The Common Drink You'll Definitely Get Side-Eyed For Trying To Order In Atlanta, Georgia

Ordering a Pepsi in Atlanta, Georgia (also the top-ranked Southern U.S. city for movie and TV lovers), is like wearing a Yankees cap to Fenway Park — it's bound to turn heads, and not in a good way. As the birthplace of Coca-Cola, Atlanta has an undeniable loyalty to the fizzy drink that's practically a local deity. Invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton, Coca-Cola grew from its humble beginnings at Jacobs' Pharmacy to becoming a global icon headquartered in Atlanta. The city is also home to the World of Coca-Cola, a museum dedicated to the brand's history and a big tourist attraction for visitors to Atlanta.

Adding to the soda drama, Atlantans have another little quirk: many people from Georgia will refer to all soft drinks as "coke," regardless of the brand. That's right — ask for a "coke" at a local diner, and they might ask you, "What kind?" This Southern shorthand goes to show how deeply Coca-Cola is embedded in ATL culture. (Local tip: you'll want to specify, too, whether you want sweet or unsweet tea — people in the South tend to see sweet tea as the default.)

As a native Atlantan, I can tell you that you won't get chased out of an establishment if you prefer Pepsi. Some restaurants might even have it on tap by default (Subway just agreed to switch to Pepsi starting in 2025). It's not that Atlantans hate Pepsi; it's just that asking for it feels like walking into a soul food spot and ordering tacos. You'll survive, but you might get some funny looks (and someone might even call you a Yankee).

Coca-Cola's influence in Atlanta is visible just about everywhere you go. From the massive Coke sign downtown in Woodruff Park to the Coca-Cola Corner at Truist Park, the brand's presence is as commonplace as peach trees (there are 71 "Peachtree" streets in Atlanta) and sweet tea. Even local fast-food institutions like Chick-fil-A and Varsity (ATL's can't-miss regional restaurant chain) only serve Coca-Cola products, solidifying its status as the unofficial drink of the state. In fact, Coca-Cola has partnerships with many Georgia-based chains (ahem, Mellow Mushroom) and restaurants (including the top-rated airport restaurant in the world), making it nearly impossible to drink a Pepsi while grabbing a quick bite.

Speaking of local legends, Atlanta is also a hub for Southern favorites that have become national icons. Waffle House, headquartered just outside the city in Norcross, is a beloved 24/7 spot where coffee flows freely, and the hash browns can come "smothered, scattered, and covered" — however you like them. Some of ATL's finest dramatic entertainment happens in WaHos after midnight, too — so be prepared for shenanigans if you're dining late. 

As they say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans." So, next time you're in the Peach State, do the right thing and order a Coke so you don't stick out like a sore thumb. Go ahead and throw in a "y'all," too, if you're feeling squirrely.