Atlanta is a city where restaurants are more than places to grab a bite. They’re where generations of families have gathered for Sunday supper, where civil rights leaders helped shape history, and where locals have been ordering the same beloved dishes for decades.
But which restaurant deserves the title of Atlanta’s most iconic?
We posed that question to readers on DiningOut Atlanta’s Facebook page, and the responses offered a delicious trip through the city’s culinary history. More than 230 comments poured in, with readers naming everything from legendary Southern dining rooms and old-school steakhouses to neighborhood institutions and restaurants that have long since closed their doors.
In all, 33 restaurants received mentions, with three emerging as clear favorites: The Varsity, Mary Mac’s Tea Room, and The Colonnade. Together, they accounted for 70 mentions, far outpacing the rest of the field.
And while the results weren’t entirely surprising, they revealed something interesting about how Atlantans define an iconic restaurant. For some, it’s about longevity and consistency, and for others, it’s the memories made around the table. And for plenty of readers, it’s about the places that helped put Atlanta on the culinary map.
When the comments were tallied, The Varsity came out on top with 29 mentions, proving that Atlanta’s affection for its most famous drive-in hasn’t faded. Founded in 1928, The Varsity has become as much a part of Atlanta’s identity as its skyline. Generations of diners have made their way to the North Avenue landmark for chili dogs, onion rings, Frosted Oranges, and the familiar greeting, “What’ll ya have?”
One reader summed up the restaurant’s appeal by recalling childhood visits with their father, noting that despite its growth over the decades, The Varsity remains remarkably similar to the place they remember.
Of course, not everyone was convinced that the city’s most recognizable restaurant is necessarily its best. Some commenters questioned The Varsity’s iconic status, while others admitted that the food wasn’t particularly memorable. But perhaps that’s part of the distinction. A restaurant doesn’t have to be everyone’s favorite to become a defining piece of a city’s culture.
Coming in a close second was Mary Mac’s Tea Room, with 22 mentions. Its supporters generated 106 likes, one more than The Varsity, suggesting that the beloved Southern restaurant has an equally enthusiastic following.
Since opening in 1945, Mary Mac’s has been a destination for Southern comfort food, welcoming everyone from neighborhood regulars to visiting celebrities and politicians. For generations, the restaurant has been synonymous with the kind of hearty Southern cooking that rarely goes out of style. Fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and sweet tea have helped make it a must-visit for out-of-towners and a nostalgic favorite for locals.
Its place in Atlanta’s culinary history goes beyond the menu. Mary Mac’s represents a style of Southern hospitality that has endured through decades of change, making it one of the city’s most recognizable dining institutions.
One commenter insisted that The Varsity and Mary Mac’s were the only two acceptable answers to the question. Another included both alongside The Colonnade as Atlanta’s essential restaurant trio.
With 19 mentions and 76 likes, The Colonnade claimed third place, and its supporters made a compelling case for why the Cheshire Bridge institution deserves recognition. Known for its Southern comfort food, generous portions, and wonderfully eclectic crowd, The Colonnade has been an Atlanta fixture since 1927. Its longevity alone makes it a contender, but the restaurant’s cultural significance is what sets it apart.
One reader affectionately described it as “the beloved home of the gays, grays, and good times.”
That sentiment captures what has made The Colonnade special for generations. The restaurant has long been a gathering place where Atlantans from different walks of life come together over fried chicken, classic Southern sides, and cocktails.
Although the top three dominated the conversation, plenty of other Atlanta restaurants received recognition.
Bones, the Buckhead steakhouse known for its prime beef and old-school dining experience, finished fourth with 10 mentions. Its inclusion reflects another side of Atlanta’s restaurant identity: the polished, expense-account dining rooms that have hosted business deals, celebrations, and special occasions for decades.
Paschal’s, with six mentions, earned recognition for its extraordinary place in Atlanta’s civil rights history. The restaurant became a gathering place for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Andrew Young, and other leaders of the movement, making it a landmark whose importance extends well beyond the dining room.
Southern cooking continued to resonate with readers, with Busy Bee Cafe and The Beautiful Restaurant each receiving five mentions. Both reflect Atlanta’s enduring appreciation for soul food and the neighborhood restaurants that have helped preserve the city’s culinary traditions.
Other favorites included OK Cafe, the longtime Buckhead-area institution known for Southern comfort food, and Hal’s The Steakhouse, another Atlanta destination for steak and special occasions. Restaurants such as Canoe, La Grotta, Aria, Chops Lobster Bar, and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack also earned mentions, illustrating just how varied Atlanta’s idea of iconic dining can be.
Not every restaurant nominated by readers is still around, but that didn’t stop Atlantans from casting nostalgic votes. Dante’s Down the Hatch, the famously theatrical fondue restaurant that closed in 2013, received four mentions and 34 likes. Its distinctive atmosphere clearly left an impression on diners who still remember it fondly. Pano’s & Paul’s, the former Buckhead fine-dining institution, also received four mentions, while other long-gone favorites included Pilgreen’s, Ann’s Snack Bar, Coach & Six, Alfredo’s, The Peasant, and Pittypat’s Porch.
The inclusion of these restaurants sparked a little debate. One commenter reminded fellow readers that the question was posed in the present tense, suggesting that only restaurants still operating should qualify.
Even Atlanta-born chains made appearances in the conversation, with Waffle House and Chick-fil-A earning mentions alongside the city’s independent restaurants. Their inclusion raised another question: Does a restaurant have to be unique to Atlanta to qualify as an Atlanta icon?
If there’s one takeaway from the discussion, it’s that Atlantans have a deep appreciation for restaurants that stand the test of time. The Varsity, Mary Mac’s Tea Room, and The Colonnade may offer vastly different dining experiences, but they share something that can’t be manufactured through clever branding or an ambitious menu: generations of loyalty.
And while Atlanta continues to welcome exciting new restaurants, the conversation suggests that the city’s most enduring dining destinations still hold a special place in locals’ hearts.
