The Best Ramen in Atlanta

Guy Wong’s famous restaurant, Le Fat, is a modern Vietnamese restaurant with roots in the country’s French-colonial influences. The restaurant itself is stunning, with design that pulls from the 1920s Saigon and other parts of Southeast Asia and works to recapture the beauty, romance and devil-may-care attitude of the time. Located in the West Midtown area of Atlanta, it’s a convenient stop for diners coming from Georgia Tech or offices in Midtown. Try the delicious hot and flavorful noodle soups as an alternative to ramen, such as the Bun, made with vermicelli noodles and a clear broth.

Local Three is a unique restaurant that goes the extra mile to make diners feel welcome and satisfied with their experience. The owners strive to cultivate a philosophy here that people matter most and that the root of a good meal is local, fresh ingredients and skills in the kitchen. The Buckhead restaurant is big and beautiful and you will feel right at home relaxing under the soft lighting. The menu changes regularly to reflect the available produce and meats, but they always have a wide selection of cuisines, including Asian, as well as hot soups to warm your belly.

Atlanta might be a few hours away from the nearest ocean, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know all about fresh fish. Located right off North Highland, Beetlecat features raw oysters and fresh seafood that rank up there with offerings in any coastal town. The vibe here is upscale and trendy, so grab a table to impress your date or bring a group of friends. The upstairs dining room and oyster bar feels like a seaside fish camp while the below deck in the Den has more of a surf shack vibe. You can also hang out in the open air on the patio while you dine! If you’re a ramen lover, try their spice udon soup - it’s the same idea but topped with sticky glazed beef brisket, bonito flakes and an egg yolk.

If you’re in the mood for flavorful and creative cuisine in a light, beacy setting, come one down to Drift Fish House and Oyster Bar in Northwest Atlanta. Owner Doug Turbush owns a number of other restaurants in the city but this one specifically focuses on seafood and fish flavors. The interio has oars and paddles hanging from the ceiling, a cool, lengthy bar area and plenty of seating in the big, open dining room. You can find a little bit of everything on the menu, including oysters, deviled eggs, Ani Tuna and more. But if you want a warm bowl of soup like ramen, try the specialty Bouillabaise Stew made in lobster broth and served with sourdough bread.

Muss & Turner’s has a pretty simple practice - they buy the freshest ingredients they can find, cook seasonally and support local farmers and businesses. Oh and they like to make people feel good. They are big on creating a warm, natural setting where people can gather and enjoy each other and excellent food. It’s a loca fuss-free joint with a deli counter that serves giant sandwiches, house-roasted and cooked meats and homemade bread. An awesome alternative to ramen is the Wafuu Spaghetti, which consists of homemade pasta, tobiko and shiso leaf.

Sprig Restaurant is a locally owned southern cuisine spot that looks to local and regional farms for their main ingredients and also strives for sustainable cooking practices. They make everything on the menu from scratch, including vegetables, sides, sauces, dressings, soups, etc. They also have an extensive list of local beers, wines and craft cocktails. Because they cook everything from available fresh ingredients, the menu changes regularly, but keep an eye out for ramen and other noodle dishes throughout the year.

Hopstix is a serious brewery and Japanese restaurant located in an old building in Chamblee that locals are raving about. It’s like a gastropub meets Izakaya and they have a dizzying menu with about a half-dozen sections including starters, grilled skewers, entrees, sushi rolls, raw fish, nigiri and crudo. It can feel overwhelming but know that you are in good hands here and you can’t make a bad choice. Try their super bowl, a heaping mix of sashimi, grilled pork belly, unagi and spices that is filling enough to be a whole meal. And make sure to sample their awesome Miso Ramen - the main reason many locals come here.

Tucked away in Historic Roswell, The Mill Kitchen and Bar is a bit off the beaten path for tourists but worth the trek. Locals consider this absolutely incredibly cuisine and it’s quintessential southern menu features comfort food dishes that will satisfy any appetite. They also have a huge patio with a fireplace and bar program that rivals any in Buckhead. You won’t find ramen on the menu here but try some of their other Asian-style dishes, like the Pork Belly Ho Cakes.

Kona Grill is an elegant American and Japanese place located at Avalon in the heart of Alpharetta, just steps away from the Regal movie theater and the plaza. Step in inside and marvel at the lovely ambience, relaxed enough for a date but lively and bright enough for a birthday party or celebration. The restaurant flies in fresh, wild caught fish every day to ensure the best flavor. Grab a seat outside on the beautiful patio overlooking the plaza fountain and sample one of their delicious Japanese soups, like the Miso Soup along with an Oriental Salad.