Atlanta’s Lebanese restaurant community has grown steadily alongside the city’s Middle Eastern diaspora, offering everything from casual neighborhood bakeries and sandwich shops to upscale modern Lebanese dining in Buckhead. Lebanese cuisine is widely regarded as among the most globally influential Middle Eastern food traditions, with its mezze culture, charcoal-grilled meats, and fresh herb-forward salads finding enthusiastic audiences across Atlanta’s food community. The city’s Buckhead neighborhood has become a focal point for higher-end Lebanese dining, while Buford Highway and the broader northeast Atlanta area host more casual and community-oriented Lebanese establishments. Lebanese bakeries in particular, with their freshly baked pita and manakeesh flatbreads, have become beloved Atlanta institutions.
When choosing a Lebanese restaurant in Atlanta, look for establishments that make their own mezze components from scratch, particularly hummus with freshly ground tahini, proper tabbouleh with real bulgur wheat (not couscous), and kibbeh prepared traditionally. Quality Lebanese restaurants import key pantry items including Lebanese pomegranate molasses, orange blossom water, and za’atar seasoning rather than substituting domestic alternatives. Charcoal-grilled preparations are preferable to gas-grilled in this cuisine since the smoke plays a role in flavor. A menu that extends beyond the universally familiar shawarma and falafel to include dishes like kebbe nayyeh, makanek sausages, or loubieh bi zeit demonstrates genuine depth.
Top Lebanese Restaurant Companies in Atlanta
1. Zakia Modern Lebanese
Address: 3699 Lenox Rd NE, Suite 3, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 205-5762
Website: https://www.zakiarestaurant.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 11:30 AM-3 PM (lunch), Monday-Thursday dinner until 9:30 PM, Friday until 10:30 PM, Saturday 5 PM-10:30 PM, Sunday 5 PM-9 PM
Services:
- Modern and classic Lebanese mezze
- Chargrilled meats and seafood
- Contemporary Lebanese small plates
- Full wine and cocktail bar
- Valet parking available
- Complimentary self-parking in attached garage
About: Zakia Modern Lebanese is an upscale restaurant in Buckhead’s Modera Prominence development that presents Lebanese cuisine through both traditional and contemporary lenses, drawing on the rich mezze tradition while incorporating modern culinary technique. The restaurant has earned strong reviews from Atlanta food critics and diners who consistently praise both the food quality and the sophisticated atmosphere. Located in the courtyard of a Buckhead residential and retail complex, Zakia combines accessibility with elevated dining experience. The menu reflects Lebanon’s position at the crossroads of Mediterranean food cultures, incorporating influences from the Lebanese coast, mountains, and cities into a cohesive and well-curated offering.
2. Mediterranean Bakery
Phone: (770) 220-0706
Website: https://www.mediterranean-bakery.com
Services:
- Freshly baked Lebanese pita and flatbreads
- Manakeesh flatbread with various toppings
- Lebanese sandwiches and wraps
- Middle Eastern grocery and pantry items
- Prepared mezze and deli items
- Bakery and dine-in service
About: Mediterranean Bakery has established itself as one of Atlanta’s most authentic Lebanese bakery experiences, serving freshly baked pita, manakeesh, and Lebanese sandwiches alongside a curated selection of Middle Eastern grocery items. The combination of bakery and market reflects the traditional Lebanese neighborhood store model that serves both everyday shopping and casual dining needs. The bakery’s freshly baked breads are a particular draw, and the availability of Lebanese pantry staples makes Mediterranean Bakery a resource for home cooks as well as diners. The establishment serves Atlanta’s Lebanese and broader Middle Eastern community alongside food enthusiasts who seek genuinely fresh bakery products.
3. Delbar Middle Eastern Restaurant
Address: 870 Inman Village Pkwy NE, Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (404) 500-1444
Website: https://www.delbaratl.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday 4 PM-10 PM, Friday 4 PM-11 PM, Saturday 11 AM-11 PM, Sunday 11 AM-9 PM
Awards & Recognition: Michelin Guide recognized
Services:
- Persian and Lebanese-inspired mezze
- Charcoal-grilled kabobs and small plates
- Weekend brunch service
- Full cocktail program
- Multiple Atlanta locations
About: Delbar brings a broader Middle Eastern perspective to the Lebanese dining conversation, with Persian and Lebanese culinary traditions informing a menu that captures the shared mezze culture of the Levant and Iran. Founded by Fares Kargar as a tribute to Middle Eastern home cooking, Delbar has earned MICHELIN Guide recognition and expanded to multiple Atlanta locations, making it one of the most visible Middle Eastern dining brands in the city. The Inman Park original location introduced Atlanta to a contemporary interpretation of Middle Eastern hospitality dining, and the restaurant remains a strong choice for those seeking Lebanese-style mezze alongside broader regional influences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Lebanese and general Mediterranean cuisine?
A: Lebanese cuisine is specifically rooted in the culinary traditions of Lebanon and the broader Levantine region, featuring distinctive preparations like kibbeh, kebbe nayyeh, tabbouleh with fresh parsley, labneh, and fattoush that differ from Greek, Italian, or Turkish Mediterranean cooking. Generic Mediterranean restaurants often blend elements from multiple traditions without depth in any one. Authentic Lebanese restaurants will specify Lebanese dishes by name and preparation method, and the flavors will be more herbal and citrus-forward compared to the olive oil and tomato emphasis of southern European Mediterranean cooking.
Q: What does a meal at a Lebanese restaurant in Atlanta typically cost?
A: At upscale Lebanese restaurants like Zakia, expect to spend $18-$34 per mezze and main plate, with full dinners including drinks running $55-$85 per person. Casual Lebanese sandwich shops and bakeries offer complete meals for $12-$18. Lebanese bakery items like manakeesh are typically $6-$12. The mezze format naturally allows cost control since diners can order a few plates and share them, making the per-person cost variable based on appetite and selection.
Q: What are the essential Lebanese dishes to try in Atlanta?
A: Hummus prepared with freshly ground tahini is the most universal starting point and a quick quality indicator. Tabbouleh made with fresh parsley and fine bulgur, not couscous, is a distinctly Lebanese preparation that most restaurants offer. Kibbeh, made from ground lamb and bulgur wheat in various preparations including fried, baked, or raw (kebbe nayyeh), is one of Lebanon’s most important dishes. Manakeesh, a flatbread baked with za’atar and olive oil or cheese, is a Lebanese breakfast and snack staple available at bakeries like Mediterranean Bakery.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s Lebanese restaurant scene offers meaningful range from the upscale modern interpretations at Zakia Modern Lebanese in Buckhead to the authentic bakery tradition at Mediterranean Bakery and the broader Middle Eastern perspective of Delbar in Inman Park. Each establishment connects to genuine Lebanese culinary tradition in its own way and is worth visiting for the distinctive flavors that Lebanese cuisine brings to the Atlanta dining landscape. Contact these restaurants directly for reservations, catering availability, and current operating hours.