The show is over or it’s last call at the bar. Either way, you know you’re hungry and want something more than a homemade quesadilla you inevitably burn, or boxed mac and cheese that you eat over the stove. That’s why we made this guide, which includes everything from a classic diner to the best place to get po’boys after 11pm.
the spots
Open Until: 12am Sun & Tues-Thurs, 2am Fri-Sat, Closed Mondays
Ladybird has one of the city’s best backyard bars, and their fried chicken sandwich is exactly what you want at a certain hour to balance out whatever you’ve been drinking. This place always feels like a mix between a house party and someone’s lake house, and the fact that you can eat here late into the night makes us like it even more.
Open Until: 24 Hours
The Majestic Diner is exactly what you think of when you hear “classic diner.” From the neon sign out front to the griddle behind the counter, we don’t think much in here has changed since it opened in 1929. Prices have probably gone up a bit since then, but everything’s still super affordable, and regardless of whether you want a BLT, pancakes, or biscuits and gravy, you can get it any time of day.
Open Until: 2am Mon-Sat, 12am Sun
If you’re more of a grazer when it comes to eating after midnight, Victory Sandwich Bar is a good place for you to end the night. The options range from a solid Cuban to a fried chicken sandwich, and they’re all small and cheap enough that you won’t have to worry too much about making the wrong choice. Get one as a snack or as many as you need if you want to make a meal of it. The cocktails made in soda bottles are fun and tasty too.
Open Until: 2am Sun-Thurs, 4:30am Fri-Sat
Going to El Rey Del Taco is a bit of a trek if you aren’t already up near Buford Highway, but their tacos are worth the added effort. There are handmade corn tortillas, homemade salsas, and 12 taco fillings to choose from. Stick to the standards like carnitas, al pastor, and carne asada or, if the late-night hours find you wanting to try something new, we suggest the lengua, cabeza, or tripe.
Open Until: 12am Sun-Tues & Thurs, 2am Fri-Sat, Closed Wednesday
Poor Hendrix is like a reverse mullet, with a party at the bar in front and business at the restaurant in the back, and the food differs depending on which side of the house you’re in. Stick with the bar for small plates and snacks like Old Bay fried cauliflower, assorted meat skewers, and sesame wings, or split some roasted chicken and pan-seared trout in the main restaurant.
Open Until: 12am Sun-Thurs, 2am Fri-Sat
At one point in time, The Vortex was the undisputed best burger place in town. It was also known as the reason why giant red-eyed skulls haunted our childhood dreams. Lots of new contenders have entered the “best burger in Atlanta” conversation over the years, but you can still always count on this place after you leave Euclid Avenue Yacht Club or Elmyr. They’re open late and make a lot of burgers that sound especially good after a few drinks, like one with pimento cheese and another with peanut butter, bacon, and plantains (a.k.a. The Fat Elvis).
Open Until: 24 Hours
Between the birdcages, multi-colored pinwheels, and lawn art, R. Thomas looks a little like a haunted house once the sun goes down. But instead of fake ketchup blood and mini hotdogs that look like fingers, you’ll find a long late-night menu with breakfast food, pastas, sandwiches, and a few vegan dishes.
Open Until: 12am Sun-Thurs, 1am Fri-Sat
If you lived in New Orleans, you’d probably have 10 restaurants that feel a lot like this place within a mile of your front door. In Atlanta, it’s a rarity and Bon Ton keeps things interesting by serving a mix of Vietnamese food and a ton of Cajun seafood. This means you can get a spicy shrimp po’boy/banh mi, topped with pickled vegetables, jalapeno, and mint, along with a frozen Hurricane.
Open Until: 10am Sun-Thurs, 24 hours Fri-Sat
Both Delia’s locations are open 24-hours on the weekends, so you can get chicken sausage links, chorizo, patties, and meatballs whenever you want them as soon as Friday rolls around (they close at 10pm during the week). Just about every dish where you might expect to find some sort of sausage is available here, from lasagna and breakfast sandwiches to meatloaf, or just get one topped with chili and cheese in a bun.
Open Until: 24 Hours
It’s not that you needed to pull up our guide to know that Waffle House is always a good late-night option, maybe you just needed a friend to support your decision. And we know that when all else fails, there’s a plate of perfectly crisp hashbrowns or a Texas toast cheesesteak waiting for you at the nearest location - which is likely no more than three miles from you, no matter where you are in the city.
