One of the best ways to experience the culture of any major city is by sampling the local cuisine, and Atlanta, Georgia is no exception. The city’s food scene is the perfect representation of the American south, with hearty dishes and rich flavors that are as welcoming as they are filling. The smells of fresh baked bread, the sizzle of chicken and fish in a hot fryer, and the golden glow of baking cornbread are daily reminders of the rich history of this amazing city. So join us as we take you on a tour of southern dining that is sure to have you searching through your fare alerts for a last-minute flight to Atlanta to experience it for yourself!
Grits
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Grits are a type of porridge that are made from dried maize or hominy and they are a staple of southern cuisine. Often served with greens or shrimp, they don’t really need more than a little butter to get the job done. Start your day with breakfast at Atlanta Breakfast Club for creamy grits with cheese, or try One Street Over for inspired dishes like Caribbean Jerk Shrimp and Grits. Whether you are getting a fancier version with decadent seafood, or a stripped down bowl alongside bacon and eggs, grits are the perfect way to start your Atlanta culinary tour!
Soul Food
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With breakfast out of the way, it is time to think about lunch, and there’s no better way to do lunch in Atlanta then at an authentic soul food restaurant. Another staple of southern cooking, soul food is comfort food at its very best. Chicken that’s been breaded and fried, cornbread that glows a golden hue, thick gravy bursting with sausage, creamy baked mac & cheese, and collard greens cooked in oil and broth. For a pure soul food experience, check out Virgil's Gullah Kitchen & Bar for elevated dishes like corn muffins drizzled in honey butter, or pork chops smothered in rich gravy. Or try Soul Box Soul Food for impressive portions that are certified fresh!
Barbecue
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Next we move on to dinner, and no trip to Atlanta would be complete without a visit to a proper barbeque joint. This is a place where you will find everything from ribs to brisket, either dry rubbed or smothered in sauce, cooked fresh right in front of your eyes. Expect meat that is super juicy and falls right off of the bones, and is packed with savory flavors that will leave your mouth watering for days. The best way to do barbeque is at the most laid back , casual restaurants, and for that you’ll want to head to Pit Boss Barbeque. This unassuming little shop puts out some of the most tantalizing old-school BBQ dishes in the city, making it the perfect representative for Atlanta cooking.
Local Breweries
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One of the best things about visiting a major city is getting to try the beers that are tough or impossible to find anywhere else. It’s in these local flavors that you really get to experience the character and culture of local pallets. The Atlanta metropolitan area is home to more than 50 breweries, so beer lovers will have no shortage of unique and special craft beers to try. You can learn about the history of Atlanta brewing at Red Brick Brewing Company, which is Georgia’s oldest operational craft brewery. Or you could check out Bold Monk Brewing Co. which has a warm, comforting ambience and beautiful beer garden. For a brewery with a large variety of selections, try Monday Night Brewing, which features many seasonal and limited release brews. To help you decide where to go, ask the locals at the various restaurants you visit to get recommendations on their favorite spots!
Peach Desserts
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After a long day of fulfilling feasts, the only thing left to do is finish it all off with a little desert, and for that you will want to find a nice peach cobbler. Georgia is well known for their peaches, so it is only fitting that they would be featured in the signature sweet treat of Atlanta. Cobbler is a dessert where some kind of filling is covered with batter and then backed, creating a warm, flaky, and sweet dish that is similar to fresh baked pie. Add a scoop of ice cream for a good mix of textures and flavors that you will be thinking of for weeks to come. You will likely find this dessert at many restaurants in Atlanta, but heading to a dedicated dessert shop like The Peach Cobbler Factory ATL or Sweet Red Peach is the best way to make sure you get the best cobbler Atlanta has to offer!
