The Best Places to Get Chicken Salad in Atlanta
Editors Note: This article was originally published on April 22, 2022 and last updated on August 22, 2024. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
There are a handful of dishes that can only be described as Southern. Fried green tomatoes, corn bread, sweet peas and everything from Soul Food to the Low Country covers the spectrum. But there’s one dish that’s been around for centuries and hasn’t changed too much since the Southern cookbooks it first started appearing in during the 1800’s – chicken salad. As the capitol of the South, Atlanta has its share of great chicken salad spots. We’ve covered a few of our favorites below.
1. Cafe Lapin
2341 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305
This neighborhood Peachtree Hills bistro has been open for nearly 20 years, making French and Mediterranean influenced fare, along with some of the best chicken salads in the A. They’re making all kinds of chicken salad from sweet to savory. Get it as a sandwich or a salad with one of their tasty sides. It’s the perfect lunch spot!
2. Cafe at Pharr
Multiple Locations
Chicken salad is a huge part of the menu here at Cafe at Pharr, and they offer great variations, including Basil Chicken Salad, Jalapeño Chicken Salad, Walnut Chicken Salad, Curry Chicken Salad, Celery Chicken Salad and more. You can find them in multiple locations throughout Metro Atlanta, so there’s no excuse not to try one of the city’s best.
3. Chicken Salad Chick
Multiple Locations
This fast casual chain has been popping up all over Atlanta and the Southeast for good reason – their chicken salad is top notch. After all it better be – it’s in the name. Inspired by Southern roots, it has over a dozen different chicken salads that are all named after Southern women who inspired the owners. You can turn your chicken salad into a sandwich, or have it with soup for a perfect Southern lunch. The lunch combinations are endless here, go choose your chicken salad journey now!
4. Corner Cafe
3070 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Corner Cafe is a Buckhead staple. Whether you’re just running in for coffee and a pastry or you’re meeting some friends or coworkers for a bite, it’s always a great breakfast or lunch option. There’s a ton of great entrees on the menu here, but let’s try and stay on topic. Their trio salad platter is one of our favorite options because it has a lot of variety. You’ll get a scoop of their chicken, egg and tuna salad. We can’t get enough of it.
5. Henri’s
Multiple Locations
Atlanta’s most famous French bakery and deli has been in the City for almost 100 years, so you’d think they would have a good chicken salad sandwich – and of course, they do. Made with chicken salad in house, you can get it on all of their freshly baked breads – white, wheat, rye, onion roll, croissant or French bread.
6. Lucy’s Market
56 E Andrews Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Owner Kim Wilson created this Buckhead grocery out of an old gas station over 15 years ago, and it has now become Buckhead’s go to spot for fresh vegetables and bespoke provisions. With access to great ingredients, they make a killer chicken salad. They also make a version of the same chicken salad with additional apples, pecans and honey.
7. Petite Violette
2948 Clairmont Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329
This French restaurant has been serving wonderful meals to Atlanta for the past 50 years! They host a murder mystery dinner every weekend which is always fun, but if you just want to join lunch a dinner we think that’s a great idea, too. For lunch, they offer a nice portion of chicken salad that comes with fruit and a side salad. It all tastes so fresh and it is quite filling too.
8. Swan Coach House
3130 Slaton Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
If you’ve ever visited the Atlanta History Center, there’s a good chance you’ve stopped by the Swan House, a beautiful Gilded Era mansion that celebrates the lavish culture of the 1920’s. On the same grounds of the Swan House sits the Swan Coach House, a restaurant influenced by the same era. Try the Soup and Tea Sandwiches option for lunch. That way you can try their soup of the day, two chicken salad and two pimento cheese sandwiches!
