Where to Eat in Atlanta Now

Atlanta stands out in the South for acting as a culinary melting pot for its own region, bringing flavors and ingredients from the Louisiana bayou to the Lowcountry. Southern dining can mean hole-in-the-wall barbecue or white napkin service, and thankfully Atlanta is chock full of both and everything in between. Once you’ve experienced the requisite Atlanta restaurants, like Busy Bee Cafe and The Varsity, there are plenty more to try that specialize in the flavors of the South. Here are some of the hottest reservations for your next visit to The Big Peach, from an 80-year old iconic tea room to a dive bar on the Florida coast.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Celebrating an incredible 80 years, Mary Mac’s is one of the city’s most well-regarded Southern and soul food restaurants, even dubbed “Atlanta’s Dining Room” by Southern Living. While the destination has expanded to six dining rooms throughout its eight decades, the restaurant’s recipes, charm, and hospitality haven’t changed one bit, with the same simple corn-shucking and bean-snapping happening in the kitchen today that started in 1945. Be sure to order some “table wine,” aka sweet tea, with your meal.

Auburn Angel

The Sweet Auburn neighborhood is one of the country’s most historic Black neighborhoods, situated at the heart of the Civil Rights movement and the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King. Auburn Angel is on the historic Auburn Ave. known as “Soul Food Row.” Founder Asa Fain spent six years developing the restaurant to honor the legacy of the neighborhood and the former Auburn Avenue Rib Shack space. Also led by co-owner and chef Robert Butts, Auburn Angel offers a variety of dishes that highlight flavors and ingredients from throughout the South, including Potliker and Hoe Cakes, a classic combination in the American South, and Fumée Chicken, which is popular in Southern Louisiana with Creole and Cajun preparations.

Southern Belle

Chef Joey Ward grew up in Georgia where his Southern roots inspired his culinary career, including his two restaurants Southern Belle and Georgia Boy. Southern Belle offers a unique blend of traditional Southern dishes with multicultural flavors including the Corneal Fried Carolina Trout and the Indian-Style Shrimp and Grits. As an homage to the region, the restaurant recently launched a Southern-style “Royal Tea” that’s hosted on the second Sunday of each month. Guests are encouraged to don their Sunday best to enjoy Southern fare like pimento cheese gougères, benedictine sandwiches, sweet potato biscuits, and hummingbird scones.

Bomb Biscuit

Bomb Biscuit began as part of a pop-up Sunday Supper series in 2016 and has since grown to one of the most acclaimed and awarded restaurants in the city. Owner and 2024 F&W Best New Chef Erika Council serves up her scratch-made biscuits and sandwiches with breakfast and lunch offerings. Check out the Big Boy with sausage, egg, the People’s Cheese (aka American cheese), bacon, Dynamite Sauce, and bread and butter pickles. Bomb Biscuit offers vegan and gluten-free options so everyone can enjoy their famous biscuits.

Breaker Breaker

Many may not consider Florida as part of the South, but for those who do, Breaker Breaker is a great hideaway for anyone seeking the charm of old Florida–style dive bars in the heart of Atlanta. The restaurant is conveniently located on the city’s popular BeltLine and includes a 21+ rooftop bar called Floridaman. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood options like fried fish platters, gumbo, peel and eat shrimp, po’boys, and more, all year long.

Woodall

Tucked away on the Westside of the city, The Woodall offers a list of seasonal entrees and steaks, and what’s most impressive is its weekend brunch. The extensive menu packs all the savory and sweet including Shrimp and Polenta, Biscuits and Gravy with its famous ham gravy, and Charred Okra. Of course, brunch isn’t complete without a cocktail, including the Bloody Mary prepared with St. George Green Chile Vodka. 

Magnolia Room

Just outside the city in Tucker, Georgia, is the Magnolia Room, a traditional cafeteria restaurant where guests nudge their trays down the line as they select their entree and sides. The restaurant takes enormous pride in sourcing locally from Sherry’s Produce for their meat-and-sides menu offerings, which include fried chicken, catfish, and Southern sides. Arrive early for lunch, which gets crowded.