The Best Southern Restaurants in Atlanta

Mary Mac’s Tea Room, the beloved Southern restaurant on Ponce known for its fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and yeast rolls, reopened under new ownership last November after a months-long shutdown due to the pandemic. But never fear, its new owners kept the menu intact. Mary Mac’s, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2020, was first opened by Mary MacKenzie in 1945. It was one of 16 tearooms in Atlanta at the time and seated just 75 people. Since its opening, the restaurant has expanded several times to accommodate hundreds of people in its six dining rooms. Over the years, Mary Mac’s has played host to a number of local, national, and global dignitaries, like the late congressman John Lewis, the Dalai Lama, Hillary Clinton, and former president Jimmy Carter, as well as legendary musicians James Brown and Beyonce. Order online for takeout, delivery, or curbside pick-up. Masks required inside.