Must-Try Southern Dishes in Atlanta, Backed by Local Gourmands & Chefs

Atlanta is known all over the country as a vibrant and eclectic place, rich in history, arts, culture, and with plenty of unique things to do. Besides that, it’s also a jewel of Southern cuisine, and home to many restaurants and cafes with special, mouth-watering recipes. Atlanta has become a sophisticated city in which high-end restaurants have emerged, bringing new twists to traditional dishes and honoring the international influences brought along by its residents. 

Whether you’re renting an apartment in Atlanta, settling down in your own home, or simply visiting as a tourist, there are many dishes you have to try. To give you the most authentic experience, we asked locals to give us their recommendations for must-try Southern style dishes in Atlanta. Here’s what they told us. 

Cream Biscuits 

Chip Ulbrich, culinary director at South City Kitchen, recommends trying out cream biscuits. “We have been serving fresh biscuits at South City Kitchen – specifically the Midtown location – for over 30 years, and although these are not traditional “buttermilk” biscuits, the flavor and texture are sublime. A fresh cream biscuit with its crispy edges and pillowy center begs to be consumed with some softened butter and apple butter or peach jam. We still serve a complimentary bread basket including these biscuits as a testament to Southern hospitality.” 

Fried Chicken Biscuits 

A simple but flavor-packed dish, the fried chicken biscuit is an Atlanta staple. Creamy biscuits filled with crispy, yummy chicken, dressed with hot honey sauce, and accompanied by pickles is all you need to experience this Southern dish. Places like Star Provisions Market and Café, the Maple Street Biscuit Company, or the Buttermilk Kitchen are perfect to try out fried chicken biscuits. 

Cornbread 

Cornbread is a favorite side dish in the South, a staple of its cuisine. Marcus Samuelsson, chef & owner of Marcus Bar & Grille says about this Southern specialty that “I was first inspired to create my own cornbread recipe by eating it after church in Harlem. The ladies that made it came up through the great migration – Georgia, Virginia, the Carolinas. It’s such a vital part of the African American dining experience, and it’s been on all of my menus since opening Red Rooster! M’s cornbread at Marcus Bar & Grille in Atlanta is on the sweeter side and absolutely delicious – a must-try.” 

Fried Green Tomatoes 

One of the classic dishes in Atlanta, fried green tomatoes are a must-try. A very simple snack of sliced tomatoes dipped in buttermilk and cornmeal and then fried, this is a savory staple to try when in Atlanta. Some of the places where you can get delicious fried green tomatoes are South City Kitchen, Wisteria, or Home Grown GA Restaurant. 

Corn Bisque 

A French twist on a Southern dish, the Yellow Corn Bisque from Brassica is a recommendation that stands for the eclectic and ever-evolving nature of Atlanta. Featuring fresh gulf shrimp, bacon and chopped croutons, Brassica’s Yellow Corn Bisque is a menu mainstay and must-try southern dish when visiting Buckhead, Atlanta.  

Seafood with a Twist 

There are many places that take international seafood recipes and infuse them with Southern flavors. For instance, the grilled Spanish octopus at Mission and Market features Hazelnut Romesco that allows for the tomatoes to shine, making it a traditionally southern staple on the menu. Also, the Oysters Rockefeller from C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar feature ingredients that are key to setting it apart from others when classifying it as “Southern”, and the spinach and bacon in this are what set it apart. 

Whether you’re looking for a traditional dish to try out or you want to experience the eclectic nature of Atlanta with a fusion dish, there are numerous restaurants to get what you want. From small, local cafes to high-end chef-driven places, Atlanta offers its visitors and residents a wonderful culinary experience.