Chinatown Mall is a great place to hit for cold spicy noodles and mapo tofu at Chong Qing hot pot, as well as char kway teow and rendang at Mamak. Don't forget to stop by Sweet Hut for a dessert, specifically their black sesame crème brûlée if it's available.
22 recommendations in Restaurants & Cafés
Recommendations in Atlanta
For authentic Vietnamese pho, head to Pho Dai Loi #2. It's recommended for its delicious pho and is a great option if you're looking for a traditional Vietnamese dish.
ChocoLatte at the corner of Clairmont and N Decatur has great cozy vibes, lots of squishy armchairs and warm lighting. Located in the North Decatur area, it's a great spot to relax and unwind.
The Gunslinger at Delia's is a dish that many Atlien expats miss. It's a great reason to visit Delia's, a restaurant that offers a variety of Southern-inspired dishes. If you're looking for a place to try this popular dish, Delia's is worth checking out.
Five Daughters Bakery has donuts that are so light and airy. They do have a paleo version that I would think would be low in sugar.
Check out Subtext Bookstore, Cafe & Bar downtown! They have book clubs, so you can discuss your favorite books with like-minded people.
One option suggested for dinner on Buford Highway is the Chinatown food court, which features a variety of restaurants such as Nam Phuong, LanZhou Ramen, and Salsa Taqueria. This food court offers a range of cuisines and dishes, from Vietnamese banh mi at Lee's Bakery to Korean-style tofu soup at So Kong Dong, making it a great place to try a few different things.
Hard to give a specific rec since most places haven't announced their Thanksgiving menus yet but keep an eye on the socials for spots like Heirloom Market BBQ or Fox Bros, they usually do something. Community Q might be another one to watch, their smoked meats would beat dry turkey any day.
Despite the opinions on downtown Atlanta's tourist traps, the Hard Rock Cafe seems to be an exception. My son and I ate there after visiting FIFA fest and when they asked where we were from they seemed shocked that we were local. The food was solid and good service too. So, if you're looking for a reliable dining experience in downtown Atlanta, Hard Rock Cafe might be worth a visit.
Named after the rapper Ludacris, Ludacrisp is a play on words that showcases peak Atlanta marketing. While $24 for a large bag of apples may seem steep, the pun is worth it, and some even argue that the large bags are a great value, especially considering the regular price of honeycrisp apples.
Head to Publix to try Jenis peach cobbler ice cream, which is expensive but worth it. It's a highly-recommended peach ice cream option in Atlanta.
Located in a small shopping center with a laundromat next door, Pastries a Go Go offers a great chocolate walnut fudge with a dense but not dry texture. They have a variety of fudge flavors, but the chocolate walnut is a standout. It's a great spot to grab a treat and enjoy it on the go.
Hit the Buford Highway Farmers Market for diversity and the best price. They rotate many dishes from all around the world, and at the end, you can get free rice to boot.
The Works is a giant food hall in West Midtown with a variety of food options, including vegan and gluten-free choices. It's an ideal spot for a casual gathering, as you can grab food from different vendors and enjoy it in the park or at Scofflaw, a large brewery on site.
Rose Valley Sweets offers a Persian-inspired high tea experience with delicious food and lovely staff. It's priced at $45 per person, making it a great option for those looking for a high tea spot under $50.
They have an upstairs bookstore with chairs and couches, some looking out cathedral-esque windows into their bier garden. Their bier garden is lovely too.
Located just south of downtown, Auxiliary is a real nerdy coffee experience, perfect for software engineers like you who appreciate technology and handcraft. With a focus on single-origin specialty coffee and pour-over, Auxiliary is a spot for any coffee nerd.
Staplehouse has an incredible charcuterie board. It's also mentioned that Staplehouse has a good cheese plate option if you want to sit down and eat, although the specific details are not provided.
Freedom Farmers Market at the Carter Center offers quality seasonal produce, cheeses, fresh flowers, pastries from Little Tart, bagels from B Side, and more. It's open on Saturdays from 8am to noon.