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.
Tip: Order the hash browns scattered, smothered, covered; it's the local language. Tip your waitress in cash.
Address: 1700 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318
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.
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.
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.
OK Yaki in Atlanta's East Atlanta Village is the late-night Osaka griddle: okonomiyaki, yakisoba, Japanese street snacks until 01:00 on weekends.
Try: Osaka-style okonomiyaki, yakisoba, Japanese street snacks
Tip: Walk-in only and the room is small. Wedge yourself in at the counter and order the pork belly okonomiyaki.
Bucket Shop Cafe in Atlanta's Buckhead has poured the late shift since 1982: lemon pepper wings, burgers, draft beer until 03:00 most nights.
Try: Lemon pepper wings, burgers, draft beer
Tip: Holding down Buckhead's late-night since 1982. Kitchen runs to 02:30; the bar carries the last half-hour.
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.
