Where To Eat Around CNN Center in Downtown Atlanta

If you’re searching for restaurants in CNN Center Atlanta, you’re really looking at the wider food scene around State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Centennial Olympic Park, and the Georgia World Congress Center. The CNN Center’s interior food court has changed over the years, and some spaces have closed or shifted use, but the area around it is still packed with options.

This guide focuses on where you can realistically eat before or after a game, concert, or tour in the CNN Center / Centennial Park / Downtown Atlanta area.

Quick Snapshot: Places to Eat Near CNN Center

Here’s a simple overview of common choices within a short walk of CNN Center (1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303):

Exact tenants in and around CNN Center can change, so it’s always smart to check hours and current concepts if you’re planning a specific meal.

Understanding the CNN Center Area Today

The CNN Center complex sits on the west side of Centennial Olympic Park, attached to State Farm Arena and across the street from Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and the Georgia World Congress Center.

Over time, the indoor CNN Center food court and shops have shifted as office use and tours have changed. Many people now treat “CNN Center restaurants” as shorthand for:

• Restaurants lining Centennial Olympic Park Drive SW
• Nearby spots along Marietta St NW, Andrew Young International Blvd NW, and Baker St NW
• Hotel dining rooms and lobby bars inside nearby hotels

So when you are in the CNN Center area, it’s better to think of it as the broader Downtown entertainment district.

Best Bets Right Around CNN Center (Walkable in Minutes)

From the front of CNN Center, you can walk a few minutes and find a cluster of options that work well for events, conventions, or sightseeing days.

1. Centennial Olympic Park & Marietta Street Corridor

This stretch is popular with people visiting:

• World of Coca‑Cola
• Georgia Aquarium
• College Football Hall of Fame
• The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

You’ll commonly find:

• Casual grills and sports bars
  Ideal for watching pre‑game coverage before heading into State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium. Expect burgers, wings, sandwiches, and shareable appetizers.

• Pizza and Italian‑leaning spots
  Good for families and groups wanting something easy to split, quick, and kid‑friendly.

• Fast‑casual sandwich and salad places
  Handy if you’re in business clothing from a meeting at the Georgia World Congress Center and want a lighter lunch.

This area tends to be busy before big events and on weekends, so arriving 60–90 minutes before a game or show can help you avoid long waits.

2. Hotel Restaurants Near CNN Center

Several large hotels within a 5–10 minute walk of CNN Center have full‑service restaurants that many locals and visitors use even if they’re not staying overnight.

Common features include:

• Buffet or à‑la‑carte breakfast for early conference days
• Upscale or modern Southern dinners with dishes like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, or steak with regional sides
• Lobby bars specializing in cocktails, small plates, and late‑night bites

These can be especially useful if:

• You want a reservation‑friendly option before a concert
• You’re meeting colleagues from a convention at the Georgia World Congress Center
• Weather is bad and you’d like to stay as close as possible to the covered walkways and MARTA

Eating Inside the Venues: State Farm Arena & Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

If you’re already inside a venue connected to or across from CNN Center, concessions may be your most convenient option.

State Farm Arena (Attached to CNN Center)

Address: 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

Inside you’ll usually find:

• Classic arena food: burgers, hot dogs, fries, nachos
• Chicken tenders and wings
• Beer, cocktails, and soft drinks
• A few stands that rotate concepts or offer regional/Southern‑inspired items

This is ideal if:

• You don’t have time to eat before you go through security
• You want to stay close to your seats and catch warm‑ups or openers

On the other hand, if you want a relaxed sit‑down dinner, it’s better to eat outside the arena before scanning in.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Across from CNN Center)

Address: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Just a short walk from CNN Center via Andrew Young International Blvd NW or the paths around GWCC, the stadium is known for:

• Value‑priced concessions (relative to many stadiums)
• BBQ, chicken sandwiches, pizza, and specialty stands
• Plenty of grab‑and‑go for fans in a hurry

For Falcons, United, and major concerts, many Atlanta locals plan to eat either at the stadium or in the blocks between CNN Center and MBS.

Quick, On‑the‑Go Food Near CNN Center

If you’re moving between attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and College Football Hall of Fame, or you’re squeezing lunch between conference sessions, you have several realistic options:

• Fast‑casual chains along Marietta St NW, Baker St NW, and Luckie St NW
  This is where you can typically grab sandwiches, salads, burrito‑style bowls, or flatbreads.

• Coffee shops and cafés around Centennial Olympic Park
  Useful for a quick breakfast pastry, coffee break, or light snack during a long downtown day.

• Grab‑and‑go spots inside some hotels and office lobbies
  Often offer pre‑made wraps, snacks, and bottled drinks during weekday daytime hours.

These are your best bets if you:

• Have 30 minutes or less before you need to be at your next session or tour
• Are looking for something you can carry back to a hotel room or office

Sit‑Down Meals: When You Have More Time

If you have an hour or more and want a proper meal, the broader Downtown and Centennial Park district offers:

Southern & Soul‑Inspired Restaurants

Within walking or a short ride from CNN Center, you can find:

• Southern comfort food: fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread
• Seafood and low‑country touches: shrimp and grits, catfish, crab cakes
• Modern twists on Southern classics in some hotel restaurants and stand‑alone spots

These are especially popular with visitors who want a “taste of Atlanta” near the tourist core without heading into more distant neighborhoods.

American Grills & Sports Bars

Near CNN Center and along Peachtree St NW, you’ll see:

• Sports‑oriented bars with lots of TVs
• Menus focused on burgers, wings, sliders, pretzels, and loaded fries
• Beer and cocktail lists designed around game‑day crowds

These are go‑to options for:

• Pre‑game meetups before walking back through CNN Center to State Farm Arena
• Watching away games or national broadcasts
• Big groups that want a casual environment and split checks

Family‑Friendly Options Near CNN Center

If you’re in Downtown Atlanta with kids for the day:

• Look to Centennial Olympic Park’s edges, Marietta Street, and Baker Street for:

  • Pizza and pasta
  • Burger and chicken spots
  • Ice cream or dessert shops

• Plan around attraction timing:

  • 🍽️ Before the aquarium or World of Coca‑Cola: Eat near Centennial Olympic Park or grab a quick breakfast when MARTA drops you at Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station.
  • 🍽️ Mid‑day break: Choose a casual sit‑down so kids can cool off and sit still in air‑conditioning.
  • 🍽️ After an event at State Farm Arena: Many restaurants nearby stay open late on event nights, but it’s wise to check expected closing times.

Families often prefer:

• Booth seating and kid menus
• Noise‑tolerant environments (sports bars before evening can work well)
• Easy stroller access along Centennial Olympic Park Drive and surrounding sidewalks

Using MARTA and Walking Routes to Food

One advantage of eating near CNN Center is MARTA access and walkability.

Closest MARTA Station

• Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line)
  From here you can:
  • Walk directly into State Farm Arena and CNN Center area
  • Head toward Centennial Olympic Park, where many restaurants are clustered

If you’re coming from Midtown, Buckhead, or the Airport, you can often:

1. Take the Red or Gold Line to the Five Points station.
2. Transfer to the Westbound Blue or Green Line.
3. Exit at Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station.
4. Walk to your restaurant along clearly marked sidewalks and park paths.

Walking Notes

• The area between CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park, and Marietta Street is pedestrian‑heavy, especially on weekends and event days.
• Many routes are well‑lit and clearly signed, but it’s still smart to:
  • Allow extra time when Atlanta hosts big conventions
  • Check event calendars at State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, or GWCC if you want a quieter meal time

When You Need Something Very Close or Very Late

If you’re staying in a nearby hotel or leaving a late event:

• Hotel lobby restaurants and bars are often your most reliable late‑night option
• Some fast‑casual and takeout spots remain open later on event nights, but hours can vary by day and by season
• For very late hours, you may need:
  • A short ride to Peachtree Street further north in Downtown
  • Or a trip to neighborhoods like Midtown or Inman Park if you’re committed to a specific type of cuisine

Checking posted hours the day of your visit can save you from walking to a closed door after a concert or overtime game.

Practical Tips for Eating Near CNN Center Atlanta

• Plan around events.
  Big concerts, Hawks games, Falcons games, United matches, and conventions can rapidly fill restaurants within a few blocks of CNN Center.

• Consider reservations for sit‑down dinners.
  Many hotel restaurants and popular spots near Centennial Olympic Park take reservations, which can help on busy weekends.

• Build in walking time.
  Even when a restaurant looks close on the map, crowds and security lines into venues can stretch your timeline.

• Use CNN Center as your landmark, but think of your dining area as:

  • CNN Center / State Farm Arena
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Marietta St / Baker St / Luckie St / Peachtree St NW corridor

If you keep those blocks in mind, you’ll have a solid range of restaurants in and around CNN Center Atlanta for everything from quick coffee to full sit‑down dinners before or after your Downtown plans.