The Best Casual Restaurants in Atlanta by Cuisine

Location is important, especially in a city like Atlanta with awful traffic and a rough public transit system. The real foodies know that good food is worth traveling to. The following restaurants in Atlanta are all divided by cuisine or food type.

I’m slowly working on publishing a post for each the following cuisines and food types. Remember to click the TEAL BUTTON for the full post on all the restaurants that fit into that category. 

BBQ

Yes my southern section is below, but BBQ deserves it's own real-estate. You have to devour some when you are in the south. Atlanta isn’t always a top choice for the best BBQ cities in the US, but I really think it should be in the running. There are a lot of delicious BBQ joints in the city.

My BBQ picks include well-known favorites as well as lesser known gems. BBQ in Atlanta incorporates the best of different regional styles as well as their own unique combinations. Whether you're looking for classic BBQ or BBQ with Asian flavors, you'll find it in Atlanta.

SOUTHERN & SOUL FOOD

Fried chicken, shrimp and grits…. You know what I am talking about here! 

Gus's Fried Chicken

I missed out on Gus's original location on my recent visit to Memphis, but Atlanta saved the day with a location downtown! Other than the super slow service, the food was excellent and reasonably priced. I would have liked to have more side options, but they serve the classic southern choices liked baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, mac & cheese, etc. The baked beans exceeded my expectations with a little bit of kick to them. The chicken was delicious and I wished I ordered 3 pieces instead of 2. The meal ended with the delicious chess pie. It was recommended I try it and I am glad I did...despite not knowing what it was when I ordered! 

Hop's Chicken

It's so hard to choose where to order from at Ponce City Market. Hop's Chicken is a good choice if you are in the mood for southern cuisine. The two things you shouldn't miss here are the fried chicken and the made from scratch biscuits.

South City Kitchen

You can order she crab soup, collard greens, shrimp & grits and all your southern favorites at South City Kitchen. Some claim that the best chicken and waffles in Atlanta are served at South City Kitchen. I agree halfway because the fried chicken is excellent. I would definitely go back for that any day. The flavor of the malted waffle just didn’t catch my fancy though. 

It was the cornbread and biscuits that really make me want to go back and try the other southern dishes. They were both the perfect consistency and flavor. Not to mention I wasn’t expecting the complimentary basket and had been eying the baskets on everyone else’s tables. My heart jumped for joy when we received a basket! 

Like a few other Midtown restaurants, South City Kitchen’s Midtown location is within a historic house. The ambience and excellent service adds to the meal.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast isn't a cuisine, but it is the most important meal of the day! Local restaurants in Atlanta really know how to cook up a good breakfast too. There are plenty of options for southern favorites like fried chicken and biscuits and breakfast classics such as pancakes and bacon. Many restaurants are featured in my breakfast post and my chicken and waffles post.

Most of these breakfast restaurants are open everyday of the week. They are open early between 6:30am - 8am and typically close by 2 - 4pm. There are a few trendier places with modern decor. Most of my recommendations are a mix of retro, diner style, or casual, homey spots. Wherever you choose, be prepared to wait. While some of the restaurants have Yelp waitlists, none of them take reservations. Scroll down to the next category, brunch, for additional suggestions that also can work for breakfast, but have slightly different offerings.

BRUNCH 

I know, I know 'brunch' isn't a cuisine either. It really should be, shouldn't it? I mean breakfast is delicious, but who is up in time for that? You can have the best of breakfast, with usually a few more options, later in the day! It's a win-win. Plus many of the spots serve alcohol and play live music to create more of brunchy vibe! Check the category above for breakfast restaurants that can also work well for brunch.

Atlantans sure like to brunch. My brunch post features some of the best brunch spots in Atlanta. These include places where you can order classics like chicken and waffles, chicken biscuits, and shrimp and grits. They also include European style cafes and places with breakfast tacos. Whatever you're craving for brunch, you can find it in Atlanta. 

I included under each restaurant if reservations are available. Don't expect to go to any of these places and receive a table right as you walk in the door!

CHICKEN & WAFFLES 

The chicken and waffles in Atlanta are so good that they get their own category too! This category has a lot of overlap with the previous three categories. Several of the best chicken and waffles restaurants in Atlanta are also featured on the best southern, breakfast, or brunch lists. Chicken and waffles are perfect for every meal of the day!

Perhaps you want to keep the dish traditional at 7am at a diner. Maybe you want a fancy version during a bougie brunch. How about an Asian spin on the classic dish? However you want to eat them, there is a great option for you in Atlanta.

BURGERS AND PUBS

I have been on a search to find the best burger in Atlanta. Sadly I can't come to a conclusion. Really this is good news because it means there are a lot of good burger places in Atlanta! There's also some great pubs below which serve burgers and more.

Mix'D Up Burgers

Mix'D Up Burgers began as a food truck and now has two brick and mortar locations, one in Edgewood and another in Grant Park. The Grant Park location is really small. Like all your favorite fast food restaurants there is a drive thru, but you will receive much better quality burgers here. Pick up a burger and head to nearby Grant Park for a picnic. 

It's one of my favorite burger places in Atlanta. I love the el sombrero burger that mixes beef and chorizo. It adds so much flavor to the burger. You have probably caught on that I am all about the flavor, right? 

Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House

Not only does Six Feet Under have the perfect name (they are across the street from Oakland Cemetery), but they also have the best seafood. The atmosphere is more laid-back pub, but there is more than the typical pub fare with the steamed shellfish and seafood platters. My fried catfish platter with corn on the cob, jalapeño hush puppies and zucchini fries was amazing. The Grant Park location has a nice rooftop with downtown Atlanta views. 

The Elder Tree Public House

I was planning to go to a nearby restaurant that was closed so wasn't expecting too much from this gastropub when I popped in here instead. There was a burger special (Wednesdays) for only $5 burgers and I was happily surprised. I devoured the red devil burger that has garlic hot sauce. The burger was cooked to perfection and the sauces were so flavorful. I also had the Haricot verts on the side (aka green beans).

In addition to burgers, the pub serves a selection of Irish dishes. It also seems like the place to go if you are looking to watch soccer and have European beers.

HEALTHY

Just like 'brunch', 'healthy' isn't a cuisine either. But after eating all those brunch meals I probably should have made it my full-time cuisine! You can easily gain 5lbs a day going out to eat in Atlanta. If you are only visiting for a couple days, don’t miss out on all the southern fried goodness that abounds. To balance it out try one of these healthy casual restaurants in Atlanta!

Fresh to Order

Fresh to Order has a few locations around Atlanta. They have a big menu of plates, paninis, salads, burgers, and soups. Similar to Panera Bread's "You Pick Two", Fresh to Order also has a 1/2 and 1/2 option. It is nice being able to try a couple different items during the meal.

Recess

Recess is located at Krog Market. Currently you can sit at a table at Bar Mercado and order off either Recess' or Bar Mercado's menu. Many of the healthy places to eat are counter service so it's nice to have an Atlanta restaurant that is sit-down and still has healthy options. The vegetable centric menu includes salads, bowls, and sandwiches.

Salad Express

When I moved from NYC to Russia I desperatly missed create your own salad places. I want nothing to do with cooking, but I love customizing my salads with tons of fresh ingredients.

That's where Salad Express, a create your own salad place, comes in. After deciding on a salad base, customize your salad with the toppings of your choice. You can choose a salad or wrap from the menu as well if the options are too overwhelming.

Salata

Salata is very similar to Salad Express, but they have more locations and even more topping choices. It can be tricky choosing from over 40 toppings, but I love the variety. I usually order ahead of time and choose pick up. I have been there several times and they never have the salad ready. The staff is usually confused about it too. As a former New Yorker I have to say they are missing the efficiency of my favorite salad places there, but the quality and choices still make Salata worth it.

ASIAN FUSION

There are a plethora of fantastic Asian restaurants in Atlanta.This is the first of four categories that cover Asian cuisines. The following restaurants categorize themselves as Asian fusion as they serve a mix of dishes from different Asian countries and/or their individual dishes have a variety of flavors within them.

Doc Chey's Noodle House

Doc Chey's has three different locations around the city. The Emory location has a limited menu. The two main locations serve a variety of Asian fusion items. You can try street food like Korean tacos, have a Mongolian stir fry or order their take on Pad Thai. I am a sucker for noodles but I usually order the Thai Peanut Salad here. It has my beloved noodles and flavors, but also feels a little healthier than a full noodle dish. 

Food Terminal 

How about some Malaysian cuisine? Food Terminal in West Midtown is known for Asian street foods that primarily includes the flavors and dishes of Malaysia. The aromatic garlic shrimp noodles tasted just as good if not better than they smelled. The more mild tasting roti was the perfect accompaniment to the entree. When I go back I will be torn between trying something new and getting the garlic shrimp noodles again. 

Hawker's Asian Street Fare

The Atlanta BeltLine, the multi-use path that will eventually form a 22 mile circle around the city, is the place to be. Hawker's Asian Street Fare is one of the many restaurants along the EastSide Trail. It is the StudioPlex Alley, a modern complex with food places, bars and a few boutique retail and service spots. Many of the food places including Hawkers have outdoor seating on the pavilion that runs alongside the BeltLine.

As for the food, Hawker's serves Asian street fare. The Yaki Udon was tasty. There were many intriguing options that I would like to go back and try.

Mushi Ni

Mushi Ni is located in We Suki Suki food hall, a small food hall in East Atlanta Village that specializes in global cuisine. Mushi Ni is in that special category of mine as it one of the few Atlanta restaurants that I have been to more than once! The colorful curry is incredibly flavorful. There's the right mix of spicy spice and flavorful spice. I can't quite put my finger on every taste I get in the curry bowl, but there is something really distinct and different about their curry. The sweet coconut shrimp added a nice contrast to the spices in the curry. The roti that comes with it looks basic, but is delicious. 

EAST ASIAN

This is the second of four Asian categories. For those of you not up to par on your geography the East Asian cuisines include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese. There are more, but those are the ones I have included.

Gu's Dumplings

Krog Street Market is one of Atlanta's trendy food halls along the BeltLine. Within this converted former warehouse there are a few retail merchants and a mix of counter service food places and sit-down restaurants. One of the casual food stalls is Gu's Dumplings. This Szechuan restaurant is often ranked highly on the list of places to eat the best Chinese food in Atlanta.

The first time I had their claim to fame, the Zhong Style dumplings, I couldn't get enough of them. The second time the spice was way too much for me to handle. My mouth was on fire and my lips felt like they were burning. I usually like some spice so when I saw one chili pepper for hot I didn’t think much about it. I’m not sure if there was some inconsistency from my first order to my second or if they changed the recipe...but I would have never known they were the same! Maybe it is just me, but beware of the chili peppers next to the menu items! I'm going to need to try the dumplings for a third time to break the tie and come to a final conclusion. 

SOUTHEAST ASIAN

The third Asian category is southeast Asian which includes Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines in this post.

Bangkok Thai Restaurant 

Bangkok Thai Restaurant is a good choice in Virginia Highland. The restaurant has a large menu with cheaper prices at lunchtime.

Drunken noodles often taste pretty similar from place to place. What varies the most is the spice level. I have had some where I don’t taste any spice and others where I can hardly eat it it is so spicy. It seems most in Atlanta haven’t been quite as spicy as I am used to or there is an option to choose your level of spice. The drunken noodles at Bangkok Thai restaurant are spicier than others I have had in the city. Close to being too spicy, but as long as you have a drink nearby they aren’t too overpowering and still have a good flavor to them. The mix of veggies, noodles & meat was just right. I wish I could have had pork, beef or shrimp with the noodles, but the only option was chicken. 

The Pad Thai didn’t have an overwhelming peanut taste to me. The rice noodles also tasted a little different than usual, maybe because they were thinner? This dish came with both shrimp and chicken. 

Budi's Sushi

I was hesitant to have Budi's Sushi near the top of my post, because while I liked my noodles they definitely weren't the best I have had in Atlanta. Budi's has a large menu of sushi, sashimi and rolls. They also have Japanese entrees, ramen and Indonesian street fare. I was excited to try the Mie Aceh, an Indonesian noodle dish, but was a little disappointed. There was nothing wrong with it, but the flavors just didn't catch my fancy.

The noodles came with shrimp chips, which reminded me of Styrofoam bubbles. They tasted much better than they looked and were quite addicting. Budi's is more known for their creative sushi, so perhaps I just ordered the wrong thing?

EAV Thai & Sushi 

This is one of the handful of restaurants that serve both Thai and Sushi in Atlanta. EAV Thai & Sushi is of course located in the EAV (East Atlanta Village). While the Thai food here is tasty, the menu is fairly standard and similar to what you can find elsewhere. This is good if you are looking for a traditional Thai dish and are in the neighborhood, but it might not be worth making a special trip or going there if you are hoping to try something unique. I did prefer this Thai place over Thai 5 which I write about below. 

Little Bangkok

Little Bangkok in Morningside is always busy! The restaurant is take-out only now, but the parking lot is always full. This means you know it is good.....and it is! Plus it is quick. You can order and pick up your food 10 - 15 minutes later.

Separate Chinese and Thai menus are available. I have only tried a couple dishes off the Thai menu so far. The avocado shrimp was excellent and a huge portion. To be able to eat all the food in this post I am clearly a hearty eater, but I had two full meals from this dish. The Pad Thai was also very good, but didn't have quite enough of the peanut flavor for me.

Pho Nam

Pho Nam, located in the Krog Street Market, makes dishes that can be found anywhere from northern to southern Vietnam. My bánh mì sandwich was delicious and an easy item to order from the market to take and eat outside. Pho Nam also has a selection of noodle bowls and Pho. 

Thai 5 & Sushi

Thai 5 & Sushi in Little Five Points serves typical Thai dishes such as Thai curries and noodle dishes. They also prepare Japanese favorites like Sushi and teriyaki plates. While the dishes were good and seemed like typical Thai entrees, they had a distinct taste. For example my Pad Thai, that is usually fairly similar from place to place, didn't have the usual peanut taste.

Thai Chil

Thai Chili has a large menu full of classic Thai dishes. The spicy noodles with basil leaves came with zucchini and my protein choice of beef. I ordered medium spicy and it was just right, enough spice for flavor but not enough to overpower and just feel heat and nothing else. 

Thai Chili is currently only offering take-out and delivery, but when open they have Thai floor seating.

26 Thai Kitchen & Bar

As much as I eat Thai, I order Pad Thai too much. What can I say, it is a classic Thai dish. 26 Thai Kitchen & Bar has the perfect Pad Thai.

The interior of the Midtown location is really cozy. It's a mix of seeming like you are in someone's house, yet the restaurant has a more upscale vibe and decor.

SOUTH ASIAN

The final Asian category is south Asian. Look here for Bangladeshi, Indian, and Nepalese restaurants.

Aamar Indian Cuisine

Aamar Indian Cusine is a tiny counter service place in downtown Atlanta that mostly does take out and delivery. They have a large menu of the classic Indian dishes. I ordered samosas, garlic naan and a shrimp dish with turmeric. I enjoyed the food, but it wasn't particularly memorable.

Blue India

Just when I thought I would give up on finding really good Indian food in Atlanta I discovered Blue India. From the garlic naan, to the samosas to the fish moilee curry, everything was delicious. 

Prices are slightly higher than comparable Indian restaurants, but the food is worth it. Portions are large as well. An entree with naan and samosas was plenty for two people to share. For traditional Indian food in Atlanta this would be my first pick to return to. 

Botiwalla

Botiwalla is an Indian street food restaurant located in Ponce City Market. The market is another one of Atlanta's trendy food halls. Like Krog it is filled with retail and food stalls and restaurants. Yes, this one is in a converted warehouse as well! It's the former headquarters for Sears, Roebuck & Co!

The restaurant is inspired from executive chef Meherwan Irani's love of Irani Cafe's and late night street food in India. He is also the chef behind Chai Pani, another popular Indian street food restaurant that began in Asheville, NC. There is now a location in Decatur, GA as well.

Botiwalla is very different from the more traditional Indian restaurants that all typically have the same dishes on the menu. Meherwan Irani wanted to create another Indian street food restaurant because as he says the street food in India varies greatly. Botiwalla is about grilled meats, flat breads, and fresh herbs. You put those things together and you get what I would call an Indian wrap. My other top choice for the best Indian food in Atlanta is at Botiwalla. 

Curry Up Now

Indian food often ends up on the pricer side, even for more casual meals. Well maybe that is because I have to get samosas and naan every-time in addition to an entree! Curry Up is an Indian fast casual restaurant with a few locations. It runs a little cheaper than your average sit down Indian place.

I quite enjoyed the samosas and the naan at Curry Up. The Kulcha naan was a little different than “regular” naan, but good. My main dish of the Ghee Makhni Butter Bowl was also good, but nothing spectacular though.

NaanStop

NaanStop is another fast casual Indian place with a few locations around Atlanta. They have the perfect name, don't they? In addition to a great name they have create your own Indian dishes. You start with a salad, wrap or bowl. Next you add two entrees, and as many toppings and chutneys as you like. The bowl with all the flavors mixed together was quite tasty!

Planet Bombay Indian Cuisine

I never like putting a restaurant down after only one try, but I have to say I was disappointed overall. I really liked the samosas and green salsa. The garlic naan was good, but I have had a lot better. I didn’t like my tilapia curry a whole lot. They offer a 25% off discount the first time, which is good enough to give it a try. I won't be rushing back here anytime soon, but maybe I had bad luck with my main dish? 

ITALIAN 

Who doesn't love a good pizza or plate of pasta?

DaVinci's Pizzeria

My Midtown food recommendations aren't as numerous because there aren't as many casual restaurants in those areas. There are more high end and up and coming pricier ones. DaVinci's Pizzeria in Midtown is very different from the typical Midtown restaurant. They believe in doing things the old fashioned way and prioritizing quality at affordable costs. An 8" create your own pizza starts at just $5.18! I ate my entire 10" pizza in one sitting though!

Order direct through DaVinci's and receive 15% off! If only I knew that when I ordered my pizza last week!

Firepit Pizza Tavern

I loved the pizza at Firepit Pizza Tavern in Grant Park. It was slightly on the greasy side, but that’s what makes pizza good, right? The pepperoni’s were really unique. They curled up at the edges and had the perfect texture, not burnt, but still a little crispy. Great crust on the pizza too. 

Grant Central Pizza & Pasta

Expect big portion sizes at Grant Central Pizza & Pasta in Grant Park. I debated between the small and the medium pizza for myself because I like leftovers. I am a pretty hearty eater and I only ate ¾ of the small in my first sitting. I can only imagine how big the large is.

Friday nights especially are very busy here. Grant Central is the perfect local pizza and pasta joint where they call you by name if you go frequently and aren’t trying to get pizza from a different place every time like me!

Little Azio Pizza & Pasta

East Atlanta and Berkley Heights are both home to a Little Azio location.There are a lot of good Italian and pizza places in Atlanta, but a lot of them are quite pricy. Little Azio's pizzas and pastas are made with fresh ingredients, but they are also really reasonably priced. Most of the pasta dishes are under $10 and the pizzas start at around $10 as well. The chicken sausage in the Pomodoro Alfredo pasta was tasty and the sauce hit the spot.

LATIN AMERICAN

It's hard to go wrong with Latin American cuisine!

El Tesoro

Atlanta is full of a lot of great restaurants. They are often found in pockets of the city, like in Inman Park around the BeltLine or along Memorial Avenue in Grant Park. The Mexican place El Tesoro, the treasure, is in it's own little corner in Edgewood. The surrounding area is fairly residential. It could be the lack of nearby options that brings a lot of people to the restaurant. Most likely it is due to the excellent tacos and big outdoor eating area! The outdoor patio has spaced out sitting, games and fire pits in the winter.

El Tesoro is open Wed - Sun for lunch and dinner. On the weekends they also serve brunch. The wait was really long, but it was worth it. The tacos are unique, but not too crazy that you don't know what you are eating. The green sauce was pretty spicy, but good. 

Las Margaritas

The menu at Las Margaritas in Morningside draws from the best of several different Latin cuisines. There is a big selection with everything from Colombian arepas to Mexican enchiladas. The free chips and salsas were very addictive. I loved the festive, covered patio.

Mezcalito's Cocina & Tequila Bar

Mezcalito's may look like a warehouse from the outside, but this Mexican restaurant is bright and colorful inside. It's hard to choose what to order as the menu is huge. At lunchtime especially as you can order off the lunch or dinner menu. My hand rolled tamale with pork wasn't a huge portion, but it was good and made me want to head back to Mexico. My friend's chilaquiles plate was large and good overall, but she mentioned that the meat was a bit tough.

Superica

Superica is another one of the popular places to eat at Krog Street Market. They have a full sit down restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The inside has a fun tex-mex decor to match the menu.

They are known as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Atlanta. I found the prices to be a little more than I typically spend for Mexican. The fajitas are recommended and start at $22. They have a $12.99 lunch deal that does come with a good portion of food though. I ordered the picadillo enchilada and a pork belly taco with rice and beans. The food was good, but think I prefer more authentic Mexican cuisine. On the other hand the chips and salsa were addicting, especially the green sauce.

The service was excellent and there is a nice vibe to the restaurant, but I  feel like it didn't quite met all the hype. 

Taqueria Tsunami

You can find Taqueria Tsunami in Reynoldstown at Madison Yards. If you can't tell, Taqueria Tsunami is a fusion of Mexican and Asian dishes, two of my favorite cuisines. I ordered the three tacos and a side so I could try a few different ones. Despite being excited about the Asian and Mexican mix, I didn’t love the Thai chicken taco. My other two, Shrimp Tempura and the Pacific Rim, definitely made up for it. You get fortune cookies too!

INTERNATIONAL

There are a lot of cuisines in the world so everything else that I found delicious and doesn't fit above you will find here! 

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

Run by co-owners Ash Nega and Titi Demissie who are both native Ethiopians, Desta is the place to go for Ethiopian cuisine in Atlanta. With sandwiches, pastas, salads and more the possibilities are endless here.

I would go with a signature entree like the tibs though. You select a meat which is sautéed in Desta's flavorful blend of spices and vegetables. One side comes with the entree. Three rolls of injera, the spongy looking flatbread that you use to eat your food are also included. You can ask for utensils, but it is expected to eat your food using your injera. On the patio there is even a sink to wash your hands outside as your hands will become messy.

As for the meats the ribeye and lamb are both excellent choices. They are packed with flavor and the meat is perfectly cooked. The sides are just as flavorful. Miser, a spicy red lentil stew was tasty. This meal left me stuffed and satisfied for many hours.

Julianna's

Nestled in between houses in Inman Park is Julianna's. This charming crêperie serves sweet and savory Hungarian crêpes. The Hungarian sausage was my favorite part of the farmer's special crêpe. There is a nice selection of crepes and combinations of flavors that you would find in rural Hungary. You won't go hungry here 😉

Plus Julianna's has a super cute location for lunch or brunch. Sit at one of the adorable red bistro tables outside. 

Marrakesh

Can't make it to Marrakesh in Morocco, but are craving some Moroccan cuisine? Marrakesh in Ponce City Market will satisfy that desire. This counter service place in the food hall serves dishes with Mediterranean and Moroccan flavors. I like that the entrees come as plates, pitas or laffas. You can also order falafel as a side! The falafel is fried when ordered and really hit the spot for me.

Truva

Truva in Virginia-Highland is on the more upscale end of casual restaurants in Atlanta. It is a Mediterranean restaurant with a focus on Turkish cuisine. The service is excellent and there is a nice atmosphere with blue and gold accents in the decor. 

The bread and the dipping oil were probably the best part of the meal. That isn’t to say the rest of the meal wasn’t delicious, but I loved the breadsticks that came straight out of the oven and the sun-dried tomato and olive oil dipping sauce. My stomach expanded from just the breadsticks alone! 

Both the seasoned lamb and the adana lamb dishes were fantastic. I was excited to try the turkish rice that came with the dishes, but was disappointed when it arrived and it appeared like plain white rice. That was until I tried it. I’m not a huge white rice person, but I don't know what they did to it to make it taste so good!