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Where to find Egyptian karkadeh tea, Tibetan thenthuk soup, Hyderabadi mutton biryani, and Burmese mala steamed fish in Georgia’s “Ellis Island of the South”
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With nearly half of its 13,000 residents hailing from somewhere else — including dozens of countries on six continents around the world — the tiny city of Clarkston, Georgia, has become one of the most diverse spots in the metro Atlanta area.
Dubbed the “Ellis Island of the South,” this rich, multicultural community is home to many immigrants and refugees who’ve fled war-torn countries, which means the restaurant scene in Clarkston reflects ever-shifting global influences. And it plays a role that goes beyond food: Since the city was first deemed a haven for asylum-seekers in the 1990s, Clarkston nonprofit organizations like Just Bakery and Refuge Coffee Co. have helped refugees establish long-term economic security in the Atlanta area. Through these organizations, the city’s newest residents are offered job training and opportunities to start their own food businesses, many of which open in Clarkston.
As a result, Clarkston has become a dining gem in metro Atlanta packed within 1 square mile. It’s where folks from all walks of life can come together to indulge in and experience a variety of cuisines from around the globe — from Ethiopian and Eritrean fare to foods from Myanmar, Pakistan, and Nepal.
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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
4238 E Ponce de Leon Ave
Clarkston, GA 30021
Hailing from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, chef Woinshet Legesse Emory (Chef Winnie) is no stranger to the hustle and bustle of restaurant life. She worked in a number of hotel restaurants before settling in Clarkston, where she opened her eponymous restaurant. Here, Emory mixes Ethiopian, Mexican, and American cuisines on the menu; one might dine on beef, chicken, or jackfruit curry tibs and gomen with spongy injera alongside Philly cheesesteaks and fish tacos. Order online for takeout.
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Clarkston Village Shopping Center, 926 Montreal Rd E
Clarkston, GA 30021
Located in the Clarkston Village shopping complex, Kathmandu Kitchen & Grill serves Nepalese and Indian dishes, including an all-you-can-eat buffet at lunch. Look for the goat curry, tandoori chicken, pakoras, Tibetan thenthuk soup, sekuwa (Nepali meat skewers), and wai wai sadheko (spicy Nepali noodles similar to chaat). Call to order takeout.
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Clarkston Village Shopping Center,
