Atlanta Airport A Concourse Food: Where (and What) to Eat at Hartsfield–Jackson

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is busy, loud, and fast-moving—especially in Concourse A. If you’re flying out of or connecting through Atlanta and you’re wondering what food is in A Concourse, you actually have solid options, whether you want a quick grab-and-go snack or a real sit-down meal.

This guide walks you through what to expect from food in Atlanta Airport Concourse A, how to find it quickly, and how to plan your food stops if you live in Atlanta or are just passing through.

How Food Works in Atlanta Airport’s A Concourse

Concourse A is part of the domestic terminal side of Hartsfield–Jackson. It’s one of the busiest concourses and is mostly used by major domestic carriers, especially Delta and its partners.

Food in Concourse A generally falls into three categories:

• Fast food / quick service (burgers, pizza, sandwiches, tacos)
• Grab-and-go (salads, wraps, snacks, coffee, bakery)
• Sit-down or bar-style restaurants (full meals, drinks, TVs, more time to relax)

Menu offerings shift occasionally, but you will always find:

• A coffee option (usually near the center of the concourse)
• One or more national fast-food brands
• A bar or grill-style restaurant
• At least one convenience-style market with snacks, drinks, and packaged food

If you live in Atlanta and fly often, it’s worth getting familiar with the layout so you’re not wandering around when you’re hungry and short on time.

Where Food Is Located in A Concourse

Concourse A is a straight hallway of gates with food clustered in a few key areas. You can reach it via:

• Plane Train from either the Domestic Terminal (North/South) or International Terminal
• Or by walking the underground tunnel with moving walkways

Once you’re in Concourse A:

• Most food is located in the central section of the concourse
• Some stands or kiosks may sit near gate groupings closer to each end

If you’re connecting:

• Look at your departure gate number first (A1–A34 range typically)
• Then choose food that’s closer to that side so you’re not sprinting across the concourse when boarding starts

Types of Food You Can Expect in Atlanta Airport A Concourse

While exact concepts can change, here’s what you can reliably expect to find in A Concourse in Atlanta.

1. Quick Service & Fast Food

You’ll usually find familiar national chains here, which helps if you want something predictable and fast.

Common types of places in A Concourse include:

• Burger spots – for burgers, fries, and chicken sandwiches
• Pizza counters – slices and whole pies, plus drinks
• Sandwich shops – cold and hot subs, wraps
• Mexican / Tex-Mex – tacos, burritos, bowls
• Chicken-focused counters – tenders, wings, sandwiches

These are best if:

• You’re on a tight layover
• You want to take your food to the gate
• You prefer straightforward, familiar options you can eat quickly

🕒 Time tip: Many quick-service places in Concourse A can turn around an order in under 10–15 minutes outside peak times, but expect longer waits during early-morning rush (6–9 a.m.) and late afternoon (4–7 p.m.).

2. Coffee, Breakfast, and Bakery Options

Morning is peak time for Concourse A, so coffee and breakfast options are usually busy but well-staffed.

You can typically find:

• National coffee chains serving:
  • Hot and iced coffee
  • Espresso drinks
  • Teas
  • Pastries, muffins, bagels
• Breakfast sandwiches and wraps (egg, cheese, bacon/sausage, veggie)
• Yogurt parfaits and oatmeal at some grab-and-go markets

Good for:

• Early flights from Atlanta
• Quick caffeine before a connection
• Simple breakfast you can carry on board

If you’re local and know you’ll be flying out of Concourse A often in the morning, building in an extra 10 minutes for the coffee line is usually smart.

3. Sit-Down Restaurants and Bars

Concourse A usually includes at least one or more sit-down bar and grill–type restaurants where you can:

• Order from a full menu (burgers, salads, sandwiches, sometimes Southern-style dishes)
• Sit at a table or bar
• Watch a game or news on TV
• Enjoy beer, wine, or cocktails if you’re of legal age

These are best if:

• You have more than an hour between flights
• You prefer a real meal over snacks
• You want a place to sit that isn’t just a gate seat

💡 Local-style tip: Some sit-down options in the Atlanta airport try to incorporate Southern flavors—think fried chicken, pimento cheese, or collard greens—so if you’re visiting Atlanta and didn’t get to try local cooking in the city, the airport can give you a last-minute sample.

4. Grab-and-Go Markets and Convenience Counters

You’ll almost always find market-style spots in or near Concourse A that stock:

• Pre-packaged salads, wraps, and sandwiches
• Hummus, fruit cups, and snack boxes
• Chips, candy, and nuts
• Bottled water, sodas, juices, and energy drinks

These are especially good for:

• Short layovers
• Families who need multiple snack options quickly
• Travelers with specific dietary needs who prefer to read labels

Many Atlanta-based frequent flyers rely on these markets when they know their next flight won’t have a full meal service.

Quick Snapshot: Atlanta Airport A Concourse Food Options

Below is a general summary of what you can expect to find food-wise in Concourse A, even as specific brands rotate.

Tips for Choosing Food in A Concourse if You Live in Atlanta

If you’re an Atlanta local, you may already know the airport can eat up a lot of your time. A few habits can make eating in Concourse A much easier:

Plan Based on Your Home Terminal

Atlanta’s domestic side is split into:

• North Terminal – many non-Delta carriers
• South Terminal – Delta and partners

From either terminal, you’ll usually use the Plane Train to reach Concourse A quickly. If you know you’re departing from Concourse A, you can:

• Wait to eat until you reach A rather than stopping pre-security
• Or, if you prefer specific places in the main Domestic Terminal atrium, eat there and treat A Concourse as backup if lines are long

Build in “Airport Food Time” for Peak Hours

Morning and late afternoon flights out of Atlanta often mean:

• Longer security lines
• Busier Plane Train cars
• Much longer lines at popular food spots in Concourse A

If you need to eat in A Concourse:

• Add 15–20 extra minutes during busy times
• Check the nearest food option to your gate first instead of walking the whole concourse

Tips for Visitors Connecting Through A Concourse

If Atlanta is just your connection city, you still have to navigate A Concourse smartly:

Check Your Next Gate Before You Eat

On arrival:

1. Look at the airport monitors or app for your departure gate.
2. If your next flight is also from Concourse A, you’re in luck—just head toward the main food cluster.
3. If your next flight leaves from another concourse, decide:
   • Short layover (under 45 minutes): You may be better off grabbing a snack close to your departing gate instead of eating in A.
   • Longer layover: You can eat in A and then take the Plane Train to your next concourse.

Consider Your Flight Length

For long domestic flights out of Atlanta:

• Use A Concourse to stock up on food you actually want to eat, since in-flight options can be limited.
• Choose items that travel well:
  • Wraps and sandwiches
  • Snack boxes
  • Nuts, granola bars, crackers

Avoid very messy or strong-smelling foods if you’ll be eating in a tight airplane cabin.

Dietary Needs and Special Considerations in A Concourse

Food options in A Concourse are not custom-built for every diet, but there are ways to work with what’s there.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

You can often find:

• Salads and veggie wraps at grab-and-go markets
• Plain cheese pizza or veggie pizza (sometimes)
• Some plant-based sandwiches or bowls at chain restaurants

If you’re vegan:

• Double-check ingredients and ask staff about cheese, sauces, and dressings
• Grab nuts, fruit, and hummus from markets as backup

Gluten-Conscious Choices

Options can be more limited, but many travelers rely on:

• Salads without croutons
• Protein-plus-veggie combinations (like grilled chicken over greens, if available)
• Packaged items clearly labeled gluten-free

If you have celiac disease or a severe intolerance, consider:

• Bringing your own food through security (solid foods are generally allowed)
• Treating airport options as backup, not your main plan

Traveling with Kids

Concourse A can be crowded and loud, so food choices that work for kids usually include:

• Chicken tenders and fries
• Plain pasta or mac-and-cheese (if offered)
• Pizza slices
• Fruit cups and crackers from grab-and-go cases

If your child is picky or has allergies, packing some favorite, safe snacks from home can make the airport experience much easier.

Practical Logistics: Finding Food and Managing Time

Using Airport Signage

Once you exit the Plane Train into Concourse A:

• Look for overhead signs marking “Food & Shops”
• Most options are in the middle of the concourse; if you’re near A1 or A34 and see nothing yet, keep walking toward the center

Time Benchmarks

As a rough guide in Concourse A:

• 5–10 minutes: Enough time to grab a bottled drink, snack, or pre-made sandwich
• 15–25 minutes: Enough for most quick-service hot food if lines aren’t extreme
• 40–60+ minutes: Reasonable for a sit-down meal, especially outside peak rush

When in doubt, ask the counter staff: “How long is the current wait?”

Where to Get Help or More Info at the Airport

If you’re already at the airport and not sure what’s available in Concourse A:

• Look for Hartsfield–Jackson information desks near:
  • The main Domestic Terminal atrium
  • Some concourse entry areas
• Ask any airport employee in a uniform or safety vest—they can usually point you toward coffee, restaurants, or markets quickly.

For general airport information (including maps and concourse services), you can also contact:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Main information line (commonly listed): (800) 897-1910 or (404) 530-7300

They can provide current guidance on concourse amenities, though day-to-day restaurant changes are sometimes easiest to check on airport signage once you arrive.

If you’re flying through Atlanta Airport’s A Concourse, plan your food stop around your time, gate, and dietary needs. You’ll find coffee, fast food, grab-and-go markets, and at least one sit-down option—enough to turn a rushed connection or early-morning departure into a more manageable (and better-fed) experience.