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Atlanta is enjoying a growing reputation as a dining-out city, especially with upscale additions in recent years like Joel, Bluepointe and Oscar’s. But what is often overlooked is its exciting ethnic food scene: little pockets around the metro area where first- and second-generation Americans have settled, bringing exotic tastes and flavors with them. In metro Atlanta you’ll find excellent examples of Indian, Mexican, Vietnamese, Korean, South American and middle Eastern cuisines – sometimes within a few blocks of one another.

Where to Eat:
A quick guide to dining by neighborhood

With so many options in so many parts of town, it’s hard to generalize what you’ll find where. But with that caveat, here are a few tips:

Buckhead: If you want to experience classic Atlanta nightlife, head to Buckhead, where A-list fine dining (Seeger’s, Joel) blends with mass appeal (Cheesecake Factory, Justin’s).

Downtown: Packed with businesses and government offices, most of downtown's eateries have breakfast and lunch hours and serve a commuter clientele. There are, however, several standouts for dinner and/or drinks.

Midtown: This part of town features lots of good-quality, mid-priced options within a few blocks of one another. The neighborhood defined by Piedmont Park also boasts some of the city’s hottest spots, including One Midtown Kitchen -- great for fancy nibbles – and Nam, which has taken Vietnamese food in Atlanta to a new level.

Clayton County: If you want to stay near the airport, search for restaurants in Clayton County and College Park/East Point. Here’s you’ll find such treasures as the Feed Store, an eclectic mix of American flavors, and Oscar’s, an upscale destination with a seasonal menu.

Chamblee/Dunwoody: Here’s a place to go if you want an ethnic adventure. Buford Highway, a road that runs north of the city, is where moms and pops from Korea, Vietnam and Mexico, among other places, have come to open restaurants – many of them outstanding.

Decatur: Just east of Midtown, down Ponce de Leon Avenue, is Decatur, a town with a growing reputation for dining. In addition to Southern standout Watershed, the area is also host to a veritable smorgasbord (what is the Hindi word for "smorgasbord," anyway?) of Indian cuisines at a half-dozen popular restaurants – including Madras Saravana Bhavan.

East Atlanta: If you’re looking for quirky, head to this funky, up-and-coming community. It’s home to Pastificio Cameli, a laid-back vegetarian hangout, and Iris, a sophisticated spot with lots of ambition.