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The food at Grecian Gyro.
The food at Grecian Gyro near the Atlanta airport.
Grecian Gyro

Best Restaurants Near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport

Whether it’s a caffeine fix before a flight, breakfast burritos, barbecue, gyros, or Ethiopian fare, here’s where to get your fill near the airport

by Beth McKibben and Eater Staff Updated
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The food at Grecian Gyro near the Atlanta airport.
| Grecian Gyro
by Beth McKibben and Eater Staff Updated

Whether you are an Atlanta local looking to grab a bite in the area or a weary traveler heading off the highway or staying in a nearby hotel, there is plenty of great food to be found at restaurants around Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport — the world’s busiest airport.

Newcomers to Atlanta have likely heard of the towns of College Park, Hapeville, and East Point referred to as the ATL Airport District. But longtime residents and Atlanta natives still refer to this area as the Tri-Cities. Its namesake high school and landmarks were made famous on albums by former East Point residents André 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast.

The histories and cultures of the cities and towns surrounding Hartsfield-Jackson have helped create a vibrant and growing food scene in the southern portion of metropolitan Atlanta. From barbecue, gyros, and Mexican fare to meat-and-threes, Gullah Geechee dishes, and brunch served all day, some of metro Atlanta’s best-kept restaurant secrets can be found right outside Hartsfield-Jackson.

Headed to the airport? Where to Dine at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport


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Hot Cafe

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Located on Riverdale Road, this small, unassuming restaurant serves a comforting mix of Laotian, Thai, and Chinese dishes on its menu. But it’s the Laotian fare that really shines here. Make sure to order any of the larb (or “lab”) — a meat salad tossed with scallions, cilantro, red onions, and toasted rice — along with the fiery papaya salad paired with sticky rice. Regulars also swear by the wings, pad thai, and tom yum soup.

5286 Riverdale Rd, Atlanta, GA 30349
(770) 996-6544
(770) 996-6544
Three plates boast fried chicken wings, fried rice, and dipping sauces. Brandon E. / Yelp

Also featured in:

Apron

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Located at the Kimpton Overland Hotel, Apron overlooks a private racetrack reserved for Porsche and offers views of the planes landing and taking off at Hartsfield-Jackson beyond. Come in the morning for a light breakfast of coffee and a ham and cheese croissant. Head in for dinner, featuring steelhead trout, a za’atar-spiced lamb burger, or New York strip steak. Cocktails, beer, and wine are available. Be sure to grab drinks at the covered rooftop lounge with its panoramic views of the airport. Reservations highly encouraged.

2 Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
(470) 466-3330
(470) 466-3330

Virgil's Gullah Kitchen & Bar

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The Gullah- and Lowcountry-inspired dishes at Virgil’s, owned by Gee Smalls and Juan Smalls, are not to be missed. Order the she-crab soup or Gullah egg rolls stuffed with red rice, cabbage, and shrimp; the crab rice mixed with sauteed bacon, onions, and peppers; a side of greens; and the brownie sundae for dessert. The Smalls also own a neighboring brunch spot the Breakfast Boys on Main Street. Located just north of the College Park MARTA station.

3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 228-4897
(404) 228-4897
A round of compact white rice topped with shrimp and crab gravy at Virgil’s in College Park, Georgia.
Shrimp and crab gravy
Ryan Fleisher

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The Real Milk & Honey

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This all-day breakfast and brunch restaurant serves up Southern staples like shrimp and grits and other dishes such as a French toast sandwich stuffed with Crown Royal-infused peach cobbler, a “Hotlanta” chicken biscuit, lobster- and gravy-smothered biscuits, and jumbo lump crab hash. Located just north of the College Park MARTA station.

3719 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 458-2883
(404) 458-2883

Also featured in:

Kenny's Cafe

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This cafeteria-style meat-and-three serves all the Southern comfort favorites, including fried chicken and catfish, salisbury steak smothered in gravy, and hearty vegetable plates filled with collards, black-eyed peas, fried okra, and mac and cheese (Yes, it’s a vegetable in the South). Breakfast is hard to beat, especially the biscuit sandwiches at Kenny’s, like the country ham, egg, and cheese. Expect daily specials here.

407 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
(404) 762-3030
(404) 762-3030
Sheshana L/Yelp

Pit Boss BBQ

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Pit Boss in Hapeville is often packed with Delta employees, weary travelers, locals, and off-duty police workers who come to indulge in the sweet, spicy, savory, and smoky ’cue. Make sure to order the smoked wings, which are dry-rubbed overnight before being smoked on pecan, oak, and hickory woods and flash-fried for a crispy skin. 

800 Doug Davis Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
(404) 768-0036
(404) 768-0036
A parchment-lined basket holds Pit Boss BBQ’s noteworthy smoked chicken wings, mild wings, and collard greens. Chris O. / Yelp

Also featured in:

Don Chon

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Don Chon in Hapeville is a Mexican buffet, and it’s also a solid stop for a la carte tacos near the airport. While the menu offers everything from tortas to fajitas, and even menudo on the weekends, regulars to Don Chon swear by the tripe, carne asada, chorizo, and the lengua tacos. Each taco averages around $2.50 and comes in a tortilla made fresh that day.

616 S Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 30354
(404) 748-4956
(404) 748-4956
Carne asada and al pastor tacos have been topped with onions and cilantro. Hart P. / Yelp

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Mami's La Cubana

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When in Hapeville, pop by Mami’s La Cubana to grab a cubano or medianoche on fresh Cuban bread with a side of tostones, croquettes, or an empanada. Mami’s also serves tamales and platters, featuring mojo pork, fried tilapia, or shredded chicken, peppers, and onions, which come with sides of rice, beans, Cuban bread, sweet plantains, and a salad.

579 N Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 30354
(678) 974-5487
(678) 974-5487

Also featured in:

Volare Wine & Bistro

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Aimed at the date-night crowd, Volare brings Southern-French fancy to the ATL Airport District. The restaurant mixes elegance with an understated location overlooking the train tracks in Hapeville. This juxtaposition is reflected in the dishes here, like the Cajun pastas, Parmesan-encrusted cordon bleu, mountain trout, or the grilled Australian lamb chops in Grand Marnier gastrique. Reservations required.

603 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
(404) 503-6730
(404) 503-6730

Also featured in:

Grecian Gyro

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With several locations around Atlanta, this self-described “hole in the wall” located in Hapeville is the original. Stop in for souvlaki, falafel, gryos, or Italian sausage wraps. There are substantial gluten-free and vegetarian options here.

855 Virginia Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
(404) 762-1627
(404) 762-1627

The time has returned. Its back to school already! Schedules are complicated, your meal doesn't have to be. For the...

Posted by Grecian Gyro on Thursday, August 1, 2019

Also featured in:

Bole Ethiopian Restaurant

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Bole is an area favorite, especially for those seeking hearty vegetarian fare. It’s also a place people often ask one another if they’ve visited. While this spot is very vegetarian-friendly (try the samosas), Bole is still accommodating for meat lovers. Order lamb and beef to scoop into injera (spongy Ethiopian flatbread) and a glass of honey wine.

1583 Virginia Ave, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 549-9111
(404) 549-9111

Also featured in:

Drip-Thru Coffee®

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Forget Starbucks and Dunkin’, hit up this local drive-thru coffee shop in College Park for espresso, lattes, tea, and smoothies paired with pastries. This is the perfect quick caffeine boost before catching a long flight.

1515 Virginia Ave, College Park, GA 30337
(470) 408-1195
(470) 408-1195
Noel Mayeske

Also featured in:

Brake Pad

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This tried-and-true College Park tavern shines with its heaping burgers and fries, wings, patty melts, and blackened tilapia. It also fosters a funky, devil-may-care attitude in its community of regular locals, which includes Woodward Academy teachers, millennials, Gen-Z wanderers, and longtime residents.

3403 E Main St, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 766-1515
(404) 766-1515

All the cool kids are doing it!! Place your preorder for wings ASAP. We will have them all ready for pickup at whatever time your heart desires. The best wings around!!

Posted by Brake Pad on Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Also featured in:

Tia Rosie's Kitchen

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This counter-service Mexican restaurant is a great place to grab a quick bite during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, especially if you’re on the go to or from the airport. This includes the breakfast burritos stuffed with bacon, egg, and cheese and the tacos and tortas later in the day with sides of elotes or street snacks like chicharron preparado — a fried wheat paste topped with diced tomatoes, sour cream, cotija cheese, avocados, and cueritos (pickled pork rinds). For dessert, order a refreshing mangonada.

3266 Dogwood Dr suite B, Hapeville, GA 30354
(404) 228-2189
(404) 228-2189
Tia Rosie’s Kitchen

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Hot Cafe

5286 Riverdale Rd, Atlanta, GA 30349

Located on Riverdale Road, this small, unassuming restaurant serves a comforting mix of Laotian, Thai, and Chinese dishes on its menu. But it’s the Laotian fare that really shines here. Make sure to order any of the larb (or “lab”) — a meat salad tossed with scallions, cilantro, red onions, and toasted rice — along with the fiery papaya salad paired with sticky rice. Regulars also swear by the wings, pad thai, and tom yum soup.

5286 Riverdale Rd, Atlanta, GA 30349
(770) 996-6544
(770) 996-6544
Three plates boast fried chicken wings, fried rice, and dipping sauces. Brandon E. / Yelp

Apron

2 Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354

Located at the Kimpton Overland Hotel, Apron overlooks a private racetrack reserved for Porsche and offers views of the planes landing and taking off at Hartsfield-Jackson beyond. Come in the morning for a light breakfast of coffee and a ham and cheese croissant. Head in for dinner, featuring steelhead trout, a za’atar-spiced lamb burger, or New York strip steak. Cocktails, beer, and wine are available. Be sure to grab drinks at the covered rooftop lounge with its panoramic views of the airport. Reservations highly encouraged.

2 Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
(470) 466-3330
(470) 466-3330

Virgil's Gullah Kitchen & Bar

3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337

The Gullah- and Lowcountry-inspired dishes at Virgil’s, owned by Gee Smalls and Juan Smalls, are not to be missed. Order the she-crab soup or Gullah egg rolls stuffed with red rice, cabbage, and shrimp; the crab rice mixed with sauteed bacon, onions, and peppers; a side of greens; and the brownie sundae for dessert. The Smalls also own a neighboring brunch spot the Breakfast Boys on Main Street. Located just north of the College Park MARTA station.

3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 228-4897
(404) 228-4897
A round of compact white rice topped with shrimp and crab gravy at Virgil’s in College Park, Georgia.
Shrimp and crab gravy
Ryan Fleisher

The Real Milk & Honey

3719 Main St, College Park, GA 30337

This all-day breakfast and brunch restaurant serves up Southern staples like shrimp and grits and other dishes such as a French toast sandwich stuffed with Crown Royal-infused peach cobbler, a “Hotlanta” chicken biscuit, lobster- and gravy-smothered biscuits, and jumbo lump crab hash. Located just north of the College Park MARTA station.

3719 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 458-2883
(404) 458-2883

Kenny's Cafe

407 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354

This cafeteria-style meat-and-three serves all the Southern comfort favorites, including fried chicken and catfish, salisbury steak smothered in gravy, and hearty vegetable plates filled with collards, black-eyed peas, fried okra, and mac and cheese (Yes, it’s a vegetable in the South). Breakfast is hard to beat, especially the biscuit sandwiches at Kenny’s, like the country ham, egg, and cheese. Expect daily specials here.

407 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
(404) 762-3030
(404) 762-3030
Sheshana L/Yelp

Pit Boss BBQ

800 Doug Davis Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354

Pit Boss in Hapeville is often packed with Delta employees, weary travelers, locals, and off-duty police workers who come to indulge in the sweet, spicy, savory, and smoky ’cue. Make sure to order the smoked wings, which are dry-rubbed overnight before being smoked on pecan, oak, and hickory woods and flash-fried for a crispy skin. 

800 Doug Davis Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
(404) 768-0036
(404) 768-0036
A parchment-lined basket holds Pit Boss BBQ’s noteworthy smoked chicken wings, mild wings, and collard greens. Chris O. / Yelp

Don Chon

616 S Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 30354

Don Chon in Hapeville is a Mexican buffet, and it’s also a solid stop for a la carte tacos near the airport. While the menu offers everything from tortas to fajitas, and even menudo on the weekends, regulars to Don Chon swear by the tripe, carne asada, chorizo, and the lengua tacos. Each taco averages around $2.50 and comes in a tortilla made fresh that day.

616 S Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 30354
(404) 748-4956
(404) 748-4956
Carne asada and al pastor tacos have been topped with onions and cilantro. Hart P. / Yelp

Mami's La Cubana

579 N Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 30354

When in Hapeville, pop by Mami’s La Cubana to grab a cubano or medianoche on fresh Cuban bread with a side of tostones, croquettes, or an empanada. Mami’s also serves tamales and platters, featuring mojo pork, fried tilapia, or shredded chicken, peppers, and onions, which come with sides of rice, beans, Cuban bread, sweet plantains, and a salad.

579 N Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 30354
(678) 974-5487
(678) 974-5487

Volare Wine & Bistro

603 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354

Aimed at the date-night crowd, Volare brings Southern-French fancy to the ATL Airport District. The restaurant mixes elegance with an understated location overlooking the train tracks in Hapeville. This juxtaposition is reflected in the dishes here, like the Cajun pastas, Parmesan-encrusted cordon bleu, mountain trout, or the grilled Australian lamb chops in Grand Marnier gastrique. Reservations required.

603 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
(404) 503-6730
(404) 503-6730

Grecian Gyro

855 Virginia Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354

With several locations around Atlanta, this self-described “hole in the wall” located in Hapeville is the original. Stop in for souvlaki, falafel, gryos, or Italian sausage wraps. There are substantial gluten-free and vegetarian options here.

855 Virginia Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
(404) 762-1627
(404) 762-1627

The time has returned. Its back to school already! Schedules are complicated, your meal doesn't have to be. For the...

Posted by Grecian Gyro on Thursday, August 1, 2019

Bole Ethiopian Restaurant

1583 Virginia Ave, College Park, GA 30337

Bole is an area favorite, especially for those seeking hearty vegetarian fare. It’s also a place people often ask one another if they’ve visited. While this spot is very vegetarian-friendly (try the samosas), Bole is still accommodating for meat lovers. Order lamb and beef to scoop into injera (spongy Ethiopian flatbread) and a glass of honey wine.

1583 Virginia Ave, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 549-9111
(404) 549-9111

Drip-Thru Coffee®

1515 Virginia Ave, College Park, GA 30337

Forget Starbucks and Dunkin’, hit up this local drive-thru coffee shop in College Park for espresso, lattes, tea, and smoothies paired with pastries. This is the perfect quick caffeine boost before catching a long flight.

1515 Virginia Ave, College Park, GA 30337
(470) 408-1195
(470) 408-1195
Noel Mayeske

Brake Pad

3403 E Main St, College Park, GA 30337

This tried-and-true College Park tavern shines with its heaping burgers and fries, wings, patty melts, and blackened tilapia. It also fosters a funky, devil-may-care attitude in its community of regular locals, which includes Woodward Academy teachers, millennials, Gen-Z wanderers, and longtime residents.

3403 E Main St, College Park, GA 30337
(404) 766-1515
(404) 766-1515

All the cool kids are doing it!! Place your preorder for wings ASAP. We will have them all ready for pickup at whatever time your heart desires. The best wings around!!

Posted by Brake Pad on Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Tia Rosie's Kitchen

3266 Dogwood Dr suite B, Hapeville, GA 30354

This counter-service Mexican restaurant is a great place to grab a quick bite during breakfast, lunch, or dinner, especially if you’re on the go to or from the airport. This includes the breakfast burritos stuffed with bacon, egg, and cheese and the tacos and tortas later in the day with sides of elotes or street snacks like chicharron preparado — a fried wheat paste topped with diced tomatoes, sour cream, cotija cheese, avocados, and cueritos (pickled pork rinds). For dessert, order a refreshing mangonada.

3266 Dogwood Dr suite B, Hapeville, GA 30354
(404) 228-2189
(404) 228-2189
Tia Rosie’s Kitchen

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