Chef-owner Randy Adler helms the kitchen and homey vibes at Babs Midtown.
Photograph by Growl Bros.
For Atlanta’s intrepid diners, there’s more to finding hidden gems than veering off the beaten path, though that certainly adds to the intrigue. The challenge is in uncovering food treasures. That’s the real trick.
Whenever there is a discussion of hidden restaurant gems in Atlanta, a predictable list of names comes up—places that may be beloved but aren’t so secret anymore. And while we appreciate being reminded of those heartwarming spots, we also want to seek out lesser-known destinations, from obscure restaurants and takeout shacks to underground bars, food trucks, and gas station finds.
We spent several weeks following up on tips, racking up the mileage, and putting on a few pounds to get a refreshed mix of hidden gems. The list doesn’t include all the hidden gems out there, of course, but it’s a good sampling of metro Atlanta’s offerings. Restaurants are grouped loosely by geography—don’t come at us, mapmakers. We hope to continue sharing more hidden gems on the regular.
Oh, and one thing we learned along the way: If your favorite hidden gems are iconic but aging, don’t wait too long to visit. While they are priceless, they aren’t around forever.
By Jamie Allen, Skye Estroff, Caroline Eubanks, Vené Franco, Scott Freeman, Rachel Garbus, Josh Green, Angela Hansberger, Laura Finney Harden, Cat Kerr, Lia Picard, and Xavier Stevens
Downtown & Midtown
Reuben’s Deli
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Reuben’s Deli
Downtown
@reubensdelitatl
A lost art of the dining experience is yelling. In the age of leave-it-at-the-door delivery and mute pickup orders, Reuben’s Deli downtown encourages you to be an ingredient in the sandwich-making experience. There are three rules posted on the wall: “Yell” what you want to the people behind the counter, “Watch” them make your order to make sure it’s correct, and “Eat.” For those who want to dismiss this as brash and unserious New York City ersatz, there’s another sign: “If you have ear buds in or are on your phone, you will be ignored.” Choose from signatures such as the Eastsider (corned beef, pastrami, slaw, and Thousand Island dressing), the Olympic (ham, salami, bologna, capicola, turkey, pepperoni, and provolone cheese), and the classic Reuben (corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss). Or, to make the most of your voice, build your own. Vintage photos of downtown and Georgia State Panthers memorabilia don the walls and give Reuben’s a distinct Atlanta flavor. —Xavier Stevens
Reuben’s Deli
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Cypress Street Pint & Plate
Midtown
@cypressstreet
Glasses clinking, fires crackling, and friends chattering. These sounds of the patio at Cypress Street Pint & Plate are almost magnetic, drawing in a regular crowd of locals, Georgia Tech students, and businesspeople in the heart of Midtown. The menu is pub fare done fun: Dip pizza egg rolls (it’s what it sounds like) into marinara sauce, or indulge in a Pickleback burger with a bun coated in Jameson whiskey glaze. There are 17 beers on tap, including its house IPA, for $3, and a wide selection of wine and spirits. The patio comes especially alive on the weekends, when people arrive to watch sports and eat brunch, featuring $3 mimosas. —XS
Agora Midtown
Midtown
@agoramidtown
Just off Peachtree Street in Midtown, Agora serves Turkish fare in an environment akin to a neighborhood bar. Al Ozelci, the same owner of Cafe Agora Buckhead, renovated his Midtown location in 2023 and traded its fast, casual menu for more sophisticated Mediterranean dishes with cocktails. Pop in for quick service at the small marble bar downstairs, or head upstairs for a sit-down experience on Turkish turquoise banquettes. The best part of Agora is that you can try everything. The meze platter is a smattering of all the restaurant’s dips: hummus, baba ghanoush, smoky eggplant, tabouli, ezme (a tangy blend of tomato, peppers, and onions), tzatziki, and a carrot salad. For your main, the Mixed Grill plays all the kebab hits: chicken, lamb, and adana (spicy Turkish meatball), along with a small lamb chop, all served over rice, salad, and pita. Stop in for happy hour—seven days a week from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.—to get 30 percent off apps and generous drink deals. —XS
Tyde Tate Kitchen
South Downtown
@tydetatekitchen
One of the first tenants of the new South Downtown development was Tyde Tate Kitchen. It was a test piece to see if restaurants could last in the community. Tyde Tate has not only lasted but also thrived with the help of tasty Thai cuisine in ample portions. Highlights include the salty and sour pad see ew—stir-fried wide rice noodles with eggs, broccoli, and your choice of protein, all covered in a dark soy sauce—and a traditional pad Thai that emphasizes sweet and savory with a strong tamarind sauce. Sides such as shrimp, spring, and cheese rolls are worth the extra order. There are now food-stall locations in Krog Street Market and Chattahoochee Food Works, but visiting the South Downtown restaurant is the right move, as you’ll get service in a modern, intimate dining space with white tile walls and wicker light fixtures and chairs. —XS
Babs Midtown
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Babs Midtown
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Babs Midtown
Midtown
@babsmidtownatl
In a city where glittering new restaurants turn heads constantly, it’s worth slowing down to appreciate those familiar touchstones that help build a neighborhood into a community. An exemplar: Babs Midtown, which has served creative, omnivorous brunch fare from the ground level of a Juniper Street house since 2001. Outside, Midtown has changed dramatically, with gleaming high-rises now surrounding its simple wood-framed home, but inside the warm, tchotchke-filled Babs, a timeless slice of neighborhood character lives on.
“Whoever you are, as long as you’re nice, that’s what I care about,” says owner and head chef Randy Adler. “And we’ve built a loyal following just based on that.” Babs has long been a gathering spot for Midtown’s queer community: The place is named for legendary drag queen Divine, a member of John Waters’ “Dreamlanders” whose stage name was Babs Johnson. “People feel safe here,” he says.
Adler, who arrived in Atlanta in 1982 to help launch the city’s Ritz-Carlton hotels, trained at the Culinary Institute of America; the Babs menu, which rotates weekly, reflects his wide-ranging tastes, from a well-spiced Tunisian shakshuka to the cowboy breakfast, featuring house-made BBQ stew topped with cornbread. And check the sweet side, since there’s almost always a tasty new tart or cake on offer. Though primarily a breakfast joint, Babs also operates a supper club on the first Monday of the month with an affordably priced prix-fixe menu. “Two people should be able to eat out with a bottle of wine for under $100,” Adler says. Needless to say, the club usually sells out.
The true pleasure at Babs come from the team itself, lovingly helmed by Adler, who holds court at the counter, offering a suggestion off the menu or a tidbit about its provenance. The mugs are charmingly mismatched and the bric-a-brac—including dozens of snow globes brought back from afar by regulars—makes Babs seem like home, no matter how many times you’ve been. —Rachel Garbus
North
Laseter’s Tavern
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Laseter’s Tavern
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Laseter’s Tavern
Vinings
@laseterstavernatvinings
Set between Truist Park and the Chattahoochee River is Laseter’s Tavern, considered the “Cheers of Vinings” for more than 35 years. Come to watch a game—this is West Virginia University and Steelers country—or play on your own. Pool, the arcade game Golden Tee, and trivia are all on offer at the strip mall spot. Sip a pint of Georgia craft beer beneath the caricatures of the tavern’s regulars above the oblong bar. The food, including the Boar’s Head Reuben and homestyle fried chicken, can restore those pregaming for a Braves game or crawling in after shooting the hooch, which this author has, admittedly, done several times. —Caroline Eubanks
Naga Bistro
Chamblee
@nagabistro.atl
Earlier this fall, Naga Bistro transformed a former Thai restaurant on a quiet side street in Chamblee into a destination-worthy spot. Owner Thip Athakhanh, who also owns Snackboxe Bistro in Duluth, broadens her Laotian repertoire here with dishes from Thailand and Cambodia. Standouts span the Southeast Asian region, from seashell-shaped curry puffs filled with an earthy, savory vegetable mixture to prahok ktis, a minced pork dip made with fermented fish sauce that showcases Cambodia’s signature smoky-salty flavor profile. Fans of Snackboxe will recognize favorites: khao piek sen, a brothy chicken soup with chewy tapioca noodles, and laap, a lime-bright mix of protein, rice powder, chiles, and herbs. —Lia Picard
Daily Chew
Morningside
@dailychewatl
Tucked into a sleepy neighborhood (dare we call it west Morningside?) behind busy Cheshire Bridge Road, Daily Chew is no secret for its many devotees. Still, it feels magical to stumble upon this lovingly crafted cafe-meets-restaurant, the brainchild of Julia Kesler Imerman, who also runs a robust catering business out of the same kitchen. The bright, vegetable-centric menu reflects Imerman’s Jewish and South African roots. You’ll find homey classics such as latkes, zhuzhed up with labneh and pickled onions, as well as clever reinventions, such as the schnitzel pita, made with juicy lion’s mane mushrooms instead of meat and perfectly spiced with harissa. An outstanding “chew crew” of servers and baristas, plus a sunny, welcoming interior, make Daily Chew a delight every visit. —RG
Cupanion’s Kitchen + Coffee
Sandy Springs
@cupanionscafe
Come for the coffee, stay for the sweet potato biscuits. If you’re not clued in on the treasure that is Cupanion’s, you may miss it, as the restaurant is nestled in the middle of a busy Roswell Road shopping center. This small space is rarely open for business without a line out the door, and (don’t fact-check us on this) 95 percent of the orders include a sweet potato biscuit. These Southern delicacies are served warm with sides of honey butter and jelly. Order in the form of a fried chicken biscuit or a la carte. Don’t forget a seasonally flavored latte with your order; they’re brewed with house-made syrups. —Skye Estroff
Tre Vele
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Tre Vele
Sandy Springs
@treveleatl
This clandestine spot sits on the lower tier of the bustling City Walk complex, just below the Kroger gas station, in a niche surrounded by tall trees. It’s easy to miss but you shouldn’t.
The team behind Tre Vele, which opened in 2021, includes chef Ian Winslade and his business partners, restaurateur brothers Jonathan and Ryan Akly. The trio is also the force behind the Bay Area–inspired Mission + Market and Zakia Modern Lebanese in Buckhead. Their combined talents produce stylish spaces with, as the PR kids say, “elevated” cuisine. Winslade acts as culinary director at Tre Vele, working with executive chef Chris Suarez to create new dishes.
Tre Vele’s market area features a wall of wines for sale as well as a pasta maker (a person, not the machine). Watch as they work the dough at their station, pulling and twisting in solemn meditation—proof that all the restaurant’s pastas are made in-house.
Tre Vele
Photograph by Growl Bros.
A midday pop-in at the bar was an excuse to indulge in the half-and-half lunch duo. I paired a perfect Caprese salad with the fettuccine, rich with wild mushrooms, porcini cream, and black truffle. I made a mental note to return for Tuesday’s cacio e pepe. Made tableside, it’s prepared inside a Parmigiano Reggiano wheel, a fun and dramatic way to enjoy the spaghetti with Pecorino Romano, Sarawak black pepper, and lemon zest. My to-go order of rigatoni pomodoro with San Marzano tomato sauce and fresh basil was devoured by my family within minutes of my arrival at home. So, too, were my two pizza picks, the pepperoni and the spicy Calabrian sausage.
Dining at Tre Vele is luxe but comfortable, making it a place where you can come as you are—or maybe just a tad elevated. —Vené Franco
West
Good God Almighty: The Strangers in Paradise Experience
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Strangers in Paradise
West End
@strangersinparadiseatl
Michael Lennox’s Electric Hospitality is known for creating drinking and dining establishments that try to transport us. We might find ourselves, for example, imbibing friskily named drinks on an old bus with atmosphere, decor, and waitstaff outfits dedicated to the movie Goodfellas (Tiger Sun) or rounding up our Beltline Scooter Club for its quarterly meeting in an appropriately lodge-like, Wes Anderson–inspired, taxidermy-heavy setting (Ranger Station).
Lennox and Electric have also nestled into Lee + White food hall with Strangers in Paradise. Part of the redeveloped warehouse row on the Westside Beltline, Strangers is a tropical escape, a cross between a Jimmy Buffett song (I’ll get to that) and a tiki bar. Picture splashy ’80s colors, rattan bar stools, postcards galore, Polaroids of visitors (I said I’ll get to that!), and, at the center of the bar wall, a neon alligator that, if downsized, would look appropriate on the left breast of someone’s polo shirt.
Photograph by Growl Bros.
The bar doesn’t serve food. The menu is a fruitful abundance of drinks with names like Under the Limbo Stick, Shark Bite, and the bar-recommended, gin-soaked Broken Boogie Board.
But the star of this party is the $55 rum-based Cheeseburger in Paradise. The drinking vessel, built for serving four, is shaped like a—you guessed it—cheeseburger. Order one with multiple straws, and you and your gang will command the mood of the place. Lights will flash and dim. A familiar Jimmy Buffett song will strike up over the speakers. And your drink will be served with leis, burning sparklers, and campy sunglasses, along with the full attention of the staff and anyone sitting at the bar. And yes, someone will take a Polaroid pic of you, to be stuck on the Strangers in Paradise wall.
As Mr. Buffett himself once sang, “Well good God almighty, which way do I steer . . .” —Jamie Allen
Krave Korean Grill
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Krave Korean Grill
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Krave Korean Grill
West Buckhead
@kraveatl
Blink-and-you-miss-it Krave Korean Grill anchors a modest strip mall on Collier Road. Since 2022, it has quietly been churning out approachable quick-service Korean food, including homemade banchan such as kimchi pickles and sauteed green beans. Everything, including fruit- and vegetable-forward marinades, seasoning blends, and dipping sauces, is made in-house daily in the clean, no-frills space. Go for the steak bulgogi platter, which comes with 12 ounces of sliced, marinated rib eye, and level up your meal with a side of addictive fries and a house-made shrub-style soda. Proprietor Noah Kim learned his flavors from the best: He was the last apprentice of the former owner of Michelin-recommended Stone Bowl House, “Grandma” Young Hui Han, before she retired. —Lauren Finney Harden
Bold Monk Brewing
West Midtown
@boldmonkbrewing
Surrounded by a half-dozen other breweries, Belgian-inspired Bold Monk Brewing sets itself apart with its chic interiors and a cathedral-esque barrel ceiling, as well as a coffee shop, a bookstore, and a lounge, where you could easily spend the day in a worn leather chair. The menu is a mix of American standards and traditional Belgian dishes like the classic French dip, and mussels with frites, cooked in white wine or house-made lager. Speaking of beer, don’t miss the Bitter Sermon, a pale ale nod to the monks who created many of the beers we now love. And although Bold Monk is a brewery, you can also get wine and cocktails. —CE
Delilah’s Everyday Soul
Upper Westside
@delilahseverydaysoul
Classic soul food plates and new takes on chicken sandwiches are a delicious draw, but it’s the hospitality that makes the original Atlanta outpost our pick. Tucked inside the food hall at The Works, you’ll find the charming, silver-haired Gwen Buchanan (aka “Miss G”), a sometimes cashier who is kin to the founder, Delilah Winder. Miss G’s son is married to Winder’s daughter (the couple are the owners). Chef Delilah, who operated a food stand at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, became famous when Oprah proclaimed her mac and cheese the best she’d ever had. The seven-cheese wonder remains. If you stay to eat at the counter, you may see Delilah herself. Now in her 70s and living in Atlanta, close to her grandkids, she’ll occasionally drop by to make sure the strawberry lemonade is properly iced, then linger to share kitchen tales with guests. —VF
Bone Garden Cantina
West Midtown
@bonegardenatl
Every day is the day of the dead at Bone Garden Cantina in West Midtown. As the name suggests, the theme is embraced to the max; you’ll notice dancing skeletons on the walls and colorful skulls overlooking tables. The restaurant offers Mexican fare with an extensive menu of tacos, burritos, fajitas, tamales, esquites (street corn salad), and more. To try something new, get the Red Goat Soup, a chile-based soup with goat, onion, and cilantro. The drinks are the star of the show, including a strong, not-too-sweet house margarita, with other tart additions like pomegranate and tamarind available. Take in the lively decor inside, or sit on the patio lined with papel picado banners. —XSTo-Go Treasures
La Fondita
Dunwoody
Known for stellar street tacos, this spot inside a Shell gas station on Winters Chapel Road also draws diners for pupusas—thick griddle corn cakes stuffed with chicken, cheese, and other fillings—and freshly made guacamole. —LP
Casseroles Atlanta
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Casseroles Atlanta
Morningside
@casserolesatl
Homemade family-style meals can be picked up in a pinch from Casseroles. Two tried-and-true mainstays: Stacked Bean and Vegetable Enchiladas and Eggplant Parmesan. Also find a small grocery selection and locally procured desserts. —SE
Casseroles Atlanta
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Fork in the Road
Tucker
@forkintheroadatl
With quick counter service and a huge menu for fried or grilled-to-order items, Fork in the Road is a sure thing for perfectly executed seafood. —Angela Hansberger
Fujiissa
Duluth
@fujiissa.usa
This Kyoto-style dessert shop in the Jusgo Supermarket food court serves green tea drinks, soft serve, parfaits, and seasonal specials. —Cat Kerr
Joe’s Lonestar Tacos
Various locations OTP
@joeslonestartacos
It’s worth tracking the whereabouts of this OTP-based food truck, with its large steer horns out front and a homesick Texas chef out back. Joe Elias’s Tex-Mex fare includes exquisite birria tacos and masterful burritos. Find him at breweries and other locales via Instagram. —VF
Everythang Nola
Capitol View
@everythangnolacafe
Owner Keisha Marie Mackie recently moved to the new food hall at Koncept House on Metropolitan Parkway. The eatery is primed for Mardi Gras: King cake, gumbo, yakamein, homemade Snoballs, and more New Orleans favorites. —VF
V’s Taste of 700 Islands
College Park
A tiny, Caribbean-inspired oasis with limited hours but unlimited hospitality. Native Bahamian Vera Browne dishes jerk chicken or salmon, oxtails, turkey wings, beef stew, and other savory delights. Her cabbage side is worthy of a double order. —VF
Saigon Tofu
Chamblee
A Vietnamese deli on Buford Highway, Saigon Tofu offers hot snacks, banh mi, pay-by-weight tofu, and colorful coconut-based desserts. Many items are vegetarian or vegan. —CK
Taqueria Taquito Express
Virginia-Highland
Bona fide priced-and-spiced-just-right burritos, tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and more are found at this popular, local-chain lunchtime spot in, of all places, the Chevron gas station at the corner of Virginia and Highland avenues. —JA
Quoc Huong Banh Mi Fast Food
Doraville
In the city’s who-has-the-best-banh-mi war, Quoc Huong on Buford Highway consistently bests rivals with 10 varieties of the classic Vietnamese sandwich ($5 each) that cure hangovers and crunch, ooze, and burst with spice and flavor. —JA
Brito Super Market #2
3020 Buford Highway
Head for the meat counter at this bustling mercado for pollo asado, a $14 spatchcocked chicken that’s been grilled outside on-site and spiced in a way that drips and delights with tangy, perky, finger-licking flavor. —JAEast
Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Photograph by Growl Bros.
A Final Visit to the Original Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt
Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt
Grant Park
@daddydzbbq
The first time I stepped into Daddy D’z, I was carrying an amplifier and a guitar case. On the outside wall was a series of murals of blues greats. Inside, it didn’t feel like a shack—it was a shack. We didn’t get paid much to play the blues, but we did get a plate of food, and that’s how I was introduced to Daddy D’z ribs. They were juicy and succulent with the perfect amount of smoke. Daddy D’z founder, Ron Newman, explained that he was from Chicago and learned his smoker chops from his father-in-law before moving to Atlanta.
I was hired at the magazine a few years later during the middle of a “Best BBQ” issue, and the editor was serious about his barbecue. He scoffed when I told him I had a candidate for the “ribs” category, but after he’d wolfed down a quarter rack at Daddy D’z, I’d earned my place.
Photograph by Growl Bros.
I hadn’t eaten there since Newman sold Daddy D’z in 2018. I was kind of afraid to—those ribs were art. I was relieved that not much had changed when I visited during its last weeks on Memorial Drive (a hunt for a new location was underway at press time). The parking lot was still a pothole mine field. The same framed stories from the New York Times and others lined the walls. Also on the wall was a framed copy of our BBQ issue. The five best ribs in Atlanta were in a category all to their own, headlined “Hotamighytdamn!”
I tore a piece of meat off the ribs and tasted. Relief. The exclamation still applied. —Scott Freeman
The Basement Bar at The Po’ Boy Shop
Decatur
@thepoboyshop
The Basement Bar is a lair of undiscovered treasure, a true Louisiana portal. It’s atmospheric—Mardi Gras beads and screens tuned to a live feed of Bourbon Street—and the drinks are serious, led by a perfectly executed Sazerac. The kitchen turns out deeply soulful food. Start with a cup of gumbo built on a hauntingly dark roux. Don’t skip po’ boys stuffed high with fried shrimp and oysters or the signature Debris of tender roast beef, gravy, and the zing of horseradish. Both are served on authentic Leidenheimer French bread. The plump hush puppies are a mandatory side, and the deeply satisfying red beans and rice complete an essential order of a popcorn shrimp platter. —AH
Dead End Drinks
Kirkwood
@deadenddrinksatl
Worthy of the dead-end turn, this tucked-away spot is a neighborhood fave. To enter the sleek and slightly spooky interior is to be immediately welcomed by Andy Minchow, one of the city’s OG bartenders, and one of the most celebrated. His hospitality is as refined as the cocktail program. The menu is brilliantly irreverent, beginning with a choose-your-own-adventure meat and cheese board; you select your choices via a nostalgic library card and pencil system. Agedashi tofu, a remarkable smashburger, and comfy chicken and dumplings all wash down pleasingly with a rum-based Chester Copperpot. It’s a special find where care and craft are evident in every bite and pour. —AH
The Village Corner Bakery, Tavern & German Restaurant
Photograph by Growl Bros.
The Village Corner Bakery, Tavern & German Restaurant
Stone Mountain
@thevillagecorner
This landmark, with a bakery that Claus and Hilde Friese opened in 1974, was nearly lost to a fire two years ago. But the beloved establishment has reopened. Their son, Carl, who has a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales, now manages the place but says his parents (who live upstairs) still like to come down and supervise. All the knickknacks and mementos are in place: paintings by his mother, German flags, antique steins, and the retired Tucker Elks Lodge mascot, head and antlers intact. It’s a cozy, wood-trimmed setting for enjoying such German favorites as schnitzel, sausages, and sauerkraut paired with the house Nut Brown (dopple bock and pilsner) or a beer cocktail. Do not leave without goodies from the cake carousel (Black Forest cake, apple strudel) or bakery case (linzer torte cookies). —VF
Taqueria San Pancho
Tucker
There’s no such thing as too many taquerias, so knowing about one more is always a good thing, especially when you’re driving around metro Atlanta and a taco craving hits. If you’re out Tucker way, consider a stop at this working man’s favorite, located in a bustling plaza that has the shops to cover all your basic needs: a laundry, a nail salon, a barber shop, and a Western Union. The menu posted above the counter is packed with choices, including tortas, burritos, nachos, fajitas, and Sunday-only menudo. But the go-to order is the soft tacos with eight protein choices (including steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, and even tripe). A side order of the creamy refried beans and authentic Mexican rice is recommended. A salsa bar offers excellent red and green sauces, plus escabeche (pickled veggies), whole radishes, and lime wedges. —VF
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Karaoke at Bob & Harriet’s Home Bar
Kirkwood
@homebaratl
“Saturday night’s alright for fighting,” as Elton John once sang, but for pacifists itching to sing (with talent or not), there’s always Bob & Harriet’s Home Bar.
This cozy, community cornerstone tucked into a historic row of downtown Kirkwood storefronts has made Saturday night karaoke a rollicking, time-honored tradition, starting at 9 p.m. sharp. (Fun tip: Watch patrons across the street at Valero gas station’s pumps wonder what the racket is before spotting lubed-up performers at the open-doored dive.) Late-night snacks help fuel the brouhaha, which spills into the wee hours.
By day, this is a kid-friendly spot with a killer brunch (beeline for the This Sh*t Is B.A.N.A.N.A.S!, which marries griddled banana bread with bacon, scrambled eggs, and maple glaze), while Crab Legs Night on Tuesdays is another staple. But the true joy here comes after dark on Saturdays. Order a $4 pint of rotating house beer and applaud uncaged parents and Gen Zers belting out their best Whitney Houston and Axl Rose. —Josh Green
South
Airport View Restaurant
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Airport View Restaurant
Hapeville
@airportviewrestaurant
This homey Southern-style cafeteria is true to its name, with views of runways, ascending planes, and the iconic “Fly Delta Jets” sign. It has an endearing stuck-in-time quality (it opened in 1997) thanks to pastel walls, well-worn oak tables, dining chairs with casters, and a potpourri of paintings and floral decor. Owner Yong Choe checks on guests while his wife, Sunny, works the cafeteria line. Comfort food options are what you’d expect: smothered chicken, country fried steak, meatloaf, pork chops, lasagna, and salmon patties, plus veggies and mac and cheese, of course. The boneless fried chicken is tender and juicy with a satisfying cracklin’ crunch. The cornbread squares are dense (in a good way) with a slight buttermilk tang. Meals are detour-worthy, whether you call Atlanta home or are just passing through. —VF
Airport View Restaurant
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Supermercado La Bendicion
Palmetto
In the 10 years since I first stumbled across Supermercado La Bendicion in Palmetto, not much has changed—and that’s a good thing. Located on Main Street and about five minutes from Serenbe, one half of the space is a small grocery store with items from Central America and fresh meats. It’s humble, but the food always brings me back for more. The guacamole is made to order, the tacos are traditional (my two favorites are chorizo and al pastor), and if you come before they sell out, there are tamales. They remind me of ones a friend’s grandmother used to make. After the ritz of Serenbe, La Bendicion sits just right. —SF
Atlanta Utility Works Brewpub
East Point
@atlantautilityworksbrewpub
This cavernous former factory space hosts fun, quirky events year-round. Make its brewpub your first stop for Arches Brewing beers and Cultured South kombuchas on tap. Exceptional seasonal cocktails are here too. From the kitchen: Bavarian-style soft pretzels, turkey Reubens, and smoked brisket or chicken sandwiches on sourdough. Soups, loaded baked potatoes, and creative hot dog toppings (beet or collard kimchi)—check. Brunch offerings like French toast and sausage biscuits, plus Bloody Marys, fuel the weekend crowd. The room features long communal tables, string lights, a green velveteen couch, and a vintage Mortal Kombat arcade game. —VF
JPresso Cafe
Hapeville
@jpressocafe
Blink and you’ll miss JPresso—but don’t. Tucked at the edge of an unassuming Hapeville shopping center, with views of landing jets and Porsche’s headquarters, this quirky, beloved coffee shop is the definition of a welcoming communal hub—and the antithesis of blander nearby chains like Dunkin’. It’s chock-full of enough hip antiques to make grandma jealous. The brews are by Counter Culture Coffee; go for the latte, made with all-natural syrups from the French brand 1883. The oatmeal and fresh fruit plate is somehow divine. For more substantial fare, try the Emerald City Bagels sandwich piled with ham, egg, and cheese, or the fan favorite nova lox. Tastes like hugs. —JG
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Hudson & Alphonse
Photograph by Growl Bros.
Hudson & Alphonse
Chosewood Park
@hudsonandalphonse
It’s a warm Friday evening, and Chosewood Park smells delicious, like sizzling steak and veggies and stacks of melting American cheese. The Southside Beltline neighborhood is dotted with new developments, but the source of that aroma is a former 1950s drive-thru in a gas station that sprung to life in 2023 as Hudson & Alphonse, a shoebox-sized deli with an oversized personality. What other eatery, for example, gives 10 percent discounts to customers who can rip off 15 pull-ups on bars near the walk-up window?
This one-person operation with a swelling fan base is the brainchild of owner Daniel Smith, whom everyone calls “Sunny” as a nod to his former rap moniker “SunN.Y.” His musical chops were enough to score airtime on BET, music videos, and a record deal with Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings in 2005. During the pandemic, Smith’s daughter requested he try to cook some of the dishes they’d eaten while on the road, and his next career pivot was born.
Smith proudly hails from Rochester, New York, and the deli’s name is a nod to a hometown street corner where an all-day eatery literally fed 1990s hip-hop culture in the area. “This Arab brother named Sham Sham would make these bangin’-ass steak subs for us,” says Smith, working the grill in a custom apron made of old Polo jeans, his thick dialect bringing to mind classic Wu-Tang Clan tracks. “I just chose to replicate [the sub] and take it around the world.” (Word to the wise: Saying “cheesesteak” like rival Philadelphians is borderline sacrilege here.)
Key to the deli’s success is Boss Sauce, a deliciously tart and sweet sandwich condiment from Rochester that’s so hard to find (and expensive to ship), Smith drives 16 hours each way to load his truck with it a couple times a year. “There’s not a restaurant in Rochester that doesn’t have it,” says Smith. “We had Boss Sauce before breast milk, is what I like to say.” The signature sub (and homage) is the Sham Sham, a deeply satisfying halal steak affair on hearth-baked Amoroso’s rolls slathered in homemade garlic butter ($17 for a foot-long). But don’t sleep on the off-menu 404 burger, which costs $4.04, or the hearty chopped chicken sub.
As a personal trainer, Smith has a love of fitness—he offers workout sessions for neighbors and friends on-site during off hours—that is reflected in the ingredients, including kale and wild-caught salmon that he says is the freshest available. And his hustle to launch a deli alone owes much to his past life in the cutthroat music industry. “I’m really ambitious and got a lot of drive,” says Smith, as DoorDash and Grubhub orders keep streaming in. “I’m manifesting this dream right here. It’s been amazing so far.” —JG
Your Picks for Hidden Gems
We asked you on Instagram to share your favorite low-profile spots for dining. Here’s what some of you revealed:
@lillianondus
Embilta Ethiopian
@laurashlyn
Local Three—it’s hard to find but well worth it, lol.
@katieandstampy
Babs Midtown
@ericwthom
Havana Sandwich Shop in Buford Hwy.
@mattkrack
Daddy D’z is the GOAT.
@donttouchthediscoball
Peruvian rotisserie chicken at Las Brasas in downtown Decatur.
@literallymyuser
Little’s Food Store
@coffeecoffee25
Gaslight in Roswell
@dogsecret12
New York Sandwich Shop West End
@givemegold_
Dolo’s Pizza
@ex_walls
Stan’s Smoke Signals
@whitleyromanojulie
JenChan’s
This article appears in our February 2026 issue.
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