Cuisine of Atlanta facts for kids
The cuisine of Atlanta shows off many different food styles. It mixes traditional Southern flavors with tastes from all over the world. Atlanta has fancy restaurants, places with food from many countries, and classic Southern diners.
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Atlanta's First Restaurants
Atlanta's very first restaurant was a small place. It was run by a Frenchman named Toney Maquino. He served simple foods like ham, eggs, and oysters. This was when Atlanta was still called Marthasville.
After the American Civil War, R.G. Thompson opened a fancy restaurant. It was called Thompson's. They served high-quality meals, including steaks and oysters. Henry Durand became a very important restaurant owner during the time after the war.
By the 1920s, Atlanta's restaurant business was growing fast. Famous places like The Varsity, Mary Mac's Tea Room, Waffle House, and Chick-fil-A started here. These restaurants have even influenced food across the nation.
Modern and Fancy Restaurants
Since the early 2000s, Atlanta has become a sophisticated food city. Many new restaurants have opened in popular neighborhoods. These places have received praise from food critics all over the country. Some examples include Bocado, Bacchanalia, Flip Burger Boutique, and Miller Union in West Midtown. Empire State South is in Midtown. Two Urban Licks, Parish, and Rathbun's are on the east side.
In 2011, The New York Times newspaper described Empire State South and Miller Union. They said these restaurants showed a "new kind of sophisticated Southern sensibility." This means they use fresh farm ingredients but serve them in a city setting.
Famous Chefs in Atlanta
Atlanta is home to many famous chefs. Some of these chefs have appeared on popular food reality television shows. Shows like Top Chef feature these talented cooks.
| Chef | Atlanta-area restaurant(s) (past and present) |
Food reality series |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Quatrano | Bacchanalia, Quinones, Star Provisions, Floataway Cafe (all with Cliff Harrison) | Chefs A' Field |
| Hugh Acheson | Empire State South; 5&10 (Athens, Georgia) | Top Chef |
| Jeffrey Gardner | South City Kitchen Midtown | Chopped |
| Justin Burdett | Miller Union | Chopped |
| Kevin Gillespie | Woodfire Grill, Gunshow, Cold Beer | Top Chef |
| Kevin Rathbun | Rathbun's, Kevin Rathbun Steak, KR Steakbar, NAVA, Bluepointe, Buckhead Life Group | Chopped & Iron Chef America |
| Sean Telo | Noon Midtown (closed) | Chopped |
Other well-known chefs in Atlanta have not appeared on TV shows. These include:
- Peter Chang (Tasty China (Marietta), Peter Chang's)
- Shane Devereux (The Lawrence (opened 2012), dinner party, Sound Table, TopFlr)
- Paul Luna (Lunatic Black Market, Loca Luna, Eclipse di Luna)
- Art Smith (Southern Art)
International Food on Buford Highway
Buford Highway is a special place for international food. It stretches from near Buckhead to Gwinnett County. Many immigrants who live in Atlanta have opened restaurants here. You can find many different types of authentic food. These include Vietnamese, Indian, Cuban, Korean, Salvadoran, Mexican, Colombian, Dominican, Japanese, Chinese, and Ethiopian dishes.
Classic Atlanta Food Spots
Atlanta has some very famous and old restaurants. The Varsity opened in 1928. It is known as the world's largest drive-in restaurant. Mary Mac's Tea Room opened in 1945. It is a traditional place to enjoy Southern food. Paschal's and the Busy Bee Cafe have been favorite soul food spots since the 1940s.
Popular Restaurant Areas
Some areas in Atlanta are especially known for their restaurants. These include Buckhead, Virginia-Highland, and the Luckie-Marietta District downtown.
New and exciting food areas are also growing. These include the Old Fourth Ward, especially Edgewood Avenue. West Midtown is another popular spot. It is home to two of Atlanta's top-rated restaurants, Bacchanalia and the Quinones Room.
