Taste local history at 25 of Atlanta’s longest-running restaurants

These classic Atlanta restaurants run the gamut from cheap eats to fine dining, hyper-local to global and cafeteria-style to the epitome of full service. And no visit to Atlanta would be complete without trying some of its famous chain restaurants, like Chick-fil-A, which dates back to 1946, and Waffle House, first opened in 1955. Local chain Henri’s Bakery predates both thanks to opening the first of multiple locations in 1929.

What unites these restaurants is their longevity — the youngest has been in business nearly 25 years, but most much longer — and their accessibility by MARTA train or bus.

With that in mind, these restaurants are loosely grouped by geography.

Central Atlanta neighborhoods

Downtown, Midtown and the west side

This collection could be called the Soul Food District. You’ll find old-school Southern cooking at restaurants with bona fide Civil Rights-era credentials, like Paschal’s Restaurant & Bar and the Busy Bee Cafe near the Atlanta University Center, home to Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University. Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Midtown and Eats, now in the West End, also serve traditional Southern flavors, while Bacchanalia, located in Blandtown since 2017, has been on the vanguard of regional fine dining since the 1990s.

Credit: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Credit: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In Midtown, you’ll also find a couple of classic fast food spots, like the Varsity at the corner of Spring Street and North Avenue, which first opened in 1927. Then there’s the Original JR Cricket’s, which first opened in 1982 and has been selling crispy chicken wings ever since.

Credit: Courtesy of Atkins Park Tavern

Credit: Courtesy of Atkins Park Tavern

Near-east neighborhoods

Inman Park, Poncey-Highland and Virginia-Highland

A walk along North Highland Avenue would take you by a number of Atlanta’s longest-running restaurants, including one that claims the title of oldest restaurant in town: Atkins Park Tavern, continuously licensed since 1922.

Starting in Inman Park, the southernmost of these neighborhoods, you’ll find Italian restaurant Sotto Sotto, where Atlanta locals have fueled up on pasta since 1999. Next is Wisteria, a Southern gem that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Just a few hundred yards farther north is Manuel’s Tavern, a popular stop for politicians; it’s hosted Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and others since opening in 1956.

Credit: Archival Image

Credit: Archival Image

The Poncey-Highland neighborhood is home to the Majestic Diner, which has served simple, late-night eats since 1929. Continuing up North Highland Avenue, you’ll see Atkins Park Tavern, then run into a cluster of longtime restaurants near the intersection with Virginia Avenue.

Credit: Greg Rannells for the Atlanta Jo

Credit: Greg Rannells for the Atlanta Jo

Highland Tap, Moe’s & Joe’s and La Tavola Trattoria are all within stumbling distance of each other in the heart of the Virginia-Highland neighborhood. Dive bar Moe’s & Joe’s is by far the oldest, dating back to 1947. Highland Tap, the subterranean escape where nursing a martini is encouraged, opened in 1989, while the pleasant La Tavola Trattoria has been an Italian staple since 1999.

Farther east neighborhoods

Decatur, North Decatur and Tucker

While downtown Decatur, easily accessible by train, is home to quite a few excellent restaurants, you’ll have to hop on a MARTA bus or take a car to get to some of the area’s oldest restaurants.

In downtown Decatur, you’ll find the Brick Store Pub, a grandfather of Atlanta’s craft beer movement which opened in 1997. (Bonus restaurant: Cafe Alsace, the humble French restaurant just around the corner, opened the same year.)

Credit: PATRICK M. REED

Credit: PATRICK M. REED

North of downtown Decatur is Athens Pizza, the casual Greek restaurant that’s been delivering pizzas and salads since 1966. Those who want to experience a truly old-school, Southern-style meat-and-three will need to head outside the Perimeter to Tucker, where Matthews Cafeteria is on Main Street. The beloved cafeteria has been run by the same family since 1955.

Credit: Olivia Bowdoin

Credit: Olivia Bowdoin

Northern neighborhoods

Morningside/Lenox Park, Buckhead and Buford Highway

These neighborhoods are home to some of Atlanta’s most esteemed fine-dining destinations and best-known international restaurants.

Starting at the southern edge of this area in the Morningside/Lenox Park neighborhood, you’ll find two Atlanta institutions on Cheshire Bridge Road. The Colonnade serves classic Southern fare, including trend-bucking dishes like tomato aspic. The kitchen has a magic touch with their deep fryer, and the bar is known to serve classic martinis in bulk.

Credit: Handout

Credit: Handout

Just down the street, Nakato has grown into one of Atlanta’s premiere destinations for Japanese cuisine under multiple generations of family ownership. The restaurant, which first opened in 1972, recently invested in itself with a multi-million-dollar renovation.

Farther north in Buckhead, two long-running fine-dining restaurants have kept their standards high for decades. Aria, which was purchased by its longtime general manager last year, remains relevant with its regularly updated menu and elegant service. Now in its 26th year, Aria was named a James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Hospitality this spring for the second year in a row.

Credit: Archival Image

Credit: Archival Image

Bones Restaurant, one of Atlanta’s most iconic steakhouses, opened in 1979 and still provides an amazing all-around dining experience. Many Bones servers have worked there for decades and the restaurant provides arguably the best service in town. Both Aria and Bones were ranked in the top 10 of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s list of the 50 best restaurants in Atlanta last year.

For a more casual Buckhead destination, check out the White House restaurant. The humble strip-mall spot serving breakfast and lunch began operating 1958.

A visitor to Atlanta could spend days on end visiting the wide-ranging restaurants along Buford Highway, but two stand out for their longevity. Canton House has served traditional dim sum in Chamblee since 1994. A bit farther up the road in Doraville, El Rey del Taco has served Mexican food from beneath its pink marquee since 2002. The consistent quality and welcoming atmospheres of both restaurants helped establish Buford Highway as a dining destination for cuisines from across the globe.