Eat See Do: Atlanta

Atlanta is truly a soul food paradise, and its world-famous fried chicken is practically considered a staple here. The crispy chicken pieces, marinated in various flavors, are often served as a traditional “Meat and Three,” meaning a meat dish with three sides. The Lemon Pepper Wings, with their tangy, spicy flavor, are especially popular. For fried chicken at its most authentic and time-honored, head to Busy Bee. The restaurant received the James Beard America’s Classics Award in 2022, an honor reserved for establishments that reflect the character and culinary traditions of their hometown.

More Culinary Delights:

• Fried green tomatoes: The vegetarian answer to fried chicken – made even more famous by the 1991 film of the same name. They’re among the most popular starters and side dishes in Southern and soul food cuisine.   
• Pimento cheese: This classic spread has almost achieved cult status in Georgia. This spicy mixture of cheddar, mayonnaise, and mild, chopped bell peppers appears time and again in Atlanta on biscuits, burgers, or as a dip. It is this versatility that makes pimento cheese a small but very typical delicacy.
• Peach cobbler: It’s no coincidence that Georgia is nicknamed the “Peach State” considering the outstanding quality of its peaches. The state is also home to the world-famous dessert peach cobbler. This treat consists of fresh or canned peaches, seasoned with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and often a splash of lemon juice. Unlike a pie, a cobbler has no crust on the bottom. Instead, the peaches sit at the bottom of the pan, and the batter is spread over the top.

A cemetery doesn’t immediately sound like a must-see. But in Atlanta, Oakland Cemetery has established itself as a green space where architecture, city history, and places of rest come together. Views of the skyline open up between the graves and old magnolias: just a few minutes from downtown Atlanta, the city shows its quiet side here.

Also Worth Seeing:

• Fox Theatre: The Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta's cultural gems and one of the city’s major venues. Its impressive architecture combines Moorish and Egyptian elements: from the outside, it resembles a fortress; inside, an oriental palace. Not only are the Broadway musicals, concerts, and film screenings worth seeing, so is the ceiling spanning the auditorium, which is reminiscent of an Arabian night sky, and the legendary Mighty Mo, one of the world’s largest theater organs.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park: Three of the most significant memorial sites in Atlanta, if not the whole of the US, are located here in the form of the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., Ebenezer Baptist Church, and his final resting place. From the birthplace, the path leads through the park to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, which honors other heroes of the civil rights movement.
• Ponce City Market (PCM): The former building of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. department store is the largest historic brick structure in the southeastern United States. The former retail and logistics hub has been transformed into a vibrant mix of dining, shopping, and lifestyle. The stalls, run by Michelin-starred chefs, offer everything from award-winning burgers to international cuisine. It's the perfect place to experience Atlanta’s modern food scene all in one spot.   

Atlanta’s new urban energy is most evident on the Beltline Eastside Trail. Where railroad tracks once ran, paved paths now wend their way past murals, installations, cafés, and neighborhood spots – all much more accessible on foot or by bike than by car. The Eastside Trail is part of the Atlanta Beltline, a roughly 35-kilometer (22-mile) loop that connects 45 city neighborhoods.   

More Experiences:

• Krog Street Tunnel: The underpass connecting Cabbagetown in the south with Inman Park in the north is one of the city’s most famous street art spots and is constantly changing. And that's what makes it so special. After all, what you see today might be painted over with a new artwork tomorrow.   
• View from SkyView: From the gondolas of the approximately 60-meter-tall (197-foot) Ferris wheel, you can see the striking skyscrapers of downtown up close. SkyView Atlanta is one of the few places in the city where the skyline doesn’t look like a distant strip of concrete and glass, but rather like a backdrop that's close enough to touch.
• Piedmont Park: After a long day in the city, relaxing in one of Atlanta’s largest city parks is just what you need. In the shade of the trees and looking out across its wide-open lawns, Atlanta suddenly feels light and airy.