17 Really Good Restaurants On Atlanta’s South Side

The southside of Atlanta punches above its weight when it comes to restaurants. No matter if you’re looking for cajun food, vegetarian fare, Caribbean cuisine and all types of seafood, you need to visit a place below I-20.

What Are The Best Restaurants On Atlanta’s South Side?

Atlanta socialite Todd Tucker, who is married to Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss, shared the reason why he wanted to build a restaurant on Atlanta’s south side.

“As you may know, we live on the Southside of Atlanta, so my thoughts were, we need places to go on our side of town.”

“We usually go to Midtown and Buckhead,” he said, So we’re starting Blaze Steak and Seafood, where you can come and get some crab legs, shrimp, boiled oysters, kind of like that New Orleans-style thing. Just some good hearty food. 

Tucker, an entrepreneur that knows a good business opportunity when he sees it, is on to something.

Here Are The Best Atlanta Restaurants On The South Side

Even with the world’s busiest airport in the mix, Atlanta’s south side still lags behind its northern counterpart when it comes to restaurant openings. But that’s OK, a recent surge in grand openings is slowly changing that.

Atlanta’s south side has plenty of great places to eat. Here are the best restaurants on Atlanta’ south side.

Mama Janes Seafood & Creole Kitchen

1996 Sylvan Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 | (404) 963-2660

Here’s what one customer says about Mama Jane’s. “The food was great and fresh! The owners are nice and friendly. I had a turkey neck and a side bag. When I say seasoned…man, that turkey neck was falling off the bone, and that garlic butter and the lemonade is good! Oh, and they are black owned…man just go, you won’t regret it.”

Buttermilk Biscuit

1634 Virginia Ave, Atlanta, GA 30337

Tucked inside quaint shopping center Virginia Station off in College Park, Buttermilk Biscuit packs a big breakfast punch. Here’s what one reviewer says about Buttermilk Biscuits.

“The Belgian waffles were melt-in-your-mouth wonderful,” says one reviewer.

The Beautiful Restaurant

2260 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

Legendary in the West End, the Beautiful restaurant is known for its faithful breakfast and no-frills Southern food. If you need a dependable spot to eat, it’s The Beautiful. Faves include the fried catfish and beef oxtails over rice.

The Corner Grille

 3823 Main St, Atlanta, GA 30337

Located on College Park’s main street, The Corner Grille is a welcome respite to airport travelers and locals looking for some casual American food. But the eatery with the handsome brick exterior also features some Cajun-inspired dishes. It’s clearly evident that owners Julian and Annette have some Louisiana in their background!
What’s on the menu at The Corner Grille in College Park? Try the Seafood Gumbo, Cajun Pasta and for sweets, the Beignets are excellent.

The Spice House

2247 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 | (404) 254-2153

The Spice House is actually a powerhouse when it comes to Caribbean cuisine, especially Haitian dishes. As a bonus, there’s live music on Friday nights and a brunch that has endless Mimosas.
 
Here’s what one reviewer says about The Spice House: “I love the diced pickleys and griot. The Oxtail were fall off the bones and the rice was cooked well. The plantains were ok. The young lady who took my order was very good at answering my questions which helped me make a selection.”

Baltimore Crab & Seafood

1075 Fairburn Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 | (404) 505-2900
 
Baltimore Crab & Seafood is an upscale restaurant in the Cascade area of southwest Atlanta. People come from far and wide to get their salads and kale.
 
Here’s what one reviewer says about Baltimore Crab & Seafood: ” The birthday girl had lobster chowder ( more like a bisque). and grilled salmon with a side of kale cooked with smoked turkey. Perfect portion sizes. We ate well and still took home leftovers. OMG so good. Go! AND I went back to treat myself to an early dinner after a frustrating day. Dined solo. Treated respectfully. Got to flirt with the jazz band while they set up to start at 7. I’ll be back for that, too.”

Gocha’s Breakfast Bar

695 Cascade Rd SW STE 440 Atlanta, GA 30331

Leave it to a celebrity hairstylist to serve up exactly what the masses need. Gocha Hawkins, known for styling the coifs of mega-personalities like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Kandi Burruss and other stars, opened Gocha’s Breakfast Bar in January 2019 in the Cascade area of Atlanta.

Jamrock

This Jamaican restaurant encompasses everything we love about Caribbean cuisine: flavorful dishes, warm and inviting hospitality along with authentic Jamrock roots, mon! The counter-serve restaurant is small on dining space, but you can still get you a carryout of Jamaican jerk chicken, curry goat & other favorites.

Owing to its popularity, Jamrock Jamaican restaurant has three Atlanta locations: 111 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, 381 Moreland Ave SE and 1232 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310.

Jay’s Kitchen & Bar

3752 Cascade Road, Atlanta, 470-440-5090

Jay’s Kitchen & Bar comes from the minds of music executives Jomo Hankerson and Heather Wesley, who have worked with musical powerhouses like Tony Braxton, Aaliyah, Tank and Ice Cube. The southwest Atlanta restaurant is housed in a 4,000 square foot structure perfect for entertaining large crowds and celebrity events. Favorite dishes include Jay’s Filet Roast, Chicken in the Pot and Sauteed Collossal Shrimp Grits.

Kemper’s Cafe

1955 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30315

 Photo credit: Atlantafi.com

Kemper’s Cafe has revitalized the Metropolitan Parkway food options with its Caribbean + soul food-inspired dishes.

The menu has plenty of island favorites such as Curry Chicken, Oxtails and BBQ Jerk Chicken.

Lickety Split

1155 Virginia Ave Suite F, Hapeville, GA 30354

Here’s what one reviewer says about Lickety Split: “Slowly but surely becoming one of my favorite dining establishments. The staff are nice and the food is slamming. I am stuck on the fried chicken which is definitely some of the best that the city has to offer. I like that they allow you to pick your 3 pieces, so if you wanted 3 breasts or 3 wings, it’s your call. The sides are excellent and I feel like I eating my mother’s cooking.”

The Mr. Everything Cafe

  • 2841 Greenbriar Pkwy SW Suite N-316, Atlanta, GA 30331
  • 899 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
  • 2220 Jonesboro Rd, Fairburn, GA 30213

The Mr. Everything Cafe has some of the most delectable salads in all of Atlanta. Best Restaurants On Atlanta’s South Side.

Order from The. Mr. Everything Cafe here.

One reviewer says this of The Mr. Everything Cafe: “My favorite go to spot ever. The rice  are awesome!! Get one every time I go. I always know I won’t be disappointed. But if you don’t like to wait make sure you call ahead of time.”

Rosie’s Coffee Cafe

2330 Sylvan Road, Atlanta, 404-684-1111

48 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Rosie’s Cafe opened in a quaint structure in 2017 on Sylvan Road in southwest Atlanta. Named after Alabama native Rosie Gail, the restaurant’s owners have created not one but two lasting tributes to her love. Its newest location on Northside Drive caters to fans streaming out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

Menu favorites at Rosie’s include the the shrimp & grits, salmon croquettes and perch po’ boy.

Soul Vegetarian

879 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

One of the West End’s most famous restaurants, Soul Vegetarian is just what the name implies, vegetarian, but don’t get it twisted. This is some of the best whole food in the  city. Fave joints include the Garvey Burger, made from seasoned wheat gluten topped with special “Mierah” mushroom and onion sauce.

Q Time Restaurant

1120 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30310

Among the best of the Styrofoam plate eateries, Q Time Restaurant continues to impress. This West End gem sits in a strip mall a short distance from Willie Watkins Funeral Home, The Wrens Nest and even the Atlanta University Center. Q Time is known for its succulent turkey wings, collard greens and meatloaf.

Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar

3721 Main St, College Park, GA 30337 | (404) 228-4897

Virgil’s is on the main strip of College Park, where you can get authentic Gullah-inspired seafood dishes and desserts.

Last Word

Contrary to popular belief, there are some mighty fine restaurants on Atlanta’s south side. That’s right, some of the best restaurants in Atlanta can be found on the city’s south side. Not only is the area experiencing a restaurant renaissance, but there is a diversity of cuisines that foodies can appreciate.

Don’t be tempted to think that the best restaurants on Atlanta’s south side all revolve around variations of soul food — far from the case. This article is going to show you some of the best Atlanta restaurants below Interstate 20.

Up Next: Best Black-Owned Restaurants In Atlanta

Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.

Fast-casual is also the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.

Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta

Slutty Vegan is one of the best black restaurants in Atlanta, and there are plenty others. If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.

As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following.

Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our  news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

CJ Johnson: CJ is a longtime Atlantan who has written a book about Atlanta's food scene. He has also fallen in love with the city's music and sports scenes. He writes about Food, Restaurants, Travel, Sports and Atlanta Culture. Check out the book. https://amzn.to/3RPmbZM