Hines says he scored one recently for his birthday. “The moment you enter their doors and sit at their waiting bar sipping cocktails, the friendly service gets you excited before you even sit down for your omakase experience,” says Hines. “You’re relaxed, but excited wondering what awaits behind the door you’re about to dine in.” The menu changes frequently, but Hines says the kinmedai (golden eye snapper), burizuke (marinated yellow tail), and botan ebi (spot prawn) were “unforgettable bites.” Mujo was also named Eater Atlanta’s Best New Restaurant of 2022.

Open in Google Maps

691 14th St NW c, Atlanta, GA 30318

Visit Website

THE CHASTAIN - New American Bistro

4320 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342

For Spring chef and co-owner Brian So, he heads to the Chastain in Chastain Park on his days off from the restaurant to enjoy a relaxing dinner. “I love chef Christopher Grossman’s no-nonsense approach to cooking,” says So. “Quality seems to be his only goal when it comes to his food and service. Nothing there is pretentious, and proper cooking technique is always on full display.”

Open in Google Maps

4320 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342

Visit Website

APT 4B

2293 Peachtree Rd Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30309

Atlantans will also find chef Deborah VanTrece at Southern-Caribbean restaurant Apt4B in Buckhead. “I love the food and cocktails at Apt4B. Dishes like the braised oxtail pasta and the amazing ceviche are sublime,” she says. “They’re a Black-owned restaurant, and are opening a juice bar right next to my newest restaurant, Oreatha’s.”

Open in Google Maps

2293 Peachtree Rd Unit B, Atlanta, GA 30309

Visit Website

El Burro Pollo

756 W Peachtree St NW #225, Atlanta, GA 30308

For a quick meal before heading to work, the Lawrence chef Maximilian Hines likes to frequent fellow Midtown restaurant El Burro Pollo, owned by chef Hector Santiago at the Collective at Coda food hall. “Any establishment he runs is going to have some of the best, no-holds-barred food around. I get the El Burro Pollo [burrito] or smoked tofu burrito, the cueritos, and a ceviche.” Hines also recommends not skipping any of the menu specials at El Burro Pollo.

756 W Peachtree St NW #225, Atlanta, GA 30308

Visit Website

Talat Market

112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

For Lazy Betty chef and co-owner Ron Hsu, one of his favorite restaurants in Atlanta to dine at on his days off is Summerhill Thai spot Talat Market, owned by chefs Parnass Savang and Rod Lassiter. “They do great food, like the crispy rice salad. But my favorite item on their menu is the Thai Tea. They juice their own coconuts to make it.”

Open in Google Maps

112 Ormond St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Visit Website

Lucian Books and Wine

3005 Peachtree Rd NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305

When she’s not running her Meso-American pop-up, collaborating with local chefs on dinners, or making batches of fresh tortillas, salsas, and tamales to sell at farmers markets, chef Maricela Vega enjoys dinner at Lucian in Buckhead. “I am an oysters + wine + fries + good salad kind of gal and there is usually other tasty items in addition to my go-to cravings.”

Open in Google Maps

3005 Peachtree Rd NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305

Visit Website

Glide Pizza

659 Auburn Ave NE Unit 506, Atlanta, GA 30312

Chef Craig Richards opened his elegant Italian restaurant Lyla Lila in Midtown at the end of 2019. It’s already a favorite for neighborhood residents, city dwellers, and people attending concerts and shows at the Fox. For a low-key meal on days off, Richards says it’s all about Glide Pizza. “Glide Pizza is always a go-to pick at our house,” he says. “Whether we have friends in town or just simply don’t feel like cooking, it’s a great pizza.”

Open in Google Maps

659 Auburn Ave NE Unit 506, Atlanta, GA 30312

Visit Website

Nani's Piri Piri Chicken

Ponce City Market 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Ext. 125, Atlanta, GA 30308

For Farhan Momin (aka Chef Farmo), who serves Southern, Indian, and Mexican comfort foods from his family’s halal meat market and restaurant Atlanta Halal Meat & Food, days off frequently find him at chef Meherwan Irani’s Ponce City Market stall Nani’s Piri Piri Chicken. “The Chai Pani gang has done it again with this spot,” he says. “It’s so much fun to eat and so many good side options. I wish I lived closer to visit more often.”

Open in Google Maps

Ponce City Market 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Ext. 125, Atlanta, GA 30308

Visit Website

BoccaLupo

753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Chefs Nick Leahy (Nick’s Westside) and Palak Patel both call Inman Park darling BoccaLupo one of their favorite spots to dine in Atlanta. “Bruce [Logue] makes the best pasta in the city, among many great pasta makers we have here,” Leahy says. “I love his flavors and unique, non-traditional touches.” Patel says she’s frequented BoccaLupo for years, even when she didn’t live in Atlanta. “I lived in Italy and love good, authentic Italian food. Their pasta is inventive and delicious,” says Patel.

Open in Google Maps

753 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

Gigi’s Italian Kitchen

1660 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

A favorite for chefs Maricela Vega and Ron Hsu is Gigi’s Italian Kitchen, owned by chefs Eric Brooks and Jacob Armando. “This is where I usually go! They have the whole flavor contrasts figured out, plus they always have the martini,” Vega says. “I love how intimate and charming the space is and how neighborhood-centric they are, not to mention their tiramisu,” says Hsu of Gigi’s. The restaurant was named best pop-up to permanent restaurant pivot of 2022 by Eater Atlanta and one of the best new restaurants of 2022 in America by Eater national.

1660 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Visit Website

Kimball House

303 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

When Craig Richards is looking to dine out at a restaurant on a day off, he likes to head to Kimball House in Decatur. “The cocktail program and oyster service are above and beyond,” Richards says. “I had a fantastic birthday meal there this year, which was an added bonus to be able to enjoy on a Sunday evening.”

303 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

Visit Website

Phở Bắc Restaurant

4897 Buford Hwy NE suite 106, Chamblee, GA 30341

Brian So counts Buford Highway Vietnamese restaurant Pho Bac among his favorite places to dine off the clock. “I make a weekly trip to Buford Highway for personal and restaurant shopping, and this is my go-to for a quick, satisfying, and usually solo meal,” he says, calling the pho here the “most consistent” in Atlanta. “The broth is always clean and never over-seasoned, meat portions always the same, and noodles never over-cooked. It’s affordable and I can be in and out in 15 minutes when I need to eat on a hectic day.”

Open in Google Maps

4897 Buford Hwy NE suite 106, Chamblee, GA 30341

Visit Website

BBQ Corner 2

5150 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Like So, Maricela Vega frequently finds herself at one of her favorite Buford Highway restaurants, BBQ Corner 2. “My family and I have been going here for at least a decade. Chinese-American staples, like the vegetable lo mein, fried pork dumplings, egg drop soup, bok choy, garlic eggplant, egg fried rice, and sesame chicken are all hits.”

Open in Google Maps

5150 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Visit Website

Related Maps

Bo Bo Garden Asian Cuisine

5181 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Buford Highway Chinese restaurant institution Bo Bo Garden is a frequent stop for Ron Hsu on his days off from Lazy Betty. “I love their dish called the Xoxo Tofu – it’s super savory and is awesome with a bowl of rice. It’s a super tender custard-style tofu, and no one else in the city makes it quite like them.” This tofu is worth the trek to the Buford Highway restaurant all on its own, he adds.

Open in Google Maps

5181 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Visit Website

LanZhou Ramen 兰州拉面

5231 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Nick Leahy counts Buford Highway stalwart LanZhou Ramen among his favorite restaurants for off-the-clock, low-key dining. “The soup dumplings, oxtail ramen, and just watching [Fu Li Zhang] hand-pull the noodles is amazing!”

Open in Google Maps

5231 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340

Visit Website

Yet Tuh

3042 Oakcliff Rd, Doraville, GA 30340

Fu-Mao Sun, the chef behind Taiwanese-American food pop-up Mighty Hans, says he enjoys dining at Korean restaurant Yet Tuh, just off of Buford Highway. “I’ve eaten everything on the menu, but my go-to dishes are the beef rib and cabbage stew with kimchi pajeon,” Sun says. “There is an amazing variety of small dishes that arrive just before your meal is served. The servers are the nicest, and they definitely helped with ordering the first time that I went.”

3042 Oakcliff Rd, Doraville, GA 30340

Dil Bahar Cafe

5775 Jimmy Carter Blvd Suite 220, Norcross, GA 30071

Eater 38 essential restaurant Dil Bahar Cafe is where Farhan Momin enjoys partaking in Pakistani street foods, sandwiches, and wraps. “My favorite is the hunter beef sandwich. They also have tons of South Asian desserts, like falooda, and fresh pastries,” Momin says, who credits the owners for the success of the family-owned restaurant. “It’s a family affair, with the mom who makes all the food and pastries from scratch. The dad handles the register and also serenades the guests with Indian ballads while they eat. The kids join in when they are not working/studying as well.”

Open in Google Maps

5775 Jimmy Carter Blvd Suite 220, Norcross, GA 30071

Visit Website

Masterpiece

3940 Buford Hwy NE b103, Duluth, GA 30096

Fu-Mao Sun says Sichuan restaurant institution Masterpiece “hits the spot every time.” Among his favorite dishes are the fu qi fei pian (braised beef with scallion and tendon), kou shui chicken, and boiled fish in chili stew. “Something about the balance of Sichuan spice, sweet, sour, and salty in the dishes that just leaves you wanting to try more of the humongous menu,” Sun says. For “adventurous” eaters, there’s also braised duck tongue and stir-fried pig kidney. “Or you can just go crazy with a spice overload.”

Open in Google Maps

3940 Buford Hwy NE b103, Duluth, GA 30096

Visit Website

Related Maps