Southern Bites: Exploring the Flavours of Atlanta, Nashville & New Orleans

If you’ve never been to the American South then you are in for a treat! From Atlanta to Nashville to New Orleans, Southern cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavours, blending traditional recipes with French, Creole, and regional influences. Each city offers its own culinary treasures, from smoky barbecue to sweet, indulgent desserts. Read on to discover iconic dishes, local favourites, and the perfect spots to enjoy them on your next fly-drive adventure.

Beignets

Barbecue

Tennessee is renowned for low-and-slow barbecue, and Nashville showcases classic pulled pork, succulent brisket, and mouth-watering ribs, often accompanied by tangy coleslaw and sweet cornbread. Local joints offer unique sauces, with some incorporating Nashville’s signature hot chicken spices. In Atlanta, barbecue shines with Southern-style ribs, smoked sausages, and pulled pork at restaurants such as Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and Heirloom Market BBQ. New Orleans also embraces barbecue, with Creole-inspired smoked meats and sauces adding a distinctive French-Creole twist at establishments like Cochon Butcher and The Joint.

Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a Southern institution, with each city offering its own take. Nashville is famous for hot chicken, first served at Prince’s Hot Chicken, with heat levels ranging from mild to XXX Hot. Atlanta boasts iconic restaurants such as Paschal’s and The Busy Bee, both known for crispy, succulent fried chicken. New Orleans offers fried chicken with a Creole twist, often seasoned with cayenne and paprika, served at places like Willie Mae’s Scotch House and Coop’s Place. Festivals in each city, such as the National Fried Chicken Festival in Atlanta in October every year and the Hot Chicken Festival in Nashville in July every year, celebrate this beloved dish.

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits are a Southern staple, with grits being a classic comfort food made from ground corn that is slowly cooked until soft and creamy. This dish is interpreted differently in each city. In Atlanta, try rich, smooth versions at Flying Biscuit or extra-cheesy takes at Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Nashville serves hearty, spiced versions at The Marsh House and The Palm, reflecting the city’s love of Southern seafood. New Orleans elevates the dish with French-Creole flair at Lil’ Dizzy’s, Arnaud’s, and Deanie’s, often accompanied by oysters, catfish, or hush puppies. Each city balances comfort with creativity, making the dish a must-try wherever you go.

Chicken Biscuits

Chicken biscuits are a breakfast favourite with local variations across the South. Southern biscuits are a type of bread roll (similar to the British scone) made from flour, buttermilk, lard, and baking powder. Traditionally, southern biscuits are prepared using a special variety of flour known as soft wheat flour, and they generally include lard or shortening rather than butter. In Nashville, they often feature fried chicken with a hint of hot spice, paired with cheese or sausage gravy. Atlanta favours classic versions, such as those at Mary Mac’s Tea Room or Home Grown GA, highlighting flaky, buttery biscuits and crispy chicken. New Orleans adds Creole-inspired flavours, sometimes including remoulade or Cajun spices, served at spots such as Willa Jean and Bearcat Café. This combination of biscuit and chicken remains a symbol of Southern ingenuity and comfort.

Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler is a beloved Southern dessert, and each city has its own twist. Originally created by settlers when they first went over to America it is called cobbler because of what the topping looks like. In Atlanta, Georgia’s Peach State pride shines with rich, buttery cobblers, often topped with a biscuit-like crust at restaurants such as The Varsity and Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Nashville offers both classic and modern versions, including caramelised or spiced peach fillings at Patterson House and The Southern. New Orleans introduces French-Creole influences, with cobblers featuring liqueurs or crisp pastry toppings at establishments like Café du Monde and Commander’s Palace. The dish captures the South’s warmth, comfort, and tradition.

Photo Credit to Todd Coleman

Gumbo

Gumbo is a thick, flavoursome stew that varies widely across the South. In New Orleans, the iconic version, often combines chicken, sausage, seafood, okra, and a dark roux. Classic examples can be found at homes and restaurants such as Commander’s Palace. Atlanta offers Creole-inspired gumbos at spots like Busy Bee Café and The Optimist, sometimes featuring locally sourced seafood. Nashville incorporates a Southern twist, often lighter but still rich, served at establishments such as The Catbird Seat and The Marsh House, allowing diners to enjoy the essence of Creole cuisine alongside local ingredients.

Po’boys

Po’boys are long sandwiches filled with meat or seafood and served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and sauce. New Orleans is the birthplace of the po’boy, with legendary spots including Parkway Bakery and Domilise’s. In Atlanta, po’boys have become popular at cafés and seafood restaurants such as The Optimist and Parish, often featuring fried shrimp or oyster fillings. Nashville embraces the sandwich with Southern seafood twists at places like The Southern and Merchants, showcasing both classic and creative interpretations of this beloved dish.

Photo Credit to Joyce Bracey

Jambalaya

Jambalaya is both a culinary staple and a storied dish in New Orleans. It has been part of the city’s cuisine since Colonial Spanish settlers attempted to recreate their native paella with locally sourced ingredients. Today, jambalaya typically combines chicken, seafood, sausage, or all three, along with peppers, onions, spices, and rice. Originally a Creole dish influenced by both French and Spanish traditions, it has become hugely popular throughout Louisiana. Versions include seasoned sausages and fresh regional seafood, with rice as the foundation. Spicy variations with chicken, andouille sausage, rice, and Cajun seasonings are also common. Try Voodoo Gumbo, Broadway Brewhouse Downtown or J. Gumbo’s in Nashville; Napoleon House, Gumbo Shop or French Market Restaurant in New Orleans; and Copeland’s of New Orleans, Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint, or Louisiana Bistreaux in Atlanta.

From beignets in New Orleans to peach cobbler in Atlanta and hot chicken in Nashville, the South’s cuisine tells stories of history, tradition, and creativity. Each dish carries its own heritage, flavour, and character, offering a true taste of the region. Whether you’re planning a fly-drive through the South or simply seeking culinary inspiration, these iconic dishes are your gateway to experiencing the rhythm of Southern food.