Our list of must-try restaurants on Buford Highway would never fit into a single article. With more than 125 international restaurants within a seven-mile stretch, this culturally rich corridor provides a taste of home to immigrants from around the world while also making a name for itself as Atlanta’s ultimate destination for foodies.
Whether you’re looking for authentic tacos, stir-fry, or the perfect bowl of pho, here is our beginner’s guide (in no particular order) on where to eat on Buford Highway.
Where to Eat on Buford Highway
El Rey del Taco
5288 Buford Hwy, Doraville, GA 30340 • (770) 986-0032
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Known around town for its tacos, housemade salsa, and powerful margaritas, El Rey del Taco is an authentic Mexican spot serving up traditional dishes like carne asada and al pastor on handmade corn tortillas. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the lengua (beef tongue) tacos. There’s typically a wait on the weekends, and often in the evenings too, so make your plans accordingly.
Lee’s Bakery
4005 Buford Hwy NE Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30345 • (404) 728-1008
Hours: Monday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Head to Lee’s Bakery for arguably the best Vietnamese food (and lunch deal) in Atlanta. The reasonably priced lunch combos come with fragrant bowls of pho and Bahn mi made with homemade French bread. Over the years, the eatery has built a reputation as an Atlanta institution. You’re likely to see an array of patrons when you visit, including Vietnamese families, corporate employees enjoying their lunch hour, and local college kids in search of a good deal.
Mamak
5150 Buford Hwy NE A-170, Doraville, GA 30340 • (678) 395-3192
Hours: Friday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Thursday
Mamak (which translates to “food stall”) transports you to the streets of Malaysia with its street food-inspired cuisine. The colorful dishes celebrate Indian, Chinese, and traditional Malay flavors and preparations, with offerings including sambal okra, Hainanese chicken, and wok-fried flat rice noodles. Don’t leave without trying their roti canai, a traditional Malaysian flatbread served with the restaurant’s signature spicy curry.
Havana Sandwich Shop
2905 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 • (404) 636-4094
Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Sunday
The Benedit family was the first to bring a full Cuban menu to the Atlanta restaurant scene, opening Havana Sandwich Shop on Buford Highway in 1976. For the past 46 years, they have kept to tradition, with menu items including classic Cuban sandwiches, fried plantains, yucca fries, and crispy, cheese-loaded empanadas.
Sushi Hayakawa
5979 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30340 • (770) 986-0010
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday
Perhaps surprisingly, the most luxurious prix fixe menu in Atlanta is not found at a fine dining restaurant in Buckhead but in the corner of an unassuming strip mall on Buford Highway. Sushi Hayakawa is often referred to as a sushi purist’s dream. At $185 a person, you receive 14 courses, driven by both the market and the seasons. Chef Atsushi “Art” Hayakawa guides just two diners each night through the hours-long experience, presenting curated dishes such as nigiri dressed with one of his tailored soy sauces.
Canton House
4825 Buford Hwy NE, Chamblee, GA 30341 • (770) 936-9030
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If you’re in the mood for dim sum, Canton House is your place. Up and running for over a decade, the expansive dim sum menu is served daily. Grab everything — from shrimp shumai and egg custard buns to chicken potstickers and mango pudding — off the carts that roll through the dining room.
LanZhou Ramen
5231 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340 • (678) 691-2175
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
At LanZhou Ramen, hand-pulled noodles are the star of the show, with a noodle viewing window where you can see the chef at work. Order thin, springy noodles or a thicker, knife-cut version served in bowls of broth brimming with wilted greens and succulent meat, or get them stir-fried with your choice of three spice options: regular, spicy, or flavored with cumin seeds.
Gu’s Kitchen
4897 Buford Hwy NE #104, Chamblee, GA 30341 • (470) 299-2388
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Monday
Gu’s Kitchen brings a taste of traditional Chinese Szechuan cuisine to Atlanta. Yvonne Gu and her parents’ neighborhood establishment prepares the street food of Chengdu, the capital of China’s Sichuan province and the family’s hometown. First-timers are encouraged to try at least one of their lovingly-made dumplings and noodle dishes.
White Windmill Bakery and Cafe
5881 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville, GA 30340 • (770) 234-0914
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Anyone with a sweet tooth in need of satisfaction should head to White Windmill, a Korean bakery and cafe serving freshly baked goods, bubble tea, and espresso drinks. The Buford Highway bakery is one of the first places to start the Korean cafe and bakery trend over 10 years ago. It is widely celebrated for its traditional Korean confections, including red bean buns and Manju pastries.
Now you’re ready for your own international food tour! Enjoy.
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