We’re so lucky as  a city to be able to enjoy all the unique flavors and cuisines from Buford Highway’s hidden gems, a hotbed in Atlanta for hole-in-the-wall, delicious finds that are just out-of-this-world. Here are some of our favorites that you must try, organized into three sections: 1) Asian cuisine, 2) Latin American flavors, and 3) desserts and bakeries! 

The Best Buford Highway Restaurants for Asian Cuisine

BBQ Corner 2

5150 Buford Hwy NE
Doraville, GA 30340

It’s absolutely nothing special on the outside nor inside, but this little corner spot has been a go-to for Chinese food lovers in Atlanta for decades. They have a mix of everything, but it’s the hard-to-find Cantonese dishes that they excel in. Enjoy some savory congee with a century egg, a soupy comfort food that’s excellent for breakfast.

Bismillah Cafe

4022 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30345

There definitely are some homes in Tuxedo Park with closets larger than this restaurant, and we say that in the most loving way possible. This total hole-in-the-wall spot is no frills but serving up an excellent biryani and butter chicken that’s kept them going for years and years. Available for delivery or takeout only!

Canton House

4825 Buford Hwy NE
Chamblee, GA 30341

Canton House is all that and dim sum! This place is a go-to for great Cantonese food and dim sum ITP that’s a total bang for your buck. Their har gow, or shrimp dumplings, and BBQ pork buns hit every time, and their Chrysanthemum tea is the perfect complement for every dish. Canton House has been up and running for over a decade–go visit and see why this Buford Highway mainstay keeps locals coming back again and again.

Food Terminal 

5000 Buford Hwy NE
Chamblee, GA 30341

Less of a hidden gem and more of a rip-roaring success, we nevertheless have to give a massive shout-out to Food Terminal for offering the best of Buford Highway. What we love about this Malaysian restaurant most of all is that it’s like a microcosm of BuHi all in one spot. There’s Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Indian, and Malaysian staples on the menu that are all ridiculously tasty. You can’t go wrong with anything! 

Good Harvest

5150 Buford Hwy NE C-120
Doraville, GA 30340

Good Harvest is unmatched for fantastic Chinese hot pot in Atlanta. Hot pot, a simple method of cooking from China in which you add ingredients like meat, seafood, and leafy vegetables to a simmering pot of soup stock, is one part show and all parts deliciousness. Something different they do is serve “dry” hotpots with unique meats like frog. Be sure to also order their “charpati,” an addicting flat bread/pancake that’s popular in regions like India and Nepal. 

Gu’s Kitchen

4897 Buford Hwy NE #104
Chamblee, GA 30341

Gu’s Kitchen is the best of Chinese Szechuan cuisine. Chef Gu brings all the flavors from Chengdu and that spicy, numbing, and totally addicting Sichuan peppercorn to ATL in Gu’s Kitchen. Their Zhong style dumplings are always a go to and their cold noodles, served suspended in the air on a chopstick statue, are definitely a showstopper. Gu’s Kitchen is currently closed for dine-in service, but they are available for delivery and takeout at this time.

Harmony Vegetarian

Orient Center Shopping Plaza
4897 Buford Hwy NE #109
Chamblee, GA 30341

Vegetarian food doesn’t have to be just salads. Case in point: Harmony Vegetarian on Buford Highway. Get all your Chinese food favorites, from General Tso’s Chicken to Mongolian “Beef” to dumplings but completely plant-based. 

Kamayan ATL

5150 Buford Hwy NE A230
Doraville, GA 30340

Filipino food is having a moment in Atlanta, thanks in large part to trailblazers like Kamayan. This fabulous spot started out in Atlanta via pop-ups around town before opening their brick and mortar location on–where else?–Buford Highway! Their hard work has certainly paid off. In just a few short years, they recently nabbed a mention in the MICHELIN guide. 

Kochi Maru

5805 Buford Hwy NE #103
Doraville, GA 30340

Meat skewers Monday > meatless Monday. Sit down at their do-it-yourself grills and grill your meats to your liking, or sit at a grill-less table if you prefer they do this for you. The charcoal and Chinese spices add another dimension of flavor.

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

 6035 Peachtree Rd Unit A107-A110
Doraville, GA 30360

The revolving sushi bar is a singular experience, and if you haven’t been lucky enough to try it out, there’s no excuse not to with Kura Revolving Sushi bar in H-Mart plaza. With a constant line of delicious, easy to eat sushi platters heading down the conveyer belt, you can also select your own using their keypad operated ordering system. Our recommendation – head there with friends so that you can share plates and pull off the sushi conveyer belt to your heart’s content.

La Mei Zi

5150 Buford Hwy Ste C-310
Doraville, GA 30340

This casual spot for Chinese and Taiwanese food has all the mapo tofu and salt and pepper chicken you could hope for. Their Three Cups chicken is so damn craveable! If you’re feeling lazy, they taste great for takeout or delivery, too (order it on ChowBus!). 

LanZhou Ramen

5231 Buford Hwy NE
Doraville, GA 30340

For a great meal and a show, LanZhou Ramen is the place to be! Their noodles are the perfectly savory, carby treat when you’re just in the mood for noods, but the best part of going to LanZhou probably has to be getting to watch their chef handpull and make the ramen noodles in front of you. Choose from their thicker knife cut noodles or their thin hand-pulled noodles, and don’t skip out on the pan fried dumplings either!

Lee’s Bakery

4005 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30345

Ask anyone in Atlanta where to get the best banh mi, and you’ll get the answer back “Lee’s Bakery” nine times out of ten. And that’s because their simple sandwiches come packed with flavor and at a great price, too–there’s almost always a line at lunch time. Their pho and Vietnamese iced coffee is also wonderful!

Mamak

5150 Buford Hwy NE A-170
Doraville, GA 30340

Ask an Atlantan where they like to go most on Buford Highway, and Mamak is going to very likely be the answer. Malaysian cuisine is great in that infuses quite a few flavors and dishes from various Asian countries. You’re gonna love the Hainanese chicken here (Taiwanese), roti canai (Indian), salt and pepper squid (Chinese), and chicken satay skewers (Thai). The Lamak shrimp, chow kway toy, and curry laksa are other Atlanta Eats staff favorites. It’s all fantastic!

Man Chun Hong

 5953 Buford Hwy NE #105
Atlanta, GA 30340

Man Chun Hong features favorites from Chinese and Korean cuisine. Unlike some other hole-in-the-wall outfits on Buford Highway, their interiors are sleek and sparkling clean for an indoor dining experience that’s very comfortable. On the Korean side, you’ll love the Jjajangmyeon, or Korean Black bean noodles and Tangsuyuk, or Korean sweet and sour pork.  From the Chinese food side, don’t pass on the fried dumplings or the Imperial Chicken and Mongolian beef! This place is going to be your next go-to. 

Miss Gogi

6035 Peachtree Rd Ste C115
Doraville, GA 30360

Korean BBQ is never not delicious, but what sets this place above the rest are the high-quality cuts of meat. Everything is tender and juicy and an umami explosion in your mouth. For the uninitiated, Korean BBQ is a fun, do-it-yourself kind of spot where you’ll first be treated to an array of banchan, or small dishes of fermented veggies, and then brought out your pick of veggies, seafood, and meat to add to a hot plate in the middle.  Their all you can eat lunch special is an awesome feast! 

Nam Phuong Buford Highway

4051 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30345

It’s authentic Vietnamese flavor at budget prices that’ll satisfy your vermicelli craving time and time again! And something special they’ve got (because this is Atlanta) are fish sauce wings that are sweet, salty, garlicky, and craveable AF. The shaking beef, a style of cooking ribeye or filet mignon in the pan with oyster sauce, passes with flying colors.  

Northern China Eatery

5141 Buford Hwy NE C
Doraville, GA 30340

This is the place to be for soup dumplings. Xiao long bao are a Chinese dish usually made with pork and filled with a soupy liquid meat broth. Half the fun is figuring out how to eat one of these, but here are the two main ways: you can either nibble a hole in the side of the dumpling to slurp the soup into your mouth first, or just pop one whole in your mouth for a soup and culinary explosion! Just make sure you wait for them to cool down first!

Pho Bac

4897 Buford Hwy NE Ste 105
Chamblee, GA 30341

Pho Bac is a fantastic Buford Highway strip mall eatery with great pho. The bun bo hue, another Vietnamese noodle soup that’s got a bit more spice to it, is a delight as well, It’s a great weeknight spot to stop for dinner–the interiors are nothing fancy at this little strip mall spot, with plentiful tables so you can sit down and eat or take your meal to go. They also have lots of boba drinks if you want something sweet, too, as well as vegan pho options.

Pho Dai Loi

4186 Buford Hwy NE Ste G
Atlanta, GA 30345

A fan favorite on Buford Highway, this is THE place for a steaming hot bowl of pho if that’s what you’re in the mood for. The broth has flavor but isn’t overly salty or greasy, and the bowl is positively massive. The prices are also great here, and the spring rolls and savory peanut sauce are totally addicting. 

Snackboxe Bistro

 6035 Peachtree Rd Suite C-114
Doraville, GA 30360

Snackboxe Bistro is Laotian goodness! Dig into their beef jerky, and nam khao, a sort of cold fried rice dish with lettuce wraps that’s a fantastic mix of savory, sweet, and sour.

So Kong Dong Tofu House 

5280 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30340

Hello, comfort food. There’s not really much out there better than a savory bowl of Korean tofu soup, and luckily, they also offer delivery in case of a raging hangover. For some additional protein, try the always tasty Korean galbi short ribs for your appetizer.  

 

Tum Pok Pok

5000 Buford Hwy NE
Chamblee, GA 30341

Tum Pok Pok is a much buzzed about Thai restaurant that has just opened up on Buford Highway. They set themselves apart from other Thai joints around the city by featuring lots of dishes from Northern Thailand–there’s even five types of papaya salad, a staple in Thailand that features a wonderful mix of tangy and savory. The interiors are lovely, with colorful bohemian and rattan touches throughout. It is, without a doubt, worth a visit! 

Yen Jing 

Black noodles. Seafood noodles. It’s a noodle bonanza at Chinese and Korean Buford Highway spot Yen Jing, and they do them all so well. Their sweet and sour pork is also off-the-charts good, and the dumplings are perfectly fried with nice and crisp bottoms. Portions are huge for hungry hungry appetites! 

The Best Buford Highway Spots for Authentic Latin American Flavors

 

Costa Verde Restaurante

6200 Buford Hwy
Norcross, GA 30071

Venture along Buford Highway all the way up to Norcross for this Peruvian gem. This restaurant does NOT skimp on portions. Indulge in the Lomo Saltado, a type of beef stir-fry served with rice and french fries. Diners also rave about their Lucuma ice cream, an aromatic fruit native to South America. And the fried seafood platter is also a wonderful heap of deliciousness for seafood lovers.

Mariscos El Veneno

5072 Buford Hwy NE
Doraville, GA 30340

If you’ve ever had the great fortune of spending time along Mexico’s coast, you’ll know their take on seafood is fabulous. And luckily, there are a handful of mariscos selling fresh Mexican style seafood up and down Buford Highway. Mariscos El Veneno has been a staple for years, with tasty fare like ceviche, stuffed fish, lobster, and more!

Natarica Grill Restaurant

5730 Buford Highway
Norcross, GA 3007

This Norcross Venezuelan restaurant may seem nondescript since it’s tucked in away in a strip mall – but let us assure you, the flavors are anything but nondescript! They make some of the best standard arepas you can find – the Arepa de Pabellon (shredded beef, beans, cheese and plantains) is mouthwatering and they make a delicious Arepa de Reina Pepiada (guac chicken salad). Always order the Venezuelan cheese when you can – we found one of the best arepas was the Carne Mechada with queso guayanes, or simply Venezuelan shredded beef and Venezuelan cheese.

La Pastorcita 

3304 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

What’s a trip to Buford Highway without some fantastic tacos? And La Pastorcita makes some mean street tacos—try their tongue tacos if you’re feeling adventurous—but we love their menudo best, a traditional Mexican soup made with tripe and red chili pepper that’s the perfect hangover cure and available on the weekends.

Plaza Fiesta

4166 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30345

Latin American mall Plaza Fiesta is such an iconic spot, we dedicated a whole post to it breaking down all the yummy restaurants and shops inside.  With fabulous tacos, tostadas, arepas and more, every step into this pastel colored wonderland is like a trip to South America. 

Pollos Asados Auténtico Sinaloense

5303 Buford Hwy NE
Doraville, GA 30340

The smell of smoke is just heavenly at this totally underrated Buford Highway gem that’s also a favorite of local Atlanta celebrity chef Kevin Gillespie! Pollo asado, or roast chicken, is moist and smokey with a nice and citrusy marinade. Get the half chicken platter for a nice portion of bird with corn tortillas, salsa, rice, and beans.

Pupuseria Mi Tierra

5090 Buford Hwy NE #102nd
Doraville, GA 30340

We love latin flavors and one of our favorite latin cuisines is Salvadorian food. Specifically, we love their pupusas – a thick corn tortilla stuffed with a variety of savory fillings, usually for a very affordable price. At Pupuseria mi Tierra, we love the value you get with their lunch orders. For less than $8, you can get three pupusas and an ice cold coca-cola. Their options include cheese, chicken tamale, shredded pork and revuelta (beans, cheese and chicken).

El Rey Del Taco

For authentic taco-y goodness, Buford Highway is always a smart choice. There’s plenty of great spots all over this stretch of Atlanta, but El Rey Del Taco has long been a favorite amongst locals. From carne asada to al pastor, they do well with all, all served on handmade corn tortillas. If you’re looking for a little adventure, try the buche (pork stomach) tacos! 

Rincon Latino

5055 Buford Hwy NE
Doraville, GA 30340

Rincon Latino has plenty of great Latin American dishes to try, but our favorite has to be their pupusas, a fantastic Salvadorian treat! Pupusas are a corncake filled with cheese and beans or meat, and they’re also one of the best ways to combine carbs, cheese, and meat! They are cooked on a hot griddle until the dough puffs up slightly and is browned in certain spots, and the dough is made with corn masa flour.  They’re the perfect cheesy meal. Rincon Latino makes a great one with all the fillings you could think of.

Sabor Dominicano

4186 Buford Hwy NE Suite M
Atlanta, GA 30345

We love the traditional breakfast options at this Dominican outpost, like mangu with cheese, eggs and salami. But we keep coming back for the arroz con pollo – one of the most accessible and delicious savory Caribbean dishes.

D’Cuban Cafe

6200 Buford Hwy,
Norcross, GA 30071

From the food to coffee, D’Cuban Cafe serves authentic Cuban recipes. D’Cuban provides the best experience, making you feel at home with an amazing variety of sandwiches and dishes. Try their Ropa Veja sandwich, containing shredded beef in tomato sauce and melted Swiss cheese.

The Best Buford Highway Bakeries and Dessert Shops For Your Sweet Tooth

Cafe Mozart Bakery

5301 Buford Hwy NE,
Atlanta, GA 30340

There are a number of European/Asian influenced bakeries along Buford Highway, but Cafe Mozart’s might be our favorite. Not only do they do incredible cakes and colorful macarons, they also do delicious coffees and teas, along with daily baguettes and fresh bread. All goods are baked fresh daily and if you’re not near Buford Highway, you might be able to find one near you since they have seven locations in the metro Atlanta area.

 

Churreria Panaderia & Pasteleria

 3336 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

For what our editor OJ describes as the “BEST FUXXING CHURROS IN TOWN,” head to hole-in-the-wall-spot Churreria Panaderia & Pasteleria! The caramel infused churros at this small supermarket are phenomenal, and they also have fabulous arepas and pupusas.

Sweet Hut

5150 Buford Hwy NE A-100
Doraville, GA 30340

When we want a sugar fix on Buford Highway, this place comes top to mind. From cupcakes to Asian fusion pastries, they have it all. And all with a Taiwanese twist. If you don’t have a giant sweet tooth, they have plenty of savory treats as well. But, whatever you order, make sure to wash it down with a bubble tea. Sweet Hut is making one of the most in-demand versions in Atlanta.

Cuckoo’s Cafe 

5302 Buford Hwy NE Ste A3-A4
Doraville, GA 30340

Cuckoo’s Cafe is an amazing place to go for boba tea and Taiwanese snacks. A must-try boba tea is brown sugar milk tea with cream cheese foam and Oreo. Munch on their snacks including their Taiwanese chicken bites and bento box! Do not forget to snap some cute pictures with your tea and enjoy!

White Windmill Bakery & Cafe 

5881 Buford Hwy NE
Doraville, GA 30340

White Windmill is serving top-notch Korean baked goods! With varieties of pastries served daily, there is something for breakfast or a snack. If you want more than pastries, some sandwich and salad options are available to satisfy that hunger. White Windmill has smooth texture Korean Cakes of different flavors, make sure to try one for your next special event.

And Other Buford Highway Spots That Are Also Craveworthy

LIPS Atlanta

3011 Buford Hwy NE,
Atlanta, GA 30329

LIPS has to be the best drag show in town. Stop in for dinner or for brunch for a meal and a show. Just be aware you may be sitting next to gaggles of bachelorette and birthday parties!

Roc South Cuisine

3009 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

Honey-glazed fried chicken and some of the best mac and cheese in town are what’s on the menu at Buford Highway’s biggest craze right now. This Black-owned brunch, lunch, AND dinner spot is always packed, but the wait is well worth it. Expect elevated soul food, some bomb mimosas, sexy blue velvet seating AND blue velvet cake and a rockin’ playlist that brings on the good times.