Where to Eat on Concourse A at Atlanta Airport (ATL)

If you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and your flight leaves from Concourse A, you actually have a solid range of food options—especially for a quick bite or a drink before boarding. This guide walks you through restaurants on Concourse A at Atlanta Airport, what to expect, and how to plan your stop depending on your timing, budget, and cravings.

Getting Oriented: Concourse A Basics

Concourse A is one of ATL’s busiest concourses for domestic flights, especially for Delta and its partners. It’s connected to the Domestic Terminal and the rest of the concourses (T, B, C, D, E, F) by the Plane Train and walkable corridors.

Key things to know before hunting for food:

• All dining is post-security on Concourse A.
• You cannot reach Concourse A restaurants from the landside baggage claim without going through security.
• If you’re coming from another concourse, you can ride the Plane Train to Concourse A and walk up to the main level for dining.

Quick Overview: Types of Restaurants on Concourse A

Here’s a simplified look at what you’ll generally find on Concourse A at ATL:

Availability of specific brands or concepts can shift, but these categories almost always have representation on Concourse A.

Fast Food and Grab-and-Go on Concourse A

If you’re rushing to make a flight or just want something easy to carry on board, grab-and-go spots are your best bet. On Concourse A you’ll typically see:

• Burger and chicken counters
  Common options include popular national burger chains and fried chicken spots that align with Atlanta’s love of chicken. Expect:

  • Burgers and fries
  • Chicken sandwiches or tenders
  • Soft drinks and milkshakes
  • Kids’ combo meals

• Pizza by the slice
  Several concourses at ATL, including A, often have pizza-by-the-slice counters. These are good when you:

  • Want something filling but portable
  • Need vegetarian options like cheese or veggie slices
  • Don’t want to wait for table service

• Sandwich and deli-style spots
  These often offer:

  • Pre-made or made-to-order sandwiches and wraps
  • Simple salads and fruit cups
  • Chips, cookies, and bottled drinks

Best use:
If you’re connecting through Atlanta and only have 20–30 minutes between flights, these fast options near your gate are usually the safest bet. Look at signage overhead, which typically shows food icons and arrows for restaurants clustered in central sections of the concourse.

Coffee, Breakfast, and Bakery Options

Morning is peak time on Concourse A, and the coffee lines can get long. You can generally count on:

• Major coffee chains
  Located near central nodes of the concourse, these typically offer:

  • Espresso drinks, brewed coffee, tea
  • Breakfast sandwiches and wraps
  • Muffins, croissants, and pastries
  • Bottled juices and cold brew

• Bakery-style counters
  Sometimes you’ll find:

  • Bagels with cream cheese, egg, or bacon
  • Fresh pastries and sweet treats
  • Simple grab-and-go yogurt and fruit

Atlanta tip:
If you’re flying out of Concourse A early in the morning, plan extra time for coffee. Lines often look long but usually move steadily. If you’re really tight on time, check if a smaller satellite coffee kiosk is closer to your gate rather than going to the most obvious central location.

Sit-Down & Bar/Grill Restaurants on Concourse A

If you have a longer layover or intentionally came early from Atlanta’s metro area to relax before your flight, you might prefer a place where you can sit down, order from a server, and enjoy a drink.

On Concourse A, these usually take the form of:

• Bar-and-grill concepts
  Typical features:

  • Burgers, wings, sandwiches, salads
  • Draft beer, cocktails, wine
  • TVs showing news or sports
  • Bar seating plus small tables

• Casual sit-down American restaurants
  These may have:

  • Breakfast items if open early (eggs, pancakes, omelets)
  • Lunch and dinner menus with chicken, fish, burgers, and salads
  • Some “Southern-style” twists, like fried chicken or pimento cheese appetizers

When this makes sense:

• You have at least 60–90 minutes before boarding.
• You prefer table service, a real plate, and utensils.
• You want a drink at the bar and to charge your phone at a bar outlet.

Remember that ATL posts boarding times well ahead of departure, so don’t lose track of time when your server offers another round.

Southern Flavors and “Atlanta Taste” on Concourse A

While Concourse A is more functional and fast-paced than some of the international concourses, you can still often find touches of Southern and Atlanta-style comfort food, such as:

• Fried chicken tenders or sandwiches
• Biscuits or biscuit-style breakfast sandwiches
• Mac and cheese, fries, or collard-style sides (depending on the specific concept currently operating)

For travelers visiting Atlanta who want at least a nod to local flavors before they head home, it’s worth scanning the menus at bar-and-grill-style spots and chicken counters. Even national brands in ATL sometimes include limited “Southern” or “Atlanta” labeled items tailored to the local market.

Healthier and Vegetarian-Friendly Choices

Eating at the airport doesn’t have to mean only fried food and burgers. On Concourse A, look for:

• Salads and grain bowls at deli-style or fast-casual counters
• Veggie sandwiches or wraps—many chains offer at least one meat-free option
• Fruit cups, hummus packs, and snack boxes at convenience markets
• Oatmeal or yogurt parfaits at coffee shops in the morning

If you have dietary preferences or restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-conscious):

• Check menu boards carefully—most airport spots label at least basics like vegetarian or gluten-free.
• Don’t hesitate to ask staff about:
  • Ingredients in sauces
  • Whether items can be made without cheese or bread
  • Swapping sides (e.g., fries for a side salad or fruit)

Planning ahead helps, especially during peak travel periods when lines are long and staff are busy.

Convenience Markets and Snack Shops

In addition to full restaurants, Concourse A has convenience-style markets and kiosks where you can grab:

• Bottled water, soda, juice, and energy drinks
• Chips, nuts, trail mix, and candy
• Protein bars and jerky
• Basic travel items (chargers, headphones, personal care products)

These are useful when:

• You’re boarding soon and don’t have time for a full meal.
• You want snacks for a longer flight, especially if you’re flying a route with limited onboard service.
• You’re traveling with kids and need to stock up on familiar snacks.

Timing Tips for Eating on Concourse A

Because ATL is so busy, timing matters almost as much as what you eat.

Early Morning (before ~8:00 a.m.)

• Coffee and breakfast spots are busiest.
• Many sit-down bars or grills may open later or have limited breakfast menus.
• Better to grab coffee and a breakfast sandwich or pastry if you’re short on time.

Midday (late morning through afternoon)

• Most restaurants on Concourse A are fully open.
• Lines are steady but typically manageable.
• This is your best window for a proper sit-down meal before a mid- or late-afternoon flight.

Evenings

• Bars and grills can be more crowded with people having a pre-flight drink.
• Some smaller kiosks may close earlier depending on the day.
• If you have a late departure, grab food as soon as you reach the concourse, not right before boarding.

Finding Specific Restaurants Once You’re at ATL

If you’re already in Atlanta or arriving soon, here’s how to quickly locate food on Concourse A once inside the airport:

• Airport Maps & Directories
  Look for overhead signage with “Food & Shops” icons along the concourse. Large digital boards often list:

  • Restaurant names
  • Approximate locations (A Center, near Gate Axx)
  • Whether they are currently open

• Information Desks
  The main airport information desks are typically located in:

  • Domestic Terminal, North and South sides
  • Near the atrium area above the Plane Train
    Staff can:
  • Point out which restaurants are on Concourse A
  • Confirm if your preferred type of food is closer on another concourse

  While the desks themselves are not on Concourse A, they’re helpful if you’re still in the Domestic Terminal deciding where to eat before you ride the Plane Train.

• Plane Train Strategy
  If you land on another concourse:

  • Check your connecting gate first.
  • If your next flight departs from Concourse A, ride the Plane Train there and choose a nearby restaurant to avoid backtracking.

Tips for Atlanta Locals vs. Visitors

If You Live in Metro Atlanta

• Arrive early if you want a sit-down meal on Concourse A. Traffic on I-75/I-85 and parking around the Domestic Terminal can eat into that buffer.
• If you’re already familiar with other concourses, you might consider:
  • Going through security, riding the Plane Train to Concourse A, and eating there specifically if that’s where your gate is.
• Remember, ATL has restaurants spread across T, A, B, C, D, E, F, and the Domestic Terminal atrium—but you’ll save stress if you eat on the same concourse as your departure gate.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta

• Concourse A food is convenient and functional, not usually where you’ll find the most “Atlanta-famous” names compared with other parts of the airport.
• If you want more of a signature Atlanta dining experience:
  • Consider eating in the Domestic Terminal atrium before taking the Plane Train to Concourse A.
  • Or plan your food exploration in the city itself—neighborhoods like Midtown, Inman Park, West Midtown, and Decatur offer a deeper taste of Atlanta.

Practical Pointers for Eating on Concourse A

• Budget awareness: Airport prices are typically higher than in-town restaurants. Expect a premium on convenience.
• Check your gate often: Gates at ATL can change. Verify your gate before sitting down at a restaurant that’s far away, especially on a tight schedule.
• Watch boarding times, not just departure times: Airlines at ATL often start boarding 30–45 minutes before the printed departure time.
• Carry a water bottle: You can buy water on Concourse A, but bringing an empty bottle through security and filling it at hydration stations can save money.

Whether you’re an Atlanta local catching a routine flight or a visitor heading home after a trip, Concourse A at Hartsfield–Jackson has enough restaurants and quick-serve spots to cover most needs—coffee for the early risers, burgers and pizza for the hungry, salads and snack boxes for healthier choices, and bar seating if you have time to unwind. Use airport signage and your gate assignment to decide how far you’re willing to walk, and you’ll be able to find a meal that works for your schedule before you board.