Your Guide to Gordon Biersch at the Atlanta Airport (ATL)

If you’re flying through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and searching for Gordon Biersch at the Atlanta Airport, you’re probably trying to figure out: Is there one? Where is it? What can I expect? This guide breaks it down from an Atlanta-focused perspective so you know what’s available and what your options are.

Is There a Gordon Biersch in the Atlanta Airport?

As of the most recent public airport and tenant information available, Gordon Biersch does not currently operate a restaurant inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Restaurant lineups do change over time, and airports regularly rotate concepts, but travelers looking specifically for “Gordon Biersch Atlanta Airport” should be aware that:

• You should not expect to find a Gordon Biersch location past security at ATL.
• If you’ve seen older references online, they may be out of date or referring to other airports.
• At ATL, you’ll instead find a mix of local Atlanta brands and national chains that offer similar sit-down dining, beer selections, and bar-style menus.

If you’re a local Atlantan used to a Gordon Biersch in another city, or a traveler trying to plan a meal before a tight connection, it’s best to have backup options in mind within the airport.

What to Do if You Were Specifically Looking for Gordon Biersch

If your plan was to meet friends, grab a beer, or sit down for a pre-flight meal “at Gordon Biersch” in Atlanta, here’s how to adjust quickly:

1. Check Current Restaurant Listings at ATL

Because airport concessions can change, it’s worth:

• Using the official Hartsfield-Jackson ATL website or airport app to confirm what’s in your terminal and concourse.
• Looking at overhead directory boards once you pass security.
• Asking an information desk or airport staff if you want a bar/restaurant with:
  • Craft or local beer
  • Sit-down service
  • TV screens for sports
  • A full bar

This helps you find a similar experience to Gordon Biersch even if the exact brand isn’t present.

2. Choose a Similar-Style Spot Inside ATL

While Gordon Biersch itself isn’t currently in ATL, you can still find:

• Full-service restaurants with bars
• Sports bars with beer, cocktails, and casual food
• Grab-and-go spots with packaged beer and simple meals

ATL is organized into:

• Domestic Terminal North & South
• Concourse T
• Concourses A–F
• Concourse D and E (often popular for dining choices)
• Concourse F (International Terminal), also with multiple dining options

Once you know your departure gate and concourse, focus on what’s nearby, especially if you have a short layover.

If You’re an Atlanta Local: Airport vs. In-Town Options

If you live in metro Atlanta and have time before or after your flight, you may be deciding whether to eat and drink in the city or at the airport.

Why Some Locals Prefer Eating in the City

If you were hoping for a Gordon Biersch–style experience, you might find it easier to:

• Stop at a bar or restaurant along I-75/I-85 on your way to the airport.
• Use Atlanta’s neighborhoods (Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, etc.) to find:
  • Taprooms or breweries
  • Casual restaurants with large beer menus
  • Patio seating and more relaxed timing than the airport rush

This option often works best if:

• You’re driving yourself and can leave a little early.
• You’re being dropped off and want to meet up for a meal nearby.
• You don’t like the time pressure of eating past security.

Timing Tips for Locals

If you’re planning to eat outside the airport:

• Aim to arrive at ATL with your airline’s recommended buffereven after your meal, accounting for:
  • Atlanta traffic (I-285, I-75/85, and I-20 can all back up)
  • Parking or drop-off
  • Security screening

A simple rule many local travelers follow:

• Eat near home or en route if your schedule is flexible.
• Eat at ATL after security if your plans are tight or your ride is unpredictable.

Food and Drink at ATL: What to Expect Instead of Gordon Biersch

Even without Gordon Biersch, Hartsfield-Jackson offers a broad mix of food and drink options that cover similar needs: sit-down meals, beer, and a place to relax.

Common Types of Places You’ll Find

You can typically expect:

• Sit-down restaurants with a bar
  • Table service
  • Draft and bottled beer
  • Burgers, sandwiches, salads, or regional dishes
• Sports bars
  • TVs showing major games
  • Full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails
  • Bar food and appetizers
• Fast casual and quick service
  • Counter ordering
  • Limited or no table service
  • Some still offer beer or canned cocktails
• Coffee shops and grab-and-go
  • Not a bar experience, but good if you just need a quick bite before boarding

Quick Comparison: Gordon Biersch Style vs. Typical ATL Airport Options

Below is a simple overview to help you match what you liked about Gordon Biersch with what’s commonly available inside ATL:

Navigating ATL to Find Food and Drinks Efficiently

Whether you’re an Atlanta resident or visitor, knowing how the airport is laid out makes it easier to find a good alternative to Gordon Biersch.

Know Your Concourse First

Your boarding pass or airline app will list your gate and concourse (e.g., A12, D5, F8). This matters because:

• While you can travel between concourses using the Plane Train or walking, it takes time.
• For short layovers, it’s usually smartest to eat near your gate instead of going on a food “tour” of the airport.

Use Airport Resources

Once inside ATL:

• Follow signs for your concourse (T, A, B, C, D, E, F).
• Look for overhead directory boards that list:
  • Restaurants
  • Bars
  • Coffee spots and quick-service stands
• Ask at the information desk or a nearby gate agent if you’re trying to find a sit-down restaurant with beer close to your gate.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Who Miss Gordon Biersch

If Gordon Biersch was part of your routine at other airports or cities, here’s how to recreate that feel at ATL:

• Prioritize a bar with draft beer
  Look for taps and bar seating; that’s your best match for a brewery-style environment.

• Choose a spot with full meals, not just snacks
  If you liked pairing a full entrée with beer, avoid purely snack or grab-and-go stands.

• Plan around your connection time

  • Under 45 minutes: Stay very close to your gate; grab something quick.
  • 1–2 hours: You can usually sit down comfortably in your own concourse.
  • 2+ hours: You have more flexibility to explore another concourse if you wish.

• Keep boarding time in mind
  Bars and restaurants at ATL can be busy during major travel waves. Ask your server how long food typically takes so you’re not cutting it close.

If You Need Help or Have Special Requirements

If you’re trying to find a certain type of place (gluten-conscious options, quieter seating, specific cuisines, or kid-friendly seating) as a substitute for Gordon Biersch:

• Once you pass security, visit an information desk in your concourse.
• Let staff know:
  • Your concourse and gate
  • Your time until boarding
  • What kind of food/drink environment you’re looking for (bar atmosphere, quieter space, quick grab-and-go, etc.)

They can often direct you to the closest reasonable match within the time you have.

In summary: if you’re searching for “Gordon Biersch Atlanta Airport,” you won’t currently find that exact restaurant inside ATL, but you will have multiple ways to create a similar experience—especially if you focus on full-service bars and sit-down restaurants in your departure concourse or plan a stop in Atlanta itself before heading to the airport.