Atlanta’s food scene tells the story of the South through every bite, from legendary soul food joints that have fed generations to innovative fusion spots redefining Southern cuisine. With just 48 hours in the city, you’ll want to hit the places that locals swear by and visitors never forget. These ten essential stops will give you a true taste of what makes Atlanta’s culinary landscape so special and unforgettable.
1. Busy Bee Cafe (Vine City) — Classic soul food since 1947
Walking into Busy Bee feels like stepping back in time to when soul food was perfected, not just served. The legendary fried chicken arrives golden and crispy, paired with collard greens that have been slow-cooked to perfection and mac and cheese that’s become the stuff of local legend.
Located at 810 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW, this compact, no-frills dining room has been feeding Atlanta since 1947. Lines form at meal times because word travels fast about food this good.
Come hungry and prepared to wait—the best things in life are worth it.
2. The Varsity (Downtown/Tech Square) — Atlanta’s drive-in icon
“What’ll ya have?” echoes through this massive drive-in that’s been an Atlanta institution since 1928. Order a chili dog smothered in their signature sauce, crispy onion rings, and a Frosted Orange that’s been cooling down Atlantans for nearly a century.
The original location spans two full city blocks and proudly claims the title of world’s largest drive-in. Car hops still deliver orders on roller skates, maintaining traditions that make this place magical.
Whether you eat in your car or grab a booth inside, you’re experiencing pure Atlanta history with every bite.
3. Antico Pizza Napoletana (Westside—Hemphill Ave) — Neapolitan benchmark
Wood-burning ovens create magic at temperatures most home kitchens could never reach, producing pizzas that earned MICHELIN Guide recognition as a Bib Gourmand. The San Gennaro arrives with perfectly charred crust and San Marzano tomatoes that taste like sunshine.
Their Margherita showcases simplicity at its finest—fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes dancing together on dough that’s been perfected through generations of Italian tradition. Each pizza emerges from the oven in just 90 seconds.
Authentic Neapolitan pizza in Atlanta feels almost too good to be true, but Antico makes it reality every single day.
4. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q (Little Five Points/Inman Park edge) — Smokehouse favorite
Smoke billows from the original location at 1238 DeKalb Ave NE, where pitmasters work around the clock to create barbecue that’s become legendary across the Southeast. Their brisket melts like butter, while ribs fall off the bone with just a gentle touch.
The burnt ends deserve special mention—crispy, smoky cubes of brisket that represent barbecue perfection in bite-sized form. Peak hours mean waiting, but locals know the reward justifies every minute spent in line.
Real barbecue takes time to smoke properly, and Fox Bros. never rushes the process that makes their meat unforgettable.
5. Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Midtown) — “Atlanta’s dining room” since 1945
Southern hospitality reaches its peak at 224 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, where Mary Mac’s has earned the nickname “Atlanta’s dining room” through decades of serving comfort food that feels like home. Their fried chicken arrives perfectly seasoned, while chicken-and-dumplings warm souls on any day.
The historic tea room setting transports diners to an era when meals were events and conversation flowed as freely as sweet tea. Peach cobbler provides the perfect ending to any meal here.
Some traditions never go out of style, especially when they taste this incredible.
6. Ponce City Market — Central Food Hall (Old Fourth Ward/BeltLine)
Food courts get a major upgrade inside this restored Sears building, where dozens of quality counters serve everything from Korean fried chicken to artisan ramen and French pastries. The variety solves the age-old problem of groups who can’t agree on cuisine.
Located directly on the BeltLine, PCM makes the perfect pit stop during a walk or bike ride through Atlanta’s most popular trail system. Grab food from multiple vendors and find communal seating overlooking the action.
One building, countless flavors, and the energy of Atlanta’s food scene all concentrated in one incredible space.
7. Krog Street Market (Inman Park/BeltLine) — Food hall with heavy hitters
Serious food vendors have made Krog Street Market their home, creating a destination where grazing becomes an art form. Gu’s Dumplings serves handmade perfection, while Fred’s Meat & Bread crafts sandwiches that redefine what deli food can be.
Superica brings upscale Mexican flavors to the mix, proving that food halls can house restaurant-quality experiences. The easy-to-navigate layout makes trying multiple vendors simple and satisfying.
Located on the BeltLine, this market combines Atlanta’s love for great food with its passion for walkable, vibrant neighborhoods that feel alive.
8. Heirloom Market BBQ (near The Battery/Cumberland) — Korean-Southern ‘cue
Fusion reaches new heights at this tiny counter spot where Korean flavors meet Southern barbecue traditions in ways that shouldn’t work but absolutely do. Brisket gets the traditional treatment, while spicy Korean pork brings heat and complexity that’s purely addictive.
Kimchi sides provide the perfect tangy contrast to rich smoked meats, creating flavor combinations that earned MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recognition. Located at 2243 Akers Mill Rd SE, the space is small but the flavors are enormous.
Sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most memorable meals you’ll ever experience.
9. Slutty Vegan (Westview) — ATL-born plant-based phenomenon
Plant-based burgers get a complete makeover at the original Westview location (1542 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW), where creative names match incredibly creative flavors. The One Night Stand delivers satisfaction that rivals any traditional burger, while the Ménage à Trois takes complexity to new levels.
Lines form regularly because word has spread about burgers that happen to be vegan rather than vegan food trying to be burgers. The difference in approach shows in every single bite.
Atlanta-born and nationally recognized, this local success story proves plant-based food can be absolutely irresistible.
10. Home Grown GA (Reynoldstown/Edgewood) — Beloved breakfast & lunch
Breakfast reaches perfection with the signature Comfy Chicken Biscuit, where fried chicken gets smothered in sausage gravy over a fluffy biscuit that’s made from scratch daily. This combination represents Southern comfort food at its most satisfying and indulgent.
The casual, local atmosphere makes everyone feel like regulars, whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth. Conversations flow easily between tables, creating the community feeling that makes neighborhood spots special.
Sometimes the most Atlanta experiences happen in the most unassuming places that locals have quietly loved for years.
