Hungry? Thirsty for some time with your gays? Drop in and belly up for eatin’ good in the gayborhood.
By Mike Fleming
Everybody’s gotta eat, right? Whether up for specialties and themes, super low-key, or slightly more upscale, there are always plenty of options in Atlanta.
And with LGBT diners leading the charge, you don’t have to look far to find restaurants that are fabulous, delicious, and with gay and gay-friendly crowds.
It was difficult, and man are we full, but we winnowed down our list of favorite eateries to the top two-dozen. Dig in!
LATIN
La Hacienda
If it’s not already, this Mexican eatery is about to become a regular stop on your restaurant rounds. Generous portions, a helpful staff and authentic flavors make this place a Midtown mainstay.
900 Monroe Dr. NE
Las Margaritas
Latin fare with a gay flair. On any given Sunday, brunch is hopping. And on most every day of the week, gay Atlanta’s own Oscar Valdivieso, aka Papi, is usually holding court over his popular eatery.
1842 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
Moe’s Southwest Grill
This local chain may be best known for what happens the moment you walk in. The chant of “Welcome to Moe’s!” isn’t just a gimmick; it’s an attitude that permeates your whole experience.
1544 Piedmont Ave. NE
and all over town
No Mas Cantina
Known for its food and fun as well as hosting events as a member of the gay chamber of commerce, this Mexican food place is a gay mainstay.
180 Walker St. SW
Papi’s Cuban and Caribbean Grill
Within steps of some and minutes of all the big gay bars, this place gives Holes in the Wall a good name.
216 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
ITALIAN
Café Intermezzo
Long a fave up the road in Buckhead, when this divine Euro-style coffeehouse hit Midtown, the gays swooned and swarmed.
1065 Peachtree Road NE
Campagnolo
Nothing says lovin’ like Italian food. On a date, sit inside with classics dishes, plus some special menu items that show you this gay-owned sister eatery to Henry’s knows what it’s doing.
980 Piedmont Ave NE
Johnnys Pizza
New York Italian pizza so good you’d slap your mama. Whole pie or by the slice, the prices are great, too. Get a slice with one of their actually good side salads if you simply have to watch your figure.
1810 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
CONTINENTAL & SPECIALTIES
Einstein’s
Raising the bar on gayborhood eats, this Metrotainment restaurant puts a creatve spin on Southern comfort classics. It’s big patio, ample bar, and weekend brunch are popular
1077 Juniper St. NE
Henry’s
This gay-owned sibling eatery of nearby Campagnolo’s has the menu and the patio you’ve been craving.
132 10th St.
Lips Cabaret
Come for the drag, stay for the food. OK the food and the drag. Dinner and a show finally answers your burning question about how, exactly, is life a cabaret.
3011 Buford Hwy NE
Radial Café
Frank Bragg brought everything you used to love about him at Einstein’s, and everything you used to love about the original Radial – and bam! – created the best little breakfast, lunch and dinner spot south of Edgewood Ave.
1530 DeKalb Ave. NE
10th & Piedmont
Serving seasonally inspired tapas for sharing, this place with a view of the city’s gayest corner and its rainbow crosswalks offers multi-cultural, borderless flavors and organic ingredients to execute global cuisine with a regional, Southern influence.
991 Piedmont Ave. NE
FUN & CASUAL
Joe’s on Juniper
Famous for its patio and a lively bar, this is also a don’t-miss for comfort food, easy eats, and as one of the Metrotainment family of restaurants, also home to amazing desserts.
1049 Juniper St. NE
Roasters Rotisserie
There’s no better place for chicken served any number of ways – roasted straight off the spit, fried in strips, fileted with toppings, or over a gigantic salad. All served with homespun sides and a side of loyal gay following any night of the week.
2770 Lenox Road
Roxx
A one-stop shop for American fare and a gay clientele. A popular patio, a menu of favorites from salad to meat-and-threes and beyond
1824 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
Taverna Plaka
The hospitality and every-meal-as-event that the Greeks are known for is on full display at this popular eatery.
2196 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
TAVERN FARE
Amsterdam
This sprawling gay bar complex has a little something for everybody, and that goes for its menu as well.
502 Amsterdam Ave NE
Blake’s on the Park
You may know it for its DJs, drinks and dudes, but you’re going to love its delicious dishes too, from starters to burgers to entrees and salads.
227 10th Street NE
Burkhart’s
You’d be hard pressed to find a more delicious meal at these prices. Cooks are just on the other side of the bar ready to fix you full-course plates of man-that-hits-the-spot.
1492 Piedmont Ave.
The Cockpit
Grant Park’s best-kept gay secret is a great South-of-i20 haunt for our boys and men. Come for the guys, but stay for the tasty treats.
465 Boulevard SE
Woofs
Atlanta’s first and only gay sports bar makes its name on jocks and the guys who love them, but its kitchen has always been a big deal with entrees and sides that making watching the big game even better.
2425 Piedmont Road NE