Lunch? Get thee to the west side
Eggplant caponata with burrata at Bocado
There’s no getting around the fact that Atlanta’s not a great lunch town. Sure, there are plenty of places to grab a sandwich or burrito, or if you’re so inclined, Buford Highway offers a wealth of international options.
But what about having lunch prepared by a well known local chef? What about a lunch worth extending the lunch hour for, or one that’s worth going over budget for a mini-splurge?
It seems like all the best options these days are on the west side. Miller Union serves one of the best lunches in town thanks to the thoughtful menu, the lively scene and those great ice cream sandwiches that are lunch only on the menu. Bocado is my go to for an original sandwich, a small plate or a great bowl of soup. There’s also JCT Kitchen & Bar, which is always energizing, and Star Provisions.
I wish more of the city’s top restaurants served lunch. Are there any that I’m missing?
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178 comments Add your comment
Yeah, right....but I like Nordstroms
September 30th, 2010
12:37 pm
NONE. All over priced. Even the fast food chains. Why will I pay $8 bucks for BK/TB/McDs/Wendys, when I can get a full sit-down meal for the same price?
RE: Where are the best lunch places in Dunwoody/North Fulton?
But if I had to make one exception, it would be Nordstroms. Jazz music, al la carte, good menu selection, and easy prey on retail chicks to pick up without spending NOT ONE ADDITIONAL DIME!
Road Scholar
September 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
John: East 48th Market in Dunwoody- great Italian sandwiches and everything else!The real thing!
Papadeaux’s in Alpharetta has a lunch buffet for $13 every day-more expensive on Sunday
‘cue BBQ in Milton
Mel
September 30th, 2010
12:39 pm
TOSCANO AND SONS – West End on Marietta Street. It’s an Italian Market and they serve paninis for less than $5. It’s a no frills kinda store, but it’s cheap and it’s GOOD.
KoPP
September 30th, 2010
12:43 pm
Dunwoody/N Fulton – Wright’s Sandwich Shoppe, Com Dunwoody, and Wasabi House are all in the same area (along with the Old Hickory House). I highly recommend Wrights – excellent sandiches, esp. the Golden Gate. Com is pretty good, but it seemed to be a bit rocky the last time I ate there. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten at Wasabi House, but I have had some very good (if expensive) lunches there. And how can you turn down Old Hickory House for a biscuit for lunch?
Brazil Bellavista
September 30th, 2010
12:45 pm
Copeland’s on Piedmont has a decent lunch buffet for the price. It beats strapping on a feedbag and milling around the Golden Corral or Ryan’s.
mar1jdh
September 30th, 2010
12:45 pm
I second E. 48th and Wrights (try a slice of lemoade cake for desser).
Also the large second location of Alons Bakery has fantastic sandwichs and plenty of prepared choices.
Circle Sushi in Sandy Springs has great lunch as well.
hawa
September 30th, 2010
12:46 pm
I used to make chicken salad at downtown deli people used love. now iam at sherton at p’tree st.
Foodie
September 30th, 2010
12:50 pm
I’ve been eating lunch at Mary Mac’s for 30 years. It must be pretty good.
guest
September 30th, 2010
12:52 pm
Two places that are great for lunch on the westside are UrbanPl8 (www.urbanpl8.com), Besty the owner is amazing and Westside Bar & Cafe or as all the locals call it Westside (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Atlanta-GA/Westside-Bar-Cafe/278585253304?ref=ts) Ryan cooks the best Pizza and pasta around.
Tweets that mention Where are the best lunch spots in town? | Food and More with John Kessler -- Topsy.com
September 30th, 2010
12:53 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Fabrefaction Theatre, Au Pied De Cochon and 365Atlanta.com, Jennifer Brett. Jennifer Brett said: Westside is *representin* y'all HOLLA! http://bit.ly/9TTmOy <– for lunch spots, says @ajcfoodandmore [...]
Hi There
September 30th, 2010
12:56 pm
Melton’s App and Tap in Decatur.
Lance L.
September 30th, 2010
1:02 pm
Westside Cafe Italiano and Bistro on Marietta Street just south of the DeFoors Ferry Road intersection. GREAT place to eat, any time of day or night. They have tater tots! And the Greek Chicken pizza/calzone is fantastic.
Nate
September 30th, 2010
1:06 pm
What’s a “Thoughtful Menu?”
Ray the Realtor
September 30th, 2010
1:07 pm
Little Szechuan on Buford Hwy, try the shrimp & cashews. Amazing & for $7 a steal.
OTP Hoboken Bagels in Marietta: Best Chix salad ever on one of their fresh baked rolls.
Jillian
September 30th, 2010
1:09 pm
Spoon and West Egg!
ACE
September 30th, 2010
1:13 pm
Any place but Mary Macs, extremely over rated
Jim
September 30th, 2010
1:17 pm
Downtown Norcross. Great food at the Norcross Station, Great pizza at Paizano’s, great cuban at Mojito’s and great Italian at Dominick’s. Also, the Blue House has excellent sandwiches and sides for lunch.
JAGS
September 30th, 2010
1:18 pm
Fresh Mexicali Grill / Mansell Rd. AWESOME meals, cheap!
fek
September 30th, 2010
1:18 pm
Goldberg’s
CR
September 30th, 2010
1:20 pm
Sage Hill Cafe on Briarcliff….Meat & 2 sides + Drink $5!!!!
Corrie
September 30th, 2010
1:21 pm
I would also say Wright’s in Dunwoody! My favorite lunch place in that area, hands down. It’s tough because the sandwiches are so big and tasty, but I always want to save room for dessert since their cakes are amazing! I was just there yesterday actually
bob
September 30th, 2010
1:25 pm
Zoe’s Kitchen!!!!
Erin
September 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
Carver’s on Marietta Street (it’s an experience!)
West Egg
both yummy…
ellen
September 30th, 2010
1:33 pm
Cafe at the Corner in Hapeville. Wonderful french bistro lunch. Leave room for dessert!
Icee Junkie
September 30th, 2010
1:35 pm
Shorty’s off Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker! That little place is unassuming, but the food is fabulous!!!
nom nom nom
September 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
If you’re in Funwoody, you have to hit Wright’s Gormet. E. 48th is a close second.
JM
September 30th, 2010
1:40 pm
I may loose my EAV (East Atlanta Village) pass by stating this, but don’t rush out to Holy Taco. Its okay but nothing to write about.
Atlanta Native
September 30th, 2010
1:43 pm
E 48th is great
Havana at B’hwy & Claremont
The Downwind at PDK
Ronald McDonald
September 30th, 2010
1:44 pm
Wendy’s
Wendy Goodman
September 30th, 2010
1:49 pm
Parish! Best brunch I can think of – I feel sorry for all those folks standing in the sun and rain at Highland Bakery when they could come down to Parish and have something really good…
foodandloathingintampabay
September 30th, 2010
1:51 pm
I second Murphy’s. We had lunch there in June and I will not forget the fried-green-tomato sandwich on brioche, which the waiter said is made in-house. Atmosphere, service and food – all great and worth a leisurely lunch.
SassySouth
September 30th, 2010
1:52 pm
Dunwoody / Sandy Springs Lunch Spots: Wrights Sandwich Shoppe is fantastic. Mirage for Persian Cuisine (off of Roswell Road at the intersection of Abernathy) because although there are other “all you can eat” Persian restaurants off Roswell Rd, their food is far superior. Rumi’s Cafe is also pretty good. I think someone else already mentioned Circle Sushi, which I emphatically agree with.
Kat Woman
September 30th, 2010
1:57 pm
Fresh 2 Order on Peachtree in Midtown…best salads and paninis in town. The best part is that they are fast; perfect for a lunch hour. Also, Spoon (Westside) is always a good bet if you like Thai food.
Eraserhead
September 30th, 2010
2:03 pm
I have to second Downtown Norcross! Several good restaurants within a few hundred feet.
John Dobbins
September 30th, 2010
2:04 pm
Park Avenue Deli in downtown under Embassy Suites hotel
notajap
September 30th, 2010
2:12 pm
Rumi’s Kitchen.
jokah2000
September 30th, 2010
2:12 pm
DYNAMIC DISH!
Dan
September 30th, 2010
2:15 pm
CAFE MOMO in the PEACHTREE CENTER COURT downtown ! Litte Azio in Midtown
Sounder
September 30th, 2010
2:21 pm
Taqueria del Sol on Cheshire Bridge is really good, but stay away from the location near Bacchanalia. The attitude of the clownish hipsters running that location is insufferable.
Atlanta Native
September 30th, 2010
2:24 pm
Actually La Grotta’s lunch is fabulous.
MCT
September 30th, 2010
2:25 pm
Fancy Pantry is the best Alpharetta(ish) spot. I get angry when I want a good sandwich on a Saturday, and they’re closed. They do catering only on Saturdays.
jg
September 30th, 2010
2:26 pm
Alon’s
ls
September 30th, 2010
2:30 pm
Lunch on Main in College Park or The Cafe at the Corner in Hapeville.
M. Johnson
September 30th, 2010
2:31 pm
Check out Kuroshio on Barrett Parkway. Ate there yesterday and it was AWESOME. We had sushi, but I want to try the udon noodles next time.
Dave
September 30th, 2010
2:34 pm
In Dunwoody check out East 48th Street Deli. Thank me later.
John
September 30th, 2010
2:36 pm
MF Sushibar in midtown has the best sushi in the city and one of the best lunch deals in town!
Lou
September 30th, 2010
2:38 pm
The Hot Dog Factory
woodeye
September 30th, 2010
2:40 pm
Only go to CANS in Alpharetta if you want rude service and fakes to go along with your case of the TROTS!
Bill
September 30th, 2010
2:41 pm
Gotta love Taco Mac
Elizabeth
September 30th, 2010
2:52 pm
E 48th Street Market – Dunwoody
‘cue – Way north fulton (milton)
Circle Sushi – Dunwoody near river
Artisan Foods – Roswell
Wildflour – Alpharetta (Windward Pkwy)
Cafe Efendi – Alpharetta “square” – on the back side in the old Portabellas
Wrights Sandwich shoppe – Dunwoody
Alon’s – Dunwoody
Runners Up
Fickle Pickle – Roswell
Salt Factory Pub – Roswell
Sushi place I forget the name of on Hwy 9 – north of Mansell – in a little strip mall. May be the best in NOrth Fulton but have only been 1 time due to working in town.