The Rolling Stones had it right: "You can't always get what you want (no). But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need." And when it comes to dining in Atlanta after midnight, you're likely to find that's doubly true. But here are five places where you can ramble in for some food until the wee hours.

— Bob Townsend

LOUIE FAVORITE/AJC Staff (ENLARGE)
A salad of warm goat cheese on frisee lettuce is an elegant option at Hotel Intercontinental's Au Pied de Cochon.
WILLIAM BERRY/ajc staff (ENLARGE)
WILLIAM BERRY / Staff The convivial feast at Hae Woon Dae involves beef you grill yourself over a charcoal brazier, then lots and lots of sides and sauces, pickles and salads, plus soup and rice.
DAVID TULIS/AJC STAFF (ENLARGE)
Vegetarians can be very happy at R. Thomas Deluxe Grill with the likes of veggie wraps with ginger. R. Thomas does make tasty concessions to carnivores, though, too.
JOEY IVANSCO/ajc staff (ENLARGE)
It's no-fail eggs, toast and hash browns fast at Waffle House.
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PEACHTREE

R. Thomas Deluxe Grill

From the outside, R. Thomas looks more like a funky folk art environment than a restaurant, with a tangled jungle of plants and exotic caged birds. Once inside, you're still partially outdoors, under a blue, bubble-like awning. But despite its quirks — or maybe because of them — this is the place to take your vegan rock star friend after her gig ends at 2 a.m. "We offer real food choices for both carnivores and vegetarians alike," declares the menu. And, yes, you can chow down on a tasty natural beef burger while your more prudent friend has a plate of raw cultured veggies. Just be sure to try the addictive home fries, made from skin-on potatoes and grilled with a touch of sour cream. Open 24/7 on the weekends; until 5 a.m. Mondays-Fridays.

• R. Thomas Deluxe Grill, 1812 Peachtree St. N.W., 404-872-2942, www.rthomasdeluxegrill.com

DORAVILLE

Hae Woon Dae

Located in a strip center (not far from where you can find strip clubs), this kitschy but quintessentially great Korean barbecue place offers a taste of something completely different from the usual early-morning steak and eggs. Yes, there's sizzling beef, but you cook it yourself over charcoal, wrap it up in lettuce leaves, and gnaw on it with a variety of spicy sauces, pickles and salads, plus soup and rice. Order the giant seafood pancake or a plate of fried dumplings for starters, then proceed to the meaty kalbi (short ribs) or bul kogi (marinated beef strips). Open 11 a.m.-6 a.m. Mondays-Sundays.

• Hae Woon Dae, 5805 Buford Highway N.E. 770-451-7957

AVONDALE

The Waffle House

Sure, it's a chain. But it's our kind of chain. Because it's where you can always go at 4 a.m. and order scrambled eggs with "scattered, smothered and covered" hash browns, and punch up "There Are Raisins in My Toast" on the jukebox. Depending on the location, the cast of characters could be every bit as colorful as at the Majestic. The late, great Atlanta singer Benjamin told of his fondness for going to the Buckhead Waffle House wearing a dress. But during the wee hours in Avondale, you're more likely to encounter post-party students and workers getting an early start on the day. Open 24/7.

• The Waffle House, 2850 E. College Ave., Decatur, 404-294-8758; and other locations, www.wafflehouse.com

PONCEY-HIGHLAND

Majestic Diner

Atlanta's version of the famous Edward Hopper painting (or Tom Waits album), the Majestic is where nighthawks of all kinds land at the counter or in a booth to soak up some coffee and the stark neon atmosphere. One of the few landmarks left on the infamous stretch that photographer George Mitchell celebrated in his early '80s book "Ponce de Leon," this archetypal greasy spoon diner seems immune to gentrification. While the menu still offers traditional Southern-style meat and threes, better bets are pork chops and eggs or pecan waffles or a patty melt and fries. Open 24/7.

• The Majestic, 1031 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-875-0276

BUCKHEAD

Au Pied de Cochon

At Au Pied de Cochon, you can order the eponymous crunchy pig's foot 24/7. But if what you're after is a bit more elegant, there are lots of less disgusting options. This French brasserie (located in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel) is patterned after the 1946 Paris original. And accordingly, it features gaudy frescos of cherubs and piglets, and chandeliers — all of which add to the early-morning amusement factor. Included among the more soothing and less expensive fare is perhaps the ultimate hangover pre-emptor: classic croque monsieur, an open-faced French grilled cheese layered with ham, béchamel sauce and broiled Emmental cheese, served with a side of crispy frites. Open 24/7.

• Au Pied de Cochon, 3315 Peachtree Road. 404-946-9070, www.aupieddecochonatlanta.com

My favorite late night dining is Cafe Intermezzo in Buckhead on Peachtree. It is very romantic, you can sit out on the back patio & the trees are decorated with lights & the food was great. — Dee

Harlem Bar on Edgewood Avenue. Great soul food and kitchen is open until 2 a.m. — Creme

The 24-hour restaurant at the Intercontinental Hotel. Every thing from toast to lobster @ 4 a.m. — Tom

Chinese Buddha off 10th street. Late night munchies for Asian food — totally satisfying ... so cheap ... — Mark

The Highlander on Monroe Drive next to the movie theater has great late night food! — Joe

Are you guys crazy?!?! Johnny's Pizza on N. Highland in Inman Park serves until 3 a.m. every night. I can't believe I am the first one to post this ... get in the loop people! — ATLien

WE WANT TO KNOW: What's your favorite ethnic restaurant on Buford Highway?