Best restaurants in Atlanta

Known as the Peach State, Georgia is famous for its fruit. And with a nickname like the Big Peach, it’s no surprise that Atlanta is absolutely full of amazing flavor.

Atlanta’s culinary scene is as broad as it is tasty, with enough variety to suit just about anyone’s palate. Home to the world’s largest drive-in restaurant, a wealth of international cuisines and some of the best soul food in the South, Atlanta has definitely left its mark on foodie culture.

In a city as large as A-Town, you’re sure to stumble across some gems all on your own. But to get you started, we’ve put together a selection of some of the best restaurants in Atlanta.

Paschal’s

180 Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30313

Imagine opening a restaurant without a stove… Well, that’s just what James and Robert Paschal did back in 1947 when they opened their 30-seater luncheonette here in Atlanta.

Food was prepared at Robert’s home and delivered to waiting diners via taxi. But that didn’t stop the crowds. This historic restaurant has welcomed many notable figures through its doors including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Aretha Franklin, former Mayor Maynard Jackson and former Vice President Al Gore.

Paschal’s is, without doubt, one of the best places to eat in Atlanta for soul food. While there is an extensive menu to pique your appetite, the fried chicken is the house specialty – and has been ever since they decided to serve hot food.

Gunshow

924 Garrett Street, Atlanta, GA 30316, USA

If you want to taste a little of everything, Gunshow is the restaurant for you. Located less than 10 minutes away by car from Atlanta Zoo, Gunshow is an adventurous take on dim sum-style eating fused with a unique American flare. 

Gunshow steps outside the box by offering guests a dish at their table presented by the chef who prepared it. If you’re interested in what’s on the plate, you can order it to share.

A buzzing atmosphere invites you into this communal culinary experience while the open kitchen lets you watch the masters at work. The menu is constantly changing – sample as many dishes as you like and savor the wide spectrum of flavors some of Atlanta’s best chefs have to offer.

Food Terminal

1000 Marietta Street Northwest UNIT 202, Atlanta, GA 30318

If you’re heading towards the Buford Highway – stretching from Brookhaven, north Atlanta, up toward Duluth and Buford – prepare yourself for a wave of culinary options along the way.

The Buford Highway features a renowned selection of international restaurants and food markets, offering flavors from Korea, Mexico, Vietnam and more. Among this sweet and savory showcase is Food Terminal, serving authentic Malaysian dishes and Asian street food.

Tuck into fresh and fragrant stir fries, sweet and succulent mango shrimp, warming noodle soups and their signature crispy bao buns. Locals rave about the BBQ pork plates, perfect with noodles or rice. Can’t decide? Choose a round of small plates for the ultimate banquet.

BoccaLupo

753 Edgewood Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307

This intimate Italian-American restaurant located in Inman Park is a local gem in the neighborhood. BoccaLupo is popular among residents and has found its place on the list of must-try restaurants in Atlanta. 

Casual dining is made stylish here, with fresh seasonal ingredients and a revolving menu to keep guests on their toes. Specialties include delicious antipasti, handmade pasta dishes and desserts you simply can’t turn down.

Highlights on the menu include their iconic black spaghetti with spicy calabrese sausage and shrimp, as well as their rich and indulgent 20 yolk tagliatelle. We recommend sampling the chef’s tasting menu and finishing the meal with a scoop of artisanal gelato.

Daily Chew

2127 Liddell Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30324

Inspired by a flavorsome blend of chef Julia Kesler Imerman’s Jewish and South African heritage, Daily Chew is the perfect place for brunch.

Committed to cooking with local ingredients, this charming café is known for dishing up passionate plates of comforting pitta and salad bowls and delicious shakshuka (poached eggs in tomato sauce and spices). Pair your meal with an expertly frothed latte and a choice of tempting pastries to set you up for the day.

Located between Cheshire Bridge Road and Piedmont Avenue and close to Morningside Nature Preserve, Daily Chew invites you to enjoy a wholesome day fueled by amazing food and coffee.

By George Restaurant and Bar

127 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30303

Visit By George Restaurant and Bar for a charming meal in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Located in The Candler Hotel on Peachtree Street, you’re less than a 10-minute drive from the State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Offering contemporary American fare, By George welcomes you into a spacious and beautifully decorated restaurant. It’s home, the Candler Building, was once the tallest building in Atlanta when it was first built in 1906.

Brunch is a particular highlight here. The central location places you right within the action, ready for a day of exploring Atlanta’s best attractions after you’ve fueled up. Try the fluffy lemon blueberry ricotta pancakes, shrimp and grits with andouille sausage, or brioche French toast with bourbon beach jam, candied pecans and maple syrup.

Lucian Books and Wine

3005 Peachtree Road, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305

Bookworms and foodies, rejoice! If you’ve ever dreamt of being surrounded by books as you tuck into a burrata appetizer, you’re in luck. This quaint little bar and restaurant in Buckhead, north of Midtown, is a combination of independent bookshop and bistro.

Enter a modern, peaceful atmosphere that oozes sophistication with a menu that boasts simple, thoughtful ingredients that marry together to make some truly wonderful dishes. Opt for striped bass with artichoke, carrot and fennel, roast duck with bok choy, kumquat and chestnuts, or go the extra mile with prime New York strip steak served with pommes Anna.

Located in one of the most stylish neighborhoods in Atlanta , you’ll also be right around the corner from the Atlanta History Center and the LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta.

Revolution Doughnuts & Coffee

745 Edgewood Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307

Cake, pie or doughnuts? It’s the ultimate debate. Whichever team you’re on, lovers of all things soft and sweet will feel right at home here at Revolution Doughnuts & Coffee.

The team behind Revolution Doughnuts have a passion for top-quality baked goods, using only premium, organic ingredients to elevate the humble doughnut to its full potential. Their coffee is no different either, available with all-natural syrups.

Guests can sit in or take out, with daily gluten and dairy-free options. Will you be tempted by a classic with pink icing with sprinkles? Or will the doughnut slider made from the Peach State’s home-grown peaches call your name? Be prepared to wait in line to get your hands on these tasty treats. We assure you that their magnificent cabinet of baked goodies are worth the wait. You can find Revolution in Inman Park, within walking distance of the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr.

Nic & Norman’s

20 Main Street, Senoia, GA 30276

Fans of the hit TV show The Walking Dead will know Georgia well, having exclusively been filmed in the state – in Atlanta, nearby Senoia and beyond – for 12 years. But whether you’re a fan or not, take a trip less than 40 miles south of Atlanta to Senoia, where you’ll find Nic & Norman’s.

Launched by The Walking Dead alumni Greg Nicotero and Norman Reedus, Nic & Norman’s serves classic Southern fare. Tuck into Philly cheesesteak fries, brisket, Buffalo chicken, cobb salads, whiskey salmon and a range of burgers – there’s something here for everyone at this laid-back eatery.

Atlanta is teeming with talented chefs, delicious soul food and fine-dining establishments always serving something new and exciting. Find your new favorite restaurant and discover some of the best places to eat in Atlanta with Hertz.

Get to know more about Atlanta

Feeling inspired by Atlanta’s food? Pay a visit to the Big Peach and explore even more of Georgia’s impressive capital with our travel guides. 

• Best hotels in Atlanta
• Best things to do in Atlanta
• Atlanta driving guide
• Atlanta's neighborhoods