Ultimate Guide to Restaurants Near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

By Muriel Vega

Published May 23, 2026

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Long before it was known as the ATL Airport District, locals called this area the Tri-Cities — College Park, East Point and Hapeville. The neighborhoods surrounding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have deep roots, a strong sense of identity and a food scene that most visitors miss. Whether you’re catching a layover, a sports game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or attending a conference, block out some time to hop on MARTA and explore. From slow-smoked BBQ and all-day brunch to Gullah Geechee dishes, meat-and-threes and some of the best wings in metro Atlanta, the restaurants here are some of the city’s best-kept secrets. 

Hapeville Pizza Company

Hapeville Pizza Company is worth a stop for the lemon pepper chicken pizza — a nod to Atlanta’s famous wing flavor. The thick-crust pie comes loaded with big chunks of zesty lemon pepper chicken over savory red sauce. It’s filling, flavorful and the kind of thing you’ll think about on the flight home. The hot honey pepperoni and the North Fulton BBQ are more must-orders, plus personal-sized pies make it an easy solo lunch. 

Volare Wine & Bistro

Volare Wine & Bistro, a Southern-French bistro overlooking the train tracks in downtown Hapeville, surprises by being both a casual lunch spot and a date night destination without much fuss. By day, locals settle in with a glass of chardonnay and the blackened mahi sandwich, topped with a smoky tomato remoulade and best ordered blackened for maximum flavor. As the evening rolls in, the lights dim and the menu shifts toward more elevated territory — pastas, grilled branzino and grilled Australian lamb chops in a smoked bourbon sauce. Reservations are recommended for dinner.

FolkArt

FolkArt constantly wins best brunch in Atlanta, and once you visit, you’ll see why.  The beloved spot — a sibling to the original Inman Park location — serves some of the most indulgent morning food in metro Atlanta. The sticky bun waffle covered in pecans, marshmallow cream and maple bourbon syrup is as decadent as it sounds, and the Fowl Play — a sweet potato buttermilk waffle with fried chicken and whiskey-peach compote — is crispy and sweet at the same time. If you’re landing in Atlanta with out-of-town guests in tow, this is an easy first stop to make a strong impression.

Tom, Dick and Hank

Tom, Dick & Hank is a Black-owned BBQ and soul food restaurant in College Park with a well-earned reputation for doing the classics right. The smoked wings are a standout, but the restaurant offers everything from fried catfish to 12-hour smoked brisket. The sides hold their own alongside the mains, with a choice of cornbread, collard greens, mac and cheese, and grilled corn. The rooftop patio is a great place to settle in during warmer months with a view of the Atlanta skyline. 

Brake Pad Bar & Grill

Brake Pad Bar & Grill is a College Park institution that has been drawing both the neighbors and layover airport crowd since 2002, near Hartsfield-Jackson. The whole place feels like an open-air patio, making it an easy place to settle in for a few hours. The menu is straightforward bar food, but done well — wings, brisket nachos, burgers and the spicy chicken egg rolls with cream cheese, grapes, jalapeños and mango chutney are a must. The blackened shrimp tacos with chipotle aioli are a sleeper hit for anyone not in the mood for a burger. 

The Breakfast Boys

The Breakfast Boys brings good energy — pink and blue striped walls, local artwork and a soundtrack that moves between Rihanna and ’80s soul set the tone before the food even arrives. The menu is built around big, flavorful Southern dishes: jerk chicken with sweet potato pancakes, crispy catfish and grits, lobster mac and cheese, and the Sweet Chick — a buttery croissant breakfast sandwich loaded with Swiss cheese, chicken sausage and house jam. Portions are generous. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends.

Zab-E-Lee

Zab-E-Lee is a no-frills Thai spot in College Park that delivers a solid, satisfying meal for less than $15. Seating is limited so most people order takeout, which works given how well the food travels. Stick to the Thai menu— the drunken noodles are tender and flavorful, and the Singapore noodles — curry powder-infused glass noodles with egg, carrots, bean sprouts and green onions — are worth ordering if you haven’t tried them before. It’s a reliable, affordable option for something quick near the airport.

Bole Ethiopian Restaurant

Bole Ethiopian Restaurant in College Park feels like coming home after a long flight. The menu is built around traditional Ethiopian dishes served with injera — a spongy sourdough flatbread that Bole makes exceptionally well — and shareable platters. Vegetarians are particularly well served here, with options like shiro, fir fir, lentils and samosas, but there’s plenty for meat lovers, too, with lamb and beef dishes. If you’ve never tried honey wine, this is a good place to start. The restaurant is open late, which makes it a solid option when you land at Hartsfield-Jackson. There’s plenty of room for big groups.

Pit Boss BBQ

Pit Boss BBQ in Hapeville has built a loyal following among Delta employees, airport workers and locals. This is a no-frills counter service spot that takes its barbecue seriously — everything is cooked low and slow on the smoker. The smoked wings are dry-rubbed overnight and smoked over a blend of pecan, oak and hickory wood, then flash-fried for a crispy exterior. The ribs, brisket and pulled chicken sandwich with house-made sauce are great additions to your order, too. 

Lickety Split Southern Kitchen & Bar

Lickety Split Southern Kitchen & Bar in Hapeville is a family-owned soul food restaurant that has been a reliable neighborhood staple since 2018. The menu is rooted in traditional Southern cooking — think Thanksgiving-style sides served daily, homemade desserts and fried chicken that is crispy on the outside and consistently juicy inside. Yes, the fried chicken is exactly what you should order and pair it with the hoecakes with house-made honey butter. It’s one of the better soul food options you’ll find in the ATL Airport District. 

Paper Plane

If you’ve just landed at Hartsfield-Jackson and are looking for a solid dinner near the airport, Paper Plane in Hapeville is a great introduction to the Tri-Cities area. This Thai restaurant has a large, welcoming patio that’s perfect for unwinding after a long flight, with cornhole, live music two nights a week and local beers from Arches Brewing — a Hapeville-based brewery right down the road. The rad na with shrimp and crab — wide glass noodles in a savory sauce — is a standout. You’ll really feel the warmth of the neighborhood here.

Muriel Vega is an Atlanta-based bilingual freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience covering technology, culture and innovation. Previously, she served as managing editor at Hypepotamus, and her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Eater, Dwell, Outside, Atlanta Magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Bitter Southerner, among others.