It doesn’t matter whether you’re an Atlanta native looking for a bite to eat or a tired traveler exiting the highway or resting in a nearby hotel, there are plenty of wonderful cuisines to be found at restaurants near Atlanta Airport – the world’s busiest airport.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has a broad range of eateries. Still, occasionally you may want to travel beyond the airport before your flight, or perhaps you want to pick up friends who have long layovers and treat them to lunch. The airport’s picturesque region, known as the ATL Airport District, is full of wonderful restaurants and watering holes to fulfill every appetite. Take your pick from the top dining and drinking options near the airport.
ATL Airport District
Newcomers to Atlanta are likely to have heard of the ATL Airport District, which includes the municipalities of East Point, College Park, and Hapeville. However, long-term inhabitants and Atlanta natives still refer to this area as the Tri-Cities. Its eponymous high school and landmarks were made famous on recordings by former East Point locals André 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast.
Tip: You don’t want to take a risk with parking at the world’s busiest airport. So make sure you book your Atlanta Airport parking spot ahead.
From barbecue, gyros, and pho, to meat-and-threes, Gullah Geechee meals, and a lavish feast or two, the communities and neighborhoods near ATL Airport serve the area’s best-kept culinary secrets. So, without digressing further, we’ll get to our list of the 10 best restaurants near Atlanta Airport.
Best restaurants near Atlanta Airport
Volare Wine & Bistro, 603 N Central Ave, Hapeville
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Volare, aimed at the date-night crowd, offers Southern-French glitz to the ATL Airport District. The restaurant combines luxury with an unpretentious setting overlooking the Hapeville train tracks. The meals here reflect this juxtaposition, such as the Cajun pastas, Parmesan-encrusted cordon bleu, mountain fish, and grilled Australian lamb chops in Grand Marnier gastrique.
Spondivits, 1219 Virginia Ave, East Point
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Spondivits is another Atlanta favorite that delivers on its promise to provide folks with down-home seafood. Its menu consists primarily of seafood. They serve up hot, cold, in soups, between two pieces of bread, on a salad, or on a platter surrounded by fries and veggies — and is located near the airport on Virginia Avenue in East Point. If you don’t really care for seafood, they provide a choice of black Angus beef selections.
Bole Ethiopian Restaurant, 1583 Virginia Ave, College Park
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Bole is a local favorite, particularly for those looking for substantial vegetarian food. It’s also a spot that Atlanta locals frequently ask one another if they’ve been to. While this restaurant is ideal for vegetarians (try the samosas), it also caters to meat-eaters. Order lamb or beef to go with their soft Ethiopian flatbread, called Injera, and a glass of honey wine.
Restaurant 356, One Porsche Dr
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356 is a modern restaurant with a comfortable yet classy atmosphere. The restaurant is a pleasant place to relax and recollect after or before a long journey. Enjoy a finely created meal meant to satisfy your hunger while taking in unrivaled views of the Porsche Experience Center.
The seasonal menu features exquisite international cuisine prepared with locally grown and locally sourced ingredients. A large wine collection pays homage to the world’s best wine-growing regions. For those who want tradition, classic drinks are provided.
Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar, 3721 Main St, College Park
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Gee Smalls and Juan Smalls’ Gullah and Lowcountry-inspired cuisine at Virgil’s must not be skipped. For starters, try the she-crab soup or Gullah egg rolls loaded with red rice, cabbage, and shrimp; crab rice with sautéed bacon, onions, and peppers; a side of greens. Tuck into the brownie-based Chucktown Chewie sundae for dessert. There’s nothing a hungry traveler will enjoy more, so Virgil’s makes it to the list of best restaurants near Atlanta Airport.
The Manchester Arms, 1705 Virginia Ave
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Want to feel a little British? Then head over to the Manchester Arms in College Park, which provides a pub-like atmosphere in the heart of Georgia. Enjoy traditional pub fare as well as British classics such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and bangers and mash, which includes Fergus Nolan English morning sausage, among other dishes. But, of course, if you want to be really Southern British, you can always eat shrimp and grits.
Fresh From Earth Herb & Tea Bar, 3727 Main St, College Park
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Fresh from Earth offers a selection of more than 30 loose-leaf teas on its menu. Offerings include well-known mixes such as Earl Grey, green, and jasmine, as well as personalized immune boosters and herbal blends.
These teas can help with sinus and respiratory congestion, high blood pressure, and even skin, hair, and nail rejuvenation, among other things. In addition, the shop carries restorative and therapeutic tea tonics, such as those designed to improve attention and others that are intended to relieve inflammation.
Chairs Upstairs Bar and Restaurant, 2783 Main St, East Point
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The Chairs Bar is located directly across the street from the East Point MARTA station and provides a vast range of beers and a variety of hearty pub fare. If white chicken chili is on the menu, get it. Otherwise, just get some wings from the outdoor smoker, and you’re done.
This pretty cool restaurant near Atlanta Airport has plenty of pool tables and old arcade games, which will appeal to your inner child. They also have a large range of beer and whiskey to choose from here. Plus, there’s the cuisine! Their corndogs and terrific brisket sandwiches are favorites with travelers.
Hot Café, 5286 Riverdale Rd
This modest, unobtrusive restaurant, located on Riverdale Road, offers a soothing blend of Laotian, Thai, and Chinese foods on its menu. However, it is the Laotian cuisine that truly shines here.
Make sure to get any of the larb (also known as “lab”), a meat salad mixed with scallions, cilantro, red onions, toasted rice, and the hot papaya salad, served with sticky rice, which is a must-order. Regulars also rave about the wings, pad thai, and tom yum soup, all available on the menu.
Kupcakerie, 2781 Main St, East Point
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We just had to wind up our list of best restaurants near Atlanta Airport with something sweet. Visit Kupcakerie, located across the street from the East Point public library and underneath the bar mentioned above- Chairs Upstairs. Their cupcakes and coffee just hit the spot, especially after bland airline food. Churros, key lime pie, and Madagascar vanilla bourbon are just a few of the interesting flavors on offer here. And don’t forget to pick up a book from the communal bookshelf!
We’ll take a look at a few more restaurants near ATL Airport based on the type of food they serve. Don’t forget to book your Atlanta Airport parking spot ahead, if you want to explore these eateries.
Indian restaurants near Atlanta Airport
- Aamar Indian Cuisine
- Blue India
- Tabla
- NaanStop
- Curry Up Now
Seafood restaurants near Atlanta Airport
- The Crab Boil Atlanta BAR
- Spondivits
- Louisiana Bistreaux
- Malone’s Steak & Seafood
- Da’One Seafood
Breakfast restaurants near Atlanta Airport
- Airport Cafe
- Thumbs Up Diner
- IHOP
- The Real Milk & Honey
- The Corner Grille
Mexican restaurants near Atlanta airport
- Taqueria Don Sige
- La Fiesta Mexican Restuarant
- Zubi’s Taco Kitchen
- Don Burrito Grill
- Catalina Restuarante Y Taqueria
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