10 Foods Every Atlantan Should Try at Least Once — All Along the Beltline
With new restaurants popping up weekly, you can live in Atlanta for years and still have a few legendary local dishes you haven't gotten around to trying. The good news? You can check quite a few off your list without straying far from the Atlanta Beltline.
1. The Cheesesteak — Fred's Meat & Bread
Where: Krog Street Market
Philadelphia might have invented the cheesesteak, but Fred's has made a strong case for Atlanta's version. The sandwich has earned national attention, including recognition from the Michelin Guide. It's rich, messy and worth grabbing a few extra napkins for. The garlic fries deserve an order, too.
2. The H&F Cheeseburger — H&F Burger
Where: Ponce City Market
Before H&F Burger had its own restaurant, Holeman and Finch served just 24 of these burgers each night at 10 p.m. People lined up for them, and the burger became something of an Atlanta legend. Thankfully, you no longer have to wait until 10 p.m. to get one.
3. A Giant Slice of Pizza — Glide Pizza
Where: SPX Alley, just off the Eastside Trail
Glide serves big, foldable New York-style slices, but the toppings give them an Atlanta twist. Try a slice with pimento cheese and hot honey, or keep it classic. Either way, don't skip the ranch and pickled peppers on the side.
4. Fried Chicken and a Biscuit — Hop's Chicken
Where: Ponce City Market
Atlanta takes fried chicken seriously, and Hop's keeps things straightforward. Chef Linton Hopkins' counter in Ponce City Market serves crispy fried chicken alongside freshly baked biscuits and classic Southern sides.
5. A Persian Rice Dish — Delbar
Where: Inman Park, near the Eastside Trail
Delbar has become one of Atlanta's best-known spots for Persian and Middle Eastern cooking. Try adas polo, a lentil rice dish with the crispy rice known as tahdig. It's a good reason to venture a few blocks off the trail and settle in for a proper dinner.
6. Gelato — Honeysuckle Gelato
Where: Ponce City Market
Honeysuckle Gelato is an Atlanta-born favorite with flavors that often give a Southern spin to the Italian dessert. It's an easy stop after lunch at Ponce City Market, especially when the weather makes another mile on the Beltline feel ambitious.
7. Zhong-Style Dumplings — Gu's Dumplings
Where: Krog Street Market
Gu's has been an Atlanta favorite since the family's original Sichuan restaurant opened on Buford Highway. Their signature Zhong-style dumplings are stuffed with pork and served in a sweet, spicy chili sauce.
8. Sourdough Pizza — Monday Night Garage
Where: Lee + White, Westside Trail
Monday Night Garage is known for its craft beer, but the pizza deserves some attention, too. Made with naturally fermented sourdough and baked in a blazing-hot oven, the Neapolitan-style pies have a chewy, airy crust. Grab one with a cold beer and settle in at the Garage's spacious outdoor patio.
9. Brown Butter & Salt Doughnut — The Salty
Where: Krog District, Eastside Trail
The Salty takes doughnuts well beyond the usual glazed dozen. Its signature Brown Butter & Salt doughnut combines rich brown butter with a little salt to balance the sweetness. The Miami-born bakery also has a rotating lineup of creative flavors, making it an easy excuse for a doughnut stop along the Beltline.
10. Blackened Grouper Sandwich — Breaker Breaker
Where: Reynoldstown, Eastside Trail
Breaker Breaker brings a little Gulf Coast seafood to the Beltline, and its blackened grouper sandwich is the standout. A generous piece of seasoned grouper comes piled with shredded lettuce, tartar sauce and spicy pepper relish on a soft bun. Grab a seat on the patio overlooking the trail and don't forget the fries.
Bonus: Frozen Margaritas — CHIRINGA
Where: Eastside Trail, near the Krog District
Not technically a food, but CHIRINGA's frozen margaritas deserve a spot on this list. The beach-inspired restaurant serves up refreshing frozen margs that taste even better after a long walk on the Beltline.
How Many Have You Tried?
You don't have to tackle them all in one afternoon. In fact, we'd strongly advise against it. But if you want to experience the Beltline beyond the usual stops, join us for a Food & Street Art Tour.
Nicole Pitts is a freelance marketer for BiteLines Atlanta Food Tours. An avid traveler, she loves experiencing destinations through their local restaurants and cuisines. She has lived in Atlanta on and off throughout her life and considers the Beltline one of the city's best places to eat, explore, and spend an afternoon with her dog.
