Atlanta’s food scene is a vibrant tapestry of tradition and innovation, where time-honored soul food joints stand alongside bold fusion kitchens reimagining Southern classics. With hundreds of restaurants competing for attention, visitors often miss the spots that truly capture the city’s culinary soul—the places where locals gather for Sunday dinner, where civil rights history mingles with modern creativity, and where every dish tells a story.
This guide cuts through the noise to bring you 10 of the best Atlanta restaurants that represent the city’s heart and soul, showcasing its diverse food culture. From iconic soul food landmarks to contemporary Southern kitchens pushing boundaries, these are the spots you won’t want to miss out on:
1. The Busy Bee Café
Open since 1947, The Busy Bee Café is an Atlanta institution. Founded by self-taught cook Lucy Jackson and now owned by Tracy Gates, this small Vine City spot served as an unofficial gathering place for civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The walls of this spot are lined with photos documenting decades of neighborhood history, creating an atmosphere where every meal feels connected to something larger.
The fried chicken here earned a James Beard Foundation “America’s Classics” award and Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. It arrives perfectly crisp and juicy, alongside Southern staples like turnip greens, candied yams, and buttery cornbread. Don’t skip the peach cobbler either, as it’s the kind of dessert that makes you understand why people have been lining up here for nearly 80 years.
- Address: 810 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
- Phone: (404) 525-9212
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm
2. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
Chef Deborah VanTrece’s Twisted Soul Cookhouse takes traditional soul food on a global journey. Her concept of “modern global soul food” was inspired by her years as a flight attendant, and it shows in dishes that bridge continents while honoring her Southern roots. Twisted Soul has also earned a Michelin Guide recommendation and has become a West Midtown destination for those seeking soul food with a touch of wanderlust.
The Twisted Soul menu features innovations like hoisin-glazed oxtails that melt right in your mouth, barbecue salmon egg rolls, and 24-hour marinated fried chicken finished with cayenne honey. The three-cheese mac and cheese is legendary, and the collard green roll with sweet potato, apple, and golden raisin chutney reimagines the Southern staple. The bourbon-heavy cocktails are also equally impressive.
- Address: 1133 Huff Rd NW, Ste D, Atlanta, GA 30318
- Phone: (404) 350-5500
- Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 12pm-3pm, 5pm-9pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-3pm, 5pm-9pm; Closed Monday-Tuesday
3. Poor Calvin’s
Chef Calvin Phan’s downtown restaurant Poor Calvin’s offers something genuinely rare: Asian-Southern fusion that actually works. Born in Vietnam and raised in Germany, Phan is classically trained in European kitchens, bringing a unique perspective to Atlanta’s dining scene. His menu blends Eastern flavors with Western techniques, creating dishes that feel both familiar and revelatory.
The lobster fried rice is his signature dish for good reason. It’s rich, perfectly seasoned, and unlike anything else in the city. Other standouts include crab beignets, Thai-spiced mac and cheese, and sea bass with Thai spices. The “When North Meets South” fried chicken showcases Phan’s ability to honor both traditions simultaneously, and the intimate setting and creative desserts (including the suspension cake) make this a special-occasion destination with substance to match its style.
- Address: 510 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
- Phone: (470) 570-8741
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm, Sunday 3pm-10pm
4. Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Mary Mac’s Tea Room is the last surviving tea room from an era when sixteen such establishments dotted the intown (Downtown and Midtown) area. Founded in 1945 by Mary MacKenzie, it became one of the city’s first integrated restaurants during the Civil Rights Movement. Today, it remains a beloved landmark serving classic Southern comfort food in a setting that feels like stepping into your grandmother’s dining room.
Mary Mac’s is famous for its pot likker, a flavorful broth made from boiled greens that’s served complimentary with cornbread to first-time visitors. The fried chicken lives up to the hype, as it always arrives at the table perfectly crispy and juicy. Other classics include chicken and dumplings, country fried steak, and the famous sweet tea (dubbed the “table wine of the South”). The peach cobbler and banana pudding are essential desserts that you can’t leave without trying. To top it all off, everything is made from scratch daily, just as it was 75 years ago.
- Address: 224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
- Phone: (404) 876-1800
- Hours: Daily 11am-9pm
5. Paschal’s Restaurant
Paschal’s Restaurant (affectionally dubbed Paschal’s House) holds a special place in Atlanta history as the unofficial headquarters of the civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and Hosea Williams planned protests in the back room while collard greens and cornbread cooked just feet away. After more than six decades, Paschal’s continues serving exceptional Southern cuisine in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood.
The 1947 fried chicken recipe remains unchanged since its beginnings — crispy, well-seasoned, and served with your choice of two Southern sides. The menu also features Gulf shrimp and chicken with andouille sausage, braised short ribs, and smothered pork chops. The mac and cheese, collard greens, and black-eyed peas are all standout options as well. Like most places on this list, you don’t leave without trying the famous peach cobbler.
- Address: 180 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
- Phone: (404) 835-0833
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10pm, Sunday 11am-9pm
6. Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar
Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar brings Gullah Geechee culture to Atlanta, serving the coastal cuisine of the Lowcountry with dishes rich in rice, seafood, and bold seasonings. This West Midtown spot is all about preserving a vital piece of African American culinary heritage while creating a vibrant atmosphere complete with soulful music and welcoming service.
The she-crab soup is silky and rich, the corn muffins are out of this world, the fried salmon offers a Southern twist on a classic protein, and the shrimp is perfectly seasoned and always fresh. Signature dishes include red rice, seafood platters, and various preparations highlighting the Gullah Geechee tradition of low-country cooking. They also have signature cocktails to complement the bold flavors and the laid-back, celebratory vibe of the place.
- Address: 822 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
- Phone: (404) 228-4897
- Hours: Monday-Tuesday, Thursday 11am-11pm; Wednesday 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday 11am-12am; Sunday 11am-11pm
7. South City Kitchen Midtown
South City Kitchen transformed the Atlanta dining scene when it opened in 1993, proving that Southern food could be both sophisticated and soulful. Set in a converted historic bungalow with a brick patio lined with pear trees, it draws crowds with its exhibition kitchen and elevated takes on regional classics.
The fried green tomatoes with sweet pepper coulis and basil are iconic, as is the buttermilk fried chicken that earned recognition as one of Yelp’s top five in the nation. The shrimp and grits feature red mule grits that showcase local ingredients, while the she-crab soup is a perennial favorite. The weekend brunch is also outstanding, and the bar serves creative cocktails alongside an extensive wine list. Overall, South City Kitchen strikes the perfect balance between upscale and comfortable.
- Address: 1144 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
- Phone: (404) 873-7358
- Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-3pm (brunch), 5pm-10pm
8. Staplehouse
Staplehouse earned its Michelin star through seasonal, locally-sourced cuisine that changes with what’s available from nearby farms. Now operating as a casual neighborhood market with counter service, it maintains its commitment to high-quality, creative food while supporting the Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that serves restaurant workers in need.
The menu features items like artisan pizzas, creative sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and seasonal specials that showcase Chef Ryan Smith’s culinary range. The short rib au jus hero is a customer favorite, and the freshly made tortillas for tacos demonstrate the attention to detail that sets this establishment apart. The patio and garden offer a relaxed setting perfect for any weather, and everything from house-made condiments to the cookies and blondies shows care and creativity.
- Address: 541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
- Phone: (404) 524-5005
- Hours: Thursday, Sunday 12pm-9pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-10pm; Closed Monday-Wednesday
9. Bacchanalia
Bacchanalia has held its position as Atlanta’s most celebrated fine-dining restaurant since 1993. Chef-owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison create contemporary American cuisine using organic ingredients, many sourced from their own 60-acre Summerland farm. The result is food that’s both refined and connected to the local land.
The four-course prix fixe menu evolves nightly, based on what’s in season and available. Expect dishes like chilled lobster in ponzu sauce with English peas, creative preparations that highlight local vegetables, and an innovative cheese course featuring unexpected elements, such as oat date cake with black garlic sauce. The grapefruit soufflé with pistachio crumble and rose crème anglaise is a memorable finale. The sophisticated industrial-chic space, featuring Edison bulbs and leather banquettes, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for special occasions.
Note: Bacchanalia requires reservations to be seated as it’s a private dining room.
- Address: 1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd, Ste A, Atlanta, GA 30318
- Phone: (404) 365-0410
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 5:30pm-9:30pm; Closed Sunday
10. Heirloom Market BBQ
Chefs Cody Taylor (Texas-born, Tennessee-raised) and Jiyeon Lee (South Korean ex-pat) created something entirely new by blending their respective Southern and Korean heritages into Heirloom Market BBQ. This small spot, which shares space with a liquor store, earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its creative mash-up of BBQ traditions.
The signature Korean pork is smoked and braised in a sweet-spicy sauce that showcases both culinary traditions beautifully. Traditionalists will appreciate the tender, unfussed-with brisket, while adventurous eaters should try the green tomato kimchi mixed with jalapeños and radish — a clever Korean take on a Southern classic. The mac and cheese has a devoted following, and the Korean fried chicken brings Seoul street food energy to Atlanta. The house-made sauces, including the mustardy “Hotlanta” and pepper-vinegar “Settler,” also deserve attention all on their own.
- Address: 2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, Ste 110, Atlanta, GA 30339
- Phone: (770) 612-2502
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-8pm; Closed Sunday-Monday
Get Ready for Your Atlanta Food Journey
These Atlanta restaurants represent the full spectrum of the city’s food culture, from historic soul food landmarks where civil rights history was made, to contemporary kitchens reimagining Southern traditions through global lenses. Whether you’re seeking the comfort of classic fried chicken and collard greens or the excitement of fusion innovation, these spots deliver authentic experiences that capture what makes Atlanta’s food scene special.
Ready to eat your way through the best restaurants in Atlanta? You’ll want to find a place to nap after each meal first. Start your journey by booking a hotel using the HotelsOne booking platform.
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