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
Keith
September 30th, 2010
2:53 pm
Quit being so All American…..Buford hwy has lots of great lunch spots. some of you guys need to watch the food network channel, then go to Buford hwy and enjoy some wonderful experiences. The best thing about International foods, is that there cheap. great food, great lunch prices.
John Kessler
September 30th, 2010
2:53 pm
Nate – I guess I meant the chef put some thought into coming up with an original selection of dishes rather than just going with the tried and true.
Naretha
September 30th, 2010
2:59 pm
Tiny Bistro is by far my fav lunch spot! The meatloaf sandwich is already legendary. But I also love the turkey panini with brie and fig preserves!! Delish! And the half-sized sandwiches are big enough that you wonder: well, heck how big is the regular size?! Wonderful sandwiches, various tasty salads, and with the cooler weather coming: yummy homemade soups! Tiny Bistro just rocks!
sj
September 30th, 2010
3:08 pm
I love Miso, off of Edgewood. Sushi and japanese tapas–yum! Neat atmosphere, too.
Rose
September 30th, 2010
3:09 pm
Loving Hut, Norcross ….great food, indoor or patio. Leisure dining, lunch or dinner.
mbeaz
September 30th, 2010
3:13 pm
I miss the Cool Corner
Frank
September 30th, 2010
3:21 pm
Swinging Richards!
midtowngirl
September 30th, 2010
3:27 pm
I second Goldberg’s!
Atlantan
September 30th, 2010
3:31 pm
Others with great lunch:
Dogwood
FAB
Nam
Nan
gagirl
September 30th, 2010
3:33 pm
Do NOT overlook the Hapeville area as you will miss this little gem. Cafe at the Corner is AMAZING. It’s a bistro owned by a French-trained chef and everything they crank out is delicious. The croissants are ridiculous. They’re only open M-F 11:00-2:00 so that should tell you something.
#1Spot
September 30th, 2010
3:37 pm
LA Fitness at Atlantic Station (Meat Market)
I've Got It
September 30th, 2010
3:39 pm
Carver’s, Carver’s Carver’s.
Laurie251
September 30th, 2010
3:48 pm
Wright’s Gourmet in Dunwoody is great. Sandwiches are huge and you can buy half if it’s too much. Their salads and desserts are great also.
Austin
September 30th, 2010
3:48 pm
Mama Mia’s across from city hall has some of the best pizza.
jbooyze
September 30th, 2010
3:51 pm
flatrock grill
Phyllis Bearden
September 30th, 2010
3:53 pm
I work in midtown and when I have time for lunch, it’s hard to choose. The area is such a cool place to work, and I only have to walk and find great places to eat. I do love Metrofresh in the Midtown Plaza, and Empire State South has opened in my building. They offer some sandwiches for the building personnel that are really yummy and a better price point than their usual lunches.
rod
September 30th, 2010
3:55 pm
John, I have liked your work for years and generally agree with most of it. I have always been amazed at all AJC food critics love of Buford Hwy. I am not saying you cant find good food there but one generally does not like to lug an AK47 to lunch for protection nor enjoy the 60-70 health department ratings. Over 15 years ago the AJC in writing on one Chinese resturant in Chamblee said in the review ‘if you bring your own knife and fork, ignore the 60 health department rating, wipe the stains off of the plates and not slip on the dirty fllors, then you will enjoy the best chinese food in Atlanta. Yum Yum
NativeAtlantan
September 30th, 2010
3:56 pm
Bubba – how dare you?
Everyone: Oak Grove Market is awful – don’t go there.
(Obviously tounge in cheek – this place is phenomenal – and has quickly become not much of a secret to those anywhere in the north decatur/dekalb area of the county.)
Chris Fletcher
September 30th, 2010
3:57 pm
Baldinos has the best subs at the best prices….that is all.
Joe lunch buddy
September 30th, 2010
3:59 pm
Rexall Grill in Duluth has the best lunch. Country cooking or a grill item. Yummy!
gina
September 30th, 2010
4:01 pm
The Grecian Gyro on Virginia Ave in Hapeville. Best gyros and potatoes. You have to get their sauce on the potatoes. YUM!!!!!
reservoirDAWG
September 30th, 2010
4:03 pm
Chris Fletcher, agreed!
Steven Josovitz
September 30th, 2010
4:06 pm
Good Post John! These “Best ” blogs are fun. It actually jogs my memory of places I have not been to in awhile. I would like to throw into the ring Taqueria Del Ray in Buford Highway across from Pine Tree Plaza where Bo Bo Garden my second entry is. Taqueria Del Ray is also open 24/7. I love watching home made tortillas being made in front of you. I also love the free caddy filled with assorted home-made salsa’s and limes placed on your table when you order. I always get the fajita’s and assorted mini and regular sized taco’s but have gotten there seafood soup bowls. They have one that is $18.95 and must be over a pound of new zealand mussels, oysters, shrimp, white fish, scallops and lobster in a delicious and very hearty broth. I also love that I am usually the only one ini the joint that speaks English. The flat screens playing mexican football and soap operas adds to the authenticity of Taqueria Del Ray. Late nights on the weekends they have mariachi’s playing music table to table and vendors selling trinkets. Bo Bo Garden is Chinese and awesome….. Great hot pots, vegetables. big bowls of soups.
Dgator
September 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
Mary Mac’s is way overrated! I can’t believe the business they do and none of the food is cooked to order.
Six Feet Under and Taquria Del Sol on the Westside are also good choices for lunch.
WDawg
September 30th, 2010
4:10 pm
Time for a drive
McGuires Irish pub in Pensacola
deej
September 30th, 2010
4:19 pm
In north Fulton, Dahlia’s, on North Point Parkway (between Mansell and Holcomb Bridge), has amazing Mediterranean food. I can’t get enough of their 3 salad lunch combo; had cauliflower sauteed in garlic, hummus and tabouleh..yummmmmmm
janelle
September 30th, 2010
4:31 pm
Carrol St. Cafe is deelish!
wAtlantborn
September 30th, 2010
4:48 pm
West Egg! Great homemade food. Their tuna sald is the best! I know the owners and they are fun people. Try it!
KnightInATL
September 30th, 2010
4:51 pm
Barbecue Kitchen in College Park near the airport.
KnightInATL
September 30th, 2010
4:54 pm
I thought Rexall Grill got closed down???
Jadzia
September 30th, 2010
8:49 pm
I’ll do my bit for Marietta: Cuban Diner, Tassa Roti, Siam Square, and in West Buckhead the OK Cafe. Lower Sandy Springs – love to drop & grab a bite at Taco Veloz on Roswell. I never understand why OK Cafe never shows up on reviews for diners. They do a great job for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a diner.
Cfood Lover
September 30th, 2010
9:24 pm
McCormick &Schmick’s at the CNN Center, great for those working downtown. Lots of options under $10
Willy C
October 1st, 2010
9:49 am
I am not sure why people keep throwing out places in Roswell and Alpharetta, etc. We are talking about lunch spots in the CITY, not the 25 miles that surround the city. I think the West Side is definately booming right now. I agress Tiny Bistro is a hidden gem. But West Egg and Ormsby also do a great lunch.
jeas3
October 1st, 2010
10:21 am
Canoe in Vinings has a fantastic lunch. Also, there is almost never a wait for a table since it is known more for dinner. However, there is a great selection of sandwiches, salads and entrees all available for about half of what a dinner entree would cost. When I lived in the area I would go there at least 2-3 times a week.
jeas3
October 1st, 2010
10:22 am
While I’m thinking about that area of town, OK Cafe on West Paces Ferry and Muss & Turner’s in Vinings both have fantastic lunches as well.
Sarah
October 1st, 2010
1:47 pm
MoSaiC
Mid-GA Boy
October 1st, 2010
1:55 pm
When in Atlanta I always enjoy Alon’s.
abbzgirl
October 1st, 2010
2:13 pm
HOLY TACO. The best tortas—-and the donuts with the hot chocolate sauce dip—–Oh My Gosh!!!
paortho
October 1st, 2010
2:34 pm
Just have to mention the Flavor cafe. A true gem, hope you don’t mind waiting for a seat.
Paul From Milton
October 1st, 2010
3:02 pm
‘Cue is ridiculously overrated. The meat is dry and the sides are tasteless. The Brunswick “Stew” is actually Brunswick Soup. Don’t waste your time or money. Blah.
velvet elvis
October 1st, 2010
3:05 pm
Up 400 -way and beyond there is Normans Landing for a great luncheon. The collard greens are enough of a meal on there own.
Byron
October 1st, 2010
3:20 pm
Midtown (Westside, I guess) – Pizza Antico
ITP but not Westside – Havana Sandwich Shop (Buford Hwy near Clairmont)
Alpharetta – Cafe Effendi
Milton – ‘Cue (best BBQ in the metro area)
Roswell/Alpharetta – Tanaka
Mark
October 3rd, 2010
2:06 pm
Highland Bakery
JG
October 3rd, 2010
2:11 pm
Muss-n-Turners in the Smyrna/Vinings area is the best!!!
carol
October 3rd, 2010
2:34 pm
Beef O’Brady
Mike
October 3rd, 2010
2:48 pm
I wish there were more jobs in Midtown/Downtown Atlanta so I could walk to get lunch! Who the hell thought it would be a good idea to build giant suburban office parks where you have to drive to a place to eat lunch. It’s really annoying and the fact that people prefer to live that way is disturbing.
Yeah, right....but I like Nordstroms
October 3rd, 2010
3:01 pm
I’m sorry, how in the world did I miss Baldinos! Absolutely the original best Jersey sub joint!
No doubt, no diggity!
L Tarps
October 3rd, 2010
3:31 pm
Cafe at Pharr in Buckhead. Walnut chicken salad plate or on a host of different breads is to die for. Can’t beat the yogurt rolls either. Parking can be a bit of a challenge but worth the effort.
W.F. J.
October 3rd, 2010
4:07 pm
1. Oga’s on Windy Hill is Smyrna! Been going there for 21 years, it’s the best.
2. STAQ’s BBQ on South Cobb Drive, it’s new and no one knows how good it is yet! I’m gonna
hate it when eveyone fines out about it! You won’t be going anywhere else
Iknowanidiot
October 3rd, 2010
4:08 pm
HELLO !! Jonesboro, Covington, Roswell, etc etc, are NOT in ATLANTA..STOP claiming it, if you are OUTSIDE the PERIMETER !!!!