Where to Eat Near the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta

If you’re searching for restaurants near the convention center in Atlanta, GA, you’re really looking around one main hub: the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) and the surrounding Downtown / CNN Center / Mercedes-Benz Stadium area. The good news is you can find everything from quick grab‑and‑go options to sit‑down dinners within a short walk or quick ride.

Below is a practical guide to what’s nearby, how far it is, and what to expect when you’re attending a conference, game, or big event.

Getting Oriented: Atlanta’s Convention Center Area

Atlanta’s main convention complex is the Georgia World Congress Center, located at:

The restaurants you’ll likely use are clustered in a few walkable pockets:

• Inside GWCC & CNN Center – food courts, fast casual, coffee, and quick bites.
• The Battery around Mercedes‑Benz Stadium – more game‑day style food, sports bars, and casual dining.
• Centennial Olympic Park area – hotel restaurants, chain sit‑downs, and some local favorites.
• Broad Street & Fairlie‑Poplar district – more local, weekday‑heavy lunch and dinner spots (a slightly longer walk).

When you plan where to eat, think about:

• Timing: Before/after big events, places closest to the center fill quickly.
• Walking vs. rideshare: Within 5–10 minutes on foot, options are mainly Downtown; for more variety, a short ride to Midtown or the Westside can be worth it.
• Budget and formality: Ranges from food‑court cheap to high‑end hotel dining within a few blocks.

Quick Bites Inside or Steps from the Convention Center

If you’re in between sessions or only have 30–45 minutes, focus on options inside GWCC or connected buildings.

Inside or Directly Attached to GWCC

Within the Georgia World Congress Center itself, food options change based on event schedules, but you’ll typically find:

• Concession stands and kiosks – burgers, hot dogs, pizza, snacks.
• Grab‑and‑go counters – sandwiches, salads, wraps, and drinks.
• Coffee stands – major national coffee brands and pastry counters.

These are ideal when you:

• Don’t want to leave the building.
• Have less than 30 minutes.
• Need something simple and familiar.

❗ Tip: During large conventions, lines can be long at peak lunch hours (11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m.). If you can, grab an early or late lunch.

CNN Center / State Farm Arena Vicinity

Across from Centennial Olympic Park and close to GWCC, you’ll find:

• Food‑court style spots – burgers, tacos, pizza, salads.
• Fast casual chains – recognizable sandwich, burrito, and bowl concepts.
• Coffee and dessert counters – national coffee chains and ice cream or specialty dessert stands.

These are still within a 5–10 minute walk of most GWCC halls and fit well between breakout sessions or before a show at State Farm Arena.

Sit‑Down Restaurants Within a Short Walk

If you have at least an hour and want a proper sit‑down meal near the convention center, Downtown offers several clusters of restaurants.

Around Centennial Olympic Park

This area is walkable from GWCC (often 5–12 minutes depending on your hall):

• Hotel restaurants
  Many of the big hotels near the park (such as those along Marietta St NW and Andrew Young International Blvd) have full‑service restaurants and bars. Expect:

  • American fare (burgers, steaks, salads, sandwiches)
  • Breakfast buffets or a la carte in the mornings
  • Reliable options when the weather is bad or you need a predictable menu

• Casual bar and grill spots
  Within a few blocks you’ll typically find:

  • Sports bars with lots of TVs (good before or after a game at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena)
  • Taprooms and casual pubs with burgers, wings, and sharable appetizers
  • Family‑friendly chain restaurants with wide menus and kid‑friendly choices

Ideal when you’re with a mixed group (co‑workers, family, or clients) and need something everyone can agree on.

Broad Street & Fairlie‑Poplar District

Roughly a 10–15 minute walk east from GWCC, the Broad Street / Fairlie‑Poplar area offers a more “local Downtown” feel:

• Local lunch spots

  • Sandwich and soup cafes
  • Counter‑service Southern plates
  • Pizza by the slice and quick pasta

• Global flavors

  • Casual Mexican or Latin spots
  • Asian noodle or rice bowl places
  • Mediterranean wraps and plates

These areas are especially lively on weekdays at lunch when Downtown office workers are out. Evening hours can vary, so checking current opening times before walking over is wise.

Game‑Day & Event‑Friendly Options Near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

The stadium is directly connected to the GWCC campus, so if you’re attending a game, concert, or large event, you’ll be in the same general area.

Common choices here include:

• Stadium concessions
  • Classic game‑day food (hot dogs, nachos, fries, pizza)
  • Some locations with more specialized offerings (BBQ, local‑style stands)
• Bars and grills surrounding the stadium
  • Sports bars popular before and after Falcons, United, or major concert events
  • Casual spots with wings, burgers, and beer lists

If you prefer to avoid crowds, consider walking back toward Centennial Olympic Park or taking a quick rideshare to Midtown once your session or event wraps up.

Types of Cuisine You Can Expect Near the Convention Center

Within a 10–15 minute walk of the GWCC, you’ll typically find:

• American / Southern – burgers, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, BBQ‑inspired dishes.
• Pizza & Italian‑inspired – whole pies, slices, and basic pastas.
• Mexican & Tex‑Mex – tacos, burritos, bowls, nachos.
• Asian‑inspired – stir‑fries, noodle bowls, sushi or poke in some spots.
• Salad & bowl concepts – build‑your‑own bowls, grain‑based dishes, and salad bars.
• Coffee, bakery, and dessert shops – pastries, cookies, ice cream, and coffee drinks.

If you’re willing to take a 5–10 minute rideshare out of Downtown, the choices expand dramatically in Midtown, West Midtown, and the Old Fourth Ward, including more chef‑driven restaurants, fine dining, and neighborhood favorites.

Planning for Different Situations

Here’s a quick reference to help you match your plans to nearby restaurant choices.

At‑a‑Glance: Eating Near the Georgia World Congress Center

Practical Tips for Dining Near the Convention Center

A few Atlanta‑specific points can make your meal plans smoother:

1. Watch Event Schedules

Major events at GWCC, State Farm Arena, or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium can dramatically affect:

• Wait times
• Reservation availability
• Traffic and parking

If you know there’s a Falcons game, Atlanta United match, or large conference, it’s smart to:

• Reserve dinner at any sit‑down spot you really care about.
• Arrive earlier than usual if you’re trying to eat within walking distance.

2. Consider MARTA and Walking

The GWCC / CNN Center area is accessible from:

• GWCC/CNN Center Station on MARTA’s Blue/Green line.

If you’re staying in Downtown or Midtown, walking or taking MARTA can be easier than dealing with event congestion. Many restaurants within the Downtown grid are within a 10–15 minute walk of this station.

3. Lunch vs. Dinner Differences

In the blocks around the convention center:

• Lunch: More options, especially on weekdays, and more quick‑service places open.
• Dinner: Some strictly weekday lunch spots close; hotel restaurants and chain sit‑downs become more reliable.

If you find yourself walking past dark storefronts at dinner time, head toward:

• Centennial Olympic Park and major hotels
• State Farm Arena / CNN Center area

Those are more likely to stay active into the evening.

4. Budget Planning

Around the convention center:

• Fast casual / food court: Generally the most budget‑friendly.
• Hotel and full‑service spots: Often moderately priced, with higher prices for steak or seafood.
• Stadium concessions: Typically event‑priced; convenient but not usually the cheapest.

If you’re cost‑conscious and have time, a short trip out to a neighborhood like Midtown or West Midtown can give you more mid‑range local options.

How Locals Use the Area

People who live in Atlanta tend to treat the convention center area as:

• A convenient meeting point for events, sports, and downtown attractions.
• A place for easy, central dining with coworkers and out‑of‑town visitors.
• A launchpad to explore more food‑centric neighborhoods by rideshare or MARTA once events wrap up.

If you’re visiting, you can follow the same pattern: eat close to the GWCC when time is tight, then venture slightly farther for a more “Atlanta‑style” dining experience when your schedule allows.

If your main goal is simply to find restaurants near the convention center in Atlanta, GA, focus first on inside GWCC, the CNN Center/State Farm Arena area, and Centennial Olympic Park for the closest mix of quick bites and sit‑down options, then branch out as your time and transportation allow.