midtownUntil Mon-Tue, Sun 07:00-23:00; Wed-Sat 07:00-05:00
R. Thomas Deluxe Grill in Atlanta is the Midtown organic late-night room: free-range burgers, vegan bowls, an outdoor patio of yard ornaments since 1985.
Try: Free-range burgers, vegan bowls, blue-green-algae smoothies
Tip: Cuts off at 05:00 Wednesday through Saturday now, not 24-hour anymore. Yard ornament patio is the move on warm nights.
buckheadUntil Mon-Wed 11:00-00:00; Thu 11:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-03:00; Sun 11:00-00:00
Velvet Taco in Atlanta's Buckhead stays open until 03:00 on weekends: globally inspired tacos, weekly specials, a take-it-down-the-block walk-up window.
Try: Globally inspired tacos, rotating weekly special
Tip: Order the weekly Taco of the Week board; it's a one-week-only menu pull, often the best thing in the building.
west-midtownUntil Open 24/7
Waffle House on Howell Mill in Atlanta runs 24/7 like the rest of the 90-plus metro locations: scattered-smothered hash browns, pecan waffles, born here in 1955.
Try: Hash browns scattered smothered covered, pecan waffles, all-day breakfast
Tip: Order the hash browns scattered, smothered, covered; it's the local language. Tip your waitress in cash.
east-atlanta-villageUntil Mon-Sat 22:30-02:30; closed Sun
Octopus Bar in Atlanta is the East Atlanta after-service room: a 22:30 to 02:30 small-plates kitchen on the So Ba patio, So Ba owner Nhan Le's late shift.
Try: Salt and pepper Georgia shrimp, uni sashimi, lobster cream pasta
Tip: Doors open at 22:30 sharp. The industry crowd queues the patio of So Ba by 22:00 on Fridays; bring a book.
buckheadUntil Open 24/7
Landmark Diner in Atlanta's Buckhead has run a 24/7 New York diner menu since 1994: pancakes, Greek classics, milkshakes, a side comedy lounge.
Try: Pancake stacks, Greek omelettes, 24-hour breakfast
Tip: Full bar runs until 02:00; after that it's coffee and pancakes. Comedy in the side lounge Wed-Sat evenings.
buford-highwayUntil Mon-Thu, Sun until 02:00; Fri-Sat until 04:30
El Rey del Taco on Atlanta's Buford Highway runs until 04:30 weekends: housemade tortillas, al pastor with pineapple, agua frescas, no fuss.
Try: Al pastor and carne asada tacos on housemade tortillas
Tip: Order at the counter, sit in the diner booths. The al pastor with pineapple is the move; agua frescas rotate daily.